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EHR Incentive Program Update
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published a data file containing de-identified information on eligible professionals (EPs) and hospitals (EHs) who have attested to the Meaningful Use Program (MU) including physician specialty, state, and vendor type. The dataset can be downloaded for free. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also recently published updated MU registration and attestation data. Attestations include 15,255 Medicare EPs and 14,089 Medicaid EPs. Physicians make up the vast majority of both groups, but overall participation remains low. The MU 2011 reporting period for physicians ended on Dec. 31. Physicians interested in applying for incentives for 2011 have until Feb. 29 to register and attest at https://ehrincentives.cms.gov/hitech/login.action. Feb. 29 is also the last day EPs have to submit claims for allowed charges incurred in 2011. (from the January 25th ed. of the AMA Advocacy Update, 1/27/2012)
The Pain Management Rules for Physicians and Physician Assistants: Effective Jan 2, 2012
As a reminder:
- The 2010 legislature passed engrossed substitute house bill 2876 requiring that the medical quality assurance commission, and four other boards and commissions, adopt rules regarding the management of chronic noncancer pain.
- The law required that the rules contain specific mandatory elements as well as guidelines. The medical commission adopted their rules for physicians and physician assistants that are effective January 2, 2012.
- The goal of these rules is to provide guidance regarding prescribing for practitioners who treat patients with chronic pain. A key component of the rules is to encourage practitioners to become better educated in the safe and effective uses of these powerful drugs.
- All practitioners who prescribe long-acting opioids are encouraged to have at least four hours of continuing education on that topic.
- Practitioners who have 12 continuing education credits on the topic of chronic pain management within the prior two years are exempt from the requirement for a pain management consultation when prescribing more than 120 mg morphine equivalent per day.
The medical commission worked with the agency medical directors’ group to provide four hours of free CME. Information regarding this CME is available at: http://www.agencymeddirectors.wa.gov/opioiddosing.asp#CME.
More information regarding the pain management laws and subsequent rules, as well as guidance and resources are available via the medical commissions web page at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/MQAC/PainManagement.htm, and the Department of Health’s web page at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/PainManagement/
Please see our Pain Resources page for additional information.
Attention: Information for the Medicare Fee-For-Service Provider Community
Given the new direction for the nation's health system, the AMA has developed Health System Reform Insight, a bi-monthly newsletter to help you understand what this new direction means to you and your patients. Click here for important links, key dates, or for more information on the important changes in the Medicare quality reporting program for physicians that will take effect in 2012. (12/16/2011)
Dr. Glen Stream Assumes Presidency of the American Academy of Family Physicians
Glen R. Stream, MD, MBI, FAAFP, a family physician in Spokane and member of the Spokane County Medical Society, has just assumed the responsibilities of president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Previously, he served three years as a director on the AAFP Board and one year as president-elect. Dr. Stream was elected president-elect in September 2010 by the Congress of Delegates, the AAFP’s governing body. The AAFP represents 100,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. Click here for more information. (courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians), 9/14/2011
Biomedical and Health Science Building Breaks Ground!
The Spokane community officially broke ground on Wednesday, October 5, on the Biomedical and Health Sciences Building Phase I at WSU Spokane. Watch Dr. Gary Knox and others comment on this momentous event for Spokane, our medical community and the future of health care. Click here to view the YouTube video.
Big Changes Coming Soon -- L&I Provider Network and New COHEs
Historic workers’ compensation reforms will affect every provider that does business with L&I:
- L&I is creating a network that will serve injured workers covered by L&I as well as those of self-insured employers.
- Network standards are being developed now and enrollment for attending providers will begin in early 2012.
- L&I will expand the Centers for Occupational Health and Education (recruiting soon for 2013 expansion)
- Beginning in 2013, workers will be able to see a non-network provider for their first visit only.
- Also in 2013, L&I will launch incentives for network providers who use occupational-health best practices.
Find out what’s going on and how it will affect you. Join the L&I Medical Provider News e-mail list — the best way to stay up to date — by going to www.Lni.wa.gov and entering “Medical Provider News” in the search box. Information is also available at www.ProviderNetwork.Lni.wa.gov
A Place to Share Your Opinion
We'd love to hear your comments on topics of interest published in our monthly newsletter "The Message". Click here to go to the SCMS Opinion Page and post your comment. Articles available for comment are listed in the right column, arranged each month by date of publication. Please read "Our Comment Policy" for more information. (note: we review all submissions before they are posted)
It's Time for Congress to Repeal Medicare's SGR
Addressing the federal deficit will require difficult decisions on lowering government spending and costs. But there is one fiscally responsible step that Congress can take now so that Medicare patients can keep their doctors, and avoid adding even more to Medicare spending and the national debt -- they can fix Medicare's broken physician payment formula NOW, instead of later.
(7/25/2011)
Free CME Program on Pain Management and Prescribing Opioids
Four FREE continuing education credits are now available to help providers comply with new statewide rules on pain management and the prescribing of opioids for chronic, non-cancer pain.
CLICK HERE to go directly to the Opioid Dosing Guideline page at the Agency Medical Directors’ Group (AMDG) website (www.agencymeddirectors.wa.gov). Select the CME Activities tab.
The 2010 legislature passed a bill in response to concerns about the consequences and risks of prescribing opioids for chronic, non-cancer pain. In response, five boards and commissions adopted regulations related to pain management. To meet the 4 hour CME provision in these rules, the Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC) in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH) and Agency Medical Directors’ Group (AMDG), offer a free Category 1 CME (continuing education) package available online and on-demand! Users may print certificates from their own computer at no charge – no need to wait for a certificate in the mail! This CME package is applicable to the licensees of all five boards and commissions named in this legislation.
(7/15/2011)
The Challenge of Providing Primary Care Services to Spokane County
A study commissioned by the Spokane County Medical Society asked researchers to investigate the Challenge of Providing Primary Care Services to Spokane County. The comprehensive study available for download here was led by D. Patrick Jones, PhD, Executive Director of Eastern Washington University's Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis. "This study lays the framework for Spokane County Medical Society, the business and civic communities, hospitals, universities and legislative efforts for the next several years, according to Courtney Clyde, MD, SCMS President. For more information about the study please contact Keith Baldwin, CEO, at (509) 325-5010.
