A Message from the ASSH President
- A column from President Robert M. Szabo, MD, MPH
One Question
- Answer this week's one question about patient education brochures
ASSH News
- JHS Editor-in-Chief Application Materials due February 28, 2010
- Foundation Announcements
- Upcoming Research Grant and Award Deadlines
- Call for 2010 ASSH Volunteer Committee Applications
- 2010 Diversity Awareness in Patient Care Survey
ASSH Courses and Meetings
- Self-Assessment Exam Registration - Deadline April 2, 2010
- 2010 Master Skills Series: Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist
- General Orthopaedic Review
- Comprehensive Review in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
Healthcare Reform News
- CMS Systems Problem Resulted in Failure to Pay Some Supplemental Part A & B Claims - From AAOS
- Senate May Consider Short-term SGR Fix - From AMA
A Message from the ASSH President
Each year, the Hand Society calls for applications for members to join one of our many committees. It is those volunteers, giving their talents and precious time, who truly are the driving force that keeps the Hand Society running and creates all the wonderful resources for you as a member. I believe volunteers are also enriched professionally through unique experiences, idea exchanges and comradeship. I’ve certainly found that to be the case myself.
Even in light of the benefits of participating, we simply do not show the appreciation deserved by our volunteers - volunteers like Fred Fakharzadeh who has chaired the Public Education Committee for over 5 years, producing all of our patient education material, Peter Murray who works tirelessly to give you innovative educational programming or Dan Nagle, our King of Coding.
Next time you see one of them, say thanks! Or better yet, apply to be on a committee before the February 26th deadline and become an even bigger part of our mission to advance the science and practice of hand surgery through education, research and advocacy.
Sincerely,
Bob Szabo
One Question
Do you use the PDFs of the patient education brochures that are available on the ASSH website? Answer here.
ASSH News
Extended Deadline for JHS Editor-in-Chief Application!
Materials Now Due February 28, 2010
The ASSH Journal Advisory Group (JAG) is now accepting applications for the Journal of Hand Surgery Editor-in-Chief. The position would begin on January 1, 2011 at the close of the current editor's contract.
The Editor-in-Chief should have dedication and vision, and will be responsible for soliciting, reviewing and selecting articles for publication, in addition to various other responsibilities. If you are interested, download a PDF of the application or contact Tara Havenga (thavenga@assh.org). Applications are due on February 28, 2010.
Foundation Announcements
Future In Hand pledge payments due – Visit www.afsh.org and click the Check My Pledge icon to be sure your installments are paid. Reminders will be mailed in the coming weeks.
Order of Complus Manus - Candidate Members and Active Members who have joined the ASSH during the last three years - You are the future of upper extremity surgery and research. Consider increasing your commitment to that future by becoming a part of the Order of Complus Manus.
Upcoming Research Grants and Awards Deadlines
OMeGA Fellowship and Residency Grants - Deadline March 24
2010 Clinician Scientist Development Program - Deadline March 31
AFSH-HVO Young Surgeon Overseas Program - Deadline March 31
Basic Science and Clinical Research Grants - Deadline April 1
The Weiland Medal - Deadline April 1
Military Research Grant - Deadline April 1
Hand Surgeon-Scientist Award - Deadline December 1
Call for 2010 ASSH Volunteer Committee Application
Deadline February 26, 2010 (March 18th for Affiliate Members)
Applications are now being accepted for membership to ASSH Committees for 2010-2011. The volunteer leadership, along with the Central Office, are crucial to the success of our organization.
To learn more about the wide breadth of volunteer opportunities please visit the ASSH website for information on volunteer committees and their charges. Please review the charges carefully. Members are expected to commit to the charges as listed. Apply for an ASSH Committee here.
*Please contact Alexzandra Wallace at awallace@assh.org with any questions.*
2010 Diversity Awareness in Patient Care Survey
ASSH is committed to developing strategy, patient education materials, and educational opportunities for diversity awareness as it relates to patient care, patient and surgeon education.
The ASSH Diversity Committee has developed a survey to probe members’ levels of exposure and education in diversity, as well as the perception of diversity. Please help us by taking the survey today.
*If you have any questions, or are unable to access the survey, please contact Alexzandra Wallace at awallace@assh.org.*
ASSH Courses and Meetings
Can’t remember if you’ve already registered? Visit www.assh.org, login, select "Members" then “My Transactions” in the left column. If you’ve registered, your registration will appear on this list. From here, you can also add sessions/tickets to an existing registration.
Self-Assessment Exam
Registration Deadline: April 2, 2010
REGISTER NOW
This examination is offered as a convenient self-education exercise by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and is available to the health care professionals focusing on the care of the hand and upper extremity. Designed to assist the physician in reviewing basic principles of hand care, the exam also helps to keep the physician abreast of new developments and concepts within the specialty. Cost for members is $155 and cost for nonmembers is $195.
The ASSH designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (TM). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. NOTE: Only those who return a completed answer sheet for computer scoring by June 11, 2010 (postmarked) will be eligible for CME.
Registration Deadline April 2, 2010
Examination book (Book 1) mailed to registrants April 19, 2010
Answer Sheet Deadline June 11, 2010
Discussion book (Book 2) mailed to registrants July 30, 2010
All registrants are confirmed by email. If you have not received email confirmation by April 5, 2010 please contact the ASSH Office via telephone at (847)384-8300 or email ddecker@assh.org.
2010 Master Skills Series: Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist
May 21 - 22, 2010
Orthopaedic Learning Center - Rosemont, IL
Registration Deadline: May 6, 2010
The Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist course is designed with an emphasis on adult learning with a case-based format, along with a hands-on cadaver workshop to provide you with the most current trends and techniques in trauma. Learn more about this program and review the registration fees by visiting the Trauma of the Elbow, Forearm and Wrist webpage. Or, register now.
General Orthopaedic Review
July 15, 2010
Renaissance Downtown Hotel - Chicago, IL
Registration Deadline: June 21, 2010
Co-Sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
This one-day review course, brought to you by the AAOS and ASSH, prepares you for the general orthopaedic questions on the combined CAQ exam in Hand Surgery. Held just one day prior to the ASSH Comprehensive Review in Hand Surgery course, this is a convenient opportunity to review generally accepted principles of orthopaedics across the specialties and to prepare you to maintain your certification. A skilled faculty of experienced clinicians will focus on what you need to know in all the other specialty areas of orthopaedics for the exam. Review registration fees and program details on the General Orthopaedic Review webpage. Get started by registering online today.
Comprehensive Review in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
July 16-18, 2010
Renaissance Downtown Hotel - Chicago, IL
Registration Deadline: June 21, 2010
The ASSH Comprehensive Review Course is designed as an advanced review course and update for practicing hand surgeons. The course will review the topical concepts of anatomy, biomechanics and pathology as well as diagnostic and treatment methods relating to hand and elbow surgery. The faculty are recognized experts in hand surgery and have been selected for their knowledge, expertise and contributions relating to the subject matter they present. Learn more about this program and review the registration fees by visiting the Comprehensive Review Course webpage. Or register online today.
Healthcare Reform News
CMS Systems Problem Resulted in Failure to Pay Supplemental Part A & B Claims - From AAOS
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identified a problem that may have resulted in supplemental payors not paying certain Part A and Part B claims. From January 5, 2010 to February 12, 2010, certain Part A and Part B claims were not automatically crossing over to supplemental payors, even though the provider remittance advice indicated otherwise. To receive payment on these claims, Part B professional providers need to review their remittance advisories with issue dates between Jan. 5, 2010, and Feb. 12, 2010, that contain the following criteria:
- One service line is 100 percent reimbursable (i.e., the approved amount and amount to be paid are equal,) AND
- One service line where part of or the entire Medicare approved amount is applied to the Part B deductible and/or carries co-insurance amounts
Once these claims have been identified, providers will need to take action to balance bill the beneficiary’s supplemental payor. As of February 12, 2010, the system problem was fixed and all claims are now crossing over to supplemental payors as indicated on the provider remittance advice. No action is required by Part A institutional providers, and claims processed by Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors were not affected. Read more...
Senate May Consider Short-term SGR Fix - From AMA
With a proposal being circulated in the US Senate to delay a looming 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments scheduled to take effect March 1, the AMA urges all physicians to call their senators and insist that they pass legislation to repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula once and for all.
It’s time for Congress to address the SGR problem head-on and permanently repeal the SGR formula. The short-term, Band-Aid approaches used in the past to stop imminent cuts have only made future cuts steeper and increased the cost of permanent physician payment reform. If Congress had fixed the problem in 2005, when physicians faced cuts of about 3.3 percent, the cost of permanent reform would have been about $49 billion. Instead, physicians now face a 21 percent cut and the cost of reform has skyrocketed to over $200 billion.
Physicians can use the AMA’s toll-free grassroots hotline at (800) 833-6354 to contact their senators and tell them to repeal the SGR formula and protect the financial viability of physician practices and patients’ access to care. You can also visit the website to send them an e-mail.