APMA News - October 2011 - (Page 46)

In Short APMA Submits Comments on 2012 Medicare Fee Schedule APMA Shares Thomson Reuters Study with State Legislators From August 9 to 11, APMA State Advocacy staff were in San Antonio attending the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit, the largest gathering of state legislators. APMA shared the results of the Thomson Reuters and Duke University studies TPMA Past President Richard and demonstrated the sig- Bellacosa, DPM, (left) discusses the Thomson Reuters Study nificant impact care by a with Georgia State Senator podiatrist has on health- Renee Unterman. Senator Uncare outcomes and spend- terman is chair of the Georgia ing. Joining APMA in ad- Senate Health and Human vocating for the profession Services Committee. were San Antonio podiatrists Marque Allen, DPM; Richard Bellacosa, DPM; and D. Martin Chaney, DPM. NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths, and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. The summit provides an opportunity for the APMA State Advocacy program area to educate legislators and their staff about the podiatric medical profession and discuss the education, training, and experience podiatric physicians and surgeons bring to patients. APMA also has shared the studies with associations representing state policymakers, including governors, insurance commissioners, and Medicaid directors. To find fact sheets and talking points used at the NCSL Legislative Summit, visit www.apma.org/podiatristvalue. APMA submitted comments to CMS to address the proposed rule suggesting changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule and other Medicare Part B policies for calendar year 2012. Podiatric medicine fared well in the proposed rule relative to other specialties with a 3-percent overall increase. The proposed rule essentially ignored the issue of the conversion factor under the Medicare physician fee schedule. CMS estimates that under current law, the conversion factor for CY 2012 would be reduced by 29.5 percent to $23.9635 (compared to the current $33.9764) but emphasizes that the agency is committed to working with Congress to permanently reform the Sustainable Growth Rate methodology for Medicare physician fee schedule updates. APMA commented specifically on: • • • • • • resource-based practice expense relative value units; potentially mis-valued services (CPT 28725 and 28730); expanding the multiple procedure payment reduction policy; the Physician Quality Reporting System; incentives and payment adjustments for electronic prescribing; and bundling of payments: three-day payment window. View APMA’s full comments at www.apma.org/comments. APMA/ADA and Public Health Fellowships APMA encourages third-year graduating residents to apply for an APMA/Dartmouth Institute Post-Doc Public Health Fellowship beginning August 2012. James Di Resta, DPM, MPH, chair of the Podiatric Health section of the American Public Health Association, will serve as the mentor for the fellowship. The fellowship will provide for more than $53,000 in tuition, as well as a $45,000 stipend. At the conclusion of the fellowship, the fellow will receive a master’s degree in public health from Dartmouth Medical School. Visit www.apma.org/ ResearchOpportunities to apply. APMA also encourages graduating residents to consider an APMA/American Diabetes Association research fellowship, which begins July 2012. The APMA/ADA research fellowship is awarded to one applicant for a two-year period. The fellow will work with a mentor with an active ADA Mentor-Based Postdoctoral Fellowship grant. To learn more or to apply, visit www.apma.org/ResearchOpportunities. 46 APMA News October 2011 Follow Footprints into Fall The fall 2011 edition of APMA’s patient newsletter Footprints is now available at www.apma.org/footprints. This issue covers fall sports for adults and back-to-school sports information for kids. Download the fall issue now and print copies for your patients, or include a link from your practice website. http://www.apma.org/workingforyou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1572&navItemNumber=645 http://www.apma.org/podiatristvalue http://www.apma.org/education/index.cfm?&navItemNumber=559 http://www.apma.org/education/index.cfm?&navItemNumber=559 http://www.apma.org/yourpractice/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1278&navItemNumber=615 http://www.apma.org/education/index.cfm?&navItemNumber=559

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - October 2011

APMA News - October 2011
President’s Message
Contents
ICD-10 in Practice: Coding for Fifth Metatarsal Injury
ICD-10 Benchmarks and Timeline
Team APMA Runs Away with the Show
Medical Mission to Costa Rica: Identifying Fungal Infections of the Foot
Federal Advocacy Forum
Resolutions Submissions
IT Consultant
Can They Really Do That?
Reimbursement
Members Who Know Media
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
APMAPAC Chair Report
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

APMA News - October 2011