On Wednesday, March 30, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) participated in the observance of National Doctors Day to share its appreciation for physicians working in the District.  Your society partnered with ProAssurance to host a wonderful reception for our members and guests.

     The evening included an hors d'oeuvres and dessert buffet, as well as a full complement of beverages for the attendees' enjoyment.  Festivities began at 5:30pm, and guests stayed and mingled until nearly 9:00pm.  MSDC President, Dr. Frederick C. Finelli, provided opening remarks and then introduced ProAssurance President and CEO, W. Stancil Starnes.  Mr. Starnes thanked those present and extended special appreciation to all D.C. are physicians for the outstanding effort and hard work they put forth each day to provide excellent care for thousands of patients.

     "MSDC has always enjoyed very strong support from ProAssurance, and their help with this event is just one more example of their dedication to our members.  I know, personally, that both organizations do deeply appreciate everything physicians do on a daily basis, and this event is an excellent demonstration of that appreciation that all physicians can take part in," said Dr. Finelli, MSDC President.

     MSDC and ProAssurance work throughout the year on issues directly benefiting physicians in the District.  While the evening closed on Doctors Day, this work is on-going. Many issues - such as medical malpractice reform, Medicare payment reform and private insurer regulations enforcement - continue to be top priorities. 

Jeannine Byrnes (left) and Sandra Polin, MD (right) of WRA

     On Tuesday, April 5 and Saturday, April 9, Washington Radiology Associates hosted several members of the Medical Society's Young Physicians' Section at games vs. the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks.  Tuesday's game vs. the Pistons went into overtime, with the Wizards pulling out a victory in the final minute on their home court - a pleasant outcome for all those in attendance. On Saturday, the playoff-contending Atlanta Hawks came to Washington, and was handily defeated by the young Wizards team, 115-83.  With another 

favorable outcome for the attendees, the event provided even more reason for all physicians in 

attendance to enjoy themselves.

     "Everyone had a great time with Jeannine and Washington Radiology Associates.  They were wonderful hosts; I hope we can continue to join them in the future on these fun 

events," said Chris Lee, MSDC Associate Director of Membership.

     Washington Radiology Associates have been long-time members and supporters of the advocacy work the Medical Society of DC does on behalf of its members.  As a specialty group serving a wide range of medical imaging needs to Washington-area physicia

ns, they are committed to supporting their colleagues in medicine and the patients they treat for 

years to come.

Study provides snapshot of the economic impact of office-based physicians studied at state level
     The Medical Society of the District of Columbia announced that a new report released by the American Medical Association (AMA) shows that office-based physicians play a vital role in the District of Columbia's economy by supporting jobs, purchasing goods and services and generating tax revenue. In 2009, office-based physicians in the District of Columbia contributed $3.8 billion in economic activity and supported 16,369 jobs.
     The study found that, in comparison to other industries, office-based physicians almost always contribute more to state economies than each of the following: hospital, legal, nursing home and home health.
     The findings show the economic impact of office-based physicians as measured through sales revenue, jobs, wages and benefits and tax revenue. The report provides information on the economic impact of office-based physicians in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In the District of Columbia, office based physicians supported $2.8 billion in wages and benefits, and generated $122.2 million in taxes.
     To view the full report, please click here.

     To view an overview of the findings, please click here.

     J.D. Power & Associates have completed their 2011 U.S. Member Health Insurance Plan Study for the Mid-Atlantic (Virginia-DC-Maryland) region and have named Kaiser Permanente as their top award winner.  The study is based on consumer/patient satisfaction using coverage & benefits, provider choice, information & communication, claims processing, statements, customer service, approval process and overall experience as their 8 key factors to the score.  For more information on this study, please click here.

     Also, Kaiser Permanente opened its Center for Total Health facility to the public today, April 11.  The Center's key mission is to act as "a place for innovators, leaders, influencers, thinkers and believers in wellness to talk about health."

 

Medicare EHR Incentive Program Attestation Begins on Mon Apr 18
    Attestation for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program begins on Mon Apr 18, 2011. In order to receive your Medicare EHR incentive payment, you must attest through CMS's web-based Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs Registration and Attestation System.
    Meaningful use requirements for eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program are different:

• EP Meaningful Use Criteria -Must report on 15 core measures, 5 of 10 menu measures, and 6 clinical quality measures, consisting of 3 required core measures and 3 additional measures.
• Visit the Stage 1 EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheets for EPs for information on core and menu measures for EPs.
• Visit the Clinical Quality Measures page for information on the required clinical quality measures for EPs.

     MSDC, alongside many other state and national medical societies, helped push through Congress a bill that fully repeals the expanded 1099 reporting contained in last year's health care law. While the repeal is not finished until the President signs this bill into law, the legislation could not have gotten this far without the proper coordination across many medical societies and other associations.

     MSDC is working with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on updating their "Questions are the Answer" campaign to increase patient involvement in their health care.  AHRQ plans to post short, 30-second videos and summaries of physicians and patients who can speak to the importance of involving patients in their treatment for better overall health outcomes. We believe having physicians on video speaking to patients about the importance of being engaged in their health care and asking questions is a powerful way to engage the public in this campaign.   
     If you are willing to participate in this effort, please contact Chris Gearon at Chris.Gearon@AHRQ.hhs.gov for additional information and to volunteer.  For example, AHRQ is looking for physicians who can say that a patient's questions actually revealed information about the patient that the physicians would have otherwise never known. As a result, the physicians was better able to care for the patient or prescribed medicines that worked better for the patient. That is just one example.

NIDA Hosts the Addiction Performance Project

     The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) presents an innovative CME program, Addiction Performance Project, which offers healthcare providers the opportunity to help break down the stigma associated with addiction and promote a healthy dialogue that fosters compassion, cooperation, and understanding for patients living with this disease. This project is part of NIDAMED, NIDA's outreach to practicing physicians, physicians in training, and other health professionals.

     In April, NIDA will sponsor dramatic readings by professional actors of Act III from Eugene O'Neill's play, Long Day's Journey into Night, followed by an expert panel presentation and facilitated audience discussion on caring for patients struggling with drug addiction. The events will be held at:

• Georgetown University Medical School
  12 pm-1 pm, Friday, April 15
  Preclinical Sciences Building, Room LA-4
  3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC 20007
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) annual conference
  6:30 pm, Saturday, April 16
  Washington Hilton
  1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009

     Additional information about the events, CME credit, and online registration is available at http://www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed/APP/index.html

     Atlantic works with Sanofi Pasteur and Merck to provide our members with the lowest prices on their vaccines, including Sanofi's Fluzone. Sanofi is still accepting pre-book orders, and you will get Atlantic's contract pricing for their Fluzone and High Dose Fluzone (which is reimbursed by Medicare).

     Additional benefits offered by Atlantic:

• Lowest pricing and terms for Fluzone and Flumist
• Medical supply discount program
• Office and business supply discounts
• Discounted patient recall program

     Jeff Winokur and Cindy Berenson are the primary contact persons at Atlantic, and we encourage you to contact them at 800-741-2044 or at info@atlantichealthpartners.com for more information and details about how your practice can benefit from participation.

     MSDC is heavily involved in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in the District, especially through our participation in the Mayor's Commission on HIV/AIDS.  Additionally, this year will mark the 30th year of the CDC's discovery and initial action taken to prevent the spread of this disease.  To observe this milestone, the Pennsylvania/MidAtlantic AIDS education & Training Center and Howard University College of Medicine will be hosting an education event open to our members.  The details include:

• Date: April 28, 2011 at 6:00 pm
• Speakers: Dr. Harold Jaffe and Dr. Robert Fullilove
• Location:Howard University College of Medicine Main Auditorium Room 319

     Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 26, 2011 by clicking here.  For questions regarding this event, please contact Deborah Crimes at 202-806-0221.