Volume 119, No. 7: July 2023 Edition | |
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They Said It...
"Each time I asked how to find mentors, research, or advocacy opportunities the answer was always organized medicine. Through the PAMED House of Delegates I was able to network with many physicians also interested in supporting and uplifting women in medicine." Dr. Nikki Perry Bryce, resident at PCOM and PCMS member, speaking about her experience with organized medicine. Read more in our Spring 2023 edition of Philadelphia Medicine.
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If you are interested in writing an article for Philadelphia Medicine, please contact us at [email protected]. We are accepting articles for both the newsletter and magazine. | |
Things you should know... | |
Important heat safety information from the Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health | |
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With extreme temperature still anticipated for the remainder of July, it’s important to remind your patients, especially older adults, anyone living alone and people with chronic health conditions who are more likely to get sick, to make sure they have access to air conditioning, are staying hydrated, and know how to call for help if they need it.
Reach out to [email protected] with any questions, requests for presentations about staying safe in extreme heat, an information table at your next event, or additional resources.
These resources may also be helpful when it’s very hot out:
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The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Helpline - Residents can call (215) 765-9040 to get health and safety tips and be connected to resources.
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Utility Emergency Services Fund - Utility and housing assistance and more. Residents can call (215) 814-6845 to learn about and enroll in state and federal benefits.
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The Office of Homeless Services - If you see someone on the street who needs help, call (215) 232-1984 or 911.
- Philadelphia Extreme Heat Guide
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Extreme heat brochures, flyers, and newsletters - Free, translated into many common languages, and can be printed and mailed to your address.
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2023 resolutions due by July 27! | |
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Have a resolution you've been formulating that could help all PA physicians better care for their patients? Submit your resolution to the PAMED House of Delegates by Thursday, July 27!
Access the Resolution Submission Portal here.
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FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive | |
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, July 13 approved Opill (norgestrel) tablet for nonprescription use to prevent pregnancy. This is the first daily oral contraceptive approved for use in the U.S. without a prescription.
Approval of this progestin-only oral contraceptive pill provides an option for consumers to purchase oral contraceptive medicine without a prescription at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online. The timeline for availability and price of this nonprescription product is determined by the manufacturer. Other approved formulations and dosages of other oral contraceptives will remain available by prescription only.
Click here for additional information
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Anyone interested in running in the Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR), which will be held on Sunday, Sept 17 starting at the Philadelphia Art Museum (just down the street from PCMS HQ), is invited to join the “PCMS Running Team”. You can choose to participate in a 5K or half marathon.
PCMS has partnered with Students Run Philly Style, a co-owner of the PDR, and they are offering our members a $15 discount when registering. If interested, please let us know ASAP so we can get you the discount code.
You can register here.
The registration deadline to get your name printed on your bib is August 15. Final registration closes on September 16.
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Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program | |
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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched the new Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program, a $15 million investment to recruit and retain clinicians who provide health care to children and adolescents. In exchange for three years of service working in a health professional shortage area, medically underserved area, or providing care to a medically underserved population, the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program provides up to $100,000 to eligible clinicians providing pediatric medical subspecialty, pediatric surgical specialty, or child and adolescent behavioral health care, including substance use prevention and treatment services. The application deadline is Thursday, July 20, 7:30 PM.
For more information, visit here.
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Substance Use Disorders Training from PAMED | |
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Through an arrangement with an educational partner, Clinical Care Options, PAMED is offering an accredited 8-hour course that meets DEA training requirements. The next live webinar will be held on Saturday, July 22 from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Course modules include:
- Principles of Controlled Substance Prescribing
- Universal Risk Mitigation Strategies for Controlled Substances
- Basics of Pain Management
- Managing Opioid Therapy
- Introduction to Substance Use Disorders
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Tobacco and Cannabis Use Disorder
- Stimulant and Sedative Use Disorder
Learn more and register here.
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Proposed rule for CY 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule | |
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the proposed rule for the calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (PDF). The American Medical Association (AMA) wants to make physicians aware of a handful of key provisions.
The 2024 Medicare conversion factor is proposed to be reduced by 3.36 percent from $33.8872 to $32.7476. The CMS Press Release states the decrease is 3.34 percent, but the AMA believes this is an error. Similarly, the anesthesia conversion factor is proposed to be reduced from $21.1249 to $20.4370. These cuts result from a reduction in the temporary update to the conversion factor under current law and a negative budget neutrality adjustment stemming in large part from the adoption of an office visit add-on code. Unfortunately, these cuts coincide with ongoing growth in the cost to practice medicine as CMS projects the increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for 2024 will be 4.5 percent.
Physician practices cannot continue to absorb these increasing costs while their payment rates dwindle. This is why the AMA and partners in organized medicine strongly support H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which would provide a permanent, annual update equal to the increase in the MEI and allow physicians to invest in their practices and implement new strategies to provide high-value care.
Visit the AMA’s Fix Medicare Now site and join the fight for financial stability for physician practices to preserve access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
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Philadelphia Phillies and PCMS | |
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We still have a limited number of tickets for the Phillies vs. Marlins game at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, Sept 10, 2023. This includes a tailgate party! Meet with colleagues and enjoy an afternoon of fun! Children, spouses and partners are welcome to attend. Don’t delay in getting your tickets: Visit our event page now!
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Helping patients understand Medicare | |
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CMS is holding virtual workshops on topics related to Medicare. The programs listed below all start at 1:00 PM and conclude no later than 3:30 PM and will explain CMS current priorities, initiatives, and recent programmatic updates. Space is limited.
Tuesday, July 18 – Drug Coverage When Using Medicare
This workshop will explain drug coverage under the different parts of Medicare and describe how Medicare drug coverage (Part D) works, coverage rules, eligibility, enrollment, and Extra Help.
Wednesday, July 19 – Medicare Advantage
This workshop will explain Medicare health plan options other than Original Medicare with a primary focus on Medicare Advantage (sometimes called Medicare Part C).
Thursday, July 20 – Medicare for People with Disabilities
Qualifying for Medicare based on a disability is different from qualifying based on End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or age. This workshop will explore the enrollment process and unique scenarios like returning to work while getting disability benefits. We’ll also discuss programs that can help with medical costs.
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DEA amends Form 106 - Formal Reporting on Controlled Substance Thefts and Loss | |
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DEA Form 106 is used by DEA registrants to formally report thefts or significant losses of controlled substances and the final rule requires that all forms now be submitted electronically. Paper copies of DEA Form 106 will no longer be accepted once the final rule becomes effective on July 24, 2023. Read more here.
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CONTRACT CORNER BRIEFS
by Karen E. Davidson, Esquire
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NON-COMPETE PUSH-BACK EFFORTS SURGE. While non-competes remain alive and well in Pennsylvania, there are glimmers of change on the horizon here in the Commonwealth and nationally. With the introduction of Senate Bill No. 521 (SB521) Pennsylvania joins 64 bills proposed in 24 other states along with 4 U.S. Congressional bills in the ongoing effort to curtail non-competes. These various bills (if passed) would be rendered moot if the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed rule unveiled on January 5, 2023 essentially banning non-competes nationally is adopted and ultimately survives legal challenge. As discussed in previous Contract Corner Briefs, we anticipate significant challenges to the FTC rule (once published as a final rule) including perhaps one to the U.S. Supreme Court asserting that the FTC does not have authority to adopt such a rule.
Here in the Commonwealth, SB521 (also known as the Health Care Practitioner Noncompete Act) would make a noncompete covenant void and unenforceable by an employer if the health care practitioner is “dismissed,” a term which unfortunately is not defined. That said, even if one assumes that a “dismissal” includes any sort of termination (i.e., whether with or without cause), SB521 would leave non-competes valid and enforceable if a health care practitioner chooses to leave a position of their own accord. Having the freedom to take a new position without violating a non-compete is a critical component of any non-compete ban and rebalancing leverage in favor of health care practitioners.
So, unless and until a true ban on non-competes is enacted by the Pennsylvania legislature or the FTC ban takes effect, non-competes within Pennsylvania cannot be ignored and will continue to present significant hurdles in physician contract negotiations. From the front-lines we can report that physicians must be strategic and careful in maneuvering in and around their non-competes. We find ourselves “dancing on the heads of pins” when trying to determine if a physician may take a new position without violating their present non-compete. And even upon concluding that they may do so, we often need to document the analysis leading to such conclusion so that the prospective employer (and their legal counsel) may conclude similarly. Mental gymnastics abound. Stay Tuned.
| The content of “Contract Corner Briefs” has been prepared by Karen E. Davidson, Esq. for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information in this e-newsletter shall not be construed as an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create, nor shall the receipt of such information constitute, an attorney-client relationship. We hope that you will find the information informative and useful, and we would be delighted to connect you with Karen Davidson. | |
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MOUD Provider Collaborative
Date: Wednesday, July 26
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
The Health Federation of Philadelphia is holding bi-monthly MOUD Provider Collaborative meetings for primary care practitioners to network and discuss practice issues related to treating people who use drugs.
Register Here
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PCMS at the Phillies
Date: Sunday, September 10
Time: 11:00 AM
The Philadelphia County Medical Society invites you to join us at Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies game and a tailgate party! Meet with colleagues and enjoy an afternoon of fun! Children, spouses and partners are welcome to attend.
Learn More and Sign Up Here
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Introduction to Buprenorphine Prescribing in Primary Care
Date: Friday, October 27
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is offering a free MOUD 1-day preceptor program for primary care providers in Philadelphia. This program is developed to support providers who are interested in prescribing buprenorphine. This is the first part of a mini-residency program, followed by an individual on-site observation with an experienced faculty preceptor.
Register Here
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PAMED House of Delegates
Date: October 27-28
The HOD’s purpose is to democratically hear the diverse voices of the membership and, after deliberation and consideration, establish broad policy on health, medical, and governance matters.
Learn More
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The Clinical Trial Center, LLC is looking for a Board-Certified Physician MD or DO with some clinical research experience to serve as Principal Investigator for pharmaceutical clinical research studies in our Jenkintown research clinic. The Clinical Trial Center, LLC conducts outpatient research studies in all phases of drug clinical development (Phases 1b-4). To find out more about our research clinic please go to: www.theclinicaltrialcenter.com
Principal Investigator Responsibilities
Every research study requires a Principal Investigator (PI). A PI is the individual who has the primary responsibility for ensuring the ethical conduct of the research study and assumes full responsibility for the conduct of the research. This includes:
- protecting human participants’ rights, safety and welfare;
- protocol compliance;
- adherence to institutional, state, and federal regulations and guidance;
- ensuring informed consent is appropriately obtained from each participant;
- appropriately maintaining study records;
- complying with the financial, administrative policies, and regulations associated with associated federal awards;
- overall fiscal management of the project;
- disclosure of conflict of interest;
- possess the expertise, time, and commitment to conduct the research;
- provide the necessary oversight for all aspects of the study; and
- must accept full responsibility for the study.
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