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CMS DELAYS ENFORCEMENT OF HIPAA TRANSITION
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it won’t enforce the Jan. 1, 2012 compliance date for the transition to Version 5010 electronic transaction standards for all HIPAA-covered entities until March 31, 2012. The update to 5010 applies to all electronic transactions; however, due to the number of changes to these transactions, CMS may publish updates to its manual claim submission forms in the future. Check the CMS 5010 website for updates and CMS FAQs for more information.
INSURANCE DEPT. TO DEVELOP STATE-BASED HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE
After extensive evaluation and stakeholder input, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department has decided to develop a state-based health insurance exchange in the commonwealth. The department held several public hearings earlier this year, during which the PAFP and other stakeholders submitted comments regarding a state versus federally run health insurance exchange. To read the comments and learn more about health insurance exchanges, click here.
CONCUSSION LAW AIMS AT MONITORING SCHOOL ATHLETE HEALTH
Act 101 was signed into law on Nov. 9 and is effective on July 1, 2012. The Safety in Youth Sports Act will do the following:
• Require the Departments of Health and Education to jointly develop educational material on concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
• Require parents or guardians of student athletes will be required to sign and return acknowledgment forms to schools recognizing the dangers and risks associated with playing sports and the risk of such brain injuries.
• When a student athlete demonstrates any signs of a concussion or brain injury, the child is required to be removed from play.
• Once the child is removed from play, he or she is not permitted to compete unless and until a licensed health care provider has examined the student and deems the child ready to compete again safely from further injury.
• The term "health care provider" is defined in the legislation as a physician (or licensed health care designee) or neuropsychologist trained in the management and evaluation of concussions.
• Compliance penalties do not kick in until two years after the law takes effect.
“FRIEND OF FAMILY MEDICINE” RETIRING FROM LEGISLATURE
Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester) has announced he will not seek reelection, and thus will be retiring from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Schroder is a past Friend of Family Medicine Award recipient for his dedicated support and leadership on issues important to family physicians. Schroder will have served for 18 years in the House of Representatives when he retires at the end of 2012. With his retirement, Pennsylvania will lose once of its staunchest supporters of tort reform in the House. The PAFP congratulates Rep. Schroder on a great legislative career and looks forward to working with him in his final year in office!
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UPCOMING CME OPPORTUNITIES
The Hershey Breakaway, the PAFP’s spring CME conference, is Friday, March 9 through Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the Hotel Hershey. Online registration is available.
Click here for online CME.
Click here for three pain management webcasts.
Click here for a list of all PAFP Foundation CME.
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TRANSITION HEALTH CARE CHECKLIST
Educate your staff and patients on all aspects of Transition to Adult Living in Pennsylvania through the 42-page Department of Health Transition Health Care Checklist. This publication will teach you who to contact for Medicaid waivers, MAWD/CHIP, SSA, HIPPA/COBRA and much more.
FAMILY, PEDIATRIC PHYSICIANS WORK TOGETHER TO TRANSITION YOUTH
Watch for a letter and survey request in the near future to help determine the best way to serve the increasing number of young adults with special needs entering adult health care. You can even access the survey now! Become a part of the movement for successful transition. Individual surveys will not be made public without further discussion with and specific authorization from you or your practice.
ENDURING WEBCASTS FROM NEMACOLIN SOON AVAILABLE
The following will soon be available as enduring CME webcasts. Don’t miss these on- target presentations.
• “Traumatic Brain Injury and Domestic Violence: Best Practices for Identification and Diagnosis” (Dr. Camiolo Cara Reddy of UPMC, Erin Varner of Crisis Center North in Pittsburgh)
• “Transition of Special Needs Youth from Pediatric Care” (Dr. Renee Turchi of St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, PAAAP’s Molly Gatto)
DID YOU KNOW?
You can quickly find all information that has been included in past issues of Keystone Physician on any given topic. Simply go to the new PAFP website and click on the image of the latest Keystone Physician issue. When the page opens, click on the magnifying glass icon on the upper right-hand side of the screen, enter your topic and indicate “Search all issues of this publication.” The search function is a handy tool to quickly locate all the great articles that have been published over the years.
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TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON PA REACH EAST! DON’T GET LEFT BEHIND
As of Nov. 25, 2011, there are only 327 provider slots left to fill in PA REACH East. Once these slots are filled, the program is closed to any new participants.
If you need assistance with registration for the EHR Incentive Program or the attestation process, enroll in the PA REACH program! For more information, please contact Deb Hammaker or Tracy Koval.
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APPLY FOR LOAN REPAYMENT PILOT PROGRAM
Fourth-year med Students! There’s still time to apply for the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Pilot Program. Applications are due Dec. 14.
FMIG FUNDING INITIATIVE PACKETS DUE FRIDAY
Student FMIG leaders: AAFP FMIG Funding Initiative packets are due Friday, Dec. 2 – please forward your application packet to Molly Talley ASAP!
SNMA CLINICAL CAMP THIS WEEKEND
SNMA Clinical Camp will be held this Saturday, Dec. 3 at Jefferson Medical College! Register online.
INVESTIGATE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Third year residents: Investigating your future practice opportunities? Of course you are! Check out:
• AAFP’s Career Link listings
• NHSC job opportunity listings for loan repayment-eligible practice opportunities
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"LATEST NEWS" FEATURE ADDED TO THE WEBSITE!
The revamped PAFP website has a new feature on its homepage! You’ll want to check out “The Latest News,” a news briefs section updated daily. This feature clicks through to the brand-new news archive, featuring links to stories, CME opportunities, events and newsmakers organized by month on a clickable calendar.
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