If you would prefer to
view this online, go to:
http://www.dcmsonline.org/news/1-07-08.htm
DCMS News You Need to
Know
From the desk of Jay W. Millson, Executive Vice
President
January 7, 2008
In this Issue:
Ø
Last Chance to RSVP for January 17, 2008 DCMS
Annual Meeting
Ø
Medicare Rate Cut Delay Offers Choices for
Physican Participation – Know YOUR Options!
Ø
Time Is Running Out - Have You Renewed Your License?
Ø Medicare
(Part A) Updates Teleconference/Webcast
Ø
Diabetes: Developing a Winning Solution
Ø Keep
an eye out for your 2008 DCMS Directories!
Ø
Meetings Calendar / Educational
Opportunities
Last Chance to RSVP for January 17, 2008 DCMS Annual Meeting
The 2008 DCMS
Annual Meeting will be held at the Touchdown Club, Jacksonville Muncipal
Stadium on January 17, 2008. The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a wide variety
of exhibitors. At the dinner, Glenn
Knox, MD will be installed as the 2008 President. Several local physicians will
also receive awards for their outstanding work in the community and beyond.
Make plans to join us! Click
here for details and
reservation form. We ask that all RSVPs
be made by Friday, January 11.
Medicare Rate Cut Delay
Offers Choices for Physican Participation – Know YOUR Options!
With the 6 month reprieve on Medicare funding cuts, physicians have some additional factors to consider when they determine their level of Medicare participation in 2008. In light of the Congressional action, CMS is reopening the participation decision period for an additional 45 days. The new deadline to change participation status is February 15, 2008, but participation decisions will be retroactive to January 1, 2008. Download two important documents from the AMA about Medicare funding before considering your options for participation in 2008:
Medicare Participation Options (PDF)
2008 Medicare
Payment Rates What to Expect in Your Practice (PDF)
Time Is Running Out - Have You Renewed
Your License?
Approximately
half of Florida MDs are set to have their licenses to practice medicine expire
on January 31, 2008, however, the Florida Department of Health reports that
only 57 percent have renewed their license to date. If you have not received your licensure
renewal information and are unsure if it is time to renew, visit www.flhealthsource.com to view your profile. Your license
expiration date should be at the top. You cannot practice if your license
expires. Renewing after the deadline is costly and time-consuming.
Additionally, third-party payers may refuse to reimburse you for services
rendered under an inactive license, so renewing early is important.
The
Board of Medicine has made this easy by putting the renewal process online. To
renew online, go to www.flhealthsource.com and click on
"Licensees/Provider" and then "Renew License." You will
need an account/user ID number and password, which was included in your license
renewal notice sent in October. If you do not have
your notice, you may email licensure_services@doh.state.fl.us or call 850.488.0595, and press
menu option 3. One of the benefits of renewing online (especially
this late in the game) is that physicians can
immediately print out proof of renewal to provide to any hospitals, etc. that
may require this information. Renewing through the mail may cause a
delay in receiving proof of renewal.
Medicare
(Part A) Updates Teleconference/Webcast
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 t 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Don’t miss out on this informative session provided by First Coast
Service Options (FCSO). This “lunch and learn” seminar is designed to educate
and inform the provider community of the most recent changes in the Medicare
program. The topics we will cover are:
¨
Updates to the
Medicare program, including a list of the applicable MLN Matters articles
¨
Updates to the
local coverage determinations (LCDs), including those available for comment
¨
Data indicating
top provider inquiries and claim submission errors
Take advantage of this opportunity to communicate directly with your
Medicare experts at First Coast Service Options. Visit their web site at www.fcsomedicaretraining.com for more details and to register.
Diabetes:
Developing a Winning Solution
This one day workshop,
sponsored by the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, will be held on Saturday, February 9 at UNF. The program is designed for a two person team
– with workshop tracks for primary care physicians and their medical
assistant. The course
provides training towards becoming certified as a Diabetes Master Clinician or
Master Clinician Associate of the FAFP.
For more information and registration form, click here for a
PDF version of the flyer.
Keep an eye out for your 2008 DCMS Directories!
The always anticipated DCMS
Directories are being mailed this week so keep an eye out for your 2008
version! A form to order additional
copies is included with the directories, or you can download a DCMS member order
form from our website (PDF file) to get a head start. Also included in the package is a DCMS member
lapel pin … just one small way to let you know we appreciate your membership!
Meetings Calendar / Educational
Opportunities (www.dcmsonline.org)
o
Wednesdays in
January 2008 – Pediatric Grand Rounds – Click here for
details
o
Thursday,
January 10, 2008, 6-8 PM – JSMP Lecture Series – Click
here for details
o
Thursday,
January 17, 2008, DCMS Annual Meeting at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium,
Touchdown Club – Click here for
more details and reservation form.
o
January 26, 2008,
FMA Board of Governors, Hyatt Regency,
o
Saturday,
February 9, 2008, Diabetes: Developing a Winning Solution – Click here for
details
o
Sunday, February
10, 2008, DCMS Ole Time Reunion at the
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Duval County Medical Society
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