The Pulse is the bi-weekly e-newsletter from The Physician Alliance, one of Michigan's largest physician organizations serving more than 2,200 primary care and specialty physicians.
The Pulse of The Physician Alliance
Friday, September 29, 2017
Community Resource Fairs provide practices with information to assist patients

The Physician Alliance is hosting two community resource fairs to provide opportunities for physicians and practice staff to gain valuable information and contacts from local nonprofit, health organizations and other resources for patients.

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017; 8:30-10:30am 
Macomb Community College, South Campus (Building K - Room 301)
14500 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren 48088
 
Click here for a list of participating organizations on Oct. 11. 

 
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017; 8:30-10:30am 
Providence Park Hospital, Novi Campus (Heart Institute entrance - conference room A, B, C)
47601 Grand River Avenue, Novi 48374

Click here for a list of participating organizations on Oct. 18.

 
Light breakfast provided.   
 
RSVP to Angela.Chouinard@thephysicianalliance.org with the fair date/location that you will be attending.
 
Coding and billing seminar video now available

A video from TPA's Better Billing Practices seminar hosted on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 is now available for viewing.

The seminar focused on underutilized billing codes, risk stratification in patients and more. The video is available on TPA's website under the Learning Center.
Grant opportunity to integrate EHR and MAPS

In April 2017, the state of Michigan updated its Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) to a more user-friendly platform. Through a combination of state and federal funding* the state will cover costs to integrate the newly-upgraded MAPS directly into physician practices' electronic medical records and pharmacy dispensing systems across Michigan, allowing instant access for prescribers and pharmacists.

Practices should review the frequently asked questions, then submit an application directly to the state.
Coding tip sheet helps improve HEDIS measures for adults with bronchitis

Did you know more than 90 percent of acute bronchitis cases are viral? Prescription overuse has resulted in antibiotics being dispensed in 60-90 percent of cases. This unnecessary use of antibiotics has resulted in approximately 2 million American contracting infections with drug-resistant bacteria each year.  

Decreasing antibiotic use in adults with bronchitis is an important HEDIS measure and focus of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's  Resource Stewardship Initiative, which The Physician Alliance participates in. Prescribing antibiotics for bronchitis is not consistent with evidence-based guidelines unless there is evidence of co-existing bacterial infection (competing diagnosis) OR the patient has a co-morbid condition that compromises their lungs or immune system.  
 
BCBSM provided a helpful tip sheet* highlighting common examples of competing and/or co-morbid diagnoses. The tip sheet includes ICD-10 diagnostic codes.  
 
If your patient insists on a prescription, use the non-prescription pad developed by The Physician Alliance to offer alternate treatment. TPA also created a poster regarding the use of antibiotics with bronchitis for practices to download and print, or order copies online.


*No portion of this document may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM. None of the information included herein is intended to be legal advice and as such it remains the provider's responsibility to ensure that all coding and documentation are done in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Get a financial check up

Are your financial advisors acting in your best interest? Why did the Department of Labor (DOL) institute the fiduciary rule? The White House Council of Economic Advisers estimated that Americans lose $17 billion or 1% annually from investment returns due to conflicts of interest in the financial services industry (click for more information).

The fiduciary rule was partially implemented on June 9, 2017 requiring financial advisors to act in the best interests of their clients. Shortly thereafter, the DOL delayed a portion of the fiduciary rule for 18 months on August 9, 2017. The issue at hand is whether to eventually broaden the scope of certain exemptions to the rule, such as IRA rollovers and annuities. Currently advisors are still broadly required, potential exceptions notwithstanding, to act in the best interests of their clients.

Despite the conflicting messages sent by the DOL, the fiduciary train has left the station. Retirement investors and plan sponsors can and will expect their advisor to be looking out for their best interests irrespective of the outcome in Washington. Please click here for best practices for plan sponsors in the new environment.

Source: LoVasco is part of TPA's Affiliate Partners program. Contact Michael LoVasco at (313) 394-1702 or mlovasco@lovascogroup.com for a complimentary review of your financial plans.

File #1255-2017 
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The Physician Alliance | 20952 Twelve Mile, Suite 130, St. Clair Shores MI 48081 | 586-498-3555
thephysicianalliance@thephysicianalliance.org | www.thephysicianalliance.org