Ronald M. Davis, MD
Medicare cuts and final SCHIP legislation
Negotiations are underway on Capitol Hill to piece together final legislation that would reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and the AMA is working to ensure that the agreement includes provisions to avert scheduled cuts in Medicare physician payments for two years. Time is getting short; under current law, cuts will total 40 percent by 2015—starting with a 10 percent cut on Jan. 1.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed separate bills last month to reauthorize SCHIP, and the House version—known as the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act—received strong AMA support for its inclusion of stipulations that would replace the Medicare physician payment cuts with positive updates. Now the AMA is leading an aggressive lobbying endeavor that emphasizes to the Senate the urgency of addressing the cuts in final SCHIP legislation.
As part of this effort, state medical associations and dozens of specialty societies signed a letter earlier this week urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to include two years of positive Medicare physician payment updates in a final SCHIP conference agreement. That follows similar letters sent to House and Senate leaders Sept. 7 by the AMA and AARP that ask for critical Medicare improvements for physicians and beneficiaries from the CHAMP Act to be included in SCHIP legislation.
Meanwhile, this ad (PDF, 134KB) has appeared in the Capitol Hill publications Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call this week to point out the "fairness gap" that exists because of government overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans. The ad asks the Senate to level the playing field between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and preserve access to care for seniors and military families.
>>Read more
Please send comments, questions, and replies to amaprez@ama-assn.org.
eVoice®
September 13, 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
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.
Faculty practice physician issues
1) Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals of Cleveland collaborate on cancer study centralization
2) AMA mourns loss of leader in medical education
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues
1) Jack Drescher, MD, to present at GLMA Annual Conference
2) Advisory Committee on AMA-GLBT Issues encourages all to attend a joint reception with other AMA sections in Honolulu
Group practice physician issues
1) Helping patients understand their payment responsibilities
2) Individual market for health insurance widens
3) Tell us what's on your mind
4) AMA widens representation options for medical staffs
International medical graduate issues
1) Strengthen your voice on uninsured issue
2) AMA-IMG Section resolutions needed for 2007 AMA Interim Meeting
3) Take part in the AMA-IMG Section Interim Congress and Caucus
Medical school news
1) Examples of innovative medical education programs requested
2) Call for 2007 AMA Interim Meeting resolutions
3) Submit 2008 nominations for AMA councils
4) In AMNews: Teaching doctors say fewer hours means less learning
Medical student issues
1) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting deadlines
2) Research wanted for Fifth Annual Research Poster Symposium
3) Get involved with the AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign
4) Special travel and hotel rates offered for 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting
Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
1) Resolutions ideas due Sept. 24
2) Mark your calendar: "Take a loved one for a checkup day" on Sept. 18
3) NHMA call for abstracts
4) AMA-IMG Section members invited to AMA section and special group events
Organized medical staff issues
1) AMA widens representation options for medical staffs
2) Register today for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii
Resident and fellow issues
1) Represent resident and fellow physicians in AMA-RFS in the AMA House of Delegates
2) JAMA focuses on medical education
3) Residents and fellows can now serve as an AMA-OMSS representative
4) Order your copy of the new medical licensure book today
Senior physicians issues
1) Is your voice fully represented in the AMA House of Delegates?
2) Mark your calendar: AMA-SPG caucus at AMA Interim Meeting
3) Health insurers target individual market, including early retirees
Women physician and women's health issues
1) In AMNews: Pregnancy weight gain due for review
2) Honor your mentor today
Young physician issues
1) Join the AMA-YPS in Hawaii
2) Check out upcoming AMA Meet and Greet events
3) Next practice management audio conference is scheduled for Oct. 4
4) Aetna, Health Net, Humana and WellPoint (Anthem) settlements remain in effect
General AMA news:
1) Three more states to get house calls on Medicare physician payment
2) New opportunities to share your voice start next week
3) AMA Foundation offers new resource to improve patient safety
4) File your BCBS claim form by Oct. 19—physicians collect more than $131 million
5) On Sermo: How would you diagnose this patient?
6) In JAMA: Lowering homocysteine levels does not improve outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease
Your news interests
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.
Faculty practice physician issues
1) Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals of Cleveland collaborate on cancer study centralization
Leaders from Cleveland's two major cancer centers are working together on a project that will centralize a vast array of clinical studies. Administrators at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals say the collaboration will increase access to experimental therapies by removing institutional and geographic barriers. It could also get studies approved more quickly, making the region more attractive to pharmaceutical companies that want to test drugs and products and to top-flight scientists looking to relocate. According to a report in the Plain Dealer, the shift in philosophy has delayed the launch of new studies while hospitals work out details of the patient consent forms and develop uniform models to collect and review patient data. The designs of the studies face more intense scrutiny by institutional review boards now made up of people from both University Hospitals and the clinic. Nonetheless, in the face of soaring health care costs and declining federal grant funding, the collaboration demonstrates how organizations are looking to innovative business practices to maintain their fiscal health.
2) AMA mourns loss of leader in medical education
C.H. William Ruhe, MD, an AMA employee for more than two decades and a national leader in medical education, died at age 91. Dr. Ruhe served as part of the AMA's executive staff and was instrumental in designing the accreditation system for continuing medical education. He also played a significant role in developing criteria for maintaining the medical school accreditation system.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues
1) Jack Drescher, MD, to present at GLMA Annual Conference
Many may be familiar with the work of AMA member Jack Drescher, MD, a renowned psychiatrist in New York. Dr. Drescher presented at a continuing medical education session at the 2006 AMA House of Delegates Meeting. At the upcoming Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) Annual Conference, Dr. Drescher will speak about the distortion of science to achieve political or economic objectives and discuss how new scientific findings have evoked political responses throughout history, particularly when they challenge existing beliefs and political interests.
>>Learn more and register
2) Advisory Committee on AMA-GLBT Issues encourages all to attend a joint reception with other AMA sections in Honolulu
The AMA Advisory Committee on GLBT Issues will not be hosting its regular caucus/reception at the upcoming Interim Meeting in Honolulu. Instead, the committee, along with all other AMA sections and special groups, will be hosting a joint reception from 9 to 11 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu. The event presents an opportunity for guests to both meet members of the advisory committee and network with other friends and colleagues from the AMA sections and special groups. All AMA-GLBT members and all physicians and medical students are encouraged to attend.
Call (312) 464-4335 if you have questions.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Group practice physician issues
1) Helping patients understand their payment responsibilities
Physicians and office staff are encouraged to involve and educate patients about medical treatment decisions, as well as payer payment policies and procedures. Industry trends indicate that both payers and employers are shifting more of the responsibility and cost of health care treatment and payment to the patient. In response to this shift, physicians and office staff need to consider proactively either establishing or revising their practice's payment and collection policies accordingly.
The following educational resources, "Helping your patients understand their billing and payment responsibilities" and "Understanding your health insurance policy and payment practices," were developed by the AMA Private Sector Advocacy unit and the Kentucky Medical Association. AMA members can download these informative practice management resources free of charge.
Members can download "Helping your patients understand their billing and payment responsibilities" (PDF, 324KB) or "Understanding your health insurance policy and payment practices." (PDF, 27KB)
2) Individual market for health insurance widens
As smaller employers deal with rising health costs and providing health benefits to its employees, some health insurers are marketing products directly to segments of the population least likely to be covered by employer-based health insurance, such as people in their 20s and 30s and early retirees who do not yet qualify for Medicare, according to an Aug. 21 article in the Wall Street Journal. Aetna, Inc., WellPoint, Inc. and Humana, Inc., have begun offering individual health insurance packages tailored for young adults that include basic medical coverage and benefits such as teeth-whitening and gym membership discounts. Typically, the plans have high deductibles and do not include some coverage that could be significant, such as maternity care and brand-name prescription drugs. These new plans are available in states where looser regulations allow insurers greater leeway to cull prospective policyholders, thereby choosing the healthiest people as customers, the article said.
3) Tell us what's on your mind
The AMA invites you to participate in an AMA Meet and Greet luncheon event for all physicians attending the American College of Surgeons 93rd Annual Clinical Congress in New Orleans. This event gives AMA leadership the opportunity to connect with AMA members in a small, interactive conversation, exchange ideas and views, and introduce nonmembers to the work the AMA does to help doctors help patients. The event is from 12 to 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. Lunch will be served. If you would like to attend, R.S.V.P. by sending an e-mail or by calling (800) 262-3211. Enter "ACS Meet and Greet" as the subject line of your e-mail.
4) AMA widens representation options for medical staffs
Did you know that the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) has changed its requirements concerning those eligible to represent your medical staff or physician organization at its meetings? Now, any selected physician—including residents and fellows affiliated with your hospital or delivery system—may serve as an AMA-OMSS representative. In this role, AMA-OMSS representatives testify at reference committee hearings and vote at business meetings. Other medical staff members, health care organization leaders and medical staff professionals are invited to attend as guests but do not testify or vote. The AMA-OMSS section and AMA Board of Trustees voted to change eligibility requirements to foster greater participation and give organizations more flexibility in deciding whom to send as a representative to AMA-OMSS meetings.
>>Return to your news interest contents
International medical graduate issues
1) Strengthen your voice on uninsured issue
The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced that the number of people in the United States without health insurance coverage has risen to 47 million, including 9 million children. The AMA encourages all to get involved in its new "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign and lend their voice to help those who desperately need one. Take part by visiting the campaign's Web site to learn more about the AMA's plan to cover the uninsured, share personal stories and sign an online petition supporting the plan.
All members of the AMA are also invited to complete a brief AMA Member Connect® Survey on the uninsured. The results will be used to strengthen the voice of AMA members in influencing national and local policy initiatives to enable more people to secure health coverage.
2) AMA-IMG Section resolutions needed for 2007 AMA Interim Meeting
Resolutions for the 2007 AMA-IMG Section Interim Meeting are due Sept. 28. The section's events will be held in conjunction with the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Honolulu, Nov. 10–13.
Learn more about resolution-writing guidelines.
3) Take part in the AMA-IMG Section Interim Congress and Caucus
Register now 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—5:45–7:45 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, "Communicating effectively," led by Mike Lynch, vice president of external communications at the AMA,—9:30–11:30 a.m., Nov. 12
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) Examples of innovative medical education programs requested
The AMA-SMS will hold its 31st Interim Meeting Nov. 10–11 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu. Continuing its dialogue from the June AMA-SMS educational session, the section will focus on innovative approaches in medical education and showcase medical schools that have accomplished this. Send an e-mail if you are attending the AMA-SMS November meeting and would like to share highlights of your school's novel programs.
2) Call for 2007 AMA Interim Meeting resolutions
The AMA-SMS Governing Council seeks ideas and/or language for resolutions that address areas of importance to academic physicians. As a reminder, the focus of the AMA House of Delegates Interim Meeting is on advocacy and legislation.
Send an e-mail with questions or your proposed resolution. Submissions for resolutions are due Sept. 21.
3) Submit 2008 nominations for AMA councils
The AMA is currently soliciting nominations to fill vacancies that will occur on AMA councils in 2008. To assure that the AMA Board of Trustees has a list of qualified physicians for its consideration, it has requested that nominations for councils elected by the AMA House of Delegates be submitted by Jan. 7, 2008. Send an e-mail with questions.
Visit the Web site to learn more about the nomination process and view the current council listings.
4) In AMNews: Teaching doctors say fewer hours means less learning
Among the findings of a national survey of 154 clinical faculty representing 39 internal medicine residency training programs, residents' patient care involvement, bedside learning and physician-patient relationships declined after duty-hour limits. The study recommends that programs redesign training from the old model of one resident per patient to team-based care.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Medical student issues
1) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting deadlines
Please join us for the 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting Nov. 8–10 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu. The meeting includes policymaking sessions, educational sessions, a research poster session and more.
Please keep the following deadlines in mind:
- 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 Web site to learn more about the meeting and obtain applications.
2) Research wanted for Fifth Annual Research Poster Symposium
Join the AMA-MSS for its Fifth Annual Research Poster Symposium, held in conjunction with the Resident and Fellow Section in November at its 2007 Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu. Abstracts may be submitted in eight categories, including biochemistry/cell biology, cancer biology, cardiology/vascular biology, clinical/epidemiological/health care, immunology/microbiology, neurobiology/neuroscience, radiology/imaging and surgery.
The poster symposium is made possible with an educational grant from the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative. Prizes will be awarded for the best posters.
Visit the Web site for submission information. Abstracts are due Sept. 21.
3) Get involved with the AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign
The AMA recently launched a three-year campaign that will position the AMA as the leader in solving America's health care coverage crisis. The first phase of this highly visible campaign targets the pre-primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and will influence people to vote with the issue of the uninsured in mind. As part of this first phase, the AMA is looking for medical students to attend and distribute information at AMA-sponsored football games at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. Students in these pre-primary states are also invited to attend political events, distribute information on the uninsured and speak to the public about the importance of this issue.
Send an e-mail to AMA-MSS Governing Council Chair Rana Yehia if you are a medical student in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina and are interested in being involved in any of these activities and want to learn more.
If you are not located in one of the three pre-primary states but would like to share your voice about the importance of covering the uninsured, sign the AMA's online petition.
4) Special travel and hotel rates offered for 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting
The 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting will be held Nov. 8–10 in Honolulu. The AMA has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate for 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 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.
Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
(brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium)
1) Resolutions ideas due Sept. 24
The AMA-MAC Governing Council would like to hear from you. Resolutions for the 2007 AMA-MAC Interim Meeting are due Sept. 24. If you have a suggestion for a resolution you would like the AMA-MAC Governing Council to consider, send an e-mail with your ideas.
2) Mark your calendar: "Take a loved one for a checkup day" on Sept. 18
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health invites you to take part in "Take a loved one for a checkup day" on Sept. 18. This event encourages individuals to make an appointment on or around Sept. 18 with their physician and promotes the importance of regular health screenings while at the same time focusing on populations that tend to have the least access to health care.
Visit the Web site to learn more about the AMA's solution to cover the uninsured, share personal stories and sign an online petition supporting the AMA's plan.
3) NHMA call for abstracts
The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) has issued a call for abstracts for its 12th Annual Conference, "Health care reform: A priority for Hispanic communities," taking place April 17–20 in Washington, D.C.
4) AMA-IMG Section members invited to AMA section and special group events
AMA International Medical Graduate (IMG) Section members are invited to attend the following AMA section and special group events held at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Honolulu. Don't miss out on these events:
- Sections and special groups luau from 9 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 8
- Educational session, "The future of medicine," from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9
- AMA-WPC Mentor Recognition Program reception from 5 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 9
- Educational sessions, "Washington update" and "M 1.20," from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 10
>>Return to your news interest contents
Organized medical staff issues
1) AMA widens representation options for medical staffs
Did you know that the AMA-OMSS has changed its requirements concerning those eligible to represent your medical staff or physician organization at its meetings? Now, any selected physician—including residents and fellows affiliated with your hospital or delivery system—may serve as an AMA-OMSS representative. In this role, AMA-OMSS representatives testify at reference committee hearings and vote at business meetings. Other medical staff members, health care organization leaders and medical staff professionals are invited to attend as guests but do not testify or vote. The AMA-OMSS section and AMA Board of Trustees voted to change eligibility requirements to foster greater participation and give organizations more flexibility in deciding whom to send as a representative to AMA-OMSS meetings.
2) Register today for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii
Registration is open for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu, Nov. 8–11. Register online. The process is quick and easy.
Book your airline and hotel reservations online.
Learn more about the development and submission of resolutions. Resolutions should be submitted via e-mail by Sept. 28.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Resident and fellow issues
1) Represent resident and fellow physicians in AMA-RFS in the AMA House of Delegates
The AMA-RFS will be electing 10 sectional delegates and 10 alternate delegates at the 2007 AMA-RFS Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu. These delegates serve with their state or specialty society and are a key part of the voice for the AMA-RFS in the House of Delegates. The AMA-RFS will also be offering an additional, new opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves on the evening of Nov. 8 during a brief question and answer session with regional chairs or representatives.
Visit the Web site to learn more about these positions and obtain applications. The deadline for applications is Sept. 27.
2) JAMA focuses on medical education
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) devotes one issue per year to medical education. The latest issue of JAMA focuses on resident-specific topics including effects of duty- hour reforms, evaluating medical training and more.
3) Residents and fellows can now serve as an AMA-OMSS representative
Did you know that the Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) has changed the requirements concerning those eligible to represent medical staff or physician organizations at its meetings? Now, any selected resident and fellow affiliated with a hospital or delivery system may serve as an AMA-OMSS representative. In this role, AMA-OMSS representatives testify at reference committee hearings and vote at business meetings. Other medical staff members, health care organization leaders and medical staff professionals are invited to attend as guests but do not testify to vote. The AMA-OMSS and AMA Board of Trustees voted to change eligibility requirements to foster greater participation and give organizations more flexibility in deciding whom to send as a representative to AMA-OMSS meetings.
Learn more about AMA-OMSS meetings.
4) Order your copy of the new medical licensure book today
Looking for up-to-date information on every facet of medical licensure? Call (800) 621-8335 or visit the Web site to order the AMA's newly updated 2008 edition of State Medical Licensure Requirements and Statistics. This resource gives residents important information they need to make the transition into practice.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Senior Physicians issues
1) Is your voice fully represented in the AMA House of Delegates?
There are 109 national medical specialty societies included in the policymaking body of the AMA—the AMA House of Delegates. Which specialty society best represents your voice? If you are a physician member of the AMA you are strongly encouraged to select the national medical specialty society you feel best represents you in the AMA House of Delegates. This is your opportunity to help shape health care policy and the positions of medicine's most influential organization. Make your voice—and the voice of your specialty—as strong as it can be. Making your selection takes just a few moments.
Access the online ballot and cast your vote.
2) Mark your calendar: AMA-SPG caucus at AMA Interim Meeting
If you plan to attend the AMA's Interim Meeting in Hawaii, please join the AMA-SPG during its caucus from 1 to 2 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu.
>>Learn more
3) Individual market for health insurance widens to include early retirees
As smaller employers deal with rising health costs and providing health benefits to its employees, some health insurers are marketing products directly to segments of the population least likely to be covered by employer-based health insurance, such as people in their 20s and 30s and early retirees who do not yet qualify for Medicare, according to an Aug. 21 article in the Wall Street Journal. Typically, the plans have high deductibles and do not include some coverage that coue significant, such as maternity care and brand-name prescription drugs. These new plans are available in states where looser regulations allow insurers greater leeway to cull prospective policyholders, thereby choosing the healthiest people as customers, the article said.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Women physician and women's health issues
(brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress)
1) In AMNews: Pregnancy weight gain due for review
According to a Sept. 10 article in American Medical News (AMNews), the Institute of Medicine is expected to initiate a revision of its guidelines regarding pregnancy weight gain. Some experts feel that the guidelines need to be revised to reflect the obesity epidemic and health of women and children.
>>Learn more
2) Honor your mentor today
There is still time to honor your mentor—that special colleague or teacher who has unknowingly steered you down the right path, been your longtime inspiration or a prominent role model throughout your medical career. In September—Women in Medicine Month—take the time to thank that person who has really been an inspiration to you on your path to success.
With the Women in Medicine Month theme, "Sharing a passion for medicine," the AMA-WPC is carrying out its first annual Physicians Mentor Recognition Program. The program—recognizing motivating physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession—will honor nominated mentors through a special certificate and display at the AMA Women Physicians Congress gala reception at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in November in Honolulu.
Visit the Web site to learn more and obtain a nomination form. Entries are due Sept. 30.
>>Return to your news interest contents
Young physician issues
1) Join the AMA-YPS in Hawaii
The 2007 AMA-YPS Interim Assembly Meeting is the ideal venue for young physicians to share their voices and become more active in shaping the future of medicine. The AMA Interim Meeting offers young physicians a chance to network with colleagues, gain continuing medical education credits and meet with leaders from state and specialty societies.
Visit the Web site to register now. AMA Interim Meeting attendees will be staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, located only 15 minutes from the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu.
As the AMA-YPS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii approaches, please keep the following deadlines in mind:
- Oct. 5—Resolutions due
- Oct. 5—Convention committee applications due
- Oct. 12—Hotel reservations due
- Oct. 19—Pre-registration due to be included on the meeting roster
2) Check out upcoming AMA Meet and Greet events
Are you interested in connecting with AMA colleagues at interactive events this fall? Visit the Web site for up-to-the-minute details about the following AMA Meet and Greet opportunities:
- Sept. 17—American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
- Oct. 10—American College of Surgeons 93rd Annual Clinical Congress, New Orleans
- Oct. 16—American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, San Francisco
- Oct. 29—American Society of Plastic Surgeons Plastic Surgery 2007, Baltimore
3) Next practice management audio conference is scheduled for Oct. 4
The AMA will host a 90-minute audio conference, titled "Hiring and retaining top-performing employees for better customer service and patient care" at 1 p.m. CST on Oct. 4. The session covers assessing the impact of having the right staff, interviewing to hire the best talent and keeping good people after they are hired.
Visit the Web site to learn more and register for the audio conference online.
>>Return to your news interest contents
4) Aetna, Health Net, Humana and WellPoint (Anthem) settlements remain in effect
The AMA encourages all physicians to learn about protections that the multi-district litigation class action settlements offer physicians. Physicians may consider filing a compliance dispute (a free, simple enforcement process) if prohibited clauses are contained in a contract submitted by the settling health insurer or the settling health insurer fails to adhere to the terms of its settlement. Physicians are encouraged to hold the settling health plans accountable to their respective settlements.
Visit the Web site for additional information on these settlements, including the compliance dispute process.
>>Return to your news interest contents
General AMA news
1) Three more states to get house calls on Medicare physician payment
Leaders from the AMA and medical societies in Washington state, New Mexico and Kansas will take part in a coordinated series of media blitzes starting next week. This latest series of AMA National House Call visits will shine a spotlight on urgently needed action the in U.S. Senate to avert impending cuts in Medicare physician payments, which, under current law will total 40 percent by 2015—starting with a 10 percent cut on Jan. 1, 2008.
Meanwhile, positive results continue to roll in from this summer's earlier House Calls. An Aug. 31 editorial in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune argued for congressional action to stop the cuts, noting, "The cause is a deficit-reduction apparatus that has backfired; the likely result is that Medicare recipients will become an unattractive line of business to the average doctor. Some 60 percent of doctors in a survey by the American Medical Association said they would limit the number of new Medicare patients they accept if the cut takes effect, and one-third of doctors in rural Minnesota said they would limit patient services. That's unsettling news for a program that serves 44 million patients, including more than 650,000 in Minnesota."
>>Return to your general news contents
2) New opportunities to share your voice start next week
Do you have ideas you would like to share about the AMA's new "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign? Would you like to learn more about AMA's advocacy activities? These and other topics will be addressed at several upcoming events, starting with a Sept. 17 AMA Meet and Greet event at the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Similar AMA Meet and Greet events will be held this fall at various specialty society annual meetings. They represent a great opportunity to connect with AMA leaders and colleagues to talk about what's on your mind regarding the AMA's agenda and plans.
Other AMA Meet and Greet events this fall include:
- Oct. 3—American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly, Chicago
- Oct. 10—American College of Surgeons 93rd Annual Clinical Congress, New Orleans
- Oct. 16—American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, San Francisco
- Oct. 29—American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Baltimore
Don't miss out on these opportunities to make your voice heard—please encourage your colleagues to attend.
Learn more about these and other upcoming events.
R.S.V.P. for any of these events by sending an e-mail with the name of the event in the subject line, or simply call (800) 262-3211.
>>Return to your general news contents
3) AMA Foundation offers new resource to help improve patient safety
Studies show that communication problems are the most common cause of errors in health care. According to the Institute of Medicine, as many as 90 million American adults may lack the literacy skills necessary to function in the health care system, and the average reading ability of U.S. adults is far exceeded by the reading level many health-related materials require.
That's why the AMA Foundation released a new patient safety monograph, Reducing the risk by designing a safer, shame-free health care environment, which can be purchased online.
This 68-page monograph offers new supporting research, explores how ineffective communication and low health literacy combine to affect patient safety. It also provides tools to decrease communication-related adverse events at a systemwide level and helps physicians initiate changes toward a safer and shame-free practice environment.
As a bonus, one Safe Communication Universal Precautions tip card is included. The card serves as a take-away reminder of the tips featured within the monograph. Also included is continuing medical education credit for physicians. Reducing the risk by designing a safer, shame-free health care environment is supported in part by an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
Visit the Web site to learn more and order a patient safety monograph for $15.
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
>>Return to your general news contents
4) File your BCBS claim form by Oct. 19—physicians collect more than $131 million
The AMA urges physicians eligible for the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) settlements to file a completed claim form by Oct. 19.
If you provided covered services to any patient enrolled in or covered by BCBS plans at any time between May 22, 1999, and May 31, 2007, you may be entitled to a payout as part of a class action lawsuit settlement agreement. The group of BCBS settling parties has agreed to distribute $131,209,507 (with accrued interest since June 30) among eligible physicians who file a claim form by this date.
Access an interactive map that allows you to view which BCBS plans and subsidiaries have settled, and those that have not in your state and to obtain additional information regarding BCBS and other settlements.
Seven family physicians from Scottsdale, Ariz., discovered that filing timely claims for health plan settlements can really pay off. North Scottsdale Family Medicine received nearly $10,000 from filing their claim forms on time—and are still collecting funds from various settlements. The practice filed claim forms under half a dozen settlements and collected nearly $4,000 from Humana and $1,600 from Health Net, among others.
Download the BCBS claim form and claim form instructions. One form can be prepared for an entire practice. However, a list of every physician as well as the number of shares to which each physician is entitled should be attached. The complete settlement agreement is also available to download. Questions regarding the settlement may be directed to the settlement administrator at (877) 893-2643 or answered by visiting the Web site.
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5) On Sermo: How would you diagnose this patient?
A 13-year-old female presents to the emergency department (ED) with a 24-hour history of sudden onset double vision and an inability to look to the right with her right eye. She denies headaches, vomiting or weakness. A CT scan of her head is normal, and she is discharged home. She returns to the ED eight hours later with a new complaint of arm and leg weakness and difficulty swallowing. An MRI of her brain, an EKG and blood work are all normal. She then begins to complain of difficulty breathing while talking to you.
Right now, physicians on Sermo are coming together to discuss differential diagnoses for this patient.
Visit the Sermo Web site to read more and lend your insights into this case—and many other clinical challenges—along with thousands of physicians from around the country.
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6) In JAMA: Lowering homocysteine levels does not improve outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease
Patients with end-stage kidney disease treated with high doses of folic acid and B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels did not have improvement in survival or reductions in the incidence of vascular events, according to a study in the Sept. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). In an accompanying editorial, researchers speculate on why this and other trials have failed to show B vitamins as an effective treatment for this condition.
Preview an editorial on this topic.
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