2010 HCMA INAUGURATION GALA
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday May 1, 2010
6:30 PM
InterContinental Tampa Hotel
Dr. Kenneth Louis will be installed as the 2010/2011 HCMA President. Watch your mail for more information and formal invitations. You will not want to miss this exciting evening!
2010 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2010 Legislative Session begins on Tuesday, March 2nd, and adjourns on Friday, April 30th. Please see the attached 2010 FMA Legislative Agenda. All physician members will be asked to assist in contacting their legislators, regarding specific bills, during the session. Talking points regarding all issues, and a list of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation, can be obtained by calling the HCMA office. A complete list of legislators, including phone numbers and email addresses, will also be published in the Jan/Feb issue of The Bulletin.
DOCTOR OF THE DAY PROGRAM
The Florida Office of Legislative Services is looking for physicians to participate in the Doctor of the Day Program for the 2010 Legislative Session. Physicians who are willing to spend a day in Tallahassee during the session perform an invaluable service by providing health care for members of the Legislature and legislative employees. For each day of the legislative session, two physicians will be scheduled to serve as Doctors of the Day – one for the House of Representatives and one for the Senate. If you are interested in serving, please contact Althea Houston at HOUSTON.ALTHEA@leg.state.fl.us or 850.488.6803.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S H1N1 SWINE FLU INFORMATION & UPDATES
The Department of Health (DOH) has a new website where physicians can obtain comprehensive information and important updates pertaining to the H1N1 swine flu virus. Click here to visit the DOH H1N1 swine flu website.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PETITION FTC FOR RELIEF FROM RED FLAGS RULE
The AMA joined the American Dental Association, American Osteopathic Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association to reiterate their call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to exclude health professionals from the controversial regulation. In response to a suit brought by the American Bar Association (ABA), the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that lawyers should be excluded from the requirements imposed by the red flags rule. In a letter to the FTC, the four organizations maintain that the court ruling sends a clear signal that the FTC should re-evaluate the broad application of the Red Flags Rule. The FTC has delayed the effective date until June 1, 2010.
AMA ADVOCACY ON CONSULTATIONS POLICY CONTINUES
Despite vigorous opposition from the AMA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, (CMS) finalized a new policy, effective January 1, which eliminates Medicare payment for CPT consultation codes. Physicians who perform consultations must bill Medicare using hospital, office, or nursing care codes instead. CMS has issued very little guidance on how the new policy should be implemented and has relied heavily on Medicare contractors to instruct physicians on how to bill. The AMA continues to urge CMS to provide greater clarification on certain technical issues such as how the lowest level inpatient consultation codes should be billed. CMS has informed the AMA that they plan on releasing more information in the near future. The AMA will widely distribute this information once it becomes available. In the meantime, the AMA has posted a CPT article to their website at www.ama-assn.org/go/regrelief under the section on “2010 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule/ Consultations.” The AMA continues to convey to both the Administration and Congress their opposition to this policy.
FORE!!!! (TEEN)
Save the date…the HCMA Foundation’s 14th Charity Golf Classic will be held Thursday, October 21st at the beautiful Tournament Players Club of Tampa. It’s never too early to secure your spot. $130 per golfer includes greens fees, cart, lunch, dinner, and a great day out of the office – all for a good cause! Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
The HCMA Foundation is a network of physicians and local businesses dedicated to enriching our community. Partnership with the Tampa Bay business community is a fundamental goal of the HCMA, the HCMA Alliance, and the HCMA Foundation; and has been an essential component for success of the Foundation Charity Golf Classic. Due to the success of the Charity Golf Classic we have been proud to award grants to such organization as: The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, The Judeo Christian Health Clinic, MoreHealth, The Evelyn Shaver Scholarship Fund through the HCMA Alliance, and many others. The deadline for 2010 HCMA Foundation Grant Applications is February 15, 2010.
Contact Julie (JFrissell@hcma.net) or Elke (EJohnston@hcma.net) at the HCMA office for more information (813.253.0471).
JUDEO CHRISTIAN HEALTH CLINIC NEEDS VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANS
The Judeo Christian Health Clinic needs additional physicians to work in its general medical clinics on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. General surgeons and other specialties are also needed. Please contact the Clinic at 870-3231 if you are willing and able to volunteer. Please note…the Judeo Christian Health Clinic 38th Annual Testimonial Dinner will be held on April 15th, 2010. For reservations and details, call 813.870.0395, extension 22.
PHYSICIAN ADVOCACY PROGRAM
The HCMA partnered with Physicians’ Counsel, L.L.C, in order to offer the Physician Advocacy Program (PAP) to members. The PAP covers all types of disciplinary complaint investigations for physicians and is a great benefit of membership. Except for a minimal retainer fee, there are NO additional costs to you for legal services provided under this program. Call today to see how the PAP can provide you immediate access to experienced legal counsel. Contact Bill Czemeris, the PAP’s Client Relations Coordinator @ 866.723.5850 or visit http://www.physicianadvocacyprogram.com/ for more information.
STAT LAW
A monthly one page publication of the Physicians’ Counsel, offers the latest breaking news on medical-legal developments affecting physicians and health care providers. Please review the attached February 2010 edition. The information will also be published in the upcoming issue of The Bulletin.
CONGRATULATIONS GOES TO…
Fred Bearison, M.D., on his recent reappointment to the Florida Board of Medicine by Governor Charlie Crist. Dr. Bearison is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Medicine and serves as the Board of Medicine’s representative on the HCMA’s Executive Council.
Mathis Becker, M.D., HCMA’s “Outstanding Physician of the Year.” Dr. Becker was selected by his peers as HCMA’s 2009 Outstanding Physician of the Year for his exemplary leadership within the HCMA and his role as liaison between the HCMA and the USF COM. An award was presented to him at the February 2nd HCMA membership dinner meeting.
Chad Rudnick, third year medical student at the USF COM, was the winner of the 2009 Cherry Bekaert, & Holland Scholarship Award which was presented at the February 2nd HCMA membership dinner meeting. The scholarship was matched by the HCMA Foundation. Mr. Rudnick is very active in organized medicine and has served as student representative on HCMA’s Executive Council for the past two years.
THE HCMA HAS OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
Two adjoining offices (approximately 220 square feet) in Historic Hyde Park…available on March 1, 2010. $425 per month lease inclusive of all utilities and parking. Easy access to downtown and Tampa International Airport. Additional amenities include: Incoming guest lobby area, use of conference rooms, use of in-house copy, postage, and fax machines, complete kitchen, security system and janitorial services. Private entrance and restroom shared with only one other tenant. Security deposit and two year lease required. For additional information call Debbie Zorian, Executive Director, at 813-253-0471.
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