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We've recently been made aware that many family physicians are not aware of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Physicians who do not participate THIS YEAR will see a 1.5% penalty from CMS in 2015.
TO AVOID A 1.5% Medicare PAYCUT in 2015 -YOU MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE THIS YEAR (2013)
By the time non-compliant physicians are penalized, it will be two years too late to do anything about it.
The ABFM has had a free registry for the last four years; however, fewer than 1000 family physicians participate. ABFM Diplomates are able to participate at no cost in the PQRS registry online from their ABFM physician portfolio. The ABFM Physician Quality Reporting System Diabetes registry is available, as well as a link to the PQRS: MOC incentive bonus. ABFM https://www.theabfm.org/moc/pqrs.aspx
The deadline for data entry in the online activity is January 10, 2014.
If you are not an ABFM Diplomate, The AAFP also offers a PQRS registry & reporting tool with a fee of $219.00. (PQRI Wizard)
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REMINDER!
Have you completed your Attestation form to receive your increased Medicaid reimbursement?
The Office MaineCare Services (OMS) is implementing Section 1202 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), effective January 1, 2013 which requires Medicaid programs to pay "for primary care services furnished by certain physicians in calendar years (CYs) 2013 and 2014 at rates not less than the Medicare rates in effect in those CYs or, if greater, the payment rates that would be applicable in those CYs using the CY 2009 Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor."
In order to receive the increased rate, providers must fill out and submit the Self Attestation form. By completing the form, providers attest that s/he meets the criteria established by the ACA - specifically, that:
(a) they are appropriately Board certified;
OR
(b) that 60 percent of their Medicaid claims are for evaluation & management (E&M) and vaccine administration codes as specified in the federal rule.
The Self-Attestation form provides detail on each of the above criteria.
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New Affordable Care Act Interactive Map
October 9, 2013
The AAFP has developed an Affordable Care Act (ACA) interactive map(www.healthlandscape.org) with state-specific information on five components of ACA implementation. The map also features links to each chapter website in the 50 states. Chapters may wish to share this map with members to provide state-specific information to patients and colleagues on ACA resources in their area.
The five components of the interactive map include:
- Marketplace Type (State, Partnership, Federal)
- Medicaid Expansion Status (signed into law or not yet signed into law)
- State Medicaid Office Website
- State or Federal Marketplace Website
- Navigator Organization Websites for Partnership and Federal Marketplace States
Additional ACA information can be found on the AAFP website.
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New Laws Impacting Your Practice - LD 727 - Provider License Requirements 
(repeat article from MMA) We are reminding practices that they do not need to comply with the requirement that all licensees post their licenses in a visible location. However, please note that practicing physicians already have a requirement to post their license in a visible location. This requirement is found in 32 MRSA §3274: "Each physician licensed under this chapter is entitled to receive a license under the seal of the board and signed by the chair and the secretary, which must be publicly displayed at the individual's principal place of practice, as long as this individual continues the practice of medicine." As a reminder, the bill contains three requirements: - A health care practitioner who advertises health care services must disclose in an advertisement the health care practitioner's name, the type of license the practitioner holds and the common term for the practitioner's profession.
- A health care practitioner seeing patients on a face-to-face basis must wear a name badge or some other form of identification that clearly discloses: (1) The health care practitioner's name; (2) The type of license, registration or certification the health care practitioner holds, including the common term for the health care practitioner's profession; and (3) The health care practitioner's medical staff position, if applicable.
- A health care practitioner who has direct patient care must display a copy of the practitioner's license in a prominent place in an office area visible to current and prospective patients.
Since enactment of the legislation several questions have arisen regarding the requirement for a licensee to display a copy of their professional license. Given concerns raised, MMA has agreed to work with the original sponsor of the legislation, Sen. Geoffrey Gratwick, M.D. of Bangor, to sponsor corrective legislation this coming session. In addition, the Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Anne L. Head, J.D. has agreed to communicate with the various health-related boards to ask that this particular section of the law not be enforced until the corrective bill is considered during the Second Regular Session. The new language would clarify two aspects: - A license only has to be posted if the health care practitioner sees patients outside of a licensed health care facility and
- If the practitioner practices in certain mental health or behavioral health fields, and believes that the requirement to wear identification may interfere with the therapeutic relationship, the requirement may be waived after the initial visit with the patient.
This new law (with the exception for postponing enforcement of the license display provision) goes into effect on October 9th, 2013. Though note the current law applicable to physicians is, and will remain, in effect. You can find the full text of the law here. With questions or for more information contact the MMA at jbarnard@mainemed.com or gsmith@mainemed.com. Each week MMA is running weekly articles highlighting new laws passed by the 126th Legislature that impact the practice of medicine in Maine. We are also happy to present an overview of new laws to your medical staff, practice or specialty society and have posted a summary of laws and explanatory slide presentation on the MMA website.
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Do You Do Driver Exams? (bus driver or commercial?) The NEW Federal Rule Affects You!
The MAFP has scheduled an additional opportunity for you to fulfill your NRCME Training requirements - April 12, 2014
Complete meeting information available after Jan. 15th HERE
Final Rule Calls for National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
The new federal regulations call for the creation of a training, testing and registration program for health professionals who provide physicals for drivers of commercial vehicles.
Physicians Providing Driver Exams Face New Federal Regulations -
The new rule is intended to improve highway safety and driver health.
The regulation calls for medical examiners to re-certify every 10 years and comply with additional reporting requirements.
Read More
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:
If you haven't read this article yet - we wanted to highlight 2 of our board members - Rick Hobbs (past president) and Martha Stewart (current board member) - this article is about our collaborative project with the MAPP -
 the Consultation Project.
Congratulations to Rick & Martha! And a big thank you for consenting to be interviewed & quoted.
You can read the article here:
http://www.aafp.org/news-now/chapter-of-the-month/20130925maineafp.html?sf17722112=1
If you know of any Members-in-the-News NEWS, please let Deborah at the MAFP office know!
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Human Skeleton for Sale
I have a real human skeleton, fully articulated, that I would sell to an interested party (my office move makes keeping it impractical) with custom metal stand/hanger, old but in good condition. $750.
Call 267-0267 to arrange pick up in Patten or possibly delivery. ~ Ron Blum MD
Also have various other assorted medical office equipment - please contact for specifics.
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Quote for the day:
"The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others"
Hasidic proverb
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MAFP Holds 1st Member Advocacy Training Day in Augusta
 MAFP Pres Lisa Marrache MDThe Honorable Lisa Marrache MD, MAFP's President was among the speakers who presented at the MAFP's recent Member Advocacy Day. Twenty-one MAFP members attended sessions in the morning - including "How a bill becomes a law" and "Do's & Don'ts of speaking with your legislator". The AAFP Governmental Affairs Office in DC, represented by Michelle Greenhalgh, State Chapter Governmental Advisor, brought the group up to date on the AAFP's activities in DC, and how that affects us here in Maine.  Andrew MacLean JD, MMA's Executive VP spoke about bills the Maine Legislature is likely to hear in 2014 (this year being a carryover session). Following these presentations, the entire group went to the State House where we met with both House & Senate leadership, as well as with the Governor's Senior Health Policy Advisor.  The MAFP Board of Directors is hoping to make this an annual event. WAYS YOU CAN BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR PATIENTS AND OUR SPECIALTY:
Be a "Doc-of-the-Day" at the Maine Legislature - Info HERE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Participate in MMA's Weekly Legislative Calls (during session) - contact MMA to sign up on the email notification list - 622-3374, ext 214, Andy MacLean, Email ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sign up for
(AAFPs daily email newsletter designed specifically for family physicians. This free resource offers a quick, two-minute read to help you stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends in family medicine)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use AAFPs SPEAK OUT to communicate with both State & Federal Legislators |
MAINE RESOLUTION Leads To AAFP ACTION at AAFP Congress of Delegates
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Your Maine AFP Board proposed a Resolution for the recently convened 2013 AAFP Congress of Delegates held in San Diego in support of small practices facing challenges implementing EMR and other quality measures. Even before the start of the Congress on Monday, September 23, we garnered co-sponsor support from the Delaware, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, and Rhode Island chapters.
Maine Delegate Ron Blum, of Patten, with the support of Dieter Kreckel, Delegate of Rumford, Lisa Marache, Alternate Delegate of Waterville, and our Chapter Executive, Deb Halbach, led off the Reference Committee discussion, describing the burdens of these changes on small practices owned by older physicians. Surprisingly much debate was generated both pro and con.
The Reference Committee ultimately recommended our resolution "not be adopted." However, sympathetic colleagues from the Alaska chapter, another rural state with many solo older physicians providing the only care to small communities, re-introduced our concept at the full Congress.  After additional floor debate, an even broader resolution was crafted and passed by the entire body. It requires the AAFP to determine and pursue the best ways to assist all members facing additional barriers to change, including age, practice size and rural location. . |
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