AMA eVoice Weekly Newsletter

It's time for your next claims checkup

Imagine having an additional three weeks every year, or 35 minutes each day, to devote to your patients. I admit, that sounds a bit extreme. But so do these next statistics.

Physicians actually spend 35 minutes per day on billing and insurance-related tasks, and three work weeks per year on health insurance administrative duties. That's without the mention of money. On a yearly basis, physician practices spend up to $210 billion on administrative waste.

Our health care claims system is ailing. We need to remove inefficiencies in the billing and collections processes in order to save time and resources that ultimately can be utilized toward patient care. We need to hold health insurers accountable. And physicians need support, education and empowerment to do so.

That's why November's second annual "Heal that Claim"™ month, part of the AMA's "Heal the Claims Process"™ campaign launched in June 2008, calls on all participants in the claims process to eliminate such waste by committing to efficiencies and getting it right the first time. The campaign makes every effort to empower physicians to demand fair payment from health insurers.

By bringing physicians, payers, employers and patients together, the campaign strives to work toward reducing the cost of submitting claims from as much as 14 percent—where the number currently stands—to just 1 percent of revenue.

But the goal throughout November is much simpler: make sure every claim and every payment submitted is correct. The campaign encourages all physicians and their practice staffs to submit claims accurately and in a timely fashion. And it calls on all payers to fully comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act electronic claims transactions standards and to pay accurately and in a timely manner the first time they receive a particular claim. That includes full transparency with respect to fee schedules, medical payment policies and other information that maximizes efficiency. And it applies to all entities that handle claims, including managed care organizations.

The AMA is a one-stop shop for helping physicians, practice staff and billing partners deal with all claims management revenue cycle needs. From tools to streamlining the internal claims process to contracting with payers and setting fee schedules, the AMA provides a whole library of educational resources on the topic.

One of my favorite, the AMA's claims process check-up checklist, allows physicians to examine the health of their claims process by determining whether the practice is capable of submitting claims efficiently and accurately, analyzing health insurer payments for accuracy, and effectively addressing delays, denials and reductions in payment.

With one of the AMA's newer resources, the Claims Workflow Assistant, physicians can look up reasons health insurers report for denying claims on electronic remittance advices they receive and determine best steps to reverse the denial so they can fight for accurate payment.

While I realize these tasks require time—something many physicians don't have a lot of these days—some practices have proven it to be time well spent. One practice in Chicago recovered $19,000 over six months from appealing a single type of underpaid claim. And within five months of implementing an effective auditing and appeal process, another Chicago practice started recovering as much as $100,000 per month.

Indeed, we have seen some improvements in the past year—but we've also realized some challenges that face us in the months ahead. The AMA released earlier this year its 2009 National Health Insurer Report Card, an annual and objective look at the timeliness, transparency and accuracy of claims processing by health insurers.

Among the results, health insurers' average improvement in accuracy for the contracted fee schedule match rate was 10 percent. Timeliness also improved greatly. But the report showed a number of challenges. The biggest continues to be inconsistency in rules, processing systems and payment among payers. Each health insurer uses different rules for processing and paying medical claims. Thus, physicians are forced to maintain a costly claims management system for everyone.

It's time we do something about this, and I strongly encourage physicians to get on board. Let's find ways to ensure accurate insurance payments for physician services and improve efficiencies both for physicians and payers. Let's improve communication and establish trust among the various health care entities. And let's return the focus back to why we joined this profession—to care for patients.

Be a part of the solution this month and join the campaign. You can pledge your support, report any unfair health insurer practices, share your successes or sign up for the AMA's free e-mail alerts to help stay up to date on unfair payer practices.

Let's diagnose this problem together. A cure is in sight.

E-mail comments, questions and replies to Dr. Rohack

1) AMA supports House bills to help make reform a reality
The AMA formally announced its support for concurrent passage of a pair of health system reform bills in the U.S. House of Representatives—H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, and H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act.

Together with H.R. 3961, H.R. 3962 addresses many, but not all, of the AMA's essential elements for health system reform, and it is consistent with the AMA's principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of physician practice and universal access. It would significantly expand health insurance coverage to Americans to empower patient and physician decision making; institute meaningful insurance market reforms; make substantial investments in quality; institute prevention and wellness initiatives; provide incentives to states that adopt certificate-of-merit and/or early offer liability reforms; and reduce administrative burdens.

The House is expected to vote on legislation as early as tomorrow, Nov. 7.

"H.R. 3962 is not the perfect bill, and we will continue to advocate for changes," AMA President J. James Rohack, MD, said, "but it goes a long way toward expanding access to high-quality affordable health coverage for all Americans, and it would make the system better for patients and physicians. This is not the last step but the next step toward health system reform."

The AMA also sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Nov. 5 expressing its support for concurrent passage of both bills.

Read more about these bills in the latest edition of the AMA's Health System Reform Bulletin.

View an AMA news release about the AMA's support for these bills.

View the AMA's letter to Pelosi.

2) Call your representatives in support of health reform bills
All physicians are urged to contact their members of the U.S. House of Representatives and tell them to support H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, and H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Send an e-mail to your representatives or call the AMA grassroots hotline at (800) 833-6354 and be connected directly to your representatives’ offices.

3) Enforcement date for "red flags" rule extended again
As a result of continued advocacy by the AMA and other associations, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has delayed the enforcement date of the "red flags" rule until June 1, 2010.

Enforcement of this rule, which requires certain businesses to develop identity theft prevention and detection programs, was originally scheduled for Nov. 1, 2008, and was later extended to May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. The AMA will continue to make the case to the FTC and Congress that physicians are not "creditors" and should not be subject to the rule.

"For over a year, the AMA has continued to make the case to the FTC that physicians are not creditors, and the red flags rule should not apply to them. Now attorneys and members of Congress are also rightly raising concern with the FTC's broad interpretation," AMA President-elect Cecil B. Wilson, MD, said. "The FTC's latest delay of seven months should give them the time they need to take a good, hard look at the rule and finally revise the list of groups to which it applies."

View a news release from the FTC about the deadline extension.

View AMA guidance materials that can help physicians prepare for the new deadline.

4) Physicians, medical students assemble for AMA Interim Meeting
Hundreds of physicians and medical students have gathered in Houston for meetings of the AMA's sections and special groups in conjunction with the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Attendees are discussing policy proposals, participating in an array of educational sessions and networking with colleagues from around the country.

Among the early highlights will be the AMA Medical Student Section's (MSS) Fall into Healthier Life Styles Health Fair, which will take place at Discovery Green Park in Houston. The effort is part of the AMA-MSS's 2009–2011 national service project, which focuses on the AMA Healthier Life Steps™ Program.

Another highlight will be a special education session sponsored by the AMA's sections and special groups that covers the status of health system reform, where it is heading and what it might mean for physicians and patients. To be held tomorrow, Nov. 7, the session will consist of AMA President J. James Rohack, MD; Richard Deem, the AMA's senior vice president for advocacy; and congressional representatives, including U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, R-Texas, discussing the AMA's involvement in the reform debate.

The AMA House of Delegates will assemble Nov. 7–10 to consider policies on a variety of topics, including health system reform, funding for graduate medical education and immunization of health care workers against the H1N1 influenza virus.

View the AMA's Interim Meeting Web site, from where you can download the meeting handbook, view speeches and access daily meeting highlights.

And visit the American Medical News Web site for coverage of the House of Delegates beginning Nov. 8.

5) Participate in H1N1 webinar broadcast
Is your office becoming inundated with influenza patients? Learn the most up-to-date clinical guidelines for management of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, including vaccination guidance and patient triage, as part of "Update on H1N1: What every physician needs to know," an AMA webinar scheduled to take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Central time Nov. 9.

Hosted by the AMA in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the webinar will be broadcast live from the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Houston and is open free of charge to 2,000 AMA members. The webinar will be archived for viewing after the session.

Anthony Fiore, MD, a medical epidemiologist and captain with the CDC's Influenza Division, will discuss vaccination guidance. Michael Bell, MD, associate director for infection control in the CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, will discuss triaging patients and infection control. AMA Board of Trustees member Mary Anne McCaffree, MD, will moderate the session.

Register for the webinar.

Visit the AMA 2009 H1N1 Influenza Information Web site beginning Nov. 10 to view the archived webinar.

6) AMA president to blog from Interim Meeting
Follow AMA President J. James Rohack, MD, as he writes daily posts on his blog, "On the Road with Dr. Rohack," throughout the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Dr. Rohack will share his thoughts from the meeting beginning tomorrow, Nov. 7, and until the meeting concludes Nov. 10.

7) AHRQ announces medical liability reform grants
As a direct result of AMA advocacy, President Obama earlier this year directed the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to implement a $25 million state-based demonstration project on medical liability reform and patient safety.

The demonstration project will help states and health care systems test models that put patient safety first and work to reduce preventable injuries, foster better communication between doctors and patients, ensure that patients are compensated in a fair and timely manner for medical injuries while reducing the incidence of frivolous lawsuits, and reduce liability premiums.

The AHRQ has announced two grant opportunities based on the demonstration project. One funds $300,000 one-year grants to create plans for developing, implementing and evaluating approaches focusing on patient safety and medical liability reform. Another provides funding for up to $3 million for three-year demonstration projects to allow states and health systems that have existing plans to develop, implement and evaluate medical liability models that focus on patient safety and medical liability reform.

AMA Board of Trustees member William Hazel, MD, is part of a subcommittee advising AHRQ on these grant opportunities.

8) Guidance on evaluating incentive plans: just one benefit of AMA membership
What incentive plans make the most sense for you and your patients? Do you know what you should consider before entering a pay-for-performance program?

AMA members can find answers and insight and address these questions with the article, "A physician's guide to evaluating incentive plans." This resource encourages physicians to evaluate incentive plans for their potential to improve health care quality and their ability to operate in an ethical and fair manner. It provides questions and observations that can be useful when looking at common properties of pay for performance and other physician incentive programs.

AMA members can view this resource.

If you're an AMA member, don't lose valuable benefits such as this. Renew your membership. If you're not a member, join the AMA today.

9) In JAMA: Report on H1N1 cases in California shows hospitalization can occur at all ages, with many severe
In contrast to some common perceptions regarding 2009 H1N1 influenza infections, an examination of cases in California indicates that hospitalization and death can occur at all ages, and about 30 percent of hospitalized cases have been severe enough to require treatment in an intensive care unit, according to a study in the Nov. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

1) By the Advocate: Obama lifts HIV travel ban
During a signing ceremony last week for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, President Obama announced that the federal government would end its ban on travel and immigration to the United States by people who are HIV-positive, according to an Oct. 30 story published by the Advocate.

The ban, first implemented in 1987 and codified into law by Congress in 1993, prevented non-U.S. citizens who were HIV-positive from traveling or immigrating to the United States unless the Department of Homeland Security granted them a waiver.

2) By the New York Times: Hate crimes bill becomes law
The New York Times' politics and government blog The Caucus covers President Obama's signing into law of a hate crimes bill that expands the definition of violent federal hate crimes to those committed because of a victim's sexual orientation.

The hate crimes measure was included in a defense spending bill, which Democratic leaders in Congress, the Times reports, intentionally did in an effort to keep Republicans from blocking the legislation. The legislation, under consideration in Congress for years, was named in memory of Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student who was murdered 11 years ago, the Times reports.

1) AMA Foundation seeks everyday heroes in medicine
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 the Excellence in Medicine Awards. Presented in association with Pfizer Inc., the awards recognize a select group of physicians and medical students who represent the highest standards of volunteerism, public service and leadership.

Nominations are due Nov. 16. Learn more about how you can nominate a colleague.

2) Symposium to cover IMGs in the U.S. physician work force
Join the AMA for a symposium about international medical graduates in the U.S. physician work force from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at AMA headquarters in Chicago. The event is open to all physicians, medical students and their guests who are interested in physician work force issues, particularly international medical graduates' role in the nation's physician work force.

Attendees will have an opportunity to network with colleagues and take an exclusive look at the 2009 edition of "International Medical Graduates in the U.S. Physician Workforce: A Discussion Paper," which will be unveiled at the meeting prior to its online publication in January.

Visit the AMA-IMG Web site for more about the symposium and to register for it.

Brought to you by the AMA Section on Medical Schools

1) AMA-SMS meeting materials to be online soon
If you were unable to attend the AMA-SMS meeting set for today, Nov. 6, slides of presentations from the meeting will be available on the section's Web site the end of November, and the presentation summaries will be posted in January.

2) LCME to host public hearing on proposed revisions to standards
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) will hold a hearing for public comment on a proposal to revise accreditation standards ED-11 and ED-15 on Nov. 10 during the Association of American Medical Colleges Annual Meeting. Written comments may be forwarded until Dec. 31 to LCME secretary Barbara Barzansky.

For more information, visit the LCME Web site or contact Barzansky at lcme@aamc.org or (312) 464-4690.

3) Presentations from provider/industry conference available online
More than 500 participants gathered for the 20th annual Conference of the National Task Force on CME Provider/Industry Collaboration from Oct. 14–16 in Baltimore, MD. Presentations from the conference, which was staffed by the AMA, are available online.

View the latest edition of the AMA's CPPD Report for more information about the AMA's Continuing Physician Professional Development activities.

4) In American Medical News: mandating cultural competency training for physicians
An article published Oct. 19 by American Medical News reports that more states are moving toward requiring cultural competency training. While many physicians and state societies are questioning the need for the mandate, supporters point to an increasing number of studies showing that patients from minority groups do not proceed as well in the nation's health care delivery system than do white patients, American Medical News reports.

In recent years, medical schools have been incorporating disparities-related issues into required courses to produce culturally competent physicians, American Medical News reports.

1) AMA-MSS Interim Assembly Meeting is under way
The AMA-MSS is holding its Interim Assembly Meeting through tomorrow, Nov. 7, at the Hilton Americas-Houston.

The AMA-MSS Assembly is considering more than 33 items of business, and the section is hosting more than 20 educational programs covering topics such as leadership, community outreach programs, health system reform and grant writing. In addition, the section will hold its seventh annual Joint Research Symposium with the AMA Resident and Fellow Section, and it will hold a national service project event at Discovery Green Park in Houston focusing on healthier lifestyles.

The keynote speaker, Catherine DeAngelis, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association, senior vice president of the AMA's scientific publications and multimedia applications and a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was scheduled to give a presentation today, Nov. 6, about conflicts of interest in medicine.

Please visit the AMA-MSS Web site for more information about the Interim Meeting. Highlights of the meeting will be included in next week's edition of AMA eVoice.

2) AMA Foundation seeks everyday heroes in medicine
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 the Excellence in Medicine Awards. Presented in association with Pfizer Inc., the awards recognize a select group of physicians and medical students who represent the highest standards of volunteerism, public service and leadership.

The Excellence in Medicine Awards include the Leadership Awards, which are awarded to individuals who show outstanding leadership in the areas of advocacy, community service or education. Medical students enrolled in an accredited medical school through 2010 are eligible.

Nominations are due Nov. 16. Learn more about how you can nominate a colleague.

3) Are you looking for something different to do next year?
Do you want an experience that offers an opportunity to enhance your research skills, build leadership potential and improve your clinical acumen via a population health perspective, all by working on real-life problems? If you do, then consider the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Experience Applied Epidemiology Fellowship, a one-year program designed to increase the pool of physicians by giving third- and fourth-year medical students a population health perspective.

Nine competitively selected fellows spend 10 to 12 months at the CDC office in Atlanta where they carry out epidemiologic analyses in various areas of public health. Examples of previous and current areas of concentration include viral and bacterial diseases, cardiovascular health, obesity prevention, birth defects, sexually transmitted diseases, injury prevention, and air pollution and respiratory health.

Applications for next year's class are due Dec. 4.

4) Organize a stethoscope collection drive at your chapter
For every U.S. health care professional who uses a stethoscope, there are many others around the world who must attend to the sick and suffering without the benefit of this most basic medical instrument. WorldScopes, an AMA project, collects stethoscopes and fetoscopes and distributes them to places where medical supplies are scarce.

Help extend the profession's reach and goodwill by organizing a stethoscope or fetoscope collection drive through your AMA-MSS chapter. The AMA-MSS can help by providing you with a chapter involvement grant (CIG), which provides funding for AMA-MSS chapters to put student projects such as this into action. Chapters are eligible for up to $1,000 per academic year.

5) Research opportunities available for medical students, residents and fellows
Are you considering a career in research? If you are, then apply for a grant through the AMA Foundation's Seed Grant Research Program, which helps medical students, residents and fellows conduct small basic science, applied or clinical research projects. Grants of $2,500 will be awarded in the following four research categories: cardiovascular/pulmonary diseases, HIV/AIDS, leukemia and neoplastic diseases. Apply by Dec. 11.

6) In the AMA's GME e-Letter: Will they choose primary care?
A recent story in American Medical News reports on the 41 members of the first class of students at the new University of Central Florida College of Medicine, who will receive full scholarships for all four years of their medical education. Many point to student debt as a factor in medical school graduates eschewing primary care and choosing higher-paying fields. What effect, if any, will a free medical education have on these students' choices of specialty and subspecialty? This question is posed in the latest edition of the AMA's GME e-Letter.

7) "Succeeding from Medical School to Practice": just one benefit of AMA membership
Do you need some tips to help you choose a residency program, prepare for the Match, and budget and manage personal finances? All this and more can be found in "Succeeding from Medical School to Practice," a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate resource developed by resident physicians.

Part 1 of this AMA members-only guide focuses on medical school and residency. It also includes an overview of the American health care system, explains how medical education is funded, and features pointers, links and streaming video organized into sections to help medical students confront the nonclinical demands of training and the practice environment.

AMA members can access this resource, and nonmembers can view the table of contents and sample pages.

If you're an AMA member, don't lose access to valuable benefits such as this. Renew your membership. If you're not a member, join the AMA today.

Brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium

1) AMA-MAC caucus set for later today
If you're in Houston for the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, then join the AMA-MAC from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Central time today, Nov. 6, in Room 351 D–E of the George R. Brown Convention Center for its caucus and reception. In addition to networking and caucus business, the program will include a presentation by Edith Irby Jones, MD, the first female president of the National Medical Association, who will speak about the experiences of African-American physicians in state medical societies.

1) AMA-OMSS meeting is under way
The AMA-OMSS Assembly meeting is taking place through tomorrow, Nov. 7, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston preceding the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. The meeting includes unique education programs that provide insight and perspective on topics such as employment contracting, accountable care organizations, medical staff organization and leadership.

View more information about the meeting, including the AMA-OMSS Interim Meeting Handbook.

If you are not an AMA-OMSS representative and would like to become one, download a certification form and fax it to (312) 464-5845, e-mail it to omss@ama-assn.org or mail it to 515 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60654.

2) Joint Commission's pre-publication standards available online
Pre-publication versions of the 2010 standards for all Joint Commission accreditation programs can be viewed on the Joint Commission Web site. Please take the time to view this information with members of your organized medical staff and discuss it with your hospital leadership. These standards will be accessible online at least through Dec. 1.

1) Video addresses ways to motivate patients
Inspiring patients to change their health behavior can be challenging. An online program by the AMA introduces physicians to motivational interviewing—a patient-centered, goal-oriented counseling strategy—and how it can help change or improve patient health behavior. Part of the AMA’s Educating Physicians on Controversies and Challenges in Health series, “Motivating Patients to Change Behavior” explains the basic principles of this strategy and can help physicians identify how motivational interviewing differs from traditional patient-physician interactions.

2) News story explains how scientists seek origins of obesity in the womb
Research is emerging that suggests an obese woman’s womb may program her fetus toward becoming a fat child and adult, according to a recent story by the Associated Press (AP). The idea has only recently become a topic of conversation between doctors and female patients, and scientists are scrambling to track down a biological explanation. That knowledge, in turn, may provide new ways to block obesity from crossing generations, the AP reports.

3) By the Associated Press: New York officials rescind mandatory H1N1 flu shot order
New York state health officials have suspended a ruling that would have forced health care workers across the state to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus by the end of November or risk losing their jobs, according to the Associated Press.

4) AMA-RFS meeting approaching fast
The AMA-RFS will hold its 33rd annual Interim Meeting Nov. 5–7 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Take a more active leadership role at the meeting by becoming a convention committee member. Convention committee activities range from helping formulate AMA-RFS policy to planning social and networking events.

View a letter from AMA-RFS Governing Council Chair Baligh Yehia, MD, and learn about important activities and deadlines associated with the meeting.

1) Senior physician liaison meeting to take place later today
If you're in Houston for the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD), attend the AMA-SPG liaison meeting, which will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Central time today, Nov. 6, in Room 343A of the Hilton Americas-Houston.

The AMA-SPG has progressed in the past two years and is seeking representation from each state on senior-oriented programs that can be presented for discussion at both the Annual and Interim Meetings. These meetings are attended by an increasing number of senior physicians from the AMA-HOD, a third of whom are members of the AMA-SPG. Representation can enhance the effectiveness of the AMA-SPG and promote sharing of concerns with other delegates.

Contact Alice Reed of the AMA at alice.reed@ama-assn.org to provide your suggestions or to confirm your state liaison to the meeting.

Visit the AMA-SPG Web site for more information, including a list of current liaisons.

2) AMA-SPG caucus set for tomorrow
The AMA-SPG is sponsoring a caucus for senior physicians from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Central time tomorrow, Nov. 7, in room 330A at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston preceding the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.

The caucus will lead off with an educational program featuring Todd Sagin, MD, of the Volunteers in Medicine Institute. The program will discuss the network of free clinics that exist today, which has grown to serve 4.5 million patients annually, and will focus on the role that senior physicians can play in helping the uninsured. All are welcome; please plan to attend to network with new colleagues and old friends.

3) Nominations for the Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award due by Nov. 16
The AMA Foundation is accepting nominations for the Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism, which recognizes a senior physician who provides treatment to U.S. patients who lack access to health care. The award is part of the AMA Foundation's Excellence in Medicine Awards, which are presented in association with Pfizer, Inc.

The award will be presented at the Excellence in Medicine Awards banquet and special leadership program on March 1, 2010, in Washington, D.C., during the AMA's National Advocacy Conference. Nominations are due by Nov. 16.

View nomination materials. Contact Alice Reed at (312) 464-5523 or alice.reed@ama-assn.orgif you have questions.

Brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress

1) AMA-WPC caucus set for tomorrow
If you're in Houston for the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, then join the AMA-WPC from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central time tomorrow, Nov. 7, in Room 342 D–E of the George R. Brown Convention Center to continue the AMA's celebration of the 30th anniversary of its Women in Medicine program.

The winners of this year's AMA-WPC Physician Mentor Recognition Program will be recognized, and Erin Tracy, MD, will explore the history of women in medicine during her presentation, "From Petticoats to Labcoats: The Evolution of the Profession." Refreshments will be served.

2) Recognize a colleague for her contributions to women's health
Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 Society for Women's Health Research Medtronic Prize for Scientific Contributions to Women's Health. The annual $75,000 prize recognizes a woman scientist or engineer for her contributions to women's health. It also encourages women scientists and engineers to work on issues uniquely related to women's health and rewards women who have devoted a significant part of their careers to this area. Nominations are due Jan. 29.

The AMA-YPS Assembly is meeting in Houston through tomorrow, Nov. 7, to discuss priority issues and help shape AMA policy. In addition to the regular business meeting, young physicians will take part in a town hall meeting focused on health system reform. AMA Immediate Past President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, will be the featured speaker at the town hall meeting.

Download the AMA-YPS Interim Assembly Meeting Handbook.

View the meeting agenda.

2) AMA Foundation seeks everyday heroes in medicine
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 the Excellence in Medicine Awards. Presented in association with Pfizer Inc., the awards recognize a select group of physicians and medical students who represent the highest standards of volunteerism, public service and leadership.

Nominations are due Nov. 16. Visit the AMA Foundation Web site to learn more about how you can nominate a colleague.

3) New AMA resource helps you fight for accurate payment
If your practice submits claims electronically, a free resource from the AMA can help you secure accurate payment from health insurers for inappropriately denied claims.

Using the Claims Workflow Assistant, you can look up the reasons health insurers reported for denying claims on the electronic remittance advices, or ERAs, you receive. Then you can determine the best steps for your practice to reverse the denial. The Claims Workflow Assistant also helps you get started with recommended workflows for the top 80 percent of denials from the 2008 and 2009 National Health Insurer Report Card and provides numerous template appeal letters that AMA members can easily modify to use in their practices.

View the Claims Workflow Assistant on the AMA Practice Management Center Web site.