| Upcoming Events |
THIS FRIDAY!
Med-Chi Christmas Gala
Friday, December 21, 2012
9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
J.W. Marriott Hotel
1331 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Call 202-347-4170 or 202-882-5038 to attend.
SAVE THE DATE!
Annual Regional Ethics Committee Conference
Friday, March 29, 2013
9:00 AM -5:30 p.m.
Washington Hospital Center
Up to 6 CME units are available for this program. For details on conference, view the brochure.
|
Corporate Partners
| |
 Formerly known as Solveras
|
2012-13 Board of Directors
| |
Catherine S. May, MD
Chair of the Board; At-Large
Daniel I. Perlin, MD
President
Laura L. Tosi,, MD
President-Elect
James C. Cobey, MD
Immediate Past President; At-Large
Joseph Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer; AMA Delegation Chair
Reginald Robinson,MD
Secretary; At-Large
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate
Laura L. Tosi, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate
Julian R. Craig, 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
|
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)
www.msdc.org |
| Like MSDC on Facebook! | |
The Medical Society of DC is on Facebook!
|
|
| Don't Delay! DC Licenses Expire on December 31, 2012 |
 Last Chance to Renew Your License
All physician licenses will expire on December 31, 2012, so complete the renewal process now to maintain your license.
There are important changes to the licensure renewal process this year. All licensees are required to undergo a criminal background check (CBC). You must first complete the renewal application online to be eligible for your CBC. To learn about the CBC process, call 202- 442-9004 or visit http://doh.dc.gov/service/criminal-background-check.
|
| District News: MSDC Supports Medicaid Payment Increase |
Medical Society joins Sign On Letter to Congress urging pay parity
MSDC has joined the AMA and state, national specialty, and state specialty medical societies, to send a letter to House and Senate leadership expressing medicine's strong opposition to proposals that would eliminate the Medicaid primary care payment increase slated for 2013 and 2014 raising Medicaid payments. The final rule was recently issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2013.
The Medicaid payment increase ensures that Medicaid payments for eligible physician services in all states are no less than Medicare, independent of whether a state has chosen to participate in the Medicaid expansion authorized by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This will improve access to care for persons enrolled in both the existing Medicaid program and persons who may become newly eligible for Medicaid in states that accept the federal dollars to expand Medicaid.
For a copy of the letter, click here.
|
| HBX News: Mila Kofman Named as HBX Executive Director |
Nationally recognized health insurance expert chosen to serve
Last week, the executive board of the DC Health Benefit Exchange (HBX), voted unanimously to appoint Mila Kofman as the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange. Ms. Kofman, who will begin her duties on January 2, 2013, will manage the HBX's operations, advance health care reform in the District of Columbia, and recommend strategic priorities.
A nationally recognized expert on private health insurance markets, Kofman was appointed by the former Governor of Maine, John Baldacci, to serve as the Superintendent of Insurance (2008 - 2011), where she regulated a multi-billion dollar insurance industry. Her effective leadership in developing alliances with business groups, the insurance industry, consumer and patient advocates, physicians, trial lawyers and state agencies helped to improve and strengthen Maine's insurance market for both consumers and businesses. |
MSDC News: Board Leaders Re-elected; New PHP Phone Number; Renewal Deadline Approaching
|
2012-13 Board finalized at December Board Meeting
Last Monday, December 10, 2012, Catherine S. May, MD, was re-elected to the position of Chair of the Board of Directors by her colleagues on the Board of Directors.
Additionally, several other Board leadership positions were filled, including Secretary, Treasurer, and At-Large member of the Executive Committee. Reginald L. Robinson, MD, was re-elected Secretary; Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD, was re-elected Treasurer; and John W. Larsen, MD, was re-elected At-Large Member of the Executive Committee.
Physician Health Program has a new toll-free number: 1-866-482-6497
MSDC's Physician Health Program provides confidential assistance, monitoring and advocacy to participants diagnosed with substance use disorders. Call the Program's new number, 1-866-482-6497, to get information on the program or to seek assistance.
Membership renewal deadline is December 31, 2012
We appreciate the many physicians who have already renewed your support for 2013. If you have not yet paid your dues, please do so by December 31, 2012. If you can't pay by then or would like to arrange a payment plan, please let us know. Contact Rose Smith at 202-466-1800 or smith@msdc.org to pay your dues or with questions.
|
| District News: HIV/AIDS CME Requirement and Medical Marijuana in the District |
Options to earn HIV/AIDS CME requirement
To promote the new requirement, DOH is working to provide support to DC physicians and other clinicians to obtain the three (3) CME on HIV. Two initiatives are underway for DC clinicians to comply with the new law: (1) promotion of existing online CMEs and (2) HIV Academic Detailing project. There are many high quality HIV-related CME credits available on line with no or minimal cost. DOH has reviewed selected educational opportunities that are appropriate for non-HIV specialist clinicians. DOH is updating its website with links to those available CME sites. DOH is preparing to send an email to DC licensed clinicians when the web page is available.
This month the Department launches an expanded HIV academic detailing project through partnership with the Alosa Foundation. The Alosa Foundation will be reaching out to approximately 600 general medicine physicians, OB/GYNs and pediatricians to promote routine HIV testing as a standard in their health practice. Through the project, Alosa will offer a one (1) credit CME on HIV, to be provided free of charge from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Medical Marijuana Physician Recommendation Forms are forthcoming
Physicians must make recommendations on a form provided by the DOH. The Department anticipates making the form available in January 2013. The form will be a sequentially numbered, three-part form. One part of the form is given to the patient, one is sent to the DOH, and one is kept for the physician's records. A patient must have a recommendation written within 90 days of the patient registering for the program. The Department will communicate with Physicians who expressed interest in the program once the forms are available.
To date no cultivation centers or dispensaries are registered with the Department of Health. Eligible registrants are working on their building plans and seeking required licenses with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) at this time. The Department anticipates that eligible applicants are closer to licensing and we may see one or two applicants licensed by the beginning of the New Year. According to Tim White of the Washington Post, at a town hall meeting last Tuesday night, medical marijuana activists and Health Department officials were optimistic that the first patients will be receiving the drug by the spring. Under city regulations, patients suffering from cancer, HIV-AIDS, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma qualify for the program with a doctor's prescription.
|
|
From CMS: Planning for ICD-10 Transition
| |
All claims for health care services provided on or after October 1, 2014, must contain ICD-10 codes. As you prepare for the ICD-10 transition, contact any third-party billing services that you use to make sure they are actively planning for ICD-10.
As you reach out to your clearinghouse or billing service, you may want to ask:
* Are you prepared to meet the ICD-10 deadline of October 1, 2014? Where is your organization in the transition process?
* Can you verify that you have updated your system to Version 5010 standards for electronic transactions? (Only systems with Version 5010 can accept ICD-10 codes; systems with the older, Version 4010 standards cannot accommodate ICD-10.)
* Who will be my primary contact at your organization for the ICD-10 transition?
* Can we set up regular check-in meetings to keep progress on track?
* What are your plans for testing claims containing ICD-10 codes? How will you involve your clients, such as my practice, in that process?
* Can my practice send testclaims with ICD-10 codes to see if they are accepted? If so, when will you begin accepting test claims?
* Can you provide guidance or training on how my clinical documentation will have to change to support ICD-10 coding?
* Do you anticipate any pricing changes for your services due to the switch to ICD-10?
If you do not currently use a clearinghouse or billing service, you may want to enlist one to help you with your transition. Consider asking other health care providers in your area if they have established relationships or contacts they recommend. Act soon so you have plenty of time to select the service that best meets your ICD-10 needs and budget.
MSDC has Corporate Partners that provide billing service or can assist with your ICD-10 transition. Please contact us for suggestions at (202) 466-1800 |
|
AMA/Federation/UnitedHealthcare Collaboration Yields Results
|
Administrative Simplification Achievements with UHC Documented
An ongoing collaboration between the AMA, Federation and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) strives to simplify the administrative relationship between physician practices and UHC. Since this collaboration began in 2007, 55 issues have been resolved and the groups have collaborated on another 48 issues that have seen improvement. Some of the high-level achievements include:
- Tangible improvements in claims processing
- Recognition of improvement opportunities to strengthen the delivery of usable tools to the physician community
- Development of AMA Guidelines for Reporting Physician Data
- Support and guidance on improvements to the UnitedHealthcare physician service model and local market support structure
The achievements are detailed in a new AMA/Federation/UHC Collaboration brochure.
|
From the AMA: Physician Groups Eye Mergers But Blindsided By Legal Fights
|
Doctors need to be aware of their antitrust risks as courts take up lawsuits
Declining payments and increasing financial pressures have led more physicians to become employees of large medical groups and hospitals. At the same time, the Affordable Care Act is prompting smaller practices to consolidate as a way to more easily participate in new health system delivery models such as accountable care organizations.
But as physicians attempt to escape administrative burdens and financial stress, they are encountering another hurdle - legal disputes brought about by mergers.
Courts are considering cases or have ruled on lawsuits challenging medical group mergers, consolidations and acquisitions:
- In October, an Indiana judge ordered a physician group to pay a neurosurgeon his rightful share of stock after a disputed merger with another group. David C. Hall, MD, sued his former practice for allegedly violating his rights and failing to pay him proper severance after he was terminated.
- A Federal Trade Commission decision in August forced Nevada-based Renown Health to allow up to 10 cardiologists to join other practices without the doctors being bound by the noncompete clauses of their contracts. Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto sued Renown over acquisitions of two cardiology practices in 2010. The FTC found the acquisitions reduced competition.
Read more .....
|
|
Belle Chenault Award Nominations Due |
Award Recognizes Volunteer Political Activity
The Belle Chenault Award is given every odd-numbered year to a leading AMA Alliance member, to reward excellence in volunteer political activity during a two year election cycle (in this case, 2011 and 2012).
The criteria clarify the eligibility for the award and the nomination process. Nominees who are not members of AMPAC and the Alliance for both years are ineligible for onsideration. Therefore, states are urged to confirm potential nominees' AMPAC membership for 2012 so that those potential nominees can be eligible for the 2013 Belle Chenault Award. To be eligible for AMPAC membership, potential nominees must be the spouse of an active AMA, state and/or county medical society member.
Nominations for the 2013 Belle Chenault Award are due on January 31, 2013, and the Award will be presented in conjunction with the June 2013 AMA Annual Meeting. If you are unsure about a potential nominee's membership, please contact Jim Wilson at jim.wilson@amaassn.org. |
Young Physicians Event in 2013
| |
|
| From CMS: Guidance on PQRS and eRx Incentive Program | |
National Provider Call: PQRS and eRx Incentive Program
Tuesday, December 18; 1:30-3pm ET
This National Provider Call will provide an overview of the Program Year 2012 data submission for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Pilot and Program Year 2013 self-nomination process for group practice reporting options (GPROs), registries,
maintenance of certification, and electronic health record (EHR) data submission vendors.
Agenda:
* Program Year 2012 Data Submission for the PQRS-EHR Incentive Program Pilot
* Program Year 2013 Self-Nomination Process for GPROs, Registries, Maintenance of Certification & EHR Data Submission Vendors
* Resources & Who to Contact for Help
* Question and Answer Session
Registration Information: In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call on the CMS Upcoming National Provider Calls registration website. Registration will close at 12 pm on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early.
|
| From CMS: Requesting an eRx Hardship Exemption | |
Using the Communication Support Page to request a significant hardship exemption
There is still time to avoid the 2013 eRx payment adjustment. As a reminder, on November 1, CMS re-opened the Communication Support Page to allow individual eligible professionals and group practices the opportunity to request a significant hardship exemption for the 2013 eRx payment adjustment. Significant hardship requests should be submitted via the Communication Support Page on or between November 1, 2012 and January 31, 2013. Please remember that CMS will review these requests on a case-by-case basis. All decisions on significant hardship exemption requests will be final. The following eRx hardship exemption categories are available for request on the Communication Support Page:
* Inability to electronically prescribe due to state, or federal law, or local law or regulation;
* The eligible professional prescribes fewer than 100 prescriptions during a 6-month payment adjustment reporting period;
* The eligible professional practices in a rural area without sufficient high-speed Internet access (G8642); and
* The eligible professional practices in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing (G8643)
For more information on how to navigate the Communication Support Page:
Also available, as stated in the Medicare CY 2013 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, are two additional hardship exemption categories for eligible professionals participating in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. These two hardship exemption categories are as follows:
- Eligible Professionals who achieve meaningful use during certain eRx timeframes. For the 2013 eRx payment adjustment, this will include any eligible professional who achieved meaningful use during January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and has attested to this by January 31, 2013.
- Eligible Professionals who demonstrate intent to participate in the EHR Incentive Program and adoption of Certified EHR Technology by registering for the EHR Incentive Program by January 31, 2013. Please note: EHR Incentive Program participants must provide their entire EHR Certification Number to receive this hardship exemption.
To receive a significant hardship exemption from the 2013 eRx payment adjustment under one of these two categories, an eligible professional must either register to participate in the EHR Incentive Program.
|
Spread the Word and Not a Virus this Holiday Season
| |
It's Not Too Late to Get Vaccinated
Join CMS this December in raising awareness about seasonal flu prevention, while addressing the advantages of the seasonal influenza virus vaccine covered by Medicare for all Part B beneficiaries.
Medicare Part B covers one seasonal influenza virus vaccination per influenza season for all beneficiaries. Medicare may cover more than one seasonal influenza virus vaccination per influenza season if a physician determines, and documents in the beneficiary's medical record, that the additional vaccination is reasonable and medically necessary. ... Read more here.
For discounted rates on flu and other vaccines, see Atlantic Health Partners' immunization program. You receive reduced rates as an MSDC member.
|
| Med-Chi of DC Christmas Gala: This Friday, December 21, 2012 | |
Don't Miss the Med-Chi Christmas Gala
 The Med-Chi Christmas Gala will take place from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am this Friday, December 21 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel at 1331 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
. There will be a live band and DJ.
Individual tickets are $125; tables are $1,250. For more information or to reserve your tickets, please call (202) 347-4170 or (202) 882-5038.
|
| Medical Society Holiday Hours | |
In observance of the Christmas holiday, MSDC offices will be closed on December 24-25 and will reopen on Wednesday, December 26.
In addition, the office will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, for New Year's Day.
|
|
**********************************
DECEMBER DEALS
especially for MSDC Members
*********************************************
|
|
Cbeyond Excited to Announce its Recent Partnership with MSDC
|
....and an introductory offer for MSDC members!
Cbeyond is proud to be MSDC's primary Telecommunications provider and to offer IT and Telecommunications services to all Physicians and Members of The Medical Society of DC through the new partnership.
As a warm welcome, Cbeyond will offer MSDC members a free consultation on your IT infrastructure, as well as a monthly discount for using Cbeyond services before the end of the year.
To read more about what Cbeyond provides for Medical Practices and Healthcare Providers, please click here.
Please contact Christina Mazza at Christina.mazza@cbeyond.net
to schedule your Free Consultation.
|
|
Strengthen Your Practice's 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. |
|
Solveras is Now Known as TransFirst
|
Nothing has changed except the name
We are still one of the
nation's leading providers of payment processing services. review your statements and see if we can lower your rates. Call 800.613.0148 or FAX 800.297.3405
|
|
From MSDC: Up to 75% Off Prescription Drugs Using DC RxCard
|
 As a physician in Washington, DC, you and your patients have access to a FREE Prescription Drug Card program. The Medical Society is pleased to offer the DCRx CARD. Your patients can save up to 75% on prescriptions, 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 new cards available and any Society member who requests it may receive a supply of 250 cards. Please email Pia Duryea at duryea@msdc.org and ask for cards for your patients.
|
| 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.
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.
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.
|
|
|
