News You Can Use – February 2024

This month’s episode of “News You Can Use” on Healthcare NOW Radio features news from the month of February 2024.

The show that gives you a quick insight into the latest news, twists, turns and debacles going on in healthcare with my friend and co-host Craig Joseph, MD (@CraigJoseph) Chief Medical Officer at Nordic Consulting Partners and myself, where every diagnosis comes with a side of humor. We hope you stay curious, stay engaged, and keep seeking the truth in healthcare in a world that thrives on information.

Buckle up as we dive into the ER of excitement, the ICU of irrationality, and the waiting room of wacky wisdom in this months show that features a review of:

Healthcare is embracing new technologies like text messaging and AI, but they come with risks. A recent CMS policy now allows hospitals to include text orders in patient records, which could improve clarity but may open the door to errors. Meanwhile, Medicare Advantage insurers have used AI to unfairly deny claims, prompting CMS to require human oversight. AI and tech can be tools for good or ill – the lesson is ensuring proper safeguards.

Billing Bandits: How AI Helps Catch Healthcare Fraud

Fraudsters also exploit technology, using AI to steal millions by billing Medicare for unneeded services. Researchers uncovered the scheme by spotting a suspicious spike in claims. AI and data mining can root out cheating, though CMS failed to act on warnings. The good news is tech can uncover bad actors – the key is ensuring oversight and incentives encourage doing right.

The Super Bowl and Dr Jayne spotlighted the flood of healthcare advertising, with systems spending millions on ads and stadium naming rights. The rationale is to attract patients and enhance reputation. But is this the best use of funds versus investing in infrastructure and affordability? There’s no consensus, but “no margin, no mission.” Alternatives like providing branded scrubs may better boost staff morale.

We hope you enjoy our take on the latest news and developments in healthcare and want to help you keep untangling the web of information, dodging the sensational pitfalls, and emerging victorious, albeit a little dizzy, on the other side. In the end, the stories we uncover, and the discussions we ignite, all shape the narrative of our shared future. We want to hear from you especially if you have topics covered or questions you’d like answered. You can reach out directly via the contact form on my website, or send a message on LinkedIn to Craig or me.

Until next week keep solving healthcare’s mysteries before they become your emergencies.

This article was originally published on the Dr. Nick – The Incrementalist blog and is republished here with permission.

News You Can Use gives you a quick insight into the latest news, twists, turns and debacles going on in healthcare with Dr. Nick and Dr. Craig and where every diagnosis comes with a side of side-splitting humor. Your hosts are Dr Nick a long-time host, innovator and healthcare wizard who can prescribe a digital dose of innovation to cure even the most ailing operational inefficiencies. And Dr. Craig Joseph is the healthcare guru who can diagnose both patient and software glitches with equal precision, making sure hospitals run smoother than a well-oiled robot doc.

So buckle up, because we’re diving into the ER of excitement, the ICU of irrationality, and the waiting room of wacky wisdom.

Stay curious, stay engaged, and keep seeking the truth in a world that thrives on information. Because in the end, the stories we uncover, and the discussions we ignite, they all shape the narrative of our shared future.

And keep laughing at the absurdity, keep rolling your eyes at the headlines, and keep spreading the news like your favorite gossip. Who knows, maybe someday you’ll be the breaking news story we’re all talking about!

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