AMA, AHA call for help | Medicare Advantage impresses | Governor forgives med debt

As the tsunami of the Change Healthcare cyberattack continues to inundate the healthcare landscape, the AMA and AHA have sent separate letters to federal officials calling for a lifesaver.

Medicare Advantage covers a disproportionate share of disadvantaged senior citizens compared with traditional fee-for-service Medicare, yet the former bests the latter on some key outcomes metrics.

A February analysis showed more than 11 million Americans owe healthcare providers between $1,001 and $10,000. Another 3 million owe more than $10K.

In the absence of federal laws to address violence against healthcare workers, most state legislatures have taken up the cause on their own.

As healthcare AI opens new avenues to improve care quality without unduly increasing operational costs, the technology also expands potential exposure to civil and criminal liabilities. And that’s not only for providers but also payers and suppliers.

Patients who owe providers $500 or less in out-of-pocket expenses tend to pay down the bill. Those who owe more than $500 are evidently inclined to ignore collections efforts and pay nothing at all.

Nearly one third of hospital nursing leaders are planning to leave their jobs in the near future, according to survey results from staffing firm AMN Healthcare.

Data from nearly 9.9 million participants were included in the team’s final analysis. The group emphasized the important role governments can play in trying to reverse the world's reliance on these products.