INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE

ADVOCACY AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
> HEALTHCHOICES EXPANSION INTO NEW WEST ZONE EFFECTIVE OCT. 2012
> FALL LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW
> BECOME A PAFP KEY CONTACT!

CME
> HEADED TO SCRANTON AND STATE COLLEGE:  THE REGIONAL LECTURE SERIES
> FORGET THE SLOOP JOHN B, JOIN OUR SLOOP CME!
> START OFF YOUR AUTUMN AT THE LANCASTER BREAKAWAY

PUBLIC HEALTH
> OBESITY LINKED TO COGNITIVE DECLINE

QUALITY INITIATIVES
> AVAILABILITY INCREASED FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
> DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING FOR MEANINGFUL USE

RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS
> SPECIAL NOTE: GEAR UP FOR THE WHIRLWIND FALL
> PRIMARY CARE CAREERS: PATHWAYS TO PRACTICE IN PA.
> FMEC: TRANSFORMING THE NATION'S HEALTH
> PAFP OFFERING REBATES ON SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION

OTHER NEWS
> VISIT OUR SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY WEBPAGE
> NEW HOME FOR PROGRESS NOTES

HEALTHCHOICES EXPANSION INTO NEW WEST ZONE EFFECTIVE OCT. 2012
The ACCESS Plus physical health program and the United Health Voluntary Managed Care Program for Medical Assistance (MA) recipients will end Sept. 30, 2012 in Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, and Warren counties. These counties will form the HealthChoices (mandatory physical health managed care) New West Zone effective Oct. 1, 2012.  To learn more, read this Provider Quick Tip from the Pa. Dept. of Public Welfare (DPW).

FALL LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW

The Pa. General Assembly will return to Harrisburg on Sept. 24 to kick off the final quarter of the 2011-12 legislative session. Items on the PAFP’s agenda include legislation that would establish a pharmaceutical accountability monitoring system in the Commonwealth, fair contracting and physician credentialing legislation.  Visit the PAFP Government Affairs webpage for legislative and policy updates.

BECOME A PAFP KEY CONTACT!
Do you have an existing relationship with your state or federal legislators? If so, you could become a Key Contact for the PAFP’s government affairs team. The PAFP is looking for members who have established relationships with state and federal lawmakers to help advocate for family physicians in Pennsylvania. Register with the PAFP’s Key Contacts Program today.

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HEADED TO SCRANTON AND STATE COLLEGE: THE REGIONAL LECTURE SERIES
Mark your calendar for Scranton on Sept. 12 and State College on Sept. 26. New Tools to Fix a Broken Screening System: Colorectal Cancer Screening for the Changing Landscape of Primary Care Regional Lecture Series events are scheduled for two hours of patient safety CME credits. These events are free for PAFP members and one staff member. Click here to register!

FORGET THE SLOOP JOHN B, JOIN OUR SLOOP CME!
The PAFP Foundation is excited to announce its Baltimore-to-Bermuda CME Cruise, scheduled for Friday, June 28 through Friday, July 5, 2013. EARN up to 18 hours of valuable CME, ENJOY dazzling entertainment, and ENGAGE in tons of family fun! For full information, visit www.pafp.com/cruise.

START OFF YOUR AUTUMN AT THE LANCASTER BREAKAWAY 
Join your colleagues Nov. 2 through 4 for relevant clinical sessions, SAM Study Group, and our new, interactive Medical Jeopardy session. Conference will be held at the Eden Conference Center, just minutes from downtown Lancaster.

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OBESITY LINKED TO COGNITIVE DECLINE

Obese, middle-aged people see a speedier decline in cognitive function than those with normal weight, according to The Wall Street Journal. The paper reports that the study in the journal Neurology may support research linking obesity to dementia. The 10-year study involved more than 6,000 participants. Check out the PAFP's searchable CME database for education about obesity prevention.

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AVAILABILITY INCREASED FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Affordable Care Act anticipates increased availability for co-located behavioral health services in primary care settings. This website offers resources for including substance abuse and mental health care into primary care practices.

DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING FOR MEANINGFUL USE
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012 is the last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90-day reporting period in order to attest to Meaningful Use and receive their incentive payment for the calendar year 2012 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program

To receive the maximum incentive payment, Medicare eligible professionals must begin participation by 2012. Click here for more information.

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SPECIAL NOTE: GEAR UP FOR THE WHIRLWIND FALL
We’re entering what will be a whirlwind fall for events and opportunities for residents and students! Please mark your calendars and apply now for scholarships to support your participation in the following programs:

PRIMARY CARE CAREERS: PATHWAYS TO PRACTICE IN PA.
Primary Care Careers: Pathways to Practice in Pennsylvania will be taking place Sept. 14 and 15 at the Hilton Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pa. Click here for more information and to register. Scholarships are available - please contact Christina Brindamour, workforce coordinator, at (717) 761-6443 x211 or via email.

Open to all primary care medical and dental students, interns, residents and practitioners. All employers recruiting primary care practitioners are welcome. Please bring your spouses and families to enjoy the local attractions.

FMEC: TRANSFORMING THE NATION'S HEALTH
Check out the Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC)'s conference Family Medicine: Transforming the Nation’s Health, One Family and One Community at a Time, Sept. 28 through 30 in Cleveland. For a conference brochure and details on pre-conference workshops, the hotel and the exhibit hall, please visit the FMEC's website.

Student scholarships available! Please apply today!

PAFP OFFERING REBATES ON SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION

The PAFP will offer rebates on your AAFP Scientific Assembly registration, Oct. 16 through 20 in Philadelphia! Just register for the assembly, then apply to the PAFP for a rebate on your registration.

An online rebate application form is coming soon. Rebates available first-come, first-served: residents $50; students $75. All resident and student members of PAFP will receive rebate details via email soon!

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VISIT OUR SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY WEB PAGE!
Pennsylvania is your host for the 2012 American Academy of Family Physicians' (AAFP) Scientific Assembly! Visit our brand-new Welcome to Philadelphia page to register for the conference; see a schedule of PAFP events, including CME, a member reception, and PAFP exhibit booth times; check out visitor information and more!

NEW HOME FOR PROGRESS NOTES
The PAFP knows how hard it sometimes is to find Progress Notes on our website - some of our members may not even be receiving it through email because of spam-detecting software. Starting today, it's easier to access Progress Notes and share it with your friends and colleagues.

From now on, the latest issue of Progress Notes can be found at the easy-to-remember web address pafp.com/progressnotes. If you want to access all of the older issues, just head to pafp.com/progressnotesarchive. We hope these changes are of some benefit to you!

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