Academic Emergency Medicine: Emergency Physician Perceptions of Medically Unnecessary Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
By Hemal K. Kanzaria, Jerome R. Hoffman, Marc A. Probst, John P. Caloyeras, Sandra H. Berry, Robert H. Brook March 23, 2015 The objective was to determine emergency physician (EP) perceptions regarding 1) the extent to which they order medically unnecessary advanced diagnostic imaging, 2) factors that contribute to this behavior, and 3) proposed solutions […]
The Post and Courier: A loophole lets SC hospitals take millions from residents’ tax refunds for unpaid bills
A loophole lets SC hospitals take millions from residents’ tax refunds for unpaid bills April 20, 2019 South Carolina hospitals are using a loophole in state law to scoop millions of dollars a year from the pockets of the poorest of patients. It mostly takes place outside the courts and the public eye. A law […]
Axios: 1 big thing: ER bills are skyrocketing
ER bills are skyrocketing June 7, 2019 Emergency rooms’ prices are skyrocketing, and experts say that may be a side effect of the same factors that leave patients on the hook for unexpected bills. Why it matters: Emergency rooms are collecting more money from private insurance plans, and at the same time they’re also surprising patients […]
USA Today: ‘Really astonishing’: Average cost of hospital ER visit surges 176% in a decade, report says
‘Really astonishing’: Average cost of hospital ER visit surges 176% in a decade, report says By Kenneth Alltucker June 4, 2019 Hospital emergency rooms are more likely to charge pricier levels of care than a decade ago, generating bigger bills that consumers increasingly must pay with their own money, according to a new report. The nonprofit Health […]
KHN: Hospitals Accused Of Paying Doctors Large Kickbacks In Quest For Patients
Hospitals Accused Of Paying Doctors Large Kickbacks In Quest For Patients By Jordan Rau May 31, 2019 Hospitals are eager to get particular specialists on staff because they bring in business that can be highly profitable. But those efforts, if they involve unusually high salaries or other enticements, can violate federal anti-kickback laws. For a […]
American Medical Association: For the First Time, Fewer Physicians are Owners Than Employees
Policy Research Perspectives: For the First Time, Fewer Physicians are Owners Than Employees By Carol K. Kane, PhD Using data from the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Physician Practice Benchmark Surveys, this Policy Research Perspective (PRP) describes the practice arrangements of physicians between 2012 and 2018. The Benchmark Surveys include physicians who provide at least 20 […]
Axios: Hospitals are swimming in cash
Hospitals are swimming in cash By Bob Herman 5/21/19 The number of hospital admissions, surgeries and other medical procedures has continued to stay flat in many parts of the country, but that hasn’t prevented hospitals from retaining large sums of money and hiring more people. The big picture: America’s rural hospitals are dying. But large not-for-profit hospital systems in […]
Medium: Surprise Medical Bills — A Rare Moment Of Bipartisanship May Put An End To Unfair Balance Billing
Surprise Medical Bills — A Rare Moment Of Bipartisanship May Put An End To Unfair Balance Billing By Dean Cleary 5/20/19 Americans have been caught between the giant healthcare and insurance lobbies for years but there may be a resolution soon Introduction Imagine this, you go to the emergency room after a bicycle accident, taken by ambulance to […]
Healthcare Dive: Physician revenues have jumped 52% since 2016
Physician revenues have jumped 52% since 2016 By Tony Abraham 5/15/19 Dive Brief: The average net revenue generated annually by physicians for their hospitals has grown significantly since 2016, according to a Merritt Hawkins survey of 62 hospital CFOs. Responses showed the combined net inpatient and outpatient revenue generated annually by a single physician totaled $2.3 million, […]
E21: End Hospitals’ Right to a Blank Check for Emergency Care
End Hospitals’ Right to a Blank Check for Emergency Care By Chris Pope, 5/3/19 Emergency medical care is an exception to the general principle of market exchange, whereby services are voluntarily bought and sold, with sellers competing on price. Under federal law, hospitals are required to treat patients that arrive needing emergency medical treatment, regardless […]