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THE ANNUAL MEETING IS LESS THAN 3 DAYS AWAY- SIGN UP NOW!
The Annual Meeting is this week, on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at The Metropolitan Club in Washington, DC, so register now by clicking here. Highlights of the meeting include:
- What the 2012 Election Will Mean to Physicians. Robert A. Berenson, M.D., F.A.C.P., is a Senior Fellow at the
 Urban Institute with a focus on policy research on Medicare-related issues, including physician payment reform, chronic care management, contracting with private plans, coverage and payment policy for new technology, health delivery system reform options; and malpractice issues. He has worked in the Carter and Clinton White Houses and will answer the question, "What will the 2012 election mean to physicians?"
- Socializing with your colleagues from across the city
- Installation of the President-Elect, Daniel Perlin, M.D.
- Drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
The Metropolitan Club is made available through the courtesy of Dr. James C. Cobey. Please observe the dress code: coat and tie for gentlemen, commensurate attire for ladies. You may not use cell phones or personal communications devices in the meeting room, but you may take and make calls in a separate "Communications Room".
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October 22, 2012
| Vol. 19, No. 22
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| Upcoming Events | |
2012 Annual Meeting & Reception
October 24, 2012
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Club
Washington, DC
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2011-2012 Board of Directors
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Catherine S. May, MD
At-Large; Chair of the Board
James C. Cobey, MD
President
Daniel I. Perlin, MD
President-Elect
Joseph Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer; AMA Delegation Chair
Reginald Robinson,MD
Secretary; At-Large
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
AMA Alternate-Delegate
Laura L. Tosi, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate
Julian R. Craig, MD
Frederick C. Finelli, MD
John W. Larsen, MD
Barry Lewis, MD, MBA
At-Large
Joan B. Loveland, MD
Carla Sandy, MD
At-Large
Stuart F. Seides, MD
At-Large
K. Edward Shanbacker
Executive Vice President
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MSDC eNewsline
| Editor
Pia R. Duryea
202-355-9414 (direct)
duryea@msdc.org
MSDC Offices
1250 23rd Street, NW
Suite 270
Washington, DC 20037
202-466-1800 (phone)
202-452-1542 (fax)
info@msdc.org
www.msdc.org |
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The Medical Society of DC is on Facebook!
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| Important Changes to Physician License Renewal Process |
 The physician license renewal cycle began on October 1, 2012, and there are some very important changes that will affect the licensure renewal process to be noted.
This year all licensees will be required to undergo a criminal background check (CBC). You must first complete the renewal application online to be eligible for your CBC. To learn more about the CBC process, visit http://doh.dc.gov/service/criminal-background-check or call 202- 442-9004.
Editor's Note: The Board of Medicine has provided an overview of the renewal process and has indicated to MSDC that CBCs currently will be valid for four years - or two renewal cycles (2012 and 2014).
Also, this year, we will be conducting phase 2 of the physician and physician assistant workforce census survey. For physicians, the questions will be incorporated into your renewal application and physician profile. The survey questions are part of our ongoing effort to capture and analyze critical demographic and practice information data we began collecting in the 2010 renewal cycle in order to measure current, and determine future, physician and health care professional workforce needs in our nation's capital. We appreciate how busy you are but ask for your continued cooperation as we collect this very important data.
Complete the renewal process as soon as as possible and by no later than December 1, 2012, to avoid any potential delays in your license renewal. All licenses will expire on December 31, 2012.
If you currently have any District of Columbia tax liens/fines or holds on your license because you failed to respond to correspondence sent to you by the Board of Medicine requiring an action on your part, you will be barred from renewing online until the matter is resolved.
Please remember that only CMEs (50 AMA PRA Category 1 credits) obtained in the two years immediately preceding the application date will be accepted. If you have an active DC license you are required to fulfill the CME requirement for renewal. CME audits will be conducted immediately following the renewal period.
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District News: Reforming Prior Authorization Practices; Fair Reimbursement for Telemedicine
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Councilmember Yvette Alexander will hold a hearing on MSDC's Prior Authorization Reform bill on November 1
Councilmember Yvette M. Alexander, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, has announced a public hearing for Bill 19-934, the "Uniform Electronic Prior Authorization Amendment Act of 2012". The hearing will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, November 1, 2012 in room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building. The purpose the bill is to:
* Develop a uniform (standardized) electronic prior authorization form for use by every health care service plan and health insurer that provides medical services or prescription drug benefits;
* Allow every prescribing health care provider the ability to submit electronic prior authorization for medical services or prescription drug benefits via a web portal or Electronic Medical Record (EMR), to the health care service plan or health insurer, and
* Require those plans and health insurers to utilize and accept those electronic prior authorization forms for medical services or prescription drug benefits.
Successful passage of the bill will streamline the health insurance prior authorization process, help stem the rising tide of health care costs and protect access to timely and effective care for patients in the District. In May 2012, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) released the results of a membership survey examining the impact of health insurance prior authorization protocols on patient care in Washington, D.C. Our study revealed that health insurer prior authorization protocols are a burden on medical practices and undermine patient care. Specifically, there were widespread concerns among our physicians, with over 93% of respondents saying that insurance company requirements are having a negative impact on their ability to treat patients.
B19-934 will help bring the prior authorization process into the 21st century, alleviate the time-consuming burden on doctors and their staffs, and ensure that Washingtonians have access to timely, effective and affordable care. Every hour spent navigating complex administrative tasks is an hour not spent with patients. B19-934 is not only a common-sense solution to help control rising health care costs, it is also a relatively small change to the way health care is administered that will have an enormous impact on the ability of DC providers to care for their patients. At a time when physicians, and all health care stakeholders are looking for ways to reduce health care costs without sacrificing quality care, it's crucial to pass legislation like B19-934 and unleash the enormous potential for savings that advances in technology hold.
ACTION by Tuesday, October 30th
Physicians who wish to join MSDC as individual supporters and testify should contact Edward Fisher, Committee Director, at (202) 741-0898 or via e-mail at efisher@dccouncil.us providing your name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Persons wishing to testify should submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to four minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.
If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Mr. Fisher, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2012.
If you have any questions about the bill or testifying on November 1, please contact Ed Shanbacker at shanbacker@msdc.org
MSDC Urges Fair Reimbursement for Telemedicine Services
The "Telemedicine Reimbursement Act of 2012" was introduced in September by Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and a hearing is expected in November. MSDC is continuing to work with Mrs. Cheh's staff to expand the reach of the bill. To read a current copy of the bill, please click here.
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| DHCF Assures No Interruption in Services to Beneficiaries and Physicians Enrolled in Chartered Health Plan |
 The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) and D.C. Chartered Health Plan are continuing to resolve contract issues, and have announced that beneficiaries and health care providers should experience no interruption in services or payments during the process. "All health care providers who deliver services to beneficiaries in Chartered's health plan should continue to work with the managed care company to ensure beneficiary access to routine, urgent, specialty, and emergency care. Chartered will continue to process payments for these services under the existing contracts between the health plan and the providers in its network," said DHCF Director Wayne Turnage.
DHCF is moving forward with its plans to rebid the entire managed care program and is working closely with the District's Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) to release an RFP in the month of October. Director Turnage states, "through the RFP process, we plan to award new five-year contracts to managed care companies with a demonstrated commitment to effective care coordination for Medicaid and Alliance beneficiaries. Our related goal is to ensure that the chose MCOs have a genuine interest in a real partnership with the District of Columbia."
The District's two other MCOs that provide services to Medicaid and Alliance beneficiaries are UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and MedStar Family Choice. Beneficiaries can call the DHCF Office of the Health Care Ombudsman and Bill of Rights and (202) 724-7491 or Toll-free at 1-877-685-6391 if they need assistance in accessing health care services.
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| FDA and CDC Add More Drugs to Watch List for Fungal Meningitis Outbreak |
 On Monday, October 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated MedWatch Safety alert on the ongoing meningitis outbreak and announced that it had received a report of a patient possibly contracting fungal meningitis from an epidural injection of a product made by the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The product, Triamcinolone Acitonide, is an injectable steroid similar to methylprednisone acetate - the NECC injectable steroid associated with the previously reported cases of meningitis. On October 4, the FDA advised providers not to use any NECC products, and on October 6, NECC issued a recall of its products.
In addition to the two aforementioned injectable steroids, the FDA has received reports of two transplant patients with Aspergillus fumigates infections who were administered an NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery; the FDA is still investigating whether the cardioplegic solution played a role or if other potential sources more likely explain the infection in these transplant patients.
The FDA advised health care professionals and organizations to follow up with patients who were given any injectable medication produced by NECC or on whom a cardioplegic solution purchased from or produced by NECC after May 12, 2012, was used during surgery. The FDA asks that providers notify patients of the symptoms that might indicate a potential infection and ask that they immediately contact their provider if they experience any of these symptoms. The FDA also advises providers to report any of these potential infections to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information System at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm. Health care professionals may call FDA's Drug Information Line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) to get the most recent information on the outbreak.
Recommendations for Clinicians
CDC and FDA have three recommendations for clinicians.
- Clinicians should contact (by phone or in person) any patient who had an injection (e.g., spinal, joint) after May 21, 2012, using any of the following three recalled lots of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) produced by NECC, to determine if they are having symptoms:
- Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80mg/ml Injection, Lot# 05212012@68, BUD 11/17/2012
- Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80mg/ml Injection, Lot#06292012@26, BUD 12/26/2012
- Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80mg/ml Injection, Lot# 08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013
Symptoms that should prompt diagnostic evaluation include fever, new or worsening headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, new weakness or numbness, increasing pain, redness or swelling at injection site. Some of the symptoms of patients who have ultimately been diagnosed with fungal meningitis have been mild and not classic for meningitis (e.g., new or worsening headache without fever or neck stiffness).
Healthcare professionals should cease use of any product produced by NECC, all of which have been recalled.
Through its investigation of the NECC facility, FDA cannot confirm the sterility of any of the NECC products. On October 15, FDA issued a MedWatch Safety Alert advising clinicians to follow-up with patients who received an injectable NECC product, including an ophthalmic drug that is injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery, and a cardioplegic solution purchased from or produced by NECC after May 21, 2012. Clinicians are also requested to report any suspected adverse events following use of these products to FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-332-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
As in the past, CDC continues to recommend that clinicians remain vigilant for any possible adverse events related to the use of any NECC product. Clinicians are encouraged to report such events to their state public health department.
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| Novel Coronavirus Cases Reported from Middle East Travelers Which May Affect DC Patients |
This is another brief interim update on the novel coronavirus ("NCV") reported in a patient from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and a second patient hospitalized in Doha, Qatar (then transferred to an ICU in London, England).
- The patient from Qatar has been reported in the Oct 4th Eurosurveillance paper to have most likely been infected in Qatar.
- This patient's medical and public health team in London, England provided a detailed timeline of his travel and clinical history (page 2, figure 1) noting that "he was in Qatar for the 16 days prior to the onset of his most recent illness in September" (p.3).
- This presumed infection in Qatar may support the CDC's Travel Epi-Link to include BOTH Qatar and Saudi Arabia for this newly recognized virus, on the CDC's new website created specifically for this virus at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv
- This new CDC website for the novel coronavirus ("NCV") provides guidance e.g., on PPE, lab specimen collection for testing at CDC, and a one-page report form for both symptomatic travelers "to the Middle East in the 10 days prior to illness onset" (item 5 of 18 on the form) AND their symptomatic contacts (item 6), that could prove helpful particularly during the coming weeks as travelers return from the Middle East following the Hajj (Oct 24-29) to Saudi Arabia and associated Eid al-Adha.
- CDC estimated that 11,000 person from the USA make the Hajj each year (of ~ 3 million persons). Thus, it would not be surprising if some returning travelers to the US, including our DC/National Capital Region (NCR) hospitals and clinics, meet the CDC criteria for evaluation for this new virus:
Persons who develop acute respiratory illness within 10 days after returning from Saudi Arabia or Qatar (excluding persons who only passed through airports) should consult a physician and mention their recent travel. Persons with acute severe lower respiratory illness requiring hospitalization should be evaluated using the guidance at the CDC coronavirus website (http://cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv) which is based on the WHO case definition.' (MMWR Oct 12).
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From the AMA: Fighting FTC misinformation; AMPAC's Campaign School and Candidate Workshop
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Promoting the Physician-Led Team for Patient Care, AMA Fights FTC Overreach
The pace of innovation in the practice of medicine is moving rapidly forward, and interest from the public and private sector in achieving high quality, cost efficient patient outcomes through coordinated care has never been greater. With rapid changes afoot, it is critical to promote the physician-led team model as the means to ensure high quality patient care.
Physicians have raised concerns that the physician-led team model of care is being undermined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through its recent aggressive advocacy on behalf of the independent practice of non-physician health care professionals, such as nurse practitioners.
In recent letters to Missouri and Tennessee legislators, the FTC stated that nurse anesthetists can safely provide chronic interventional pain management services without physician supervision. The FTC has similarly opined on Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) supervisory arrangements, stating that "available empirical evidence indicates that APRN-delivered care across settings is at least equivalent to that of physician-delivered care as regards safety and quality." In FTC letters to medical boards and state legislators, the FTC relies on "available evidence" to make clinical judgments on complex medical issues that have an impact on patient health and safety.
To continue reading, please click here.
 Apply For 2013 Campaign Schools!
Candidate Workshop - February 15-17, 2013
Campaign School - April 17-21, 2013
The Candidate Workshop is ideal for physicians considering a run for public
office. The Campaign School is an intensive, hands-on curriculum for training physicians as expert campaign volunteers and strong advocates for
medicine. Each program offer hands-on training on fundraising and public
speaking, and both will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City, VA.
Enrollment is open to AMA members, spouses, and Federation staff. AMPAC
covers lodging, meals, tuition and course materials, a significant benefit to
AMA members. If you would like applications sent to you, please contact Jim
Wilson, Political Education Programs Manager, at jim.wilson@ama-assn.org or
(202) 789-7465, or visit www.ampaconline.org/apply
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| Gittleson-Zuppas partners for new medical office building |
 Lerner Enterprises, Washington, DC's largest private real estate developer announced it has awarded the firm Gittleson Zuppas Medical Realty, Inc. the exclusive agency assignment to market Lerner's newest project, Fallsgrove Plaza. Lerner has also announced that it has selected HITT Contracting of Falls Church, Va. as the general contractor with construction proposed for fall 2012.
Nicholas M. Zuppas and David A. Gittleson of Gittleson Zuppas Medical Realty will head the leasing effort for the new building. The firm specializes in leasing to firms in the medical field throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area in addition to representing numerous medical practices.
The proposed five-story state of the art Class A 110,000 square foot medical | office building will be located at the intersection of Shady Grove and Blackwell Roads in Rockville, Md. within the award-winning Fallsgrove master planned community, strategically located near Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and the Life Science Corridor. The Donnally Vujcic Associates (DVA Architects) of Gaithersburg, Maryland designed building is proposed to achieve LEEDŽ Gold Certification.
The new building will be within walking distance to Lerner's other projects including the award-winning Fallsgrove Village Center (FallsgroveVillageCtr.com), a community shopping center featuring Safeway plus 30 shops and restaurants; the award-winning fully leased Class A
Fallsgrove Village Office Center (FallsgroveOffice.com); and the Fallsgrove HiltonŽ Garden Inn (RockvilleGaithersburg.HGI.com)and Fallsgrove Homewood Suites (RockvilleGaithersburg.homewoodsuites.com) hotels. These projects are located across from the region's leading hospital and life science centers, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and the Life Sciences Center.
For more information, please click here.
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| Strengthen Your Practice Immunization Performance |
 Primary Care Physicians are in the best position to improve adolescent and adult vaccination rates. Immunization for Flu, Pneumococcal, Shingles, and Tdap vaccines continue to fall short of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services objectives.
Fortunately, the Medical Society of DC has a strong partner in providing our members the resources and support to cost-effectively improve immunization rates, and in turn, strengthen your practice. Atlantic Health Partners, the nation's leading vaccine buying group, offers you the lowest vaccine prices and finest customer service to improve the performance of your immunization initiatives. Atlantic even has a program that enables you to provide vaccines like Zostavax (Shingles) and Adacel (Tdap) to Medicare Part D patients.
MSDC members that currently participate with Atlantic are very satisfied with the savings and support. We encourage you to contact Atlantic at 800-741-2044 or info@atlantichealthpartners.com to better determine how they can benefit your practice.
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| Save up to 75% using MSDC's Drug Discount Program Card |
 As a physician in Washington, DC, you and your patients have access to a FREE Prescription Drug Card program. The Medical Society is please to offer the DCRx CARD. Your patients can save up to 75% on precriptions, selected eye-wear, vitamins and other products. The card is accepted in pharmacies in the District, Maryland and Virginia.
The Medical Society of DC has received a shipment of these cards and have 250 cards available to each Society member who requests them. Please email Pia Duryea at duryea@msdc.org and ask for the cards for your patients.
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| Classified Ads |
Retiring Surgeon Seeking Surgeon to Take Over Practice
Retiring surgeon looking for interested surgeon to take over a practice of approximately 25 years in DC's West End neighborhood. Please contact 202-887-8120
Psychotherapist Opens Office, Available for Speaking Engagements
Lise Van Susteren, MD, specializing in psychotherapy for adults and couples and psychopharmacology, has opened an office at Dupont Circle. She is also available as a speaker on the health impacts, including psychological, of climate change. For details, call 301-787-1780 or email lvs350@verizon.net.
Retiring Physician Seeking Family Physician to Take Over Practice
Retiring family practice physician looking for interested physician to take over practice of 25 years, DuPont Circle area. Please contact 202-365-2344.
Washington DC/Bethesda Border - Spring Valley Location
Medical Office sublet available. Prime location in beautiful Spring Valley section of Northwest DC. Spacious office with 5 exam rooms. EMR with computers in all rooms. Available for full-time or part-time lease. Large convenient parking lot located behind building and plenty of additional street parking. Walking distance to Metro and Metrobus. Short distance from both Sibley Hospital and Suburban Hospital. Please call Maria at 202-237-0808 for additional details.
For Sale: Tropical/Travel Medicine Practice
Long established and nationally recognized private practice serving Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas. Includes consulting practice in tropical medicine; travel clinic seeing over 7,000-8,000 clients per year; and diagnostic parasitology laboratory. It is in an excellent central city location. This is a unique opportunity for a physician with a passion for tropical/travel medicine and infectious diseases. Send expressions of interest to: tmsdc@verizon.net.
Office Furniture for Sale
Retired Physician has office furnishings for sale. Beautiful executive desk and credenza. Reed chairs and small table. Numerous other items suitable for office or apartment. Offering reasonable price for complete lot but willing to negotiate separate items. To review, please call 301-656-6309 or 301-656-3977.
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