| 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 | |
CMS HITECH Act ODF/Webinars
December 7
11:30am - 12:30pm
December 8
4:30 - 5:30pm
December 9
7:30am - 8:30am
"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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The Medical Society of DC is on Facebook!
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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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| This is the Year to Renew - Renew Your DC License Today! |  Your license will expire on 12/31/2010. You may renew your license online until December 31, 2010.
To renew online you must use Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher and pay by MASTERCARD or VISA. The DC Board of Medicine's system is not compatible with Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari.
This renewal period will include an additional but critical step - a Healthcare Workforce Survey - for Physicians and Physician Assistants. The survey will allow the HPLA to accurately capture, quantify, and analyze the District's current physician workforce demographics and practice information and develop strategies for building the capacity needed to meet the workforce needs of the future. The data will be used for workforce statistical analyses and reporting purposes ONLY.
To renew online, go to the HPLA website at https://app.hpla.doh.dc.gov/mylicense/ and complete the steps as listed below.
1. Workforce survey (MDs/DOs and PAs) only. Voluntary survey
2. Home Address: Update and confirm your home address.
3. Business Address: Update and confirm your business address.
4. Physician Profile: Provide detailed information regarding your medical practice. MDs/DOs only.
5. Renewal Questions: Complete the renewal and screening questions.* Print a summary for your records.
6. Fees and Payment: Make payment (MC/VISA) and print the receipt for your records.
MDs/DOs must also update physician profiles and controlled substance registrations. Physician Assistants must also renew registrations.
For more information, click here.
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President Obama Signs 31-day Medicare Payment Patch on November 30th
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On Tuesday, November 30th, President Obama signed legislation that provides a 31-day reprieve from the 23 percent Medicare physician payment cut that was scheduled to take effect on December 1.
The lame duck Congressional session is expected to continue for up to three weeks, during which additional legislation must be passed to stop a 25 percent Medicare physician payment cut that is scheduled for January 1, 2011.
The AMA and its Federation partners have been urging Congress to provide stable physician payments through the end of 2011, until a new payment proposal can be developed to replace the sustainable growth rate formula. This position enjoys bipartisan support, both in Congress and in the White House. Bicameral and bipartisan efforts are underway to identify budgetary offsets for the 10-year cost of stopping the 2011 cut.
After signing the legislation into law, the White House issued the following statement: "President Obama is pleased Congress has passed legislation that will prevent payment cuts to doctors from taking effect next month. The President urges Congress to now pass a one-year extension to ensure seniors maintain access to the doctor they know and trust over the coming year. Passing this one-year extension is important, but it is no substitute for a long-term fix. The President has long called for a sustainable solution, and we look forward to working with Congress to further address this matter."
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Behavioral Economics and Health Care Part II: Why Physician Behavior Might Not Always Be Rational
|  By Douglas E. Hough, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
In the September issue of MSDC e-Newsletter, I introduced the concept of behavioral economics and its applicability to understanding what is going on in health care and health care reform. To review, behavioral economics rejects the traditional economist's view that people act as if they are perfectly rational calculating machines. Rather, behavioral economists argue that not only do consumers and producers make mistakes, they make systematic mistakes. In fact, behavioral economist Dan Ariely titled one of his books, Predictably Irrational.
As I noted before, behavioral economists are just beginning to turn their attention to health care, which seems rich with examples of patients, physicians, and society acting predictably irrational. Last month, I used the concept of "action bias" to explain why patients insist on getting a prescription or having a test ordered whenever they go to a physician's office with an ailment. This month I want to make a potentially more controversial argument, that behavioral economics can help explain why upwards of 30,000 patients die each year in the US from central line-associated bloodstream infections, even though a simple checklist used by physicians and nurses can reduce that number by 1/2.
To continue reading, please click here.
To read Part 1, please click here.
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Update from CMS: Three Additional HITECH Act and Meaningful Use Webinars Announced
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 For those who missed our first round of calls, the Philadelphia Regional Office of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be hosting three make-up HITECH ODF/webinars for our partners and providers in DE, DC, MD, PA, VA & WV. Please join us for information concerning the HITECH final rule including meaningful use (MU), provider and hospital eligibility, and the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payment programs. A question-and-answer session will be included at the end of the presentation. We have scheduled three different times on the dates listed below to accommodate different work schedules. The dial-in information and links to the webinars are provided below:
· Tuesday, December 7, 2010: 11:30am-12:30pm, Dial-in number: 1-866-742-7165, Conference ID: 26036879, https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/r85729591/
· Wednesday, December 8, 2010: 4:30-5:30pm, Dial-in number: 1-866-742-7165,
Conference ID: 26035578, https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/r38619613/
· Thursday, December 9, 2010: 7:30-8:30am, Dial-in number: 1-866-742-7165,
Conference ID: 26036670, https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/r20896909/
For more information please contact Patrick Hamilton by e-mail at Patrick.Hamilton@cms.hhs.gov, or by telephone at 215-861-4097. You can also contact Tom Robinson by e-mail at Thomas.Robinson@cms.hhs.gov, or by telephone at 215-861-4270.
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Making the Rounds: Working for You
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The Physician Health Committee is Here to Help All Physicians in Need
At this time of sadness and stress, it is likely that some of our fellow members may react by abusive use of alcohol and/or other psychotropic medications. The Physician Health Committee of your Medical Society is available at any time to help you or your colleagues.
If you feel the need of assistance for yourselves, members of your family, or your associates, please feel free to get in touch with us. All communications will be treated both sympathetically and confidentially. Contact Barbara Allen at 202-355-9403.
For more information on the program or early clues of physician impairment, check our web site at http://www.msdc.org/memberCenter/Resources/membercenter_resources_physician_health.shtm
MSDC Weighs In for Chairman Gray's Transition Team as Mayor-Elect, Focusing on the DC Department of Health Care Finance, Medicaid and the Alliance
On Friday, December 3rd, a team of stakeholders and advocates from across the District convened to review, edit and add recommendations for improvements to the District's Department of Health Care Finance. Topics that were covered include the future of United Medical Center in Southeast DC, the future of the Alliance program under health care reform, protecting provider reimbursement rates, improving the timeliness of reimbursement payments and streamlining administrative processes.
A final report will be completed by December 15th. One more meeting of the team should take place to review what has been accomplished by the team and add any other recommendations that may have been overlooked during the first round.
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| 10 Tips to Maximize IT Expenditures and Improve Your Practice's Productivity |
 Now more than ever, small medical practices need ways to drive and improve office productivity and maximize investments on each small business IT solution in order to deliver excellent patient service and accelerate revenues. The good news is, there are numerous, actionable steps business owners can follow to move beyond survival mode into thrive territory. When you think about IT, you may immediately see dollars being siphoned out of your practice's bank account, but there are ways to maximize your IT expenditures, which will ultimately help boost revenue. According to market research, small business IT solution spending is on the rise. International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts that small and medium sized business spending on IT will increase 5.5 percent over the 2010-2014 forecast period. Research also shows that IT decision makers for small and medium sized businesses will be focusing more of their time on IT expenditures, however with a limited budget.
To continue reading, click here.
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District News for District Physicians: It's Flu Season
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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. |
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.htm
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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| "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 are 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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| MSDC Welcomes Disney Institute to Annapolis on January 11, 2011 |
Early Bird pricing available-see www.KeysAnnapolis.com for details!
Limited Time Offer: Register and pay by 12/03/11 and be automatically entered to win a FREE 3-day Disney Institute class at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando!
Every hospital, clinic, group medical practice, dental practice, or freestanding medical care provider has the opportunity to distinguish themselves through the delivery of quality services.
A one-day local workshop, Disney's Approach to Quality Service for Healthcare Professionals program will show you the importance of attention to detail in everything Disney does -- from training its Cast Members (employees) to treating every Guest (patient) as a VIP. You will hear the stories and see how Disney best practices can be easily adapted to your healthcare delivery organization.
IMPORTANT: Please use the Medical Society of the District of Columbia promotional code MSDCMNE to receive $50 OFF PER GUEST when registering. Additional group discounts are available.
TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER GO TO: www.KeysAnnapolis.com
No prerequisite training required.
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| Classified Ads |
WASHINGTON, DC INTERNISTS - Premier university-affiliated multispecialty practice group seeks full-time BC/BE internists for superb opportunity in new outpatient only practice. Ideal downtown location with established EMR with home access, full hospitalist service, paid malpractice, competitive salary and benefits. Position includes clinical academic appointment. DC license required. Not a J-1/H-1B visa opportunity. Email CV to: cdugan@mfa.gwu.edu.
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
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