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The National Board of Medical Exams will begin to question applicants about military medicine in all three parts of their tests and this will force the medical schools to teach the course. Currently only about half of the medical schools have a like course. Top
The VA has released an update on its Choice Program. They are proposing a network of physicians around the country to work with the VA in treating vets instead of any physician who may charge too much. They want an improvement on how the VA shares records with outside providers. They want to streamline payment protocols by using Medicare rates for those services covered by Medicare. They would negotiate rates when the service is not covered by Medicare. Also payment would be electronic. They want to improve access to local EDs and urgent care centers.
CMS has released proposed changed for networks in Obamacare in 2017. The states could either adopt the CMS standards or draft their own and have them approved. The feds would look at maximum travel distances and times to access providers. They also proposed more standardized options for each tier of plan. This would mean that bronze level would have a $6500 deductible, Silver would have a $3300 deductible and Gold would have a $1250 deductible. It would also raise annual out of pocket spending to $7150 for individuals and $14,300 for families. The ceiling would be met even if care was outside the network. Top
The SEIU is at it again. One wonders what they want this time. They have revived a ballot measure o cap hospital executives' pay. They dropped a similar measure 18 months ago after hospitals caved to their demands. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this
article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the
time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers
should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the
information presented.