ACOFP President

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in determination."— Tommy Lasorda

March 12-16, 2008
ACOFP 45th Annual Convention & Exhibition
Hyatt Regency Denver
Denver, Colorado

Registration Details

By Steven F. Rubin, DO, FACOFP dist.

January 15, 2008

May 2008 Deadline for Physicians to be Using their NPI
All physicians who bill Medicare must sign-up for their National Provider Identifier (NPI). The original deadline to sign-up for your NPI was May 23, 2007. However, all physicians who submit Medicare claims MUST be in full compliance using their NPI by May 23, 2008. All claims submitted without an NPI as of this date will be rejected. If you have not yet received your NPI, there is no cost; however, you must sign-up soon in order to avoid costly delays and/or rejection of payment. Once you obtain your NPI, you will need an estimated 120 days to complete the remaining work (internal billing systems, testing with payers, etc.) to use it.

Watch for the ACOFP Survey In Support of 2008-2010 Strategic Plan
To support the development of the new ACOFP Strategic Plan and to assess the operations of the ACOFP, the Board of Governors seeks your input on the services and functions that you value as a result of your ACOFP membership, the extent to which ACOFP is meeting your needs and expectations, and your interest in and support for potential future initiatives. Members will receive an email later this week with a link to the online survey.

Refresh Your OMT with Somatic Dysfunction in Osteopathic Family Medicine
Order ACOFP’s Somatic Dysfunction in Osteopathic Family Medicine, a textbook developed by the Committee on Osteopathic Principles and Practice and published by Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. The textbook focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of somatic dysfunction, the functional impairment of the musculoskeletal system, and related neural and vascular elements in the context of the practice of family medicine.

Register for the 2008 ACOFP Convention!
This year’s convention will feature a workshop on Gait Testing. Osteopathic family physicians evaluate patients for gait abnormalities. A device that analyzes foot pressure can assist in evaluating the patient.

Sign up today for the Pre-Convention Ski Package
On Sunday, March 9 through Monday, March 10, 2008, ACOFP has arranged a Pre-Convention Ski Package for attendees. Winter Park has more than twenty-four lifts including seven high-speed express quads, one high speed six person chairlift, three triple chairlifts, seven double chairlifts, five magic carpets, and one rope tow. In addition to the many ski runs, Winter Park is a classic mountain town nestled against a fabulous background and is full of quaint boutiques, delightful cafés, and picturesque scenery.

ACOFP Fit for Life
CNN’s Accent Health says “Take your family on regular walks.”

Back to Campus
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine ACOFP Student Chapter sponsored a Spirometry Workshop presented by Carol Henwood, DO, FACOFP, who is on the ACOFP Board of Governors and PCOM alumnus. She presented a shortened version of her Procedures in Excellence workshop for physicians to OMSI, II and III students. Students learned when to use spirometry, how to bill for spirometry and how to interpret the results. They were then able to use a spirometer to measure and interpret their own pulmonary function.

Deadlines Approaching…
National ACOFP Honors for State Societies Application Deadline January 31
ACOFP will honor the work and dedication of our outstanding ACOFP State Societies by recognizing them at an Awards Ceremony to be held at the ACOFP National Convention March 12-16, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Share your achievements in leadership development, communications, creativity, membership recruitment and retention initiatives, educational programs, community outreach and public service. Contact Tobi Kelmer, ACOFP Mgr., State & Student Chapter Relations.

Make your opinions known! Send an email to me and ACOFP. Share your thoughts, make comments, and tell us what you have been doing in regards to osteopathic family medicine.

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