July 2008 Chapter Email Newsletter

Medicare - DMEPOS Program

Medicare is implementing a competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS). This encompasses devices such as nutritional supplements, supplemental oxygen, power wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers and CPAP machines. DMEPOS is being rolled out in October and will be implemented in 10 geographic areas ... the closest region is Cincinnati. For the Indiana Chapter, this likely will involve members who practice in southeastern Indiana. We will work on providing you more information.

Congrats - New Fellows (FACP)

The Indiana Chapter wishes to extend its congratulations to Chapter Members who have been awarded FELLOWSHIP in the American College of Physicians. This is a recognition of professional achievements and is well deserved. We wish to recognize

  • Elias Dalloul, MD, FACP - Terre Haute
  • Rajesh Gulati, MBBS, FACP - Carmel
  • Charles Kahi, MD, FACP - Indianapolis
  • John Kelly, Jr, MD, FACP - Michigan City
  • Antwan Mardini, MD, FACP - Terre Haute
  • Joni Miller, MD, FACP - Marion
  • Tuon Vu, MD, FACP - Indianapolis

Indiana INSPECT Program

INSPECT is a program that the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency has made available to licensed practitioners in Indiana. It is a registry of prescribed controlled substances, patients filling the script, prescribing practitioner, and dispensing pharmacy. INSPECT was designed to serve as a tool to address the problem of prescription drug abuse and diversion in Indiana. Many of us have found it to be a very helpful tool in monitoring the appropriate use of these important classes of medications. To find out more and to register, go to http://www.in.gov/pla/4539.htm

Journal Club

The Internal Medicine Student Group hosts a monthly journal club to discuss a journal article. The discussions involve important journal articles and the related diseases. The discussions are lively, and Journal Club is open to all Members. Practicing physicians are especially encouraged to attend to share their valuable clinical experiences. Meetings are typically around 6pm. Light refreshments are served.

Next meeting is in August....details to follow. Contact your Chapter Governor, Michael Sha, MD, FACP , directly at mcsha@iupui.edu if you're interested in attending!

ISDH - Reporting Firework-Related Injuries

Just a reminder that firework-related injuries are supposed to be reported to the Indiana State Department of Health. Link to the firework reporting form for the Indiana State Department of Health.

ACP PQRI Conference Call

ACP is co-hosting a conference call with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to discuss participation in the Medicare 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), a program that pays physicians a bonus for reporting quality data to CMS on their claims forms or through other mechanisms. The bonus payment is 1.5% of allowable charges for Medicare patients to physicians who successfully submit quality data. The conference call will be focused on the steps internists need to take to collect and report the necessary quality data for participation in the program.

The toll-free call will take place on Tuesday, July 15th, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm EST. If you or your office staff is interested in participating, call (800) 837-1935, call ID # 53531371.

If you have issues of concern, please contact your local Council member or your Chapter Governor, Michael Sha, MD, FACP , directly at mcsha@iupui.edu. We also welcome any ideas or input.

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