Jan. 11, 2006

New Developmental Editor Assumes Duties

Michael Powell of Paducah, Ky has been named developmental editor for ASIPP’s Pain Physician journal, effective on Jan. 2. Powell comes to ASIPP from Kentucky Publishing, Inc., where he served as Managing Editor for the West Kentucky News. He attended Murray State University, majoring in print journalism. “I’m happy to be a member of this organization and I am looking forward to contributing to its growth,” said Powell.

Powell succeeds Marjorie Russell whose last day is Jan. 13. Russell joined ASIPP as developmental editor last February. She will be using her extensive career experience preparing manuscripts for publication as the foundation for a freelance writing and editing business. Russell will also be working on the completion of a novel.

CMS to Apply Rate Freeze Retroactively

The CMS said as soon as Congress passes the fiscal 2006 budget, it will tell Medicare contractors to reprocess claims filed since Jan. 1, when a 4.4% physician rate cut took effect and retroactively freeze physician rates at 2005 levels. Read the full article at modernphysician.com

Physicians Still Accepting New Medicare Patients

The percentage of U.S. physicians accepting new Medicare patients in 2004-05 was nearly the same as in 2000-01, according to a recent report by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC). The data from the study indicates a statistical “leveling off” from the decreasing trend that occurred in late 1990. Read the center’s report.

Brochures Now Available on Web Site

The brochures for the March cadaver course in Memphis and the August comprehensive review course in St. Louis are now available on the ASIPP Web site. Registration is open for both of these courses - make plans today to attend. Visit the Web site for more details. ASIPP meetings

New Opioid Guidelines in Pain Physician Journal

ASIPP is proud to announce the upcoming publication of the updated “Opioid Guidelines in the Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain” in the Pain Physician journal. Originally published in 2003, the current guidelines were developed over a six-month period by a large group of pain practitioners representing both academic and private practices.

“These guidelines should help pain physicians prescribe opioids safely, effectively, and appropriately,” said lead author, Andrea Trescot The document, with more than 350 references, reviews the best available evidence as well as the consensus of national experts regarding opioids. Topics covered include the economic impact of chronic pain, the non-medical use of prescription drugs, substance abuse in chronic pain, drug diversion, opioid metabolism, drug interactions, prescription drug monitoring programs, clinical effectiveness, adherence monitoring, and principles of opioid use.

The Pain Physician journal will be available and mailed out later this month.

No Practice Immune: Substance Abuse Can Affect Anyone

 The Jan. 16 issue (Vol.49 no. 2) of the American Medical News reported on the challenges of handling substance abuse with a practice. The report emphasizes the importance of a substance abuse policy with a concentration on treatment rather than punitive action.

The issue of substance abuse can affect a practice beyond the obvious performance and health of the employee – it can also have a negative impact on productivity, absenteeism, turnover and medical costs, potentially harming patients.

Creating and instating an employee policy that addresses the issue is paramount. Additionally, the article sites the AMA as recommending drug screening that goes beyond the standard pre-employment screening.

Subscribers can read the full story along with the following American Medical News stories at...http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/

Other Stories in the Jan. 16 issue...

Medicare pay cut begins but likely to be short-lived – The AMA blasts Congress for leaving before keeping doctor pay at 2005 levels.

Pennsylvania groups sue over automatic Medicare enrollment – Pennsylvania advocacy groups’ lawsuit claims have physicians and state Medicare experts puzzled.

Doctor found guilty after government search – Issue of patient privacy vs. government investigative authority still unresolved.

Buy your own lunch: no chance for reciprocity – One doctor’s crusade against gifts from the drug industry has grown into a small, but vocal group.

Jan. 2 in American Medical News...

Florida doctors wary of Medicaid overhaul – Some say the state plan of shifting more patients into managed care is a bad idea but others see opportunity.

Forward thinking: The future of practice trends – Changes in health care delivery are no longer floating on the horizon. They’re here. One of which is Pay-for-performance. It will be taking center stage and is believed to be here to stay.

Dollars for disaster readiness, bioterrorism tricky to spend – OIG audits find unspent money and trigger calls for more oversight. States respond that problems result from growing pains.