Pertinent Information
HCMA Presidential Installation
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 6:15pm
Westshore Grand Hotel
The social begins at 6:15pm with complimentary cocktails & hors d’oeuvres and entertainment provided by harpist, Taylor Mills. Dinner will begin at 7:30pm and includes the inauguration of HCMA's 121st president, Damian Caraballo, MD. Special guest: Jason Goldman, M.D., President, Florida Medical Association. The deadline to register is May 1st, 2024. Thank You, Sponsors: The Bank of Tampa, Excelis Medical Associates, Florida Blue, MCMS Insurance Trust, and St. Joseph's Hospital.
Recognizing group practices with 100% HCMA membership
HCMA recognizes the following practices for their dedication to strengthening the voice of medicine in the Tampa Bay area. Thank you for your continued support!
10-25 Physicians
26-50 Physicians
Over 50 Physicians
2024 FL Legislative Session Report
The 2024 Session adjourned on March 8th. Representatives from the HCMA visited legislators during the session to educate them on the HCMA's priority issues and discuss topics that were being debated on the floor. For a comprehensive summary of the session, as it pertains to the practice of medicine, CLICK HERE. HCMA's Government Affairs Committee is already working with local legislators to introduce a bill for the 2025 Session addressing the impact of AI on healthcare. If you would like to join the Government Affairs Committee, please contact Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant, to be included.
Medical education loan reimbursement deadline EXTENDED
The application deadline for this year’s cycle of the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) Program has been extended to Monday, April 15. This program assists eligible physicians, residents, and other healthcare practitioners with the repayment of medical education loans. Qualifying MDs and DOs in primary care specialties, including psychiatry, can receive awards up to $20,000 per year. Due to FRAME’s overwhelming success last year, the FMA was able to secure an increase in recurring funding for the program — up from $6.6 million in 2022 to $16 million for the current fiscal year. Visit www.FDOHFRAME.com to submit your application.
Updated Medicare Conversion Factor
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its website to reflect the new Medicare Physician Payment Schedule conversion factor. This is a result of the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2024, which starting March 9 included an additional 1.68 percent update to the 2024 conversion factor that offset a portion of the 3.37 percent cut that went into effect on January 1, 2024. The 2024 conversion factor for dates of service from January 1 through March 8, 2024, was $32.74. CMS has now established the new conversion factor of $33.2875 for dates of service from March 9 through December 31. CMS is also releasing updated payment files, including the MPFS and associated abstract files, the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) FS, and Anesthesia file.
Change Healthcare Cyberattack - Response Deadline Extended to April 3
The American Medical Association (AMA) has received a very good response to the informal survey on the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack on physician practices. Please take a moment to complete this informal 11-question survey. the deadline to submit is 1:00pm EST on Wednesday, April 3. The survey is anonymous, you may use estimates in your responses, and the AMA will use the information to report on advocacy efforts on this issue. For the latest information on the Change Healthcare cyberattack response, please visit the AMA webpage dedicated to this topic.
Medical misinformation runs rampant online - the government must retain the right to intervene.
Online misinformation about vaccines harm patients, undermines trust in science, and places additional burdens on our healthcare system through reduced vaccine uptake. All in all, it is a barrier to protecting public health. The widespread proliferation of misinformation and disinformation has triggered higher levels of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, allowing a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles that we had nearly eradicated. Read more. (HCMA position statement on immunizations)
Voters will decide on abortion rights and recreational pot in November
The Florida Supreme Court's rulings on ballot measures for constitutional amendments come as it upholds a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, paving the way for a six-week ban. Read more.
FMA Annual Meeting
The 2024 FMA Annual Meeting is being held August 2-4 in Orlando at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort. The HCMA is allotted 35 delegates to represent our members and communities. If you are interested in submitting a resolution for our delegation to consider, or want to serve as an HCMA delegate to the FMA, contact Elke Lubin for details.
The future of medicine can begin with you.
Both pre-med and medical students have asked to shadow members in their offices to gain early clinical exposure. If you would like to serve as a mentor and allow a student to shadow you please register here. The HCMA is compiling a list of volunteers. Student and physician volunteers will make final mentoring arrangements. Thank you for your participation!
2024 Foundation Grant Season is open
After each Charity Golf Classic, the HCMA Foundation Board members review grant applications and choose the recipients of the year's awards. The Board is now accepting grant applications, the deadline to submit is May 15th. If you are familiar with a local nonprofit organization that supports the health and well-being of the members of our communities, please encourage them to apply. Grant applications can be found on the HCMA website or by calling the HCMA office at 813.253.0471.
Membership Directory rates have been reduced
Now accepting ads for the Annual HCMA Membership Directory, Summer 2024 Edition. The HCMA Annual Membership Directory has proven to be an excellent referral source for physicians and businesses. 2024 advertising rates have been reduced for both members and businesses. Click here to view the rate sheet and to secure your advertisement. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Bauman, E&M sales associate, at 800-572-0011 or brian.b@eandmsales.com.
HCMA Physician Family Alliance
The HCMA Physician Family Alliance is a group of physicians, spouses, partners, and family members whose aim is to promote good health and health education, to engage in charitable community endeavors, and to foster friendly relations among physicians' families and the communities in which they live. For more information about the HCMA PFA click here or email the officers.
Rental property search for incoming fellow and residents
One of the many benefits the HCMA FPA offers is a rental property match for residents and fellows who are moving to our area. If you have a rental property available for lease starting in May, June, or July, they invite you to complete the form linked below. Your property details will be included in the list, and potential tenants will reach out to you directly based on the contact information you provide. This is a courtesy service, and there are no fees involved. Please note that the HCMA FPA does not pre-screen potential tenants; this is simply a connection opportunity. Landlords, please complete this Google Form.
Connect with us!
Follow and connect with the HCMA on social media. Tap the icons on the left and also connect with HCMA administration staff on LinkedIn:
Debbie Zorian, Executive Director and
Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant
From the Board of Medicine
CME available at BOM meetings
The Board meets bimonthly, generally on the first weekend of the month. The full Board meetings include disciplinary cases, licensure approvals, correspondence items, committee reports, policy discussion items and other necessary Board actions. All board and committee meetings start at 8:00 am. Dates and locations are subject to change.
Licensees interested in attending a regular meeting of the Board for continuing medical education (CME) credit, please click here to visit the Board’s website for meeting information. Licensees must remain in continuous attendance during the disciplinary portion of the meeting. You may report your attendance by completing the CME attendance form and returning the form to the board office using the email address provided in the form.
CE Broker
The HCMA has formed a partnership with CE Broker, the official continuing education tracking system. HCMA members receive a discount when subscribing to a CE Broker account. Subscriptions renew annually and offer a user-friendly system that helps you sort through complex CE requirements. Contact Elke Lubin at 813-253-0471 or click here to receive the promotion code. Go to CEBroker.com and subscribe or set up a 7-Day Free Trial Account. Use the HCMA promotion code to apply your discount.
