Progress Notes :: July 16, 2014

Progress Notes :: July 16, 2014 :: Issue 92


		July 16, 2014 \| Issue 92


		Government Affairs Governor Signs Budget; Criticizes, Vetoes Funding for Legislature
		After reviewing the budget presented to him by the legislature, Gov. Tom Corbett signed the vast majority of the state’s spending plan, except for a notable $72 million from the House and Senate operation line items. The governor expressed disappointment that the legislature did not act on public pension and liquor sales reforms before adjourning for the summer. House and Senate Republican leaders disagree with the governor’s criticism. A tax code bill will bring the House back August 4, with adjournment scheduled to continue until Sept. 15 for both chambers.

		Practice Advocacy Open Payments Review, Dispute Process Begins Mid-July
		The Open Payments review and dispute process will begin in mid-July. This marks the beginning of the initial 45-day period for physicians to review and initiate any disputes they may have with the data reported about them by applicable manufacturers and applicable group purchasing organizations (GPOs). If a physician wants to participate in the review and dispute process for 2013 Open Payments data, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advises that registration in Enterprise Identity Management System (EIDM) and Open Payments is completed by the end of the initial 45-day review and dispute period.

		Education Summer Rewards Points Sale Returns ... But When?
		Missed our last Summer Rewards Points Sale? Well, you’re in luck! Just keep a watchful eye on your inbox, because another surprise points sale is coming your way soon, just in time to get your registration all wrapped up for the PAFP’s Pittsburgh CME Conference, November 7-9. Remember, points never expire and can be used for discounts on any PAFP education program or apparel item!

		Public Health Plenty of Free Public Health CME Available
		Visit www.pafp.com/FindCME or follow the links below to find these CME webcasts, all of which are free courtesy of public health partnerships: ? Appropriate Interventions for Asthma Control ? The Importance of Inhaled Steroids and Improving Effectiveness ? Practical Implementation of a Brief Adolescent Psychosocial Screening ? Case Studies of Common Behavioral Health Scenarios ? Patient-Centered Medical Home as a Protective Factor ? Practical Fall Risk Assessments and Interventions for Primary Care ? Vaccine Potpourri ? Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Analgesics for Osteoarthritis ? Traumatic Brain Injury in Adolescents ? Prescribing Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes in the Management of Osteoarthritis in Older Adults

		Quality Improvement HHS Launches Challenge to Improve Hypersensitivity with IT
		The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on July 7, 2014 the launch of a new challenge by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that is part of the Million Hearts initiative, which asks health care professionals and other caregivers to share the tools they use to improve patient care. For more information, go to EHR Innovations for Improving Hypertension Challenge. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 6; winners will be announced Oct. 28, 2014.

		Residents & Students Congratulations to Dr. G.; AAFP National Conference Update
		Dr. Dennis Gingrich, our “Dr. G”, has been recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) for his far-reaching impact on family medicine through teaching as the recipient of the AAFP 2014 Exemplary Teaching Award. Please join us in congratulating and celebrating Dr. G’s in honor of this amazing recognition! Follow Dr. G on Twitter and watch his “Doc Rap” on YouTube. Students heading to the AAFP National Conference looking for folks to share hotel expenses, ask for great BBQ recommendations or what to wear – contact Molly Talley to be connected to the PAFP students heading to Kansas City.


		Register for Meaningful Use Workshop
		The Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is holding a Meaningful Use Workshop on July 25 at Wellspan York Hospital in York. Meaningful use experts from national speakers to local health care leaders will discuss their lessons “from the field.” Topics include patient engagement and meaningful use audits. Click here to register.