March 25, 2009
NASPER Funded in Omnibus Appropriations Bill (H.R. 1105) |
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It has been nearly four years since the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) was signed into law and today we are pleased to announce that NASPER has received the preliminary funding to begin implementation. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill (H.R. 1105) included $2 million in appropriated funds for NASPER in 2009 (Read more).
Press Release |
Call for Abstracts 2009 |
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The Online Abstract Submission (see step-by- step procedures below) for the 11th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) is now open. The meeting will be held June 27- June 30, 2009 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.
To be considered for a presentation at the meeting, abstracts must be submitted and completed by the submission deadline of April 20, 2009.
For more information or to submit |
Medical journal decries public airing of conflicts |
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The Journal of the American Medical Association says it is instituting a new policy for how it handles complaints about study authors who fail to disclose they have received payments from drug companies or others that pose a conflict: It will instruct anyone filing a complaint to remain silent about the allegation until the journal investigates the charge. The order drew criticism from editors at other journals and fuels a debate about the role of medical journals in policing financial conflicts of researchers (Armstrong, The Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2009)).
The Wall Street Journal |
Review Course in Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty and Sacroplasty |
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On May 15-17, 2009, ASIPP will hold a specialty review course and cadaver workshop in Verbebroplasty, Kyphoplasty,and Sacroplasty.
This intensive review course and hands-on workshop is a CME activity designed to prepare physicians seeking credentialing and as an in-depth review of vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and sacroplasty. The 3-day event is an excellent way to begin learning new skills or to assist you in improving your existing skills.
The course offers an excellent opportunity for educational and professional enhancement. At the conclusion of the course, in addition to your CME certificate, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Accommodations are at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. Call 901-527-7300 or 888-557-8740 and inform your booking agent you are booking under the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians to receive a discounted group rate of $169 per night (discount ends April 23).
Enrollment is limited and the early registration discount price ends on April 23.
Online Registration |
Comprehensive Review Course in Controlled Substance Management |
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Online registration is now open for the Competency Review Course and Examination in Controlled Substance Management. The course will be held in Memphis, TN at the Memphis Downtown Marriott on May - 15-17. The review course will be held on May 15-16 with an optional exam on May 17.
This intensive review course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking competency certification and also to provide Interventional Pain Management Specialists and other healthcare providers an in-depth review of the important topic of controlled substance management.
Accommodations are at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. Call 901-527-7300 or 888-557-8740 and inform your booking agent you are booking under the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians to receive a discounted group rate of $169 per night (discount ends April 23).
Online Registration |
Challenging your rating: You don't have to accept what the health plan says |
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Beginning in July 2006, after a mandate from the state's Group Insurance Commission, which handles benefits for public employees, physicians who contracted with Tufts, Unicare or Harvard Pilgrim were ranked for quality and cost. The rankings meant more than a gold star or lack of one in a physician directory -- they meant a higher co-pay for patients to see doctors who were not in the highest tier. But There are steps you can take to change the assigned ranking Berry, amednews, March 23, 2009).
amednews.com |
Registration Now Open for ASIPP 11th Annual Meeting |
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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 medicine 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. Learn from the experts in these fields; learn about 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.
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 Business Dinner Meeting on Saturday evening. The night will hold dinner, awards, entertainment, and dancing. Stay through Tuesday to hear our distinguished speakers address how the changing economy and administration will affect healthcare and Interventional Pain Management in particular.
Our host hotel is the Crystal Gateway Marriott , 1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202. Phone: (703) 920-3230. When making your reservations ask for the ASIPP discounted rate.
You won't want to miss the 2009 ASIPP Annual Meeting! Join us on June 27-30, 2009, in Washington, DC.
Brochure (subject to change)
Online Registration |
Doctors increasingly close doors to drug reps, while pharma cuts ranks |
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Many physicians see detailers only with scheduled appointments. Drugmakers are responding to hard times with layoffs and a shift toward online marketing. The relationship between doctors and drug reps may never be the same again (O'Reilly, amednews, March 23, 2009).
amednews.com |
House Democrats set September deadline for healthcare compromise |
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House Democrats, in consultation with the White House, will give Republican lawmakers until September to reach a compromise on President Obama's signature healthcare initiative, or they will use a shortcut to move the measure through Congress without Republican votes. After meeting with senior White House officials, House Democratic leaders decided to include the shortcut in the budget proposal they will unveil next week, congressional sources said. Known as budget reconciliation, the shortcut would permit lawmakers to roll Obama's healthcare proposals into a bill that cannot be filibustered (Montgomery and Connolly, The Washington Post, March 20, 2009).
The Washington Post |
11 Key Concepts From the Stark Law |
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The Stark law prohibits physicians from ordering designated health services for Medicare patients from entities with which the physician, or a family member, has a financial relationship unless an exception applies. This ariticle in Becker's ASC Review considers 11 key concepts under the Stark Law, in the context of changes to the Stark law made by CMS.
Becker's ASC Review |
Texan working to make Medicare savings a reality |
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Mark McClellan, a major policy figure in healthcare during the Bush administration, is now is using his post at Washington's Brookings Institution to keep moving in the circle of implementers who want to "bend the curve" of rising healthcare costs. Along with several other healthcare experts, McClellan is trying to persuade President Barack Obama's reform team and Congress to pay hospitals and doctors more if they can show they're improving treatment for Medicare patients while lowering costs (Landers, Dallas Morning News, March 23, 2009).
Dallas Morning News |
Drug-resistant flu strains throwing doctors a curve |
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Even as this year's flu season winds down, doctors say the implications of the spread of drug- resistant flu strains could resonate in seasons to come. As a result, it could affect treatment and highlights the need for faster flu tests, new drugs, and global monitoring of flu viruses (Manning, USA Today, March 23, 2009).
USA Today |
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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