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June 17, 2015 | Issue 115 |
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Government Affairs
PAFP Weighs In on Medical Marijuana Debate
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Through actions of the PAFP’s Legal and Government Affairs Commission and Board of Directors, the PAFP has chosen a pragmatic approach to weigh in on the debate over legalizing medical cannabis. Remaining neutral on any particular bill, the PAFP expressed to the governor, Senate and House leaders that any legislation addressing medical marijuana contain three tenets: a physician-led team prescribing only for use of medical cannabis; prescriber civil liability and protection from prosecution clauses; and significant funding for Pennsylvania-based research in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. A Senate bill passed; the House is now focusing on the issue.
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Practice Advocacy
Fraud Alert Notice to Physicians
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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has recently issued a fraud alert, putting physicians on notice they will be looking a little harder at contractual arrangements that could violate the anti-kickback statute. The anti-kickback law prohibits the exchange of money for referrals involving federal healthcare dollars. Think about the terms of any compensation arrangement you are considering, making sure it is void of any language mentioning compensation for any past or future referrals. The OIG is increasing its legal support to look for questionable payment arrangements physicians may have entered into.
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Education
One More Week for Special Savings on Sun, Fun, and CME
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1. More than 16 CME hours (including 13 patient safety sessions)
2. Affordable conference rates (register by 5 p.m. on June 25 to receive the early bird discount off your registration fee (a $30 savings)
3. Attend the child abuse recognition training session to fulfill your state requirement (Act 31)
4. Hands-on workshops: Submit your questions on musculoskeletal issues, EHRs, and Meaningful Use to jowen@pafp.com
5. Enjoy exciting social events designed especially for you!
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Public Health
Free In-Office Pediatric Obesity Training Now Available
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EPIC® - Pediatric Obesity: Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention in Community Settings is a 1-1.5 hour free, CME-CEU, in-office program for your entire practice staff , jointly presented by a physician and registered dietitian. Overweight and obesity issues are discussed within the context of family wellness with practical suggestions for working with the patient, family, and community in the context of short patient visits. You’ll also learn about assessment of weight for size, comorbidities, prevention, interventions, and goal-setting for families. For more information or to schedule programs, contact Gwen Alexandre at galexandre@paaap.org or (484) 446-3038.
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Quality Improvement
July 1, 2015: Last Day to Avoid 2016 Payment Adjustment
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Eligible Medicare providers who did not successfully attest to Meaningful Use in 2014 will receive a 2 percent payment adjustment beginning January 1, 2016. You may eligible to avoid the penalty by applying for a hardship exception.
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Residents & Students
Leaders Needed; Family Medicine Fellowships
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Leaders Needed! (That’s You!)
Several resident and student leadership positions will be elected at AAFP National Conference’s Congress sessions. Look through the list of open positions. Candidates for election should contact Molly Talley by July 13 for help assembling your candidate packet and chapter endorsement. Candidates seeking appointed positions, contact Molly after National Conference to submit your application.
AAFP Leader Voices: Family Medicine Fellowships
PAFP Resident Chair and AAFP Resident Chair Andrew Lutzkanin, MD penned this recent blog on family medicine fellowships enhancing the scope of family medicine practice.
Congratulations, Andy, and all PAFP graduating residents! Welcome, incoming PGY-1s!
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Member Survey Deadline Coming Up!
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PAFP active members: The short member survey you received through both mail and email must be completed digitally or postmarked by this Friday, June 19. Fill out the survey for a chance to win an iPad Mini! You will need your AAFP ID number to enter the drawing.
June 30: Deadline to Register as a 2015 PQRS GPRO
Physicians in groups with two or more eligible professionals may register to participate in the 2015 PQRS Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) via the Physician Value - Physician Quality Reporting System (PV-PQRS) Registration System. Satisfactorily reporting via a PQRS GPRO is one of the ways groups can avoid automatic downward adjustments and qualify for performance-based payment incentives under the Value Modifier (VM). See what physicians need to do in 2015 for the 2017 VM on the Value Modifier webpage for more information. More information is available on the GPRO website, or contact Primary Healthcare Consultants for assistance.
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!
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