Progress Notes :: Feb. 25, 2015

Progress Notes :: Feb. 25, 2015 :: Issue 107


		Feb. 25, 2015 \| Issue 107


		Government Affairs Gov. Wolf Prepares to Deliver Budget Proposal
		On Tuesday, March 3, Gov. Tom Wolf will release his 2015-16 budget proposal for the Commonwealth, which faces an estimated $2 billion deficit. A balanced budget agreement must be signed into law by June 30. Last year, the PAFP successfully championed an additional $1 million to the Dept. of Health's Primary Health Care Practitioner line-item. That led to new investment in primary care workforce development through a PAFP-administered project supporting family medicine residency expansion and a new loan repayment program. The PAFP’s government affairs team will review closely the governor’s proposal.

		Practice Advocacy Human Services Dept. Releases Preferred Drug List
		The Dept. of Human Services (DHS) has just released its Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective Jan. 21, 2015. The department’s Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee meets semi-annually to review clinical literature and make recommendations related to new drugs in therapeutic classes already in the PDL, status changes between preferred and non-preferred, new quantity limits, and new classes of drugs to be added or deleted from the PDL. Check the DHS website for addition information, guidelines, tools and fax forms to assist you. Should you need further assistance, providers may call 1 (800) 537-8862.

		Education Today: Final Day for Special Valley Forge Room Rate
		The Sheraton Valley Forge is extending its room discount for Valley Forge CME Conference attendees. To receive the PAFP Foundation discount and reserve your room under the PAFP room block, contact Jeannine Bates directly at (484) 238-1821. Today is the last day to receive the special $129 rate! There are two more weeks to pre-register online. The conference includes more than 16 CME credits (13 patient safety), a SAM Study Group, a child abuse and reporting session, the PAFP Annual Business Meeting and special events like the Leadership Dinner Workshop and Monte Carlo Casino Night Foundation Fundraiser - register today!

		Public Health CME Monograph Coming in Keystone Physician
		Be sure to check out the next issue of the Keystone Physician magazine for a free CME monograph titled Improving Your Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Using the Model for Improvement. The monograph focuses on the latest state-of-the art screening tests and approaches for physicians and office staff to improve their screening rates.

		Quality Improvement Data Diamond System Being Offered to Practices

		The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians’ data collection system, Data Diamond, is now being offered to practices at an annual, discounted rate for practices which employ PAFP members as health care providers. The system provides practices the chance to collect, review, assess and evaluate their quality health data. The Data Diamond system provides a user-friendly interface for entering data and information, along with the flexibility to report data results based on the specifics needs of the individual practice. To inquire about this opportunity, please contact Gerald Miller at gmiller@pafp.com or at (717) 635-7577.

		Residents & Students Call for Research Abstracts; Register for Valley Forge CME

		Call for research abstracts! Research Day (March 21, Valley Forge) Submission deadline: March 6 Abstract submission and registration is officially open! Presenters submit their abstract via online conference registration form. Check our tips for presenters as you pull your abstract together. Don't wait until the last minute! Register for the Valley Forge CME Conference! Residents and students, please participate in the PAFP’s Valley Forge CME Conference, Annual Meeting, and Research Day March 19 through 22. Enjoy clinical sessions, business, leadership development, awards, celebrations, and networking to help enhance your education and training. Check details online; contact Molly Talley with questions.

		Introducing Primary Healthcare Consultants
		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!