June 1, 2012

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Maine Academy of Family Physicians PineCones E-News
 
Greetings!
 
The Academy would like your help - we are looking for photos of YOU - Maine Family Docs - that we could highlight on our website.

Please contact Deborah @ [email protected] if you have photos you would like to share - pics of you delivering babies, seeing patients (permission from patient required), out & about participating in community activities, sports, etc.

 
 
Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in Maine. Ticks are out and we expect the number of Lyme disease cases to increase as the weather continues to get warmer.

 

Maine CDC issued an advisory on May 1 to provide general information regarding ticks and Lyme disease; remind providers to report cases of Lyme disease, including those diagnosed by erythema migrans; provide resources on diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease; and remind providers that Anaplasma, Babesia and other tickborne disease are also increasing in Maine.  

 

The full health alert as well as General Information and the Maine 2011 Lyme disease surveillance report are available HERE  

 

American Family Physician article "Diagnosis & Management of Lyme Disease" 

 

Maine Vaccine Board Announces Maine Provider Transitional Loss Mitigation Program   

If you are a Maine Provider who administered vaccines to minors between January 1, 2012 and April 30, 2012, and reimbursement was denied by an insurer, then you may be eligible for reimbursement by the Maine Vaccine Board under its Provider Transitional Loss Mitigation Program (PTLMP).

 

The Maine Vaccine Board (MVB) recognizes that as the new universal vaccine program begins providers may have unused vaccine which they previously purchased for use in children under the age of 19. The MVB is concerned about transitional costs borne by providers as this new program is implemented.  Many insurers will continue to reimburse providers for use of purchased vaccine, but some may not.  To lessen the potential financial burden on providers, the Board has established a process to reimburse providers at least a portion of the cost of purchased vaccine if reimbursement is denied by an insurance carrier.  This applies only to vaccines administered to children from January 1, 2012 and through April 30, 2012.

The PTLMP is administered by the following special claims serving agent. All questions related to the PTLMP should be addressed as follows:

     Attention: Steven Hoxie

     Maine Worker's Compensation Residual Market Pool

     207-885-9755

For more information, see PTLMP.  

 

For more information on the Universal Vaccination Program, see the Maine Vaccine Board webpage.  The Program was established by 2009 Public Law 595 to provide all children from birth until 19 years of age in the State with access to a uniform set of vaccines as determined and periodically updated by the Maine Vaccine Board. Vaccine purchase is funded by an assessment on health insurance carriers and 3rd-party administrators.


 

Immunization Program Regional Trainings - July & August

Registration is now open for the Maine Immunization Program's regional trainings, which will occur in July and August.

 

The trainings are open to all health professionals responsible for managing and supporting childhood vaccine programs including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and practice managers. Note: These trainings are not intended for pharmaceutical company representatives.

 

Space is limited. All cancellations must be received one week prior to the event. There will be a $25 fee for people who register for the training but fail to cancel and/or do not attend. Special accommodation requests must be received a week prior to the event.

 

For more information and to register 
Maine Dental Home Initiative 

 

Close to 60 providers attended the day long DHI training in Bangor this month. Participants learned the whys and hows providing a Dental Home to Head Start Children and how to work with Head Start and MaineCare to make it a successful experience. The keynote, Dr Man Wai Ng from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard, was interviewed by Channel 2 news. Participants got a chance to practice their skills on 26 children in the new dental facility at the University of Maine Bangor College Center.

 

More pictures of the day are at MDAC

Facebook page

The Maine Dental Access Coalition (MDAC) is a public-private partnership focused on improving access to oral care. The Coalition's mission is "To advocate for and improve access to quality preventive and comprehensive oral health care for all Maine residents."   
In This Issue
Lyme Disease on the Rise
Transitional Loss Mitigation Progam
Immunization Program Trainings
Maine Dental Initiative
21st Annual MAFP Update
Pertussis in Maine
Global Health Workshop
Will you be pictured NEXT year? 
Update 2010 General session
MARK the DATES NOW for the MAFP 21st Annual Family Medicine Update

CME By Family Docs for Family Docs

April 10-13, 2013 at Sunday River Hotel & Conference Center

Schedule & Registration will be available at: www.maineafp.org after January 1st 2013


 
Pertussis On The Rise In Maine

 

 

Maine, like many other states, has been experiencing an increasing number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases over the past year. As of last week, the Maine CDC is posting weekly pertussis updates on their website

READ MORE


Interested in Global Health? Check out the AAFP FM Global Health Workshop Sept. 6-8 - Minneapolis, Minnesota -

Help leave a global legacy. Practicing physicians, faculty, residents, and students with an interest or experience in international activities/global health are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster and peer sessions at the 2012 AAFP Family Medicine Global Health Workshop.

Held from September 6-8, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the workshop is a great opportunity to network with global health experts and peers with similar interests.

Submit your abstract by May 15, 2012. Health professionals beyond the specialty of family medicine are also welcome to submit abstracts.

For more information or to register, visit www.aafp.org/intl/workshop. Questions? Contact Rebecca Janssen, AAFP Program Coordinator, at  [email protected].


Deborah Halbach
Maine Academy of Family Physicians
 
Maine AFP - PO BOx 424 - Hartland, ME 04043
207-938-5005 - www.maineafp.org