Weekly Member Update - September 30, 2011

One Question

Listserv Hot Topic: The Economics of Having a Full-time PA

September Issue of the Online Journal Club Now Available

Upcoming Course: Electives in Hand Surgery

Thank You to AFSH Donors 

OREF Issues Last Call for Research Proposals

Repeal SGR Now, 117 Medical Associations tell Deficit Committee

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Starts Oct. 15

Apply by Nov. 1 for Exemption to Medicare ePrescribing Penalty

Medicaid Claims Audits to Begin in January

Start Planning for Switch to ICD-10 Code Set





One Question

This week, the AFSH wants your opinion on which of a selected group of "hand surgery greats" has made the biggest impression on the field of upper extremity surgery.  Share your view here.



Listserv Hot Topic: The Economics of Having a Full-time PA

There has been much discussion on the ASSH Physician Listserv recently about the value of hiring a full-time physician's assistant and having him/her help in the clinic and in surgery.

If you have already signed up for the Physician Listserv, you can view or contribute to the discussion on PAs by visiting the archives and going to September 23.  Don't know or remember your Listserv password?  Reset your password here.

To sign up for the Listserv, visit the ASSH website.
 

Sarah D. Beshlian, MD
Stanley H. Nahigian, MD
Lawrence H. Schneider, MD*

* Indicates contribution made in memory of James H. Dobyns, MD

Learn how you can donate in many ways, including autopay, by check or with stock.

OREF Issues Last Call for Research Proposals

Apply through October 14 for 2012-2013 OREF Clinician Development Program grants (all CDP grants subject to available funding).

Information and applications for continuing medical education (CME) grants can be found here.
For graduate medical education (GME) fellowship grants, click here.  For residency enhancement grants, click here.

Repeal SGR Now, 117 Medical Associations Tell Deficit Committee - from the AMA

In a letter sent to members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Deficit Reduction last week, the AMA and 116 state and specialty medical societies asked the committee to include a repeal of Medicare's flawed payment formula, the sustainable growth rate (SGR), in its spending plan.

As the committee develops a legislative package to reduce federal spending by at least $1.2 trillion by November 23, the letter cautions that any serious plan to solve the nation's fiscal challenges must include permanent repeal of the SGR. Read more



Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Starts Oct. 15 - from the AMA

The annual election period for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit will take place beginning next month, as required by the Affordable Care Act.  Medicare patients must enroll in their Part D plan during open enrollment, which is October 15 through December 7.

With a number of options and new benefits, physicians should encourage their Medicare patients to carefully consider their options when they enroll in a plan.  Patients can visit the Medicare website to learn more about coverage and enrollment.

Apply by Nov. 1 for Exemption to Medicare ePrescribing Penalty - from the AMA

Physicians who were unable to meet the Medicare ePrescribing program’s requirements have until November 1 to apply for a hardship exemption to avoid monetary penalties in 2012.

The Medicare ePrescribing penalty rule required physicians to issue and report at least 10 electronic scripts (e-scripts) during the first six months of 2011.  Those who were unable to do so face a penalty that reduces their total 2012 Medicare payments by 1 percent.

Medicaid Claims Audits to Begin in January - from the AMA

Physician and hospital organizations praised several changes federal health officials made to an earlier proposed version of a new Medicaid claims audit program authorized by the health system reform law.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on September 14 released a final rule detailing implementation of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program, based on a similar Medicare program in operation nationwide.  The Medicare RACs have come under fire from physicians for what doctors have termed aggressive auditing tactics, prompting some critics to label them "bounty hunters."

Some aspects of the Medicaid audit program will mirror the Medicare approach.  States will contract with the Medicaid RACs, which will search for fraud, waste and abuse in the program by reviewing past claims that already have been paid.  Auditors will be compensated based on a percentage of funds they recover that were paid inappropriately to doctors, hospitals and others.  The final rule also directs states to pay reviewers for uncovering underpayments that must be reimbursed to those filing the claims.  Read more

Start Planning for Switch to ICD-10 Code Set - from the AMA

A new tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can help your practice prepare for the transition to ICD-10, which will go into effect October 1, 2013.  The interactive timeline widget helps physicians understand what to do now to prepare for ICD-10 and outlines future steps and when to take them.

The tool is available in versions specific to large and small practices, and it offers a printer-friendly version of the timeline that you can use as a checklist.

Visit the AMA's ICD-10 webpage to access additional information and resources.