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Medigram - May 8, 2008


TOP STORY

Physicians urged to join HCCN

As reported in a previous issue of Medigram, the Health Care Notification Network (HCNN) is now sending updates involving medication recalls, warnings and national public health emergencies through a secure on-line network rather than postal mail. This change helps ensure that alerts are more timely.

In a letter to its policyholders, ProAssurance Group Medical Director and Sr. Vice President of Risk Management Hayes Whiteside, MD, urged physicians to enroll in the service, noting its potential to improve patient safety. “More rapid and focused delivery of FDA-mandated product recalls and warnings has the potential to reduce adverse patient events and outcomes, and thus reduce malpractice claims,” he said.

HCNN is free for all licensed physicians and is used only for patient safety notices (no advertisements). Other office staff members may be designated to receive the alerts to ensure office efficiency, and participants can opt out at any time.

For more information about HCNN, click here. To enroll, click here. The process takes approximately two minutes.

NEWS BRIEFS

New rule creates new Medicare standards for e-prescribers

A new rule issued by CMS on April 2, 2008, establishes new Medicare standards for providers who use e-prescribing to send prescriptions and prescription-related information for covered drugs prescribed for Part D-eligible individuals. Prescribers, dispensers and other providers are not required to use e-prescribing, but those who do must comply with four standards, effective on April 1, 2009.

Quarels & Brady LLP summarizes this new rule in their Health Law Update. Click here to read more.

Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted with permission.


Reminder: CMS to host national education call May 13

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national education conference call regarding the implementation of the new Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding program scheduled to begin on July 1, 2008. This call, which is scheduled from 1:30 to 3 p.m. May 13, is being conducted for Medicare fee-for-service DMEPOS suppliers, physicians, and other providers—all of whom may be affected by the program. The call will give a general overview of the new program and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the program is implemented. A presentation will be made by the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) and CMS Subject Matter Experts will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS Web site prior to the call.

There is no fee, but participants must register in advance to receive call-in information. Only one person needs to register per site to receive the call-in data, and registration will close at 1:30 p.m. May 12, 2008, or when available space has been filled. Click here to register.

A replay option also will be available shortly following the end of the call through May 17, 2008. The replay call-in number is 800.642.1687; the passcode is 45744159.

CMS recommends reviewing the following three MLN Matters articles prior to the call.

Dane County’s ‘MedDrop’ offers safe disposal of unwanted meds

If you live in Dane County, the Madison Patient Safety Collaborative is once again sponsoring “MedDrop,” an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dane County residents can drop off old medications at the City of Madison Transfer Station—121 E. Olin Avenue (near the Goodman Pool). For more information, click here.


Input sought on use of suffixes in drug names, subsequent problems

The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention is asking for input from health care professionals regarding the use of suffixes in drug names. The intent of the survey is to assess the current use of suffixes in drug names, problems that may arise from the use of suffixes and how those situations are handled. The survey takes approximately five to 10 minutes to complete and answers will remain anonymous. Please submit your answers by June 15, 2008. Click here to complete the survey.


Society members encouraged to submit ideas year round

While most Wisconsin Medical Society policy changes are determined annually by the House of Delegates, the Society reminds all members that ideas, proposals and resolutions can be submitted at any time through the Society’s member communication form. Items submitted are referred to strategic councils for further study, and recommendations will be considered at a future Board of Directors meeting.


Physician participation wanted in cure for claims month campaign

The AMA’s Practice Management Center (PMC) is seeking to help physicians fight for accurate health care claims payments and reduce the administrative costs involved in submitting claims. Cure for Claims Month is a campaign to heal the health care claims process and cut the national average of what physician practices spend on submitting claims from 10 to 18 percent to just 1 percent. The campaign urges physicians and their practices, in November, when many health insurers unfairly hold back claims payment, to hold payers accountable by reviewing and auditing claims for accuracy. Physician participation is the key to making this campaign effective,

Physicians are encouraged to use the PMC’s on-line educational materials and tools, available at www.ama-assn.org/go/pmc. There are a number of resources covering every aspect of managing a physician practice, from contracting with insurers and setting a fee schedule to working through appeals and collections. New tools are added frequently, so check back often for updates.

CAPITOL INSIDER

Wisconsin’s chance to be heard, survey in the mail

In the next few days, a survey asking for opinions on health care reform will be mailed to a random sample of 2,500 Wisconsin physicians who represent primary care and various other specialties. This survey is an essential step toward establishing Wisconsin physicians as leaders in the development of state and national health policy. It was developed through a partnership between the Wisconsin Medical Society and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH), with additional support from the Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Physicians to accurately assess the attitudes of Wisconsin physicians regarding the basic principles involved in achieving health care reform in Wisconsin.

Following completion of this mailed survey in June, the Wisconsin Survey Center will conduct an interactive Web site survey utilizing the same format. This will provide an opportunity for all Wisconsin physicians to express their attitudes regarding our health care system. The UWSMPH Population Health Institute staff will analyze all survey data.

The Society anticipates that the principles that are formed from any consensus from survey respondents will have a major impact on future health care reform legislation. If you were randomly selected to receive the mailed survey, please respond promptly. If you do not receive a survey in the mail, watch your e-mail for the Web survey next month.

If you have questions about the survey, please contact Mark Grapentine.

FOUNDATION FOCUS

2008 White Coat Campaign underway

It’s that time again!

Each year, physicians like you help the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation provide a white coat and personal message of encouragement to each first-year medical student in Wisconsin. By participating in the White Coat Campaign you will help provide the coat and have the opportunity to offer your personal message of encouragement to a student. It's a simple, yet meaningful way to assist the next generation of medical professionals—your future colleagues. For details on how you can participate, contact Eileen Wilson at 608.442.3722.

Charles Shabino, MD, is pictured with his son Patrick at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health's White Coat Ceremony in 2007.


Memorial/Tribute program way to honor someone special

Spring is a time of new beginnings. It’s also a time to remember. A gift to the Foundation is a wonderful way to remember a loved one, colleague or friend or to honor someone on a special occasion while also supporting medical and health education. For each tribute gift, the Foundation sends a note notifying the person honored or the loved one’s family of your kindness. The Tribute Program donation form is available on-line.

QUALITY CORNER

Still time to participate in PQRI

It's not too late to participate in the 2008 PQRI program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the establishment of alternative reporting periods and criteria for satisfactorily reporting quality measures under the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The new reporting changes provide eight additional options for physicians to report on quality measures under the 2008 PQRI.
Claims-based reporting of PQRI quality measures
Under the revised options for satisfactory reporting, a new claims-based reporting period of July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 has been added that allows physicians to:
  • Report on one measures group on a minimum of 15 consecutive patients
    • or
  • Report on one measures group on 80 percent of their applicable cases
Registry-based reporting of PQRI quality measures
The new options for reporting quality measures under the 2008 PQRI allows registries to receive payment for reporting quality measurement data to CMS.

For the reporting period of January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 physicians can
  • Report on a minimum of 3 PQRI measures on 80 percent of their applicable cases;
  • Report on one measures group on 80 percent of their applicable cases;
  • Report on one measures group on a minimum of 30 consecutive patients
For the reporting period of July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, physicians can
  • Report on a minimum of three PQRI measures on 80 percent of their applicable cases;
  • Report on one measures group on 80 percent of their applicable cases; or
  • Report on one measures group on a minimum of 15 consecutive patients.

If physicians choose any of the above three options, they will receive a .75 percent bonus rather than 1.5 percent.

For additional information, please click here or contact Cindy Helstad at 608.442.3751.

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.