cover story one
Ransomware in the Age of COVID-19
Addressing cybersecurity issues
By Matthew C. Bertke, CPA, MBA
2020 was a year that saw many changes and one that particularly affected the healthcare community. But while U.S. healthcare workers remained on the front lines heroically battling the COVID-19 pandemic, another hidden menace has been steadily increasing in prevalence underneath the radar.
cover story two
Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute Updates: What physicians need to know
By Antonio “Tony” Fricano, JD
On November 20, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) published sweeping rule changes to the Physician Self-Referral Law (the “Stark Law”) and the Federal Anti-kickback Statute (“AKS”). HHS previously indicated that the new final rules for the Stark Law and AKS would be not published until summer of 2021, so the announcement on November 20, 2020 came as quite a surprise.
BEHAVIORAL Health
Facing a Psychiatric Bed Crisis: When demand exceeds supply
Todd Archbold, LSW, MBA
As the world is resetting in the hopeful light of recovery from the pandemic, the fragile state of the mental health of our populations is increasingly apparent. We’ve endured the devastation suffered from the loss of life from COVID-19, economic tail spinning, political divide, and the fatigue of quarantine. While the situation is improving by the day, its impact on mental health will be lasting.
interview
Insuring the Highest Health of Minnesotans
Lucas Nesse, President and CEO
Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Social Determinants of Health
E-referral Solutions: Screening and connecting patients to community services
Reid Haase, Ma
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine indicates that 80%-90% of a person’s overall health is determined by socioeconomic factors and environmental factors (where we live, learn, work, and play). The balance of 10%-20% is attributed to care provided in hospitals, clinics, and other traditional health care facilities..
Administration
Clinical Service Lines: A training ground for the emerging physician leader
BY DANIEL K. ZISMER, PH.D.
The demand for trained and experienced physician leaders is increasing at an accelerating rate domestically and internationally, and opportunities for physician leaders are no longer isolated to the C-Suite of health care organizations, or larger medical groups. Likewise, these job openings are no longer reserved for the physicians who may have matured into the twilight years of their career, or physicians who must abandon clinical care in favor of full-time medical administration. .
Telehealth
Digital Health Care: A look at growing trends
By Dr. Robert Kantor, MD and Kristi Henderson
With the COVID-19 pandemic creating necessary constraints on how, when and where people access health care, digital health resources have emerged as an important bridge helping keep health care professionals and their patients stay connected.
