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Start Your Week Informed--the Family Medicine Update Has Moved to Monday Morning!
Williamston Family Physicians Transition to Direct Primary Care Model    
Last week, MAFP's Director of Government Affairs, Christin Nohner--along with Director of Communications & Member Outreach, Dana Lawrence, and Tabitha Zimny of Karoub Associates--visited Family Health Center of Williamston to talk with Drs. William Mangan and Michael Mangan about their recent transition from a traditional private practice to a Direct Primary Care practice.

(Pictured L-R): Tabitha Zimny, MAFP Lobbyist (Karoub Associates); Dr. William Mangan; Christin Nohner, MAFP Director of Government Affairs; Dr. Michael Mangan.
This father-son team has been providing care under the Direct Primary Care model since July, opting out of all insurance. Thus far, their experience has been a win-win for all parties involved. They shared that their administrative duties have drastically declined, allowing them "to be doctors again and provide much better care at a much lower cost."

This was confirmed by a patient who continues to seek care from the Mangans under the Direct Primary Care model. "When I see Dr. Bill now, I have time to ask questions and get answers. I don't have to make appointments as often now because I get my questions answered the first time, and I no longer use urgent care. I like this a lot better. We need more of this kind of care that gets back to simple," he said.

Are you interested in learning more about the Direct Primary Care model? The AAFP is hosting a workshop in Detroit on April 2, 2016. Registration is now open, and members can save $100 when they register by March 11. 
Last Chance to Register for Michigan Future of Family Medicine Conference     
Online registration is closing soon for the 2015 Michigan Future of Family Medicine Conference that the MAFP Foundation is hosting for medical students and Family Medicine residents on Halloween in Lansing. The robust agenda includes general sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on clinical procedures workshops, as well as one of the last opportunities this year to participate in a SAM Group Study Workshop. For physicians and residents interested in participating in just the afternoon SAM Group Study Workshop on hypertension, a separate registration is available. Click here to register TODAY, and please share information about the conference with others so they don't miss out on #MiFFM15!
After Months of Planning, the Health is Primary Detroit City Tour is Here!    
For over a year now, you've been hearing about the Health is Primary Detroit City Tour, and it's finally here! Almost 200 people have registered--the largest response to any Health is Primary City Tour to-date!

Only a few spots are open for the October 21st morning panel discussions hosted by Family Medicine for America's Health, and for the exclusive tour of Community Health & Social Services (CHASS) Center and complimentary transportation that MAFP is providing between the Westin and CHASS. Click here to save your spot today! Please note that separate registration is required for each event. 
Need Help With ICD-10? Post-implementation Resources are Available to Support You         
As you continue to transition to ICD-10, knowing where to get your questions answered is paramount. For general ICD-10 information, CMS encourages you to first visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Road to 10 portal. If you can't find your answers there, for answers to...

If you aren't able to find your answers via the resources listed above, you may contact the ICD-10 Ombudsman, Dr. William Rogers, at ICD10_Ombudsman@cms.hhs.gov. Dr. Rogers--a practicing emergency room physician and director of the Agency's Physician Regulatory Issues Team--is an internal advocate for providers on ICD-10 related matters. You may also contact the ICD-10 Coordination Center that is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST. Lastly, you are encouraged to sign up for ICD-10 email updates from CMS.  

 

If you haven't had a chance to check out the free video tutorial that MAFP has made available for members, in partnership with Essential Seminars for Physicians, LLC, click here.  

Last week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced more than $240 million to support the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and NURSE Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs to increase access to primary healthcare in the communities that need it most. This funding will provide for: 
  • 196 new NHSC Scholarship Program awards to students pursuing primary care training leading to a degree in medicine, dentistry, or a degree as a nurse-midwife, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner in exchange for providing primary healthcare services in areas of greatest need. The next Scholarship Program application is scheduled to open in Spring 2016.
  • 96 new NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program awards. This program provides loan repayment assistance to allopathic and osteopathic medical students in their last year of school in return for selecting and completing a primary care residency and working in rural and urban areas of greatest need. The Students to Service Loan Repayment Program is currently accepting 2016 applications through 7:30 p.m. on October 22, 2015.
  • 21 new awards to health professions educators through the Faculty Loan Repayment Program, in exchange for serving as a faculty member in an accredited and eligible health professions school.   
MAFP Signs Healthy Food Access Campaign Resolution  
In alignment with MAFP's public policy priority to curb obesity rates in Michigan, the Academy signed on to a resolution of support for the Michigan Healthy Food Access Campaign--a partnership of retailers, health advocates, policymakers and finance leaders--with the goal of finding ways for grocery and convenience stores in Michigan to expand their healthy food offerings in places now where access to fresh nutritious food is limited.

The Resolution specifically reflects the Academy's support for the campaign's endeavor to secure a $10 million state appropriation for the purpose of removing barriers to healthy food access, and to further efforts of existing entities to expand access to healthy food for Michigan residents in under-served areas by connecting local food production with local retail.
Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Concealed Carry Legislation 
On October 13, the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 442, introduced by Senator Mike Green (R-Mayville), which attempts to close an existing loophole in state firearm laws that allows concealed pistol license (CPL) holders to open-carry in gun-free zones. SB 442, among other things, would provide for an exemption process whereby a CPL holder could carry a concealed weapon in gun-free zones. Similar legislation passed in 2012, but was vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder in the wake of the Newtown tragedy.

Committee members saw a large number of people waiting to testify at the October 13th hearing. After representatives on both sides of the debate delivered testimony, the bill passed along straight party lines by a vote of 4 to 1. Read more. 
Michigan Legislature Sends Powdered Alcohol Bill to Governor Snyder  
By a vote of 102 to 3, the Michigan House of Representatives approved legislation last week that would ban the sale and use of powdered alcohol in Michigan. Senate Bill 240, introduced by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), passed the Senate in May by a vote of 37 to 0.

Mixing powdered alcohol--commonly known as Palcohol--with liquid creates an alcoholic beverage that, due to the high variability in its potency, has raised serious concerns about the risks of over-consumption.  
Once Governor Snyder signs the bill, Michigan will join 26 other states in banning powdered alcohol. MAFP supported SB 240 and applauds the legislature for taking swift and necessary action to institute the ban.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on October 13 the Medicaid Health Plans recommended for Michigan's Comprehensive Health Plan contract.

The contract provides healthcare services to approximately 1.7 million Medicaid managed care beneficiaries. The current contract will end on December 31, and these new contracts--which include changes to the service area locations and requirements to align with Michigan's Prosperity Regions--will begin January 1. Read more.  
Interested in Presenting at State, National Conferences?         
Are you--or someone you know--a dynamic speaker with expertise that you'd like to share with Family Physicians? The MAFP is accepting presentation proposals for the 2016 Michigan Family Medicine Annual Conference & Expo taking place July 11-14 in Bay City. The deadline to submit a proposal to the MAFP is October 30.

At the national level, the AAFP is accepting faculty proposals for the 2016 Family Medicine Experience, with a deadline of November 5. This conference will be held September 20-24 in Orlando, Florida. The Academy is also accepting workshop proposals for the 43rd National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Residents, to be held July 28-30 in Kansas City, Missouri. The deadline to submit workshop proposals is November 13. 


Save yourself time, trouble, and a stamp--click here to renew your Academy membership for 2016 and maintain access to the resources that support your clinical decision-making and patient care, tools that help you manage the business of Family Medicine, and support to advance the specialty.

You may pay your membership dues now, or sign up for the convenient installment plan. 


MAFP Events

FREE Peer Reviewer Training Webinar 
October 27 | 7 p.m.
Interested in adding peer reviewer to your CV plus helping MAFP, or do you need a refresher?  Register today to participate in this free webinar led by Dr. David Walsworth. 
October 31 | Lansing
#MiFFM15

October 31 | Lansing
(held in conjunction with the Michigan Future of Family Medicine Conference) 
Save the Date: SAM Group Study Workshop: Pain Management 
December 12 | Frankenmuth 
Registration will open October 26

July 11-14 | Bay City 


Events of Interest 
Hosted by CMS (MLN Connects National Provider Call)
October 21 | 1:30-3 p.m.

Great Lakes Bay Regional Symposium: Advancing the Patient Centered Medical Home
Hosted by Michigan Primary Care Consortium
November 6 | Live event in Saginaw, with simulcast locations in Roscommon and Mt. Pleasant

National Rural Health Day
Michigan's observance is coordinated by the Michigan Center for Rural Health
November 19
   

Noteworthy News
By the Numbers

5,454
According to the latest State Health Facts released last week by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 5,454 Family Physicians are actively practicing in the State of Michigan.

Combined with 6,775 Internal Medicine; 2,326 Pediatric; 2,058 Obstetrics and Gynecology; and 50 Geriatric physicians, Michigan ranks 8th in the nation for the total number of actively practicing primary care physicians (16,663).   


Tweet of the Week
Join the Conversation!  


On October 14, WKAR's Current State radio program featured MSU College of Human Medicine's Rural Community Health Program by interviewing Dr. Andrea Wendling--director of the program, a rural Family Physician, and MAFP member.

We encourage YOU to join the #FamilyMedicine conversations taking place on social media to help increase awareness of the value of #PrimaryCare, highlight all of the great happenings, and fuel the #FMRevolution! You might see your tweet or Facebook post featured in a future issue of the Family Medicine Update. 


Classified 
Physician Sought
Dow Chemical has an immediate opening for a Health Services Senior Physician. To learn more about our job please follow this link for details.

Would you like to place a classified ad in a future issue of the Family Medicine Update? Email Dana Lawrence, MAFP Director of Communications & Member Outreach, at dlawrence@mafp.com for rates and submission details.