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May 17, 2013
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Vol. 20, No. 10
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| Senate Confirms Tavenner as CMS Administrator |
 Tavenner receives broad, bipartisan support
Marilyn Tavenner was confirmed in a 91-7 vote by the Senate on Wednesday to head Medicare and Medicaid, making her the first permanent CMS administrator since 2006.
Tavenner has served as acting administrator since late 2011, when Donald Berwick, MD, stepped down. According to Modern Healthcare, Tavenner has come to be seen as an apolitical and effective administrator of one of the federal government's largest agencies, even as it implements the still-controversial Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Read more in The New York Times... |
| Saul Levin, MD, Steps Down as Interim Director of DC Department of Health |
..Joins the American Psychiatric Association as Medical Director/CEO
Mayor Vincent C. Gray congratulated DC Department of Health (DOH) Interim Director Saul Levin, MD, for be  ing named the American Psychiatric Association's new CEO and Medical Director. Dr. Levin has led DOH since last July, when its permanent Director, Mohammed Akhter, MD, took a leave of absence to serve on the Executive Board of the District's new Health Benefit Exchange Authority. In a press release, Mayor Gray said, "Dr. Levin has done an exemplary job leading DOH in this interim period, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his good work for us." According to the DOH, Dr. Levin's last day will be July 12, 2013. His replacement has not yet been announced. Commenting on Levin's selection as Medical Director, APA President-elect Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, said, "Saul's expertise in electronic health information exchanges and implementation of the Affordable Care Act and meaningful-use requirements, as well as his commitment to mental health parity and proven leadership of large organizations, will be extremely important to APA and its members."
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MSDC Events
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MSDC Board Meeting... Join Us!
Monday, June 24, 2013
6:30 pm MSDC Headquarters Washington, DC Current members requesting an invitation in advance are welcome to attend. For details, email Ed Shanbacker2013 Annual Meeting & Reception... Save the Date! Wednesday, October 23, 2013 6:00 - 9:00 pm The Whittemore House Washington, DC For details on how you can participate, email Pia Duryea
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Partner Events
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USE YOUR 50% MEMBER DISCOUNT
2013 Loss Prevention Seminars ~ In Defense of Good Medicine
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
American College of Cardiology,
Washington, DC
Up to 2 CME credits available. More dates in September and October.
While previous seminars explored how risk management issues can damage a physician's credibility and a claim's defensibility, this seminar reinforces the positive. Read more here.
International Conference on Nutrition and the Brain
July 19-20, 2013
Grand Hyatt Washington,
Washington, DC
Up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits are available. Experts will share the latest insights on the role of nutrients in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders at this event. Read more here.
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Educational Events
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Solution Focused Brief Therapy Trainings
June 24-26, 2013 Thurgood Marshall Bldg., Washington, DC 18 CEUs are available. Hosted by the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative. Learn more here.
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2012-13 Board of Directors
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Catherine S. May, MD
Chair of the Board; At-Large
Daniel I. Perlin, MD
President
Laura L. Tosi, MD
President-Elect, AMA Alternate Delegate
James C. Cobey, MD
Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer; AMA Delegation Chair
Reginald L. Robinson, MD
Secretary; At-Large
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate
Julian R. Craig, MD
John W. Larsen, MD
Barry Lewis, MD, MBA
At-Large
Joan B. Loveland, MD
Carla C. 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)
www.msdc.org |
Forward Me!
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Was this notice helpful? Forward it to a friend and let them know the value of being an MSDC member.
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| Like MSDC on Facebook! | |
The Medical Society of DC is on Facebook! |
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Medicare Physician Payment Reform Update
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 Progress towards SGR repeal continues
On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, the Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on Medicare Physician Payment Reform. During the hearing, members on both sides of the aisle expressed support for replacing the SGR this year. As you are aware, both the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce have released draft concepts for replacing the SGR beginning with a period of stability and then moving to a model the promotes quality, efficiency and value. The committees are now working with draft legislative language, a good sign of the progress that is being made. It is anticipated that legislation repealing the SGR will be marked up later in the summer. On May 10, 2013, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Heath (R-UT) wrote to health care providers, including physician groups, expressing their agreement that SGR must be repealed and that it remains a top priority for the Committee (letter attached). While they expressed their support for the identification of alternative models for the future, they recognized that for a period of time most physicians will continue to be paid under a fee-for-service arrangement. In order to prevent duplication with the efforts in the House, Sens. Baucus and Hatch are soliciting specific recommendations that affect the FFS program. The request focuses on the validity of resource inputs in determining service prices, volume control, and how best to incentivize physicians to prepare to engage in alternative payment models. The AMA will be convening Federation conference calls soon to discuss this request and provide further information on the progress toward eliminating the SGR this year. MSDC will keep members informed. |
MEDSYSTEM SOLUTIONS
Partner in the Spotlight
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When Was the Last Time Your Practice Had a Checkup?
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......And you received a FREE LUNCH?
MedSystems Solutions is part of a nationwide network of over 1,500 offices, and specializes in practice management, revenue cycle optimization, and private practice business support.
As a welcome to MSDC members, MedSystem Solutions is offering a discounted monthly fee for using its services, as well as free lunch for you and your staff during a practice analysis and system demonstration.
Isn't it time you took a few minutes to focus on your needs?
Let MedSystem Solutions help you keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients.
Please contact MedSystem Solutions for a free practice analysis and system demonstration. They will provide lunch for you and your staff.
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| Welcome! | |
MSDC is pleased to welcome its newest member:
Lavdena A. Orr, MD (Pediatrics)
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| Member in the News: Neal Barnard, MD, on WTOP News |
Neal Barnard, MD, discusses link between nutrition and neurological disorders
Researchers are learning more about Alzheimer's disease. And they are finding - much like heart disease - that diet and other lifestyle changes can cut the risk of cognitive decline.
"The connection between what you eat and the health of your brain is just as strong as the connection between foods and a healthy heart," says Dr. Neal Barnard, the author of "Power Foods for the Brain." In both cases, limiting saturated and trans fats is essential, as is eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
Dr. Barnard, who is president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (an MSDC Corporate Partner), says by making the right lifestyle choices, even someone with a family history of Alzheimers, can cut his risk by 70 to 80 percent.
Dr. Barnard says look for foods that are high in B vitamins, which protect the brain. They include leafy greens that provide folate, and bananas, a good source of B-6. Dark berries and grapes also are beneficial, as are nuts and seeds rich in vitamin E. Other good sources of E include spinach, mangoes and sweet potatoes.
Read more here. International Conference on Nutrition and the Brain: July 19  -20, 2013 Dr. Barnard and a panel of experts will address the topic of nutrition and the brain at a two-day conference, jointly sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Click here for more information.
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How Omnibus Rule Changes May Impact Your Practice
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 Webinars focus on small health care providers
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is launching a series of co-sponsored webinars on various aspects of the Omnibus HIPAA Rulemaking. The 90-minute webinars are specifically designed for small health care providers, with a focus on practical strategies for implementing the Omnibus Rule changes within a small clinical practice. The virtual sessions are scheduled for June 14, June 28, July 17 and July 26, 2013, from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern Time on the following topics: - HITECH Omnibus Overview of the Rule - June 14
- Drill down on the new HITECH Privacy Rule - June 28
- Breach and Enforcement under the HITECH Omnibus Rule - July 17
- Business Associates and the HITECH Omnibus Rule - July 28
Registration is free of charge and available online. |
AMA Offers Free Webinar on the Sunshine Act
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Webinar explains what the Sunshine Act means to you
Patients soon will have access to physicians' financial ties with drug and medical device manufacturers. Such information as payments, ownership  interests and other "transfers of value" will be publicly reported in an online database run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
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Get Paid What You Deserve for Out-of-network Services
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Prescription for a healthier practice
The AMA has developed the educational resource, Out-of-network payment challenges for the physician practice, to provide your practice with r esources to understand a third-party payer's obligation for payment to out-of-network providers. The resource explains some of the payment challenges that arise when a physician who is considered out of network requests payment from a patient and/or health insurer. This is a part of the AMA Practice Management Center's "Prescription for a healthier practice" series to help physicians and their staff examine how their practices are performing in key administrative processes. |
Upper NW DC Office for Lease
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MEDICAL OFFICE FOR LEASE
This office is a custom build-out with 4 exam rooms, 2 offices, large waiting and reception area and restroom. Ready to move in. Medical office located in DC at 6323 Georgia Ave, NW.
For more details see the complete listing. Call (301) 523-6652 or (202) 321-6880 with questions.
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| To Maximize Revenue, Focus on.... |
Provided by IC System
CNN Money recently revealed insights into the growing trend of medical practices being driven into bankruptcy by a perfect storm of:
- increasing costs for medical technology and malpractice insurance and claims
- declining reimbursement from commercial insurers and Medicare/Medicaid, and
- more patient out-of-pocket payment responsibility creating cash flow problems
So, what should a medical professional do to maintain a healthy, viable practice? To maximize revenue, focus on....
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District Physicians Attend Global Conference in Romania
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Eliot Sorel, MD, attended the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) 2013  Bucharest Congress with a spirited WPS CLM group. Dr. Sorel indicated that "the CLM team was superb!"
The group appears in the photograph to the right and includes (left to right): Adsule Pranyjit, MD; Veronica Slootsky, MD; Mona Thapa, MD; Urooj Saeed, MD; and Philip Murray, MD. Behind them are: Eliot Sorel, MD; Rajeev Sharma, MD; and Milangel Concepcion, MD, MPH.
For more information about the 2013 Congress or the WPA activities, see the attached program.
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Johns Hopkins and MedStar Health in the News
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Hospital groups clear important hurdle on proton therapy projects, according to Washington Business Journal
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| Please Take the Georgetown Prevention Survey |
Dear Clinicians
The Georgetown University's Department of Family Medicine would like your help on a joint research project between Georgetown University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Please take a survey that is part of a study on the use of preventive care by clinicians themselves. Participating in this survey will only take about 3-5 minutes and your input will be anonymous. The survey can be found at: www.georgetownpreventionsurvey.com.
Please contact Frances Dayton with questions at (202) 687-7477.
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The Pulse of CMS
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HHS has released its quarterly publication for health care professionals. Inside the new issue are articles on: 1) Mandatory Payment Reductions in the FFS Program due to Sequestration: In general, Medicare FFS claims with dates-of-service or dates-of-discharge on or after April 1, 2013 will incur a 2% reduction in Medicare payment. Read more....
2) eRx Penalty Adjustment Deadline: The 6-month reporting period to avoid the 2014 eRx payment adjustment ends on June 30, 2013. Read more .... |
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Save Up to 75% Off Prescription Drugs Using DC RxCard
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 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.
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Medical Behavior in a Commercial World: Who is Responsible?
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Join PharmedOut's 4th CME conference, "Medical Behavior in a Commercial World: Who is Responsible?"  at Georgetown University on June 6-7, 2013.
Speakers include Marcia Angell, Carl Elliott, a former pharmaceutical executive, and a ghostwriter who helped sell Low-T syndrome. Topics include industry-funded clinical trials, journal advertising and editorial policies, medical devices, opioid overuse, the Physicians Payments Sunshine Act, and much more. 9.5 CME credits available.
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Prince Mahidol Award Foundation Seeks Nominations
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On the 122th anniversary of the Birthday of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla, the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation would like to invite you to nominate individual(s) or institution(s) for their outstanding performance and/or research that contributes directly to the betterment of society. Two Prince Mahidol Awards are conferred on an annual basis, one in medicine and one in public health, each prize increase from $50,000 to $100,000 plus a medal and a certificate. Submission Methods 1. All nominations can be submitted by three methods: (A) PREFERRED METHOD: Submit online via the Nomination Submission Online. Nominators are strongly encouraged to use this method. (B) E-mail the nomination form and all supporting materials as attached files to supat.van@mahidol.ac.th (C) Regular mail delivery. Please send the complete nomination and all supporting materials to: Secretary-General Prince Mahidol Award Foundation 2nd Floor, Mahidol-Bumpen Building, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Prannok Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700 THAILAND 2. Nominations must be received no later than midnight local time on May 31, 2013. 3. Nominations that arrive after the deadline will be held over to the following year for consideration. Nominations that did not result in an award can be resubmitted or updated in subsequent years.
4. Self-nominations are NOT ACCEPTED. For more information about the submission process, please contact Prof. Supat Vanichakarn,M.D., secretary-general at Supat.van@mahidol.ac.th or pmaf@mahidol.ac.th. |
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