While the first twenty covered entities have been selected, approximately another 130 remain in this audit round. HHS has indicated that it hopes to continue with proactive audits in the future and expects to become more aggressive in its enforcement of complaints. Accordingly, now is a good time to ensure that:

• Policies, procedures, and documentation comprehensively address all privacy and security requirements Privacy and security training has been completed and documented; Actions taken as part of the HIPAA compliance program has been documented, such as complaints and any resulting investigations, findings, and mitigation; and
• Your security risk assessment and documentation of your risk management decision-making process are up to date.

Purchase the HIPAA CD CD and receive free access to the archived webinar to understand HIPAA and using the HIPAA

The HIPAA security regulations were designed to protect patient protected health information that is stored and/or transmitted electronically. This includes any information that can link a patient to a medical condition, test, etc. The rules and regulations not only discuss how information is stored (e.g. in a password protected computer system) but also how the computer is stored (e.g. in a locked office with an alarm on it) and transmitted (e.g. encrypted).

The CD and webinar contain information on the hows and whys of HIPAA security along with sample policies and helpful worksheets. The goal is for an IPP to be able to walk through the HIPAA security requirements and implement a program that meets the rules but also fits his/her practice.

Your purchase of the CD allows you access to a free webinar to assist understanding and using the content of the HIPAA CD.

Click HERE to order.

The course choices are: Comprehensive Review Course and Cadaver Workshop with basic, intermediate, and ABIPP preparation (advanced) levels; Coding, Compliance and Practice Management Comprehensive Review Course (Feb 24-25) Competency Examination - (Feb 26); and Controlled Substance Management Comprehensive Review Course - (Feb 24-25) Competency Examination - (Feb 26)

Take this opportunity to not only break away from the cold but also earn CMEs. Consider comimg early or staying over. Bring your family and stay and play!

Brochure and Registration for Review Course and Cadaver Workshop

Coding, Complinace, and Practice Management brochure and registration

Controlled Substance Management brochure and registration

Some 44% of doctors said the law was "a good start," according to a survey carried out by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions consulting group. Another 44% agreed that the law was "a step in the wrong direction."

WASHINGTON -- As part of the Obama administration's cost-cutting efforts, the Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday that it is encouraging health insurers to hold up payments for "suspicious" Part D drug claims.

"While HHS generally requires prompt payment, today's guidance clarifies that if a plan sees signs of suspicious activity, it should withhold payment to pharmacies until it verifies the claim is valid," the agency said in a press release that included several other administration-wide moves to cut costs.

On a conference call with reporters, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that "prescription drug fraud plagues the entire healthcare system, and Medicare is no exception."

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The proposed extension of the payroll tax holiday is intended to prevent a hit to our anemic economic recovery. The White House and members of Congress are selling the end of the holiday as a tax increase on the middle class. In fact, this Social Security payroll tax is actually an investment into one's retirement account. Promoting continued reduced payment into Social Security is the same as telling folks to borrow from their retirement and spend the money now.

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A new report shows that while the overall rate of substance abuse treatment admissions among those aged 12 and older in the U.S. has remained nearly the same from 1999 to 2009, there has been a dramatic rise (430 percent) in the rate of treatment admissions for the abuse of prescription pain relievers during this period. The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that the rate of treatment admissions primarily linked to these drugs rose from 10 per 100,000 in the population in 1999 to 53 per 100,000 population in 2009.

The rise in treatment admissions related to the abuse of prescription drug pain relievers occurred in every region of the country, but was highest in the states of Maine, Vermont, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Arkansas, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

The California Medical Assn. has sued the state Dept. of Health Care Services and the federal Dept. of Health and Human Services for cutting doctors' Medicaid rates by 10%. The pay cuts will harm patients already hit by a lack of available medical care, says the Nov. 21 suit, which was joined by the California Dental Assn. and other associations.

"The approved cuts are irresponsible and will only put the health of California's most vulnerable population further at risk," said CMA President James T. Hay, MD. "The federal government has made a terrible mistake in approving the cuts, especially in the face of health care reform. We simply cannot treat more patients with fewer resources."

FDA approved Boston Scientific's Infinion 16 Percutaneous Lead for its Precision Plus Spinal Cord Stimulator system, according to a news release.

This is the first 16-contact percutaneous lead for spinal cord stimulation. Traditionally, leads, which deliver electrical pulses from an implantable pulse generator to the spinal cord, have had a maximum of eight contact points. The extra leads will provide better coverage of the painful area of the spinal cord.

The Infinion 16 Lead will be introduced at the North American Neuromodulation Society meeting that begins today.

PAIN-WISE includes complete and authoritative information for your patients including:

• * Identification of various parts of the body that can cause pain, using a simple anatomy guide Tips for getting the most out of doctor's visits * Basic explanations of common interventional pain management techniques * Information on minimally invasive surgery techniques
• * Explanation of implantable therapies for the treatment of severe chronic pain

Written by three ASIPP members, PAIN-WISE was edited for clarity and conciseness and features numerous illustrations and photographs to help your patients better understand their diagnosis and treatment protocols.

PAIN-WISE is a comprehensive and affordable publication you can offer to your patients to help educate them on their path to wellness.

Here's How to Order

To enable ASIPP members to provide a copy of PAIN-WISE to each patient in their care, ASIPP has made available through the publisher, a very special discount. You can purchase these books at a discounted price of up to 50% off the $15 retail price. Your cost for this must-have ASIPP patient education initiative can be as low as $7.50 per copy plus shipping and handling when purchased in quantity.

Follow the link today to order online at www.hatherleigh.com or call toll-free 1-800-367-2550 (All royalties from sales of PAIN-WISE go to a national media campaign about pain awareness supported by ASIPP.)to place your order by phone.

The oil painting shows a serene ocean view with mountains on the horizon. A holiday gift from a patient, the artwork hangs in the Belmont, Mass., office of psychiatrist David Brendel, MD, PhD. A note on the back reads, "Dr. Brendel, thank you for helping me to always see the long view."

Each year around this time, Ruth Haskins, MD, a Folsom, Calif., obstetrician-gynecologist, receives a White House ornament. She once did an ultrasound on a patient, allowing the woman's parents, who were visiting from Washington, to see their unborn grandchild.

"That was 7 years ago. They have given me a new ornament every year since," Dr. Haskins said. "Each reminds me of how my care affects a network beyond only my patient, extending to her circle of friends and family, near and far."

FSIPP Annual Meeting Dates May 18-20, 2012

The Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians has set the date for their next annual meeting for May 18-20, 2012 at the Gaylord Palms, Orlando, FL.

Read more about the meeting and other activities going on in the state of Florida in their newsletter. Click HERE to read latest issue.

For a complete look at the May meeting schedule and CME information, click HERE

CASIPP Annual Meeting Dates Nov. 9-11, 2012

The California Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Annual Meeting of the will be Nov. 9 -11, 2012 at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, CA.

Go to www.casipp.com for more information.

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