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New HIV Testing Law Effective September 28th
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The MeCDC is reminding clinicians that 5 MRSA §19203-A, Maine's HIV testing and consent law, was amended this past legislative session to include a sixth subsection on the "protection of newborn infants," which went into effect on September 28th.
The amended section of the law requires health care providers caring for pregnant women to include HIV tests in the standard set of medical tests performed, subject to the consent and procedure requirements of
the Statute which requires that a patient must be informed orally or in writing that an HIV test will be performed, unless the patient declines.
Under the new law, health care providers caring for newborn infants are also required to test the infant for HIV and ensure that the results are available within 12 hours of birth if the health care provider does not know the HIV status of the mother or the health care provider believes that HIV testing is medically necessary.
There is an exception if a parent objects to the test on the grounds that it conflicts with the sincere religious or conscientious beliefs and practices of the parent. The full text of the NEW LAW is available HERE
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Register now for the Infectious Disease Conference - Nov. 15 - Augusta Civic Center
| | Since 1983, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Health and Human Services has organized an annual infectious disease conference targeting public health issues of emerging concern to medical practitioners throughout the State.
This year's meeting will continue this tradition, and is dedicated to a review of emerging issues in the field of infectious diseases, particularly as they impact the Maine medical community. Issues presented will include challenges in controlling infectious diseases, information on responding to new disease threats, and clinical updates and approaches.
Register NOW for these events |
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Medicare eRx Payment Adjustment - November 1st Deadline
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Eligible professionals and group practices should determine if they are subject to the 2012 eRx payment adjustment by reviewing the MLN Article. If you believe that you may be subject to the 2012 eRx payment adjustment, you should determine if you meet any of the hardship exemption categories specified by CMS in the 2011 Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Final Rule. A Quick Reference Guide is available to help you understand the changes that the eRx Final Rule made to the 2011 Medicare eRx Incentive Program.
As a result of changes to the program, eligible professionals and group practices have until November 1, 2011 to submit a significant hardship exemption request and rationale.
Individual eligible professionals must submit their hardship exemption requests through the Quality Communications Support Page and group practices participating under the group practice reporting option (GPRO) must submit hardship exemption requests via a letter to CMS.
Additional information and resources are available at www.cms.gov/erxincentive
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HHS Launches New Intiative to Strengthen Primary Care
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Last Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new initiative made possible by the Affordable Care Act to help primary care practices deliver higher quality, more coordinated and patient-centered care.
Read the complete article
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Greetings!
Save-the-Date now for
MAFP's 20th Annual Family Medicine Update 6 Annual Meeting - Bar Harbor
April 11-13, 2012
Some highlights this year - SAM Study Group on April 11th, Tour of Jackson Labs April 11th, Annual MAFP Meeting in the evening on the 12th Stay on for the FREE Friday afternoon conference: "Cancer in the Family: Primary Care Matters" Sponsored by Maine General Medical Center & Jackson Labs through a special grant. +++++++++++++++++++++ Report of the 2011 AAFP Congress of Delegates Your Delegates, Dieter Kreckel and Ron Blum, Alternate Delegates Elizabeth Mock and Tom Bugbee, and our ever vigilant Exec. Deb Halbach represented you well at the recent Congress of Delegates held in Orlando. The weather was clear and warm and we avoided any hurricane activity, but the very busy schedule left little time for recreation. The initial Congress gathering is a Town Hall meeting the evening before the official opening. There relevant issues of the day are aired with the national leadership, as we learn the Academy's insights and they hear the perspectives of the members. This year there were three topics on the agenda. The issue of "distressed practices" was introduced by a letter from the New Jersey chapter, citing areas of low per capita primary care penetration, high per capita subspecialist penetration, low retention of primary care residents trained in the state, an aging primary care base, and decreasing numbers of primary care physicians. (Read the entire report) |
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NNEPC Bath Salts Webinar Available
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The Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC) is offering recorded webinar presentations regarding the new synthetic drugs known as "bath salts."
The webinar is a slide and audio presentation
recorded by Dr. Karen Simone, NNEPC Director, and Dr. Tamas Peredy, NNEPC Medical Director. The presentation is available for viewing at any time. It can be accessed through the NNEPC website, www.nnepc.org, or directly at Bath Salts webinar.
The presentation is given in two parts. The first is a general overview of bath salts appropriate for all audiences. The second is aimed at health care professionals and gives information related to treating bath salts patients.
NNEPC is currently able to offer continuing education credits for Maine and New Hampshire EMS personnel for the bath salts recorded webinar. They expect to be able to offer other types of continuing education credits in the near future.
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MMA First Friday Program Nov. 4 - "Treating Minors in a Primary Care Setting"
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First Friday program now also available via Webex!
November 4th's session will cover such questions as:
- When can I treat an adolescent patient without a parent's consent?
- If a minor can consent to their own care, must I keep their treatment confidential?
Complete registration and agenda information: First Friday @ MMA Nov 2011 |
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WIC Formulary & Formula Prescription Form Changed
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Maine CDC WIC formulary and formula prescription form will be updated on the WIC website this week.
The Maine CDC WIC formulary and prescription forms have been changed for our new formula contract with Mead Johnson products. The following items will not need prescriptions:
- Enfamil Premium
- Enfamil Prosobee
- Enfamil Gentlease
WIC will also be able to provide Enfamil AR for infants with a diagnosis of GERD; requests for this product as well as all other formulas must be made on the formula prescription form.
Please note that the program is not able to provide other brands of standard cow's milk-based and soy-based formulas, including name brands and store brands.
Questions? Contact: Karen Gallagher, MS, RD
Nutrition Coordinator
Maine CDC, WIC Nutrition Program
Phone: 207-287-4622
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Family Doc to be Honored as a "Healthcare Hero"
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Honoring everyday heroes for delivering world-class healthcare
Sean McCloy MD, a family physician practicing with Maine Integrative Wellness in Portland, will be honored as a Healthcare Hero November 17th. Congratulations Dr. McCloy! Healthcare Expo & Healthcare Heroes is a two-part community event which aims to put a face on healthcare in the state of Maine. The events will highlight the dedication, innovation, compassion and exemplary achievements associated with healthcare being provided everyday in Maine. Healthcare Expo -
This must-attend community event will be held on November 13 at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland. Admission is free. The goal of this event is to provide an opportunity for people to learn about healthier living choices as well as offer free health screenings, interactive information, and more! Healthcare Heroes Award Luncheon -
This afternoon luncheon will be held on November 17 at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland. It will be an afternoon for celebrating the world-class healthcare offered right here in Maine.
For more information and to register to attend the awards luncheon, visit the MaineToday Media site. |
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T ABFM MC-FP Examination Is Moving To APRIL in 2012
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Beginning in 2012, the ABFM MC-FP examination will be held in April instead of July. Diplomates who are in good standing and hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada are eligible to apply for and take the examination.
Residents who are in good standing and expected to complete training on or about July 1, 2012 are eligible to take the April 2012 examination. A currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada is not required for residents to apply for and take the April examination. Certification will be awarded when all of the criteria are met:
1. Successful performance on the ABFM MC-FP Examination
2. The Program Director verifies that the resident has successfully met all of the ACGME program requirements
3. The candidate obtains a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada
These conditions must be met by December 31, 2012.
The dates for the April 2012 MC-FP Examination are:
April 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21
The MC-FP Examination will also be offered in November for candidates who fail the spring administration of the examination, or for those residents in good standing who are off-cycle and are expected to complete training on or about December 31, 2012.
The dates for the November 2012 MC-FP Examination are:
November 7, 8, 9, 10
As with the April exam, Diplomates who are in good standing and hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada are eligible to apply for and take the examination.
A currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the US or Canada is not necessary for residents to apply for and take the exam, but in order to be awarded certification, the same three criteria listed above must be met by July 1 of the following year.
For more information contact: Jane Ireland, Program Coordinator, ABFM
888-995-5700 ext 1249
859-335-7501 (fax)
jireland@theabfm.org
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MAFP 20th Annual Family Medicine Update 7 Annual Meeting
April 11-13, 2012
in Bar Harbor
Brochure and Registration available after January 1st | | |
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