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Nov. 5, 2014 | Issue 100 |
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Special note: This is the PAFP's 100th issue of Progress Notes! Thank you for reading this newsletter every two weeks, and for being involved and invested in the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. Now, on to the news...
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Government Affairs
PCMH Legislation Now Enacted
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One of the PAFP’s top priorities has been advancing patient-centered medical home legislation - House Bill 1655 and Senate Bill 1083 (introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank) - which we were instrumental in developing. HB 1655, sponsored by Rep. Matt Baker, passed both chambers as of Oct. 20 and is now enacted. The law creates a PCMH advisory council within the Dept. of Human Services (formally the Dept. of Public Welfare) to bring together stakeholders and report back to the Governor, the Senate, and the House on a plan to integrate PCMH into Medicaid. That plan is due in December 2015.
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Practice Advocacy
Healthy PA Enrollment Period Approaching
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Time is nearing for enrollment in Pennsylvania’s Healthy PA Plan. This plan was designed to reform Medicaid and offer a Private Coverage Option (PCO) to uninsured adults between the ages of 21 to 64 who are below 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Enrollment in the PCO plans will begin Dec. 1, 2014, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Consumers who believe they qualify for Medicaid coverage may apply at any time. The reformed Medicaid plan will consist of two levels of benefits: Healthy (low-risk) and Healthy Plus (high-risk). Visit Healthy PA for more info.
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Education
Watch Live CME Sessions Live Online Friday, Saturday
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The Pittsburgh CME Conference is taking place this weekend, and you still have time to register onsite at the Marriott City Center or watch up to eight CME sessions online remotely from your home or office on Fri., Nov. 7 and Sat. Nov. 8 and receive the same live group credit as if you were attending the session in person. Register to watch one or all CME sessions online for only $29!
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Public Health
Emergency Preparedness Webcast Series Rescheduled for January
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Disasters can have a major impact on the operations of a medical practice. Planning in advance can minimize disruption and allow you to continue to provide services. The PAFP is working with the Pa. Dept. of Health and Drexel University to bring you education and resources. The webinar series planned for November is rescheduled for mid-January. Register now at www.pafp.com/plan for a free lunchtime mini-webcast CME series for your practice from PAFP and Drexel University. This series is designed to meet the patient safety and risk management CME requirements.
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Quality Improvement
CMS Releases Final Medicare Payment Rules |
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released final payment rules for the 2015 Medicare program. CMS is implementing provisions of the Affordable Care Act that reward higher quality, patient-centered care at a cost savings. There are many changes that will effect providers and practices of all sizes. Do you know how the Value-based Payment Modifier will affect your bottom line? Have you accessed your quality and resource use report from 2013 to preview your performance and prepare for 2015 reporting? Primary Healthcare Consultants is here to help you understand the new demands of quality reporting - contact dhammaker@phc-consultants.com.
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Residents & Students
Cluster Meeting, Research Day Coming Up |
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Resident and student leaders: The next cluster meeting is Nov. 21 and 22 in Harrisburg. RSVP!
Mark your calendars! PAFP Research Day is just around the corner, March 21, 2015 in Valley Forge. This annual event features original research, quality improvement and community projects, case presentations by residents, med students, faculty, and community physicians. Posters and live presentations are welcome; live presentations are eligible for cash prizes. You’ll soon be able to submit your abstract, so get ready!
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Introducing Primary Healthcare Consultants
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After months of research, planning, and development, the PAFP is proud to introduce Primary Healthcare Consultants. From Meaningful Use to patient-centered medical home transformation, Primary Healthcare Consultants is dedicated to practice innovation and transformation. Click here to visit the website! For more information, join us for an introduction to Primary Healthcare Consultants at the Pittsburgh CME Conference.
Nominate Yourself or a Colleague for 2015 Family Physician of the Year!
You are a family physician – the person patients trust most when they’re not feeling well, when they have questions about their health, when they need everything from vaccinations to prescriptions. There are thousands of excellent family physicians in Pennsylvania, and we want to hear why you think you or a colleague is the best of all – maybe you’ll be chosen as the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians’ 2015 Family Physician of the Year!
Jan. 19, 2015 is the deadline for entries to the PAFP’s 2015 Family Physician of the Year contest – be sure to read the contest rules on www.pafp.com/topdoc.
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