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Register today for Oct. 12 advocacy training
Free event is mandatory for CMS COL members
Brush up on your advocacy skills at the Regional Campaign and Grassroots Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, in Denver. Presented by the American Medical Association PAC, the Colorado Medical Society PAC and the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians Political Committee, attendees will learn about the top issues and how to increase your political effectiveness with featured speaker Stephanie Vance.
Vance is a 25-year veteran of the Washington, D.C. political scene and has held positions as a lobbyist, grassroots consultant and Congressional aide. Her experiences as a legislative director and Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill led her to found Advocacy Associates, a firm dedicated to helping individuals and organizations be both heard and agreed with in the legislative environment. She is the author of five books including "Citizens in Action: A Guide to Influencing Government" and the recently released "The Influence Game."
The event is free but you must register to participate. Click here to register and view a full agenda and list of speakers. Act quickly; the first 100 registrants will receive a copy of Vance's "The Influence Game."
Members of the CMS Council on Legislation: It is mandatory that you attend this event in order to participate in COL activities. Questions? Please contact Chris McGowne at (720) 858-6326 or [email protected].
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UCSOM: Physician interviewers needed
The University of Colorado School of Medicine is looking to increase the participation of community physicians in the selection of our next incoming medical school class matriculating in 2014.
Those physicians interested in interviewing outstanding Colorado residents and out-of-state applicants are encouraged to contact Assistant Dean of Admissions Oswaldo Grenardo, MD, at [email protected] or (303) 241-7112.
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Federal CMS releases hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical centers policy and payment changes for 2014
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the 2014 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Policy Changes and Payment Rates proposed rule on July 8, 2013.
The proposed rule with comment period would update Medicare payment policies and rates for hospital outpatient department and ASC services, and update and streamline programs that encourage high-quality care in these outpatient settings consistent with policies included in the Affordable Care Act. Total 2014 OPPS payments are projected to increase by $4.37 billion or 9.5 percent, and 2014 Medicare payments to ASCs are projected to increase by approximately $133 million or 3.51 percent as compared to 2013.
Click here to read the full bulletin.
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Novitas: Service impact due to planned network transition
Colorado Medicare Administrative Contractor Novitas Solutions - previously Highmark Medicare Services - was acquired by Diversified Service Options, Inc., a subsidiary of Florida Blue, on Jan. 1, 2012. Since that time, Novitas has worked through the changes to improve physicians' service experience. In a bulletin to providers, the company gave notice of impacts practices may experience as a result of required system outages in September as Novitas closes out the transition from the Highmark network to the Florida network.
Please note two events that will result in a brief service delays:
- Sept. 7-8: Simulation testing for network transition; and
- Sept. 28-29: Final network transition.
If any additional downtime is required, Novitas will issue alerts via website and listserv.
Details of Impact
Sept. 7-8: Simulation Testing
Testing begins on Friday evening, Sept. 6 and will be completed Sunday, Sept. 8. The company plans to conduct this testing as late as possible on Friday to minimize any potential disruption.
Impacts are as follows:
- IVR will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 7.
- Part A DDE access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 7.
- Part B PPTN access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Sept. 28-29: Final Network Transition
Cutover will begin on Friday evening, Sept. 27 and will be completed Sunday, Sept. 29.
Impacts are as follows:
- IVR will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.
- Part A DDE access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.
- Part B PPTN access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
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Register for meaningful use boot camp presented by CORHIO
CORHIO, the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization, is offering a one-day seminar on Meaningful Use on Friday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Physicians are encouraged to register to attend the Meaningful Use Boot Camp to learn how the electronic health record incentive program from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has changed how physicians use EHRs and how the program will continue to shape future practice as it evolves.
The boot camp will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Tech Center in Denver. Attendees will learn how to get the most out of their EHRs in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of Meaningful Use and how to attest for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, plus they'll explore current HIT initiatives in Colorado, the health information exchange, cyber liability and key requirements from the HIPAA Final Rule.
Click here for more information and to register.
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AMA prescription for a healthier practice:
Know the cost of doing business with your payers
Data released by the AMA in June ranks the level of unnecessary administrative cost commercial health insurers contribute to the billing and payment of medical claims.
The AMA's Administrative Burden Index (ABI), which was unveiled as part of its sixth annual National Health Insurer Report Card, shows that administrative tasks associated with avoidable errors, inefficiency and waste in the medical claims process resulted in an average ABI cost per claim of $2.36 for physicians and insurers.
Learn more about the NHIRC and how the ABI can help your practice reduce administrative complexity by viewing the webinar, "AMA unveils the Administrative Burden Index: Because we can't afford the status quo." Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/abi to see full results of the ABI. Watch the webinar and share your thoughts and questions.
This tip is part of the AMA Practice Management Center's "Prescription for a healthier practice" series.
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Exclusive member benefit: DocbookMD
The Colorado Medical Society is proud to present a FREE member benefit, DocbookMD. DocbookMD is a HIPAA-compliant mobile app that allows physicians to send messages, text patient information, and exchange images such as X-Rays or EKGs over a secure mobile platform. It functions in a way that complements what we already do daily, but not in a way that adds work, wastes time, or burdens us with new systems. Download DocbookMD from the Apple App store for iPhone, and iPad, or Google Play for Android devices. Click here for more information or go to docbookmd.com. |
 Help your patients save money
with free prescription drug card
The Colorado Medical Society has partnered with Colorado Drug Card to provide savings to your patients of up to 75 percent on prescription drugs at over 56,000 retail pharmacies. You can help by encouraging your patients to print a free Colorado Drug Card at www.coloradodrugcard.com. The cards are even customizable to your practice; click here for more information.
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send an e-mail to [email protected].
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