·  ASIPP to Establish GPO for Members

·  February-April Meeting Registration Available

·  CMS Report Finds Proposed Medicare Cuts Could Hurt Hospital Profitability

·  Last Chance for Your '09 Tax Deduction - Become a Corporate Sponsor Today

·  Abstract and Poster Session Deadline Set

·  ASIPP Webinar Survey

·  PR Update

·  Report: Marijuana, Prescription Drug Use up Among Teens

·  The Battle Over Health Care

·  Medicare Fraud Strike Force Expands Operations into Brooklyn, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; and Baton Rouge, La.

·  Leasing Market for Medical Offices Hits Downturn

·  Is It Legal For Nev. Physicians to Let Medical Assistants Handle Drugs?

·  Upcoming HIPAA Changes Catching Some Unaware

·  Democrats Urged to Act on Health

·  Don't Lose Out on a Minute of ASIPP Membership

·  Upcoming State Society Meetings

·  Physicians Wanted

ASIPP to Establish GPO for Members

ASIPP has identified a need in the IPM marketplace and is in the process of establishing a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) for ASIPP Members. This would give us a great advantage in purchasing power for all of the supplies that we use on a regular basis.

We look forward to working with you in the coming months to make the ASIPP GPO a vital and increasingly valuable benefit to your ASIPP Membership.

February-April Meeting Registration Available

Make your plans to attend the Comprehensive Review Course and Cadaver Workshop (Basic, Intermediate, and Comprehensive Interventional Pain Management Examination Preparation Course) Or the Controlled Substance Management Review Course to be held concurrently February 26-28, 2010 Memphis, Tennessee

Book your room at the Peabody by February 3, 2010 to receive the discounted group room rate of $175.

Register Today

CMS Report Finds Proposed Medicare Cuts Could Hurt Hospital Profitability

A report by Rick Foster, chief actuary for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, found that the profitability of nearly one in five hospitals and nursing homes in the United States could be harmed by provisions in the Senate's health bill that would reduce Medicare payments to pay for expanded health coverage are passed, according to a report by the Washington Post.

The report found that nearly 20 percent of institutional healthcare providers would make no profit within a decade if the cuts go through.

Becker's Hospital Review

Last Chance for Your '09 Tax Deduction - Become a Corporate Sponsor Today

As a not-for-profit organization, ASIPP depends on corporate sponsors. Becoming an ASIPP sponsor is not only an investment in the preservation and growth of patient access to quality, cost-effective interventional pain management services, but also a marketing opportunity to expand your corporate growth. ASIPP sponsorship puts you in direct contact with those at the forefront of this rapidly-growing specialty.

Your company can become a Sponsor today! For more information call: 270.554.9412

or Click HERE for more information.

Abstract and Poster Session Deadline Set

Mark your calendars now to participate in the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians abstract and poster presentation at the 12th Annual Meeting, June 26 - June 30, 2010 in Arlington, Virginia.

This year we are offering an early bird deadline of March 31, 2010. This early deadline will ensure that your abstract gets first preference and an opportunity to grab one of our limited spots for presentation.

A final abstract submission deadline will be April 31, 2010. Those selected will be notified and will receive free registration to the annual meeting.

ASIPP Webinar Survey

In our continuing efforts to bring you educational excellence, we are pursuing webinars as an alternative means for you to acquire your educational requirements. To maximize this endeavor we need your opinion and ask that you complete a quick online survey. Thank you for your participation, ASIPP Staff

Take Survey Now!

PR Update

If you have a great patient story, we'd like to hear about it. It could mean local and/or national exposure for you.

Here's an example. When we learned about Dr. Dombrowski's pain patient, we contacted WUSA-TV, Channel 9 (a CBS/Washington, DC affiliate), which resulted in the following on-air story (click Here to see it:

Of course, we can comfortably promote a patient's story only after he/she has given permission to be interviewed should there be reporter interest. So please make sure to discuss your idea with your patient, first.

Report: Marijuana, Prescription Drug Use up Among Teens

A federal report on teen drug use released Monday shows some progress. But abuse of prescription drugs is up, and the growing acceptance of medical-marijuana use is making marijuana look safe.

A national study widely considered to be an important indicator of youth drug abuse showed progress with some drugs but widespread problems with marijuana and prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

The study, compiled by the University of Michigan for the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse, found that 7 of the 10 drugs most abused by high school seniors are prescription or over-the-counter drugs acquired primarily from teens' friends or relatives.

Christian Science Monitor

The Battle Over Health Care

Obama faces staunch resistance in Washington over his efforts to reform health insurance and drive down medical costs.

See Business Week's special report.

Business Week

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Expands Operations into Brooklyn, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; and Baton Rouge, La.

WASHINGTON - Thirty people have been charged in three cities for their alleged roles in schemes to submit more than $61 million in false Medicare claims as part of the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division announced today. Also today, the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and HHS announced the expansion of Strike Force operations to Brooklyn, Tampa and Baton Rouge in the fifth, sixth and seventh phases of a targeted criminal, civil and administrative effort against individuals and health care companies that fraudulently bill the Medicare program.

Department of Health and Human Services

Leasing Market for Medical Offices Hits Downturn

Would you like a golf club membership with your medical office lease? How about a few months of free rent? Fresh paint for the walls? How about just lower rent?

"Everybody is renegotiating their leases," said Tom Dalcolma, a partner in Street Sotheby's Medical Realty Advisors in Columbus, Ohio. "It's clearly a tenants' market." The real estate slump, combined with tighter credit, means that fewer medical office buildings are being built. But after a previous construction boom, there is still more supply than demand.

American Medical Association

Is It Legal For Nev. Physicians to Let Medical Assistants Handle Drugs?

A regulation proposed by one of Nevada's medical boards that allows medical assistants to administer prescription drugs with physician supervision could conflict with state law, according to a legal opinion by the state's legislative counsel.

State law permits physicians to delegate certain medical tasks to medical assistants. But some confusion arose over whether doctors could use medical assistants to administer flu shots and other prescription drugs after the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners began cracking down on medical spas where such assistants administered botulinum toxin type A shots without physician oversight.

American Medical News

Upcoming HIPAA Changes Catching Some Unaware

Some hospitals and others that will be impacted by changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act don't know that rule changes are set to go into effect in 2010, a recent survey found.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conducted a survey of 150 hospital information technology executives and 26 business associate firms. Under HIPAA, business associates are any organizations that handle patient health information for purposes other than treating patients.

American Medical News

Democrats Urged to Act on Health

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama pressed Senate Democrats to close ranks quickly behind a deal that has disappointed some liberals, saying Tuesday lawmakers are "on the precipice of an achievement that has eluded Congresses and presidents for generations."

Standing with senior Democrats in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Mr. Obama said there is "broad consensus" on the core of the bill, which would create tax breaks to help people purchase insurance and bar insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, among other things.

Wall Street Journal

Don't Lose Out on a Minute of ASIPP Membership

Make plans today to bring your ASIPP membership up-to-date.

The New Year is right around the corner and you don't want to miss being a part of our organization. We are actively contacting Congress on your behalf, negotiating with insurance companies for continued coverages, offering training sessions, cadaver workshops, and new in 2010 --the ABIPP Part II exam.

Three ways to pay: Click HERE to renew dues. or you can send in a check to ASIPP, 81 Lakeview Drive, Paducah, KY 42001. Or call 1-270-554-9412 or fax 1-270-554-5394 in credit card

or Join Us today!

If you are not sure of your current dues status, please contact Cindy Rogers at 1-270-554-9412 ext. 208 with your questions.

Renew Dues Today

Upcoming State Society Meetings

WVASIPP Plans Annual Meeting June 11-13, 2010

Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend West Virginia Society of Interventional Pain Physician annual meeting at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, June 11-13, 2010.

Featured topics include SCS for Angina, Facial Pain, Peripheral Nerve Pain, Epigastric and Abdominal Pain, Pelvic Pain, Pulsed Radiofrequency, Minimally invasive techniques for spinal disease and much more

Featured faculty includes: Timothy Deer, MD, course director; Ken Alo, MD, Giancarlo Barolat, MD, Ricard Bowman, MD, Christopher Kim, MD, Matthew Ranson, MD, Lou Raso, MD, Harold Cordner, MD, Nagy Mekhail, MD, Sudhir Diwan, MD, Raj Patel, MD, John Schmidt, MD, Stan Golovac, MD, Lora Brown, MD, Richard Weiner, MD, Salim Hayek, MD, Leo Kapural, MD and cochairs Richard Rauck, MD, Robert Levy, MD, PhD, and David Caraway, MD, PhD.

Session fees discounted for WVSIPP and ASIPP members. For more information call Michelle Byers, Director of Education: michellebyers@roadrunner.com

To Register

Save the Date: CASIPP Annual Meeting in May

Mark your calendar for the California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Annual Meeting May 14-16, 2010 in Santa Barbara.

Join Your CASIPP Colleagues On The American Riviera:

• Earn CME hours with distinguished faculty
• Stay at the storied Biltmore Four Seasons
• Book Now! Special Room Rate for early
• For more information or to register contact sbcme2010@aol.com or by phone at 661-435-3473

FSIPP Annual Meeting Dates Set for May

The Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (FSIPP) has scheduled it's annual meeting for May 22 and 23, 2010 at Gaylord Palms on Orlando.

Keynote speakers and topics include:

·  Mary Lee Jensen, MD - Vertebroplasty, the History, Evolution of Evidence, and Present Day Position

·  Gabor Racz, MD Epidural Lysis

·  Gabor Racz, MD - Facet Radiofrequency Ablation

·  Chris Centeno, MD - The Development of Stem Cells for Pain Management Procedures

·  Stan Golovac, MD - Internal Disc Disruption

·  Rafael Miguel, MD - New Rules and Regulations from the Florida Board of Medicine Regarding Pain Clinics

·  Lora Brown, MD - Spinal Stenosis, Recent Research Advances

·  Deborah H. Tracy, MD, MBA - Legislative Update, Healthcare Reform

·  Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Fusion vs. Non-fusion

NJSIPP Annual Meeting Date Set for Jan. 20

The New Jersey State Society of Interventional Pain Physicians will be holding its annual meeting January 20th at The Pines Manor in Edison, NJ. Cocktails will begin at 6:30 pm  followed by dinner and a speaker.

If not yet a member of NJSIPP please come as our guest and consider joining. RSVP to Dr. Magaziner 732-297-2600. NJSIPP.org

Physicians Wanted

Visit the ASIPP Web site to find available positions for IPM physicians.

Physicians Wanted