June 10, 2009
RACs: Self Assessment and Aggressive Appeals Are Key |
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Reimbursement investigations will likely be pursued in numbers and with a tenacity not previously seen in the Part B Medicare program. Physicians should therefore take steps today to ensure that their practices will be ready if and when a RAC investigation is launched.
For More Information on RACs visit the CMS Web site.
Health Leaders Media |
ASIPP Annual Meeting; It's not too late to register |
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The ASIPP Annual Meeting is the premier Educational Forum for Evidence-based Medicine for Interventional Pain Management! This is a first-time opportunity to learn about the importance of evidence-based medicine in IPM as it applies to you, your patients, and your practice. In addition, this year we offer an extensive program that covers the essential elements of practice management including extensive presentation on Billing and Coding.
Listen to our distinguished faculty and learn from these experts the cutting-edge research and the importance of guidelines, IPM techniques as they apply to evidence-based medicine. Discover many important "pearls" for Billing and Coding. Hear how you can run your ASC or office more efficiently through best practices. Interventional Pain Management is continually growing and evolving, and there is no better time to stay abreast of the field and learn about emerging issues. On Saturday we once again offer many thought provoking abstract presentations.
We welcome and encourage all ASIPP members and guests to attend the 11th Annual Meeting. This program offers something for everyone; physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, etc. We also invite you to attend the ASIPP "Night at the Oscars" Business Dinner Meeting on Saturday evening. The night will hold dinner, awards, entertainment, and dancing.
On Tuesday we will bring Capitol Hill to you. Presentations will be made by many distinguished congressional and governmental speakers who will address how the changing economy and administration will affect healthcare and Interventional Pain Management in particular, MCAC, etc.
You won't want to miss the award winning 2009 ASIPP Annual Meeting! Join us on June 27-30, 2009, in Washington, DC. The ASIPP room block at the Crystal Gateway Mariott ends tomorrow so please book your room by no later than 5pm EST June 11 to be assure a room.
Brochure
Online Registration |
Democrats Nearing Consensus on Health Plan |
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A broad consensus on the nation's healthcare system overhaul appeared to be developing among Democratic leaders as three House committee chairmen outlined a bill generally similar to one being written in the Senate. Democratic leaders in both houses said they would require individuals to carry insurance and employers to help pay for it, but they have yet to decide how to raise the necessary tax revenue (Pear, The New York Times, June 9, 2009).
The New York Times |
Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece: Obama's Health Cost Illusion |
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The main White House argument for health-care reform goes something like this: If we spend now on a hugely expensive new insurance program for the middle class, we can save later by reducing overall U.S. health spending. This "tastes great, less filling" theory could stand some scrutiny, not least because it is being used to rush through the greatest social spending program in American history (Wall Street Jouranl, June 8, 2009).
The Wall Street Journal |
Board Review Course to be held in New Orleans |
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The 2009 ASIPP Board Review Course will be held on August 11 -15 in New Orleans. The ABIPP Part I Examination will take place on August 16 following the review course. Online registration for the review course is now available. You must submit an application to sit for the ABIPP Part I Exam.
This intensive review course is designed to present interventional pain physicians with an in-depth review of multiple areas of interventional pain management. The course will feature many nationally known experts in IPM, controlled substance, billing and coding, healthcare law, and other areas.
The course will be held at the Astor Crowne Royal. A discounted room rate of $109 is available until July 10. Call 504-962-0500 and tell them you are booking under the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.
Brochure
Register Online |
Prescription Drug Abuse a Serious, Growing Problem |
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In a two-day period in April, three young people in Dover and Rochester died of drug overdoses. Prescription medications - not heroin or cocaine - played a role in all of them. The abuse of prescription drugs, from oxycontin to morphine to methadone, is a growing but little- understood problem in New Hampshire. In the first of an occasional series, health reporter
NHPR |
Comprehensive Review Course Registration Now Open |
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Online registration is now open for the 2009 Comprehensive Review Course and Examinations in Coding, Compliance, and Practice Management & Controlled Substance Management.
The course will be held at the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans on Aug. 11 - 16. This intensive review course is 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 Controlled Substance Management course will be held on Aug. 11-12 with an optional exam on Aug. 13. The Coding, Compliance, and Practice Management section will begin on Aug. 14-15. The examination for this section will be held on Aug. 16.
For brochure, registration and hotel information go to ASIPP Meetings.
Register Online |
CMS turns up the HEAT to Stop Medicare and Medicaid Fraud |
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Most health care providers are doing the right thing and providing care with integrity. But sadly, due to the illegal actions of a small but active group of heath care fraud perpetrators, billions of dollars are stolen from taxpayers each year. Medicare fraud schemes have grown bolder and more elaborate, resulting in billions of dollars in false billings and fraud schemes which are robbing Medicare and Medicaid blind and leaving our most vulnerable citizens at risk.
CMS |
Medicine decries nurse doctorate exam touted as equal to physician testing |
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Physician leaders say a new doctor of nursing practice certification exam is being wrongly compared with testing that physicians take. And they fear that patients may be misled into believing nurses who pass the exam share the same qualifications as physicians (Sorell, American Medical News, June 8, 2009).
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Data Ranks Insurers According to Speed of Claim Payment, Share of Denials |
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Aetna, Cigna and Humana ranked highest nationally on criteria including speed of health claim payments and fewest claims denied, according to the 2009 PayerView Rankings, the Boston Globe reports. The rankings -- prepared by Athenahealth in collaboration with Physicians Practice management journal -- evaluated 172 national, regional and government payers in 40 states.
The rankings are available online.
Kaisernetwork.org |
Doctors balk at Medicaid program |
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Despite more Michiganians piling onto the Medicaid rolls, fewer doctors are treating or accepting new patients insured by this state-run medical program for low-income residents. And with another round of cuts in Medicaid payments this year, more physicians could limit treating patients in the program, which insures a record 1.6 million residents -- a number that swells by as much as 15,000 a month (Rogers, Associated Press, June 6, 2009).
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Online |
New Jersey Society to hold Biannual Meeting - Register Today! |
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The New Jersey Society of Interventionl Pain Physicians will hold its biannual meeting on Thursday June 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm at Maggiano's Little Italy, Bridgewater, NJ.
In addition to excellent food and drink, the meeting will offer many knowledgeable speakers on the subject of practice management. NJSIPP members are encouraged to attend. Non-members are also welcome.
If you plan to attend please RSVP using the contact information on the attached form.
NJSIPP Registration Form |
Physicians Wanted |
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Visit the ASIPP Web site to find available positions for IPM physicians.
Physicians Wanted |
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Copyright © 2008
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians ®
81 Lakeview Drive, Paducah, KY 42001
Phone 270.554.9412, Fax 270.554.5394
E-mail asipp@asipp.org
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