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Electronic transactions may save Medicaid $4.8 billion annually
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationA new Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH CORE) report states that Medicaid could save more than $4.8 billion annually if they moved to fully electronic transactions. The California-based nonprofit also said more than half of Medicaid enrollees are in plans without electronic prior authorization. Only 44 percent of Medicaid recipients are in plans with automated claims processes. State agencies and health plans covering these enrollees have achieved some level of CORE Certification compared to 78 percent for commercial health plans and 75 percent for Medicare Advantage plans.
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Are happiness and a healthcare career mutually exclusive?
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareThose who have a good understanding of healthcare know that it is a stressful industry for doctors, nurses, and allied staff. From the rigors of education and loan repayment to the challenges of the 21st-century workplace, those who choose healthcare careers are at risk of losing their sense of balance and happiness. Must healthcare careers and personal happiness be mutually exclusive?
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Even with insurance, many female consumers shocked by the costs of their…
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareWomen are feeling significantly worse than men about several key healthcare issues, according to a new Bankrate.com report. For example, in a new study issued by the website, 25 percent of women said they or a family member living in their household avoided going to the doctor over the past year — even though they needed medical attention — because they thought it would be too expensive. Only 18 percent of men said the same. Additionally, between the two sexes, 47 percent of women who paid a medical bill in the past year said "it was more expensive than they expected." Thirty-five percent of men echoed that sentiment.
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Dentists working longer before retiring
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareThe dental industry is trending right alongside the rest of America where retirement ages are concerned. In a nutshell, we’re working longer and longer before formally exiting the workforce. According to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, the average dentist currently retires just before they turn 69, although back in 2001 their average retirement age was about 65. Across the board, Americans are working longer. Why?
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When should children have their first dental visit?
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareIt might look a little odd to see a baby laid back in a dental chair for a routine examination. But new research and guidelines put forth by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) would like to see more of this in dental practices across the country. The AAPD released research this month that asserts there may be risk factors in found in a child's medical record that are helpful for predicting risk for cavities. Well, OK. But what does that really mean? And why does it matter?
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Americans aren’t worried about health data security, despite breaches
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationAmericans are far less concerned about the security of their health data than breaches of financial information, a recent SCOUT Rare Insights survey shows. Accordingly, only about half (49 percent) of adults said they are "extremely" or "very concerned" about security of lab results, diagnoses and other health information, compared with 69 percent who had that level of concern about the safety of their financial data. All of these precious jewels come to light as hackers and cyber thieves continue to make a push for health data and push upon organizations' data security concerns.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Renewal term allowances
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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The benefits of incorporating a mobile medical unit through your practice
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationMobile medical units have proven to be a money-saving, health-boosting boon to patients across the U.S., and in other countries as well. Many doctors are eager to expand care to more patients by directly traveling into their communities, but aren't really clear on how to properly utilize a mobile medical unit for maximum positive impact. Here's everything you need to know about the benefits of putting your practice on the road, so you can truly improve the lives of those you meet and treat.
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Ride-sharing programs may reduce patient no-show appointments
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationLyft and tech company Hitch Health recently released the findings of a yearlong, nonemergency medical transportation pilot that took place in Minneapolis at the Hennepin Healthcare internal medicine clinic. The result of the pilot seems to show a great deal of promise, as the outcomes of the survey showed that "targeted patients who have missed appointments in the past" reduced no-shows by 27 percent. Missed appointments cost the healthcare industry an estimated $150 billion a year.
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The radical idea of the healthcare sabbatical
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareIn the stressful world of healthcare, nursing, and medicine, worthy staff members work themselves to the bone in service to the common cause. Nurses, doctors, physical and occupational therapists, radiologists, and others put out enormous amounts of energy day in and day out in a wide variety of healthcare milieus. With burnout widely prevalent, why don’t healthcare organizations offer sabbaticals for their most valued employees?
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