If you would prefer to view this online, go to:

http://www.dcmsonline.org/news/2-01-08.htm

 

DCMS News You Need to Know
From the desk of Jay W. Millson, Executive Vice President

jmillson@dcmsonline.org

February 1, 2008

 

In this Issue:

 

Ø      Support Needed with Managed Care Reform Bill

Ø      Staying on Top of Your License

Ø      AMA President to Visit Northeast Florida May 18-20

Ø      Flu Vaccine Clinical Trial begins next week

Ø      2008 DCMS Directories

Ø      Meetings Calendar / Educational Opportunities

 

Support Needed with Managed Care Reform Bill

The FMA has filed a managed care bill for the 2008 Legislative session that challenges the insurance industry to reduce frustrations and improve the billing environment for physician offices.  Your help is needed in providing actual examples of three main areas/concerns addressed in the bill:

  1. Assignment:  would allow nonparticipating physicians to collect insurance payments directly
  2. Silent PPOs:  provides transparency in contracting for physicians who may be participating on panels that discount their reimbursement.
  3. Overpayment "Look-Back" Periods:  reduces MCOs ability to request physician reimbursement recoupments from 30 to six months, the same time allotment physicians have to file claims. 

For more detailed information, review the background paper (Word document) and send examples to Fred Whitson at fwhitson@medone.org.

 

Staying on Top of Your License

Although physicians renew their license bi-yearly, it is important to always stay connected with your physician profile on the Board of Medicine webpage (http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/mqaservices/flhealth_PractitionerServices.asp).  Additional information is provided on the website, including CME changes, healthcare professional identification requirements, regulations regarding use of PAs and ARNPs in satellite offices, etc.  Never hesitate to contact the DCMS should you have any difficulties with licensure or issues involving the Board. 

 

AMA President to Visit Northeast Florida May 18-20
Ronald Davis, MD, President of the American Medical Association will visit Jacksonville May 18-20, 2008.  There will be two days full of activities and visits to local medical sites, including a general membership meeting on Monday evening, May 19.  Dr. Davis will keynote a community forum, co-sponsored by the DCMS and the Center for Global and Medical Diplomacy, on “Obesity and Inactivity” on Tuesday morning, May 20.  More details will be coming soon, but mark your calendars for now!

 

Flu Vaccine Clinical Trial begins next week

There is a clinical trial starting next week for an H5N1 flu vaccine made by Glaxo. For more information, call the Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research at 730-0101 by Monday or visit their website.

 

2008 DCMS Directories

Directories have been mailed to DCMS members.  To order additional copies of the directory, click here or go the DCMS Online (www.dcmsonline.org) to download the order form (PDF file).   This is an excellent resource in communicating with your peers throughout Jacksonville and surrounding counties (Clay, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns).  Take some time to look through it and see all of the information at your fingertips!

 

Meetings Calendar / Educational Opportunities (www.dcmsonline.org) 

o     Saturday, February 9, Diabetes: Developing a Winning Solution, at UNF

o     Sunday, February 10, DCMS Ole Time Reunion at the Haskell Building

o     Thursday, February 14, 5:30 - 9 PM at the Jacksonville Marriott, Public Forum: What Everyone Should Know about Breast Health,

o     Friday – Sunday, February 15-17 at Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island "The 13th Annual Multidisciplinary Symposium on Breast Disease

o     Friday – Sunday, February 15-17 at the Orlando Buena Vista Palace Hotel, FMA Spring Board of Governors & Council Days

o     Saturday, March 29, 7:30 PM at the Florida Theatre, Physicians’ Variety Show to Benefit We Care Jacksonville – watch for details and your invitation


The DCMS News You Need to Know is a newsletter that will be sent to DCMS members weekly or on an as needed basis.  Breaking news events, meetings and other important information will be communicated via this medium.  If you have any material you would like posted to this newsletter or DCMS Online, please e-mail the DCMS at
dcms@dcmsonline.org.

 

Duval County Medical Society  
555 Bishopgate Lane   *   Jacksonville, FL  32204
Phone: (904) 355-6561   *   FAX:  (904) 353-5848
www.dcmsonline.org   *  General email: dcms@dcmsonline.org


The mission of the DCMS is to promote the delivery of and access to high quality, ethical medical care for the community, and to serve as an advocate for physician members and their patients.