 News Briefs
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Historic Medicare payment policy changes an opportunity for success: "Proposed rules issued Wednesday by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) represent the most sweeping change in physician payment policy in the last 25 years." - AMA Wire
Is Ransomware Considered A Health Data Breach Under HIPAA?: "The topic of ransomware, especially ransomware hitting healthcare organizations, is making headlines daily." - HIPAA Secure Now
CDC ranks SWFL as 16th in US for new HIV cases: "From 2014-2015 Southwest Florida has seen a significant jump in the number of HIV infections, the Florida Department of Health said. Collier County leads the area with a 90 percent increase, according to health officials." - WINK News
Final Medicare Advantage rates largely shun health plan lobbying: "The federal government has lowered average payments for 2017 Medicare Advantage plans, and it also modified several of the program's policies after weeks of unremitting lobbying from the health insurance industry." - Modern Healthcare
Doctors argue for more flexibility on MACRA changes: "Physicians told lawmakers Tuesday they're eager to adopt value-based payment models under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act but also warned the transition will be difficult and disruptive to patients." - Modern Healthcare
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Upcoming Events
Join us for the 2016
CCMS Annual Meeting,
May 14, 6:30 PM, at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club.
The program features the CCMS Physician of the Year Award to Dr. Robert Tober, the installation of our new officers including 59th President Dr. Rafael Haciski, and keynote remarks from AMA President-Elect Dr. Andrew Gurman. Complimentary for CCMS physician members and one guest each, additional tickets are $125 each.
April 30, 7:00 PM, Rougraff Residence
May 24, 6:00 PM, Vineyards Country Club
June 11, 8:00 AM, Avow Hospice, Ispiri Community Room
CCMS After 5 Social
(Stay tuned for details)
June 30, Landmark Hospital
Women Physicians Summer Social
(Stay tuned for details)
July 22, CCMS Member Home
More events
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CCMS Member Updates
Directory Changes - please send us any changes to your directory listing by May 20th to
[email protected]. Directory
advertising reservation deadline is May 13th.
Join a committee! CCMS is seeking members who wish to become involved in one of the following committees: Grievances, Membership, Legislative, and Programming. Email
April Donahue, executive director or call (239) 435-7727 for details.
Request a 2016 CCMS Membership Certificate for display in your office:
email us or call (239) 435-7727.
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Reminder: Apply for Hardship Exemptions & Avoid Meaningful Use Penalties
from the AMA Wire
Physicians now have until July 1-an additional three months-to apply for a hardship exemption from the electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use financial penalties for the 2015 program year. Those who don't apply could face up to a 3 percent cut in their Medicare payments in 2017 since the meaningful use program operates on a two-year look-back period.
Be sure to apply, whatever your circumstances
In a brief statement ... the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said it "is extending the deadline so providers have sufficient time to submit their applications to avoid adjustments to their Medicare payments in 2017."
CMS also has stated that it will broadly grant hardship exemptions as a result of the delayed publication of the
Stage 2 meaningful use modifications rule, which left physicians with insufficient time to report under the modified program requirements issued in late 2015.
All physicians should apply for the exemption-there isn't a downside to doing so. Even physicians who believe they met the requirements of the meaningful use program in 2015 can apply.
CMS has said that submitting an application for a hardship exemption will not prevent those who qualify from receiving an incentive payment.
How to apply
Physicians should be sure to submit their applications before midnight Eastern time July 1. To get started,
download an application from CMS and consult
step-by-step instructions(log in) the AMA compiled to help simplify the submission process. Physicians do not need to include documentation of their circumstances with their application, but should hold onto it for their own records.
New this year, individuals can apply on behalf of a group of physicians. CMS has indicated that physicians may soon begin to hear if their exemption application has been approved.
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Spotlight on CCMS Members
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Upcoming Training & CME Events
Responding to the Prescription Opioid & Heroin Crisis, sponsored by Drug Free Collier
Thursday, June 16, 5:30-7:30pm, NCH Telford Building
2 CME Credits
Registration Details
CMS Educational Sessions from HIMSS16 Available Online
CMS EHR Incentive Programs in 2015 through 2017 Overview (
Session #26
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CMS Listening Session: EHR Incentive Programs in 2018 & Beyond (
Session #56
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CMS Listening Session: Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (
Session #101
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CMS Electronic Clinical Quality Measurement Development and Reporting (
Session #131
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CMS Person and Family Engagement: Incentivizing Advances that Matter to Consumers (
Session #234
)
Patient Relations Workshop, hosted by Radiology Regional Center
Wednesday, May 11 12-4pm or Saturday, May 14, 8:30am-12:30pm
Florida Southwestern State College
Podiatric Dinner Lecture, hosted by Radiology Regional Center
Thursday, May 5 6:00-6:30pm Cocktails/6:30pm Lecture/Dinner
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FMA Council and Committee Appointments 2016-17
FMA President-Elect David Becker, M.D. is in the process of considering appointments to FMA councils and committees effective July 31, 2016.
View the list of FMA councils and committees to which he is soliciting recommendations for his tenure as President.
FMA members in CCMS who are interested, please provide the following:
1. Description of accomplishments, area of specialty, and areas of service at the local level. 2. Statement regarding your interest in a particular council or committee and accomplishments related to it.
Respond by email to
April Donahue no later than May 17th.
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Collier County Medical Society, founded in 1957, is a non-profit professional association of over 500 physician members. We seek to advance the interests of physicians and their patients through education and the improvement of public health. This e-newsletter is designed to assist our members as we strive to provide the best healthcare in Southwest Florida.
(239) 435-7727 |
Email
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ccmsonline.org
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