Ronald M. Davis, MD
Predictably, another unpredictable disaster
I'd like to express my gratitude to the many physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care, rescue, and community support teams who responded to the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis last week. Physicians and other health care providers at Hennepin County Medical Center, the University of Minnesota, North Memorial and other hospitals worked through the night treating those injured, and my heart goes out to the victims and families affected by this tragedy.
This calamity is a stark reminder that while most disasters are unplanned, the response to them shouldn't be. According to a statement by Robert K. Meiches, MD, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Medical Association, Hennepin County Medical Center's extensive disaster preparedness training enabled the facility to respond effectively to the bridge collapse—proof that disaster response plans not only work but are essential in health care.
The AMA has emerged as a national leader on this front. Through the Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, the AMA's National Disaster Life Support™ (NDLS) program trains physicians, medical students, and other health professionals about their integrated roles and responsibilities in community, state, or regional disaster response. About 50,000 health care professionals have completed NDLS courses at 47 training centers nationwide. >>Read more
Please send comments, questions, and replies to amaprez@ama-assn.org
eVoice®
August 9, 2007
AMA eVoice is your regular update on the most important health care issues and recent AMA activities.
The AMA is committed to communication. We encourage you to help us spread the word by forwarding AMA eVoice to your colleagues.
Your news interests:
Select news categories that interest you
Faculty practice physician issues
1) Register for AMA audio conference on hiring and retaining top-performing employees
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues
1) GLBT Advisory Committee to start e-mail listserv
2) Mark your calendar: GLMA's 25th Annual Conference—register now
Group practice physician issues
1) AMA practice tip: Selecting a clearinghouse to process claims
International medical graduate issues
1) AMA-IMG Section Interim Congress and Caucus registration now open
Medical school news
1) In AMNews: New evidence finds disparities aren't usually due to bias
2) Nominate an influential person for Physician Mentor Recognition Program
Medical student issues
1) Special travel and hotel rates offered for 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Meeting
2) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Meeting deadlines
3) Nominate your mentor for recognition by the AMA Women Physicians Congress
Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
1) In AMNews: New evidence finds disparities aren't usually due to bias
Resident and fellow issues
1) Join the AMA-RFS in Hawaii at the 2007 AMA Interim Meeting
2) Help develop educational policy of the AMA
3) One in five patients ignore doctor's referral to a specialist
Women physician and women's health issues
1) AMA-WPC summary of actions available
2) Take part in September's Women in Medicine Month
Young physician issues
1) Share AMA-YPS accomplishments with your colleagues
2) Make reservations for 2007 AMA-YPS Assembly Interim Meeting, Nov. 9–10
General AMA news:
1) Physicians and Regence Blue Shield settle lawsuit
2) House and Senate pass SCHIP reauthorization bills
3) Deadline to make changes to NPI information extended to Aug. 20
4) Physicians may edit and save changes to Medicare enrollment forms electronically
5) AMA practice tip: Application service providers
6) Virtual Mentor explores emerging issues in multicultural patient-physician encounters
7) In JAMA: Study reveals gaps in vaccine financing for underinsured children
Your news interests:
Select news categories that interest you
Faculty practice physician issues
1) Register for AMA audio conference on hiring and retaining top-performing employees
The AMA will host an Oct. 4 audio conference, titled “Hiring and retaining top-performing employees for better customer service and patient care.” The session covers topics, such as assessing the impact of having the right staff, interviewing to hire the best talent, keeping good people after they are hired, and maintaining harmony and discipline. Registration for AMA members is $35 ($75 for nonmembers).
Visit the Web site to learn more, register, or order previously recorded audio conferences. This program is geared toward practice managers in small- to medium-sized group practices. Featured faculty are from the Coker Group, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in practice management.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues
1) GLBT Advisory Committee to start e-mail listserv
Since the formation of the AMA Advisory Committee on GLBT Issues, members and staff have worked to gather names of physicians and medical students who are concerned about GLBT professional and patient issues. The committee will be forming an e-mail system with these names to provide regular updates on activities within the AMA relating to GLBT issues and to solicit feedback and ideas from physicians around the country who are authorities on GLBT issues.
Send an e-mail if you would like to be included in the e-mail system.
2) Mark your calendar: GLMA's 25th Annual Conference—register now
The AMA works closely with the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), focusing on issues of concern to GLBT physicians, medical students and patients. In addition, the GLMA holds a slotted seat on the AMA Advisory Committee on GLBT Issues. This year, the GLMA's 25th Annual Conference—the world's largest gathering of GLBT health care professionals—will be held Sept. 26–29, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The AMA is proud to be participating in this year's conference. Registration for the event is now open. >>Learn more and register
>>Return to your news interest contents
Group practice physician issues
1) AMA practice tip: Selecting a clearinghouse to process claims
Physicians and practice staff—are you considering selecting a clearinghouse to handle your practice's claims process and submission functions? If so, you are encouraged to review the “What is a clearinghouse?” resource developed by the AMA Private Sector Advocacy unit and the Kentucky Medical Association. Designed to educate physicians and practice staff about the clearinghouse function, this resource explains the nuances that relate to the submission and transmission of the physician practice's claim information by an outside clearinghouse.
AMA members can download (PDF, 33KB, requires Adobe® Reader®) this educational resource.
>>Return to your news interest contents
International medical graduate issues
1) AMA-IMG Section Interim Congress and Caucus registration now open
Register now and mark your calendars to attend the following AMA-IMG Section events at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in November. All events will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu.
- AMA-IMG Section Congress—5:30–7:30 p.m., Nov. 9
- AMA-IMG Section Caucus—5:30–7 p.m., Nov. 10
- AMA-IMG delegate-sponsored reference committee reports caucus—7:30–9 a.m., Nov. 12
- AMA-IMG Leadership Development Workshop—9:30–11:30 a.m., Nov. 12
Visit the Web site to download a registration form. Registration is open through Nov. 1.
>>Return to your news interest content
Medical school news
(Brought to you by the AMA Section on Medical Schools)
1) In AMNews: New evidence finds disparities aren't usually due to bias
Since care for minorities is heavily concentrated in underfunded urban hospitals, the most pressing inequalities in health care may be driven by economics, not bias on the part of the physician, according to an article in the Aug. 6 issue of American Medical News (AMNews).
2) Nominate an influential person for Physician Mentor Recognition Program
The first annual AMA Women Physicians Congress (WPC) Physician Mentor Recognition Program seeks to recognize professional colleagues or teachers who have made a difference in women physicians' professional lives. The AMA-WPC will issue nominees a special certificate, celebrate them during September's Women in Medicine Month and highlight their contributions through various AMA communication vehicles. In addition, the AMA will recognize mentors through a special display at the AMA-WPC gala reception at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates Nov. 9 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu.
Obtain a nomination form. Entries are due Sept. 1.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Medical student issues
1) Special travel and hotel rates offered for 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Meeting
The 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Meeting will be held Nov. 8–10 in Honolulu. The AMA has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate for AMA-MSS Interim Meeting attendees at the Doubletree Alana Hotel–Waikiki. A special room rate will be available until Oct. 7 or until the group block is sold out.
Visit the Web site to learn more and reserve your room.
The AMA also has teamed up with United Airlines to offer 2007 AMA–MSS Interim Meeting attendees a 10 percent discount (and an extra 5 percent discount if you make your reservation at least 30 days in advance).
Visit the Web site to learn more and make your reservation.
2) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Meeting deadlines
Please join the AMA-MSS for the 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Meeting Nov. 8–10 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu. The meeting includes policymaking sessions, educational sessions, a research poster session and more. The AMA-MSS is planning programs for this meeting and would like your ideas.
Visit the Web site to obtain an online form and submit your ideas.
Please keep the following deadlines in mind:
- Sept. 7—Convention committee applications due
- Sept. 21—Resolution submissions due
- Sept. 21—AMA-MSS Research Poster Symposium abstracts due
- Oct. 1—Meeting registration due
- Oct. 1—AMA Board of Trustees/chair-elect applications due
- Oct. 1—Regional delegate applications due
Visit the 2007 MSS Interim Meeting Web site to learn more about the meeting and obtain applications.
3) Nominate your mentor for recognition by the AMA Women Physicians Congress
Calling all AMA Women Physicians Congress (WPC) members—tell us about a professional colleague or teacher, female or male, who has influenced your professional life. The AMA-WPC would like to acknowledge physicians who contribute in small, often unsung ways to our individual success. These individuals may have steered you into the specialty you love, helped you find a work/life balance, guided you through your professional society or unknowingly served as a role model for you or others. The AMA-WPC will issue nominees a special certificate, celebrate them during September's Women in Medicine Month and highlight their contributions through various AMA communication vehicles.
Download the PDF (796KB, requires Adobe® Reader®) to learn more and obtain a nomination form. Send an e-mail with any questions.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
(brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium)
1) In AMNews: New evidence finds disparities aren't usually due to bias
An Aug. 6 American Medical News (AMNews) article examines findings from two recent studies that suggest health care disparities are due mostly to where minorities receive health care services rather than bias or cultural insensitivity.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Resident and fellow issues
1) Join the AMA-RFS in Hawaii at the 2007 AMA Interim Meeting
Registration is now available online for the AMA-RFS Interim Meeting Nov. 8–10 in Honolulu. The meeting provides an opportunity to network with resident and fellow physician colleagues, help shape AMA policy and attend educational sessions on several topics of interest. >>Learn more and register
2) Help develop educational policy of the AMA
The AMA-RFS is accepting endorsement applications for the Council on Medical Education (CME). This position is elected by the House of Delegates at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Applicants may seek endorsement from the AMA-RFS Assembly at the 2007 Interim Meeting. CME helps to ensure that undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education will equip physicians to meet the ever-advancing scientific and clinical challenges of health care by reviewing and developing educational policy.
Visit the Web site to learn more and obtain an application.
3) One in five patients ignore doctor's referral to a specialist
A researcher found that 20 percent of patients ignore their doctor's advice to see a specialist, according to an Aug. 3 Healthday article. The study showed that several factors influence a patient's decision to see a specialist such as the relationship with his or her primary care doctor and the patient's insurance coverage.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Women physician and women's health issues
(brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress)
1) AMA-WPC summary of actions available
The AMA-WPC's summary of actions from the June 2007 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates is available online.
View policy items of interest to the AMA-WPC membership.
2) Take part in September's Women in Medicine Month
Each September the AMA commemorates Women in Medicine Month. This year's theme, "Sharing a passion for medicine," acknowledges physicians who have contributed to the success of women physicians and provides a chance to say thank you to colleagues or teachers who have had an influence on women physicians.
As part of September's Women in Medicine Month, the AMA-WPC is asking you take part in its first annual AMA-WPC Physician Mentor Recognition Program designed to acknowledge physicians who contribute in small, often unsung ways to the success of women physicians.
Visit the Web site to learn more about Women in Medicine Month and download an AMA-WPC Physician Mentor Recognition Program application.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Young physician issues
1) Share AMA-YPS accomplishments with your colleagues
AMA-YPS delegates have prepared a report summarizing the section's accomplishments at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.
Feel free to publish the delegates' report in your newsletters or in an e-mail to your colleagues demonstrating how effective young physicians can be in generating AMA policy on concerns important to them.
View the report.
2) Make reservations for 2007 AMA-YPS Assembly Interim Meeting, Nov. 9–10
This year's 2007 AMA-YPS Assembly Interim Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9–10 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, and guests will stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu. The meeting will offer AMA-YPS members the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the country, attend educational sessions and determine AMA-YPS positions on AMA House of Delegates reports and resolutions. The AMA-YPS encourages all young physician members to participate in the meeting.
>>Return to your news interest contents
General AMA news
1) Physicians and Regence BlueShield settle lawsuit
Regence BlueShield and the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), the AMA, and six physician plaintiffs are pleased to announce resolution of their dispute and lawsuit over Regence's creation of the Select Network program. Regence previously announced that it had voluntarily withdrawn the Select Network program and has apologized to the physicians and members for any misunderstanding that may have been caused by its initial communications about the Select Network program.
In an effort to better understand physician concerns, Regence has met with the WSMA to discuss performance measurement. WSMA appreciates Regence's efforts to collaborate on these issues and acknowledges that Regence has agreed to make a financial contribution to the WSMA Education and Research Foundation to support the Foundation's work to educate providers on performance measurement issues and to promote quality improvement programs in the physicians' offices. In addition, the WSMA and Regence have agreed on a process to work together for a period of two years.
Read (PDF, 41KB, requires Adobe® Reader®) the complete joint news release about the settlement.
>>Return to your general news contents
2) House and Senate pass SCHIP reauthorization bills
The AMA applauded separate legislation passed by the U.S. House and Senate last week that would preserve access to health care for children in low-income families. Both bills, funded by an increase in federal tobacco taxes, would reauthorize the successful State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
The Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act, passed by the House, would ensure that two of our most vulnerable populations—children and seniors—have access to health care. In addition to reauthorizing SCHIP, the CHAMP Act would replace two years of scheduled Medicare physician payment cuts totaling 15 percent with modest increases. The bill would also eliminate overpayments to the private insurance companies that administer Medicare Advantage plans.
Passed by the Senate, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act would reauthorize SCHIP but it does not address the looming Medicare physician payment cuts. Both houses of Congress must agree on final provisions before SCHIP expires on Sept. 30.
"The AMA strongly urges the conference committee to include in the final legislation the House provisions in the CHAMP Act that stop steep Medicare cuts to physicians," said AMA President Ronald M. Davis, MD.
>>Return to your general news contents
3) Deadline to make changes to NPI information extended to Aug. 20
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced it will give physicians until Aug. 20 to make changes or deletions to their National Provider Identifier (NPI) information before the NPI registry is made available to the public on Sept. 4.
Physicians previously had until July 16 to make any needed changes or corrections to information supplied in their NPI application, as well as to delete any "optional" information. CMS extended the deadline at the AMA's urging.
CMS plans to make public most of the information provided by a physician on their NPI application through the online NPI registry, but will not release a physician's Social Security number, Internal Revenue Service taxpayer identification number, date of birth or state or country of birth. The AMA has significant concerns with CMS publicly releasing such physician identification information in one place and continues to communicate these deep concerns to CMS.
Among the information CMS plans to release is a physician's address. Therefore, the AMA strongly encourages physicians to check the information supplied on their NPI application to ensure they did not furnish their home address and, if so, to change it to a business address. CMS permits physicians to delete any "optional" information supplied on their NPI application, so physicians may want to remove this type of information before Aug. 20.
Note: Among the information that is considered optional on an NPI application is the field containing "Other Provider Identifiers." While CMS has said this information may be deleted, Medicare recently announced that it might need access to a physician's Medicare legacy identifiers (such as a Provider Identifying Number and Unique Physician Identification Number) in this field of the NPI database in order to match them to their NPI number to effect claims processing.
Make changes online using your user name and password. Or make changes on an NPI change-of-information form (No. 10114). Call (800) 465-3203 if you have questions.>>Return to your general news contents
4) Physicians may edit and save changes to Medicare enrollment forms electronically
Doctors who download Medicare enrollment forms from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Web site now have the ability to save changes electronically, a capacity the AMA has repeatedly urged CMS to develop for these forms.
The Medicare enrollment forms (CMS-855 series) previously contained no functionality to allow physicians to input their information in the form electronically; the forms could only be printed and information entered manually. Now, physicians who need to submit an enrollment form or changes to their enrollment information can input their enrollment information electronically by keying in their information, saving the changes to their computer and then printing them.
Overall, the Medicare enrollment process still experiences significant backlogs, but the AMA continues to work very closely with CMS to address this issue. CMS has placed added attention on carriers experiencing the most significant delays and is working on developing an electronic system for submitting enrollment applications online, which is expected to be announced early next year.
Visit the CMS Web site for more information about the Medicare enrollment forms.
>>Return to your general news contents
5) AMA practice tip: Application service providers
Did you know that a physician practice can submit claims through an application service provider (ASP), a company that connects the health plan with the physician practice by supplying software application services over the Internet? Learn more about ASPs by reading "What is an application service provider?" Developed by the AMA Private Sector Advocacy unit and the Kentucky Medical Association, the resource is designed to educate physicians and practice staff about commonly provided ASP services and their possible benefits to the physician practice.
AMA members can access (PDF, 39KB) the resource.
>>Return to your general news contents
6) Virtual Mentor explores emerging issues in multicultural patient-physician encounters
The August issue of Virtual Mentor, the AMA's online ethics journal, delves into how ethical principles and values among patients of various cultural backgrounds can differ, and how physicians can better identify and understand alternate belief systems.
Topics such as the legal risks of ineffective communication, the coexistence of evidence-based and culturally competent medicine, and the effects that inefficient communication can have on the quality of care are all covered. Other subjects include teaching cultural sensitivity through literature and reflective writing, and tools for culturally effective care gleaned from community-based research.
>>Return to your general news contents
7) In JAMA: Study reveals gaps in vaccine financing for underinsured children
A national survey of state immunization program managers reveals gaps in coverage for the current vaccine financing system, suggesting that many underinsured children may not receive recommended vaccinations, such as those for pneumonia and meningitis, according to a report in the Aug. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Preview the study.
Preview an editorial on this topic.
>>Return to your general news contents
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