Progress Notes :: Dec. 2, 2015

Progress Notes :: Dec. 2, 2015 :: Issue 127


		Dec. 2, 2015 \| Issue 127


		Government Affairs and Practice Advocacy Legislation Aims for Speedier Credentialing
		The PAFP has long advocated for an improved process to avoid unnecessary delays by health insurers in credentialing family physicians. Pa. House of Representatives Health Committee Chairman Matt Baker has introduced House Bill 1663 that would enact major changes to stop the practice of unwarranted and costly credentialing delays. The bill would empower the Pa. Insurance Department to impose a uniform credentialing form on insurers, including Medicaid MCOs, and grant provisional status to physicians if the insurer fails to make a determination within 30 days. The bill has been assigned to Chairman Baker’s Health Committee.

		Education Registration Now Open for Pittsburgh CME Conference
		Registration is now open for the combined PAFP CME Conference and UPMC 43rd Refresher Course in Family Medicine, March 10-13 at the Marriott City Center in Pittsburgh. This exceptional program will include an expanded array of CME in multiple formats, Research Day, a SAM Study Group, the PAFP’s Business Meeting events and great networking opportunities. Register early to secure your space at www.pafp.com/pafpupmc!

		Public Health World AIDS Day: Educate Your Patients
		Yesterday (Dec. 1) was World AIDS Day. While great strides have been made in treating HIV and AIDS, it's still a disease that confuses and scares the public. Make sure your patients are armed with the facts: CNN has assembled a handy guide of eight dangerous HIV myths debunked by the experts.

		Quality Improvement New Diabetes Cases Begin to Fall in the U.S.

		Finally, new diabetes cases are beginning to fall in the U.S., reports the New York Times. Experts say the shift seems to correspond with an uptick in the health of Americans, as growing evidence suggests that American eating habits are beginning to improve. Visit the PAFP's Residency Program and Community Health Center Collaborative on more information on how to improve diabetes measures in a family medicine practice.

		Residents and Students Research Day Call for Abstracts!

		Research Day: Saturday, March 12, 2016, Pittsburgh The PAFP’s annual event is a great place to showcase your scholarly projects. Cash prizes for best presentation in student, resident, faculty and fellow categories and best overall; ribbons for posters in quality improvement, research, community project, case study categories. Join us! The online registration and abstract submission form is now open! Submission deadline: Feb. 10. Additional attractions that weekend include PAFP Annual Business Meeting festivities and leadership development, plus great clinical CME sessions for you to check out. Look over the meeting agenda to make your weekend plans!

		Are You or a Friend 'Family Physician of the Year' Material?
		You are a family physician – the person patients trust most when they’re not feeling well, when they have questions about their health, when they need everything from vaccinations to prescriptions. There are thousands of excellent family physicians in Pennsylvania, and we want to hear why you think you or a colleague is the best of all – maybe you’ll be chosen as the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians’ 2016 Family Physician of the Year! Jan. 15, 2016 is the deadline for entries to the PAFP’s 2016 Family Physician of the Year contest – be sure to read the contest rules on www.pafp.com/topdoc. PAFP Moving to 'Virtual Office' Jan. 4, 2016 We previously announced the PAFP would be moving to a "virtual office;" beginning Jan. 4, 2016, PAFP staff will be telecommuting Monday through Friday. Member services will continue uninterrupted.