| Upcoming Events | |
CMS Webinar: HIPAA Standards Version 5010
January 19, 2011
2:00pm-3:00pm
Registration deadline today!
Webinar: Pap Smears for Women with HIV
January 19, 2011
Noon-1:00pm
NIHFCU Seminar: Obtaining a Business Loan
January 22, 2011
11:00am-12:30pm
Rockville Memorial Library
Click here for more info.
NHMA 15th Annual Conference
March 17-20, 2011
Omni Shoreham Hotel
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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
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
AMA Alternate-Delegate
Laura L. Tosi, MD
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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Mayor Gray Appoints New Directors of the Department of Health and Department of Health Care Finance
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On Friday, January 7th, Mayor Vincent Gray (D) nominated Wayne Turnage, former Chief of Staff to Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine (D), to be the new Director of the DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF). DHCF is responsible for the administration of the District's Medicaid program and Alliance program. Mr. Turnage currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, PhD. Mr. Turnage has served as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as Special Advisor in Health Policy under former Governor Mark Warner. He has also served as Director of Policy and Research for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.
 Mohammad Akhter, M.D., M.P.H. has been named the new Director of the DC Department of Health. A renowned leader in international and public health, Dr. Akhter is currently a professor in the College of Medicine and Health Managment Programs at Howard University. Dr. Akhter was Executive Director of the American Public Health Association from 1997-2002, and has served as Commissioner of Public Health for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1994. He then moved on to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. MSDC welcomes Mr. Turnage and Dr. Akhter to the District and looks forward to working with them and their staff at DC DHCF and DC DOH. |
| Sekou Biddle Appointed as At-Large DC City Councilmember |
 DC Board of Education member Sekou Biddle (D) was selected from a field of candidates by the DC Democratic State Committee to be appointed to the At-Large DC City Council seat made vacant by Council Chairman Kwame Brown (D). Councilmember Biddle will represent all the city's residents until a special election is held on April 26th. The election is open to candidates and voters from all political parties. MSDC congratulates Councilmember Biddle on his selection, and anticipates a productive relationship with the Councilmember and his staff. |
| Smoking Cessation Options Expand for Federal Employees and District Patients |
Beginning January 2011, the Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) program will provide federal employees with access to all FDA-approved smoking cessation treatments (two quit attempts per year, four counseling sessions per quit attempt) in accordance with the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) 2008 clinical practice guidelines. The federal government is the largest employer in the US, and the fact that smoking cessation benefits are being provided to its employees provides a strong vote of confidence for comprehensive access to smoking cessation treatments without cost barriers.
For more information on tobacco cessation options for federal employees, please follow this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/QuitSmoking/
The District of Columbia's Department of Health also offers options. Its resources will help your patients quit smoking. The District's Tobacco Control Program (TCP) is here to help. They offer:
- Free Services for District Residents
- Five counseling services from certified tobacco treatment specialists
- Free NicodermCQ patches and Commit lozenges
For additional information, please call the TCP at (202) 442-5433
Make the DC Quitline your patients' lifeline!
CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW / 1-800-784-8669
For more information on the Tobacco Control Program, please click here.
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Making the Rounds: Working for You
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Medical Liability Reform is Addressed in MSDC-Supported HEALTH Act
MSDC has signed on to two separate letters of support, endorsing the HEALTH Act, a bill introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Phil Gingrey M.D. The legislation includes reforms addressing the current medical liability system, while reducing the growth of health care costs and preserving patients' access to medical care. The American Medical Association and the Coalition of State Medical and National Specialty Societies have both submitted letters with MSDC as a signatory.
To read copies of the letters, please click the following:
MSDC Works with Federation Partners to Address Medicaid Recovery Audit Committee (RAC) Concerns
The Medical Society of DC has worked with its Federation partners in voicing significant concerns physicians have with the Medicaid RAC program. The concerns are being raised to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) leadership, as well as to Dr. David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The issues focus on the perverse incentive structure and burdensome nature of the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program and insufficient guidance to States in establishing and implementing their Medicaid RAC programs. MSDC will continue to provide updates on the Medicare RAC and Medicaid RAC as they become available.
DC Council Addresses Three Bills as the 2011 Legislative Session Begins
The full Council has just been officially announced with the appointment of Mr. Sekou Biddle, and there are already three bills that have been introduced that are of interest to the Medical Society of DC.
The District has been in the process of increasing its activities to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, which has reached epidemic proportions in some District neighborhoods. In support of these activities, Councilmember Catania has introduced a bill titled, "The HIV/AIDS Program Management Act of 2011." The act will designate the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Administration as a cabinet-level agency for management purposes in the fight against these diseases. The Senior Deputy Director of HAHSTA will report directly to the Mayor on the agency's activities.
Councilmember Catania has also introduced a second bill titled, "The Department of Health Care Finance District of Columbia Health Care Exchange Authorizing Act of 2011." This act formally authorizes DC DHCF to establish the District's Health Care Exchange as an independent public entity housed under DC DHCF. The health care exchange reflects one of the District's earliest steps in implementing national health care reform which was passed in March 2010.
A third bill was introduced by Councilmembers' Catania, Mendelson and Thomas titled the "Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011." This bill seeks to reduce the damage resulting from repeated exposure to head and brain injuries that occur during organized sports and other recreational athletic activities. The requirements in the bill resemble many requirements that have been recently adopted by collegiate and professional leagues, such as the National Football League.
If you would like a copy of these bills, please click the following links:
If you would like to speak with MSDC leadership about any of the above acts and bills, please contact Ed Shanbacker at shanbacker@msdc.org. |
District News for District Physicians: MSDC Emphasizes Primary Care Workforce Development; Physicians' and Psychiatrists' Survey Responses Needed
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 DC Healthcare Workforce Partnership Group Holds First Strategic Planning Meeting The Medical Society of DC has been invited to participate in the DC Healthcare Workforce Partnership Group, which focuses on developing the primary care workforce and resources in the District. This group advises the Core Working Group of the DC Department of Employment Services, the DC Department of Health, the DC Workforce Investment Council, the Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative and the Capital City Area Health Education Center (AHEC). The two primary goals of the group is to ensure the District's primary care workforce meets the needs of primary care physicians and providers, and maximizes the employment opportunities in the health care field for District residents. MSDC's role within the Partnership Group is acting as a representative for primary care physicians as both the leaders in high quality patient care and as employers in the health care sector.
Primary Care Physicians' and Psychiatrists' Survey Responses Needed
The DC Department of Health (DOH) has been conducting a District-wide survey of primary care physicians and psychiatrists to assess the availability of health care services in the District of Colombia. This data collection method is critical to the Department's ability to correctly identify areas and populations in need of designation as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). Survey completion is critical in identifying respective underserved areas and populations which require additional primary care providers.
HPSA designations are the Federal government's official recognition of shortages in availability of personal health care services; designations allow for recruitment of providers to work in underserved areas, enhances reimbursements to District providers, and access to Federal health care resources. Program details may be found on the
The gathered identifiable information will be used exclusively to develop a provider directory for the District's geographic and population HPSA designations for primary care and the District's health information exchange assessment activities.
To access the Primary Care survey, please click here.
To access the Mental Health survey, please click here.
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Highmark Medicare Services: 2011 Physician Fee Schedule With 0% Update
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2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The President has signed the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010. This Act provides for a 0% update for 2011. The 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule has been posted to Highmark's website.
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| From CMS: HIPAA Standards Version 5010 Effective January 1, 2012 |
 On January 19, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, CMS is is hosting a free call and webinar to discuss implementation of HIPAA Standards Version 5010, the new version of the standards which become effective January 1, 2012. Powerpoints will be available for download prior to the call here:http://www.cms.gov/Versions5010andD0/V50/list.asp. Registration is required for the call. Registration will close Tuesday, January 18th at 2:00pm
To register for the call (and receive dial-in information) visit: http://www.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/011911.
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| DC Hosts the National Hispanic Medical Association's Annual Conference |
 DC Hosts the National Hispanic Medical Association's 15th Annual Conference, titled, "Health Care Reform Implementation for the Hispanic Community" The NHMA's 15th Annual Conference, "Health Care Reform Implementation for the Hispanic Community" on March 17-20, 2011 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC. MSDC members have been invited to attend and join their colleagues, nurses, health professionals, government and industry leaders as well as residents and medical students at the conference. Topics will include federal health policies and their effect on states, insurance companies, medical schools, accountable care organizations, medical homes and clinicsh. Clinical updates on heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, dementia, depression, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS will be offered, as well as medical education leadership sessions, cultural competence curriculum and tools for practices. For more information on the conference and registration, please click here.
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| Classified Ads |
Office Space for Rent located at 4910 Mass. Ave, NW suite 217 Washington, DC 20016. Furnished, up to 1,000 sq ft. If interested, please contact pediatricvillage@verizon.net
January 30- Social Media Intro for Physicians: Monitoring Your Online Reputation
Baltimore, MD
Did you know more and more sites are popping up asking the public to rate doctors? If you want to know more about how to monitor and protect your online reputation, attend this event. There's still time to register at an advanced rate if you missed the Early Bird.
WANTED: Internist licensed in DC. Needed immediately for dynamic, growing medical practice, in NW DC. Women's Health a plus. Full time/Pt, Flex hours. Salary competitive. Contact Roxanne Semple@ (202) 877-0532, email CV, queries to drcjoffice@gmail.comcdugan@mfa.gwu.edu.
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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