The Online Abstract Submission deadline has been extended to Jan. 31, 2008. ASIPP is seeking abstracts submissions for the 10th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians is now open. The meeting will be held June 21- June 25, 2008 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Washington, DC.

To be considered for a presentation at the meeting, abstracts must be submitted by the submission deadline of 5 pm Central Standard Time (CST) Jan. 31, 2008.

Click here for rules an submission direction

"Little time remains to act!

It appears we are facing a one-year fix instead of the desired two-year fix and worse, we are in great danger of facing a 15% cut next year! Because of this, we must push even harder to be heard. Please do not be discouraged but rather get mad and let your elected officials know it. Continue to write letters. It is more important now than ever before. Little time remains so please act immediately.

The links below have been edited to address our specific request. Even if you have already sent letters, please send these again as they have new content.

To send a letter from yourself click on the Physician Capwiz Letter link below. You may edit the letter or send it as it is. You may send it through Capwiz or fax or mail the letter on your personal or business letterhead. The choice is yours.

Please take the time to send a letter today. Additionally, we urge you to have your patients sign the letter and support this effort as well.

• Capwiz Physician Letter
• Capwiz Patient Letter
• Capwiz Staff Letter
• Capwiz Citizen Letter
  

1. Customize and print off copies of the sample
2. Identify patients' state, putting the names of their Senators and Representative at the top of the page along with the President. Only one letter with all the names is necessary (see example).
3. As your patients sign out, ask them to fill out and
4. Using the patient Capwiz link assign a staff
5. Also you can print off the ASIPP Advocacy page and post or hand out to your patients for more information
   

• Example Physician Letter
• Example Patient Letter
• Example Staff Letter
• Example Citizen Letter

The final physician fee schedule for interventional pain management procedures is now available on the ASIPP Web site. You can access this and other reimbursement information by clicking on Fee Schedules.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting a review of the physician work relative value units (RVU) in the Medicare fee schedule for many existing procedures and services.

For some codes, they are proposing a global period change from 90-days to 10-days. We need your assistance in completing a physician work survey to help assure that the RVU for these procedures will be accurately and fairly presented to CMS.

This is important to you and other physicians because this value determines the rate at which Medicare and other payers reimburse for procedures.

ASIPP encourages you to complete surveys for each of the following CPT codes by the deadline of Dec. 21, 2007:

• 62350 - Implantation, revision or repositioning of tunneled intrathecal or epidural catheter, for long-term medication administration via an external pump or implantable reservoir/infusion pump; without laminectomy
• 62355 - Removal of previously implanted intrathecal or epidural catheter
• 62360 - Implantation or replacement of device for intrathecal or epidural drug infusion; subcutaneous reservoir
• 62361 - Implantation or replacement of device for intrathecal or epidural drug infusion; nonprogrammable pump
• 62362 - Implantation or replacement of device for intrathecal or epidural drug infusion; programmable pump, including preparation of pump, with or without programming
• 62365 - Removal of subcutaneous reservoir or pump, previously implanted for intrathecal or epidural infusion
• 63650 - Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrode array, epidural
• 63685 - Insertion or replacement of spinal neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver, direct or inductive coupling
• 63688 - Revision or removal of implanted spinal neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver

Make plans to attend ASIPP's comprehensive review course and hands-on cadaver workshop dedicated solely to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and Sacroplasty on February 8-10, 2007 in Memphis TN. This CME educational program will consist of didactics covering various aspects of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, followed by a comprehensive hands- on cadaver workshop.

The course is designed to prepare physicians seeking credentialing or as an in-depth review of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Participants will experience a comprehensive learning opportunity focused on all aspects of vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and Sacroplasty.

Register before Jan. 18, 2008 to obtain the early registration discount! Visit the ASIPP Web site for more information.

The state Supreme Judicial Court ruled yesterday that a doctor can be sued over a car accident caused by his patient, greatly expanding potential liability for the medical profession.

A divided court said that the mother of a boy who was hit by a car and died can sue the physician who prescribed numerous medications to the driver, including narcotics that can cause drowsiness. The mother's lawyers alleged that the physician, Dr. Roland Florio, who practices in Brockton, failed to warn his patient, David Sacca, about the side effects of the medication and the potential danger of driving while taking them.

Boston.com

According to an audit released Wednesday by the New York Comptroller, four of the state's largest surgical facilities allegedly submitted inflated claims to the state's Empire Plan after they inappropriately waived out-of-pocket costs for medical services provided to state and local government employees at an overall cost of $8 million. Under New York State law, submitting an insurance claim with false information may constitute insurance fraud. (Dec. 6 2007, Becker's ASC Review)

Becker's ASC Reivew

Although fewer young people are using marijuana and other illegal drugs, the percentage of teenagers abusing prescription painkillers remains alarmingly high, according to a national teen drug use survey released Tuesday at the White House. (Milonopoulos, Los Angeles Times,  Dec. 12, 2007)

A trial court ruling has Maryland physicians dueling over the scope of the state's self-referral law regarding in-office imaging tests and services.

Mirroring federal "Stark" laws, Maryland prohibits doctors from referring patients to diagnostic entities in which they have a financial stake, except in certain circumstances.

ASIPP is offering a new feature for those who advertise on our Postions Wanted section of the ASIPP Website. As a service to our advertisers and our members, we will list the link to each current job posting.

Interventional Pain Physician -- Louisville, Kentucky

Partnership Opportunity - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pain Management -- Florida

Pain Management Opportunity -- Pennsylvania

Entrepreneurial Opportunity -- Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Florida Opportunities

Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Opportunity

Interventional Pain Specialist -- Toledo, Ohio

Interventional Pain Specialist -- Paducah, KY and Marion, IL

Interventional Pain Medicine Physician -- St. Cloud, Minnesota

Entrepreneurial Opportunity -- Wooster, Ohio

Musculoskeletal Interventionalist -- Dallas, Texas

Interventional Pain Specialist - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Interventional Pain Physician -- New Hampshire

Interventional Pain Physiatrist Wanted - Nevada

ASIPP is now offering the Interventional Techniques In Chronic Spinal Pain to all meeting registrants at the special price of 50% off.

Interventional Techniques in Chronic Spinal Pain is the premier manual for interventionalists. With detailed descriptions of practical techniques in interventional pain management this is a must have publication for all interventioanl pain physicians. Additionally Eeach book comes with a complimentary CD version of the book.

To order your copy, go to ASIPP Web site.

ASIPP Publishing