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Last Chance to Register!
HCMA Membership Dinner Meeting
Monday, September 12, 2016
The Centre Club
Social hour begins at 6:30pm
Dinner & program begin at 7:30pm
Featured Speaker: Anna Pou, MD
Disaster Medicine:
Ethical, Legal, & Psychological Repercussions
In the days following Hurricane Katrina's landfall in New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005, Dr. Anna Pou and 2,000 others endured "third-world" like conditions at Memorial Medical Center in Uptown New Orleans as they waited to be rescued. By the time evacuations were complete, 45 critically ill patients had died. Dr. Pou was left with painful memories, in addition to accusations of "helping" four of those patients die peacefully. Dr. Pou and two nurses were charged with second-degree murder. Charges were dropped in 2009, and now, Dr. Pou reflects on her experience during one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history.
Call the HCMA to RSVP: 813.253.0471 or email Kay Mills, HCMA Event & Membership Coordinator.
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Bring a Physician Colleague to an HCMA Dinner Meeting...
HCMA Membership Dinner Meetings are held four times per year. Introduce a non-member colleague to the HCMA by inviting them as your guest to a dinner meeting, at no cost to you.
RSVP to the next dinner meeting for you and your guest!
Call the HCMA for details: 813.253.0471.
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Cocktails & Camaraderie!
HCMA Member Appreciation Reception
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Palma Ceia Country Club
1601 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL 33629
6:30pm to 8:00pm
You are cordially invited to attend a membership appreciation reception hosted by HCMA Benefit Provider, The Legatus Group. The HCMA values your membership. Please join your colleagues and allow us the opportunity to express our appreciation for your continued support.
We look forward to seeing you at Palma Ceia!
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Find Your Elected Officials & Candidates
This is a significant year for elections! The following links will lead you to your current representatives and to this year's races and candidates:
To receive a list of FMA PAC endorsed candidates,
click here.
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Primary Election Results
According to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections site, of the 812,359 registered voters in our county, 153,435 cast their votes in the August 30th primary elections. This voter turn-out equals 18.89%.
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On MACRA and Medicare Advantage: MIPS adjustments won't apply to in-network Medicare Advantage claims
Many physicians mistakenly believe that MIPS adjustments under MACRA will apply to all of their Medicare payments. However, as with Medicare's current pay-for-performance programs, this is not necessarily the case. While MIPS payment adjustments will apply under Medicare Part B (the physician component of traditional Medicare), they will not apply to payments made to in-network physicians under Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage). Read more about this issue in FMA Director of Health Care Policy and Innovation Jarrod Fowler's latest article.
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U.S. Surgeon General urges physicians to help turn the tide on opioid crisis
Over the next several weeks, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., will send letters regarding the opioid epidemic to nearly 2.3 million physicians and other health care professionals. Read the text by clicking here. Dr. Murthy's letter calls on physicians to take action by making this pledge
to educate themselves to treat pain safely and effectively, screen patients for opioid use disorder and provide or connect them with evidence-based treatment, and "talk about and treat addiction as a chronic illness, not a moral failing."
Click here for fact sheets and toolkits
on prescribing, overdose prevention and more.
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AMA Needs Your Opinion on EMR
The AMA is evaluating the EMR system as it now exists around the
country and how it is impacting patient care and physician time. HCMA Past President, Dr. Dennis Agliano, will
be the moderator for the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) Open Forum during the AMA meeting in Orlando, on November 13th. Dr. Agliano serves as the Vice Chair of CEJA.
Dr. Agliano is asking for input from colleagues that he can share at the meeting. Please click the link below and answer the few question, prior to October 15th.
Be sure to include the following information:
- Identify your practice (specialty, private, hospital group, academics, etc.)
- Is the EMR system a valuable tool in my practice?
- What are the pros and cons to the EMR?
- How much extra time has the EMR added to your day?
- How much of an expense has the EMR had on your practice?
- Other facts that you feel are important
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Florida Rx Card - a FREE statewide Prescription Assistance Program
This prescription discount drug card offers savings as high as 75% on both generic and brand medications. Anyone living in or visiting Florida can use this discount card; regardless of age, income, health conditions, or residential status. No restrictions or application. No personal information required to obtain a card. Accepted at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. Very easy to use and some prescription costs are less than health insurance co-pays! For more information, or to order cards to distribute to your patients, contact Kiki Howard, State Program Manager, 941.237.6397 or
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Did you miss the June 1st OSHA compliance deadline? Did you know OSHA penalties were raised August 1st?
Now you can own your own,
annually required
, OSHA training programs.
- Federal OSHA regulation Title 29, Part 1910.1200 has been amended to conform to the "GHS" - Globally Harmonized System of Classification & Labeling - regarding hazardous materials (i.e. specimen preservatives, lab chemicals, etc.). Employee training and written Hazard Communication Plan modification was MANDATORY by June 1, 2016.
- Federal OSHA regulation Title 29, Part 1910.1030 requires that all employees with potential for exposure to blood and blood borne pathogens MUST receive training before beginning work - and MUST be retrained annually.
We are pleased to offer conveniently viewed, cost saving, fully narrated Power Point training programs and compliance plans on CDs or a flash drive. Purchase one of the above training programs for $100, or purchase both for $150. Click here to receive an order form.
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The 2016-2017 HCMA Membership Directory is available in print and online!
The newest edition is now available in print and on the HCMA website:
Additional copies are available to members at no charge and sold to the public for $25, plus S&H.
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The following corrections to the Membership Directory have been brought to our attention:
Dr. Fred Bearison - President
Dr. Malcolm Root - Vice President
Dr. Jose Jimenez - Immediate Past President
Phone number:
Dr. Krishan Batra - Psychiatry
813-926-4700
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Hillsborough County Florida Department of Health
Community Wellness Newsletter
The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.
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FROM THE BOARD OF MEDICINE...
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The new MQA Online service portal is here!
Physicians
MUST
re-register in MQA's new online portal...
The Florida Department of Health has upgraded its license renewal system,
requiring all physicians to re-register through the Division of Medical Quality Assurance's new Online Services Portal. When you use the portal for the first time, you will have to register for a new user account. After doing so, you must add your existing license records to your dashboard before you can manage and maintain your license.
Click here for easy instructions on this one-time process, which takes approximately five to 10 minutes.
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Dr. Ralph and Kathy Rydell celebrated their 50th Anniversary dining at the Eiffel Tower!
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Retired Tampa neurosurgeon travels around the world by land and sea...
On Sunday, August 14th, HCMA's very own Past President and adventurer, Dr. Ralph Rydell, was a special guest contributor to the Tampa Bay Times' Latitudes section. Dr. Rydell recounted the recent journey he make around the world - avoiding airports!!
"
Why go around the world? I have no singular reason to relate. But I did it last year, in large part I suppose for the romance and adventure. I think there is still lots of adventure to be had in this life and one must go out and seek it.
I decided to travel by land and sea, using public transportation as often as I could to avoid airports and flights..."
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We are proud to announce that the partnership between the HCMA and ProAssurance (PRA) has entered into its fourth year. PRA offers Medical Professional Liability Insurance and Risk Management Services and is the
HCMA's exclusively endorsed medical professional liability insurer. Choosing PRA rewards eligible HCMA members with a 5% discount on their premiums. Receive fair treatment from professionals who are committed to making it easier for you to secure the coverage, services, and support you want. With PRA, you experience less uncertainty and more control, which your hard-earned professional identity deserves. Find out how you can benefit with steadfast protection from PRA - Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best and serving Florida physicians since 1975. For a no-obligation premium quotation, contact
Christopher Walsh, Account Executive, ProAssurance Companies,
cwalsh@proassurance.com
or 239.225.8053.
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The Hillsborough County Medical Association's Benefit Provider Program provides value to physicians with tangible benefits that far exceed cost of annual dues. HCMA members receive a "members only" pricing on products and services from companies partnered with the HCMA.
To view a list of HCMA's Benefit Provider Program,
click here
.
If you have any questions regarding the program and/or current partnerships, please contact Debbie Zorian, Executive Director, at 813.253.0471 or click here.
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A draft of the minutes of the most recent HCMA Executive Council are available by
clicking here. Meeting minutes are submitted for approval at the subsequent Council meeting.
If you have any questions or comments concerning the Executive Council meetings, or wish to place a topic on the agenda, please contact HCMA Executive Director, Debbie Zorian, at the HCMA office: 813.253.0471 or by
clicking here.
The HCMA Executive Council, the governing board of the HCMA, will meet on the Tuesdays listed below. Meetings begin promptly at 6:00PM at the HCMA office (606 S. Boulevard, Tampa, 33606). Executive Council meetings are open to HCMA members only.
RSVPs are required.
Click the date below to RSVP:
Additional Executive Council meeting dates will be posted at a later date.
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HCMA Alliance
Wine & Nibbles Social
Saturday, October 1, 2016
At the home of
Dr. Rebecca Johnson & Michael Kelly
107 Bermuda Ave., Tampa, 33606
4:00pm to 6:00pm
Bring a bottle of wine and an hors d'oeuvre to share!
Come and join us... and the Alliance.
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HCMA Foundation 20th Charity Golf Classic
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HCMA Foundation's 20th Charity Golf Classic
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Carrollwood Country Club - NEW LOCATION!
Single golfer (includes lunch, dinner, & golf cart) - $150
Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available.
Call Kay or Elke at the HCMA: 813.253.0471 for more information.
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Seminar: Navigating Your Referral Base
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
HCMA office ~ 6:00pm
Building a referral base is already a difficult endeavor. Knowing the legislation that a practice has to abide by such as Stark Law, Ethics in Patient Referral Act, and Legal Limits in Advertising are part of building a strong marketing and communications foundation.
Discover strategies to build relationships and grow your referral base legally. Learn well-established, proven methods to grow using targeted advertising, new ways to connect with the general public, strategies to combat online reviews, and tactics for partnering with physician offices and associations. Walk away with the tools you need to make, develop, and sustain meaningful connections to ensure your practice is top of mind when your services are needed.
Following this presentation, you will be able to navigate the legalities while building your practice.
This hour-long presentation, followed by Q&A, will be presented by Michele Krohn, President, Full Circle PR, and Michael Krohn, Esquire, Vice President, Full Circle PR
Seating is limited - RSVPs are required.
This seminar is COMPLIMENTARY for HCMA members and their staff. Refreshments will be served.
Click here to RSVP or call Elke at the HCMA office: 813.253.0471.
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IBMS Dialogue: Cuban and American Doctors
Havana, Cuba
November 15-19, 2016.
The International Board of Medicine and Surgery (IBMS) is coordinating a unique opportunity to see Cuba, develop professional medical relationships, and create a medical bridge between the United States and Cuba. Opportunities will be available to dialogue with Cuban Medical Professionals, see hospital facilities, partake in colleagial meals, and enjoy Havana and outlying areas of Cuba.
The approximate cost of $3500 will include round-trip flight from Tampa to Havana and related costs (visa, etc.), accommodations, breakfast, program registration/expenses.
For details please contact IBMS directly: David P. Kalin, M.D., M.P.H., Chairman 813.966.1431, drkalin@ibms.us, or visit: www.ibms.us.
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Hillsborough County Medical Association, Inc. 606 S. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606 813.253.0471 | 813.253.3737 fax www.HCMA.net
Bringing physicians together to advocate for our profession and for the care of over one million patients in our community.
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Like us on Facebook and receive a voucher for a
beverage of your choice at an upcoming HCMA
general membership meeting!
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