After Mayor Gray's election in November 2010, MSDC has participated in providing recommendations to the Mayor's transition team on subjects such as Medicaid and the Alliance.  The Medical Society looks forward to a collaborative and productive working relationship with Mayor Gray and his departmental directors upon their nominations.  Congratulations Mayor Gray!

     DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown was also sworn in yesterday.  Chairman Brown, a former at-large councilmember, became the seventh chairman of the DC Council.  Congratulations, Chairman Brown!

     Councilmembers David Catania, Phil Mendelson, Jim Graham, Mary Cheh, Harry Thomas and Tommy Wells were all reelected in November and were sworn in yesterday, as well. Councilmember Catania currently chairs the Council's Committee on Health, and has worked with the Medical Society in the past in this role. Congratulations to each of you on your reelection!

     The Medicare EHR Incentive Program for eligible professionals starts in 2011 and will continue through 2016. Depending on the first year they participate, eligible professionals (EPs) can participate for up to 5 years throughout the duration of the program. The last year to begin participation in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is 2014, but to receive the maximum EHR incentive payment, Medicare EPs must begin participation by 2012. To qualify for Medicare EHR incentive payments, Medicare EPs must successfully demonstrate meaningful use for each year of participation in the program. Incentive payments are made based on the calendar year. The reporting period for the first year is any 90 continuous days during the calendar year. The reporting period for all subsequent years is the entire calendar year. For calendar years 2011-2016, EPs who demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. Beginning in 2015, Medicare EPs who do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use will have a payment adjustment to their Medicare reimbursement. The payment reduction starts at 1% and increases each year that a Medicare eligible professional does not demonstrate meaningful use, to a maximum of 5%.

To read the CMS newsletter, "The Pulse of CMS," devoted specifically to the HITECH Act, please click here.

For more information from, please click here.

AMA Practice Tip: When to Add Staff to Your Practice

     There are several signs that it is time for a practice to add full-time staffers, such as when patients complain about how long they are placed on hold when they call in. When they call, can they get through on the first try? Are physicians complaining that patients are not in an exam room when they are supposed to be because staffers are weighed down with other duties? Have physicians been added to a practice, and do they have the support to do their jobs? Have new service lines increased patient volume?

     To continue reading the article, please click here.

AHRQ Grants Available for Patient Safety and Medical Liability Reform

     Due to a large response to the initial request for applications earlier this year, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed additional grant opportunities for patient safety and medical liability reform demonstration and planning projects in 2011.
     Demonstration grants are intended to provide up to $1 million for a one-year project and may be renewable for up to three years, while planning grants are intended to provide up to $300,000 for a one-year project.

     For more information on the new grants, please click here.

     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.