As part of the changes in its recent final rule, CMS has eliminated the requirement that ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) have radiologists on their medical staffs. Instead, ASCs using radiologic services will be required to “appoint an individual qualified in accordance with State law and...
Multi-hospital systems will be allowed to use a unified and integrated medical staff structure, according to revised Conditions of Participation (CoP) published this week by the CMS. The organization cited the lack of evidence that a unified medical staff model is detrimental to...
Despite dire predictions, the nation’s primary care system is handling the increased number of insured patients without major problems so far, according to interviews with community health centers, large physician practices, and insurers nationwide. Five months in, with about 13...
New guidelines issued by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) will safeguard patients’ privacy and ensure high-quality care in a fast-changing healthcare delivery environment, according to the group. However, some patient advocates, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations...
A provision in CMS’ new rule to modify or eliminate unnecessary regulations will ease requirements for physicians in small Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), as well as Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), according to the agency. Part II of CMS’ Regulatory...
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has identified 17 social and behavioral areas that should be addressed in all electronic health records (EHR) of patients to improve outcomes and advance public health research efforts. The IOM compiled the list as a guide for officials who are developing...
