Sat.May 10, 2025 - Fri.May 16, 2025

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When Star Ratings Backfire: How CMS Could Better Support Health In Medicare Advantage

The Healthcare Blog

By EMMANUEL ANIMASHAUN The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings system represents a cornerstone of quality assessment in Medicare Advantage (MA), designed to empower consumers with transparent information while rewarding plans that deliver superior care. Yet recent developments, particularly the seismic downgrading of Humanas ratings reveal an unintended consequence: a system created to measure and incentivize quality may now be actively undermining it.

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Will New Medicaid Policies Put Hospital Margins at Risk?

EvidenceCare

Written by Carol Howard, VP of Clinical Strategy After a tough few years marked by the pandemic, staffing shortages, and rising costs, hospitals are finally starting to catch their breath. New data reveals a rebound in hospital margins, offering hope for health systems. Yet, beneath the surface of these improving numbers lies a growing concern that federal Medicaid policy could threaten the financial stability of hospitals that disproportionately serve low-income populations.

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Moving Forward: How Nurses Can Recover From Pandemic PTSD

Minority Nurse

It’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic, but nurses still feel the aftermath of compassion fatigue from the healthcare crisis years later. Many nurses were frontline workers during the height of the pandemic and faced most of the stress of caring for infected patients amid staff shortages and the risk of getting infected. In a 2022 study , around 50% of nonphysician healthcare workers reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

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How The Proposed Medicaid Cuts Could Affect Public Health

Forbes Healthcare

House Republicans have proposed a $880 billion reduction to Medicaid funding over the next decade. If implemented, the cuts could have important effects on public health.

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How to Start Virtual Care the Right Way: A Proven Roadmap for 2025 and Beyond

Speaker: Dr. Christine Gall, DrPH, MS, BSN, RN

The promise of virtual care is no longer theoretical and is now a critical solution to many of healthcare’s most urgent challenges. Yet many healthcare leaders remain unsure how to build a business case for investment and launching the right program at the right time can be the difference between value and failure. For organizations seeking a financially sound, clinically effective entry point, Virtual Patient Observation (VPO) offers a compelling case to lead with.

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Residents more likely to suffer physical restraints, bedsores at bankrupt nursing homes: report

Healthcare Dive - Practice Management

Researchers said staff turnover following Chapter 11 filings drove some of the adverse patient outcomes, noting less experienced staff tended to provide subpar care.

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8-Step Checklist for Counselors Starting Their Own Practice

We Care Online

Launching your own counseling practice is a big deala chance to call the shots, pick your clients, and build a career thats all you. Its a shot at independence and the freedom to shape your work around what fires you up. But lets be real: diving into private practice can feel like staring up a mountain. The good news? Break it down into clear steps, and its not just doableits exciting.

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NFL QB Alex Smith’s Story Of Necrotizing Fasciitis And ‘Overwhelming’ Pain

Forbes Healthcare

Former NFL QB Alex Smith suffered an on-field leg injury in 2018 followed by a life-threatening infection, severe pain and depression.

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5 Reasons Radiography Is Among the Most Exciting Careers in Health Care

Northwest Career College

Radiography is only one of the many rewarding career opportunities in the healthcare industry. If working with advanced machinery and helping people on a healthcare team is your passion, this profession might be for you. As a radiologic technologist, you will use imaging machines and other technical devices to photograph patients’ bones, organs, and tissues, assisting physicians with diagnosing and treating disease.

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Rite Aid sells upwards of 1,000 stores to CVS, Walgreens, others

Healthcare Dive - Practice Management

Rite Aid plans to sell the majority of its pharmacies to rival drugstore chains. CVS Health is one of the largest buyers, snapping up prescription files from hundreds of stores and fully acquiring 64 brick-and-mortar locations.

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Do doctors and patients trust AI in health care?

Medical Economics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of health care, from streamlining administrative tasks to aiding in complex clinical decision-making. Tools powered by AI are being used to interpret imaging scans, predict patient deterioration, assist in diagnosis, and personalize treatment plans. While the technology holds enormous promise for improving efficiency, accuracy, and outcomes, its success depends heavily on the trust it earns from both health care providers and patien

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Trump Signs Executive Order To Decrease Drug Prices. Here Are The Pros And Cons

Forbes Healthcare

On May 12th, President Trump signed an executive order aimed to significantly decrease prescription drug prices in the United States. Here are the pros and cons.

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Why Accuracy in Electronic Medical Records Is Important for Patient Care

Northwest Career College

Medical record errors can lead to serious issues. A single mishap, such as an incorrect medicine prescribed or an overlooked allergy, can compromise a patient’s health. All notes, updates, and entries must be accurate and legible. For those who are training to be Medical Administrative Assistants, this obligation is part of what you do. Northwest Career College students learn these responsibilities through distance and practical courses, externships, and training under experienced instruct

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RFK Jr. calls GOP Medicaid plans ‘not true cuts’

Healthcare Dive - Practice Management

Republicans’ plan to reduce spending on Medicaid would eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, the HHS secretary said in hearings Wednesday. Millions could become uninsured under the proposal.

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AMA panel calls for transparency, federal oversight to address rapid AI expansion

Medical Economics

As use of artificial intelligence grows rapidly in health care, the American Medical Association brought together an expert panel to highlight policy changes, transparency concerns and implications for physician practices.

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Pope Francis And Warren Buffett Prove Senior Leadership’s Impact

Forbes Healthcare

Explore the value of senior leadership: why organizations should retain experienced talent and embrace multigenerational strength with flexible transition strategies.

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What Behavioral Health Students Need to Know Before Starting or Joining a Practice

Valant

As you finish your behavioral health education, you’ve mastered diagnostic techniques, therapeutic approaches, and other aspects of treatment. But do you know how to set up an efficient scheduling system? Do you know how to manage insurance claims to minimize denials and maintain your cash flow? Can you confidently use automation to help your business grow?

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Understanding Payments: How to Remain Competitive in a Changing Market

Open Dental

The global payments industry is transforming with technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and regulatory changes. This article explores the key trends shaping the future of payments, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape. The post Understanding Payments: How to Remain Competitive in a Changing Market appeared first on Open Dental Blog.

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Doctors in Congress tout reforms, potential problems in federal Medicaid spending

Medical Economics

House committee begins deliberations on federal budget reconciliation bill, which includes Medicaid.

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Josh Duhamel Talks Aging, Health, And His Role In Netflix’s ‘Ransom Canyon’

Forbes Healthcare

Josh Duhamel opens up about aging and why it was important for him to start a men's health company focused on longevity.

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House committees advance reconciliation text with big impacts on healthcare

Healthcare Dive - Practice Management

Republicans in Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means have approved their portions of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” after marathon markups. Here’s an extensive look at what the legislation means for healthcare.

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Shaving, service and success

Physicians Practice

Discover how applying convenience, price transparency, and customer experience strategies can elevate patient satisfaction and loyalty in your medical practice.

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When doctors don’t listen, patients stop talking

Medical Economics

A recent review links symptom dismissal to depression, care avoidance and delayed diagnoses raising urgent questions for physicians facing uncertain cases.

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Amid Doctor Shortage, Physician Assistant Pay Hits $130,000

Forbes Healthcare

Physician assistants are increasing in number and so is their pay, eclipsing $130,000 a year, according to new compensation data.

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How ESL Classes in Nevada Help Immigrants Adjust to Life in the U.S.

Northwest Career College

Moving to a new country can be exhilarating, and one of the biggest challenges most face upon relocating to the United States is the language barrier. If one does not speak the language, finding a job, communicating with others in the neighborhood, and understanding basic signs and directions can be quite an ordeal. What is an ESL Program? ESL classes are designed to teach English to students whose first language is not English.

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9 ways to help your staff defeat Friday fatigue

Physicians Practice

Discover nine lowcost Friday ideas medical practice administrators can use to energize practice staff, boost morale and enhance the patient experience.

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Trained to fail? The risk of biased data in health care AI

Medical Economics

AI in health care faces challenges from biased training data, limiting equitable treatment. Expanding data sources can enhance its accuracy and patient outcomes.

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Trouble At The Top: Epic Faces Mounting Antitrust Allegations Even As It Grows

Forbes Healthcare

Together, the lawsuits suggest that while Epic may be beloved by its customers, its tactics regarding smaller, adjacent vendors may be stirring deeper questions about.

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Andrew Witty steps down as UnitedHealth CEO

Healthcare Dive - Practice Management

Witty’s departure was surprising, though it follows a sharp downturn in the healthcare juggernaut’s financial outlook. He is being replaced by Stephen Hemsley, the chair of UnitedHealth’s board and a previous chief executive.

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Making a Graceful Exit at a Difficult Time

Emerging RN Leader

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN To economize and prepare for the economic challenges ahead, some health systems have already begun eliminating nursing leadership roles, impacting numerous loyal, hard-working nurse leaders. How do you leave an employer who downsizes you out of a position without conveying anger? I recently talked with a leader […] The post Making a Graceful Exit at a Difficult Time appeared first on Emerging Nurse Leader.

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The link between revenue cycle management and mental health patients’ well-being

Medical Economics

Optimizing revenue cycle management for mental health providers, and how primary care physicians can help bridge the gap.