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Healthcare’s furloughs continue even as parts of the US begin to…
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe cratering of the healthcare job market has continued as COVID-19 spreads across the United States. In all sectors, more than 22 million people have filed for unemployment benefits as of April 17, with the virus, for now, wiping out a decade of job gains. The United States has not seen this level of job loss since the Great Depression. Healthcare, long seen as an untouchable career field — safe from the ups and downs of the economy — is among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.
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Could the pandemic mark the end of surprise medical billing?
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe White House has said "no" to surprise billing for patients receiving treatment for COVID-19, and hospitals agreeing to accept money as part of the $2 trillion stimulus bill must agree not to engage in the practice. Surprise billing happens when a patient with health insurance is treated at an out-of-network hospital or when an out-of-network doctor assists with the procedure at the hospital. Bills for such services can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.
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Infographic: The social impact of mixing business and medicine
Brian Wallace Medical & Allied HealthcareThough the United States has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world, it is far from achieving the best outcomes in the world. This infographic outlines the hidden impact of mixing business with medicine, as evidenced by the drastic shortage of PPE and other necessities in the wake of COVID-19.
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With dental practices seeing ‘emergency cases only,’ what constitutes…
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareAs with most medical practices in America today, the vast majority of dental practices are limiting care to urgent and emergency cases to limit exposure to COVID-19, preserve personal protection equipment (PPE) and reduce the burden on the healthcare system at large. But as these recommendations and restrictions are put in place, some dental practices might not be sure about what qualifies as urgent and emergency treatment — or what to do once these patients come into their offices.
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Study: Sweet tooth gene related to lower body fat, with some caveats
Amanda Ghosh Medical & Allied HealthcareFGF21, or fibroblast growth factor 21, is a hormone secreted by the liver. It suppresses sugar and alcohol intake, stimulates the uptake of glucose by fat cells, and acts as an insulin sensitizer. At least one variant of the FGF21 gene, rs838133, is associated with higher consumption of sugar and alcohol and lower consumption of fat and protein. Approximately 20% of Europeans are homozygous for the rs838133 variant, and they consume more sugar and alcohol as a result. But, to what effect? A study published in Cell Reports investigates.
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COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress has implications for dentists
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareIn a month otherwise filled with tough news, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus package that is designed to help people, states and businesses all across the country that are devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act — or CARES Act — passed the Senate on March 25 and the House on March 27. Following the Senate vote, the American Dental Association reached out to member dentists.
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Coronavirus may delay HHS’ timetable for interoperability rules
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationOpponents of the new federal healthcare interoperability rules may have found an ally in the least likely place: The coronavirus. Because of the outbreak of the global pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working to determine whether or not to push back the originally publicized timeline of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's (ONC) interoperability rule.
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Reputation management: A key healthcare strategy that’s crucial to…
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationAs a practice administrator or physician, you know how important it is to earn and maintain your patients' trust. You no doubt work as hard as you can to deliver compassionate, quality care on a constant basis — yet you can't always control what is said about your practice online. You can, however, take steps to make the best impression possible. Reputation management is a key strategy for shoring up the way your practice appears online, especially when it comes to reviews — and it's crucial to maintain.
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Ranking of world’s best dental schools features significant international…
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareIs America still the superpower it was in years past? We'll let world leaders and political commentators battle that one out. But in the field of dental education, America doesn't seem to be shining as brightly as some of our global neighbors. This year's QS World University Rankings shows a clear message that some of the world's best dental education can be found in other parts of the globe.
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Telehealth used in an attempt to curb coronavirus
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareAs the pandemic that is the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, telehealth technology is finding its footing as people become more concerned about their level of exposure to the virus and as health systems expect to be overwhelmed with treating those affected. President Donald Trump recently signed an $8.3 billion package that, in part, allows Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to waive Medicare telehealth payment restrictions during the coronavirus emergency.
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