Message from Dr. John Strobel

Indiana-ACC News

May 2011

President's Message
Dr. John Strobel

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate those who were recently inducted as Fellows and Associates in the ACC during ACC.11 in New Orleans.

The FACC and AACC designation recognizes those physicians and cardiac care associates who, through advanced education, training and professional development, have dedicated themselves to providing the highest level of cardiovascular care. A special recognition goes to those AACCs who were inducted at the annual convocation, since they are the first class to receive this designation. You are all to be congratulated on this honor.

Elizabeth A. Anderson, A.A.C.C., Bloomington

Susan O. Carter, RN, A.A.C.C., Bloomington

Mary Jo Morey, NP, A.A.C.C., South Bend

Bobbie Lynn Robb, NP, A.A.C.C., Columbus

Bruce M. Rosen, NP, A.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Michael K. Schroyer, RN, A.A.C.C., Zionsville

Sunil Advani, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Dorian Leenard Beasley, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Brian C. Bigelow, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

John P. Breinholt, III, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Peter J. Chaille, M.D., F.A.C.C., Fort Wayne

Arthur C. Coffey, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Ryan P. Daly, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

William G. Espar, M.D., F.A.C.C., Michigan City

Sean Michael Halleran, M.D., F.A.C.C., South Bend

Monica Khot, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Umesh Khot, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Suresh Koneswaran, M.B.B.S., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Michael Joseph Kourany, M.D., F.A.C.C., Indianapolis

Gurudutt B. Kulkarni, M.B.B.S., F.A.C.C., Elkhart

Zlatan Stepanovic, M.D., F.A.C.C., Munster

Carl M. Wynter, M.D., F.A.C.C., South Bend

(Here are some photos from the ACC.11 All Chapter Reception.)

E-Prescribing: Take Action to Avoid Penalty

Make sure you are aware of the requirements

Avoid the 2012 e-prescribing penalty! The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) authorized a new incentive program for eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers (e-Prescribers). Practitioners who participated in 2009 and 2010 received bonus payments of 2 percent. Those who participate in 2011 will receive a 1 percent bonus payment. The 2011 reporting period goes from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011.

Beginning in 2012, physicians will be penalized if they do not successfully participate in the e-prescribing program. However, it is very important to note that CMS will use e-prescribing data from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2011 to determine whose payments are reduced in 2012. In short, this means that anyone not reporting by the end of June 2012 will see all of their 2012 Medicare payments reduced by 1 percent. The ACC has prepared the following resources to help you navigate the requirements and not be caught with a penalty come January 2012.
Federal E-Prescribing Incentive Program: What You Need to Know!
Avoid the Penalty: Navigating the e-Rx Incentive Program Slide Set
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting the Most Out of Medicare Incentive Programs (March 15, PINNACLE Network E-Prescribing Webinar)
Benefits of E-Prescribing
What to Look for in an E-Prescribing System
Additional E-Prescribing Resources

Senate cuts threaten the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency (ITPC)

Contact Your State Senator
re-printed from AHA Advocacy Alert

Senate cuts threaten the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency (ITPC) One of the leading groups working to decrease our high smoking rate is the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency (ITPC). The ITPC works to prevent and reduce the use of all tobacco products in Indiana and to protect citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke.

In the budget bill passed this week by the Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee, the ITPC budget would be slashed by 50%, significantly reducing its effectiveness. It would also move the program into the Department of Health's structure and eliminate the ITPC's volunteer Executive Board.

Please click here to tell your Senator that we need to continue to fund the prevention program at its current level and in its current structure, as recommended by Governor Daniels' original budget.

Walk with a Doc

We have the cure...right in front of us
by David Sabgir, MD, FACC

We have the cure...right in front of us.

As physicians we know how to patch up lifestyle-related diseases with pills, insulin, surgery, etc. But also as doctors, we have a foot in the door. We have a foot in the door to eliminate these illnesses before they ever occur. I'm talking about Walk with a Doc.

You and I both know our patients still listen to us. We know our patients respect us. We know our patients want to spend time with us. We can empower them. We can change their lives dramatically for the better. We have the power to improve their blood pressure, cholesterol profile, prevent strokes, heart attacks, breast cancer, colon cancer, etc. We know there are 40+ diseases we can destroy.

You, by virtue of being a physician, hold the power to get them this treatment. They will listen to you. And, for the first time, they will start exercising.

They will bring their family, their friends, their neighbors, and their out-of-town visitors. They will exercise regularly and they will give you credit.

Isn't this why we all went to medical school? To save lives. To earn trust. To make a difference. Your efforts will be rewarded immediately

It is right in front of us and it's embarrassingly easy.

Indiana physicians - the system is in place. There is no cost and there is no catch. We can get you a free toolkit, free website, free prescription pads, join an existing walk, or start your own. We can make it happen and we can make it easy.

David Sabgir, MD, FACC

Founder, Walk with a Doc

614-714-0407 www.walkwithadoc.org

Save the Date!

Make Plans to Attend

Indiana-ACC Cardiology Coding Seminar

Friday, June 3, 2011

Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel, Indianapolis

ACC Legislative Conference

September 11-13, 2011

Washington, DC

Indiana-ACC 15th Annual Meeting

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown