AMA eVoice Weekly Newsletter

1) AMA supports action by U.S. House to better regulate tobacco products

2) Stay up to date on health system reform news
A new weekly electronic newsletter is updating physicians and medical students about the AMA's efforts to work with lawmakers in reforming the nation's health care system in a way that provides quality, affordable health care for all. The Health System Reform Bulletin summarizes the AMA's work on this essential topic in the public and private sector, including meetings with the Obama administration and Congress, public initiatives and key dates.

Sign up to receive the AMA's Health System Reform Bulletin.

3) Studies show how hospitals can make beds available for disaster victims
Two new studies published this week in the AMA's Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal suggest that sufficient hospital capacity during a disaster can be achieved by evaluating resources and discharging noncritical patients.

One study proposes that hospital surge capacity for standard inpatient beds may be greater than previously believed. The study notes that reverse triage, if appropriately harnessed, can be a major contributor to surge capacity.

The other study suggests that refining and standardizing definitions of surge capacity relating to space, staffing and supply concerns can help implement surge capacity strategies for hospitals and health facilities during a mass-casualty incidence.

Both studies are available ahead of print.

View an AMA news release about the studies.

4) Improve your practice's efficiency
Does the thought of filing claims conjure feelings of frustration or uncertainty? If so, then you haven't been taking advantage of the AMA's "Heal the Claims Process"™ toolkit.

AMA members have full access to this set of interactive online resources. Members-only content ranges from a document that outlines the benefits of electronic claims submissions to digestible explanations of Health Information Portability and Accountability Act electronic standard transactions. The AMA developed this resource to help physicians ensure accurate and timely payment of their claims.

If you're an AMA member, don't lose valuable resources such as this. Visit the AMA Web site to renew your membership. If you're not a member, join the AMA today and begin receiving them.

5) In Virtual Mentor: ethics in clinical research
Ever since Edward Jenner injected a boy with pus from a cowpox pustule on the theory that doing so would protect the lad from smallpox, research with human subjects has formed the bridge between basic science breakthroughs in the lab and advances in patient care. Today, more federal research money than ever before is dedicated to clinical and translational research.

The April issue of Virtual Mentor, the AMA's online ethics journal, explores the challenges of protecting human-research subjects and assuring the scientific integrity of research outcomes.

6) In JAMA: Studies indicate exercise training may provide some benefit for patients with heart failure
Aerobic exercise training appears safe for patients with heart failure and was associated with a modest reduction in the risk of death and hospitalization, with some improvement in quality of life, according to two articles in the April 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

1) Medical student Match does not bode well for primary care
According to a March 30 article in American Medical News, results of this year's Match show that the declining number of physicians entering primary care will not support the vision of the medical home concept and will reduce access to health care for even more Americans.

Policymakers and private-sector groups have increasingly embraced the medical home model, which relies on primary care physicians as the nucleus of a connected system of care that provides higher quality, improved efficiency, better outcomes, lower cost and decreased geographic and ethnic disparity.

According to American Medical News, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians believe that higher payment rates for primary care physicians and debt relief from loans are two key ways to make primary care more attractive to new physicians.

1) JAMA accepting papers to use in medical education issue
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) invites authors to submit manuscripts on topics relevant to medical education for its theme issue to be published in December.

Topics of interest include diversity in medical education, career choices and the physician work force, and teaching quality improvement. To receive highest priority, submissions should be original research papers, systematic reviews and scholarly commentaries addressing medical education. Manuscripts received by May 31 will have the best chance of consideration.

1) Physicians help long-time patients struggling during recession
A story in the March 16 issue of American Medical News reports that physicians are finding that with the cost of a few visits, they can build up long-term loyalty from patients that will pay off when the nation's economic downturn ends.

Experts say such a move is a way to engender patient loyalty, because when the economy gets better, those patients will remember how you treated them when times were tough. Also, experts say the money lost in offering free preventive care to the unemployed is likely to be far less than the costs these patients might run up, and be unable to pay, if they wait to see you only if they are very sick.

2) Participate in the next Author in the Room program
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) invite you to participate in this month's Author in the Room teleconference, which will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. EST April 15. The call will feature Michael K. Kearney, MD, author of "Self-care of Physicians Caring for Patients at the End of Life," an article that appeared in the March 18 issue of JAMA.

Visit the Web site to sign up for the teleconference.

3) AMA Interim Meeting webcasts added to archives
The AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) has posted a pair of 90-minute educational webcasts to its Web pages: "Physicians as Targets and How to Avoid Being One" and "Organized Medical Staffs and Disruptive Behavior." Both of these programs provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Accreditation statement
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation statement
The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

1) Help shape AMA-IMG policies
The AMA-IMG Section will collect online testimony from April 10–17 as part of its virtual congress. Submissions received during that time will be placed online for review. Resolutions for the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates will be posted online beginning today, April 10. Testimony submissions should be e-mailed and include the resolution number.

The AMA-IMG Section Governing Council and its resolutions committee will serve as the reference committee by reviewing all submitted testimony and finalizing resolutions by April 27. AMA-IMG Section members may vote between April 30 and May 7 to approve or not approve each resolution in its final form.

If you have any questions, send an e-mail to J.Mori Johnson or call her at (312) 464-5678.

Visit the Web site for more details and to view the resolutions after April 10.

2) Get ready to vote
All AMA-IMG members will receive an e-mail April 13 that includes an encrypted personal ballot for the 2009-2012 AMA-IMG Section Governing Council election. You will be asked to identify yourself in order to ensure there is only one ballot submitted per member. Cast your ballot before May 13.

Access the public online ballot if you do not receive your ballot via e-mail by April 15.

Contact Carolyn Carter-Ellis by e-mail with any questions or call her at (312) 464-5397.

3) Take advantage of an invaluable online resource
The AMA Resident and Fellow Section offers an invaluable online resource for physicians-in-training: "Succeeding from Medical School to Practice." This resource includes a specific section, starting on page 25, that can help IMGs navigate the residency and acculturation process.

4) Register to attend the AMA-IMG Assembly meeting in Chicago
Mark your calendars for the AMA-IMG Section Assembly meeting, which will take place June 12–15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Scheduled events include the AMA-IMG congress business meeting; a candidates' forum; the AMA-IMG caucus; the Busharat Ahmad, MD, Leadership Program; and the Desserts from Around the World Reception. Two special keynote addresses will be given by James Hallock, MD, president of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, on June 12 and June 15.

Submit your registration form before May 22 via e-mail or fax at (312) 464-5845.

Visit the AMA-IMGs Web site for the assembly meeting's full schedule and to register to attend.

Brought to you by the AMA Section on Medical Schools

1) Apply for a position on the AMA-SMS Governing Council
Candidates interested in a position on the 2009 AMA-SMS Governing Council are encouraged to submit materials by May 4. Open positions include chair-elect, three members-at-large and section liaison to the AMA Council on Medical Education.

E-mail Jackie Drake for more details and an application form. Elections will be held at the June AMA-SMS meeting.

2) Submit resolutions for Annual Meeting
The AMA-SMS Governing Council is seeking ideas and actual language for resolutions about important issues related to academic physicians for consideration at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Resolutions are due April 20.

Resolutions for the AMA-SMS's November meeting, to be held in conjunction with the 2009 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, will also be accepted for discussion at the June meeting.

E-mail Jackie Drake with questions or to submit a proposed resolution.

3) Apply for AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow scholarships
Twelve $10,000 Physicians of Tomorrow scholarships from the AMA Foundation reward current third-year medical students who are entering their fourth year of study. Selection of the recipients will be based on academic achievement and financial need.

Multiple scholarships—funded by the AMA Foundation, the Audio-Digest Foundation and the Johnson F. Hammond, MD Fund—will be awarded this year. Each medical school may submit one nomination for each of the three scholarship opportunities. Nominations are due no later than May 9.

Send an e-mail for details.

4) USMLE Step 1 score reporting to be delayed
Results of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 tests scheduled to be taken from mid-May through late June are expected to be available by July 15.

A new version of the software used to deliver the computer-based USMLE Step exams was introduced last August. The Step 1 exam is scheduled to be migrated to the new software around May 15 at a small number of test centers and then will be phased in at remaining test centers over several weeks.

1) Participate in exciting media rotation with Discovery Health
Medical students are encouraged to apply for the AMA/Discovery Health internship (PDF), a four-week program during which one AMA medical student member will help develop a medical education program that will air on the Discovery Health Channel.

Available only to AMA medical student and resident and fellow members, this exciting opportunity provides hands-on experience in translating scientific data into an entertaining and informational program. The selected student will work primarily at Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., and travel to relevant on-site and studio shoots for the program. A stipend of $3,000 will be provided to cover living expenses. Dates and length of the rotation are flexible. Applications are due April 17.

2) Mark your calendars: AMA-MSS Assembly meeting deadlines
In preparation for the AMA-MSS Assembly meeting, June 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, please keep the following deadlines.

• Post draft resolutions to the MSS Health Policy and News listserv by today, April 10.
• Chapter of the Year Award applications are due by April 30.
• Final resolutions and checklist are due by May 1.
• Meeting registration is due by May 7.
• Governing council position applications are due by May 15.

The AMA-MSS also will hold its annual Medical Specialty Showcase, where physicians from specialty societies represented in the AMA House of Delegates will provide comprehensive information on medical specialties for students entering the residency selection process.

Watch for more information about educational sessions, featured speakers and the national service project, "Covering the Uninsured and Protecting Access to Care."

3) Submit AMA-MSS resolutions
Put your health policy, public health and other ideas into action by submitting a resolution for consideration at the AMA-MSS Assembly meeting. If you wish to submit a resolution for consideration, post a draft of your resolution to the AMA-MSS health policy and news listserv by today, April 10, and submit the final version of your resolution, along with the resolution checklist, by May 1.

Visit the Web site for more information about resolutions and how to write them.

Join the AMA-MSS listservs to post a draft to the AMA-MSS health policy and news listserv.

4) Deadline extended to apply for AMA-MSS Convention Committees
Are you interested in becoming more involved in the AMA-MSS? If so, AMA student members are encouraged to apply for one of the various convention committees that expedite the conduct of business at each AMA-MSS Assembly meeting. Positions are available on the community service project committee, logistics and resources committee, reference committee, hospitality committee and many other committees.

Applications are due April 21. The AMA-MSS Assembly meeting will be held June 11–13 in Chicago.

5) Learn more about USMLE, COMLEX with comprehensive AMA resource
The AMA members-only guide "Succeeding from Medical School to Practice" is jam-packed with helpful information on a variety of topics. Developed by AMA member physicians, this guide offers medical students and doctors the tools needed to succeed at every stage of their career.

Part 1 of the guide, which covers medical school and residency, offers a clear overview of both the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) and what to expect from those tests. And it includes steps to take toward entering a residency program. Parts 2 and 3 of the guide cover residency and practice.

AMA members can visit the AMA-RFS Web site to access the guide. Nonmembers can view the guide's table of contents and view sample pages.

6) Cover the Uninsured Week: University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
As part of Cover the Uninsured Week (CTUW), medical students at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are holding three lunch lectures with physicians from various specialties, local health experts, hospital administrators and representatives from local free clinics.

Speakers will discuss how they deal with patients without health insurance. The goal of the lectures is to promote awareness of the situation and encourage medical students to continue volunteering at local free clinics.

Last year, more than 50 AMA-MSS chapters participated in CTUW events. Chapter involvement grants (CIGs) are available to AMA-MSS chapters to help pay for student projects and recruitment events. Chapters are eligible for up to $1,000 per academic year, with a maximum of $500 per event.

Send an e-mail to Karen Choi for information about the lectures.

Apply for for a CIG at least 30 days before your event.

Visit the Web site for more information about CTUW.

7) Register for the American Physician Scientists Association Annual Meeting
The American Physician Scientists Association will hold its annual meeting in conjunction with the Association of American Physicians and the American Society for Clinical Investigation from April 24–26 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. The early registration deadline is today, April 10.

The meeting will enable interaction between students at all levels of training, including clinical and research faculty, public health advocates and leaders in industry. It will include forums about funding and career development, panel discussions and a poster session during which students and residents can present their work.

Brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium

1) Patient education materials available for cancer patients
The National Cancer Institute is offering two new patient education posters and a pin to increase awareness about clinical trials. The purpose of these materials is to help physicians begin the discussion with cancer patients that trials may be reasonable options in the continuum of their cancer care.

These new materials will introduce patients to the concept of a clinical trial, complement education and recruitment efforts, and serve as a conversation starter for physicians to discuss trials in a larger context before exploring specific trials with patients. The pin can be worn by not only patients participating in clinical trials but their family members and friends so they can all help in the effort to increase awareness.

2) Apply for the Minority Scholars Award
The AMA Foundation is accepting nominations for the Minority Scholars Award, which recognizes scholastic achievement, financial need and personal commitment to improving minority health. Scholarships in the amount of $10,000 are granted to first- or second-year medical students from historically underrepresented groups in the medical profession. The deadline for submissions is April 15.

This program is presented in association with the AMA-MAC, with support from Pfizer, Inc. A medical school dean or the dean's designate can submit up to two nominations from their institution to the AMA Foundation.

Contact Dina Lindenberg at (312) 464-4193 or send an e-mail with questions or if your school did not receive the nomination procedures.

3) AMA-MAC wants to hear from you
The AMA-MAC Governing Council is soliciting ideas from AMA-MAC members for ideas they would like to see addressed through resolutions to the AMA House of Delegates. E-mail your topics of interest by April 15. The governing council will contact you directly if it chooses to submit your item to the House.

Send an e-mail to submit your resolution.

1) AMA Interim Meeting webcasts added to archives
The AMA-OMSS has posted a pair of 90-minute educational webcasts to its Web pages: "Physicians as Targets and How to Avoid Being One," and "Organized Medical Staffs and Disruptive Behavior." Both of these programs provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Accreditation statement
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation statement
The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

2) AMA offers guidance in developing code of conduct
The new Joint Commission leadership standard covering code of conduct, LD.03.01.01, took effect Jan. 1, 2009. The standard's Elements of Performance requires, among other things, that hospitals have a code of conduct that defines acceptable, inappropriate and disruptive behavior, and that leaders create and implement a process for managing disruptive and inappropriate behaviors.

In response to these actions, the AMA adopted policy that calls for medical staffs to develop and implement their own code of conduct in their medical staff bylaws. Under the policy, hospitals should also have a code of conduct applicable to members of the board, management and all employees.

To assist medical staffs with implementation of a code of conduct in accordance with AMA policy and consistent with the Joint Commission leadership standard, the AMA Office of the General Counsel, in conjunction with the AMA-OMSS, drafted a model code of conduct for insertion in medical staff bylaws.

In addition, AMA members can access the "Physicians' Guide to Medical Staff Organization Bylaws," an excellent resource for medical staffs and their bylaws committees.

3) Save the date: 2009 AMA-OMSS Annual Meeting in Chicago
The AMA-OMSS Assembly meeting will be held June 11–13 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Look for more information to come shortly in regard to this meeting.

View the full 2008 AMA-OMSS Interim Assembly Meeting summary and PowerPoint presentation for the 2008 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, as well as its disposition of actions.

4) Download free copy of AMA-OMSS presentation for medical staffs, hospital boards
The AMA-OMSS developed two PowerPoint presentations—one for medical staffs and another for hospital boards—to provide information on the section and its mission, duties and past actions.

AMA members can visit the AMA-OMSS Web site to view and download these presentations free of charge.

5) Align your bylaws with Joint Commission standards
Because medical staff bylaws are considered a contract and are legally binding in most states, it is extremely important that they are well-designed and well-written. The fourth edition of the "Physician's guide to medical staff organization bylaws" contains practical guidance on bylaws development, model bylaw language, information on emerging issues and recent trends in medical staff re-engineering. The guide will be especially helpful to medical staffs as they update their bylaws to align with Joint Commission standards.

Visit the AMA Web site to download this member resource at no charge.

6) Resource helps strengthen physician-hospital relationship
A printable version of the "Principles for strengthening the physician-hospital relationship," developed by the AMA-OMSS and adopted by the AMA House of Delegates, is available online (PDF). These principles are designed to improve the working relationship between physicians and hospitals and ultimately foster better patient care and improve patient safety.

Send an e-mail to order a poster of the principles for your medical staff lounge.

1) Apply now for AMA-RFS Governing Council
Are you interested in becoming a leader in the largest national organization of residents and fellows? The AMA-RFS is accepting applications for the following positions on its governing council: vice chair, speaker, vice-speaker, delegate, alternate delegate, and membership and outreach officer. Applications are due by May 14.

As the guiding force of the AMA-RFS, the governing council is responsible for directing the section's programs and activities, appointing ad hoc committees, setting the Annual and Interim Assembly meeting agendas, and monitoring resolutions and reports during governing council meetings, which are held four times a year.

2) Participate in exciting media rotation with Discovery Health
Residents and fellows are encouraged to apply for the AMA/Discovery Health internship (PDF), a four-week program during which one AMA medical student member will help develop a medical education program that will air on the Discovery Health Channel.

Available only to AMA medical student and resident and fellow members, this exciting opportunity provides hands-on experience in translating scientific data into an entertaining and informational program. The selected student will work primarily at Discovery Communications headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., and travel to relevant on-site and studio shoots for the program. A stipend of $3,000 will be provided to cover living expenses. Dates and length of the rotation are flexible. Applications are due April 17.

3) AMA GME e-Letter: Mismatch?
On March 19, nearly 30,000 applicants to the National Resident Matching Program learned where they will obtain their residency training. This year's Match was the largest in history—and one of the most competitive. These statistics bolster the AMA's belief that the nation needs to increase graduate medical education (GME) positions by removing a cap on them.

"If we're serious about expanding the medical work force, it's time to expand the number of GME positions. If we can take the cap off ... then American society will be better served," AMA President-elect J. James Rohack, MD, told the Associated Press.

Visit the Web site for more about this topic and others in the April issue of the AMA GME e-Letter.

4) AMA Interim Meeting webcasts added to archives
The AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) has posted a pair of 90-minute educational webcasts to its Web pages: "Physicians as Targets and How to Avoid Being One" and "Organized Medical Staffs and Disruptive Behavior." Both of these programs provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Accreditation statement
The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation statement
The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

5) In American Medical News: using loan repayment incentives to increase physician service in underserved areas
According to an April 6 American Medical News story, states are responding to one of the main reasons physicians stay away from underserved communities: large medical school debt.

New York and Texas both are boosting programs that are designed to swap school loan repayments for physician agreements to work in such communities for a set time, American Medical News reports. New York designated $22 million to the Doctors Across New York program, which will provide more primary and preventive care options and reduce the cost of health care. In Texas, several bills are in the state House to increase the amount of the state's Physician Education Loan Repayment Program and to create new loan payment programs.

6) Protect yourself and your profession
Purchasing professional liability insurance is one of the most important and expensive decisions you may make in your medical practice. The current environment of increased litigation makes this decision more important than ever. Before purchasing a policy, it's important to learn as much as possible about the types of coverage, carriers and other options that are available.

In the AMA resource "Succeeding from Medical School to Practice," you'll find this information as well as answers to your questions about medical professional liability insurance issues. This three-part guide offers AMA members the tools needed to succeed at every stage of their career.

AMA members can visit the Web site to access the guide. Nonmembers can view the guide's table of contents and view sample pages.

Visit the AMA Web site to renew your AMA membership or to join the AMA and have access to valuable resources such as this.

1) Take advantage of special educational program at Annual Meeting
The AMA Advisory Committee on Group Practice Physicians, the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section and the AMA-SPG will sponsor an educational program at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates that is geared toward senior physicians.

The session, scheduled for June 13, is titled "Keeping senior physicians in practice: Issues of competency, recertification and the value of experience." This program will help attendees understand the value that senior physicians bring to a practice; the most common age-related issues to be aware of; and practical solutions and environmental adjustments to address those issues. John A. Fromson, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a nationally recognized expert on physician health, will be the keynote speaker.

2) Participate in the next Author in the Room program
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) invite you to participate in this month's Author in the Room teleconference, which will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. EST April 15. The call will feature Michael K. Kearney, MD, author of "Self-care of Physicians Caring for Patients at the End of Life," an article that appeared in the March 18 issue of JAMA.

Visit the Web site to sign up for the teleconference.

Brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress

1) Cast your vote in the AMA-WPC online election
Voting for positions on the AMA-WPC Governing Council is taking place through April 27. Open positions include two at-large members and two designated representatives. Profiles of each candidate are available online.

All female members of the AMA are eligible to vote and should have received an e-mail inviting them to do so.

Send an e-mail if you have not received that e-mail, or if you have questions.

2) Participate in National Women's Health Week
May 10–16 will be observed as National Women's Health Week. Coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and using the theme "It's Your Time," this nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.

During National Women's Health Week, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases.

1) Save the date: AMA-YPS Annual Assembly meeting in Chicago
Young physicians, mark your calendars. This year's AMA-YPS Assembly meeting will be held June 11–13 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Contact the AMA-YPS by May 1 to submit resolutions and volunteer for reference, AMA House of Delegates handbook review and credentials committees.

E-mail Jane Ascroft for more information.

2) Apply for AMA-YPS community service awards
The AMA-YPS invites nomination forms for its annual community service awards. Through these awards, the section strives to not only recognize excellence in community service activities carried out by young physicians but to encourage similar efforts by other doctors. Nominations are due May 1.

Nominees must be AMA members. Recipients will be selected by the AMA-YPS Governing Council and honored for their work during the AMA-YPS Assembly meeting June 12.

Visit the Web site for more information, to download a nomination form or submit a nomination electronically.

3) Register for child care at the Annual Meeting
Physicians with children attending the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates are encouraged to register for Camp AMA. Child care is available for children ages 6 months to 12 years old and will include arts and crafts, games and activities from June 12–16 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Camp AMA is provided by Accent on Children's Arrangements Inc. and will be made available if a minimum number of children are registered by May 5.

Visit the Web site for more information and to register for Camp AMA.

4) Apply for AMA-YPS Governing Council positions
Candidates interested in a position on the AMA-YPS Governing Council are encouraged to submit nominations (Word) by June 1. Open positions include chair-elect, who serves a three-year term as chair-elect and immediate past chair; speaker, who serves a two-year term; alternate delegate, who serves a two-year term; and member at-large, who serves a two-year term.

All terms begin at the close of the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. After June 1, nominations will only be accepted from the floor at the June 12 AMA-YPS Assembly meeting. Candidates whose nomination forms are received before June 1 will be posted on the AMA-YPS Web site.

5) Combat inappropriate health insurer claim denials with AMA resource
The AMA recently developed the educational resource "How to appeal inappropriate health insurer claim denials" (PDF) to educate physicians and their practice staff about appealing erroneous payment reductions and denials. A product of the AMA's Practice Management Center, this resource also includes tips to assist physicians in identifying and appealing inappropriate health insurer claim denials.

6) New AMA resource a one-stop shop for ePrescribing information
An online learning center recently launched by the AMA can help physicians and practice managers make informed decisions about electronic prescribing, also known as ePrescribing. With vast educational content and interactive tools, this convenient resource allows users to assess ePrescribing technology at their own pace in an impartial environment.

Aspects of the learning center include complete and unbiased coverage of ePrescribing system vendor pricing and features, calculators to estimate potential time savings and determine Medicare ePrescribing incentive payments, the latest information on federal and state programs offering ePrescribing incentives, and readiness and planning tools to help physicians map out an implementation plan.