Online registration is now open for the 2007 Competency Review Courses and Examinations in Coding, Compliance, and Practice Management & Controlled Substance Management.

The course will be held at the Carib e Royale Resort in beautiful Orlando, FL. The five-day intensive review course (April 12-16) is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking competency certification and to provide Interventional Pain Management Specialists and other healthcare providers an in-depth review of multiple areas of interventional pain management.

The Competency Certification Exams will be held on April 17. Register today for the review courses and exams!

Physician Registration

Non-physician Registration

CMS released the quarterly update to the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, version 13.0, effective January 1, 2007.

See Updates

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently conducted an investigation and released its report on the use of modifier 25. The purpose of the investigation was to determine to what extent modifier 25 use is meeting Medicare requirements.

The report findings showed that in 2002 Medicare allowed thirty-five percent of claims using modifier 25 that did not meet program requirements, resulting in $538 million in improper payments.

A new CMS-led, pay-for-performance initiative coordinated at the state level by individual quality improvement organizations could attract 800 small to medium-size physician practices with payouts of up to $50,000 per year.

Doctors’ offices inArkansas , California , Massachusetts and Utah are eligible to participate in the Medicare Care Management Performance Demonstration, as long as they see at least 50 fee- for-service Medicare beneficiaries annually.

Under the initiative, physicians would submit annual data on 26 quality measures related to the care of patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease

Make plans to attend ASIPP's newest course - a comprehensive review course and hands-on cadaver workshop dedicated solely to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty on February 16-18, 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 and kyphoplasty.

Course size is limited so Register today to insure your spot in this exciting new course. Visit the ASIPP Web site for the brochure and more information.

A California court ruled that the state's medical marijuana law does not conflict with the federal ban. A Washington court limited its state law (AMNews - Jan. 2007).

Courts in Washington and California late last year handed medical marijuana users and their prescribing doctors a defeat and a victory, respectively. The Washington Supreme Court in November clarified that a 1998 voter-approved measure allowing doctors to recommend medical marijuana does not apply when the physician is licensed outside of the state.

Read more.

Applications are now being accepted for the FIPP (ABIPP Part II) examination to be held on March 11, 2007 in Memphis, TN. Successful completion of FIPP is a required component for the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians (ABIPP) certification.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 1. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. Upon acceptance of your application, you will be sent review material for examination preparation. For more details on the FIPP exam or to access the application click on the following link FIPP or contact Paula Brashear at (806) 743-3112 or paula.brashear@ttuhsc.edu

Along with the FIPP examination, ASIPP is offering the Interventional Techniques Review Course (March 9) and a Comprehensive Cadaver Workshop (March 10). ASIPP has secured a group rate of $154 per night with host hotel Doubletree Downtown if booked by Feb 20th, 2007. Inform the agent you are booking for ASIPP. Online registration is now available. For information on the review course, cadaver workshop and exam, visit our Web site. Register Online today!

A statewide business group is lobbying the General Assembly to put medical malpractice, or tort, change on the statewide ballot (Cincinnati Enquirer - Jan. 2007). In a briefing Tuesday on its 2007 legislative agenda, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce said high-priced medical malpractice insurance is driving health care costs up and doctors out of Kentucky.

If the issue is put on the ballot through a constitutional amendment "lawmakers will be able to starting debating changes," said Mike Ridenour, the state chamber's vice president of public affairs. "Reasonable limits on damages and mandatory alternative dispute resolution should be considered by the legislature to help reduce escalating malpractice insurance premiums and the resulting burden passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, fewer health care providers and fewer choices," the chamber says in its legislative agenda briefing book.