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

http://www.dcmsonline.org/news/4-14-09.htm

 

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

jmillson@dcmsonline.org

April 14, 2009

 

In this Issue:

 

Ø      Medicare EHR Demonstration Project Discontinued

Ø      “Ways to Avoid an Income Shortfall in Retirement” dinner meeting for DCMS members

Ø      Membership Meeting Honoring AMA President-Elect, J. James Rohack, MD

Ø      CMS Enrollment Advisory

Ø      Economic Downturn Stories

Ø      DCMS Night at the Ballpark!

Ø      Meetings Calendar / Educational Opportunities

 

Medicare EHR Demonstration Project Discontinued

The DCMS has confirmed that the the Medicare EHR Demonstration research project, awarded to Northeast Florida last summer for implementation in Summer 2009, has been discontinued.  The details explaining this decision are can be found in this linked announcement by the CMS.  The DCMS Health Information Technology Committee finds this to be positive news due to redundant funding being allocated for EHR implementation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  The HIT Committee will be working with a local interest groups through the Northeast Florida Health Information Consortium (NEFHIC) to assist physicians in obtaining funding from the stimulus dollars to promote EHR adoption.  More information regarding this issue will be forthcoming; however, any questions can be directed to the DCMS by emailing  jmillson@dcmsonline.org.  

 

“Ways to Avoid an Income Shortfall in Retirement” dinner meeting for DCMS members

DCMS President, Dr. Stephen Lucie invites all DCMS members to a special educational dinner meeting on Wednesday, April 22, at 6:00 PM at Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant in the St. John's Town Center.  The program will be "Ways to Avoid an Income Shortfall in Retirement", presented by Steven J. Emsley with Janney Montgomery Scott, the sponsor for the evening.  The meeting is complementary for DCMS members; spouses and guests are welcome to attend at the member's expense ($45).  Seating is limited and reservations are required by April 15.  Click here for details and an RSVP form. 

 

Membership Meeting Honoring AMA President-Elect, J. James Rohack, MD

The Duval County Medical Society invites you to an evening of fellowship and celebration honoring J. James Rohack, MD, President-Elect of the American Medical Association.

Monday, April 27, 2009 at Epping Forest Yacht Club, Jacksonville.  The evening begins with a Reception at 6:15 PM.  Dr. Rohack will speak at 7:00 PM. Cost is $50 per person.  Reservations are due by April 20.  Click here for details and an RSVP form.

 

CMS Enrollment Advisory

First Coast Service Options (FCSO) implemented new enrollment rules on April 1, 2009 that are as follows:

  1. The billing/effective date of an enrollment will be the later of the date of filing or start date.  No retroactive billing for 30 days will be allowed unless there is documentation submitted with the enrollment to justify why the enrollment was not filed in a timely fashion.
  2. An out of state bank will not be allowed for electronic funds transfer (EFT).
  3. If a practice fails to notify the contractor of a practice location change within a 30 day time frame, your billing privileges will be revoked.  There will be no appeal rights and you will not be allowed to re-enroll for 1 year.

If you experience any problems regarding CMS enrollment or other issues in your practice, contact the DCMS for assistance (jmillson@dcmsonline.org).

 

Economic Downturn Stories

The popular practice management magazine Medical Economics is looking for any local physicians who have been negatively impacted by the economy.  The reporter is asking for physicians who are: facing payment issues from patients, implementing more aggressive collections strategies for recovering lagging receivables, or providing more volunteer services to help patients in need.  If you would like to respond, please contact the DCMS at jmillson@dcmsonline.org. 

 

DCMS Night at the Ballpark!

Enjoy an evening of baseball and fellowship with colleagues and families on May 21, 2009, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Cost is just $10 per person and includes 75 minutes of all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn and soft drinks, plus a reserved seat for the game!  Bring a non-DCMS physician as your guest and your ticket is FREE. Click here for details and a reservation form.

 

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

o     Wednesday, April 22, 2009 – Dinner Meeting and program – “Ways to Avoid an Income Shortfall in Retirement”.  Click here for details!

o     Monday, April 27, 2009 – General Membership Meeting with AMA President-Elect James Rohack, MD – Click here for more details!

o     Tuesday, April 28, 2009 – “Building a Region of Medical Excellence” Forum with Keynoters James Rohack, MD, and Carolyn Clancy, MD.  Sponsored by the Center for Global Health and Medical Diplomacy at UNF.  Register today and click here for more details!

o     Thursday, May 21, 2009 – DCMS Night at the Ballpark.  Click here for details!


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.