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May 2022 Enews

May 04, 2022 1:57 PM | Elke Lubin (Administrator)

COVID-19 News

Pertinent Information

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER!

HCMA Inauguration Dinner

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

6:15pm - The Westshore Grand

Eva Crooke, MD will be installed at the HCMA's 119th President as we "Celebrate Tampa Bay!"  An extended social hour will begin at 6:15pm with complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by dinner and the inauguration at 7:30pm. More information and registration can be found HERE. Call the HCMA office with any questions: 813.253.0471. HCMA requests that all attendees be fully vaccinated.

How new legislation will affect you

The state’s 2022 regular Legislative Session resulted in significant policy victories for Florida physicians, which you can read about in the FMA’s legislative summary. Interested in becoming more involved with the HCMA's legislative activities? Consider serving on HCMA's political action committee, HILLPAC, the HCMA's Government Affairs Committee, traveling to Tallahassee during the legislative session to meet with legislators and their staff concerning medically-related bills, or serve as a delegate to the FMA to assist in creating resolutions relating to legislative and policy issues that are presented each year to the FMA House of Delegates during the Annual Meeting. For more information about these opportunities, please contact Elke Lubin, HCMA Executive Assistant. 

Physicians get relief from potential legal risks in giving minors emergency care

Last year’s Parents' Bill of Rights law specifically made it a misdemeanor of the first degree in Florida for physicians and other healthcare providers to provide emergency medical services to minors in most settings without first obtaining written parental consent. Thanks the passage of HB 817 which will be effective July 1, 2022, physicians will be able to provide this care in any setting without parental consent. Read more.

Physician-led, team-based care is best for patients

The Florida Academy of Family Physicians and the FMA recently joined forces to launch The Physician Decision, a patient-focused campaign emphasizing the importance of physician-led, team-based care. The Physician Decision aims to educate Floridians about the qualifications physicians bring to their role as leader of the healthcare team so that they can advocate for themselves to receive the best care.

DEA Warning: scammers are impersonating DEA agents

Victims are losing money and personally identifiable information. DEA personnel will never contact members of the public or medical practitioners by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment, will never request personal or sensitive information over the phone, and will only notify people of a legitimate investigation or legal action in person or by official letter. Read the press release.

AMA No Surprises Act tool kit

Linked here is a second AMA toolkit to assist physicians with the payment process for certain out-of-network care under the No Surprises Act (NSA).  The NSA prohibits surprise billing for emergency care and some nonemergency care at in-network facilities.  The law and implementing regulations have established a process to determine payment for physicians and other providers that includes an Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process.  As we are still awaiting additional federal guidance on the IDR process, this toolkit will be updated when new information is available. Additionally, updated information can be found  here on the AMA-AHA lawsuit over a narrow, but critical, component of the interim final rule implementing the IDR process under the NSA. 

AMA STEPS Forward™: Taming the EHR playbook

The electronic health record (EHR) has profoundly changed the practice of medicine in both positive and negative ways. While most EHRs have customizable tools that can save time if used optimally, approximately 50% of a physician’s day is currently being spent on EHR and desk work. This EHR burden is a major contributor to physician burnout, and it is imperative for organizations to learn how to “tame” the EHR by implementing effective team-based care principles and system-level improvement. The AMA STEPS Forward™ Taming the EHR Playbook walks physicians and care team members through a series of practical, actionable steps to help improve efficiency, alleviate stress, and maximize the benefits of the EHR.

A year in review: Physician perspectives on Information Blocking regulations

The AMA is reaching out to better understand physicians’ experiences with Information Blocking compliance, issues physicians have encountered when requesting information from other Actors (e.g., their EHR vendors, state health information exchanges, or other providers or hospitals), and specific examples of EHR vendors preventing access to patient health information. The AMA welcomes any examples or anecdotes you wish to share. The AMA will compile, deidentify, and share your example stories with HHS officials and advocate for increased focus on information blocking practices that prevent or inhibit physician access to patient information. Please submit your example stories to Ela Cameron ela.cameron@ama-assn.org by May 16th. Please answer the following questions:

  1. What are your top three concerns or challenges complying with HHS’ Information Blocking regulations?
  2. What are the top three issues you have experienced when requesting patients’ electronic health information from another Actor, e.g., your EHR vendor, local hospital, laboratory/pharmacy, or another medical practice?
  3. What are the top three features/functions you wish your EHR had to help you comply with HHS’ Information Blocking regulations?
  4. What other information blocking issues or experiences would you like us to share with HHS?

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.

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

Florida Department of Health advises on meningococcal disease and vaccines in Florida

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is responding to an outbreak of meningococcal disease in some areas of Florida. However, it can be prevented and treated. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against meningococcal disease. Thus far, the number of cases identified in 2022 surpasses the 5-year average of meningococcal disease cases in Florida. FDOH epidemiologists are investigating each case as well as contacting people with potential or direct exposure to known cases to provide them with information and treatment options. Read the full notice.

Physician Wellness

The pandemic was not the culprit in Dr. Lorna Breen's suicide

March 18, 2022 was a memorable day for over 42,000 graduating medical students. It was Match Day, the day they learned which residency training program they will attend as they begin their careers as physicians. March 18, 2022 was even more memorable for the approximately 1 million physicians licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. It was the day President Biden signed into law the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, legislation designed to promote the mental health of medical professionals. April 26, 2022 marks the second anniversary of Breen's death. The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act honors the legacy of her memory -- "an extension of her caring for her colleagues in the deepest possible way." "Treatment without consequences" could have saved her life.  Read the view point of Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA.

The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program provides a safe harbor for members to address life difficulties and challenges. This complimentary and completely confidential benefit is available for all members, regardless of membership category. 

PERSONAL NEWS

Dr. Lubin appointed to HCAB

In April, Dr. David Lubin, Editor of HCMA's publication, The Bulletin, was nominated and subsequently appointed to the Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB).  This Board improves accessibility and efficiency of care for medically poor residents of Hillsborough County through recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for fund allocation, coordination, planning, and monitoring of health care delivery systems.  Other HCMA members who serve on the HCAB are Drs. John Curran and Jason Wilson.

New Members

Active:

Frances Acosta, MD

Ophthalmology

Prado Vision & Lasik Center

7522 N. Himes Ave.

Tampa, 33614

813.931.0500

Affiliate:

Ryan Fitzgerald, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery

Children's Orthopaedic & Scoliosis Surgery

625 6th Ave., S, #450

St. Petersburg, 33701

727.898.2663


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 RENT

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