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December 19, 2011
| Vol. 18, No. 24
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12 Days Left to Renew Your Membership!
If you haven't already done so, you have 12 days left to renew your membership with the Medical Society of DC for 2012. Several new challenges are expected to affect physicians and their practices in the coming year. It is during these confusing and uncertain times that physicians need to display a united front the most. With your membership, you will stand side by side with your colleagues to represent the practice of medicine and your patients to meet these challenges. Remember, this is your Medical Society. Please contact MSDC staff anytime you have an idea as to how we can be more relevant and responsive to your needs, and to renew your membership before December 31st. You can reach the staff at (202) 466-1800. For more detailed contact information, you may visit our "Contact Us" page at http://www.msdc.org/about/contactUs.shtml. Again, thank you for your support and we hope that we can count on your continued membership going forward in 2012 and beyond.
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| Upcoming Events | |
AMPAC Political Education Programs
February 17-19, 2012
Candidate Workshop
April 18-22, 2012
Campaign School
Click here for info.
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2011-2012 Board of Directors
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Catherine S. May, MD
At-Large; Chair of the Board
James C. Cobey, MD
President
Daniel I. Perlin, MD
President-Elect
Joseph Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer; AMA Delegation Chair
Reginald Robinson,MD
Secretary; At-Large
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
AMA Alternate-Delegate
Laura L. Tosi, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate
Julian R. Craig, MD
Frederick C. Finelli, MD
John W. Larsen, MD
Joan B. Loveland, MD
Carla Sandy, MD
At-Large
Stuart S. Seides, 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!
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Contact the MSDC Office
| 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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| Catherine S. May, MD elected Chair of the MSDC Board of Directors |
 On Monday, December 12, Catherine S. May, MD was elected to the position of Chair of the Board of Directors by her colleagues on the Board of Directors. She succeeds Stuart S. Seides, MD in the position. Dr. Seides was reappointed to his position as Board-Appointed At-Large member of the Board of Directors. Additionally, several other Board leadership positions were filled, including Secretary, Treasurer, and At-Large member of the Executive Committee.
Reginald L. Robinson, MD was re-elected Secretary, Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD was re-elected Treasurer, and John W. Larsen, MD was re-elected At-Large Member of the Executive Committee.
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| CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention Releases Report on HIV/AIDS Work |
 HIV Counseling and Testing at CDC-Funded Sites, United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2006-2007
This report provides a summary of HIV counseling and testing (CT) data and is intended to be used by HIV program managers and policy makers, HIV CT service providers, evaluators, researchers, and others at the local, state, and national levels who are interested in the public health implications of HIV prevention program data.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/reports/pdf/hiv_Testing_Report_2006_2007.pdf
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| Medicare Updates: 13 Days Left Until Version 5010; ICD-10 Planning Call |
Reminder!
Don't Wait and Take a Chance on Payment Delays! Migrate to Version 5010 Now!
Only 13 days until the required Version 5010 compliance date of January 1, 2012. Given this deadline, CMS will not enforce the update until March 31, 2012, to account for possible disruptions in cash flow for practices.
What does this mean for your office?
- Medicare electronic claims must be submitted using Version 5010 before January 1, 2012. The required compliance date of January 1, 2012, is a Sunday; therefore, submitters must be prepared to submit Version 5010 prior to this date.
- Any Version 4010.A1 claims must be submitted BEFORE 4:00PM Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, December 30, 2011. EDI files submitted after 4:00PM ET on any business day are not considered "received" until the next business day. EDI files submitted on a non-business day are not considered "received" until the next business day or as published.
- Software vendors, billing services and clearinghouses are required to test Version 5010 and must achieve an approved 5010 837 test status before submitting Version 5010 production claims. If issues are experienced with Version 5010 testing, it will delay your ability to submit Version 5010 production claims.
It is extremely important that you and your staff are aware of this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirement being implemented by Highmark Medicare Services and be alert to future directions for this implementation. For more information on the transition to Version 5010, visit our Version 5010 section on our Web site.
https://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/edi/5010/index.html
Physician Quality Reporting System & Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program - Register Now
Tuesday December 20; 1:30-3pm ET
CMS will host a national provider call on the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) & Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program. Subject matter experts will provide an overview on electronic health record (EHR) and registry based reporting options that are available for eligible professionals (EPs) participating or looking to participate in the PQRS and/or eRx Incentive Program. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
Target Audience: Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) providers, Medical coders, physician office staff, provider billing staff and vendors
Agenda:
- Opening Remarks
- Program Announcements
- Overview of electronic health record (EHR) and registry based reporting options; and
- Question & Answer Session
Registration Information: Please visit http://www.eventsvc.com/blhtechnologies/ to register for this informative session. Registration will close at 12pm ET on Tue Dec 20 or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made. Please register early.
Presentation: The presentation will be posted at least one day before the call at: http://www.CMS.gov/PQRS/04_CMSSponsoredCalls.asp in the "Downloads" section.
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| MSDC News for Members: The Physician Health Committee; Restricting Distracted Driving; DC's Health Insurance Exchange | |
Should the District consider an ban on all cell phone use while driving?
On Tuesday, December 13, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a recommendation to ban all cell phone use by drivers. The recommendation cites an NTSB study on the effect of distracted driving, and includes all cell phone use except manufacturer-installed in-car phone systems and cell phone use by passengers.
The District already has a handheld cell phone use ban in place. Should the DC City Council consider expanding the handheld cell phone use ban to follow the NTSB recommendation and include all cell phone use by drivers, including handheld and hands-free?
To give your feedback, please click the following:
DC City Council moves forward with Health Insurance Exchange legislation
Tomorrow, the DC City Council will begin its second reading of B19-02, "the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Act of 2011." The bill had its first reading on December 6th and passed unanimously. We will continue to keep you informed on developments with the health benefits exchange in the District.
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| AMA Resources for MSDC Members: Tips on Practice Management |
Administrative Rapid Process Improvement Initiative now available for physicians and practice staff
Looking for ways to improve your practice? Wondering where to start? With the AMA's new Administrative Rapid Process Improvement (RPI) Initiative, a free Web-based tool that walks you through the program's easy-to-tackle steps that may lead to increased revenue, enhanced efficiencies and reduced manual processes for your practice. The steps include an interactive practice assessment survey, practice assessment results guidance tool, implementation of an RPI project and an opportunity to share your success through the program's certificate of accomplishment in the areas of business operations, practice connectivity, collections and patient satisfaction.
Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/rpi to take the first steps toward process improvement, and save your practice time and money in your day-to-day administrative operations.
Troubleshooting the most common problems with HIPAA Version 5010
Physician practices, clearinghouses, health insurers and vendors are required to convert to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Version 5010 electronic health care transactions by January 1, 2012.
To help physician practices address issues they may encounter when transitioning to Version 5010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided the presentation, "HIPAA Version 5010: Twenty First National Provider Call: Troubleshooting."
Topics addressed in this presentation include:
- Key Version 5010 claim issues for Medicare Part B
- The top operational concerns with the new version
- Contact information for Medicare Administrative Contractor jurisdictions
Despite the fact that CMS announced a 90-day enforcement delay, physician practices should still continue preparations for transitioning to Version 5010. Physician practices can prepare for this new version by making practice management system improvements, as necessary, and conducting tests with vendors, clearinghouses and health insurers to ensure that each entity's system works together correctly. Physician practices that are not prepared to submit Version 5010 claims on Jan. 1, 2012 may experience disruption in payment.
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| Lower Your Vaccine Costs with Atlantic Health Partners! |
 Atlantic Health Partners is pleased to announce a new program with TransactRx that enables physicians to provide vaccines to most Medicare Part D patients. As you may know, Atlantic offers our members the lowest prices on Sanofi and Merck vaccines, and now with TransactRx your practice can provide vaccines like Zostavax (available from Merck) and Adacel (Tdap) to Medicare patients.
The TransactRx program endorsed by Atlantic provides you:
- Easy online access to patient specific Part D vaccine coverage
- Ability to get fairly reimbursed for vaccines covered under Part D
- Real-time out-of-pocket (copay) cost and reimbursement information
- Electronic claims submission for vaccines covered under Part D
There is no cost to join Atlantic Health Partners or to benefit from this new service.
And don't forget these additional Atlantic benefits:
- Discounted medical, surgical and office supply programs
- Discounts on a patient recall program
- Immediate customer service to address any vaccine related issues
Please contact Jeff or Cindy at info@atlantichealthpartners.com or 1-800-741-2044 to find out how your practice can benefit from Atlantic Health Partners Savings and TransactRx.
www.atlantichealthpartners.com
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| Classified Ads |
New Psychiatric Practice for Adults & Children
Conveniently located on the red line in Friendship Heights, the office of Enrico Suardi, MD is now open for psychiatric services. Dr. Suardi is board-certified and trained in adult, child & adolescent, and forensic psychiatry.
5028 Wisconsin Avenue NW Suite 400-15
(202) 615-9663
www.drsuardi.com
SUBLEASE--PRIVATE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE WITHIN PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE. LUXURY OFFICE BUILDING NEAR DUPONT CIRCLE
This space is a dream come true for a professional who needs an office in a convenient downtown location, the tenant will work in a secure building and there are many benefits included with the rent. The office is decorated and furnished, with internet and telephone service. There is a private lavatory in the office suite as well as a kitchen. Parking available in the building. Contact: Office Manager at mmacinnis@jamesasimonmd.com
Women's Healthcare Practice is looking for a part-time ISCD, ACR or NOCA certified DXA bone densitometry technician. Convenient to Dupont Circle and Metro. Pay commensurate with experience; travel stipend available. Experience with the GE Lunar Prodigy is a benefit. Please send your resume and cover letter indicating your availability.
Contact: Office Manager at mmacinnis@jamesasimonmd.com
Dr. Neal Barnard, an adjunct associate professor of medicine at GWU and president of PCRM. is planning a pilot study on diet and migraine, and is looking for a Washington-area neurologist to consult on study design and interpretation of results. The research team will also value help in recruiting, eg, through notices to patients. Please call 202-527-7331 or email smishra@pcrm.org
Needed immediately for a dynamic, growing Internal Medicine/Women Health medical practice in NW DC. Women Health and a Nutrition background important. Must be knowledgeable of current clinical guidelines of care of Women, Diabetics, Hypertension and Cardiovascular, Obese patients. Full time/Part time/Flex hours. Salary competitive. Please Email CV/Resumes to drcjoffice@gmail.com. Contact Roxanne Semple @ (202) 877-0532 for queries and further information.
Two physicians are looking to sub-lease a fully-furnished, 5-exam room office with two conference rooms in downtown McLean, Va. The perfect location for a physician with an independent practice or a physician who needs additional space. The office is available Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All overhead including personnel, if needed, will be prorated based on office usage. Please email: mcleanobgyn@hotmail.com.
NW Medical Office space for lease. 1500-2000 sq ft. units available. Class A. Bldg which includes a 4 story elevator, fully equipped and furnished. Full service (receptionist and billing) located 1 block from Geo. Washington Univ. Hospital.
Address: 1011 New Hampshire Ave. N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone: 202 465 0240
Fax: 202 955 5541
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.
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