Articles related to All Specialties

Navigate the rapidly changing landscape of patient communication, as we explore the ins and outs of charging for MyChart messages. The COVID-19 pandemic has swiftly transformed the dynamics of healthcare communication. Consequently, healthcare providers increasingly rely on telehealth visits and digital communication tools to connect with patients. A significant offshoot of this shift is the growing trend of charging for MyChart messages. Healthcare systems have begun charging for the time providers spend responding to messages. Some hospitals have even expressed plans to bill up to $50 for MyChart messages. This new approach was permitted through changes to the 2020 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. The revised codes introduced three new time-based categories, thereby allowing providers to bill for time spent addressing patient-initiated messages over a week. Despite these changes, not all services come with a price tag. As per the Cleveland Clinic, any work taking under five minutes or any service that leads to an in-person consultation will not be charged. Furthermore, no fees apply to prescription refill requests, appointment requests, and follow-up care related to a surgery performed within the last 90 days. However, specific services can be billed. For instance, messages necessitating a clinical assessment, ordering a test […]

The case involves a 73-year-old patient, Ms. B, who had a history of rheumatoid arthritis and was taking prednisone for adrenal insufficiency caused by a pituitary tumor. She was treated by an internist, Dr. R, for various ailments over a period of four years. In November 2016, Ms. B was diagnosed with severe community-acquired pneumonia and admitted to the hospital, where she was treated with levofloxacin. After being discharged, she continued taking levofloxacin and suffered an acute rupture of the gluteus medius tendon, resulting in significant disabilities. Ms. B filed a lawsuit against Dr. R, alleging negligence and failure to inform her about the risks and contraindications of the medication. Dr. R sought a summary judgment to have the case dismissed but was denied by the court. The court ruled that a Boxed Warning on a medication, such as the one associated with levofloxacin, can create a triable issue of fact regarding a physician’s departure from accepted medical practice. Dr. R claimed he was unaware of the risks and relied on the hospitalists’ choice of medication, but the court found that he should have been knowledgeable about the specific risks and suitability of the medication for his patient. The case […]

Physician salaries in 2023 have increased across all specialties, with primary care physicians earning an average of $265,000 and specialists earning $382,000. The highest-paying specialties include plastic surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, urology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, radiology, oncology, anesthesiology, and dermatology, while the lowest-paying specialties are public health and preventive medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, infectious disease, diabetes & endocrinology, internal medicine, rheumatology, allergy & immunology, physical medicine & rehab, and psychiatry. The gender pay gap persists but is starting to narrow, with male primary care physicians earning 19% more than their female counterparts, and the gap for specialists being 27%. Despite ongoing challenges such as staffing shortages, reimbursement pressures, and administrative burdens, the majority of doctors (73%) express satisfaction in their profession and highlight the rewards of being skilled practitioners, fostering patient relationships, and making a positive impact on the world.

Index funds replicate the composition of a financial market index, like the S&P 500, but their returns can be adversely affected by the poor performance of a small number of large-cap stocks, which could lead to lower overall returns. Nevertheless, physicians may find index funds appealing due to their affordability, low maintenance requirements, and historically strong performance.

Physicians and advanced practice practitioners average $3.8 million in annual billing to commercial payers. AMN Healthcare tracked billings to commercial payers by 18 different medical specialties, as well as nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), in a recent research.This research solely includes billings for services delivered directly by physicians, nurse practitioners, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. It excludes the revenue generated by testing, treatments, prescriptions, and other health-care services.

Combining alcohol and caffeine is more likely to cause drinkers to underestimate their level of intoxication. The practice among young people leads to more reports of unprotected or unwanted sex, DUI, riding with intoxicated drives, and alcohol-related injury. The combination can also increase blood pressure, raising the risk of stroke and heart attack in at-risk populations.