| 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 | |
Highmark Medicare Teleconference: Ordering & Referring Provider Edits
December 1
Click here for more info.
"Finances First" Save the Dates
December 8
"Liability Protection or Business Owners and High Income Earners"
Highmark Medicare Workshop: Small Provider Workshop December 9
Hunt Valley, MD
Click here for more info.
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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 Alternate-Delegate
(Starting January 1, 2011)
Carlos Silva, MD
AMA Delegate
(Until December 31, 2010)
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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Senate Agrees to Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cuts for 31 Days
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 Discussions Continue on SGR Relief for all of 2011.
On November 18, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reached agreement with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on a unanimous consent request for a 31-day reprieve from the 23 percent Medicare physician payment cut scheduled to take effect on December 1. This move is a necessary first step to avoid a disruption in payments while Congressional leaders continue to seek funding offsets for legislation that will stabilize Medicare physician payments through 2011.
Earlier this fall the AMA, along with 66 national physician organizations and all the state medical societies, asked Congress to prevent the Medicare payment cuts being produced by the SGR for at least 13 months, and indications are that this proposal enjoys bipartisan support in Congress. Further, bipartisan discussions are underway to identify acceptable funding offsets for a full 12-month reprieve that would be passed in December, while the short-term extension is in effect.
Because the lame duck Congress is adjourning for a Thanksgiving recess, final action on the 31-day extension in the House cannot take place until Congress reconvenes the week of November 29.
For more information, please click here.
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| Help Lead the District's Battle Against HIV/AIDS with "Offer the Test" Survey | |
 The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB has invited MSDC members to take part in the first-ever survey of DC physicians focusing on HIV/AIDS in the District and routine HIV testing. The data from this survey will help the District design programs to better support physicians to provide HIV testing routinely to their patients. Please take a few minutes to complete the brief, online 15 question survey. Click here to take the survey. The survey will be available until December 3.
The District has begun to focus on increasing routine testing to all primary care physicians, both public and private. Through initiatives like "Offer the Test," the DC Department of Health has formed a new partnership with the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB and area medical schools to raise primary care physicians' awareness of HIV testing guidelines in the District. For more information please click here.
For questions about this survey or HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment in DC, please contact Michael Kharfen of the DC Department of Health's HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD & TB Administration at Michael.Kharfen@dc.gov or 202-671-4809.
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Update from Highmark Medicare Services: 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Now Available
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2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - Now Available
The 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is based on current law which provides for a negative update for 2011.
The 2011 MPFS payment rates are reflective of the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule that was put on display at the Office of the Federal Register on November 2, 2010, and are based on current law which provides a negative update for 2011. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will quickly work to update MPFS payment rates in the event Congress passes legislation to prevent the negative update from going into effect on January 1, 2011. We encourage physicians and other affected practitioners to consider the possibility of this legislation as you evaluate decisions related to your annual participation election. Please be on the alert for more information about the 2011 physician update as it becomes available.
https://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/partb/reimbursement/index.htmTeleconference: Ordering and Referring Provider Edits - December 1, 2010 (11:00AM) (EST)
January 2011 is just around the corner. Have you checked your enrollment? Highmark's updated Ordering/Referring teleconference will help you understand claims submission edits and who should enroll to order and refer. The handout materials and teleconference instructions are now available here.
Workshop: Small Provider Workshop - December 9, 2010 (Hunt Valley, MD)
Medicare is a large, complex program and change is constant. This workshop will help you locate information easily, avoid common claim pitfalls, and understand what Medicare benefits are available to your patients. Register today!
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Making the Rounds: Working for You
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"White Coat Wednesday," a Virtual Lobbying Day, Floods Legislators' Offices with Calls
Last Wednesday , November 17th, MSDC member physicians joined thousands of physicians nationwide in calling senators and representatives for "White Coat Wednesday." These calls kept legislators' phones busy all day in an effort to prevent the next scheduled Medicare physician payment cuts that will occur on December 1.
You may also access other advocacy tools produced by the AMA, such as the Physicians' Grassroots Advocacy Checklist here, and a flier you can distribute to your TRICARE and Medicare patients to educate them about the problem. Concerned patients may contact their legislators using the AMA's patients' advocacy hotline, at (888) 434-6200.
All these materials can be found on the AMA web site, by visiting www.ama-assn.org/go/Medicarepayment, and selecting the link for AMA Physician Payment Action Kit.
MSDC Leadership Represents DC Physicians at the AMA's Interim Meeting
MSDC has continued to work on national policy initiatives through its participation in the American Medical Association. Most recently, MSDC leadership attended the AMA's Interim Meeting to represent the interests of physicians and patients in the District. They addressed a broad range of topics, but focused their efforts on medicare payment reform with The Medicare Empowerment Act, which will be introduced in the next Congress, and revising the recently enacted health reform act.
Members of the delegation include Drs. Joseph Gutierrez (Chair), Carlos Silva (delegate), Laura Tosi (alternate delegate) and Peter Lavine (alternate delegate). Dr. Frederick Finelli also attended as MSDC's president, as did 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, Dr. Kayla Pope for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Dr. Donald O'Kieffe for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
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District News for District Physicians: DC's Health Reform Implementation Committee Launches a New Website; It's Flu Season
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 The District's Health Reform Implementation Committee Unveils a New Website
The District of Columbia government has launched a new comprehensive website aimed at educating District patients about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The District's site at www.healthreform.dc.gov will provide patients with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool.
Patients and physicians are encouraged to visit the website and to offer feedback on ways the HRIC might add information to grow and strengthen the site. They may send an e-mail to healthreform@dc.gov or visit the site, and click on Ask the Agency to send comments or ask questions.
MSDC Partnership Gives Members Options for Treating Influenza
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 vaccines, including FluZone, at a discounted rate through a large purchaser program.
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. |
From ProAssurance: Withdrawing from Care - Monday Morning Quarterbacking
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 Situations arise where physicians decide to end the physician-patient relationship. Most physicians take precautions to prevent allegations of abandonment by sending letters to patients. A letter, however, is sometimes just part of the overall process. Consider the following examples.
Example 1
The Family physician sent a letter to the patient terminating the physician-patient relationship; the patient had verbally abused staff members and was disruptive in the waiting room on several occasions. Neither the physician nor staff had documented the patient's conduct in the medical record. The letter described each occasion in detail and was sent certified mail, but the patient refused the letter and it was returned to the practice. The patient repeatedly called the office and was told he was no longer a patient and could not schedule an appointment. The patient claimed he never received the letter and presented to the practice demanding to speak with the physician. ... To continue reading, please click here.
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Update from the AMA: "Heal That Claim" Month; Principles Established for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
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November is "Heal That Claim Month"
The American Medical Association (AMA) is continuing its ongoing push to urge physicians to take action this fall against inaccurate payments from private health insurers. November is the third annual Heal that Claim month and is supplying physicians with tools to fight flawed and inefficient claims processing by health insurers.
Now is the 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.
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. AMA has Established New Principles for Accountable Care Organizations
New principles for the development and operation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) became American Medical Association (AMA) policy at the organization's semi-annual policy-making meeting. ACOs are an emerging model of patient care designed to provide high-quality patient care in an efficient manner. The AMA's new principles emphasize that ACOs must be physician-led, place patients' interest first, ensure voluntary physician and patient participation and enable independent physicians to participate. The AMA is developing resources for physicians to help them make informed participation decisions about ACOs. Physicians can find the tools they need to successfully participate and lead new initiatives, like accountable care organizations, on the AMA Web site at: www.ama-assn.org/go/paymentpathways.
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| "Finances First" Dinner & Discussion Next Wednesday, on "Liability Protection for Business Owners & High Income Earners" | |
There are open seats left for Wednesday, December 8th's "Finances First" Dinner and Discussion titled "Liability Protection for Business Owners and High Income Earners." 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 an education event exclusively for our members. Whether you own a solo practice, participate in a group or are employed, there a liability protections you need to be aware of as a physician. Learn how to protect your career and your income during the next Dinner and Discussion event.
Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Location: 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Speaker: Andrew Howard, Howard Insurance Agency
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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.
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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 202-887-8288
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