AMA offers top 10 issues for medical profession this year

Competing regulatory programs is the top issue for the medical profession in 2015, according to a top 10 list issued by the American Medical Association (AMA).

The administrative load of Meaningful Use, ICD-10 implementation and federal fraud and abuse programs are expected to increase this year. The organization plans to "intensify efforts to reduce barriers to providing high-quality care," through the framework for EHR usability its working,  ICD-10 resources and ongoing advocacy.

Also on the list are the following:

2. The Medicare physician payment system. Under the sustainable growth rate formula, a 21 percent pay cut is scheduled to take effect on April 1. "Because Congress missed its opportunity last year to repeal the SGR formula using a bipartisan legislative framework, the AMA and physicians will continue communicating with lawmakers—including those newly elected—to make reforming the Medicare payment system a priority for the new Congress," according to AMA.

3. Adequate provider networks. Citing the current trend toward very limited provider networks, AMA plans to make sure health insurers are required to maintain adequate networks, provide timely information about the physicians and other providers to whom patients will have in-network access, and comply with all laws and regulations.

4. Prescription drug abuse and overdose.

5. Preventing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

6. Advances in clinical knowledge and information sharing.

7. Transformation of medical education. Pilot programs for medical student training will put forth best practices.

8. Modernization of the AMA Code of Medical Ethics. This 167-year-old standard for the medical profession has been undergoing a comprehensive update for the past six years, and 2014 was spent soliciting and reviewing physician feedback on the proposed changes. A draft to be considered for adoption will be released this year.

9. Improved professional satisfaction and sustainability of practices. Physicians will have access to tools currently in beta testing that will help them address common clinical challenges so they can boost their professional satisfaction and the quality of their patient care. Part of the AMA’s Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability initiative, the tools will offer proven practice solutions, such as pre-visit planning, synchronized prescription renewals and collaborative documentation.

10. Court rulings on critical healthcare issues. Physicians can expect the nation’s courts to play a crucial role in the practice of medicine, particularly in the areas of  the patient-physician relationship, medical liability and patient privacy.
 

Access AMA's complete list.