MSDC stripped
 
           eNewsline                      
June 13, 2014                                                                                                                      Vol. 21, No. 12
The Physicians Foundation Releases Second Installment in Series on ACA Coverage Expansion
Report Focuses on Healthcare Reform Now and "Beyond the Horizon into 2015"
    Preliminary figures suggest that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped about 9.5 million individuals Physicians Foundation logo secure coverage, though it has not been without complication. Many aspects of the law continue to face political pushback, technological issues, regulatory changes and persistent consumer confusion. Physicians are at the forefront of this uncertainty. They continue to care for their patients all while trying to navigate and manage the changes affecting their practices: adoption of EHR, new quality measures, data reporting requirements and complex new payment models.
    A comprehensive new report from The Physicians Foundation titled, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Beyond the Horizon into 2015," examines the ACA's political and budget dynamics, initial successes and failures, and its most serious challenges moving forward, with particular focus on how these issues are of importance to practicing physicians. Specifically, the report provides updates on the Medicare physician fee schedule, emerging physician-insurer network and contracting issues, and new Medicare legislation.
   Part One of the report, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act From Theory to Boots on the Ground," was released in November 2013. It examined implementation of key provisions - in particular the health insurance exchanges - and ongoing challenges of healthcare reform.
   It is the mission of The Physicians Foundation to ensure physicians are aware of ongoing and future changes that could potentially - and significantly - impact their practice of medicine. A final follow-up report on the Medicare program, which will focus on how the ACA is driving health system changes through Medicare regulatory dynamics, is slated for release later this year.
AMA News: New AMA President Installed at Annual Meeting; MSDC Board Member Elected to Council on Medical Service
AMA Annual Meeting Highlights    American Medical Association
  Maryland reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN Robert M. Wah, MD, assumed the American Medical Association (AMA) presidency this past week at the AMA Annual Meeting. Dr. Wah emphasized in his inaugural address both the importance of tradition and the courage to embrace change. Read more about his message.
  The AMA Annual Meeting addressed important issues related to ICD-10, Patient Centered Medical Homes and physician leadership of Accountable Care Organizations. Read the
top nine takeaways from the AMA Annual Meeting.  
MSDC's Peter Lavine, MD, Elected to the AMA Council on Medical Service    
  Peter Lavine, MD, MSDC Past President and AMA Delegate, was elected to the AMA Council on Medical Service which advises AMA leadership on policies and actions on socioeconomic factors that influence the practice of medicine.  Dr. Lavine said, "There is great need in America for increased access of patients to physician-guided medical  care. We need a pluralistic approach to the practice of medicine that allows any willing and  qualified physician the ability to care for patients through a variety of practice opportunities." Read the full election results in AMA Wire™.
 
ICD-10 "Road to 10" Webcasts
  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to view a newly released webcast on ICD-10 documentation and coding concepts for orthopedics. To view the webcast please visit cms.gov/ICD10 for a link to "Road to 10," then click on the "Webcast" tab located in the left-hand navigation bar.
  This webcast is the first in the CMS "Road to 10" series designed to help physicians with ICD-10 clinical documentation specific to your medical specialty. CMS will o
ffer additional webinars in the "Road to 10" series for specialties including cardiology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and family practice and internal medicine. Visit cms.gov/ICD10 for new webcasts and other valuable resources.  
 
FREE HIV/AIDS CME Opportunities for MSDC Members 
   The District of Columbia requires physicians practicing in the District to obtain 3 hours of HIV/AIDS CME credits beginning with the 2014 renewal cycle. To help members meet the new requirement, the Medical Society has partnered with various organizations to offer members the free CME opportunities below. Please do not share this information with non-members. Please contact MSDC with questions.

Free Dinner Program: HIV Therapy as HIV Prevention - Reducing the Risk of HIV Infection Among Uninfected Adults  
   Helena A. Kwakwa, MD,
will lead a CME dinner program taking place on June 25, 2014 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Smith & Wollensky (1112 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036). Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to: screen and test patients for HIV/AIDS using the CDC recommendations; counsel HIV-infected patients on behavioral and biomedical interventions for the prevention of HIV transmission; and incorporate new clinical management approaches, such as PrEP, to lower community rates of HIV transmission. Read more about the program and how to register. Register soon as space is limited.

3 Hours of HIV/AIDS CME Available in Free Member Webinar, Provided by ProAssurance  
  MSDC members may register for a free, self-study webinar being provided by MSDC, ELM Exchange and ProAssurance. ProAssurance The webinar covers HIV/AIDS educational material and the importance of patient confidentiality and coordination of care; it is designated for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.   
   To register, contact Pia Duryea ([email protected], 202-355-9414)  
for more information.  
MSDC News: 2014 Annual Meeting and Special Awards; Upcoming Board Meeting ; :;
Save the Date: October 22, 2014
   The Medical Society of the District of Columbia will hold its 2014 Annual Meeting and Reception on MSDC stripped Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Whittemore House in Dupont Circle. The meeting will include the installation of 2014-15 President John Larsen, MD, and the final address from outgoing President Laura Tosi, MD. Registration will open in late Summer.
 
  The Medical Society would like to thank its 2014 Meeting Sponsors for their generous support: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business , Johns Hopkins Healthcare and Nixon Uniform Service & Medical Wear.
 
To learn how you can participate in the meeting, contact Pia Duryea at 202-355-9414 or [email protected]. 
MSDC 2014 Special Awards
    Do you  know someone deserving of recognition by the medical community? Then nominate them for one of the following MSDC special awards. 
  * Certificate of Meritorious Service. Presented to a physician in recognition of distinguished service to the medical profession. 
  * Dr. Charles H. Epps, III Community Service Award. Presented to a physician for outstanding public service to the community. 
  * Distinguished Service Award. Presented to a physician member for outstanding service to your Medical Society of the District of Columbia. 
  * John Benjamin Nichols Award. Presented to a lay person, organization, or both, in recognition of outstanding contributions toward improving the health of the community.
    
   Nominations are due September 22, 2014, and awards will be presented at the October 22, 2014 Annual Meeting. Please contact  Pia Duryea with questions.

 

MSDC Board Meeting on June 23, 2014 
  MSDC will hold its next Board Meeting
at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 23, 2014, at MSDC Headquarters. Current MSDC members interested in attending board meetings may contact Ed Shanbacker for an invitation. 
MSDC Member Benefit
DCRx Card
Help Your Patients Save Money  
   The Medical Society is pleased to offer MSDC's DCRx Card as  a member benefit for you to share with your patients. Using this card, your patients receive discounts of up to 75% off prescriptions, selected eye-wear, vitamins and other products. The card is accepted in pharmacies in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Contact Pia Duryea to order sample cards. Read more  about the program here.      
Real Patients and Real Benefits of Online Medical Communities
    View a convenient video from MSDC Corporate Partner BestDoctors that shows how you can simply null and easily share information that enables more effective collaboration, expand your consultation network with trusted experts and add another diagnostic tool to your arsenal.
Physician Advocacy Tools and Resources Available  
  Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) has a new website, http://www.physiciansadvocacyinstitute.org. The website will house information about PAI advocacy activities and links to PAI-developed resources, including:
  • Tools to help physicians navigate contractual and payment-related interactions with government and private health care payers
  • PAI advocacy materials on fair medical audits  

   Recently developed resources that can be found on the website include a PAI resource for physicians entitled "Physician Employment:  Top Five Issues to Consider" and a PAI Issue Brief entitled "The Need for Complete and Transparent Health Care Claims Remittance Data in State All Payer Claims Databases."   

   Note: PAI was established by the terms of the settlements from class action multidistrict litigation ("MDL") against the nation's large for-profit health insurers. The PAI mission is to advance fair and transparent payment policies and contractual practices by payers and others in order to sustain the profession of medicine for the benefit of patients.  

TOP STORIES
MSDC eNewsline
Editor
Pia R. Duryea
202-355-9414 (direct)
[email protected]

 
Was the information in this  letter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of MSDC membership!
2013-14 Board of Directors
Catherine S. May, MD

Chair of the Board; At-Large

Laura L. Tosi, MD
President, AMA Alternate Delegate  

 

John Larsen, MD 

President-Elect   

 

Daniel I. Perlin, MD

Immediate Past President   

 

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

 
Susanne Bathgate, MD
At-Large     

 

Julian R. Craig, MD

At-Large  

 

Barry Lewis, MD, MBA

At-Large

 

Carla C. Sandy, MD

At-Large

  

Stuart F. Seides, MD

At-Large

 

Raymond Tu, MD 

At-Large 

 

K. Edward Shanbacker

Executive Vice President
MSDC PARTNERS
1817 Society Members

ProAssurance
Pfizer New Logo

null

Corporate Partners
IC System 75 year logo

PCRM logo

Athenahealth






 


TransFirst Logo
 
Premier Medical Office
2440 M Street NW, Washington, DC

 
MEMBER BENEFIT: FREE HIV/AIDS CME WEBINAR   

  MSDC members may now register for a free, online HIV/AIDS CME course to help  meet the District's new CME requirement. The course offers up to 3 CMEs.  To register, contact Pia Duryea ([email protected], 202-355-9414) 
for more information.  


 The Medical Society will continue developing FREE CME opportunities to help District physicians meet the 3 hours of HIV/AIDS CME requirement by December 31, 2014.   
Medical Musical Group

Novitas News: Medical Policy Search Tool and Address Information 

Find Novitas Policies Faster
  As of June 13, 2014, you will see and have access to a new Local Coverage Determination (LCD)/Medical Policy Search Lookup Tool through Novitas. To assist you in navigating this new tool, see step-by-step instructions with screen  images and frequently asked questions. Stay tuned and visit the Novitas Solutions website for upcoming educational opportunities.

Important Note about Novitas Address Change and Mail Forwarding

   Effective July 25, 2014, mail received at the Novitas Solutions Camp Hill PO Boxes/addresses will no longer be forwarded to the Mechanicsburg PO Boxes/addresses. Locate the appropriate address on the Contact Us page of the website. Please start using the appropriate Mechanicsburg PO Boxes/ addresses now.

Upcoming Events
THIS WEEKEND .... MSDC Members Get Two Tickets for the Price of One!
June 14, 2014  
8:00 PM
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 
  On the 200th anniversary of the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner," Movie and Screen Actor Barry Bostwick will host the 2014 National Flag Day Gala with Gretchen Carlson of Fox News. The concert is taking place on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00 PM in Alexandria, VA.  Award-winning Medical Musical Group (MMG), the world's premier medical chorale and symphony orchestra, performs this stellar concert. MMG is comprised of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals and friends who dedicate their concerts to veterans. It is directed by "Medical Maestro" Victor Wahby, MD, who is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.    

   MSDC members receive a special 2-for-1 rate on any ticket denomination. Enter the code "MSDC" at checkout to apply discount. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Athenahealth
Staying Independent and Profitable as Independent Physicians
  June 18, 2014 
  12:15 PM 
   Webinar
   Faced with mounting costs, declining reimbursement, and increased complexity brought on by the Affordable Care Act, a growing number of independent physicians are feeling pressured to give up on private practice. But being acquired isn't the only option for survival. With the right technology partner for electronic medical records, practice management and care coordination, you're free to remain independent-without having to go it alone. Dr. Jeff A. Drasnin of ESD Pediatric Group will talk about how his independent practice has remained profitable in the face of these challenges, and what it takes for other independent physicians to do the same. Register to learn more.
5th Annual International Women in Surgery Career Symposium
  June 20-22, 2014  
  Hyatt Regency at Capital Hill, Washington, DC 
   The Women in Surgery (WIS) symposium is a professional and academic event dedicated to encouraging women to pursue a medical career in surgery.   For more information, click here.
2014 International Conference on Diabetes
  July 18-19, 2014  
  9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, DC  
   Don't miss this groundbreaking conference on the causes of diabetes, the critical role of nutrition, and priorities for research while earning 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  The  International Conference on Diabetes, jointly sponsored by The George Washington University and Physicians Committee, will feature more than 17 speakers in a live, two-day program in the heart of Washington, DC. Learn more about the program.   
ProAssurance
MSDC Members Save 50%! Sign Up Now!
2014 Loss Prevention Seminars
Technically Speaking... When Medicine & Technology Collide

  Tuesday, July 22, 2014 (Bethesda, MD)     

  6:00 - 8:00 PM, Refreshments begin at 5:30 PM
  Washington, DC location: American College of Cardiology, 2400 N Street, NW, Washington, DC   

  Bethesda, MD location: Bethesda Marriott, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD
  From diagnosis, documentation and communication to decision support, public relations and more... physicians are continually challenged to leverage new technologies in support of good medicine. This seminar will use recent technology-related cases and claims to examine new areas of physician exposure. To learn more or register, click here.  See a complete listing of dates and locations here

Medical Real Estate Listings
Brought to you by MSDC Corporate Partner GZ Medical Realty. 
Contact  Pete Papantoniou for your real estate needs. 
  1145 Medical Office Building
   1145 19th Street NW 
   Washington, DC  20036
   The building is within walking distance to hospitals and metro stations. Please contact Peter Papantoniou at 301-961-1941 or see the online listing for more information.
   
  
  2440 M Street NW
  2440 M Street NW
  Washington, DC  20037
  2440 M Street is a class A, 110,000 square foot medical office building with a three-level parking garage in northwest Washington, DC. Contact Peter Papantoniou at 301-961-1941 or see the online listing for more  information.