TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dec. 25, 2000

American Medical News  vol. 43 no. 48

Top stories - Government - Professional Issues - Business - Opinion - Technology - Health - 2000 index

Top stories

Doctors ask AMA to assure some privacy for their prescription pads
Physicians tired of firms knowing exactly what meds they order ask the AMA to look for legal recourses to stop the information flow.

AMA delegates confront membership worries
Facing flat numbers and decreasing membership revenues, AMA delegates get serious about changing the methods they use to recruit and retain members.

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Government & Medicine

Prudent layperson laws: When insurers don't comply
These laws are not the final word on physician reimbursement for emergency care -- enforcement is.

AMA to fight interpreter regulations
Federal requirements are too burdensome and could turn doctors against Medicaid, say AMA delegates.

AMA takes on prescription drug cost growth
Delegates recommend steps to ease patients' burden of high prescription costs.

AMA: Ignore OIG compliance plan model
Doctors say they'll reject the government's new compliance plan guidelines because they hurt physicians more than help them.

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Professional Issues

Been there: When cancer strikes a physician
One in four people will get cancer in their lifetime. But when the illness hits a physician, its ramifications often reach past family and friends to significantly alter that doctor's way of communicating with cancer patients.

AMA eyes over-the-counter access for emergency contraception
The AMA House of Delegates approves a policy asking the FDA to OK increased availability for emergency contraceptives.

AMA may seek legislation on provisional credentialing
Delays in credentialing new or recently moved physicians leads the AMA to encourage federal agencies and licensing organizations to streamline approval policies.

Renegotiating Health Care: Facing change? Get everyone to do some "unlearning"

News briefs:

• Advance-directive day planned
• Pain to get special attention

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Business

Downcoding, denial of claims by insurers are facts of life for many doctors
An AMA survey finds that most physicians have had these kinds of troubles with their claims from insurance companies.

AMA wants insurers to end mental health carve-outs
The House of Delegates resolves to get payers to stop using a payment system it says discriminates based on patient diagnosis and physician specialty.

Contract Language: How to negotiate payment settlements with insurers

News briefs:

• Kaiser sued over pill splitting

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Opinion

Providing translators for patients who speak limited English: Federal guidelines go too far
Government guidelines requiring translation services for non-English-speaking patients may be so burdensome that they actually threaten access to care.

Letters:

• Many insurers won't pay for colorectal cancer screening
• American Cancer Society guidelines reported incorrectly
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines also reported incorrectly
• Add abortion to list of things a physician should not participate in

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Technology

Five questions for your future: What will be the e-impact?
Physicians need to ask themselves what kind of new computer technology will best serve their practices.

Web users worry about accuracy of health information
Surveys find that a majority of adult Internet users search for health information online. Doctors can help by steering them toward reputable sites.

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Health & Science

Genetic tests need to prove their value
Experts say the current trickle of advances in genetic-based medicine may turn into a flood if genetic tests are refined.

Cutting the fat: CDC report targets childhood obesity
A government report sets out wide-reaching recommendations to address the swelling ranks of overweight kids. Physicians play a role in educating patients and the public.

New bladder cancer tests may aid detection
Less-invasive screening procedures have the potential to increase patient compliance and lower costs.

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