Sept. 6, 2006

H.R. 5866 - Medicare Physician Payment Reform and Quality Improvement Act of 2006

We now have the opportunity to take action against the proposed 5.1% global cut which may actually range from 12% to 38% for some of us. U.S. Representative Dr. Burgess introduced H.R. 5866, Medicare Physician Payment Reform and Quality Improvement Act of 2006, in Congress on July 24, 2006.

Although improvements can be made, .all in all, this is a great bill. If we ask for improvements, modifications, amendments, etc., it would likely never pass. Consequently, ASIPP has made a decision to support the Bill as is. We must start gearing up for major support.

This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced House bills go first to House committees that consider whether the bill should be presented to the House as a whole. If this bill is to make it out of this committee, we all must work to make our representatives know that the public overwhelmingly wants this bill to move. The best way to assure this is through a massive letter writing campaign.

ASIPP has made this simple for you to do. Not only should each and every physician (not only IP physicians but all physicians) write letters to representatives and senators (at the present time and Senators later on), but also you should ask your staff and patients to participate in this program.

Physicians should follow the link provided to the Capwiz Web site: http://capwiz.com/asipp/issues/alert/?alertid=9003006&type=CO  Once on this site you simply insert your name and mailing information and the letter is automatically sent for you.

Staff members should follow this link for their letter: http://capwiz.com/asipp/issues/alert/?alertid=9003006&type=CO

Patients can also go to Capwiz and sign their letter as well: http://capwiz.com/asipp/issues/alert/?alertid=9003046&type=CO  However, it may be much better if you get a customized letter signed by them – a link to both physician and non-physician letters can be found on the home page of the ASIPP Web site for customization on personal or professional letterhead. Additionally, you may customize your letter through Capwiz by choosing the print option.

We have a great deal of work before us and no time to waste in accomplishing it, so send your letters out today. Let Congress know you support H.R. 5866.

See H.R. 5866 http://www.govtrack.us/data/us/bills.text/109/h/h5866.pdf

For a description of H.R. 5866 go to: http://burgess.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=47618

Comprehensive Imaging Review Course in IPM –Still time to register

Don’t miss out on this Comprehensive Imaging Review Course in Interventional Pain Management on Sept. 14-16 and the ABIPP Competency Certification in Fluoroscopic Interpretation & Radiation Safety (exam for IPM physicians only) on Sept. 17. This 3-day Comprehensive Imagining Review Course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking competency certification or as an in-depth review in fluoroscopic interpretation and radiation safety.

For more information or to register online go to: http://www.asipp.org/meetings.htm

CMS Administrator to Step Down

Mark McClellan, who oversaw the biggest change in Medicare since its inception, announced Tuesday he is resigning.

McClellan, a physician and economist, was one of President Bush's economic advisers and served as the Food and Drug Administration commissioner before he was tapped in 2004 to administer the Medicare and Medicaid programs. He also worked in the Clinton administration at the Treasury Department.

His main task over the past year was to get the new Medicare drug program up and running. The program got off to a rocky start, and individual states had to step in to ensure that the poorest of beneficiaries continued to get their medicine. But service and care has improved significantly in the past months. Analysts say McClellan was responsible for much of that turnaround. (Chicago Sun - Times, 9/6 Freking)

McClellan told the Associated Press that he will leave the agency in about five weeks and that he would likely work for a think tank where he could do more writing about how to make health care better in the United States. No replacement was immediately named.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Requests Public Comment on Proposed Rule

DEA is proposing to amend its regulations to allow practitioners to provide individual patients with multiple prescriptions, to be filled sequentially, for the same schedule II controlled substance, with such multiple prescriptions having the combined effect of allowing a patient to receive over time up to a 90- day supply of that controlled substance. DEA is requesting public comment on this proposed rule.

Written comments must be postmarked, and electronic comments must be sent, on or before November 6, 2006.

FR Doc E6-14520 [Federal Register: September 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 172)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 52724-52726]

For more information on how to submit a comment go to:

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2006/fr0906.htm

Doctor Accused of Bartering with Prescriptions

A Louisville anesthesiologist, is facing narcotic charges for allegedly exchanging prescriptions for remodeling on his rental property.

Dr. David A. Thomas is accused in a federal indictment of writing prescriptions for opioids to workers who where remodeling his rental properties in exchange for their labor and supplies.

Read the Courier-Journal story

October Cadaver Workshop and Review Course

Make plans to attend the next Interventional Techniques Review Course and Comprehensive Interventional Cadaver Workshop on October 21-22, 2006 in Memphis, TN. \

The Review Course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking board certification by ABIPP or as an in-depth review of Interventional Techniques. Additionally the Review Course will be based on the specifications of the Cadaver Workshop and will assist in preparation for ABIPP Part I or Part II (FIPP) examinations.

Learn more about the course, workshop, and hotel information and REGISTER ONLINE at: http://www.asipp.org/meetings.htm

Florida Society Gets Seat on FMA

The Florida Medical Association annual meeting on Sat. FSIPP was approved for membership. This membership allows for a seat in the specialty section and a delegate to the house. In addition, the FMA committed to join the battle for NASPER in Florida, and has pledged almost $30K in staff costs. Representing FSIPP and NASPER at the meeting were Andrea Trescot, MD and Rafael Miguel.

Does Your State have CAC Representation?

Last year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) mandated that Interventional Pain Management become the 34th medical specialty represented on state Carrier Advisory Committees, which make local decisions about Medicare coverage. To date 30 states have notified us of their representation:

They are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

 If your state is represented but not listed, please notify us so we can add your state to our Web site www.asipp.org Don’t let your state miss out on this important Medicare decision-making opportunity. If your state does not have CAC representation, go to our Web site to learn how to gain representation. Follow this link to find out how your state can gain representation... CAC

Reminder Nine-day Payment Freeze

A brief hold will be placed on Medicare payments for all claims during the last 9 days of the Federal fiscal year (September 22 through September 30, 2006). These payment delays are mandated by section 5203 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.  No interest will be accrued and no late penalties will be paid to an entity or individual by reason of this one-time hold on payments. All claims held during this time will be paid on October 2, 2006. Please note, however, that contractors handling large volumes of paper checks may have some difficulty putting all checks in the mail in a single day. Consequently, delivery of checks to providers may take a few extra days.

This policy only applies to claims subject to payment. It does not apply to full denials, no-pay claims, and other non-claim payments such as periodic interim payments, home health requests for anticipated payments, and cost report settlements.

For more information, view the MLN Matters Article at

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads

MCAC to Hold Meeting on Spinal Fusion

The incidence of low back pain at some time in a person’s lifetime in the U.S. population is reported to be as high as 90%. There are numerous causes of low back pain and men and women are equally afflicted. The degenerative changes that occur in the intervertebral disc in the spine are thought to be part of the normal process of aging and do not always lead to low back pain.  Low back pain secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) can usually be successfully treated conservatively.  However, when conservative treatment is not successful, surgical intervention becomes an option to relieve the pain associated with DDD.

In response to this, on Nov. 30, 2006, the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) will hold a meeting on Spinal Fusion for the Treatment of Low Back Pain Secondary to Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The committee will hear presentations and discuss evidence relative to indications for spinal fusion, clinical outcomes (including adverse events) and the persistence of outcomes over time, outcome measurement tools, and outcomes related to different surgical spinal fusion procedures, as well as, the generalizability of this evidence to the Medicare population.

See the Federal Register notice