SUBJ: Doctors zero in on benefit gaps allowed under health reform Monday Feb. 13, 2012 - American Medical News - www.amednews.com Fresh news posted every weekday. See bottom for news posted last week. Rely on this alert to keep you up to date - always one click to full text. Follow us: http://facebook.com/amednews - http://twitter.com/amednews TOP STORIES Doctors zero in on benefit gaps allowed under health reform Physician organizations say some health plan benchmarks that states might choose would provide inadequate benefits. Others worry the proposal would not control costs. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/gvl10213.htm Hot-button issues drive state CME mandates At least eight states in the past five years have approved rules governing what subjects doctors should study as part of their continuing medical education. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/prl20213.htm ************************* ADVERTISEMENT ************************ Stay informed American Medical News helps you keep pace with a changing profession. Subscribe to RSS feeds for your site, your blog, or yourself. http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;234509089;55526966;x?http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/site/newsfeed.htm **************************************************************** GOVERNMENT & MEDICINE RUC adds 2 seats for primary care An American Geriatrics Society representative and a primary care physician will join the 29-member board that helps the government set Medicare rates. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/gvsa0213.htm Medicare private plan enrollment hits 12.8 million Advantage plans have remained popular with seniors, but insurers warn that choices could be limited after health reform law cuts. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/gvsb0213.htm Medical marijuana distributors subject to federal prosecution despite state law Montana voters approved a medical cannabis measure in 2004, but some provisions remain in limbo after a recent court ruling. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/gvsc0213.htm PROFESSIONAL ISSUES Home births rise despite higher neonatal mortality rate Although the vast majority of deliveries occur in hospitals, more women who want a less institutional experience are opting to give birth at home. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/prsa0213.htm Physician assistants can't do needle EMG tests, N.J. top court rules Justices say only licensed physicians can perform electromyography. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/prsb0213.htm Ethics Forum - Special assistance needs of young and old place demands on doctors http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/prca0213.htm BUSINESS Strike a balance as a boss In a small office, everyone knows each other personally but must work together professionally. How can physicians make sure staff relations are appropriate? http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/bisa0213.htm What's behind WellPoint's pay raise for primary care doctors? Hoping to save money by curtailing more expensive care, the health plan is offering an average of 10% more than current fee schedules. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/bisb0213.htm Ambulatory setting expected to provide more job growth than hospitals Demand for physicians in each environment will remain high during the next decade, a government report says. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/bisc0213.htm Practice Management - How to keep sick staffers at home and healthy ones at work http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/bica0213.htm OPINION What's being done to curb physician shortages Connected coverage -- selected articles on trends, challenges and controversies in the changing world of medicine. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/edsa0213.htm HEALTH & SCIENCE IOM presents blueprint to combat chronic disease A federal report provides a framework for public health efforts to address the health and social needs of people with chronic disease. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/hlsa0213.htm POSTED LAST WEEK Being insured is no guarantee unemployed will seek care - Feb. 7 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/bisd0207.htm Referral rates for physicians nearly double in 10 years - Feb. 7 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/prsd0207.htm Global payment gains traction in Massachusetts - Feb. 8 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/bise0208.htm Almost half of preventive services not offered during checkups - Feb. 8 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/prse0208.htm CMS lays out how to appeal meaningful use decisions - Feb. 9 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/bisf0209.htm House votes to repeal long-term-care program - Feb. 9 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/gvsd0209.htm California tax hike could take pressure off Medicaid - Feb. 10 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/gvse0210.htm Cancer screening rates lower for Asians and Hispanics than other groups - Feb. 10 http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/06/hlsb0210.htm _____________________________________________________________________ SITE QUICK-GUIDE: * Latest issue www.amednews.com/new * Past issues www.amednews.com/archives * Topics www.amednews.com/topics * Multimedia www.amednews.com/multimedia * RSS www.amednews.com/newsfeed * Twitter http://twitter.com/amednews * Facebook http://facebook.com/amednews _____________________________________________________________________ Keep getting our alerts! 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