News From Around the Web
> The New York Assembly voted for a single-payer health bill for the first time in over two decades, reported Capital New York. The bill, which is set to head to the Republican-controlled Senate where it's not expected to pass, is nonetheless seen as a symbolic step toward universal healthcare. Article
> UnitedHealth Group is offering free emotional support to those affected by the recent storms in Texas and Oklahoma, reported the San Antonio Business Journal. Additionally, the insurer is working to find members in-network providers as well as refill their prescription drugs. Article
> Should the Supreme Court rule next month that federal subsidies are illegal for consumers who purchased plans through the federal exchange, Republican-led Texas and Florida would take the largest hits, since both states each have more than 1 million residents who receive subsidized coverage, according to a state-by-state breakdown by the Huffington Post. Article
Practice Management News
> When it comes to practice-management headaches, the hassle involved in obtaining prior authorizations from insurers often leads the list of complaints. While many elements of fee-for-service reimbursement structures will begin to disappear as the industry moves toward value-based care, this most-disliked task won't be one of them. Article
> While many physicians agree that it's helpful for patients to seek a second medical opinion about a serious diagnosis or treatment plan--especially considering diagnostic errors occur in 10 to 15 percent of cases--the common practice is not always simple. A recent post from Kaiser Health News highlighted several caveats regarding second opinions, which may be useful for physicians and patients to understand and discuss. Article
And finally … Think twice before using that hipster-looking filter on Instagram. Article