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2011 GRHA Board of Directors
President
Nannette Turner
Immediate Past President
Greg Dent
President Elect
Sallie Barker
Vice President
Denise Kornegay
Treasurer
Sheila Freeman
Secretary
Deidre Howell
Board Members
Ann Addison
Carla Belcher
Laura Bland Gillman
Johnny Grant
Sue Nieman
Charles Owens
Chris Parker
Rhett Partin
Caroline Holley Womack
Matt Caseman |
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NOTICE
To make hotel reservations at Callaway Gardens Lodge & Spa you will need to call this number: 706-489-3300 and ask for reservations. You will need to tell the reservation agent you are booking a room with the Georgia Rural Health Association Annual Conference and want the group rate. |
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GRHA Welcomes New Members
Platinum Corporate Sponsor
Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals
Student
Kathryn Smith
Individual
Dr. Anil T. Mangla |
| Archbold Physicians Pioneer Treatment for Lung Cancer
Archbold recently became the first hospital in the state, and one of only two hospitals in the world, to implant mesh brachytherapy using the daVinci Robot. The innovative surgical treatment performed by Edward Hall, MD, and Stephen Johnson, MD, revolutionizes treatment for lung cancer. The surgery not only provides treatment for patients who otherwise would've been left without feasible treatment options at all, but it also reduces the risk of cancer recurrence in patients to 10 percent or less.
This breakthrough in treatment for lung cancer is a huge accomplishment for Archbold, the state of Georgia and our region. It cannot be understated.
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For those of you who want to stay up to date through social networks, please join the Georgia Rural Health Association Facebook page and follow us on Twitter!   By joining our social media sites, you have the ability to stay updated on the latest rural health information in Georgia. Please help us spread the word! Thank you for your support and feel free to contact us with any questions. |
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MAG/GMGMA WORKSHOPS
The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) in partnership with the Georgia Medical Group Management Association (GMGMA) will condut innovative CME-accredited workshops across the state in 2011.
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GRHA circulates state and national news as an information service only. Inclusion of information is not intended as an endorsement.
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GEORGIA RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE
GRHA- KEEPIN' IT RURAL: 30 YEARS & COUNTING
Call for Abstracts -
Students Poster Session
Deadline Extended
Georgia Rural Health Association 2011 Awards of Excellence
Please visit our website for award descriptions and a Nomination Form. Completed nominations must be received by August 15, 2011.
Links are on our Homepage under GRHA Annual Meeting or
Call the GRHA home office- 478-552-3620 and request a form |
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Health Insurance Exchange
Georgians for a Healthy Future
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) authorizes new competitive insurance marketplaces at the state level, called "exchanges," and provides a basic framework and initial funding to states to begin planning. Within this framework, stats have considerable flexibility to structure an exchange that meets each state's needs. This issue brief explains what a health insurance exchange is, how it will work, and how it has the potential to provide an affordable pathway to health insurance for Georgia consumers.
Exchange Brief |
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 The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)
Friday, August 19, 2011
12:00 pm - 1:00 (EST)
Program Sponsors:
Magnolia Coastlands AHEC
Presenter:
Kenworth F. Holness, MD
Session Description:
The federal government has adopted the patient centered medical home model within the Veterans Administration. Across the country, private and community based practices are looking for guidance on how they can do the same. This is a new concept with goals to include increased patient access, care coordination, health information technology and payment reform. Ultimately successful integration of the PCMH should achieve the goal of better care, improved health outcomes, and lower costs.
Session Objectives:
Session participants will learn:
- How the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTS) of the Veterans Administration work together to incorporate key components of patient centered medical care
- About challenges and benefits to patients and providers in adopting the PCMH model of health care.
- How the PACTS address:
- Off-hours coverage.
- Same day or next day access.
- Appointments with a personal clinician
- Ability to have clinical questions answered by telephone
- Electronic access to providers and services
- Access for the high risk patient population
Continuing Education Info:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University and the Magnolia Coastlands Area Health Education Center. The Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Georgia Southern University, Continuing Education Center, is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This activity provides 1 contact hour continuing nursing education.
1 hour of credit has been applied for from the National Association of Social Workers.
Technology Requirements:
Participants registering for programs should have access to the following technology for best viewing and participation:
- Personal computer with Macintosh or Windows with 512 MB of RAM
- Broadband internet connection such as an office LAN, DSL, or cable modem
- Phone next to personal computer (or speaker phone if multiple people are viewing)
- Computer speakers (built-in or attached)
- Latest version of Adobe Flash which can be downloaded for free at http://www.adobe.com/
Registration:
Pre-registration is required to attend this event via the internet. |
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Medicare Provides Assistance to Help Low-Income Beneficiaries Get Big Savings on Prescription Drug Costs
Washington DC, August, 9, 2011 - Some Medicare beneficiaries could qualify for assistance with their prescription drug costs, and be eligible this year to pay no more than $2.50 for generic drugs and $6.30 for each brand name drug. The steps and requirements beneficiaries can take to check if they qualify for the Medicare Low-Income Subsidy Program (also known as LIS or "Extra Help") are simple and may be done by phone or online.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for the subsidy, but are not currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings.
Changes resulting from the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 made it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to qualify for "Extra Help" by changing the way income and assets are counted. As of last year, the Social Security Administration, which determines eligibility for the program, does not count life insurance policies as a resource for eligibility purposes. In addition, help received from family and friends to pay for household expenses like food, mortgage, rent and utilities does not count as income.
"The eligibility requirements are more flexible than they were a couple of years ago, 'Extra Help' can be lifesaving for someone who needs prescription drugs and needs help with the cost," said Dr. Don Berwick, CMS Administrator. "If you were turned down for 'Extra Help' in the past due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you will receive help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments and deductibles."
To qualify, Medicare beneficiaries' incomes must be less than $16,335 a year (or $22,065 for married couples) and have resources limited to $12,640 (or $25,260 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but do not include a beneficiary's house, car, or life insurance policy.
There is no cost to apply for "Extra Help." Medicare beneficiaries, family members, trusted counselors or caregivers can apply online in English and Spanish at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. Beneficiaries may also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Medicare's Part D Extra Help.
Medicare beneficiaries can also receive assistance in their local communities from their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and many tribal organizations. For information about contacting your AAA, ADRC or SHIP go to www.eldercare.gov. Local SHIP contact information can be found online at www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx. All information provided is confidential.
To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
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Free Webinar Series
'Issues in Rural Health Planning'
Details
2011 GeorgiaForward Forum: Creating an Innovation Agenda for Georgia
August 17-18, 2011
The Lodge at Callaway Gardens
Registration & More Information
"Diabetes Update 2011: Current Trends, Treatments and Practices"
When: August 24, 2011
Where: Warner Robins Conference Center
Sponsored by: Houston Health Care & Magnolia Coastlands AHEC
Details
Georgia Rural Health Association Annual Conference
September 19-21,2011
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
2011 11th Annual Primary Care and Prevention Conference
Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
September 22-23, 2011
Atlanta Airport Marriot Gateway Hotel
Atlanta, GA
Registration & Information
ANNA FALL MEETING 2011
For Nephrology Nurses, Managers, and Advanced Practice Nurses
September 24-26, 2011
Hilton Atlant
Atlanta, GA
Register by August 12, 2011 to take advantage of reduced rates
Rural Health Clinic and Critical Access Hospital Conferences
September 27-30, 2011
Kansas City, MO
Details and Registration Information
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of GA
Annual Meeting & Conference
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
9am - 3:30pm
Clayton State University- Student Activities Center
Morrow, GA
Flyer |
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