 |
August 8, 2018
Celebrating 226 years
1792 - 2018
|
FCMA: A VOICE FOR PHYSICIANS SINCE 1792
|
|
|
|
NEW FCMA BENEFIT: Special Medical Association Rate for the Preparation or Negotiation of Employment Contracts.
FCMA's general counsel, Garfunkel Wild, P.C., a preeminent law firm with over 80 attorneys in the tri-state area specializing in health care, will provide advice and negotiate employment contracts at a discounted rate. This service is for both employed physicians and medical practices that employ physicians.
______________________________________ |
CT Supreme Court to Decide Whether Physicians Are Responsible to Non-Patients
After a Connecticut physician tested a patient for sexually transmitted diseases, the medical practice may have mistakenly informed the patient that the test results came back negative. The patient's girlfriend claims her boyfriend, who was the patient, tested positive for herpes and later infected her with the disease. The girlfriend, who was never the physician's patient and whom the physician was not aware of while providing care to her boyfriend, has sued the doctor for claims that all relate to professional negligence.
While the trial court said in Doe v. Cochran the the physician did not have a duty to the girlfriend because she was not the patient, the Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut is poised to rule on the question whether the physician had a duty to the girlfriend.
___________________________________________
|
CMS Releases Proposed 2019 Medicare Payment Rule
Including Blended E & M Codes
The proposed policies are open for public comment until September 10. Key Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposals include:
- Collapsing payment rates for Evaluation and Management office and outpatient visits, such that new patient office visits (99202-99205) would be blended to a single rate of $135, and established patient office visits (99212-99215) would be blended to a single rate of $93.
- Add-on payments would be made to office visits for specific specialties ($14) and primary care physicians ($5).
- Substantial changes to the documentation guidelines for office and outpatient visits intended to reduce administrative burdens and address "note bloat." For example, documentation for history and an exam will focus on interval history since last visit, and physicians will be allowed to review and verify certain information in the medical record entered by ancillary staff or the patient instead of re-entering the information.
- A new multiple procedure reduction policy for visits and procedures reported on the same date.
Click the Box for the CMS Panel Discussion on the E/M Coding Reform
Click
HERE to view the full
Daily Dose on the proposed 2019 Medicare payment rule changes.
___________________________________________
|
|
|
An Evening Retreat for Physicians: Preventing Burnout
As a result of the changes affecting the clinical practice of medicine and accompanying added pressures, many physicians are experiencing professional burnout, a syndrome characterized by a high degree of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a low sense of control and personal accomplishment. On Thursday, October 18, FCMA, together with the Arnold Gold Foundation, will sponsor a special retreat for physicians to learn about the multiple factors contributing to stress and burnout, as well as strategies to minimize its impact. Participants will regain an appreciation about reconnecting with colleagues, rediscovering the soul of medicine, and reclaiming a more joyful and balanced life.
Attendees will be awarded 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)
|
|
___________________________________________
|
|
|
Medicare Beneficiary Identifier Look-Up Tool / New Medicare Cards Sent Connecticut Patients
Last week, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued notice that beneficiaries in Connecticut will begin receiving
new Medicare cards.
The new Medicare card will have a new and unique Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number instead of the beneficiary's Social Security Number (SSN). The new cards are meant to be safer, protecting beneficiaries from fraud, identity theft and SSN misuse. Note that patients don't need to do anything to receive the new card and there is no charge for it. Beneficiaries should immediately destroy their old Medicare card after receiving the new one.
National Government Services (NGS) has a secure portal Medicare Beneficiary Identifier look-up tool. When using the look-up tool you must enter the patient's Social Security Number (SSN) along with the patient's first name, last name, and date of birth. The patient's SSN may differ from the number part of the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN), which uses the SSN of the primary wage earner on whom benefits are based. The original Medicare card, with a HICN, of a spouse, widow, or other dependent will have the SSN of the wage earner; ask for your patient's SSN to use in the look-up tool. If you do not have access to the tool, sign up. If you use your patient's SSN and the look-up tool does not return a MBI, be sure you are using the full last name exactly as it appears on the Medicare card. You may want to include a suffix, such as Jr, Sr, or III.
If your Medicare patients did not get a card you can give them the "Still Waiting for Your New Card?" handout (in English or Spanish). You can also instruct your patients to call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
To ensure people with Medicare continue to get health care services, you can use the HICN through December 31, 2019, or until your patient brings in a new card with the new number.
Not surprisingly, there have been reports of scams related to the new Medicare cards. Scammers may try to contact beneficiaries to get personal information such as their Social Security Number; threaten to cancel a beneficiary's Medicare coverage; or try to charge beneficiaries for a new card. Beneficiaries should know that Medicare will never make an unsolicited call to ask for personal information.
For more information:
|
|
| Click box for more information |
_______________________________________
|
|
FAIRFIELD COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
An Invitation for all Fairfield County Physicians to Attend:
The 226th Annual Meeting of the Fairfield County Medical Association
and the Physicians Extraordinaire Award Ceremony
Thursday, October 25, 2018
The Inn at Longshore
Westport, CT
Join your colleagues for an evening of enjoyment, live music,
networking, door prizes, and exhibits.
_______________________________________ |
___________________________________________
|
|
New MIPS Resources Available from CMS
CMS posted new resources on
CMS.gov
to help eligible clinicians and groups understand their Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) final score, performance feedback, and payment adjustment, as well as the targeted review process.
The new resources include:
For more information: Visit the Quality Payment Program Resources Library on CMS.gov to review new and existing Quality Payment Program resources. Contact the Quality Payment Program at
QPP@cms.hhs.gov
or 1-866-288-8292.
______________________________________________
|
Your FCMA Membership
Your 2018 membership renewal is due now. That means it's TIME to take action because you won't want to miss out on your exclusive FCMA benefits:
- Strong Advocacy for Physicians and their Patients
- Expert Legal Guidance
- Intercession with Public and Private Payers
- Practice Management Assistance
- Information and News
- Public Relations for the Profession
- Career Development
- Social Activities
Renew today and retain your membership in the largest organization in Fairfield County that represents all medical specialties.
Concurrent membership in the Connecticut State Medical Society is no longer required.
You should have received an invoice in the mail. If not, contact the Association to receive a copy or visit the Association's website at www.fcma.org.
___________________________________________
|
|
|
Latest Email/Extortion Scam
Imagine receiving an email from an anonymous person that contains the username and password that you are using or might have used in the past. The anonymous person claims to have downloaded your email contacts, passwords, and the other sensitive files. The person may also claim to have taken control of the camera on your computer. At this point the scammer has your attention and they want you to send money using Bitcoin that ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on who sent the scam email.
You are caught off guard because the scam email includes your username and password. Contrary to what the scammer claims, they do not have control of your computer. Do not respond to the scammer because that would confirm the scammer has an active email address. Instead, immediately change the usernames and passwords that you are currently using.
The scammer probably obtained your username and password from the dark web. Information on almost anyone is available in theft forums and chat rooms on the dark web. The source for your personal information could have been from any one of the hundreds of data breaches over the past few years.
Additional advice - discuss with your IT professional about having dark web scans done on a regular basis. Periodically change your passwords and make them more secure. Do not use the same usernames and passwords on different accounts.
_________________________________________
|
|
HEALTHCARE ARTICLES:
(
Healthcare Dive)
(American Association of Physicians and Surgeons)
(Healthcare Dive)
(Bloomberg News)
__________________________________________
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: ENGAGING THE DIFFICULT CO-WORKER
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
(Office Personnel Only) How can we recognize and manage the sources and trigger points of conflict. How we can reduce or defuse unnecessary conflict and various styles of dealing with conflict.
____________________________________________
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Fairfield County Medical Association, in partnership with InfoShred
will host a professional shredding event. Discard your medical records and confidential documents safely.
_______________________________________
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: ENGAGING THE DIFFICULT CO-WORKER
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
(Physicians Only) This seminar will provide the methods and tools for navigating the challenging maze of different personalities and communication styles to better manage conflict.
______________________________________
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKS: HOW THEY SAVE MEDICAL PRACTICES TIME AND MONEY
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
An Employee Handbook lays out the expectations, rules, and policies that practices should document for employees. It also saves management time and money and helps ensure consistency.
______________________________________
MEDICAL- LEGAL RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SERIES
(SESSION 1)
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
This session will cover: Patient access rights and release of information, CT Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System, How to make your medical record and effective weapon in an audit, investigation or complaint, Physicians as expert witnesses, How to be best prepared for the sale or other major event involving your practice.
______________________________________
|
|
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRACTICE FROM EMBEZZLEMENT
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
Know your business; stay involved - avoid the risk of your assets being mishandled.
Plan to Attend!
___________________________________________
AN EVENING RETREAT FOR PHYSICIANS: PREVENTING BURNOUT
Thursday, October 18, 2018
LaKota Oaks (formerly Dolce Norwalk)
A special retreat for physicians to learn about the multiple factors contributing to stress and burnout, as well as strategies to minimize its impact.
___________________________________________
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE PHYSICIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE AWARD CEREMONY
Thursday, October 25, 2018
The Inn at Longshore, Westport, CT
Join your colleagues for an evening of enjoyment, live music,
networking, door prizes, and exhibits.
__________________________________________
YOUR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT: ARE YOU BEST PROTECTED?
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
A comprehensive employment agreement can protect both the employer and employee. This program covers a range of issues from both perspectives.
___________________________________________
TRI-STATE AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER SYMPOSIUM
Friday, November 2, 2018
Marriott Marquis (Manhattan)
The Fifth Annual NY Metro ASC Symposium, assembled by FCMA's general counsel, Garfunkel Wild, PC
.
Please find the agenda for the day and additional information by clicking here.
FCMA members are entitled to receive $65 discount.
___________________________________________
MEDICAL- LEGAL RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SERIES
(SESSION 2)
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
This session will cover: Anatomy of a medical liability action, Sexual misconduct / crossing the line with a patient, How to deal with payor audits, How to respond to DPH investigation, Employee Overtime issues, How to best position yourself as a hospital employee.
___________________________________________
NAVIGATING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE FOR MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
Attending this seminar will provide managers and supervisors with the tools necessary to eliminate the confusion and help them be proactive in their roles to prevent harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
____________________________________________
CONNECTICUT 2019 MEDICARE UPDATE
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Norwalk Inn & Conference Center
This meeting will help you decide your Medicare participation status for 2019.
Save the Date!
|
 |
___________________________________________
Contact FCMA to run notices for job opportunities, positions wanted, office space available, equipment for sale, etc.
*******
|
Office Space in Professional Medical Building
91 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
Next to the town Green and the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center - conveniently off I-95
- 1,700 square feet (formerly Quest Diagnostics)
- 2 entrances, 4 large treatment rooms, large waiting room,
2 handicap accessible bathrooms, fully furnished
- Can subdivide
Contact: Rishon Stember, MD
Email: rishonstember@gmail.com
Office: (203) 853-3891 Cell/Text: (203) 247-3755
|
 |
__________________________________________
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES:
Contact FCMA with honors received, positions attained, articles published, presentations made, etc.
Dr. Sheikh M. Hoq, director of the hospitalist program at Bridgeport Hospital and an award winning internal medicine specialist, was elected president of the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association.
|
|
_____________________________________________________
Your membership yields results and will continue to do so. When your dues statement arrives, send in your renewal notice.
KEEP FCMA STRONG SO IT CAN SERVE YOU !
_____________________________________________________
Mark S. Thompson, Executive Director
Fairfield County Medical Association
Greater Bridgeport Medical Association
917 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484-4679
Tel: (203) 513-2045 Fax: (203) 513-8036 Cell: (203) 816-7313
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
