Just 10 More Days Before the 2018 DC Physician License Renewal Deadline
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Our Gift to Our Members: Free Assistance With Renewal
The clock is ticking on DC physician license renewal. If you are not among the more than 8,000 DC physicians who have already their licenses, don't delay. But don't worry either. MSDC is on call with numerous resources to help members navigate the online renewal process. These include an
on-demand webinar
, tips and resources and
personal consultations
. Read more on our
website
or call 2020-466-1800 for further details. Please note that the office will be closed on December 24 and 25.
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DC Legislative Update
It is not uncommon to see a surge of legislative activity as a Council Period winds down. That said, healthcare advocacy and developments during the close of this 22nd Council Period have been quite extraordinary. In addition to passage of bills related to women's health, behavioral health and opioid abuse, the year ends with uncertainty over present and future health care facilities serving patients primarily on the east side of the city.
In the past ten days, Providence Hospital closed all but its Emergency Care Center, resulting in
a lawsuit by the District.
Then yesterday, a
DC judge denied the temporary restraining order
intended to stop
Providence Hospital from shutting down most of its services
. The lawsuit alleging that the hospital violated its license is still pending, but the year's not over yet.
Across the Potomac River,
questions over hospital staffing and funding loomed over
the proposed hospital at St. Elizabeth's, but, as of the writing of this newsletter,
talks are one again moving forward
.
MSDC issued a
statement on health care east of the river,
stating its commitment "to helping the District provide world-class healthcare regardless of where patients are from or where in the city they choose to receive care."
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National Policy
MSDC Urges CMS to Exclude Educational Material from Open Payments Reporting
MSDC Objects to Escalating Cost of CME Accreditation
MSDC and other state medical societies sent a letter to
Dr. Graham McMahon, President and CEO of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) regarding fees and other concerns related to the system for state accreditation of CME. See the
letter and Dr. McMahon's response
agreeing to collaborate on these concerns.
MSDC Submits Brief Defending "Democratic Participation and Oversight" in Rulemaking
MSDC joined the AMA in an
Amicus Brief
in Azar v. Allina Health Services, a case concerning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’s obligation to engage in notice-and-comment rulemaking when adopting rules concerning provider reimbursement in the Medicare program. The amici make a strong argument that "prospective rulemaking through Notice-and-Comment promotes consistency and clarity" and it "permits democratic participation and oversight of the Agency."
Do You Want to Improve MOC?
The
Vision for the Future
Commission is a collaborative effort that brings together multiple stakeholders to envision a system for continuing board certification the goals is responsive to the needs of those who rely on it and that is relevant, meaningful and of value to physicians. If you share this goal, please review the
Commission report
and
provide your feedback
and suggestions by January 15, 2019.
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MSDC eNewsline
Editor
Pia R. Duryea
202-355-9414 (direct)
202-466-1800 (main)
MSDC Media
Follow us on social media!
2018-2019 Board of Directors
Susanne Bathgate, MD
Chair of the Board, At-large
Raymond Tu, MD, MS
President, AMA Alternate Delegate
J. Desiree Pineda, MD
President-elect, AMA Alternate Delegate
Barry L. Lewis, MD, MBA
Immediate Past President
Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer, AMA Delegation Chair
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate
Laurie Duncan, MBBS
At-large
E.W. Emanuel, MD
At-large
Alice Fuisz, MD
At-large, Secretary
Daniel I. Perlin, MD
At-large
Marc Rankin, MD
At-large
Carla C. Sandy, MD
At-large
Robert Hay Jr., CAE
Executive Vice President
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Have You Renewed Your MSDC Membership?
MSDC membership runs on a calendar year and December 31 is the deadline to renew your membership. Call 202-466-1800 to renew your membership and maintain access to eNewsline, licensure assistance, networking opportunities and other MSDC benefits.
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MSDC News
MSDC Member in the News
MSDC Office Hours
MSDC offices will be closed on December 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. MSDC offices will also be closed on January 1 for the New Years Day holiday
.
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Thank you to our 1817 Society Members
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It's Time to Pick Your Medicare Status
For Medicare physicians, it’s annual par/nonpar decision time.
The annual participation enrollment program for calendar year (CY) 2019 will run through December 31, 2018.
Click here
for the website
.
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...And Check Your MIPS Eligibility Status
You can now check the Quality Payment Program (QPP)
Participation Status Tool
to view your final 2018 eligibility status for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
Read more.
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MEDICARE TIME SAVERS
From Novitas, the Medicare Administrative Contractor for Jurisdictions H and L
Medicare Part B FAQs.
Novitas has provided helpful answers to frequently asked questions on topics including appeals, prior authorization, and provider enrollment
.
"
Easily Check Patient Eligibility
Providers are encouraged to take advantage of two valuable. time-saving tools available in Novitasphere, your free internet portal.
1) The
MBI Lookup Tool
can be used to locate a patient’s new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) numbers when the patient is unable to provide their updated card. See how in this
video
.
2) The
Eligibility Guide
can help obtain important eligibility details and can be printed or saved with the patient’s records. Some key information available:
· Effective and termination dates for Part A and Part B
·
Medicare as Secondary Payer information
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Extortion Scam Targeting DEA Registrants Continues
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DEA registrants are receiving telephone calls and emails by criminals who are identifying themselves as DEA employees (or other law enforcement personnel) and have masked their caller id to show a DEA Registration Support 800 number. If you are contacted by a person purporting to work for DEA and seeking money or threatening to suspend your DEA registration, submit the information through “
Extortion Scam Online Reporting
” posted on the
DEA Diversion Control Division's website
.
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Attention Practice Managers!
Would you like to connect with others?MSDC is forming a Practice Management Group for managers to socialize with their colleagues, share practice tips and resources. Contact Pia Duryea (duryea@msdc.org) for details.
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Physician Compare Preview Period Extended to January 7-
Preview Your Physician Compare Before Others Do
The Physician Compare preview period has been extended through Monday January 7, 8 pm ET. Check out your 2017 Quality Payment Program (QPP) performance information and
2016 clinician utilization data
before it is publicly shared on
Physician Compare
in early 2019
. Note that the Physician Compare profile will also include 2017
Merit-Based Incentive Payment System
(
MIPS) data since
past quality programs were consolidated into the under the QPP.
Access the secured preview through the
QPP website
.
For more information, see:
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MYidealDOCTOR is Seeking Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatric and Emergency Medicine Physicians
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MSDC welcomes its newest Corporate Partner,
MYidealDOCTOR
, which has partnered with AmeriHealth Caritas DC to expand physician services. Physicians will be able to perform consults for health plan members via secure phone and video. They have launched and are expecting a large volume of encounters.
MYidealDOCTOR is a fast-growing telehealth company that is currently expanding its network to conduct telehealth consults via phone and video.
Read more
to learn benefits or see the common conditions treated.
If you are interested in becoming a physician for MYidealDOCTOR, email
info@MYidealDOCTOR.com
and provide a copy of your CV or ask questions regarding the available positions.
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Thank You, Corporate Partners
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US Surgeon General Declares E-cigarette Use Among Youth An Epidemic
This week, US Surgeon General VADM Jerome Adams, MD, issued an
advisory
"emphasizing the importance of protecting our children from a lifetime of nicotine addiction and associated health risks by immediately addressing the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use." He urged Americans to
get the facts
,
know the risks
and
take action.
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Since the index patient with hypocoagulopathy associated with synthetic cannabinoids use was identified on March 8, 2018 in Illinois, at least 324 people have presented to healthcare facilities with serious bleeding from possible exposure. Laboratory investigation confirmed brodifacoum exposure in at least 150 patients. There have been at least eight (8) fatalities. Vitamin K1 continues to be the recommended therapy. Since the original
HAN advisory on May 25, 2018
, two (2) new clinical scenarios have emerged:
- Several patients have outpatient follow-up blood brodifacoum concentrations that are higher than their initial blood brodifacoum concentrations.
- At least one patient has become pregnant since starting outpatient oral Vitamin K1 treatment.
When patients are found to have outpatient follow-up blood brodifacoum concentrations higher than their initial blood brodifacoum concentrations, it strongly suggests that they have continued or resumed using synthetic cannabinoid products containing brodifacoum while on oral vitamin K1 therapy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an
advisory update
with information on: 1) the current status of a multistate outbreak of coagulopathy from exposure to synthetic cannabinoid products containing a vitamin K-epoxide cycle antagonist, brodifacoum; 2) the emergence of 2 new clinical scenarios; and 3) recommendations to help clinicians make decisions related to these 2 new clinical scenarios.
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End the Epidemic: Opioid-Related Resources and News
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Opioids May Not Work Well for Many Types of Pain, Review Study Indicates
The
findings
of a recent review study published in JAMA reveal that opioids are not effective “for many types of pain,” and that “other drugs and treatments such as physical therapy or ice may work better for non-cancer pain.” In an accompanying
commentary
, Drs. Michael Ashburn and Lee Fleisher of the University of Pennsylvania wrote, “The findings...illustrate that most patients who are prescribed opioids for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain will not benefit from those drugs.”
DC Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
AMA "End the Epidemic" Website
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MSDC's DCRx Card Offers Discounts on Naloxone
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The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, issued a
public health advisory
urging more Americans to carry and learn to use the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone. Get a discount on this life-saving drug through
MSDC's Rx Card.
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Med Chi Gala
December 21, 2018
9:00 PM - 1:00 am
J.W. Marriott Hotel (1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC)
The Medico-Chirurgical Society of DC's annual year-end gala will feature a live band, great food and exciting, festive, fun - filled atmosphere. Tickets are $150/ person. For information or to RSVP, contact Ms. Mae Walton (msw213@aol.com, 202- 394-3960).
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Everything You Need to Lose Weight and Get Healthy
January 11-12, 2019
Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion (4300 Military Rd., NW, Washington, DC)
Test Drive a Vegan Diet with Dr. Neal Barnard’s Kickstart Intensive. Registration Includes:
More than 15 Lectures by Nutrition Experts, four delicious meals, key health metrics measured on-site, meal planning and cooking demonstrations, and more. Read more in this
flier
. Reserve your seat now at 202-527-7337 or visit
BarnardMedical Kickstart
Cost: $329 per person. Discounts available for registering more than one person
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Saturday, February 23, 2019
8:00 AM - Noon
Lisner Hall (2023 G Street NW, Room 201, Washington, DC)
G2Z Law Group, PLLC and GW Law are pleased to invite you to the 4th Annual Healthcare Law & Compliance Boot CampTM of the greater Washington metropolitan area. Healthcare providers face a myriad of legal and regulatory issues on a daily basis. Awareness of and compliance with healthcare laws and regulations not only enhance patient quality of care but also promote healthy and efficient healthcare practices. At the 4th Annual Healthcare Law & Compliance Boot CampTM learners will analyze and debate challenging issues routinely is seen by healthcare professionals.
The event is complementary for providers and GWU students. RSVP to
Rghafoorian@g2zlaw.com
by February 19, 2019. Read the
flyer
for more information on the program, speakers, and CME accreditation.
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Medical Resources and Announcements
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Funding Applications Due Jan. 25 and Feb. 5 for Research Projects on Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antibiotic Resistance
AHRQ is seeking innovative research proposals for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria (CARB). Funding applications are due Jan. 25 for demonstration and dissemination projects (R18). Applications are due Feb. 5 for large research projects (R01). HAI projects in both grant categories should demonstrate new ways to detect, prevent and reduce HAIs. CARB projects should address ways to promote appropriate antibiotic use, reduce the transmission of resistant bacteria or prevent HAIs.
Access more information
.
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The DC Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) is actively recruiting for medical and public health professionals. The MRC is a network of local medical volunteers who are willing to donate their time during emergencies and other times of community need like parades or inaugurations. All volunteers receive comprehensive instruction in areas of emergency response. Learn more
here
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Help Your Patients Fight the Flu
The 2018-19 flu season is well underway and, unknowingly, your patients may already be playing “beat the clock”. As you know, doctors are recommending that all individuals over the age of 6 months old receive the vaccination. Because it takes approximately 30 days to develop full flu immunity, patients should get the shot sooner rather than later.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu costs the nation about $7 billion a year in sick days and lost productivity among working adults.
Fight the flu and help your patients save this flu season by encouraging them to print a free D.C. Rx Card at the
www.MSDC.org
website or at
www.dcrxcard.com
. Any physicians who are interested in ordering free cards for their clinic/hospital can email
Allan Browder,
via email at abrowder@dcrxcard.com or by phone at 202.330.3118.
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Medical Real Estate Listings
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Brought to you by MSDC Corporate Partner GZ Medical Realty. Contact
Pete Papantoniou
for your real estate needs.
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Office Sublet Available
600-1,200 square foot sublet available in Class A office building on 19th Street in N.W., D.C. The space which is about to be built out will have a separate entrance, 2 large offices and 2 exam rooms (all with large windows), and a small reception area. Balance of the office space is occupied by an Internal Medicine practice. Option to share staff and EMR etc with our group. Space available approximately September 2018. Contact Dr. Alice Fuisz if interested.
alicefuiszacp@gmail.com
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2440 M Street NW
2440 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
2440 M Street is a Class A 110,000 SF medical office building with a three-level parking garage in northwest Washington, DC. The building has abundant patient and physician parking. Please contact
Peter Papantoniou
at 301-961-1941 or see the
online listing
for more information.
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Part Time/Full Time Office Space Available
3 Washington Circle
Washington, DC 20037
Part time/full time office space available immediately at 3 Washington Circle. This includes a large consultation room, fully equipped examination room, lab drawing facility onsite, EKG machine, space for receptionist, space for medical records, shared use of copier, telephone system, wireless internet and waiting room. Ideal for general internist, medical subspecialist or surgeon. If interested, please call Mark Sklar, MD. 202-887-4769 or email
mmsklar@gmail.com
.
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Boutique Townhouse Medical Office for Rent Across From GWU Hospital/ Medical School
900 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Boutique townhouse medical office for rent across from G.W.U. Hospital & School of Medicine. Very close to Foggy Bottom Metro. Three rooms, one on entry level with powered table/chair & overhead surgical light. Consultation room, reception/waiting room, & possibility of 2 additional rooms. Two-car driveway. Call/text Sheldon K. Gottlieb, MD, 301-509-3319, or email
skgottliebmd@comcast.net
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Woodburn Medical Park
3229 Woodburn Road
Merrifield, VA 22003
Woodburn Medical Park is located within walking distance of INOVA hospital directly off Capital Beltway. Common area was recently upgraded. Contact
Peter Papantoniou
at 301-961-1941 or see the
online listing
for more information.
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Full Time/ Part Time Office Space Available
Well-designed and attractively decorated office of three general internists has additional consulting room/exam room suite available. Looking for another general internist to share space and overhead in fully staffed and equipped internal medicine office. Shared call coverage is possible. Contact Alan Stone, MD, 202-466-8118 or
aws.md@verizon.net
.
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Medical Society of the District of Columbia
1250 23rd Street NW, Ste 270
Washington, DC 20037
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