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By Jan D. Zieren, DO, MPH, FACOFP
dist.
June 17, 2009
When in Maine
I so looked forward to the trip to the Maine Osteopathic Association and Maine ACOFP chapter summer conference in the far northeast, having never been to Maine before.
A summit for OMM and payments was held as a result of several physicians who reported "hassle incidents" in Maine - not being reimbursed correctly. I was asked to sit on the panel along with George Pasquarello, DO, Doug Jorgensen, DO and AOA's Yolanda Doss among others. If the exam and treatment are documented appropriately and coding is correct, then any failure by the insurance company to reimburse correctly should be challenged. The AOA has letter templates to assist and if necessary, call Ms. Doss and involve the AOA.
As a guest of both the Maine Osteopathic Association board meeting and the Maine ACOFP chapter, I was pleased to realize the number of family physicians in Maine on both boards who also are involved in the national ACOFP. I spoke with them about the two task forces initiated by the ACOFP Board on Medical Home and Residency Programs. Thanks to the members who took the time to speak with me throughout the conference about different topics on a one-to-one basis - to hear what was a concern to them, even if personally.
I still am not sure how they coordinated the weather to match the activities of the weekend. Pouring rain when we needed to be inside for meetings, blue sky and sunshine for the barbecue lunch provided for the members or the marine vessel ride (complete with lobster feast) on water smooth as glass. I learned two very important facts on this trip - Dr. Steve Rubin is a very hard act to follow and I prefer lobster bisque to the eyeballs and legs of a "do it yourself" lobster. I appreciate everyone there for making my visit so great.
New CME Online at ACOFP
ACOFP members can earn their CME on their own time through Podcasts. The podcasts are free and available at acofp.org.
Breast Cancer Prevention
Supported by an Education Grant from Lilly USA, LLC
.5 Category 1-B credit anticipated
An additional 3 Category 2-A credits may be obtained via supplementary article.
Family physicians are often the first contact for women concerned about their breast health and information on the latest screening and disease prevention is essential for the primary care provider.
Adult Immunization Update
Supported by an Education Grant from Merck & Co. Inc.
1 Category 2B credit anticipated
Unlike vaccines for children and adolescents, many vaccines for adults are indicated based on the presence of risk factors and not age, which adds the variables of physician and patient memory to the compliance formula.
ACOFP Supports Appropriations for National Health Service Corps
Earlier this week, ACOFP signed on to a letter being circulated on Capitol Hill by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) NHSC Stakeholder's Group in support of increased appropriations for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). In the past five years NHSC appropriations have been cut by over $47 million, a 27 percent reduction from the $171 million in Fiscal Year 2003 that was already insufficient to meet the nation's needs. As a result, the NHSC has reduced the number of new annual scholarship and loan repayment awards by more than 30 percent during that period. For Fiscal Year 2010, the NHSC stakeholders recommend a combined appropriation of $235 million for the NHSC, $66 million more than the President's Budget. This figure represents the amount authorized under the "Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008" (P.L. 110-355) for NHSC Recruitment ($156,235,150) with a proportionate increase in the NHSC Field appropriation. The Fiscal Year 2010 budget resolution also assumes significant increases for the NHSC.
Health Care Reform Moves Forwards
Last week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the first draft of their health care reform package. Earlier this week, the Senate Finance Committee released its draft. Markup of the HELP legislation began yesterday with Senate Finance slated to begin next week. In the House of Representatives, draft legislation is expected to be released by the three committees with health care jurisdiction any day now with markup to follow a week later.
Back to Campus
TOURO University of Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine ACOFP Student Chapter President Corey Lum reports that the chapter held their first annual "Henderson, NV Health Experience and Wellness Expo" during which members of the community and local professionals were invited to the school for tours; wellness/preventive medicine seminars; blood pressure screenings, PAD screens, etc. ACOFP student members provided medication logs and blood pressure logs to attendees, gave tours of the school, welcomed visitors and provided information on the difference between DO's and M.D.s; demonstrated OMT & OMM and had a table called "What's in the Doctor's Bag?", displaying physician's instruments.
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