On June 20, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) released the 2011 District of Columbia HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Epidemiology Annual Report. Additionally, DOH officials released a new study on heterosexuals and HIV infection rates in the District and announced new recommendations for medical providers to start treatment immediately for all persons newly diagnosed with HIV.

     The DOH reports released today provide the annual update on the state of HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and tuberculosis (TB) in the District through the end of 2010 and a more in-depth look at how behavioral risk factors contribute to HIV infection among heterosexuals. This latest snapshot of the epidemic shows that the District continues to make progress in reducing new cases and improving health outcomes for those infected with HIV.

     This year's annual report features improvements from previous years, such as:

• An adjusted number of total HIV cases in the District, made possible by eliminating duplicate cases, cases originally diagnosed in other locations and up-to-date death statistics;
• For the first time ever, there is a report on viral-load data among newly diagnosed cases of HIV; and
• This year's report introduces a new analysis of persons diagnosed with multiple diseases in the District.
• The report found that 14,465 residents of the District of Columbia - equal to 2.7 percent of the population - are living with HIV. The 2.7 percent exceeds the World Health Organization definition of 1 percent as a generalized epidemic.

        In line with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the report highlights progress the District has made to reduce the burden of the disease on District residents.

     Select one of the following links DC HET-2 Study Final 06-19-2012* or 2011 Annual Report Final 06-19-12 * to review the reports.

     The Physician Practice Survival Conference announces that the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) has agreed to sponsor the conference's inaugural event in Alexandria, VA, September 14-15. The two-day Physician Practice Survival Conference brings together some of the most respected leaders in healthcare, from practicing physicians to industry executives to third-party solution providers, to examine the economic challenges that threaten the survival of independent physician practices. A full roster of healthcare thought leaders will also discuss the business models that can answer these challenges and produce long-term economic stability for physicians who wish to remain independent.

     As part of the sponsorship, active MSDC members receive a 20% discount off the registration fee. They can use the promotion code "MSDC" when they register to get 20% off the current price. Members who register by August 15 will receive the MSDC discount in addition to the early registration discount.

     Among the featured speakers is Russell C. Libby, M.D., F.A.A.P., president-elect of the Medical Society of Virginia. He will join Ronald C. Sroka, M.D., former president of the Maryland State Medical Society, in a session titled, "A Call to Action for Independent Physicians and Small Group Practitioners." In a separate session, Dr. Libby will discuss "Adopting Change and Developing Small and Large Group Physician Alignment."

     For the full agenda, speakers' bios, and registration information, visit www.PhysicianPracticeSurvival.com or call 1-800-431-7571.

Efforts with health insurers result in $8 billion in health system savings

     The AMA's National Health Insurer Report Card provides an annual check-up for the nation's largest health insurers and diagnoses the strengths and weaknesses of the systems they use to manage, process and pay medical claims. A cornerstone of the AMA's "Heal the Claims Process"™ campaign, the report card both highlights improvements in the industry and addresses areas of concern that demand attention. AMA efforts with health insurers cut the number of medical claims paid incorrectly by large health insurance companies in half, according to the 2012 findings released at the AMA's annual meeting on June 18th. Error rates for private health insurers on paid medical claims dropped from 19.3 percent in 2011 to 9.5 percent in 2012. This improvement resulted in $8 billion in health system savings due to a reduction in unnecessary administrative work to reconcile errors. While dramatic improvements were made this year, the AMA estimates an additional $7 billion could be saved if insurers consistently pay claims correctly. 

      Access the report card's 2012 findings, including denial and accuracy rates and claims processing timeliness. You can also watch an archived webinar that details the findings and learn more about the "Heal the Claims Process"™ campaign.

 

Administrative Simplification Workshop: Improving Physician Practice Performance Through Automation 

      Monday, July 23 in Fairfax, Virginia 
    "Administrative Simplification Workshop: Improving Physician Practice Performance Through Automation" brings together providers and software vendors for a full day of sessions designed to reveal how leveraging the new administrative simplification standards and the full suite of electronic transactions can maximize physician practice performance and increase profitability. 
     View Agenda 
     Learn more about the program and register here. 

 

Practice Management Center Updates 3 Practice Resources for Physicians

     The AMA has recently released updated and expanded versions of its how-to manuals on (1) emerging payment options and (2) ACOs, CO-OPs and other options. In addition, we have also just released a new, archived webinar about private payer audits.

 

Emerging Payment Options

ACOs, CO-OPs, etc.

Private Payer Audits 

     The American Association for the Advancement of Science needs scientists, engineers and physicians to assist K-12 science teachers in the District of Columbia and adjacent counties during the 2012-13 school year.  The details of the partnership are worked out between the teacher and the volunteer, and may involve giving demonstrations, assisting in lab experiments, lecturing on special topics, assisting with homework, etc. The hours are flexible, and volunteers attend a one-day training session before being assigned to schools. To see how volunteers are assisting their teachers, view the Voice of America classroom interview, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2RlVrYKbck, or the video clips at  www.seniorscientist.org.  If you care about K-12 science education and have time to share your knowledge with students and teachers, please send a note to bcalinge@aaas.org with your home address, or call 202-326-6629.