 It's Settled - for the Last Time...
Mcare has mailed its second and final notice on assessment refunds. The notice is the result of a settlement agreement with the Pa. Medical Society, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pa., and the Pa. Podiatric Medical Association. Physicians receiving the notice paid an assessment during the years covered by the settlement - 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014.
If you disagree with the claim you are scheduled to receive, you should contact Mcare at: www.McareChoice.com. You have until April 19 to respond to the letter.
Medicare Revalidations, Round Two...
CMS has completed its initial round of revalidations of enrolled providers/suppliers, using its new enrollment screening criteria. It now plans to resume its regular revalidation cycles.
CMS has sent out documents that describe the changes to the revalidation process.
Coming in August - Pa.'s New Prescription Drug Monitoring System
Pennsylvania lawmakers approved this vital tool in the fight against opioid drug abuse in 2014. It just had one little hitch - it wasn't funded. Late last year money was finally put in its wallet. The vendor hired by the Pa. Dept. of Health says the database for the system will be ready in August.
Dr. Joseph Teel, assistant professor of clinical family medicine and community health at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, says he found the tool crucial when he worked in Virginia.
He said that state's drug monitoring system allowed him to see in seconds through his office laptop all of a patient's pharmacy-based prescriptions for controlled substances. Dr. Teel said it gave him, "peace of mind that these medications are doing what they are made and prescribed to do...instead of driving them (patients) deeper into addiction."
The Pa. Medical Society lobbied for passage of the bill and for the money to fund it.
Temple Team Develops Potential AIDS Breakthrough
Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University have been able to eliminate HIV-1 from the genome of human T-cells. The research team, led by Dr. Kamel Khalili, professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Temple, designed a way to use gene-editing technology to permanently suppress HIV-1 virus replication in the T-cells of blood drawn from HIV-positive patients.
The researchers believe their work is a major step in the development of a potential cure for patients with AIDS and other viral-based diseases.
Temple Neuroscience Care Comes to Holy Redeemer Hospital
Temple University Hospital and Holy Redeemer Health System have entered into a clinical partnership that places Temple neurologists and neurosurgeons onsite at Holy Redeemer Hospital. The agreement also means that when patients with stroke symptoms go to the Montgomery County hospital's emergency room at any time of the day or night, they can be evaluated via telemedicine by neurologists and neurosurgeons on duty at Temple. If needed, those patients will be quickly transferred to Temple.
Michael Laign, president and CEO of Holy Redeemer Health System, said, "the clinical expertise provided by Temple's neurologists and neurosurgeons will give our patients advanced, academic-level care close to home. We are pleased to welcome these excellent physicians to Holy Redeemer Hospital."
Einstein Again Recognized as a Leader in LGBT Health Care Equality
Einstein Healthcare Network has once again been honored for its care of LGBT patients by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual Healthcare Equality Index. The network was first honored by the group in 2014. Einstein was commended for its commitment to providing equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families who at times face daunting challenges in accessing quality health care.
11th Annual Medical Practice Management Conference to Convene at Villanova University
The conference will deal with the often messy business-side of medicine. It will be held at the Villanova University Conference Center on April 27 and 28.
Leaders in the field will give seminars on: recent employment law trends and how they will affect medical practice; Medicare, Medicaid and other payer changes; what to look for in a contract with a payer; legislative and regulatory updates, and ways to enhance cyber security.
The conference is sponsored by the Philadelphia County Medical Society along with other county medical societies in our area and the Pa. Medical Society and the Delco PAHCOM Chapter.
For information on how to register, go to "Dating Service," below -- our newsletter calendar.
What to say to a Friend who Says he Made Great use of his Crayon Time
It's time to show your stuff. Medical students from Penn, Jefferson and Temple are holding the first ever Philadelphia Medical Student and Physician Art Show.
It will be held at Jefferson University from April 18 to 22.
You can display up to three works of art. They may include paintings, drawings, sketches, watercolors, photographs, sculptures, or ceramics.
The show is an expansion of a small annual community art show that Penn medical students have held in recent years.
You can find more details in "Dating Service."
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