by Drs. Donald Ross and Mark Levy The economic burden of mental disorders rivals that of cardiovascular diseases and exceeds the costs of cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Mental health conditions cost the U.S. economy an estimated $47.6 billion annually in lost productivity due to unplanned absences, with total costs reaching $282 billion each [...]

by Amish Dave, MD, MPH – Vice President, KCMS Rheumatologist, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health How Physician Advocacy is Shaping Reform Initially intended by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers as a utilization management tool to reduce the inappropriate use of medications and procedures, prior authorization (PA) has morphed over the last two decades into a [...]

by Mark Levy, MD As a recent retiree and of a certain age, I have had an opportunity to view the practice of medicine from “the other side of the table”(or screen), both myself as a consumer and as an advocate for friends and family members. I have seen a system full of well-intentioned healthcare [...]