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Medigram - January 15, 2009


TOP STORY

Society airs second radio spot statewide

The Wisconsin Medical Society yesterday launched the second in a series of radio messages designed to help educate patients about key health care issues. (Click here to listen.) The two 30-second spots will run on 74 radio stations statewide for five days and feature a message that encourages patients to take care of their health.

In the first one, Society President Steven Bergin, MD, reminds listeners that, “one of the best partners in managing your health is your doctor. Whether you are dealing with stress, working to quit smoking or lose weight, or getting ready to add to a new baby to your family, your doctor is a knowledgeable and trusted source of information.”

The campaign will continue throughout 2009 and will feature Society members with the key message, “We are doctors because we care for you and your family.”

NEWS BRIEFS

HHS issues final ICD-10 code sets and updated electronic transaction standards rules

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released two final rules that will facilitate the United States’ ongoing transition to an electronic health care environment through adoption of a new generation of diagnosis and procedure codes and updated standards for electronic health care and pharmacy transactions.

Click here to read more...


UnitedHealth Group agrees to settlement

UnitedHealth Group will pay $350 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by the the American Medical Association (AMA). Pending since 2000, the lawsuit challenged the validity of the UnitedHealth Group owned Ingenix database to determine the reimbursement rates for out-of-network services.

“By using a flawed database to determine reimbursement rates for out-of-network care, insurers have increased profits at the expense of patients and physicians,” said AMA President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, in this press release. “By agreeing to the settlement, United Health Group has recognized the importance of restoring its relationship with patients and physicians ...”

The proposed agreement, which is the largest settlement in a class action lawsuit against a single health insurer in the United States, contains no admission of wrongdoing. It comes two days after a separate deal was announced between UnitedHealth and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo requiring Ingenix to discontinue the databases and turn them over to a qualified not-for-profit organization that will establish a new independent database. Click here to read a press release issued by Attorney General Cuomo’s office.

Ingenix is the Wisconsin Health Information Organization’s (WHIO) technology partner. See Medigram’s Quality and Efficiency section below for more information about WHIO's inquiry to Ingenix regarding the lawsuit and recent settlement.


ForwardHealth to deny claims if NPI information unavailable

ForwardHealth announced Janaury 9 that effective immediately, all claims submitted in which ForwardHealth cannot identify the proper NPI (or if an NPI is associated with multiple provider profiles) will be denied. Previously, these claims were suspended for production verification. For more information, view the ForwardHealth alert here.


New TV ad promotes health care reform as top domestic priority

Six organizations representing consumers, insurers, patients and pharmaceutical research companies launched a multimillion-dollar national television ad last week that carries a simple message: To fix the ailing economy, the nation needs health care reform that addresses the related problems of health care costs and people losing health coverage.

“Healing our health care system is a key component to jumpstarting our national economy,” AMA President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, said during a news conference unveiling the ad. “As our new ad makes clear—quality, affordable health care is good for families and it’s good for businesses.”

The ad—sponsored by the AMA, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Families USA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Regence BlueCross BlueShield and the Service Employees International Union—will air at least until Feb. 5 and focuses visually on the nation’s manufacturing sector. However, the organizations all agree that every segment of the economy will benefit from health care reform. Click here to learn more.


Feb. 15 deadline to apply for Joan F. Giambalvo Memorial Scholarship

Researchers interested in further exploring issues concerning women physicians are encouraged to apply for a 2009 Joan F. Giambalvo Memorial Scholarship. The deadline is February 15. Established by the AMA Foundation in conjunction with the AMA Women Physicians Congress, the scholarship provides up to $10,000 in funding to help researchers advance the progress of women in the medical profession and identify and address the needs of women physicians and medical students. The AMA awarded two scholarships to researchers last year. Click here to learn more and to apply.

NEWSMAKERS

Foldy named DPH Administrator

Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake announced last week that Society member Seth Foldy, MD, has been selected as the new Administrator of the Division of Public Health. Doctor Foldy previously served as Health Commissioner for the City of Milwaukee from 1998 to 2004. As Administrator of the Division of Public Health, he will also serve as the State Health Officer.

“Doctor Foldy brings a record of leadership and a wealth of experience on public health issues to the Department of Health Services. He will be an asset to the Department and our many public health partners around the state,” said Secretary Karen Timberlake in a press release. Click here to read more.

QUALITY & EFFICIENCY

WHIO requests information from Ingenix regarding settlements

On behalf of its participating organizations, WHIO CEO Julie Bartels, requested that Ingenix respond immediately to settlements announced this week. Ingenix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG), is the Wisconsin Health Information Organization’s (WHIO) technology partner.

In a written response, Ingenix Consulting CEO Theodore Chien said, “The Prevailing Health Charges System (PHCS) and Medical Data Research (MDR) database products are not in the scope of the current or planned services provided to WHIO by Ingenix.”

Click here to read more...

FOUNDATION FOCUS

Last chance to nominate a young physician and support a local charitable organization simultaneously

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation is now seeking nominations for the Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD Young Physician Leadership Award to be presented at the 2009 Wisconsin Medical Society Annual Meeting. The nomination deadline is Monday, February 2, 2009.

This award was established in 2006 in memory of Dr. Viste to recognize a young physician who demonstrates a commitment to patients, the community and the profession of medicine, just as Dr. Viste did throughout his career.

In addition to an engraved award, the Foundation will make a contribution to a charitable organization of the recipient’s choice. Please help us identify young physicians from your area who might be deserving of this honor. A young physician is defined as a licensed Wisconsin physician who is less than 40 years old or has been practicing medicine fewer than five years. Past recipients include Noel Deep, MD, of Antigo and Karen Meyer, MD, of Fond du Lac.

For details and the simple nomination form, click here or contact Eileen Wilson at 866.442.3800 or 608.442.3722 or e-mail eileen.wilson@wismed.org.


Foundation fundraising event: How Medicine Solves Crime


Save the Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation’s 2009 Annual Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction will feature a unique opportunity to meet Gary Telgenhoff, MD, Forensic Pathologist, Deputy Medical Examiner at the Clark County Coroner’s Office, Las Vegas, and consultant to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

The event will be from 5–9 p.m. at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. To be added to the invitation list or for more information, contact Mary Oleson at mary.oleson@wismed.org or call 866.442.3800 or 608.442.3756.



QUALITY CORNER

New report—Computational technology for effective health care: Immediate steps and strategic directions

Current efforts aimed at the nationwide deployment of health care information technology (IT) will not be sufficient to achieve medical leaders’ vision of health care in the 21st century and may even set back the cause, says a new report from the National Research Council. The report, based partially on site visits to eight U.S. medical centers considered leaders in the field of health care IT, concludes that greater emphasis should be placed on information technology that provides health care workers and patients with cognitive support, such as assistance in decision-making and problem-solving. To read the executive summary or download the prepublication report, click here.

FAQ

Question:
How do I log in to the “Members-only” section of the Society Web site?

Answer:
If you are a Society member and you’ve forgotten your username and password, you’ll need to reset your password. To do so, follow these simple steps:

  1. From the left menu bar, click “Log in”
  2. Click the “Request New Password” tab
  3. Enter your e-mail address
  4. Click “E-mail new password”
  5. You will receive an e-mail message from it@wismed.org
  6. Click the link in that e-mail message. (Your username is on the first line and in the subject)
  7. Click “Log in”
  8. Enter new Password (twice)
  9. Click “Submit”
To confirm the new password is working:
  1. Click “Sign Out”
  2. Click “Log in”
  3. Enter your username (NOT your e-mail address) and password
  4. Click “Log in”
If you have questions about this, e-mail communications@wismed.org.