Georgia [ACA plan] prices stabilize as market adds insurers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just as the Affordable Care Act seems in danger of being struck down in court, its market has stabilized in Georgia. | READ MORE
Health plan won’t raise rates next year for [Georgia] teachers, state employees
Georgia Health News
Georgia teachers and state employees got good news Thursday about their health care benefits. |READ MORE
Report: Many Atlanta area hospital prices more than double Medicare’s
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some metro Atlanta hospital prices are higher than those paid in many other states, according to a report by the Rand Corp.|READ MORE
[Georgia] Insurance chief seeks to clean house at underwriting association
Georgia Health News
Georgia’s new insurance commissioner, John F. King, called Monday for the resignation of all board members of the Georgia Underwriting Association in the wake of the indictment of Jim Beck, the agency’s former chief.|READ MORE
U.S. makes new push for graphic warning labels on cigarettes
Associated Press
U.S. health officials are making a new attempt at adding graphic images to cigarette packets to discourage and Americans from lighting up. If successful, it would be the first change to U.S. cigarette warnings in 35 years. | READ MORE
Bills from out-of-network doctors rising at in-network hospitals
Reuters
A growing number of Americans treated at hospitals that are part of their insurance networks are getting billed for out-of-network care, a U.S. study suggests.|READ MORE
Just how common are ‘surprise’ bills?
MedPage Today
So-called surprise medical bills became more common for privately insured patients getting hospital care from 2010 to 2016, a claims analysis found, and not just for emergency department visits. |READ MORE
[MAG member Randall Brown, M.D.] to serve on rural health board
Valdosta Daily Times
South Georgia Medical Center-affiliated cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Randall Brown was asked to serve on the advisory board of the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University School of Medicine. |READ MORE
Is your physician colleague at risk for suicide? Signs to look for
AMA Wire
Two-thirds of people who attempt suicide do so after having seen a physician within the previous month. It’s a strong statement about the importance of being alert for telltale signals. That extends to high-risk individuals who aren’t patients, but who many physicians see every day—their colleagues.|READ MORE
For the first time, U.S. panel recommends screening adults for illicit drug use
STAT News
As new ways to identify and treat people who use opioids and other drugs emerge, an independent panel of experts is recommending that health care providers screen their adult patients for illicit drug use.|READ MORE
1 in 7 adults use CBD products, Gallup survey finds
US News and World Report
One in seven Americans use products containing cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, according to a new survey. |READ MORE
20% of lung cancer deaths are preventable: Here’s what you can do
AMA Wire
Well-informed lung cancer screening recommendations for high-risk patients offer them the best hope to catch the disease early, providing the best chance for effective treatment.|READ MORE
Doctors lowering the age recommended for that first colonoscopy
WBFO
As people approach the age of 50, they start hearing jokes about that first colonoscopy, doctors looking for evidence of colorectal cancer. However, doctors are starting to drop the age for that first colonoscopy, as a lot of colon cancer is turning up in people as young as 30.|READ MORE
Advertise with MAG: Please contact Tom Kornegay at 678.303.9260 or tkornegay@mag.org if you are interested in running an ad in the Georgia Pulse, which is a weekly compilation of media reports that are related to health care and the medical profession. It is sent to more than 6,000 physicians in Georgia.
Medical Association of Georgia
1849 The Exchange, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30339
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