HEALTH CARE WEEK IN REVIEW: AMA Launches Telemedicine Quick Reference Guide To Help Docs Implement Tech During COVID-19, COVID-19 Could Raise Medicare Spending By As Much As $115B Over Next Year, CDC Recommendations For Minimizing Covid-19 Exposures at Medical Practices, FDA Fleshes Out Emergency Guidance For Coronavirus Test Developers

Source: FierceHealthcare
Here's The Latest in Health Care:
• The American Medical Association (AMA) has created a new resource for doctors to turn to for advice on telehealth in the age of the coronavirus. It recently launched the AMA Telemedicine Quick Reference Guide, aimed at helping clinicians figure out best practices for implementing the tech. The guidelines cover everything from policy and coding to implementation. The AMA has also created a virtual panel discussion to talk about best practices when using the tech for telemedicine. Read More
• The COVID-19 outbreak will potentially boost Medicare spending over the next year from $38.5 billion to $115.4 billion. Released by the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations, the analysis also found that the increase in spending would lead to major losses for ACOs in models that take on financial risk as well as a major burden on Medicare Advantage plans. Read More
• As part of its efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed recommendations for medical practices, aimed at reducing the chance of patients spreading the disease when they come to a medical office. They include steps practices should take before, during and after a patient visit. Read More
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been updating its guidance for COVID-19 diagnostic tests in a piecemeal fashion as the outbreak expands. Earlier this week the agency held a webinar to flesh out its evolving policies, providing key insights on regulatory paths for molecular and serological diagnostic testing in commercial and state labs, and for commercial test products and devices. The webinar summarized and organized four pathways for COVID-19 tests, and offered some information on the numbers of tests the agency is currently aware of. Read More
Each Friday, Signor Goat reports the latest from the week in health care. Check back next Friday for your dose of our little medical corner of health care news. Brought to you by pMD, innovators in charge capture, secure messaging, clinical communication, and care navigation software.