Healthcare organizations can employ a number of strategies to utilize big data to improve quality of care and outcomes for patients, especially those with chronic conditions, according to Hospitals & Health Networks.

The American Medical Association has issued a policy statement urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to drop Meaningful Use penalties, according to Medscape. 

Extracting medical records from a hospital proved arduous for Peter Drier, the subject of a New York Times article on the surprise fees of out-of-network assistant surgeons.

Microsoft has unveiled Microsoft Band, its first wearable that seeks to grab a slice of the impending Apple Watch audience, according to Wired. 

Booz Allen Hamilton has purchased Epidemico, a Boston-based health analytics start-up, for an undisclosed amount, reports The Washington Post.

FitBit will remain imcompatible with Apple's HealthKit for the simple reason that it plans to launch its own wearable device that will compete directly with Apple Watch, according to Tech Crunch.

Some of the largest U.S. pharmacies and healthcare organizations are lobbying Congress to expand the types of telehealth services that can be reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid, reports The Washington Post.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicare unveiled a new investment model to advance accountable care organizations in rural and underserved communities, reports iHealthBeat.