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Call for 2012 Scientific Assembly Abstracts
Submit your abstract today to be a part of the nation’s foremost conference addressing the issues of the underserved and vulnerable populations!
The National Medical Association, (NMA) is currently accepting abstract submissions for its Annual Scientific Assembly, July 28 – August 1, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Abstracts from all medical specialties and disciplines related to topics of health disparities are welcome. Abstracts are due no later than Tuesday, November 15, 2011 but are reviewed on a rolling basis and early submissions are strongly encouraged. For more information.
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NMA News
"Call to Action" Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) and African American Babies
The National Medical Association (NMA) “Call to Action” regarding Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV), an infection is a major cause of respiratory illness in infants and young children. RSV causes an estimated 90,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths per year in children 5 years of age and younger. In collaboration with the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), the NMA is sounding the alarm about RSV infection rates, and the serious health risks they pose.
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The NMA Works to Cut your Overhead!
"I immediately saved 60% off my payroll cost and get rid of my old payroll processing company. Serious saving even with just 3 employees" NMA Internist
No Gimmicks, No Games SAVE SIGNIFICANT MONEY TODAY on your Payroll Processing and Credit/Check Processing for small and large practices and businesses.
The National Medical Association, (NMA) has leveraged our influence and commitment to physicians to negotiate with Heartland Payment Systems to REDUCE our physicians overhead, increase service and profitability.
The NMA is constantly working to help our physicians in all aspects of their professional and personal lives. Our innovative program, "The Business of the Physician", was launched a the 2011 conference and we are aggressively increasing our partnerships to bring you the absolute BEST in products, access to services, literature. seminars and events. You belong to the NMA and thus we can negotiate savings for our vast membership, "Membership truly does have its PRIVILEGES".
The NMA has partnered with one of the leading payroll and credit card processing companies in the country, Heartland Payment Systems, to bring you some of the most useful and cost effective solutions available anywhere. This partnership provides NMA members with the following exclusive features:
Payroll Processing Services:
SIGNIFICANTLY reduces costs/enhances benefits as compared to ADP, Paychex and even your private CPA.
Several NMA members report over 60% savings in payroll fees alone for their office and are thrilled with the level of customer service!
· Services provided for small to large practices (even 1 employee)
· Regular employees as well as contractors/consultants (1099)
. Easy and fast transition in just a few minutes
· Reduce set up fees by over 1/2!
· Direct Deposit at no additional costs
· NO Convenience Fees
· NO Hidden Costs
· DEDICATED point of contact for ALL NMA Members
Indemnity protection against IRS (or State) fines/penalties for error at no additional costs.
Many other benefits that most companies charge extra for are included at no extra charge or significantly reduced.
Credit Card Processing:
Heartland Payment Systems is a WHOLESALE DIRECT provider of credit card processing services. This can mean significant savings to your bottom line!! They own the complete delivery system and NO PART is outsourced to other companies or overseas. Unlike your local bank or the typical reseller/broker provider that 98% of our members might find themselves utilizing without even realizing it. .
Check Processing:
Warranty checks against NSF or collections issues at the point of sale, or process checks in the back office with RDC (Remote Deposit Capture/Banking). Heartland’s system can accommodate multiple physicians/bank accounts, has a built in collections//recovery component, works with ANY bank and even multiple banks unlike many similar products in the marketplace that can accommodate none of the above usually.
We are committed to "The Business of the Physician" because we know that a "healthy business" makes for a "healthy physician" and therefore a "healthy patient". We encourage you to refer your colleagues, other business owners and organizations to Heartland.
Don't delay, no gimmicks, just savings and excellent customer service! Call the NMA's direct contact for this program is Michael Reid @ 202.487.7835 or email him at [email protected].
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Clinical Research Discussion for Houston’s Minority Community partners with the NMA
The National Medical Association has partnered with the Houston Medical Forum and MD Anderson Cancer Center/Department of Health Disparities Research to host “Partners in Health: How You Can Make a Difference in Medicine” on Saturday, October 15th from 11:00 – 2:00 pm at the Houston Community College Conference Center located at 3100 Main Street, Houston, Texas. This free research forum will address such topics as what are research studies/clinical trials, why people participate in studies, why minorities tend not to participate, the critical role of clinical research in improving health, myths and realities about clinical trials/studies, and the systems that are in place to protect volunteers. The Houston Department of Health and Human Services Director, Stephen Williams is a featured speaker. The program will be moderated by Dr. Elise Cook and Dr. Tanya Stephens of MD Cancer Center and will include a bioethicist, clinical researchers, and clinical trial participants
For additional information or to register, please call Yolanda Fleming at 1-800-NMA-0554, ext. 261 or email [email protected]
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Good Clinical Practices and Skills Building Program
The National Medical Association (NMA) in collaboration with the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) is sponsoring a Good Clinical Practices and Skills Building (GCP) Program December 10-11, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Good Clinical Practice is considered the standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, analysis and reporting of clinical studies involving human participants. This interactive CME approved program is targeted to existing and potential clinical investigators, their study staff and others interested in clinical research. Compliance with GCP provides assurance that the study data are credible and accurate and that the rights, safety, confidentiality and well-being of research participants are protected. Some of the topics that will be covered include the Drug Development Process, Institutional Review Boards, Informed Consent Process, FDA Inspection Process/Compliance, Adverse Event Report, Successful Clinical Trial Execution and Cultural Competency/Recruitment and Retention.
We look forward to seeing you at this very valuable program. Special rates for NMA and ABC members. To find out more contact Yolanda Fleming at 202/207-1548 or via e-mail [email protected].
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First Corps Community Day hosted by the National Medical Association and Health Service Corps
Join us in supporting the first Corps Community Day on October 13, 2011, during the 13th annual National Primary Care Week. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is conducting a variety of events and activities nationwide on this day in an effort to recruit additional committed health professionals to serve communities in need and to strengthen the public’s understanding of the importance of access to primary care. You can engage in activities such as the “Tell One” Campaign, hosting a presentation at a local high school, college or health professional school, conduct a health fair, or coordinate family health walk in your community.
Morehouse School of Medicine will be hosting a job fair in support of the National Health Service Corps’ first annual Corps Community Day on Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on its main campus at the National Center for Primary Care in Atlanta, Georgia. National Health Service Corps sites have been invited to recruit and meet with Morehouse residents and medical students. The Job Fair will be held in the first floor lobby of the National Center for Primary Care located at 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. This invitation is extended only to NHSC sites in Georgia. If you have any questions, please e-mail them to [email protected].
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Practice Management News
Auditors: Medicare Overpaid Docs $28.8 Million
Modern Physician (09/11) Carlson, Joe
Auditors estimate that Medicare overpaid physicians $28.8 million in 2008 and 2009 for ambulatory and outpatient services that were performed in hospitals instead of doctors' offices, according to two new government reports. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said it would consider investigating the estimated $28.8 million in overpayments but noted that it must consider "return on investment" in such reviews. Physicians interviewed by the auditors explained that Medicare's billing system is extraordinarily complex, and either their staffs or billing agents may have been confused about the precise selection of a facility on claims forms. Some doctors also told the auditors that their billing agents were unaware that place-of-service can change the payments for services.
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Think Before You Lease: Legal Restrictions on Practice Arrangements
Physicians Practice (09/14/11) Adler, Ericka L.
The recession has prompted providers to create more cost-effective strategies for lowering overhead costs. Some are sharing spaces to compensate for growing costs of office space, though compliance regulations like Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute must be observed. Under Stark Law, there are two exceptions that could affect physicians leasing office space or leasing equipment, but require the following: the lease to be in writing, specifying the exact premises or equipment to be leased and is signed by both parties; the leased space or equipment does not exceed what is necessary for the lessee’s business purpose and is exclusively used by the lessee during the leased period; the lease term is for at least one year and, if terminated prior to the end of the first year, cannot be re-entered into by the parties until expiration of that first year; the formula to calculate rent is set in advance, reflects fair market value and does not take into consideration the volume or value of referrals between the parties; and the lease is commercially reasonable even if the parties never refer to each other. Anti-Kickback Statute compliance requires leases be structured to follow space rental or equipment rental safe harbors that require similar Stark exceptions, with one exception: under this statute, an aggregate amount of rent for the lease's term must be set in advance.
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Excel at Collections
Modern Medicine (09/10/11) Woodcock, Elizabeth W.
It is critical for medical practices to optimize time-of-service collections, with new high-deductible health plans requiring more out-of-pocket contributions from patients. Optimization strategies include having reception staff develop tactful and discreet collection skills quickly. Meanwhile, financial clearance should be performed prior to patients' arrival at the office. Staff should be taught ways to ask for payment that personalizes the interaction and puts the situation in the patient's hands.
In addition to copayments, practices should ensure that reception staff has immediate access to accurate information about the balance due, as this gives them concrete data to supplement their collection. A deposit required at the time of service should be established for uninsured patients, while payment should be requested—or at least expectations set—during appointment scheduling or confirmation calls, or both.
Staff need to be monitored and reported on a weekly basis, while the receipting, recording, and balancing processes must be structured and followed appropriately. A front office staffer who does outstanding collections may be ideal for making collection calls,and a practice should mull a work scheme for the staffer to make such calls once or twice weekly.
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Putting Medicare's Bundled Payment to the Test
Family Practice News (09/13/2011) Erickson, Shari E.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is inviting large group practices, hospitals, physician-hospital organizations, health systems, and other providers to test one of four bundled payment models. With bundled payments, a single payment is made for all services patients receive during an inpatient stay and up to 90 days after discharge, and hospitals and other organizations will distribute the money to all those involved in the acute episode of care. While experts applaud CMS for testing bundled payments before rolling out such a program, there are concerns about whether primary care physicians will be given a fair share. The idea behind bundled payments is to encourage a more efficient use of healthcare services, improve quality, and reduce readmissions.
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iPad EMR Apps: A Guide to Electronic Medical Records
Physicians News Digest (09/12/11) Neal, Houston
Physicians and medical professionals have been some of the earliest adopters and strongest supporters of the Apple’s iPad, the leading tablet on the market. As such, many electronic medical record (EMR) vendors are responding to the increased demand by producing solutions that are iPad-compatible. Medical software vendors are approaching iPad solutions in various ways, but the development efforts can be summarized into these three options: native iPad EMRs, remote access EMRs, and web-based EMRs. Native iPad EMRs have been developed specifically for the iPad and its iOS operating system, and they take full advantage of the operating system and iPad user interface. The disadvantage is that they are limited in terms of availability. Remote access EMRs are beneficial because most systems can be ported to the iPad using this technology. The drawback, however, is that this approach is simply creating a “window” via the iPad to access these on-premise EMRs. Web-based EMRs are some of the most popular solutions for doctors seeking HITECH Act incentive funds, and there are many options. Still, these systems do have their drawbacks when used on the iPad, because their performance depends on a user's Internet connection.
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Physician Assistants, Payers, and Your Practice
Physicians Practice (09/09/11) Powe, Michael
Extending patient access to cost-effective medical and surgical services as part of the physician-PA team is a basic tenant of the PA profession, and physicians should also be aware that nearly all public (Medicare and Medicaid) and private payers reimburse medically necessary services delivered by PAs, if that same service is covered when provided by a physician. Overall, PAs provide services that are considered physician’s services if furnished by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy. Still, payer rules can differ and a “one-size-fits-all approach” cannot be assumed. Medicare is a significant payer for many practices, but its reimbursement rules do not necessarily determine the payment policies of other third-party payers. Many payers have written policies regarding PAs on their website as part of a coverage policy manual. Fortunately, there are only a couple of variations of the theme: the service is either billed under the name and provider number of the PA, or under the name and number of the physician. There are several important points about billing for services delivered by PAs: PAs should have a National Provider Identification (NPI) number and in most cases can be enrolled in Medicare using the same 855i enrollment form used by physicians; Medicare covers services provided by PAs in all settings at 85 percent of the physician fee schedule; when billing Medicare under the PA’s name and number, general supervision meets Medicare’s guidelines; Medicare allows PAs to provide care in the office and bill the service under the name of the supervising physician; most private payers do not follow Medicare’s rules for billing; Medicare and other payers should always be billed with the same Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code used by physician for the same service; bill payers at the full physician rate; all 50 states and the District of Columbia cover PAs under their fee-for-service or managed care plans. PAs can significantly increase the revenue stream of reimbursement to the practice while also providing services that are a necessary part of providing high quality care to patients.
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EHRs Beat Paper in Head-to-Head Competition
HealthLeaders Media (09/06/11) Shaw, Gienna
Researchers tracked quality measures and outcomes for more than 27,000 Cleveland-area adults with diabetes, and found that patients who were treated at practices using EHRs enjoyed substantially better outcomes than patient's who were treated by physicians using paper records. The researchers looked at four national quality standards for care, and found that nearly 51 percent of patients in EHR practices received care that met all four of the standards, compared to just 7 percent at paper-based practices. After accounting for patient differences, EHR practices had annual improvements in care that were 10 percent better than paper-based practices, along with 4 percent greater annual improvements in outcomes. The study was published in the Sept. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Abstract News © Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC.
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![]() | The Importance of Multicultural Awareness and Competency in Diabetes Care Perspectives on Type 2 Diabetes Management in African Americans | ![]() | |||||||||||||||
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![]() | Given the growing prevalence of diabetes in US-based racial/ethnic minority patient populations, the need for cultural competency has never been greater. This program addresses the many challenges clinicians may face when managing multicultural patients with diabetes, reviews the needs of these patients, and helps clinicians prepare for impending legislation. You will learn concrete strategies for providing culture-specific care. This topic features Anthony Cannon, from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Cannon examines the need for adaptation in managing African American patients with diabetes and reviews cultural beliefs, attitudes toward healthcare and diet, and the impact of religion on African American patients.
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![]() | Steering Committee
![]() This program was designed by a distinguished steering committee together with a multicultural panel of concerned physicians committed to improving patient care, and in collaboration with Novo Nordisk. The purpose of this educational program is to raise cultural awareness and improve quality of care in patients with diabetes. In accordance with PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals, attendance at this educational program is limited to healthcare professionals. Accordingly, attendance by guests or spouses is not appropriate and cannot be accommodated. |
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