INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE

ADVOCACY AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
> CMS IDENTIFIES TOP BILLING ERRORS
> MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT CUT COMING IN 2013

CME
> SCHOOLS TAKE SUMMER VACATION - NOT PAFP CME!

PUBLIC HEALTH
> EFFECTIVE SAFETY PLAN FOR SUICIDAL YOUTH
> BREAST CANCER CLASSIFICATION PROMISES BETTER THERAPIES
> DON'T MISS THIS RESOURCE FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM!

QUALITY INITIATIVES
> PROPOSED RULE FOR STAGE 2 MEANINGFUL USE COMMENT PERIOD CLOSING

RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS
> EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT ON OUR NEW WEB PAGES!
> READY FOR SOME REAL TALK ABOUT FAMILY MEDICINE?
> WELCOME TO ALL NEW LEADERS
> THE GREAT ANNUAL MIGRATION


OTHER NEWS
> REGISTRATION FOR GOLF TOURNAMENT CLOSING IN 2 WEEKS
> GEAR UP FOR ANNUAL MEETING!

CMS IDENTIFIES TOP BILLING ERRORS
In its latest quarterly newsletter, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) identifies the most common billing errors identified by CMS contractors, including Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs).  The newsletter is intended to help providers understand and avoid certain billing errors. Click here for more information.

MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT CUT COMING IN 2013
According to the 2012 Medicare Trustees Report, physicians face a steep payment cut of 30.9 percent in 2013. The impending cut would mark the highest ever scheduled cut under the Medicare physician payment system. Click here to review the report.

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SCHOOLS TAKE SUMMER VACATION - NOT PAFP CME!
May
5.10: Working with Suicidal Youth and Their Families in Primary Care (webinar, noon until 1 p.m.)
5.17: SAM Study Group (Preventive Health), Omni Bedford Springs

June
6.19: Regional Lecture Series: New Tools to Fix a Broken Screening System - CRC Screening for the Changing Landscape of Primary Care (starts June 19, click here for information and to register)

July
7.5: Summer Escape CME Conference, Annapolis (July 5 through 8)

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EFFECTIVE SAFETY PLANS FOR SUICIDAL YOUTH

Don’t miss this free lunchtime webinar presented by the Pa. Physical Health/Behavioral Health Learning Community in collaboration with the PAFP, “Developing Effective Safety Plans for Suicidal Youth."
Click here to register!

BREAST CANCER CLASSIFICATION PROMISES BETTER THERAPIES
Researchers have found a way to classify breast cancer tumors into 10 distinct categories ranging from very treatable to extremely aggressive, a major step on the way to the long-sought goal of precisely targeting therapies for patients. The new categories should help scientists devise fresh approaches to treatment and could spare many women the risks and pain of unnecessarily toxic treatments. Read more at The Los Angeles Times.

DON'T MISS THIS RESOURCE FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM!
“Living Well with a Disability” is a free resource available to individuals with any type of disability, living in certain counties of Pennsylvania. Check out these resources for veterans with disabilities and help our men and women in uniform return to a vibrant, fulfilling civilian life!

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PROPOSED RULE FOR STAGE 2 MEANINGFUL USE COMMENT PERIOD CLOSING
On March 7, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Stage 2 meaningful use to the Federal Register which outlines the requirements for the next stage of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.

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EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT IN OUR NEW WEB PAGES!

Unveiling our newly redesigned webpages for Residents and Students! Check ‘em out and let us know what you think!

Molly Talley, Director of Resident and Student Initiatives, has created a Twitter list of thought leaders and advocates in family medicine, primary care, and public health – both nationally known and local docs. Please check them out and connect to the social media family medicine revolution!

READY FOR SOME REAL TALK ABOUT FAMILY MEDICINE?
Don’t miss the AAFP National Conference, July 26-28 in Kansas City, Miss. Scholarships are still available! The deadline is TODAY (May 1) for AAFP scholarships and June 1 for PAFP scholarships.

WELCOME TO ALL NEW LEADERS!
Congratulations to the newly elected Resident and Student Assembly leaders! Updated directories will be posted after May 18, once your terms officially begin. Our PAFP Board of Directors, commission chairs, and staff welcome you!

THE GREAT ANNUAL MIGRATION
Congratulations are in order for those student members completing medical school over the next month or so. Best wishes on your transition to residency! If you’re remaining in Pennsylvania for residency, you’ll be able to maintain your connection to the PAFP as a resident member. For those students travelling further afield, please do maintain your relationship with AAFP and your state chapter where you land. Membership offers opportunities, resources, and networking perfect for your stage of training and your interests.

Congrats also to residency graduates. You’ve already received a special invitation to become an active new member of AAFP for a discounted rate – please take them up on that! Membership can provide vital resources and tools to help you settle in and manage your new responsibilities as you enter practice – there’s still so much to learn! And please don’t hesitate to contact AAFP and PAFP with any questions you might have.

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REGISTRATION FOR GOLF TOURNAMENT CLOSING IN 2 WEEKS
The 5th Annual FORE Family Medicine Golf Tournament is coming up on Saturday, May 19! But you’ve got to register in order to play, and we’re closing the window in just two weeks! Prizes will be awarded to the top placing teams. There will also be "Closest to the Pin" and "Longest Drive," contests, not to mention our $25,000 cash Hole-in-One Prize and some fabulous raffle prizes! Click here to register!

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to enjoy fun and fellowship!

If the word “food” means more to you than “five iron,” have we got something planned for you! Join us for an exclusive cooking class by the Omni Bedford Springs culinary team and learn how to make some of their healthy recipes at home!

GEAR UP FOR ANNUAL MEETING!

Are you ready for this year's Annual Meeting? From a Rock Band tournament to our ten undeniable reasons to show up, we're sure you are! Head to our Annual Meeting web page to register and learn more! It's going

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