APMA News - July/August 2013 - (Page 26)

A Health Policy and Practice Committees Meet to Tackle Reimbursement Issues PMA Health Policy and Practice (HPP) committees topic, including a previously recorded webinar conducted by met May 2–4 in Arlington, VA, to discuss a range Swank, can be found at www.apma.org/ACO. of issues affecting today’s podiatrists. The HPP Before the joint session, the Coding Committee, led by department advocates for the advancement of podiatric Chair Paul Kinberg, DPM, met and focused on ICD-10 implemedicine and surgery in addressing coding and reimbursementation and preparation. Committee members heard priment issues in private and public insurance systems. This vate insurance administrators, public insurance administrayear, each committee—Coding, Health Policy, and Health tors, and federal regulators give updates about their respective Systems—met separately to discuss specific concerns, but ICD-10 preparation and what physicians should be doing the three committees also gathered to tackle common issues now. APMA was routinely praised for staying ahead of the tranand set an agenda for the sition and doing more to educoming year. cate its members than any At their core, the three other medical specialty group. At their core, the three HPP HPP committees are in place As the October 1, 2014, imto help APMA members re- committees are in place to help APMA plementation date grows closceive fair and appropriate members receive fair and appropriate er, APMA members should compensation for the serviccheck www.apma.org/ICD10 compensation for the services they es they perform. Essentially, frequently for the most current it is their duty to monitor materials and updates. perform. Essentially, it is their duty public and private health inOn Saturday, May 4, surance plans around the Health Policy and Health Systo monitor public and private health country for disparities and tems held separate meetings insurance plans around the country inconsistencies. during the morning to adThe joint session of the dress concerns specific to for disparities and inconsistencies. three groups was held on their work. Health Systems, Friday, May 3. During this chaired by Kirk Geter, DPM, day-long session, all HPP committee members heard highfocused its efforts on topics such as fee discrimination and level presentations relating to insurance and reimbursemember education. The committee looked at issues affecting ment issues, including an update on public insurance from certain states or health plans and how the committee can asHenry Desmarais, MD, MPA, of Health Policy Alternatives, sist with resolving these conflicts. Committee members draftInc. The update featured a look at initiatives included in the ed an education plan for the following year to provide APMA Affordable Care Act that are already in place or will be members with additional insight into common private insurrolled out in 2014. Kelli Back, JD, with the Law Offices of ance problems. Mark S. Joffe, also gave an overview of issues affecting priAlso on May 4, Health Policy, chaired by Mark Block, DPM, vate insurance plans. discussed Medicare Advantage plans and specific regional conCommittee members broke out into smaller groups durcerns. The committee also addressed concerns related to the ing the joint session to discuss and prioritize several reimMedicare therapeutic shoes for patients with diabetes program. bursement issues. All four breakout groups agreed that data This issue would be alleviated with the passage of the Helping collection is a top priority. If members are armed with indisEnsure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians putable evidence of the quality and quantity of services pro(HELLPP) Act. The committee covered ongoing TRICARE and vided by podiatrists, they will receive better results when skin substitute issues as well, and, like the Health Systems negotiating with insurance companies. In fact, this strategy is Committee, placed an emphasis on member education. In partied to larger priorities: to educate APMA members about the ticular, the committee would like to see additional outreach to tools and resources available for their use and to educate payyoung physicians on public insurance issues. ers about today’s podiatrist. Other topics covered included Together, the Coding, Health Policy, and Health Systems fraud and abuse, EHR and meaningful use quality measures, Committees charted a course to move forward on reimand fee discrimination. bursement issues facing podiatry. Future issues of APMA In the afternoon, joint session participants received upNews will include articles from each committee addressing dates on ICD-10, DME, and APMA’s legislative efforts. Sarah common concerns. Swank, Esq., of O B E R | K A L E R Attorneys at Law, delivered APMA.org remains the chief repository of all information an in-depth presentation about accountable care organizations related to reimbursement issues. Documents, Webinars, and (ACOs) and the future of health-care delivery. ACOs remain a presentations on the website are created for the benefit of all hot topic for APMA members, and Swank conferred her expert APMA members. knowledge on the subject in terms of development, payment, If you are having an issue with a public or private insurand implications for podiatrists. More information about this ance provider, contact APMA for assistance. n 26 APMA News July/August 2013 http://www.apma.org/ACO http://www.apma.org/ICD10 http://www.APMA.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - July/August 2013

APMA News - July/August 2013
President's Message
Contents
Destination Hawaii: The National in 2014
Arizona Study Finds Podiatry Saves Lives and Reduces Expenses
Committee Nominations Requested
US Naval Podiatrist Trains Afghan Orthopedists
The Man Behind the Marketing: The New Face of Student Recruitment
The Benefits of Working with Residents
Bylaws Propositions Due
Health Policy and Practice Committees Meet to Tackle Reimbursement Issues
Reimbursement
ICD-10: How to Code a Typical Infection
Federal Advocacy Forum
Cosponsors to the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
Resolutions Submission Deadlines
Coverage Corner
IT Consultant
Inside APMA’s Social Media
Website Wisdom
On the Road with APMA
Small Business 101
CPME Update
Young Physicians’ Accomplishments
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Annual Scientifi c Meeting Sponsors
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - July/August 2013