| June 2011 | Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, FACP, Governor |
- Greetings and Notes from Your Governor
- Capital Update by John Nikoloff
- ACP Honors Pennsylvania Chapter with a 2011 John Tooker Evergreen Award
- ACP Leadership Day 2011
- Eight Southeast New Fellows Recognized at ACP–IM 2011
- Evan Pollack, MD, FACP, Selected as Key Contact Awardee
- Five Medical Residents from Pennsylvania Chapter Named ACP National Research and Clinical Vignette Paper Winners
- Southeast Region ACP National Podium and Poster Finalists
- Drexel Team Competes in National Medical Jeopardy
- Save The Date - All Residents Southeast Region
- Chapter Council of Young Physicians- by Susan Glennon, MD, FACP
- PCMH Collaborative Involvement Lehigh Valley Physician Practice Perspective by Jennifer Mariotti, DO, FACP
- Southeast Chapter Hosts IMIG Dinner Series
- PA Chapter Hosts Fourth Chief Residents Forum
- Pri-Med Access in Philadelphia
- Support Our Chapter – Recruit A Colleague Today
- CAC Meeting - June 9, 2011 Submitted by Dan Kimball, MD, FACP, Governor, PA Eastern Region
- Blog of Interest- Vampires and Urban Legends: Teaching Residents about Healthcare Costs
- Pennsylvania Chapter Calendar of Events
Greetings and Notes from Your Governor
The past half year has seen a variety of activities for students, associates, young physicians and FACPs in our SE PA ACP Chapter. I would like to reiterate that the important initiatives for our chapter are to improve communication through varied media tools, increase engagement of our members at the regional, state and national levels, and develop new programs to meet the professional needs of our members. Below you will find information about our newly forming Council of Hospitalists and Council of Students.
National Activities:
SE ACP PA Chapter Member delivered the Keynote at the 2011 National ACP Meeting in San Diego!
We were thrilled to hear Rich Baron, MD, MACP, deliver the Keynote Address at the 2011 National ACP Meeting in San Diego. Titled “Medicine as Practice: What do we need to keep, and what do we leave behind?” Here is a link to his keynote.
Dr. Baron’s national reputation as an innovator and visionary in healthcare was also showcased in his excellent April 29, 2010 NEJM article titled "What's Keeping Us So Busy in Primary Care? A Snapshot from One Practice”.
We are extremely proud that we have two National Award Winners from our chapter, Craig B. Thompson, MD, FACP and Raquel Gur, MD, PhD. Both were recognized at the ACP National Scientific Meeting in San Diego.
Dr. Thompson was presented the American College of Physicians Award for Outstanding Work in Science as Related to Medicine and Dr. Gur received the William C. Menninger Memorial Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Science of Mental Health.
Welcome Aboard New Members
I am happy to announce that sixteen new members joined our chapter during the past six months. We are delighted to have you aboard and look forward to meeting you at our various events. Welcome to all!
- Anatoly Polosatkin, DO, Philadelphia
- Carl L. Pierce, Jr., MD, Wallingford
- Charles H. Korman, DO, Lafayette Hill
- Colleen E. O'Connor, MD, Wynnewood
- Danielle Duffy, MD, Glenside
- Jacqueline B. Mackey, MD, Bryn Mawr
- Jennifer Catherine Valentine, MD, Philadelphia
- Matthew D. Vibbert, MD, Philadelphia
- Nikkisha P. McCrea, MD, Philadelphia
- Pierre Frederique, MD, Chester
- Ruby J. Camarena, MD, Wyncote
- Sherrylynn N. Lee, MD, Philadelphia
- Sophia Jan, MD, Philadelphia
- Sreekanth Reddy Ambati, MD, Philadelphia
- Thilagavathi Venkatachalam, MBBS, Media
- Vedat Obuz, MD, Merion Station
I look forward to seeing old friends and new at our fall activities and programs. Meanwhile, have a wonderful summer.
Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, FACP
Governor, Southeast Region
Capital Update by John Nikoloff
Budget
PA-ACP continued to advocate for state funding of key programs, including Graduate Medical Education assistance and chronic care programs. While leadership of the House, Senate and Corbett administration negotiated the state budget, the College joined with the PAFP and PAAP to ask that funding for the Chronic Care Initiative not be cut, noting the benefits of the program in helping lower healthcare costs and save lives.
The House-passed spending bill increased GME funding by almost $10 million from the Governor’s budget, and kept Chronic Care funding near 2010 levels. State spending would actually increase, but the loss of federal stimulus funds reduces the total amount available. The Heath Department budget was spared a major budget cut, with only a 2.1% reduction. DPW state funding was increased.
Tort Reform
The state House has passed both “apology” legislation and “Fair Share” legislation (joint and several liability reform) supported by PA-ACP. Other tort reform proposals may be considered in coming months, including a Constitutional amendment to allow caps on non-economic damage awards, supported by Governor Corbett.
In mid-June, the Senate Judiciary Committee finally moved a “joint and several” liability bill, SB 1131, that ignores the legislation already passed by both chambers in recent years. PA-ACP is working to amend SB 1131 to include the language already passed by the House.
Mcare Fund
The state Insurance Commissioner is finalizing a study of the state’s primary liability insurance carriers to determine their capacity to sell coverage to physicians and hospitals. If the Department finds the marketplace improved, physicians’ primary limits could increase to $750,000 in 2012, with a reduction in Mcare coverage to $250,000. The PA-ACP is working to secure a shorter-term phase-out of the Mcare Fund, without physicians having to bear the full burden of the Fund’s $1.3 billion unfunded liability.
Fair Provider Contracting
At the urging of PA-ACP, Rep. Nick Micarelli is introducing “fair contracting” legislation, which will incorporate the provisions of the Love settlement into state law. This legislation is important to physicians contracting with the Blues, when the provisions of the legal settlement end.
HIV Testing
Sen. Ted Erickson’s PA-ACP supported legislation, SB 260, requiring HIV testing as a routine part of general care following CDC recommendations passed the Senate by a unanimous vote. The bill eliminates the requirement to obtain written consent before testing, and permits testing where the subject is told they will be tested unless they refuse.
ACP Honors Pennsylvania Chapter with a 2011 John Tooker Evergreen Award
At the 2011 Internal Medicine Meeting, ACP presented a John Tooker Evergreen Award to honor the Pennsylvania Chapter for its initiative in recruiting former ACP members attending the Pri-Med Access with ACP educational programs.
Click on the link for details.
ACP Leadership Day 2011
Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, (L), met with PA-ACP leaders Drs. Susan Borys,
Evan Pollack and Larry Jones during Leadership Day, May 24-25 in Washington.
Sixteen PA-ACP members participated in ACP Leadership Day on Capitol Hill this year. ACP’s priority issues addressed Workforce, Payment, and Delivery System Reform, Fixing the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and Transition to Better Payment Systems.
Key Discretionary Workforce Programs that Congress Must Preserve and Protect and Key Mandatory Programs to Strengthen Access to Primary Care, Improve Quality, and Lower Costs
- Medicare Primary Care Incentive Program
- Medicaid Comparability Program
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Our delegates visited 18 legislative offices. We are grateful for the face-to face dialogues we held with Congressmen Jason Altmire (4th district), Glenn Thompson (5th district), Jim Gerlach (6th district), Tom Marino (10th district), Joe Pitts (16th district), Tim Holden (17th district), and Todd Platts (19th district). In eleven other congressional and senatorial offices, we met with the chiefs of staff and/or the legislative aides for health.
We acknowledge our members who took time from their schedules to participate in Leadership Day 2011.
- Aditya Sharma, MD
- Alex Gonzalez, MD, FACP
- Charles Cutler, MD, FACP
- Dan Kimball, MD, FACP
- Darilyn Moyer, MD, FACP
- Evan Pollack, MD, FACP
- Gela Mchedlishvili, MD, FACP
- Giovanna Uzelac, MD
- Henry Weiner, MD
- John Derrickson
- Kevin Berry
- Larry Jones, MD, FACP
- Mita Sharma
- Rich Simons, MD, FACP
- Sarah Messick, MD, FACP
- Susan Borys, MD, FACP
- Wojciech Czoch
Eight Southeast New Fellows Recognized at ACP–IM 2011
Congratulations to all our colleagues who were recognized as Fellows this past year. Pictured is the group from the Southeast Region who participated in this year’s Convocation Ceremony. Standing with them (2nd from R) is Darilyn Moyer, MD, FACP, Governor, Southeast Region. New Fellows who were inducted are:
Anas Mouchli, MD, FACP, Merion Station
Jessica C. Otto, DO, FACP, Philadelphia
Kwaku Amexo, MD, FACP, Philadelphia
Mala T. Kailasam, MBBS, FACP, Yardley
Matthew V. DeCaro, MD, FACP, Wallingford
Richard G. Pestell, MBBS, FACP, Philadelphia
Richard R. Ratner, MD, FACP, Broomall
William J. Brosnan, MD, FACP, Narberth
Additional congratulations are extended to our Southeast members recently named New Fellows.
Baber Ghauri, MD, FACP, Yardley
Colleen M. Crumlish, MD, FACP, Philadelphia
Dana B. Jacobs-Kosmi, MD, FACP, Cheltenham
Edward Houston Wu, MD, FACP, Philadelphia
Gregory Mayro, MD, FACP, Philadelphia
John David Sprandio, MD, FACP, Drexel Hill
Rachel L. Ramirez, MD, FACP, Abington
Rhonda Haston, MD, FACP, Blue Bell
Richard R. Ratner, MD, FACP, Broomall
Sarah R. Perloff, DO, FACP, Philadelphia
Vinit Gopal Karur, MD, PhD, FACP, Huntingdon Valley
If you were not able to attend this year’s national meeting in beautiful San Diego, we hope you will join us in New Orleans next April 19-21, 2012. There will be excellent educational sessions on a wide variety of topics. In addition, our Pennsylvania Chapter will host another outstanding reception: good food, fellowship and fun. We hope to see you in New Orleans!
Evan Pollack, MD, FACP, Selected as Key Contact Awardee
The American College of Physicians acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Evan Pollack in support of our federal and state grassroots advocacy programs. We thank him for being a strong and consistent voice for internal medicine. In appreciation of his recent efforts, Dr. Pollack was selected as an ACP Top-10 Key Contact recipient for 2010. ACP greatly appreciates his dedication to advocacy. Among his most notable contributions is serving as vice-chair of Pennsylvania’s very active Health & Public Policy Committee, and serving as an active delegate to Pennsylvania’s Leadership Day Initiatives. In addition, during 2010, Dr. Pollack communicated with several members of Congress on health reform and encouraged them to find a permanent solution to Medicare’s broken payment structure.
Five Medical Residents from Pennsylvania Chapter Named ACP National Research and Clinical Vignette Paper Winners
Special congratulations to our Pennsylvania Chapter’s Research and Clinical Vignette Paper Winners for their outstanding work. They are as follows:
- Research: The use of statin is associated with reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Young Kwang Chae, MD MPH MBA, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Program, Philadelphia, PA - Research: House staff efficiency in ordering VTE prophylaxis
Harsh N. Patel, MD, Crozer-Chester Medical Center Program, Upland, PA - Research: House staff efficiency in ordering VTE prophylaxis-phase 2
Keshav Parthasarathy, MD, Crozer-Chester Medical Center Program, Upland, PA - Clinical Vignette: Bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces in a healthy young adult
Agustina D. Saenz, MD, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Program, Philadelphia, PA - Clinical Vignette: Bilateral simultaneous quadriceps tendon rupture- A diagnostic trap
Shobha Vootukuri, MD, Lankenau Hospital Program, Wynnewood, PA
Southeast Region ACP National Podium and Poster Finalists
The Pennsylvania Chapter congratulates all Southeast associates who were named finalists during Internal Medicine 2011 in San Diego. They are as follows:
Podium Presentations
Agustina D. Saenz, MD, Clinical Vignette, Albert Einstein Health Network
Harsh N. Patel, MD, Research, Crozer-Chester Medical Center
Shobha Vootukuri, MD, Clinical Vignette, Lankenau Hospital
Young Kwang Chae, MD, MPH, MBA, Research, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Southeast Region Poster Finalists - Research
Davi Ponte De Sa Leitao, MD, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Program
Katherine R. Courtright, MD, University of Pennsylvania Program
Monika Pokharel, MD, Mercy Catholic Medical Center Program
Phani K. Molakatalla, MD, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Program
Salma S. Baksh, MD, Crozer-Chester Medical Center Program
Southeast Region Poster Finalists – Clinical Vignettes
Effat Rasul, MD, Crozer-Chester Medical Center Program
Ha Nguyen, MD, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Program
Jeong H. Yun, MD, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Program
Karthik P. Karanam, MBBS, Mercy Catholic Medical Center Program
Khawae Maqsood, MD, Lankenau Hospital Program
Woo Jung Jay Lee, MD, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Drexel Team Competes in National Medical Jeopardy
Congratulations to our 2010 Medical Jeopardy Team from Drexel University College of Medicine: Dr. Krishna Rao, (L) Dr. Gaurav Mathur (C) and Dr. Ashwani Gupta (R). They competed in San Diego against teams from across the nation.
Earlier this year, the Drexel team successfully won the regional competition held at Temple University School of Medicine, besting eight other residency programs, and then was victorious over teams representing Conemaugh (West) and Reading (East) residency programs.
The 2011 national championship title went to Rush University Medical College, Chicago, Ill. We congratulate the winning team and all the outstanding participants.
Test Your Knowledge – Play Doctor’s Dilemma™
The Southeast Region’s Medical Jeopardy Competition is set for October 15 at The Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood and here is an opportunity to test your knowledge.
Play Doctor's Dilemma™ Mobile This new online game is based on the popular ACP Doctor's Dilemma™ Competition from ACP's annual Internal Medicine meetings. The game is simple to play (earn points with correct answers, lose them with incorrect answers), but the questions will challenge your mettle.
Save The Date - All Associates Southeast Region
Who: All Southeast Associates
What: Southeast Region Poster & Medical Jeopardy Competition
When: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Where: Lankenau Hospital, Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA
Time: 8:00 AM to12:30 PM
We are happy to announce that The Lankenau Hospital will be the site for the 2011 SE-PA residents’ competition. Bill Surkis, MD, FACP, is the overall chair. Assisting him will be Catherine Kuntz, MD, FACP for abstracts and David Cohen, MD, FACP, Medical Jeopardy.
Please remember that residents must be a member of the ACP to enter or present in the abstract or Medical Jeopardy competition. The deadline for abstract submission is July 31, 2011. Southeast residents who are ACP members will receive detailed information via email.
Chapter Council of Young Physicians
by Susan Glennon, MD, FACP
Dr. Jess Otto (left), Dr. Rachel Ramirez (center), and Dr. Larry Ward (right) attending “Lost in Translation” dinner program sponsored by our PA Chapter Council of Young Physicians and the Philadelphia County Medical Society.
The SE CCYP had a great first half of 2011! To start, we enjoyed a happy-hour networking event at Franco’s Trattoria in Roxborough in February. On May 19, we teamed up with the Philadelphia County Medical Society for “Lost In Translation–Optimizing Transitions in Care.” We brought together three of our local leaders in outpatient, hospital and long-term care medicine Emmanuel King, MD, FHM; Jen Mariotti, DO, FACP, and Daniel Haimowitz, MD, FACP, CMD, who shared their expertise on this important topic. The event was both well attended and well received and we thank all who came out to join the dialogue. We are excited to have added three new members to our council including two hospitalists, Baber Ghauri, MD and Ed Ma, MD, as well as Rachel Ramirez, MD, FACP, all of whom are helping to plan our second annual family event at Smith Memorial Playground on June 24. For anyone who would like more information about the council’s activities, have thoughts or ideas for upcoming events or would like to learn more about becoming a member of our council, please contact one of our co-chairs, Renee Cassidy, MD, FACP (reneemcassidy@gmail.com) or me, Susan Glennon, MD, FACP (seglennon@yahoo.com).
PCMH Collaborative Involvement
LVPP (Lehigh Valley Physician Practice Perspective
By Jennifer Mariotti, DO, FACP
The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) transformation in Primary Care has allowed many practices to follow a road map for improvement. At Lehigh Valley Health Network, the Internal Medicine Residency Practice - LVPP, has embarked on the PCMH transformation over the past year with great success.
PCMH Collaborative Involvement
LVPP (Lehigh Valley Physician Practice) Perspective
The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) transformation in Primary Care has allowed many practices to follow a road map for improvement. At Lehigh Valley Health Network, the Internal Medicine Residency Practice - LVPP, has embarked on the PCMH transformation over the past year with great success. The practice has been integrated as the only Internal Medicine practice within the Improving Performance in Practice (IPIP) / Pennsylvania Association for Family Practice (PAFP) Collaborative to work towards achieving PCMH certification. The experiences from this collaborative integration have allowed the practice to gain traction towards true redesign and transformation.
A national call has been made to Internal Medicine Residency programs to redesign ambulatory education. The goal is to develop highly functioning experiences that will foster resident matriculation into outpatient General Internal Medicine. The PCMH concepts have provided a roadmap for LVPP towards redesign and have helped the practice achieve strong improvements in many ways.
The collaborative has provided multiple resources, connections, and guidance towards the goals of meaningful Electronic Medical Record (EMR) use, assistance in how to operationalize population management, how to integrate residents into quality improvement work, and how to determine the best data measurements in the setting of GME learners, all framed in an educational mission.
LVPP has been able to successfully accomplish many improvements through the help of the collaborative. The practice improved in their Diabetic foot exam compliance from 44% to 85% in the past 8 months. The residents now receive regular updates on their individual performance measures. Many GME learners are now facilitating projects and actively engaged in the QI work that underscores the developing culture. The staff and administration now understand the concepts and tenets of a PCMH and the importance of a team approach to patient-centered care.
The PCMH Collaborative has enabled a framework to guide our Residency Practice to better performance. We look forward to the future and are excited about the changing environment for our learners. The redesign is upon us and the benefits have already begun. Only through continued change, efforts will we achieve transformation; there is no doubt that collaboration will be the key to our success.
Southeast Chapter Hosts IMIG Dinner Series
The Southeast Chapter hosted a series of Internal Medicine Interest Group dinners for students attending medical schools in the Southeast region. Over the past six months, dinners were held with students from Penn, Jefferson, Temple and PCOM. More are on the calendar for this fall.
We are grateful to the many FACP’s who served as volunteer faculty at the dinners. Their on-going participation is vital to the success of this program. We are extremely appreciative to them for sharing their experience and expertise with the students. A sincere thank you to every one!
PENN IMIG Dinners
Faculty: November 2, 2011
Bennett Lorber, MD, MACP
Jack Ende, MD, MACP
Jen Kogan, MD, FACP
Joan Beckwith, MD, FACP
Matt Levison, MD, FACP
R. N. Seth, MD, FACP
Ron Barg, MD, FACP
Sarah Messick, MD, FACP
Stephen Gluckman, MD, FACP
Steve Weinberger, MD, FACP
Darilyn Moyer, MD, FACP
Faculty: April 26, 2011
Edith Mitchell, MD, FACP
Jennifer Kogan, MD, FACP
Ron Barg, MD, FACP
Stephen Gluckman, MD, FACP
Darilyn Moyer, MD, FACP
TEMPLE – PCOM IMIG Dinner
Faculty: April 21, 2011
Anu Paranjape, MD, FACP
Ellen M. Tedaldi, MD, FACP
Elizabeth Lee, MD, FACP
Erik Soiferman, DO, FACP
Lawrence Kaplan, MD, FACP
Nat Marchetti, DO, FACP
Sara Messick, MD, FACP
Richard J. Kozera, MD, FACP
Roz Kaplan, MD, FACP
Scott Rosenberg, MD, FCCA
Darilyn Moyer, MD, FACP
Jefferson IMIG Dinner
Faculty: March 30, 2011
David Axelrod, MD, JD, FACP
Greg Kane, MD, FACP
Jessica Salt, MD, FACP
John Spandorfer, MD, FACP
Matt De Caro, MD, FACP
Nancy Lewis, MD, FACP
Thomas Fekete, MD, FACP
Darilyn Moyer, MD, FACP
PA Chapter Hosts Fourth Chief Residents Forum
The Pennsylvania Chapter hosted the fourth Chief Residents Forum at ACP Headquarters in Philadelphia on May 4. Chiefs from hospitals in the Southeast and Eastern regions as well as New Jersey attended to learn the answer to, “What I wish I knew before I took this job.”
According to the Chiefs who shared their most important “take home” points:
- Good communication between co-chiefs is the key.
- Use your resources.
- Keep morale up by using short, sweet and practical ideas.
- Do not be afraid to make changes and do not be afraid not to be liked.
A huge thank you to the five current chiefs, Brooke Worster, Temple, Kim Jegel, Einstein, Jodi Lenko Washinsky, PENN, Vamshi Kaveti, Crozer, and Dina Halegoua-DeMarzio, Jefferson, who served on the faculty.
Listed below are the attendees who took time from their busy lives to attend the forum.
Andrew Caravello, UNDNJ
Brooke Worster, Temple
Carlos Racedo, Geisinger, Conf. Call
Carolyn Van Why, Jefferson
Dan Kimball, Governor, PA Eastern
Darilyn Moyer, Governor, SE PA
David Widmyer, AEMC
Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Jefferson
Ilda Betancur, Pinnacle, Harrisburg
James Cosentino, Einstein
Jason Morris, UNDNJ
Jennifer Johnson, Jefferson
Jodi Lenko Washinsky, Penn
Joshua Long, Geisinger, Conf. Call
Kim Jegel, Einstein
Mariana Hotea, ACP
Mary Porteous, Penn
Megan Thomas, Geisinger, Conf. Call
Nana Afari-Armah, Temple
Penchala Mittadodla, SLHN, Conf. Call
Ricardo Perez, UMDNJ-SOM
Robert Shmuts, UMDNJ
Rupinder Kullar, Einstein
Salma Baksh, Crozer
Sandeep Sharma, Mercy
Saurabh Bansal, U of Ill. at Peoria
Steve Weinberger, ACP
Vamshi Kaveti, Crozer
Vijaykumar Paramasivam, Mercy
Vincent Peterson, UMDNJ-SOM
Vinod Nookala, Pinnacle, Harrisburg
Vishnu Kulasekaran, Temple
Wasiu Adisa, UMDNJ
Pri-Med Access in Philadelphia
Ellen M. Tedaldi, MD, FACP, presented the local keynote address titled "Finding HIV Primary Care: When to Consider the Diagnosis" to the 450 attendees at the Pri-Med Access with ACP educational program, held at the Philadelphia Convention Center June 9-10.
The PA Chapter participates in these twice-a-year CME programs because they offer internal medicine physicians greater access to leading educators through a series of local, two day programs.
Congratulations to Dr. Paul Feldan of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Dr. Lynette Goodstine of Philadelphia who were the lucky Pri-Med Access raffle winners.
Support Our Chapter – Recruit A Colleague Today
The Southeast Region appreciates William D. Surkis, MD, FACP for his participation in the ACP's Recruit-a-Colleague program. He continues to recruit new members!
Help strengthen the voice of internal medicine - recommend ACP Membership to your colleagues!
The need for a strong voice to speak on behalf of medicine and, in particular, internal medicine has never been greater than it is today. It is critically important that we unify to address the specific needs of our medical specialty. There are advocacy efforts to champion, practice management issues to simplify, and a time-honored profession to foster. There is strength in numbers. Together, we can change the direction of internal medicine.
Ask your colleagues to join ACP today. To thank you for your time and effort, we offer the following recruitment program. Between now and March 15, 2011:
- Recruit one colleague and receive a $100 credit toward your 2011-12 annual dues.
- Recruit two colleagues and receive an additional $100 credit toward your 2011-12 annual dues.
- Recruit three colleagues and enjoy free annual dues in 2011-12.
Plus for every Member recruited within the promotional period, you will receive an entry into a grand-prize drawing for a trip to Internal Medicine 2012 in New Orleans that includes registration, airfare (up to $500), and four days of hotel accommodations.
CAC Meeting - June 9, 2011 - Submitted by Dan Kimball, MD, FACP, Governor, PA Eastern Region
The MAC J12 Contractor Advisory Committee met at the PAMED Offices on 9 June 2011 with other local meetings in NJ, DE, MD and DC on 8 and 10 June. The minutes for these five meetings will be combined to produce the J12 Jurisdiction minutes.
The minutes of the Feb 2011 J12 CAC meetings were approved as circulated.
Patrick Hamilton provided updates for CMS to include information on the HITECH program. In PA 2300+ eligible professionals (EPs) have registered for the Medicare Program with 45,000 registering nationally. In PA 144 EPs have attested to at least Stage I meaningful use with 2100+ attesting nationally. Payments of $234,000 have been provided to PA EPs and 3.8 million dollars nationally to EPs. These data do not include hospital data.
CMS is promoting its plan for insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Many states including PA have established their own programs with federal money. Information is available for patients through the CMS website (https://www.pcip.gov/).
Information was also highlighted about the e-prescribing incentive program (http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/) and the preventive services program (http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp). He also noted that there was only 204 more days until the HIPAA 5010 compliance date with information at http://www.cms.gov/Versions5010andD0/.
Dr. Muscalus reviewed the CERT data (Comprehensive Error Rate Testing) for J12. The major drivers for the Part B errors were E&M services and provider signatures for lab and ECG orders. He also noted a likely revision to the Conflict of Interest Policy for CAC members that would require better documentation by each member. Future meeting documents will be sent electronically instead of in hard copy. The next CAC meeting will be held on 13 Oct 2011.
The following draft Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) were discussed:
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA).
- Serotypes A and B Botulinum Toxin Products
- Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Testing
- Non-covered Serices (Services that are not reasonable and necessary)
- Qualitative Drug Testing
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of depression.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
There was no significant discussion on any of these draft LCDs. They will remain open for comments on the highmark website until 7 July 2011 (https://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/policy/draft-status.html).
Dan Kimball, CAC Internal Medicine Representative
Blog-Vampires and Urban Legends: Teaching Residents about Healthcare Costs
Dr. Moyer would like to share this food for thought blog titled Vampires and Urban Legends: Teaching Residents about Healthcare Costs
Pennsylvania Chapter Calendar of Events
Page updated: 7/18/11
What's New
- Southeastern Region Governor's Newsletter - June 2013
- Western Region Governor's Newsletter - June 2013
- Pennsylvania Eastern Region 2013 Abstract Competition
- Pennsylvania Southeastern Region 2013 Abstract Competition Information
- Eastern Region Governor's Newsletter - June 2013
- Learn about PAS Governor-elect Gregory C. Kane, MD, FACP
- Member Feedback - Share Your Thoughts
- Member Accomplishments
- Internist Weekly
Contact Information
Eastern Region
Daniel B Kimball, Jr, MD, FACP, Governor
Southeastern Region
Darilyn V. Moyer, MD, FACP, Governor
Western Region
G. Alan Yeasted, MD, FACP
John Derrickson
Executive Director
Phone: 610-543-6880 or Toll-free: 800-846-7746
Fax: 610-543-6806
E-mail: jd@pa-acp.org
General chapter information/questions:
John Derrickson
jd@pa-acp.org
Chapter Office:
Jackie Franco
jf@pa-acp.org
VoterVoice:
votervoice@pa-acp.org
Chapter Events:
events@pa-acp.org
