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October 4, 2007

eVoice^®

Oct. 4, 2007

AMA eVoice is your regular update on the most important health care issues and recent AMA activities.

Your news interests
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.

Faculty practice physician issues
1) New Duke study exceeds size of Framingham Heart Study
2) University of Miami researchers to review files of 11 million Humana patients for drug problems

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues
1) AMA provides $100,000 grant to GLMAs

Group practice physician issues
1) AMA practice tip: Mastering the claims management cycle
2) Attend AMA Meet and Greet event at ASPS Annual Meeting
3) Blue Cross Blue Shield may owe you money

International medical graduate issues
1) AMA Foundation seeks leaders in medicine
2) Make your voice heard at the 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates
3) Network with colleagues from AMA sections and special groups

Medical school news
1) Examples of innovative medical education programs requested
2) Mark your calendar: Joint reception with other AMA sections at November meeting
3) In AMNews: First for-profit med school nears approval
4) Washington University School of Medicine to lead regional group in translational research

Medical student issues
1) Contact Congress—new law could add to loan debt burden
2) Mark your calendar: 2007 AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting deadlines
3) New AMA-MSS database introduces opportunities in international health

Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
1) In AMNews: Meharry medical student wins Miss Black USA title
2) Wanted: AMA-MAC leaders in medicine

Organized medical staff issues
1) Register for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii today
2) Ian Morrison to keynote Gary F. Krieger, MD, Memorial Lecture at the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting
3) AMA widens representation options for medical staffs
4) Joint Commission conducting two-part audio conference on new leadership standards and Standard MS.1.20

Resident and fellow issues
1) Contact Congress—new law could add to loan debt burden
2) ITME Leadership Group is looking for resident/fellow representative
3) Calling allergy and immunology resident leaders
4) In AMNews: Residency online open house hopes to increase applicants

Senior physicians issues
1) AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign—a new role for senior physicians
2) Senior physicians: Check out exclusive travel opportunities
3) Arkansas senior physician receives Asklepion Award

Women physician and women's health issues
1) AMA Foundation seeks leaders in medicine
2) Study finds older American women better informed about cholesterol than younger women

Young physician issues
1) Contact Congress—new law could add to loan debt burden
2) Don't delay—register now for the 2007 AMA-YPS Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu
3) Tell us what's really on your mind
4) AMA Foundation seeks leaders in medicine
5) Review your CIGNA contract
6) Special issue of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness now available

General AMA news:
1) AMA urges Congress to override president's veto on CHIP bill
2) National House Call campaign spotlights Medicare payment
3) AMA documenting examples of intrusion by third parties in medical care
4) Doctors applaud delay of Medicaid tamper-resistant drug pad mandate
5) File by Oct. 19: BCBS settling parties agree to a more than $131 million payout
6) Pay tribute to medicine's shining stars
7) New AMA resource explains Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans
8) In JAMA: Two studies examine the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for prevention of sudden cardiac death and patients hospitalized for heart failure

Your news interests
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.

Faculty practice physician issues

1) New Duke study exceeds size of Framingham Heart Study
Duke University and billionaire David Murdock announced plans to embark on a long-term medical study of thousands of residents of Kannapolis, N.C., hoping to produce new ways to fight diseases. The massive study will be part of Duke's collaboration with Murdock's North Carolina Research Campus currently under construction. The study's first five years will be funded by a $35 million gift from Murdock––the largest gift Duke's medical school has ever received. According to a report in the Charlotte Observer, the project will be bigger and more ambitious than the well-known Framingham Heart Study, which began in 1948. This study looked at more than 5,000 cardiovascular patients in Framingham, Mass., for more than 50 years. The Duke study will include a focus on obesity, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis C and osteoarthritis.

2) University of Miami researchers to review files of 11 million Humana patients for drug problems
University of Miami researchers have begun reviewing the medical files of 11 million Humana patients looking for dangerous effects from prescription drugs, according to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Using Humana's database of real-world medication experience, the research collaborative aims to detect risky drugs and prescribing practices sooner, which could prevent side effects, medication errors and deaths. Researchers will report their findings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and manufacturers and publish the studies.

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Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues

1) AMA provides $100,000 grant to GLMA
The AMA is providing funds to support a national study to be conducted by the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) to study physicians' attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients' unique health care needs. The AMA is supporting this effort with a $100,000 grant to GLMA. The survey, of a random sample of U.S. physicians and a survey of LGBT-identified physicians, will be fielded in early 2008.

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Medical student issues

1) Contact Congress—new law could add to loan debt burden
A key provision in a new education financing law could adversely affect loan repayments for up to 67 percent of resident physicians. The AMA urges all medical students and early-career physicians to call on members of Congress to fix this problem.

At issue is the recent elimination of the "20/220" rule—a regulation that had enabled many resident physicians to qualify for economic hardship deferment, and defer payment for three years without accruing interest on subsidized loans. Residents qualified if their debt burden was greater than 20 percent of their income, and if their income minus their debt burden was not greater than 220 percent of the federal poverty level.

As part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2699), which was signed into law Sept. 27 and took effect Oct. 1, the 20/220 rule no longer exists. Instead, under a new program, loan repayments would be capped at 15 percent of the borrower's income that is above 150 percent of the federal poverty level. But the new program does not begin until July 1, 2009.

The AMA feels strongly that elimination of the 20/220 rule in the middle of the year is disruptive and unfairly hits resident physicians at a time when they will be least able to make monthly payments on their education loans. The average resident earns just over $43,000 a year and carries a debt burden of more than $130,000.

The AMA urges its members to contact the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and physician members of Congress. Please urge them to do the following:

Restore the 20/220 rule that was eliminated in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Delay the elimination of the 20/220 rule until July 1, 2009, to coincide with the start of the new loan repayment program

Learn more (PDF, 73KB) about the new student loan deferment provisions, and obtain contact information for the House Education and Labor Committee, the Senate HELP Committee and physician members of Congress.

2) 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. Join us for an exciting meeting, including policymaking sessions, educational sessions, a research poster symposium and more.

Although the deadline to register electronically has passed, you can still register on site at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu.

Visit the Web site for more information about the meeting, including a draft agenda.

3) New AMA-MSS database introduces opportunities in international health
The AMA-MSS International Health and Policy Committee is compiling an International Health Opportunities Database as a tool to aid medical students and residents searching for clinical, public health, educational and research opportunities in international medicine. If you have traveled abroad and completed work in international medicine, please take a few minutes to tell us about your international medicine experience.

Obtain an international medicine personal experience submission form.

Learn more about the AMA-MSS International Health and Policy Committee.

>>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: Meharry medical student wins Miss Black USA title
Kalilah Allen-Harris, a Meharry Medical College student, entered the Miss Black USA contest for a chance to lessen the amount of her medical school loans, according to an article in the Sept. 24 issue of American Medical News (AMNews). Winning the contest, Allen-Harris—a type 1 diabetic—is using her title of Miss Black USA to travel the U.S. and raise awareness of diabetes and encourage young students to pursue their dreams.

Read the AMNews article.

2) Wanted: AMA-MAC leaders in medicine
Have you or someone you know exhibited outstanding leadership in organized medicine, advocacy, community service, public health or education? Medical students, resident/fellow physicians, early career physicians and established physicians are encouraged to apply for the 2008 AMA Foundation Leadership Awards. As a program of the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards, the AMA Foundation Leadership Awards are presented in collaboration with the AMA sections and special groups and in association with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative.

The AMA Foundation Leadership Awards program aims to:

Reward outstanding nonclinical leadership skills in community service, education, public health and/or advocacy
Encourage involvement in organized medicine
Provide leadership development for the country's brightest and most energetic leaders in the medical field
Award recipients receive paid travel expenses to the AMA Foundation Leadership Awards program and the AMA's National Advocacy Conference from March 30 to April 2, 2008, in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the awards and apply. Applications are due Dec. 7.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Organized medical staff issues

1) Register for the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting in Hawaii today
There is still time to register 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 programming details and the meeting schedule.

2) Ian Morrison to keynote Gary F. Krieger, MD, Memorial Lecture at the 2007 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting
Plan now to attend the Gary F. Krieger, MD, Memorial Lecture from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 in Honolulu. Ian Morrison, keynote speaker of the luncheon, will deliver remarks addressing the future of health care. Specifically, his presentation will focus on the political, economic and strategic context of change in health care and examine how the various actors are preparing for the future. In discussing the quest for value in health care, he will also identify leadership opportunities and provide strategic insights on how organizations and individuals can flourish in the new millennium in health care. Advanced registration for the lecture and lunch is required by checking the appropriate box on the online registration form for the meeting. There is no cost for attending the lecture. However, attendees may purchase lunch for $20. Payment for lunch will be collected on-site at the conference registration.

Learn more and register.

3) 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 section and AMA Board of Trustees voted to change eligibility requirements to foster greater participation and give organizations more flexibility in deciding who to send as a representative to AMA-OMSS meetings.

4) Joint Commission conducting two-part audio conference on new leadership standards and Standard MS.1.20
The Joint Commission is conducting a free, two-part audio conference on the new leadership standards and Standard MS.1.20 at 1 p.m. CST Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. By participating in both calls, listeners will understand the revisions to the leadership chapter and the rationale for those changes, recognize the connection between Standard MS.1.20 and the revised leadership standards, and learn the details of the application of MS.1.20.

Learn more about the two-part audio conference.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Resident and fellow issues

Restore the 20/220 rule that was eliminated in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Delay the elimination of the 20/220 rule until July 1, 2009, to coincide with the start of the new loan repayment program

2) ITME Leadership Group is looking for resident/fellow representative
The Initiative to Transform Medical Education's (ITME) goal is to promote excellence in patient care by implementing reform in the medical education and training system across the continuum, from premedical preparation and medical school admission through continuing physician professional development. As an AMA-RFS representative to the ITME Leadership Group, you are expected to provide advice and comment on the activities associated with ITME. This includes conference calls to plan ITME meetings (three to four per year on an irregular schedule), a review of all documents (for example, the ITME June 2007 report), attendance at and participation in meetings and reports to the AMA House of Delegates (if schedule permits), and reporting on ITME to the AMA-RFS Governing Council and Assembly.

Learn more and apply. Applications are due Oct. 31.

3) Calling allergy and immunology resident leaders
The AMA-RFS is accepting applications for nominations to the Residency Review Committee for Allergy and Immunology. This position is designed to solicit resident opinion with respect to educational policy and the accreditation process and is responsible for voting on policy matters, reviewing up to three programs per meeting, and serving as a member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Resident Council. The term is two years (four meetings total).

Learn more and apply. Applications are due Oct. 12.

4) In AMNews: Residency online open house hopes to increase applicants
Kaiser Permanente, with residencies in Oakland, Calif., San Francisco and Santa Clara, Calif., is offering online open houses with live webcasts-a first for Kaiser's northern division, according to an article in the Oct. 8 issue of American Medical News (AMNews). Officials hope the open house and webcast will attract more applicants, especially primary care physicians, and educate students about what community hospitals have to offer.

Read the article.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Senior Physicians issues

1) AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign—a new role for senior physicians
Thank you to those who responded to last week's callout in AMA eVoice to help in the AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign. As reported last week, the AMA's campaign begins in the pre-primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. If you are not in these states, there are a few ways to get involved:

Show your support by signing the campaign's petition at www.VoiceForTheUninsured.org.
Pass out "Voice for the Uninsured" pocket cards (inside the September issue of AMA Voice) at meetings, events and various other places as an informational piece for the campaign.

Watch for full-page ads in major national publications, including Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. Starting in 2008, the second phase of the campaign will focus on influencing voters to cast their ballots for president with the issue of the uninsured in mind. You can do your part by sharing the principles of the AMA plan-and encouraging colleagues, family and friends to learn about each presidential candidate's plans for health care reform before heading to the voting booth in February.

Visit the Web site to learn more.

2) Senior physicians: Check out exclusive travel opportunities
The AMA-SPG is pleased to announce 15 new trips in 2008 to international travel destinations, sponsored through AHI Travel. Travelers have the opportunity to spend time with fellow AMA senior physicians on land- or cruise-based travel excursions to such countries as South Africa, Italy or Mexico. The cruises explore the waterways of Holland and Belgium, the Yangtze River in China, as well as the passage of Peter the Great in Russia. Tours range from eight to 14 days and include optional excursions to add in at your leisure.

The AMA is pleased to offer a special trip to Austria's Holiday Markets, during the November holiday season. Sign up today since trips can sell out up to six months in advance of the departure date.

Learn more about AHI's educational and leisure travel destinations.

3) Arkansas senior physician receives Asklepion Award
Lowell Ozment, MD, the most senior practicing physician in Arkansas at 93 years of age, has been awarded the Asklepion Award––an award designed to honor a member of the Arkansas Medical Society who promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of pubic health. The award embodies the values of the medical profession through leadership, service, integrity and ethical behavior. Dr. Ozment has practiced medicine for more than 50 years, and today, he still sees patients four-and-a-half days a week. He has no plans to retire in the immediate future. Dr. Ozment specializes in internal medicine in Camden, Ark., and is curious to know if there are other doctors his age or older who are still active and engaged in the practice of medicine in their state.

Please send information in an e-mail if you are aware of other senior physicians still practicing medicine full-time in their 90s.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Women physician and women's health issues

(brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress)

The AMA Foundation Leadership Awards program aims to:

Reward outstanding non-clinical leadership skills in community service, education, public health and/or advocacy
Encourage involvement in organized medicine
Provide leadership development for the country's brightest and most energetic leaders in the medical field

Award recipients receive paid travel expenses to the AMA Foundation Leadership Awards program and the AMA's National Advocacy Conference from March 30 to April 2, 2008, in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the awards and apply. Applications are due Dec. 7.

In addition to the leadership awards, the Excellence in Medicine Awards include the Pride in the Profession, Dr. Nathan Davis International and the Jack B. McConnell, MD, Awards.

2) Study finds older American women better informed about cholesterol than younger women
Findings from a study released by the Society for Women's Health Research indicate that older adult American women are better informed about cholesterol and more likely to monitor it than younger adult women.

Read more, including what gaps remain in cholesterol knowledge and cholesterol screening efforts among women.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Young physician issues

Restore the 20/220 rule that was eliminated in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Delay the elimination of the 20/220 rule until July 1, 2009, to coincide with the start of the new loan repayment program

2) Don't delay—register now for the 2007 AMA&-YPS Interim Assembly Meeting in Honolulu
If you haven't already done so, now is the time to make your travel plans for this year's AMA-YPS Interim Assembly Meeting, scheduled Nov. 8–10 in Honolulu. This meeting is the ideal venue for young physicians to share their voices and become more active in shaping the future of medicine.

Download a schedule of events, learn more about airline discounts and register.

3) Tell us what's really on your mind
The AMA invites you to participate in an AMA Meet and Greet event for all physicians attending the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in San Francisco.

This event allows AMA leadership the opportunity to connect with AMA members in a small, interactive conversation by exchanging ideas and views, and introducing nonmembers to the work the AMA does to help doctors help patients. Through this event, we can better understand the issues you face and how we can work together to address them. Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard.

We hope to see you there––please encourage your colleagues to attend this exciting event.

Details are as follows:

12:30–2:30 p.m., Oct. 16
San Francisco Marriott
55 Fourth St.
Room: Golden Gate Hall A1 (B2 level)
San Francisco, CA 94103

Lunch will be served.

To attend, please R.S.V.P. by sending an e-mail or calling (800) 262-3211.

4) AMA Foundation seeks leaders in medicine
Have you or someone you know exhibited outstanding leadership in organized medicine, advocacy, community service, public health or education? Young physicians are encouraged to apply for the 2008 AMA Foundation Leadership Awards, which aim to:

Reward outstanding, nonclinical leadership skills in community service, education, public health and/or advocacy.
Encourage involvement in organized medicine.
Provide leadership development for the country's brightest and most energetic leaders in the medical field.

Award recipients receive paid travel expenses to the AMA Foundation Leadership Awards program and the AMA's National Advocacy Conference, from March 30 to April 2, 2008, in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the awards and apply. Applications are due Dec. 7.

5) Review your CIGNA contract
The CIGNA multi-district litigation (MDL) class action settlement agreement ended Sept. 4. Termination of the CIGNA settlement agreement means that CIGNA no longer has to comply with its settlement terms. All contracted physicians with CIGNA are encouraged to review their contracts and contact their provider representatives to determine how the termination of its MDL settlement will affect their business relationship with CIGNA.

Learn more about your rights under the agreement.

6) Special issue of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness now available
The AMA, in collaboration with Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, has published a special issue of the Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal focused on the April 2007 mass shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech. Articles explore a range of topics, including the regional health system response, security on college campuses, and ethical and legal considerations.

View an online version of the journal.

>>Return to your news interest contents

General AMA news

1) AMA urges Congress to override president's veto on CHIP bill
The AMA is deeply disappointed in President George W. Bush's veto of bipartisan legislation this week to protect the health of American's children in low-income families. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is vital to protect millions of low-income children whose parents work, but aren't able to afford health insurance.

"The number of uninsured kids has increased by nearly one million over the past year, and action must be taken to reverse this trend." said AMA Board Chair Edward L. Langston, MD. "The AMA strongly urges members of Congress from both political parties to stand on the side of America's parents and children by voting to override the veto. The nation's children, parents and physicians are counting on Congress to strengthen this successful program."

>>Return to your general news contents

2) National House Call campaign spotlights Medicare payment
The AMA National House Call campaign continues to generate media coverage on Medicare physician payment as a result of visits to nine states since early June.

A Sept. 28 article from the Associated Press noted "… planned cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors would cause such financial hardship for physicians that it could become difficult or impossible for some people to get medical treatment." That same day, an article in the Kansas City Star quoted AMA Immediate Past President William G. Plested III, MD, saying, "We've got to stop this cut. We think it's going to be a calamity if it goes through."

The campaign's most recent visit, in Kansas City, Mo., gathered leaders from the AMA, the Kansas Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City to warn seniors in Missouri and Kansas of looming cuts in Medicare physician payments. Unless Congress takes action, Medicare will slash payments to doctors—starting with a 15 percent cut over the next two years.

The National House Call campaign has flourished in 35 different states thus far, making first-time visits to Utah, Minnesota and New Mexico this summer. Pages of the Salt Lake Tribune, Star Tribune, and other major publications included headlines such as, "Medicare cuts could hit seniors hard," "AMA lobbies to stem cuts in Medicare pay to doctors," and "AMA calls attention to Medicare cut."

>>Return to your general news contents

3) AMA documenting examples of intrusion by third parties in medical care
The AMA's Private Sector Advocacy unit seeks real-life examples of inappropriate interventions by health insurers, disease management companies and radiology or pharmacy benefit managers. These interventions, purportedly made in the name of improved patient care, are inexpensive for third parties to request, but require significant time, effort, and often uncompensated expense by you and your administrative personnel to implement and/or follow up. If you have experienced an intrusive practice by a third party, please send a description of the situation, the name of the third party, and your city and state via e-mail. The AMA will use this information to clearly define the scope of this problem and take appropriate action when patterns of intrusive practices are discovered.

>>Return to your general news contents

4) Doctors applaud delay of Medicaid tamper-resistant drug pad mandate
Strong advocacy by the AMA and state medical societies helped secure a six-month delay of a federal requirement that handwritten Medicaid prescriptions must be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads. Efforts included a letter, signed by the AMA along with dozens of state medical and specialty societies, urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to delay and further consider the mandate, which originally was to have taken effect Oct. 1.

AMA Board Chair Edward Langston, MD, said the delay "addresses physicians' concerns that the implementation deadline of Oct. 1 was unreasonable and could harm Medicaid patients' access to prescribed drugs."

>>Return to your general news contents

5) File by Oct. 19: BCBS settling parties agree to a more than $131 million payout
As a part of its settlement, the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) settling parties have agreed to make a settlement payment of $131,209,507, which together with accrued interest from June 30, 2007, will be distributed to physicians who timely file a claim form and are class members (physician, physician group or physician organization who provided covered services to any individual enrolled in or covered by BCBS plans at any time between May 22, 1999, and May 31, 2007). The AMA Private Sector Advocacy unit has created resources to aid physicians in filing a claim.

Access the alerts that will allow you to download the BCBS Settlement Fund document containing "7 easy steps to maximize your recovery." You can also view an interactive map that will identify a list of settling and non-settling BCBS plans and subsidiaries. Completed claim forms must be submitted by Oct. 19—don't miss this opportunity to collect your share of the $131 million.

Download a BCBS claim form and claim form instructions. Group practices need to file just one claim form but should attach a list of every eligible physician along with the number of shares to which he/she is entitled.

Questions regarding the settlement may be directed to the settlement administrator at (877) 893-2643 or answered by visiting the Web site.

>>Return to your general news contents

6) Pay tribute to medicine's shining stars
Recognizing the extraordinary efforts of leaders in the medical community, the AMA Foundation honors those who go beyond the call of duty to improve the health of our nation. With that, the AMA Foundation, in association with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, honors a select group of physicians and medical students who represent the highest standards of volunteerism, public service and leadership each year.

The AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards include:

The Pride in the Profession Awards—four domestic physicians aiding underserved U.S. patients
The Dr. Nathan Davis International Award—one domestic physician aiding the international population
The Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award—one domestic senior physician improving access to care in the U.S.
The AMA Foundation Leadership Awards—medical students, residents and fellows, early career physicians, and established physicians who demonstrate outstanding nonclinical leadership skills in community service, education, public health and/or advocacy.

All awards will be presented at the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards banquet March 31, 2008, in Washington, D.C.

Nominate someone by Dec. 7.

>>Return to your general news contents

7) New AMA resource explains Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans
To help physicians understand the various kinds of Medicare Advantage plans in operation, the AMA has created a new one-page flier, "10 things you need to know about Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans." This resource is for quick reference in a physician office to aid physicians and their staff about the basic operation of these plans.

AMA members can access this flier free of charge by contacting the AMA's Private Sector Advocacy group at (312) 464-5490. State or specialty medical associations interested in co-branding this flyer may contact Steve Ellwing at (312) 464-4367.

Members can view (PDF, 51KB) this resource.

8) New AMA resource explains Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans
To help physicians understand the various kinds of Medicare Advantage plans in operation, the AMA has created a new one-page flier, "10 things you need to know about Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans." This resource is for quick reference in a physician office to aid physicians and their staff about the basic operation of these plans.

View the first study.

Preview the second study.

Preview a commentary on this topic.

>>Return to your general news contents

Feedback
If you have specific comments on this edition of AMA eVoice, simply reply to this message. For more general feedback on AMA eVoice, send an e-mail to evoice@ama-assn.org and alert the editor of your comments and concerns. Do you have general questions about the AMA? Call the AMA Unified Service Center at (800) 262-3211.

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Thank you for your AMA membership! The AMA's strength comes from its numbers. That strength grows when our membership increases — please urge your fellow physicians and medical students to join our cause by calling (800) 262–3211 or visiting the AMA Web site.

Last updated: Oct 04, 2007
Content provided by: Member Publications