| We Have Moved! | |
Effective November 1, 2010, the Medical Society of DC has moved its headquarters to a new location. Our new address is now:
1250 23rd Street NW Suite 270
Washington, DC 20037-1101
Phone (202) 466-1800 Fax (202) 452-1542
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| Upcoming Events |
MSDC "Finances First" Seminar
"Controlling Downside Risk in a Rising Interest Rate Environment"
November 10
7101 Wisconsin Ave. 12th Floor
Bethesda, MD
Dinner/drinks provided
6pm-7pm
"Finances First" Save the Dates
December 8
"Business, Property & Casualty Insurance- Liability Protection or Business Owners and High Income Earners"
"Medicare Basics New Practitioner and Office Staff" workshop
November 12
12:30pm-4:00pm
Largo-Kettering Library
9601 Capital Lane
Largo, MD 20774
ProAssurance Loss Prevention Seminars
November 16
American College of Cardiology
2400 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
5:30pm-8:00pm
Click here to Register
AMA Health Information Technology Roundtable
November 18
1:00pm-2:00pm
Click here to Register
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2010-2011 Board of Directors
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Stuart F. Seides, MD
At-Large; Chair of the Board
Frederick C. Finelli, MD
President
James C. Cobey, MD
President-Elect
Joseph Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer; AMA Delegation Chair
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate
(Starting January 1, 2011)
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
AMA Delegate
(Starting January 1, 2011)
Carlos Silva, MD
AMA Delegate
(Until December 31, 2011)
Laura L. Tosi, MD
At-Large; AMA Alternate Delegate
Julian R. Craig, MD
At-Large
John W. Larsen, MD
At-Large
Joan B. Loveland, MD
At-Large
Catherine S. May, MD
At-Large
Richard McCarthy, MD
At-Large
Daniel Perlin, MD
At-Large
Reginald Robinson,MD
At-Large
K. Edward Shanbacker
Executive Vice President
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| We're on Facebook! | |
The Medical Society of DC is on Facebook!
If you're already on Facebook, search for the Medical Society of the District of Columbia fan page and get connected.
If you are not on Facebook, then where have you been the last three years? MSDC events are first announced through the Facebook page, so you better build your profile and find us!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone throughout the year! On-line and out and about! |
Contact the MSDC Office
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1250 23rd Street, NW
Suite 270
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-1800 (phone)
(202) 452-1542 (fax)
info@msdc.org
www.msdc.org
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Forward Me!
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| Vincent Gray Elected Mayor of the District of Columbia | 
On November 2nd, Vincent C. Gray, current Chair of the District City Council, was elected mayor of the District of Columbia.
Chairman Gray received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from George Washington University. His career in social and public service began as the Executive Director of the D.C. Association of Retarded Citizens in 1966. Since that time, Chairman Gray has worked in several DC government agencies and currently serves as the Chairman of the DC Council. The chairman emphasizes a campaign pledge to build "one city," a cornerstone of his platform.
"The physician community, and the thousands of patients they treat each and every day, welcome the opportunity to work with Chairman Gray as he assumes the role of DC's mayor. We have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with the Council under Chairman Gray's leadership," said Ed Shanbacker, MSDC's Executive Vice President. "We know the challenges that lie ahead are daunting, and that is especially true in health care delivery and financing. Medical Society physicians are eager, willing and ready to ensure that the new mayor is able to solve these problems effectively."
MSDC has volunteered to serve on Chairman Gray's transition team, and will continue to work with his staff on issues affecting physicians and patients throughout his tenure.
Other elections across the city have also been tallied and declared. Councilmember Kwame Brown (At-Large) was elected Council Chair. Phil Mendelson and David Catania have been re-elected as At-Large Councilmembers. Mary Cheh (Ward 3), Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Jim Graham (Ward 1) have each been re-elected to their seats on the DC Council.
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| Physicians Unite in November to Stop the Medicare Physician Payment Cuts |
 By Cecil B. Wilson, M.D., President, American Medical Association
Looming Medicare physician payment cuts are once again threatening our patients and our medical practices. A massive cut is scheduled to take effect on December 1, followed by an additional cut on January 1. This combined cut of about 25 percent compromises access to care for seniors and forces physicians to make difficult decisions about the continuing role Medicare can play in their practices.
The decision to limit or stop accepting Medicare patients is often gut wrenching for physicians, but it is one we are increasingly forced to make as Congress' mismanagement of Medicare continues. An AMA poll found that about 1 in 5 physicians overall, and nearly one third of primary care physicians, are already restricting the number of Medicare patients in their practice because of low reimbursement rates and the threat of future cuts. Others are taking a hard look at making changes during the current window for modifying participation status within the Medicare system. The AMA has resources on our web site to help you weigh this difficult decision before the December 31st deadline.
My sincere hope is that by working together we can move Congress to prevent the impending 25 percent cut for 13 months through the end of 2011. This reprieve would allow time for the AMA to work with the new Congress on a permanent fix to the impossibly broken physician payment system that has plagued Medicare for too long.
To finish reading Dr. Wilson's column, please click here. |
| District News for District Physicians: DHCF receives $1.15 Million in Grants; It's Almost Flu Season; Johns Hopkins Acquisition of Sibley Approved |
 DHCF Receives Federal Funding to Support Health Reform Initiatives The District of Columbia's Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) has recently received two grants from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The two grants will assist DHCF in furthering health reform initiatives.
DHCF received $1 million under the State Planning and Establishment Grants for the Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) Exchanges and $149,880 under the ACA's Consumer Assistance Program Grants.
With the funding, DHCF plans to:
- Conduct research and assess the District's insurance marketplace, identifying coverage gaps,
- Identify requirements for Exchange implementation,
- Conduct an analysis of the viability of available models, including cost-benefit analysis,
- Identify potential Exchange partners,
- Develop policy, operational, and infrastructure recommendations for implementing the Exchange and requisite modifications to the Medicaid and other related public programs,
- Establish implementation timelines and work plans,
- Develop a final report summarizing information and findings resulting from the completion of grant activities.
It's Almost Flu Season
This year's flu vaccine will protect against several different strains of flu including H3N2, an influenza B virus, and the H1N1 virus. There is a vaccine purchasing program in place through your Medical Society membership. MSDC has partnered with Atlantic Health Partners to deliver less-costly vaccines, including FluZone, an inhaled vaccine for patients who are unable to receive a tradition vaccine.
This year the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months to protect against influenza viruses that are predicted to cause the most illness during the flu season. For more information visit http://www.flu.gov/, or to locate local pharmacy and grocery stores carrying the flu vaccine, visit http://www.flu.gov/widgets/vaccinefinder.html.
Sibley-Johns Hopkins Deal Approved by the Department of Health
DC Department of Health has approved the acquisition of Sibley Memorial Hospital by Johns Hopkins Health System. The move gives Johns Hopkins a foothold in the District. The agreement does not provide for any cash transaction and Sibley will continue with the current management and physician staff and assets. The acquisition is viewed by many as a result ofthe federal health care reform legislation and a broaded trend of hospital consolidation in the health delivery system. |
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Making the Rounds: Working for You
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On-going Participation with the District's Health Reform Implementation Committee
MSDC continues its work with several District government agencies on implementing the new health care reform legislation. The committee is currently focusing its efforts on the insurance reforms, including the development of health insurance exchanges for District citizens. MSDC is also participating in the HRIC's Delivery System Reform Subcommittee on behalf of members and patients. This subcommittee will hold a meeting Monday, November 8th at 3:30pm at 810 First Street NE on the 7th floor. In addition to the Delivery System Reform Subcommittee, MSDC is also serving on the Consumer Outreach Subcommittee. This subcommittee held its initial meeting November 4th and will focus its efforts on keeping the general patient population informed.
MSDC Leadership is Representing DC Physicians at the AMA's Interim Meeting
As a Federation member of the American Medical Association, MSDC has sent a delegation of its elected leadership to the AMA's Interim Meeting to represent the interests of physicians and patients in the District. This meeting will address a broad range of topics, including private contracting, scope of practice issues and payment reform, among others. Members of the delegation include Drs. Joseph Gutierrez (Chair), Carlos Silva (delegate), Laura Tosi (alternate delegate) and Peter Lavine (alternate delegate). As MSDC President, Dr. Frederick Finelli will also be attending, as will the MSDC Executive Vice President, Ed Shanbacker.
Other MSDC members in attendance on behalf of their specialties include Dr. Louis Diamond for the Renal Physicians Association and Dr. Donald O'Kieffe for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
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| Update from Highmark Medicare Services: Medicare Basics New Practitioner/Office Staff Workshop in Largo, MD |  On November 12th, Highmark Medicare Services will be hosting a Medicare Basics New Practitioner/Office Staff workshop. This workshop is designed for practitioners and office staff new to Medicare billing. This workshop may also be helpful to those needing a refresher course on Medicare billing.
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| Update from the AMA: November is "Heal That Claim" Month; Health IT Roundtable on November 18th at 1:00pm |
 November is "Health That Claim Month"
The American Medical Association (AMA) urges physicians to take action this fall against inaccurate payments from private health insurers. The AMA has designated November as Heal that Claim month and is supplying physicians with tools to fight flawed and inefficient claims processing by health insurers.
One in five medical claims is processed inaccurately by commercial health insurers, according to the AMA's National Health Insurer Report Card. A 20 percent error rate represents an intolerable level of inefficiency that wastes an estimated $15.5 billion annually. The administrative costs of ensuring proper insurance payments takes a heavy financial toll on physicians, and can consume up to 14 percent of their earned revenue.
November is an ideal time for physicians to bolster their efforts at appealing inappropriately denied claims since health insurers often increase claims denials during the last quarter of the year. The AMA is helping physicians overcome claims obstacles by offering easy-to-use online resources to help prepare, track and appeal claims. These resources include template appeal leters, printable checklists and logs that help physicians simplify their claims management system.
To view an informational webinar and to learn more about how the AMA is helping physicians get paid accurately by health insurers, please click here. WEBINAR: Health IT roundtable and Q&A: Lessons learned and more
On November 18th at 1:00pm, listen to a panel of experts - from organizations small and large - discuss health IT lessons learned. Come with your questions! The panel will devote significant time to answering them. This 60-minute live webinar will feature panelists discussing key decisions facing practices today as they prepare to implement Health IT. A live question and answer session will follow the presentation.
- Selecting and paying for Health IT
- Integrating disparate systems
- Current Health IT systems/products (ASP v. Client/Server, Complete EHR v. Modular)
- Implementation best practices/decision points
- Health IT privacy & security protocol/concerns
- Meaningful use requirements
Register here for the AMA's November 18 webinar presentation. |
| Want a better return on low-risk investments? Get your answers at Wednesday's "Finances First" Dinner | |
 There are just a few open seats left for Wednesday's "Finances First" Dinner and Discussion titled "Controlling Downside Risk in a Rising Interest Rate Environment." Call or e-mail Chris Lee at lee@msdc.org or (202) 355-9414 as soon as possible to reserve one of the final remaining seats.
MSDC and First Financial Group are sponsoring a much-needed and high-demand Dinner and Discussion session this Wednesday evening. We will be focusing on how your practice can take advantage of savings that can be found in your health care policies.
Date: November 10, 2010
Location: 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Speaker: Dave Mengden, Genworth Wealth Management
Complete "Finances First" Dinner and Discussion List
12/8/2010 - "Business, Property & Casualty Insurance- Liability Protection for Business Owners and High Income Earners" - Andrew Howard, Howard Insurance Agency
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| Classified Ads |
Free PCRM Nutrition Resources: As a physician, you have the unique ability to promote health through plant-based diets to your patients. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is offering MSDC members free materials for office and exam rooms. Visit www.PCRM.org/NutritionOutreach to order your complimentary posters and Vegetarian Starter Kits.
Share spacious medical office space with GYN physician in Greenbelt/Laurel/Bowie area. Designed for two physicians, the space is located in a high rise office building with more than 2,800 square feet. Space is tastefully furnished with a large waiting area, 4 exam rooms, 2 doctors consultation offices, business office area and staff break area/kitchen. Abundant free parking, metro accessible, close to 495 and BWI parkway. Hours and usage negotiable. Please contact Julie @ 301-474-5400
Medical office space to share. General practice on K Street to share with another physician. If interested, please call (202) 466-5656 or e-mail at MDeehail@pol.net.
Suite available to share. Approx one-half of 2800 sq ft suite in prime downtown medical building immediately available. Presently occupied by solo surgeon. Fax 202-887-8288Medical Office Space to Share. Looking for physician to share 3,000 square foot, well-equipped space in internal medicine office in prestigious medical building at 2440 M Street, NW. Individual consultation room. Have interpretive ECG, digital x-ray, Dexa scanner, audiometer, spirometer, etc., and multiple exam rooms. Available immediately. Contact Dr. Charles Bier, (W) 202-466-4646; (M) 202-498-0731; cbier43@gmail.com
P/T physician(s) needed : Primary Care physicians needed to join our group. We are a multi-specialty practice with a stable census and great staff. We're looking for a Team Member to complement our team. We offer a flexible schedule and are willing to work with you if you have a current patient census. DC License and/or MD license. Competitive salary. Email us your CV to: melleck88@yahoo.com. MEDICAL OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SUBLEASE at Medical Park West, 10301 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20902. This suite has a convenient outside entrance. If interested, please contact Jody Horner at (202) 726-7474 ext. 19
MIDTOWN OFFICE AVAILABLE FOR RENT-SHARING: Semi-retired ophthalmologist seeks to rent and share overhead on a beautiful 2300+ sq ft office with another ophthalmologist or medical professional. The office is furnished, well equipped, and ideally located at 3 Washington Circle across from the George Washington University Medical Center and the Foggy Bottom Metro station. Valet parking is available in the building. For more information please call Dr. Don Schwartz at (202) 466-7711 |
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