New data released this week indicate that even though the number of adults in the United States who lack health insurance has dropped to its lowest rate since 2008, the new health law still lacks consumer approval. A Gallup Poll released Monday, May 5, reported that the U.S. uninsured rate has fallen to 13 percent as of April, 2014, down from its peak of 18 percent in 2013. According to Gallup, the report captures the surge in late sign-ups that occurred in March. 

August 10-13, 2014Washington, DC

August 7-10, 2014 | Wellesley, Mass.

June 7-11, 2014St. Louis, MO 

According to an announcement on Small Cap Network, Epazz Inc., a Chicago-based provider of cloud-based business software, plans to enter the medical billing market. The company signed a letter of intent to acquire a medical billing software company in the western U.S. The acquisition is expected to grow Epazz substantially by bringing in an additional $600,000 in revenue in the first year. 

Indianapolis, IN. – May 1, 2014 – Zotec-MMP, an industry-leading provider of radiology billing and practice management services, has been awarded an exclusive billing and practice management contract with Phoenix, Arizona-based Medical Diagnostic Imaging Group (MDIG). MDIG is a private practice that offers complete teleradiology services from more than 40 board certified and fellowship trained radiologists. Zotec Partners acquired Medical Management Professionals, Inc. (MMP) on August 31, 2013 to become Zotec-MMP.

Unpredictability seems to be the constant variable in the saga of changes to healthcare these days. When the decision was made to postpone the ICD-10 for another year, many healthcare providers let out a sigh of relief, while others expressed disappointment because they had already spent considerable resources on preparations and training. Either way, sometime in 2015, providers and payers alike will have to be ready for the change. Industry experts suggest they use the extra time wisely. 

We won’t know with any certainty for years whether the Affordable Care Act will ultimately result in a healthier US population, but the new health law is speeding the demise of an American small-business institution; the one-doctor medical practice, according to an article published in the Union-Tribune San Diego.