Thursday, August 29, 2013

Bill to empower nurse practitioners divides professional organizations - amednews.com

Bill to empower nurse practitioners divides professional organizations - amednews.com

Organized medicine groups line up against proposed Stark law changes - amednews.com

Organized medicine groups line up against proposed Stark law changes - amednews.com

Doc leaders split over public Medicare payment data - FierceHealthcare

Doc leaders split over public Medicare payment data - FierceHealthcare

Emory University pays $1.5M to settle False Claims Act case - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Emory University pays $1.5M to settle False Claims Act case - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Exploding premiums: Real danger or false alarm? | Georgia Health News

Exploding premiums: Real danger or false alarm? | Georgia Health News

Survey: Americans Have Low Health Insurance Literacy – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Survey: Americans Have Low Health Insurance Literacy – Capsules - The KHN Blog

HHS Will Allow ‘Unbanked’ People To Use Prepaid Debit Cards On Exchanges – Capsules - The KHN Blog

HHS Will Allow ‘Unbanked’ People To Use Prepaid Debit Cards On Exchanges – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Doctors shortchanged by insurers’ shift to credit card payments - amednews.com

Doctors shortchanged by insurers’ shift to credit card payments - amednews.com

Despite Distaste For Health Law, Americans Oppose Defunding : Shots - Health News : NPR

Despite Distaste For Health Law, Americans Oppose Defunding : Shots - Health News : NPR

Memorial ER expansion plans reviewed | savannahnow.com

Memorial ER expansion plans reviewed | savannahnow.com

Enrollment for Medicaid, PeachCare hits new high | Georgia Health News

Enrollment for Medicaid, PeachCare hits new high | Georgia Health News

Doctors in Blue Cross alternative quality contract also changed how they treated Medicare patients - Health & wellness - The Boston Globe

Doctors in Blue Cross alternative quality contract also changed how they treated Medicare patients - Health & wellness - The Boston Globe

AMA President Optimistic About A Fix For Medicare’s Doctor Payment Formula – Capsules - The KHN Blog

AMA President Optimistic About A Fix For Medicare’s Doctor Payment Formula – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Hospital systems’ health plan: Will the idea work this time around? | Georgia Health News

Hospital systems’ health plan: Will the idea work this time around? | Georgia Health News

Final Week to Apply for Medical Director Position in DC Office


Final Week to Apply for Medical Director Position in DC Office

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is accepting applications through August 31, 2013, for a full-time staff position: Medical Director, Division of Advocacy and Health Policy (DAHP). The individual selected for this position will be based in the ACS Washington Office and will work with the staff of the DAHP and other areas of the College.

Responsibilities of this position will include but not be limited to the following: attending quality, coalition, congressional, administration, and other meetings related to health care issues; supporting policy and network development; contributing to publications and committee work assignments; and serving as a staffing and budgeting resource. Only Fellows of the College will be considered for this position. View the complete job description.

Interested Fellows should send a CV and a Statement of Interest by e-mail to:acssearchcom@facs.org. (The American College of Surgeons is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, AA/EEO/M/F/D/V.)

ACOs’ Coordinated Care Savings May Be Contagious – Capsules - The KHN Blog

ACOs’ Coordinated Care Savings May Be Contagious – Capsules - The KHN Blog

4 steps to help patients quit smoking before surgery - FierceHealthcare

4 steps to help patients quit smoking before surgery - FierceHealthcare

CMS bans residents from admitting patients, teaching hospitals warn - FierceHealthcare

CMS bans residents from admitting patients, teaching hospitals warn - FierceHealthcare

Medicare tries to steer seniors away from ACA exchanges - FierceHealthcare

Medicare tries to steer seniors away from ACA exchanges - FierceHealthcare

Fear, obsession behind state officials’ ongoing opposition | www.myajc.com

Fear, obsession behind state officials’ ongoing opposition | www.myajc.com

Monday, August 26, 2013

Too Many Unnecessary Thyroid Biopsies Performed, Experts Say

Too Many Unnecessary Thyroid Biopsies Performed, Experts Say

Latest hospital closing a blow to rural residents | Georgia Health News

Latest hospital closing a blow to rural residents | Georgia Health News

Baldwin leads protest against cuts to rural hospitals | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com

Baldwin leads protest against cuts to rural hospitals | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com

Doctors Fleeing Medicare? Not So Fast, Feds Say : Shots - Health News : NPR

Doctors Fleeing Medicare? Not So Fast, Feds Say : Shots - Health News : NPR

No Shopping Zone: Medicare Is Not Part Of New Insurance Marketplaces - Kaiser Health News

No Shopping Zone: Medicare Is Not Part Of New Insurance Marketplaces - Kaiser Health News

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Georgia woman awarded $2M in vaginal mesh trial - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Georgia woman awarded $2M in vaginal mesh trial - Atlanta Business Chronicle

What Happens When Goliath Buys David? The Effects of Healthcare Consolidation

What Happens When Goliath Buys David? The Effects of Healthcare Consolidation

Employed Physicians to See Lower Salary Increases in 2014 Than Group Physicians

Employed Physicians to See Lower Salary Increases in 2014 Than Group Physicians

Piedmont WellStar HealthPlans to sell commercial insurance Oct. 1 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Piedmont WellStar HealthPlans to sell commercial insurance Oct. 1 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Phoebe, FTC reach deal to end legal fight | Georgia Health News

Phoebe, FTC reach deal to end legal fight | Georgia Health News

Delta warns Obamacare will cost it $100 million in 2014 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Delta warns Obamacare will cost it $100 million in 2014 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Judge refuses to halt state health contract | Georgia Health News

Judge refuses to halt state health contract | Georgia Health News

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Hospitals turn to social media for 'virtual' patient advice - FierceHealthcare

Hospitals turn to social media for 'virtual' patient advice - FierceHealthcare

Physician pay bumps remain for next year - FierceHealthcare

Physician pay bumps remain for next year - FierceHealthcare

UPS Won’t Insure Spouses Of Some Employees - Kaiser Health News

UPS Won’t Insure Spouses Of Some Employees - Kaiser Health News

Patients may need better info when leaving hospitals | Reuters

Patients may need better info when leaving hospitals | Reuters

Your daily jolt: Tom Price offers alternative to government... | Political Insider | www.ajc.com

Your daily jolt: Tom Price offers alternative to government... | Political Insider | www.ajc.com

Monday, August 19, 2013

Compared to open bypass, stenting keeps circulation flowing longer in some patients

Compared to open bypass, stenting keeps circulation flowing longer in some patients

CMS mulls how to unseal Medicare doctor pay data - amednews.com

CMS mulls how to unseal Medicare doctor pay data - amednews.com

Patient education may be key to reducing hospital-acquired infections - FierceHealthcare

Patient education may be key to reducing hospital-acquired infections - FierceHealthcare

Can State Officials Implement Obamacare While Fighting It? A Talk with Sen. Renee Unterman | WABE 90.1 FM

Can State Officials Implement Obamacare While Fighting It? A Talk with Sen. Renee Unterman | WABE 90.1 FM

Georgia’s obesity rate for adults ticks upward | Georgia Health News

Georgia’s obesity rate for adults ticks upward | Georgia Health News

AHA blasts OIG plan to recertify critical access hospitals - FierceHealthcare

AHA blasts OIG plan to recertify critical access hospitals - FierceHealthcare

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Bowel cancer patients to benefit from metabolic 'fingerprinting' of tumors

Bowel cancer patients to benefit from metabolic 'fingerprinting' of tumors

ACOs get mixed reviews from docs - FierceHealthcare

ACOs get mixed reviews from docs - FierceHealthcare

OIG proposes cuts to enhanced Medicare funding for some critical-access hospitals | Modern Healthcare

OIG proposes cuts to enhanced Medicare funding for some critical-access hospitals | Modern Healthcare

HHS Watchdog Says Rural Hospital Program Needs A Trim – Capsules - The KHN Blog

HHS Watchdog Says Rural Hospital Program Needs A Trim – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Feds Award $67 Million In Grants To Help Consumers Navigate The Health Law - Kaiser Health News

Feds Award $67 Million In Grants To Help Consumers Navigate The Health Law - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator Offers Personalized, Accurate Estimates of Surgical Complications | American College of Surgeons

NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator Offers Personalized, Accurate Estimates of Surgical Complications | American College of Surgeons

Colon Cancer Linked to Mouth Infection, Gum Disease?

Colon Cancer Linked to Mouth Infection, Gum Disease?

4 drivers of reduced readmissions, complications - FierceHealthcare

4 drivers of reduced readmissions, complications - FierceHealthcare

Albany Herald | Phoebe: Uncertainty in health care industry

Albany Herald | Phoebe: Uncertainty in health care industry

Wait on provider fee makes industry officials uneasy | Georgia Health News

Wait on provider fee makes industry officials uneasy | Georgia Health News

Obama Delays Implementing Another Part Of Affordable Care Act : NPR

Obama Delays Implementing Another Part Of Affordable Care Act : NPR

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

United claims Blue Cross got special favors

United claims Blue Cross got special favors

Sebelius, Hudgens spar over exchanges

Sebelius, Hudgens spar over exchanges

Doctors get higher scores from patients more involved in care - amednews.com

Doctors get higher scores from patients more involved in care - amednews.com

Patients Can Pay A High Price For ER Convenience : Shots - Health News : NPR

Patients Can Pay A High Price For ER Convenience : Shots - Health News : NPR

New Laws and Rising Costs Create a Surge of Supersizing Hospitals - NYTimes.com

New Laws and Rising Costs Create a Surge of Supersizing Hospitals - NYTimes.com

Florida hospitals reducing readmission rates | www.ajc.com

Florida hospitals reducing readmission rates | www.ajc.com

ACA Explained - SURGPAC Luncheon Aug 24th - Don't Miss It!


The Affordable Care Act.  Confused by just the name?  What does it all mean to Georgia surgeons? How will the implementation of state exchanges affect my practice?

If you want answers to these questions then the place for you is the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons' SURGPAC Luncheon on Saturday, August 24, 2013.  This year's SURGPAC speaker is Todd M. Stein, head of the government affairs/public policy practice at Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC in Atlanta and a Lecturer at Morehouse School of Medicine where he has taught The Politics of Health Care Policy. 

Before returning home to Atlanta in 2011, Todd was the Legislative Director and General Counsel for Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) during the debate and passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Todd was heavily involved in the negotiations of the bill in the Senate, especially with regard to cost-containment measures, budgetary impacts, and the public option, and worked with stakeholders across the health care industry to address issues of concern throughout the Senate’s consideration of the ACA.  While on Capitol Hill, Todd also worked on a series of legislative proposals to address structural changes to Medicare and tort reform.

Don't miss this great opportunity.  The SURGPAC Luncheon is part of the GSACS Annual Meeting, August 23-15 at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, Atlanta (9.5 Category 1 CME credits and 4 Self Assessments CME credits).  You can still register online at www.georgiaacs.org and make your hotel reservations.  

Monday, August 12, 2013

Massachusetts Nurses Association pushes ballot initiative to set nurse-patient ratios | masslive.com

Massachusetts Nurses Association pushes ballot initiative to set nurse-patient ratios | masslive.com

Medicare SGR reform bill passes key House committee - amednews.com

Medicare SGR reform bill passes key House committee - amednews.com

Voluntary shadowing program linked to renewed interest in trauma surgery - FierceHealthcare

Voluntary shadowing program linked to renewed interest in trauma surgery - FierceHealthcare

Georgia now tracking drugs to address abuse | The Augusta Chronicle

Georgia now tracking drugs to address abuse | The Augusta Chronicle

Just around the corner, a big change in coverage | Georgia Health News

Just around the corner, a big change in coverage | Georgia Health News

HHS chief, visiting Georgia, urges expansion | Georgia Health News

HHS chief, visiting Georgia, urges expansion | Georgia Health News

Path to United States Practice Is Long Slog to Foreign Doctors - NYTimes.com

Path to United States Practice Is Long Slog to Foreign Doctors - NYTimes.com

Talking The Health Law’s Impact On Hospitals Serving Medicare Patients – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Talking The Health Law’s Impact On Hospitals Serving Medicare Patients – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Sunday, August 11, 2013

How preventive measures could prevent 70,000 sepsis deaths each year - FierceHealthcare

How preventive measures could prevent 70,000 sepsis deaths each year - FierceHealthcare

Will These Changes Pay for SGR Repeal?

Will These Changes Pay for SGR Repeal?

New neurosurgeon inspired by her mother’s battle with injury

New neurosurgeon inspired by her mother’s battle with injury

Expand Medicaid to help local governments | Georgia Health News

Expand Medicaid to help local governments | Georgia Health News

Anti-Obamacare Forces Ramp Up Campaign To Stop Implementation – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Anti-Obamacare Forces Ramp Up Campaign To Stop Implementation – Capsules - The KHN Blog

President: GOP Shutting Down Government To Defund Obamacare Is 'A Bad Idea' - Kaiser Health News

President: GOP Shutting Down Government To Defund Obamacare Is 'A Bad Idea' - Kaiser Health News

Cruz again raps Obama's health care law | www.ajc.com

Cruz again raps Obama's health care law | www.ajc.com

Thursday, August 8, 2013

9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™, 4 of which qualify for self-assessment credit for the GSACS Annual Meeting, August 24-25, 2013

The Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting has been approved for 
9.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™, 4 of which qualify for self-assessment credit.  CME courses offered are:

Saturday, August 24 (6 CME total)
·         Advancing Patient Safety in Rural Surgery: 1 CME
·         Chief Residents Panel: 1 CME
·         Resident Trauma Abstract Presentations: 1 CME
·         Innovations in Foregut Surgery: 1 CME*
·         Hospital Bylaws and Employment Contracts: 1 CME
·         Anatomic Basis for Evaluating Neck Mass : 1 CME*
 
Sunday, August 25 (3.5 CME total)
·         Alternative Payment Methodologies: 0.5 CME
·         Common Anorectal Conditions: 1 CME*
·         Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: 1 CME*
·         Resident General Surgery Abstract Presentations: 1 CME
 
 There is still time to register online at our website, www.georgiaacs.org and make your hotel reservations.


Peripheral artery disease: dramatically higher rates worldwide

Peripheral artery disease: dramatically higher rates worldwide

Cleveland Clinic's chief experience officer: Communication, attention keys to customer satisfaction - FierceHealthcare

Cleveland Clinic's chief experience officer: Communication, attention keys to customer satisfaction - FierceHealthcare

Report rejects carrot-and-stick incentives - FierceHealthcare

Report rejects carrot-and-stick incentives - FierceHealthcare

Phoebe/FTC deadline extended again - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Phoebe/FTC deadline extended again - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

State benefits plan is on track for controversy

State benefits plan is on track for controversy

3 noteworthy drivers of lawsuits against physicians - amednews.com

3 noteworthy drivers of lawsuits against physicians - amednews.com

Obamacare Foes Make Final Push To Stop Health Law's Implementation : Shots - Health News : NPR

Obamacare Foes Make Final Push To Stop Health Law's Implementation : Shots - Health News : NPR

Surgical outcomes in children may be improved by new initiative

Surgical outcomes in children may be improved by new initiative

Discovery May Help Pinpoint Risk of Lung Cancer Returning After Surgery

Discovery May Help Pinpoint Risk of Lung Cancer Returning After Surgery

Working out the Obama health law details | Jamie Dupree's Washington Insider | www.ajc.com

Working out the Obama health law details | Jamie Dupree's Washington Insider | www.ajc.com

WellCare 2Q profit edged up, boosts 2013 forecast - Yahoo! Finance

WellCare 2Q profit edged up, boosts 2013 forecast - Yahoo! Finance

Health Insurers Tune In To Twitter For Customer Service - Kaiser Health News

Health Insurers Tune In To Twitter For Customer Service - Kaiser Health News

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Bill would prevent ACA from ending doctors' insurance contracts - amednews.com

Bill would prevent ACA from ending doctors' insurance contracts - amednews.com

For some post-op care, a phone call may be all that's needed - amednews.com

For some post-op care, a phone call may be all that's needed - amednews.com

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice - amednews.com

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice - amednews.com

5 ways to improve patient safety in the OR - FierceHealthcare

5 ways to improve patient safety in the OR - FierceHealthcare

Blue Cross, Univision team up to reach uninsured | Georgia Health News

Blue Cross, Univision team up to reach uninsured | Georgia Health News

Physician-owned hospitals expand in Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News

Physician-owned hospitals expand in Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News

Monday, August 5, 2013

Channel Blockers for Blood Pressure Linked to Breast Cancer Risk, Study Finds

Channel Blockers for Blood Pressure Linked to Breast Cancer Risk, Study Finds

Should all docs and nurses receive drug tests after adverse events? - FierceHealthcare

Should all docs and nurses receive drug tests after adverse events? - FierceHealthcare

Hospitals receive slight Medicare payment bump in IPPS final rule - FierceHealthcare

Hospitals receive slight Medicare payment bump in IPPS final rule - FierceHealthcare

Most hospitals in state face readmission fines | Georgia Health News

Most hospitals in state face readmission fines | Georgia Health News

ACS NewsScope August 2, 2013 | American College of Surgeons

ACS NewsScope August 2, 2013 | American College of Surgeons

Hospitals Search Results - Consumer Reports Health

Hospitals Search Results - Consumer Reports Health

Revealing a Health Care Secret: The Price - NYTimes.com

Revealing a Health Care Secret: The Price - NYTimes.com

Armed With Bigger Fines, Medicare To Punish 2,225 Hospitals For Excess Readmissions - Kaiser Health News

Armed With Bigger Fines, Medicare To Punish 2,225 Hospitals For Excess Readmissions - Kaiser Health News

Physician Payments Sunshine Act Goes Into Effect Without Initial Concerns – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Physician Payments Sunshine Act Goes Into Effect Without Initial Concerns – Capsules - The KHN Blog

As Obamacare comes to Georgia, keep your eye on Washington —... | Political Insider | www.ajc.com

As Obamacare comes to Georgia, keep your eye on Washington —... | Political Insider | www.ajc.com

Thursday, August 1, 2013

State grudgingly OKs insurance rates for exchange

State grudgingly OKs insurance rates for exchange

Peripheral Artery Disease on the Rise Worldwide

Peripheral Artery Disease on the Rise Worldwide

Whistleblower suit: Hospitals defrauded Medicaid - Yahoo! Finance

Whistleblower suit: Hospitals defrauded Medicaid - Yahoo! Finance

SGR Repeal Bill Moves to Full House Vote

SGR Repeal Bill Moves to Full House Vote

Protecting Lungs During Abdominal Surgery May Decrease Complications

Protecting Lungs During Abdominal Surgery May Decrease Complications

Hospital rankings show bigger names don't necessarily do better - FierceHealthcare

Hospital rankings show bigger names don't necessarily do better - FierceHealthcare

National hospital merger to be felt in Georgia | Georgia Health News

National hospital merger to be felt in Georgia | Georgia Health News

Aetna, Coventry back out of state exchange | Georgia Health News

Aetna, Coventry back out of state exchange | Georgia Health News

Georgia Seeks Delay On Health Insurance Rate Approval – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Georgia Seeks Delay On Health Insurance Rate Approval – Capsules - The KHN Blog