Volunteer's Note
One Question Results
You're Invited to the First Combined Meeting of the American, Australian Hand Societies
Thank You to AFSH Donors
HVO Volunteer Opportunities
Hardship Waivers Last Chance to Avoid Medicare E-prescribing Penalty
Learn About Coding for Medicare Preventive Services
Volunteer's Note
It is an incredible privilege to serve as the President of one of the oldest medical specialty organizations in the U.S. The ASSH is also the best professional society in which I have been involved in term of its programs, services, and volunteer member dedication. My theme of inclusion, engagement, and innovation during the coming year, therefore, aims to further enhance the ASSH’s long tradition of excellence.
Two task forces have been at work since the summer to achieve our goals. The ASSH Identity Task Force, led by former President Steve Glickel, seeks to enhance programs and services for all of our members, including those in private practice. It will also look for means to promote participation in ASSH by "hand surgeons" with concomitant practices in shoulder/elbow, microsurgery, or non-upper extremity areas.
Led by Council member Scott Kozin, the Member Engagement Task Force aims to enhance the ASSH volunteer experience in order to broaden membership participation and heighten contribution. It is also charged with ensuring that members receive sufficient information, feedback, and guidance to continue and advance their ASSH involvement.
Finally, this year we strive to further the ASSH tradition of innovation in our programming, education, and member services. Our members always have great ideas, and we look forward to your suggestions and feedback throughout the year. Thank you for your continued commitment to ASSH.
W. P. Andrew Lee, MD
ASSH President
One Question Results
Last week we asked you how often you use VuMedi, and whether you use it to earn continuing medical education credits.
View results.
We enthusiastically invite you to attend the first Combined Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and Australian Hand Surgery Society, March 22-25, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai in beautiful Hawaii.
A long history of collegiality and collaboration between our societies sets the foundation for what we hope will be an exciting program. The combined meeting will offer a variety of educational sessions that encourage interactive discussion on techniques, ideas and innovation from both sides of the Pacific.
The combination of experienced hand surgeons from the U.S. and Australia is sure to result in spirited and enlightening discussion of the practice. We hope you will join us next March in Hawaii for the program.
Registration is now open!
W. P. Andrew Lee, MD, 2012 ASSH President
Stephen G. Coleman, FRACS, 2012 AHSS President
Thank You to AFSH Donors
Martin I. Boyer, MD, FRCS(C)
Donald P. Condit, MD*
Lionel F. Foncea, MD
Saul J. Kaplan, MD
William B. LaSalle, MD
Stanley R. Lehman, MD
Kevin D. Plancher, MD, FACS
William H. Seitz, Jr., MD*
Robert E. Van Demark, Jr., MD*
HVO Volunteer Opportunities
An estimated 100,000 physicians and other health professionals at risk for being hit with Medicare electronic prescribing program penalties next year have until Nov. 1 to report a hardship exemption and give the Medicare agency a reason why they should not have their pay reduced in 2012.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will give physicians a second chance to use an expanded list of exemptions to avoid a pay decrease of 1 percent in 2012 for not meeting e-prescribing requirements earlier this year, the Medicare agency announced in an Aug. 31 final rule. The rule gives physicians an extra month to obtain waivers compared with a rule proposed earlier this year, but it does not give physicians the additional chance to report e-prescribing measures for 2011 that the American Medical Association had requested.
Read more.
Nearly 19 million people with traditional Medicare coverage have used preventive services this year without having to pay out-of-pocket costs, according to
new data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
CMS also revealed that, through the end of August, more than 55 percent of those enrolled in the traditional fee-for-service program received one or more free preventive services this year. In addition, nearly 1.3 million Americans have taken advantage of the new annual wellness visit.
With the Affordable Care Act allowing Medicare to waive patient fees for certain preventive care, physicians now have more opportunities to ensure that their Medicare patients receive preventive services, particularly after the initial "welcome" visit or the initial preventive physical examination is completed.
Learn more about guidelines for Medicare preventive medicine coding and address frequently asked questions about integrating the annual wellness visit into practice by participating in an AMA webinar at 6 p.m. Central time Sept. 19. The hourlong presentation will provide an opportunity to integrate the most challenging clinical practice examples with everyday patient requests for preventive services.
Register today.