District Council Tackles Surprise Billing, Reproductive Healthcare Providers, Biosimilars, and More
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District Councilmembers spent the summer watching the major health debates in this country and, upon their return this week, decided to act proactively on a number of national issues.
On Tuesday, Councilmember Mary Cheh introduced
The Access to Biosimilars Act of 2019
.
The bill is a top priority of the Medical Society, and MSDC members provided extensive expertise in the drafting. The bill is expected to be marked up in November, and MSDC will push for its passage this Council session.
Additional legislation tackled reproductive rights, sunscreen, vaping and balan
ce billing. As this update shows, there is A LOT going on in medical advocacy in the District.
Read more
about those efforts or contact
Robert Hay
if you want to become involved.
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Join Us for MSDC's Annual Meeting and After- Party on October 25
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MSDC's Annual Meeting
is just over one month away--on October 25--and we look forward to seeing you there! In addition to the awards ceremony, leadership installation and socializing at the meeting, there will be an after-party with live jazz included in your registration. You won't want to miss MSDC's premier all-member event and physician celebration taking place at the AAMC Learning Center next month.
Act Fast to Save Money on Annual Meeting Registration!
Early bird registration has been extended until
September 27
-hurry up and
register
.
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NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY
MSDC joined the AMA and numerous other medical societies in a
sign-on letter
addressing CMS efforts directed at reforming prior authorization (PA) and paperwork overload. The letter cited strong concerns that CMS may be focusing on automation as the only vehicle for implementing PA reforms. MSDC and allies advocated for approaches outlined in the Consensus Statement on Improving Prior Authorization Process.
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Welcome New MSDC Members!
The following physicians recently joined MSDC:
Vivian Fraga, MD
(Gynecologist)
Tenzin Choden
, MD
(Gastroenterology)
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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, FACR
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
Julian Craig, MD
At-large
Laurie Duncan, MBBS, MS
At-large
E.W. Emanuel, MD
At-large
Alice Fuisz, MD
At-large, Secretary
Kirstiaan Nevin, MD
At-large
Daniel 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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MSDC Elections are Open
On August 26, 2019, in accordance with its bylaws, MSDC distributed to its voting members electronic ballots for officer and director positions. Voting members are encouraged to cast their ballots, if they have not already done so. Elections close on October 2, 2019. If you have a question about the elections or the electronic ballot, call the Medical Society at 202‐466‐1800 or email
duryea@msdc.org
.
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MSDC Members in Print
MSDC President Raymond Tu, MD, was recently featured in the
American College of Radiology Bulletin
. He stressed the importance of physician engagement and advocacy, saying "We should be looking for ways to connect with patients, peers, and students."
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MSDC In the Community
Last Friday, the Roselyn Payne Epps, M.D. Lecture, was held at Howard University. The annual lecture, named for the late MSDC past president, focuses on pediatrics and child health. Here, Roselyn E. Epps, MD, who will receive MSDC's Distinguished Service Award, introduces this year's lecture, titled "Building a healthier Future: Disrupting the Intergenerational Cycle of Disadvantage."
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MSDC Board Meeting
MSDC will hold its next board meeting on September 23, 2019 at 6:30 PM at MSDC headquarters. Members in good standing may request an invitation from
Robert Hay Jr.
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Don't Miss the MSDC Women in Medicine Section's Fall Event
The MSDC Women in Medicine section will host its inaugural event,
We Don't Need Self-care, We Need Boundaries
, on September 24, 2019. Dr. Pooja Lakshmin of The George Washington University will lead a discussion on setting boundaries and other ways to address burnout and mental health pressures that women in medicine face.
Learn more
or register
.
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Please Respond to This Brief Survey!
The Medical Society is redesigning its website and you are at the center of this effort.
In this quick exercise, you will be asked to find an item and then you will be presented with a list of links. You will click through the list, and make the selection that makes sense to you. When you are ready, please click
survey
to begin the exercise. It should take you approximately 5 minutes to complete. This exercise is completely anonymous.
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Message from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine President Dr. Neal Barnard, MD
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Dear MSDC Members,
I would like to invite you to two free 2-hour CME events, all about the power of nutrition for health. These events will take place over dinner at Maggiano’s in Chevy Chase. Please join us on November 21 and March 24.
We will cover nutrition’s powerful role in tackling obesity and chronic diseases as well as reviewing the surprising applications of nutrition for cancer prevention, chronic pain, Thyroid Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease. We are offering these events complimentary to you as an MSDC member. By attending these dinners, you are eligible to receive 2 CME credits at each event for a total of 4 credits, through our joint providership at the George Washington University. We will be serving a delicious four course meal and wine for you to enjoy while earning your credits.
Read more.
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Thank You To Our Corporate Supporters
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FDA Launches Criminal Probe as States Rush to Limit Vaping
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Officials can not confirm what is making people sick, but states aren't waiting to find out.
The District of Columbia dropped a bill just this week banning flavored e-cigarettes.
The
New York Times
reports, “After a spate of illnesses linked to vaping, states are rushing to push through bans on e-cigarettes for anyone under 21. Governors are calling for prohibitions on flavors like bubble gum, cotton candy and banana split, which critics say are meant to entice young people into trying vaping.” With high numbers of America’s youth using e-cigarettes, the
AMA is commending the Administration's steps
toward removing flavored e-cigarette products from the market.
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S
eptember is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the US, other than skin cancer.
Patients are encouraged
to get educated, get screened and get treated. See this
downloadable flyer
t
o help patients get proper testing.
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CDC Study: Number of Babies Hospitalized with Flu Is at Least Double Previous Estimates
A CDC
study
found that the number of infants who are hospitalized with flu is at least double current estimates. These findings underscore the danger flu poses to young children, and the importance of vaccination policies that
protect babies
,
including vaccination of pregnant women, babies 6 months and older, and close contacts of babies younger than 6 months who are too young for a flu vaccine.
Read more
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Prepare Your Practice for Flu Season
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End the Epidemic: Opioid-related Resources & News
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What You Need to Know About DC Health Information Exchange
CRISP DC will be hosting its
First Annual User Conference
focused on its DC users. The format will echo previous successful forums CRISP has held in past years for Maryland users, however, the content will be specific to DC user needs. Opening remarks will include accomplishments thus far in DC and an overview of presently available services. Breakout sessions will include 2 tracks: one for newer users to master the basics, and the second track for more advanced users focusing CRISP’s use in specific workflows and a session on data quality.
The conference will be held November 5 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Registration is open now at
https://dc.crisphealth.org
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National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM is
National Take-Back Day
. This regular event is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
Look up take-back locations and drug disposal information on the
DEA website
.
To locate a year-round authorized collector in your area, click
here
.
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Practice Alerts
Below are several practice alerts recently released by the DC Department of Healthcare Finance:
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DC Health Case Studies
DC Health's Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Advisory Committee
is offering CME through case studies
prepared by its subcommitee. Th
e free CMEs are available to physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, but will only be offered through December 21, 2019.
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Last Call to Weigh In on 2020 Physician Fee Schedule by September 27
In July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a draft rule that includes proposals to update payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2020. The calendar year 2020 PFS proposed rule is one of several proposed rules that reflect a broader administration-wide strategy to create a health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation. Public comments on the proposed rules are due by
September 27, 2019
.
For a fact sheet on the CY 2020 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, click
here
.
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SUNRISE MEDICAL LABORATORIES JOINS MSDC
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Sunrise Medical Laboratories is a part of Sonic Healthcare USA, who aspires to help people live better, healthier lives. We have been proudly serving the physicians and patients of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia for over 40 years. We focus on delivering the highest quality laboratory information through regional diagnostic laboratories and our unique medical leadership model.
Our tailored approach strives to provide the most accurate, clinically relevant, and diagnostically meaningful results in a timely manner. As part of the world’s largest laboratory network, we interface with most Electronic Medical Record systems and are an in-network provider for most insurances. Phlebotomy solutions are available. We offer a comprehensive test menu that covers all aspects of laboratory medicine from the routine to the esoteric. We are fully licensed and accredited by The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CLIA), and the Government of the District of Columbia, among others.
Sunrise Medical Laboratories – Quality is in our DNA™.
Please visit our website to learn more about our full-service laboratory offerings:
www.sunriselab.com
and contact us at:
Phone: 703.222.2313 | E-Mail: ChantillyService@sunriselab.com
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We Don't Need Self-care, We Need Boundaries: How to Make Room For Yourself as a Woman in Medicine
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September 24, 2019
6:00 PM
Lululemon Georgetown
Join MSDC's Women in Medicine section on September 24 for a discussion on setting boundaries and other ways
to address burnout and mental health pressures that women in medicine face. Healthy food and wine will be served. The event is free to MSDC members and $25 for non-members.
Read more or register
.
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DC Tobacco Control Summit
September 26, 2019
The Masonic Temple (1000 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20010)
The DC Calls It Quits summit will feature dynamic speakers and two interactive panel presentations. The Opening Plenary speaker will be Dr. LaQuandra S. Nesbitt, Director, DC Health and the Luncheon Speaker will be Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Co-Chair, The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC). Panel presentations include
“Addressing Health Disparities and Tobacco Use” and “Flavored Tobacco-What’s All the Fuss About?” Learn more or register
here
.
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October 12, 2019
Hyatt Regency Bethesda (One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD)
This one day symposium will review the latest in the diagnosis and management of advanced heart failure. A special emphasis will be given to special conditions such as infiltrative cardiomyopathies, pulmonary hypertension, and genetic conditions. It will also provide an overview of modalities for treating end-stage advanced heart failure such as mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation. For more information and to register to attend, please visit
CE.MedStarHealth.org/MHFS.
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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 square foot sublet available
on 19th Street NW between Farragut North and Dupont Circle Metro. Brand new build out with separate suite number, entrance, waiting area. One office and one exam room with large window. One smaller office without windows. Sublet space is connected to an established private internal medicine practice. Price negotiable
. Contact Dr. Alice Fuisz if interested.
alicefuiszacp@gmail.com
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University Medical Building
2141 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
University Medical Building is conveniently located in the heart of DC with easy access to Metro stations. 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 has recently been 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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