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           eNewsline                      
October 3, 2014                                                                                     Vol. 21, No. 17
MSDC's 2014 Annual Meeting & Reception is October 22nd - Register Now!
  The Medical Society of the District of Columbia will hold its 2014 Annual Meeting and Reception 
Laura L. Tosi, M.D
John Larsen, M.D. 
in less than three weeks. The all member meeting attracts physicians from across the Metropolitan Washington area and members are urged to register for the meeting today by calling MSDC at 202-466-1800 or submitting this  registration form. Highlights include:
  • Final address from outgoing President Laura L. Tosi, M.D.,  Children's National Health System
  • Installation of 2014-15 President John Larsen, M.D., The GW Medical Faculty Associates, and 2014-15 President-elect Carla C. Sandy, M.D., Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group
  • Presentation of MSDC Special Awards to Reginald L. Robinson, M.D. (Dr. Charles H. Epps III Community Service Award) and Jehan El-Bayoumi, M.D. (Certificate of Meritorious Service)
  • Evening address by Guest Speaker James Simon, M.D., on contemporary drug development for everyday health problems
We look forward to seeing you on October 22!
Roselyn Payne Epps, M.D.            

   MSDC Past President Roselyn Payne Epps, M.D., MPH, M.A., passed away on September 29, 2014. Dr. Epps was installed as President of the Medical Society of DC in 1992 and was the first female African American president of the Medical Society. Dr. Epps  was a champion for the physicians and patients of the District of Columbia and a "wonderful ambassador for the Medical Society, among her many other accomplishments," according to MSDC Executive Vice President K. Edward Shanbacker. Among those accomplishments are serving as President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington D.C. chapter and as President of the American Medical Women's AssociationDr. Epps will be sorely missed by the Washington, DC physician community and the leadership and staff of the Medical Society.
    A
Celebration of Life for Roselyn Payne Epps, M.D., will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2014  at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, 4704 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and the Service will start at 11:00 AM.

   Condolences may be sent to: Charles H. Epps, Jr., M.D., and Family, 1775 North Portal Drive NW, Washington, DC 20012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to:
Girls Inc. of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, 2401 4th Street NW, Building 62B, Washington, DC 20059  and/or Howard University College of Medicine, Mailed to: Howard University Development Office, 2225 Georgia Ave. NW, Room 901, Washington, DC  20059.

MSDC Arranges DC Medicaid Stakeholder Meeting in Response to Physician Complaints
  The Medical Society of DC has scheduled a stakeholder meeting with the DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) in response to multiple complaints about the DC Medicaid RAC audit process. The meeting will take place on October 8, 2014, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and will include representatives from the DC Medicaid Program and PRGX. If you would like to attend in person (see details below), please RSVP to [email protected] by October 6, 2014, so DHCF knows how many people will attend. Those unable to attend in person may join using the dial in instructions provided below. 
    

  When: Wednesday, October 08, 2014 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

  Where: 441 4th Street, NW, 10th Floor North, Conference Room 1028, Washington, DC.  

  Dial In: Call 1-877-709-6519 and provide the Participant Number 1819767.

  The DHCF has instructed PRGX to suspend temporarily all audit activity for audits that are in the proposed notice of recoupment 
and for audits for which they have sent the final notice of recoupment.    
MSDC Supports Licensing of Medical Imaging Assistants to Protect Patient Safety
   The Committee on Health will hold a Public Hearing for B20-646, "Medical Imaging Assistants Amendment Act of 2014" on October 9, 2014. The bill which would require licensure for medical imaging assistants and establish an Advisory Committee on Medical Imaging Assistants to be overseen by the Board of Medicine. The Medical Society has long advocated in favor of patient safety and quality in medical care and is submitting testimony in support of this legislation.    
Public Health Alerts: Potential Ebola Case in DC, Enterovirus Spreads to 42 States
Potential Ebola Case at Howard University Hospital 
   According to the Washington Business Journal, a patient admitted to Howard University Hospital this week after traveling from Nigeria is being monitored as a potential Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) case after presenting Ebola like symptoms. "In an abundance of caution, we have activated the appropriate infection control protocols, including isolating the patient," university spokeswoman Kerry-Ann Hamilton said. This comes on the heels of confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first Ebola case in the United States.
   Ebola symptoms are often non-specific and t
he CDC is encouraging physicians to Initial Ebola symptoms are often non-specific. The CDC is encouraging physicians to take patient travel histories, isolate patients who report a travel history to an Ebola-affected country and immediately notify the local/state health department
.      
   The 
CDC website for health care providers offers more information on diagnosis and testing, protection and how to safely manage patients with the virus. The CDC has also issued Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel and Health Officials: Evaluating Patients for Possible Ebola Virus Disease

42 States Plus the District Have Confirmed Cases of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
   From mid-August to October 1, 2014, a total of 500 people from 42 states and the District of Columbia were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  That includes 7 children impacted in Virgina, as reported in the Washington Post.  The CDC is working closely with hospitals and local and state health departments to investigate recent increases in hospitalizations of patients with severe respiratory illness.
For additional information, including clinical care, prevention and treatment recommendations, please consult the 
One-year Countdown to ICD-10 Begins  

Physicians Are Urged to Start Transition Now  

   With just a year left to transition to the ICD-10 code set, practice management experts advise physicians to begin prepaAmerican Medical Associationring for implementation by working with software vendors and testing their systems, if they haven't already.  

   The AMA continues to urge regulators to ease this physician burden, citing the dramatically high implementation costs of ICD-10, coupled with an already onerous regulatory environment. However, practice management experts caution that physicians need to allow sufficient time to prepare their practices for the transition to ICD-10. Read the AMA Wire for resources that can help make this transition a bit easier.

  Also, CMS will host a call from 1:30 p.m. to 3 PM (Eastern) on November 5, 2014, to discuss transitioning to ICD-10. Register online for the call, which will cover implementation issues, opportunities for testing, code updates, how claims that span the implementation date will be handled and other important topics.  

CMS Makes First Wave of Drug and Device Company Payments to Teaching Hospitals and Physicians Public
  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released on September 30, 2014, the first round of Open Payments data to help consumers understand the financial relationships between the health care industry, and physicians and teaching hospitals. Learn the three common questions physicians will hear about the release and how to answer them.

  The AMA recommends that physicians who weren't able to review their data by the September 11, 2014, deadline to flag any disputed information in the initial public data release, do so now. CMS is withholding one-third of the data from the initial public release as a result of concerns about accuracy. Much of the remaining two-thirds of data  released in the public database has yet to be verified by physicians and other covered recipients.

   Physicians still have until December 31, 2014, to file disputes for any inaccurate information that should be corrected in the next data release. View instructions for doing so on the AMA's Sunshine Act Web page.

Physician Licensure Period Opens; HIV/AIDS CME Opportunities for MSDC Members to Help Meet DC Requirements   
  The District of Columbia physician license renewal cycle has opened. The District of Columbia, Health Professional Licensing Administration is offering license holders the opportunity to verify initial application status and renew professional licenses via a secure website. Initial applicants may check the status of an application once it has been received.
HIV/AIDS CME Requirement for Physician Licensure and CME Opportunities
   For this renewal cycle, the District of Columbia requires physicians earn three hours of HIV/AIDS CME credit. To help members meet the new requirement, the Medical Society has partnered with various organizations to offer exclusive, member only CME opportunities. Please advise non-members to contact Pia Duryea with questions.
 
FREE ONLINE SELF-STUDY COURSE: Time is running out ... MSDC members have until De
ProAssurancecember 1, 2014, to take advantage of an online HIV/AIDS CME course. The course offers up to 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM for this self-study option, provided by MSDC in collaboration with ProAssurance and ELM Exchange. Successful completion provides documentation for compliance. Contact Pia Duryea for registration information.
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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
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CMES AT AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS SCIENTIFIC MEETING: The American College of Physicians (ACP) DC Chapter is offering HIV sessions during its upcoming Scientific Meeting to help physicians meet the new DC licensing requirement. The meeting will take place on November 14-15 at the Washington Marriott Georgetown Hotel (1221 22nd St., NW). Read more about the ACP's  meeting in the meeting brochurePhysicians may sign up for the entire meeting or just the HIV sessions on the registration form.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; MSDC Board Member Makes Media Appearances to Launch Awareness
   October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The American Cancer Society has information to share with patients about screening, detecting and living with breast cancer.
MSDC Board Member Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness
   MSDC Board Member Raymond Tu, M.D., appeared on WHUR's The Daily Drum Show to discuss the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness month and raise awareness of breast cancer. Dr. Tu (left) is pictured to the right with host Harold Fisher (center) and Natalie Williams (right), a breast cancer survivor. Dr. Tu was also interviewed on WYCP Spirit 1340AM and WAMU  to promote breast cancer awareness.
MSDC Past President Daniel I. Perlin, M.D., Recognized for Moral Courage
   MSDC Past President Daniel I. Perlin, M.D., of MedStar Washington Hospital  Center, has been selected as a finalist to receive a 2014 John J. Lynch, MD Moral Courage Award 2014 Moral Courage Awards live ceremony on October 7 at 4 PM in the True Auditorium at MedStar Washington Hospital Center during which stories of nominated associates and staff will be shared, 2014 winners will be announced live, and a brief reception will be held in honor of this year's recognitions. Dr. Perlin serves as Chair of the MSDC Physicians Health Committee and is committed to helping physicians  
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.      

Survey of 20,000 US Physicians Shows 80% of Doctors are Over- Extended or at Full Capacity, Presenting Challenges for Patient Access   

 US patients are likely to face growing challenges in access to care if shifting patterns in medical practice configurations and physician workforce trends continue. This is one of the key findings of a major new survey of 20,000 physicians commissioned by  The Physicians Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the work of practicing physicians and help facilitate the delivery of healthcare to patients.

  According to the report, titled "2014 Survey of America's Physicians: Practice Patterns and Perspectives," 81 percent of physicians describe themselves as either over-extended or at full capacity, while only 19 percent indicate they have time to see more patients. Forty-four percent of physicians surveyed plan to take steps that would reduce patient access to their services, including cutting back on patients seen, retiring, working part-time, closing their practice to new patients or seeking non-clinical jobs, leading to the potential loss of tens of thousands of full-time-equivalents.  

  The research polled doctors on on a range of issues, including professional morale, doctor shortages, Medicare / Medicaid participate rates, EMR patterns and more. To read more, access the full research report
Medical Families Making a Difference   
Medical Society Lobbyists Support Doctors and Medicine
From the Summer 2014 Physician Family Magazine, a publication of the AMA Alliance:  

  Barbara Ellman and David Thompson share similar responsibilities at two different state medical societies. Barbara is Associate Director for Policy for the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) and David is Director of Legislative Affairs for the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED). Most people would call them "lobbyists." Both have developed relationships with members of their state's legislature in order to educate those members about issues which impact health care and the practice of medicine.
  They share something else important - both married obstetrician/gynecologists. Read more about these medical families...  
Apply for DC Health Professional Loan Repayment  Program Awards      

  DC's Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) provides loan repayment (up to $61,952) to eligible providers practicing in underserved areas of the District for at least two years. Eligible participants include licensed and certified physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors practicing at HPLRP-certified Service Obligation Sites (SOS). The program will be issuing approximately four to six, two-year awards, with the majority of awards to be made to primary medical care practitioners (e.g. primary care physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and nurses).  

  Visit the HPLRP website for additional information or application packages, see the program bulletin or contact the loan repayment program directly at [email protected] or 202-442-9168.  

Upcoming Events
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MSDC Members Save 50%! Only Two Dates Left!
2014 Loss Prevention Seminars
Technically Speaking... When Medicine & Technology Collide
  October 14, 2014
  November 14, 2014
  6:00 - 8:00 PM, Refreshments begin at 5:30 PM

  American College of Cardiology, 2400 N Street, NW, Washington, DC   

  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
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2014 Annual Meeting and Reception
October 22, 2014
Whittemore House, 1526 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC     
   MSDC's highly-attended evening reception attracts physicians from across the metropolitan Washington region. The event will feature a Year in Reveiw by MSDC President Laura L. Tosi, M.D., an evening address on contemporary drug development by Guest Speaker James Simon, M.D., and the installation of incoming MSDC President John Larsen, M.D., and President-elect Carla Sandy, M.D. Get further details or register online
American Medical Association
AMA Interim Annual Meeting 
November 8-11, 2014
Hilton Anatole, Dallas, TX    
   The 2014 American Medical Association Interim Meeting will convene at 2 PM on Saturday, November 8 and is scheduled to adjourn by noon on Tuesday, November 11. A preliminary schedule and registration information is available online
2014 ACP DC Chapter Scientific Meeting 
November 14-15, 2014
Washington Marriott Georgetown   
Up to 14.75 CME Credits Available 
   The District of Columbia Chapter of the American College of Physicians is holding its Scientific Meeting on November 14-15, 2014, at the Washington Marriott Georgetown. Highlighted sessions cover HIV, Maintenance of Certification modules, cholesterol and hypertension guidelines, Prostate Cancer and  the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This meeting is open to ACP members and nonmembers, Review the meeting brochure for information and to register.  
ProAssurance
HIVAIDSWebinarFree Exclusive Member Benefit
3 Hour HIV/AIDS CME Webinar

Provided in collaboration with ProAssurance
Available Until December 1, 2014 
  MSDC members may register for a free, self-study webinar being provided by MSDC, ELM Exchange and 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)™. The self-study webinar does not need to be completed in one sitting, but rather at a time (times) and location(s) that are most convenient. To register,contact Pia Duryea 
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The CMS Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Program: What Medicare Eligible Professionals Need to Know in 2014
    Web-Based Training Course
This Web-Based Training (WBT) Course is designed to provide an overview of the value-based payment modifier, and how it relates to the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program, so that all Medicare physicians will understand how the value modifier can effect Medicare reimbursement starting in 2015. This presentation educates healthcare professionals on a variety of topics that are essential to the value-based payment modifier. Continuing education credits are available to learners who successfully complete this course. See course description for more information.

The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs: What Medicare and Medicaid Providers Need to Know in 2014  
   Web-Based Training Course 
This Web-Based Training (WBT) Course is designed to provide an overview of the requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, so that providers can participate to earn the incentives that are available in 2014 for successfully attesting the meaningful use objectives and clinical quality measures, as well as to avoid the payment adjustment in 2016 for not reporting this year. This presentation educates healthcare professionals on a variety of topics that are essential to the EHR Incentive Programs. Continuing education credits are available to learners who successfully complete this course. See course description for more information.

 

 To access other Web-Based Trainings, go to MLN Products and click on "Web-Based Training Courses" under "Related Links" at the bottom of the web page. 

Medical Real Estate Listings
Brought to you by MSDC Corporate Partner GZ Medical Realty. 
Contact  Pete Papantoniou for your real estate needs. 
  Medical Condominium for Sale
  In the West End of NW DC at 22nd and L Street NW:
  • 5,500 SF - Available now (space can be subdivided)
  • $450.00 per SF ($100,000 build out credit)
  • 15 surface parking spaces at the front door - $75,000 per space. Buy as many spaces as you need
    For more information call Sergio Guerrero Vivanco at 202-258-8860 or email [email protected].
1145 Medical Office Building
   1145 19th Street, NW 
   Washington, DC  20036
   The building has expanded hours and 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. 
   

 Premier Downtown Office Space

  2440 M Street, NW   
  Washington, DC  20037
  2440 M Street is a Class A 110,000 SF medical office building with a three-level parking garage in northwest Washington, DC. The building has abundant patient and physician parking. Contact Peter Papantoniou at 301-961-1941 or see the  online listing for more  information.
Medical Condominium for Sale
  JBS Ventures, LLC has a medical condominium for sale in the CBD of DC at 20th and M Street NW. One 3,500 SF condominium - Available now at $350.00 per SF ($100,000.00 build out credit per level). See the floor plan here. For more information call Sergio Guerrero Vivanco at 202-258-8860 or email at [email protected].
Classified Ads
Independent Medical Clinic for Sale
  Independent medical clinic for sale in Bethesda, MD. Negotiable terms. Main physician willing to stay as employee of new owner. Business or business + real estate possible. Sale due to divorce. Great location with long history. No brokers please. [email protected].
Doctors Needed Immediately For Small Clinic in Washington, DC

   Seeking doctors on a part time or on call basis for a small clinic in Washington, DC, that provides general physical exams. Physician must be licensed; no specialty required. This is a good opportunity for retired physicians, volunteers or interns. Please call 202-462-6814 or 212-470-1202.