New guidelines issued by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) will safeguard patients’ privacy and ensure high-quality care in a fast-changing healthcare delivery environment, according to the group. However, some patient advocates, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations...
A provision in CMS’ new rule to modify or eliminate unnecessary regulations will ease requirements for physicians in small Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), as well as Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), according to the agency. Part II of CMS’ Regulatory...
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has identified 17 social and behavioral areas that should be addressed in all electronic health records (EHR) of patients to improve outcomes and advance public health research efforts. The IOM compiled the list as a guide for officials who are developing...
The Joint Commission has updated its frequently asked questions and answers with one regarding the competence of independent practitioners to perform waived tests. The posted question asks, “Are competency assessments required for licensed independent practitioners (LIPs) performing waived...
The recently announced postponement of the ICD-10 implementation deadline presents a dilemma for many providers that were ready to activate the new system. However, all organizations will want to use the delay to trigger a review of their readiness, and the results will in large part...
Primary care physicians (PCP) are in a difficult spot these days. Paid less than specialists, many jam their schedules with 15-minute appointments to bring in cash. Hospitals are buying up clinics, and some independent physicians are eager to join and leave the business-side headaches to someone...
