COVID- 19 NEWS
PERTINENT INFORMATION
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO RSVP
Membership Dinner
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
6:30pm at the Westshore Grand
HCMA's first in-person Membership Dinner since February 2020! Social hour will begin at 6:30pm, the program and dinner will follow at 7:30pm. Special Guest: Rodney Kite-Powell, Director, Touchton Map Library, at the Tampa Bay History Center, will share snapshots and stories of the history of Tampa from the 1800s to modern times.
Two USF medical students will be presented with scholarships from the HCMA and the HCMA Foundation.
Sponsors: Physicians Wealth Planning and Shea Barclay Group.
Dinner is complimentary for HCMA members; $50 per guest. You can register
here. HCMA requests that all attendees be fully vaccinated.
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Judge strikes down part of administration’s surprise billing rules
The Hill reports federal Judge Jeremy Kernodle in Texas “on Wednesday struck down part of the Biden administration’s regulations protecting patients from getting stuck with ‘surprise’ medical bills when they see the doctor, in a win for doctors who sued to block part of the rules.” The decision struck “down part of the regulations that govern how much insurers will pay doctors once the patient is taken out of the middle.”
AMA Editor’s Note: Protect patients from surprise medical bills without eliminating incentives for insurers to negotiate contracts in good faith. Click here to learn more.
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ADA Legal Issues in Healthcare
Do you have any patients who are deaf/hard of hearing? Visually impaired? If so, you must provide equal access to communications, including “auxiliary aids and services” to ensure effective communication between the health care provider and the patient or patient’s representative.
What about English as a Second Language (ESL)? Do you have patients whose preferred language is a language other than English? Do you receive federal funding, including Medicare, Medicaid or SCHIP? If so, your practice must provide language access services for your patients. HCMA Benefit Provider, the Florida Healthcare Law Firm, has compose a short article regarding ADA requirements.
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Ukrainian physicians 'Ready to Die for Their Freedom'
Nasogastric tubes. Foley catheter kits. Hydrogel anti-burn bandages and transfusion bags. Heparin, atropine, tramadol. These items are just a few of some two dozen critical medical supplies that physicians in Ukraine desperately need, according to Leo Wolansky, MD, a Ukrainian-American radiologist and president of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA). Read the interview.
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Another way to support the HCMA Foundation's Golf Tournament
Visit our Amazon Smile Wish List for raffle prize donations! Raffle items are a big part of the day's fun - and another way we raise money on golf day! Please take a look at our "wish list" for an easy way to donate some raffle items. Two easy steps:
1. Sign into Amazon
2. Review our Wish List!
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HCMA Database & Website - New and Improved!
In order to make use of our innovative new database and all of its features, all HCMA members need to create a password for their profile.
By setting up your profile, it will ensure that you have full access to our website in which you can update your office information, your home mailing address, RSVP to our events, pay dues, and receive all future correspondence from the HCMA.
Please follow these few simple steps to set up your profile:
- Log in to your HCMA account at www.hcma.net
- Click the orange sign-in icon located in the upper right-hand corner
- Enter your email address - IF YOU HAVE NOT CREATED A PASSWORD YET, click the "forgot password" link and follow the instructions.
- If you have any questions please contact Anni Blackwell
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Master the art of physician leadership
Clinical excellence is central to your daily practice of medicine. But to excel as healthcare leaders, physicians need specific non-clinical skills that often aren’t formally taught in medical school or residency.
The FMA is now accepting online applications for the 2022-23 Karl M. Altenburger, MD Physician Leadership Academy, an intensive professional development program exclusively for members and generously funded by the Physicians Foundation, Professionals Resource Network, and the FMA Foundation for Healthy Floridians. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in five in-person, facilitated workshops focusing on key leadership skills, such as emotional intelligence, conflict management, effective communication, and building a healthy workplace culture. Online activities will include a virtual journal club, The Science of Leadership. The Foundation for Healthy Floridians will cover expenses for materials, lodging, sponsored meals, and speaker fees.
Submit your application for the Physician Leadership Academy no later than March 15, 2022. Visit flmedical.org/leadershipacademy for more information.
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Market your practice
Preparations are being made for the Summer 2022 edition of the HCMA’s Annual Membership Directory. HCMA members can enhance their listing and/or place an ad at a discounted rate. Visit HCMA.net, click on “members” and then “membership directory” to see the current edition. For advertising information in the 2022 issue, visit HCMA Membership Directory - Members' rates
FROM THE BOARD OF MEDICINE
Scam Alert!
The Department of Health (Department), Division of Medical Quality Assurance is warning Florida health care practitioners about fraudulent calls that are continuing to be received by licensees.
Scammers are posing as the Department and threatening action against your health care license by demanding money and asking for personal identifying information.
The Department has posted extensive information and guidance on http://flhealthsource.gov/ and its board websites regarding licensure and fees. Licensees will never receive unsolicited calls from the Department where personal information is requested, payments are demanded, or threats against your license are made.
The Department of Health wants to help protect licensees from fraud schemes. If you receive a phone call from a someone claiming to represent the Department, do not provide any personal information and hang up immediately.
If you have any questions, please call the customer contact center at (850) 488-0595.
PHYSICIAN WELLNESS
Congress passes bill to promote physician mental health
President Biden is expected to sign the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act to support physician mental health. Learn how the legislation prioritizes physician well-being.
The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program provides a safe harbor for members to address life difficulties, especially during this time of uncertainty, challenges, and increased stress due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. This complimentary and completely confidential benefit is available for all members, regardless of membership category.
SPOTLIGHT ON SAVINGS
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Winstar Forms Strategic Alliance with ClearGage
HCMA Benefit Provider for credit card processing, payroll & human resources, and funding & equipment leasing, Winstar Payments, has partnered with ClearGage. Under this agreement, Winstar Payments will offer their clients ClearGage's flexible payment solutions including recurring payments,subscription plans, and payment notifications via text and email. Additionally, clients of Winstar Payments will be offered patient-friendly financing options that help practices to reduce bad debt and get paid faster. For more information, contact Vinny Breault, Winstar Payments, vbreault@winstarpayments.com, 813.362.9051, or click here for details.
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CLASSIFIED ADS
For information on how to place a classified ad in Enews, contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA or complete and return this form.
FOR LEASE OR SALE
Medical office next to Brandon Regional Hospital; 2,035 sq ft; 3-4 exam rooms; Lab; 1-2 physician offices; storage & break area; large waiting room; large business office; 2 exam tables (electric), 1 large & 1 small refrigerator; All ready to start your practice; $2,500/month; Call Dr. Karp 813-787-6978.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Membership Dinner
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
6:30pm at the Westshore Grand
HCMA's first in-person Membership Dinner since February 2020! HCMA’s in-person membership dinners at the Westshore Grand Hotel will resume. Social hour will begin at 6:30pm, the program and dinner will follow at 7:30pm. Special Guest: Rodney Kite-Powell, Director, Touchton Map Library, at the Tampa Bay History Center, will share snapshots and stories of the history of Tampa from the 1800s to modern times.
Two USF medical students will be presented with scholarships from the HCMA and the HCMA Foundation.
Sponsors: Physicians Wealth Planning and Shea Barclay Group.
Please mark your calendars. Dinner is complimentary for HCMA members; $50 per guest. You can register here. Call the HCMA office with any questions. 813.253.0471. HCMA requests that all attendees be fully vaccinated.
Outlook 2022
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
6:30-7:30pm
This 60-minute Physicians Wealth Planning Webinar, featuring Mike Quinn, Sr. VP/American Funds will cover:
- Taxes
- Elections and the markets
- Investing in volatile markets
- Diversification strategies
- Impact on the market with rising interest rates
- Global political issuers and the market
REGISTER HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with log-in credentials. This event is a benefit of membership in the Hillsborough County Medical Association. For more information, visit HCMA.net or call 813.253.0471
HCMA Foundation's 24th Charity Golf Classic
Thursday, March 31, 2022
11:30am registration, TPC-Tampa Bay
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
2022 marks the 24th HCMA Foundation golf tournament! We are so excited to announce that we are returning to the Tournament Players Club - Tampa Bay which is the Proud host of the PGA Champions event for over 20 years. Registration and sponsor information can be found online or by downloading this Charity Golf Classic packet. For more information call Anni or Elke at the HCMA: 813.253.0471.
HCMA Inauguration Dinner
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
6:30pm - The Westshore Grand
Eva Crooke, MD will be installed as the HCMA's 2021-2022 President as we "Celebrate Tampa Bay!" Social hour will begin at 6:30pm, the program and dinner will follow at 7:30pm. Please mark your calendars – registration information is forthcoming. Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are also available. Call the HCMA office for specifics: 813.253.0471.
