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Physicians With Disabilities Bring Diversity, Valuable Perspective
Physicians and medical students may become more comfortable treating patients with disabilities, they are too often ill at ease when interacting with colleagues or fellow medical students with the same conditions. Courtney Franz, a third-year student at the Texas Christian University Burnett School of Medicine, had her left leg amputated above the knee to address a genetic condition that she struggled with her entire life. Her amputation was the 21st surgery she had on her leg. “Something I want to say right out: ‘Disabled’ is not a dirty word; amputation is not a bad thing,” Franz said during the session, held during the 2023 American Medical Association (AMA) Annual Meeting. “Amputation improved my life.” Continue reading
American Heart Association Rolls Out New Telehealth Certification For Healthcare Professionals
The American Heart Association just unveiled a new individual telehealth certification program for healthcare professionals. The new offering is geared toward licensed healthcare professionals who complete prerequisite telehealth education. It is intended to standardize training in telehealth delivery, refine care skills and improve patient outcomes. The certification comes three years after the start of the COVID Public Health Emergency when utilization of telehealth skyrocketed due to pandemic-related restrictions. Read more
Coverage Is Now Available For New Alzheimer's Drug
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared that coverage is officially available for Leqembi for those who meet certain criteria. To obtain coverage, individuals must be enrolled in Medicare, have a diagnosis of cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s with documented evidence of beta-amyloid plaque on the brain, and be under the treatment of a physician who participates in a qualifying registry that collects real-world data on the treatments' effectiveness. Read more
Cost of Healthcare Expected to Increase By 7% in 2024
The new data suggest that healthcare costs could swell by 7% in 2024 for both individual and group markets; their estimated increase is driven by multiple factors, including labor shortages, provider contract negotiations and rising drug prices. PwC’s Health Research Institute estimated the cost increase after surveying insurance actuaries that work with health plans covering over 100 million enrollees in employer-sponsored health plans and about 10 million individuals in plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Continue reading
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