E-news for April 20, 2007 E-NEWS HAS BEEN DELAYED SINCE APRIL 20 WITH TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AT AAFP.  IAFP News *The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians board of directors met April 12 via conference call. It was the first full meeting of the Board in 2007. Congratulations to Mike Temporal, MD who has been chosen as the AAFP Alternate Delegate to fill the unexpired term of Tim Vega, MD. Dr. Vega moved up to AAFP Delegate when Christine A. Petty, MD resigned.  IAFP board voted to support, but not endorse the Midwest Business Group on Health’s diabetes project, http://www.mbgh.org/index.php?t=news&  AAFP CHAPTERS GATHER IN CHICAGO. AAFP chapter executives from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Wisconsin gathered for a one day “think tank” to exchange ideas and issues. IAFP hosted the event and our law firm, Holland and Knight, Inc. provided their offices for the meeting, and Pri-Med provided support funding for the visiting chapters.  *MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING IAFP EVENTS: July 25: IAFP Presidential Inauguration: Golf Outing, Dinner and CME, Franklin County Country Club, West Frankfort. Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg will be sworn in by AAFP Speaker Tom Wieda, M.D. of Pennsylvania and assume the office of President in a Southern Illinois celebration.  Oct. 3: IAFP All-Member Assembly/Town Hall Meeting, Downtown Chicago Marriott. Join us for this evening event during the AAFP’s Congress of Delegates and Annual Scientific Assembly where IAFP specific issues will be addressed. Carolyn Lopez, M.D., past officer of AAFP and past president of IAFP, will induct the new board members. Oct. 4: IAFP 60th Anniversary Party, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, 8-11 p.m. Can it really be 60 years? Celebrate our successes and gear up for the challenges and successes to come as we toast to another 60 years! For more information on the AAFP meeting in Chicago: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/assembly.html   **LOOKING FOR TWO MORE VOLUNTEERS FOR AAFP NCSC  The AAFP’s National Conference of Special Constituencies is an outstanding opportunity for family physician leadership development and an outlet to work on issues facing various sectors of family medicine. Please contact Jennifer O'Leary joleary@iafp.com  if you are interested in attending the National Conference of Special Constituencies, May 4 & 5, 2007, in Kansas City, MO. We are still seeking an Illinois representative of any of the following areas: international medical graduates and gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender (GLBT) physicians. First time attendees to the program will receive reimbursement for travel, lodging and registration. For more information on the conference go to http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/leader.html  The following will be representing Illinois at NCSC and the Annual Leadership Forum (also known fondly as ALF) Second vice president Patrick Tranmer, MD of Chicago Treasurer and now AAFP Alternate Delegate Michael Temporal, MD of Belleville (who is also the 2008 NCSC Convener) Board Member Deborah Edberg, MD of Chicago New Physician Board Member Tina Brueschke, MD of Elburn President Elect Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg IAFP Vice President of Communications Christi Emerson IAFP Executive vice president Vince Keenan, CAE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS This week the various Senate and House committees held subject matter only hearings (meaning no votes were taken) on the Illinois Covered proposal - SB 5 - and the funding mechanisms contained in SB 1. IAFP has submitted support slips for both bills.  LINK to the IAFP statement to the membership at http://www.iafp.com/legislative/position.htm   **STATEWIDE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS  Senate bill 500 passed the House Environmental Health Committee 10-2 on April 26th – now call your Representative and ask him or her to finish the journey and pass SB 500! If your Representative is Monique Davis or Rich Bradley, please do not contact them. They are supportive and do not wish to receive further calls.  Senate Bill 500 would prohibit smoking in all indoor public places and work places, including restaurants and bars. There are NO EXEMPTIONS for bars, restaurants, clubs or lodges, casinos or prisons.  Call your Illinois State Representative and ask for support for Senate Bill 500 - Smoke-free Illinois (Rep. Karen Yarbrough is the House sponsor). Find your Rep’s contact information at http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp   Link to all the information you need at http://smokefreeillinois.org/files/SFIL_Fact_Sheet_1.pdf   MORE TOBACCO NEWS **LOCAL DEBATES:  **NAPERVILLE: On April 18th the City Council passed an ordinance in the form of a local version of the statewide bill, SB 500. The ordinance mirrors the state bill SB 500, which prohibits smoking in every indoor work place, except retail tobacco shops. IAFP Executive vice president Vince Keenan is a Naperville resident and active participant in the campaign.  ** VOTES - Voters speak on Advisory Referendums. In the “we told you so” category – Support for a smoke-free Illinois was on the ballot in two elections on Tuesday April 17. Peoria voters supported a smoke-free state by a 67-33 percent margin. Winnebago County (excluding the City of Rockford) voted 68% in support of a smoke-free state. Keep up with all the smoke-free coalition activity in your community or across the state at http://www.smokefreeillinois.org  **TRASH THE “ASSISTANCE” FROM BIG TOBACCO Phillip Morris has been sending “help” to providers and schools. Learn more about this bogus program and be sure to toss any advice from Big Tobacco: http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/wheretoget.htm   ** GET YOUR NEWSWEEK MINUS THE CIGARETTE ADS Did you know that if you subscribe to Newsweek for your office that you can request copies free of tobacco ads? This does not cost more money and it just takes a phone call to the subscription customer service listed in the magazine. FOUNDATION: **TAR WARS THE TAR WARS STATE POSTER CONTEST RESULTS ARE IN! The IAFP Foundation was honored to surprise state poster contest winner Tyler Kiefer at his school – Colene Hoose Elementary in Normal. Before the entire 4th and 5th grade classes and his parents, Tyler got the news that he is going to Washington DC this July for the National Poster Contest. Tyler was interviewed by the Bloomington Pantagraph and Channel 25. His proud presenter is Carolyn Rutherford of the McLean County Health Department. Link to the Press Release and photos of the posters: http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/poster%20winner%202007/2007%20winner.htm  TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME… AND BENEFIT TAR WARS!! Tar Wars Night with the White Sox is Thursday August 9th Root on the Chicago White Sox and raise money for the IAFP Foundation’s Tar Wars program! IAFP Foundation has joined with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) for a fundraiser to benefit our volunteer programs. Tickets purchased through IAFP will benefit Tar Wars, while ICAAP members’ tickets will benefit their Reach Out and Read program Each ticket you purchase means a donation of between $10 and $13 per ticket. Tar Wars teaches tobacco prevention to 4th and 5th graders throughout the state. Learn more, or even sign up to be a volunteer presenter at www.iafp.com/tarwars   Seats are available in both Lower Reserved and Bleachers sections.  Bleachers: $25 Lower Reserved: $30 For an order form, please contact Tar Wars Coordinator Ginnie Flynn at 630-435-0356 x118 or gflynn@iafp.com . Tickets MUST be ordered by JULY 25th to ensure delivery in time for the game.  _____ CME Information: **IAFP ONLINE CME 1. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT: Strategies for Coding, Billing and Getting Paid Appropriately. This Online program has been approved by AAFP for 4 Prescribed CME credits.  Read the 2007 coding supplement to the original monograph. http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/701codingIAFP.pdf   2. ADOLESCENT HEALTH FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. The case-based CME program, Adolescent Health -Immunizations & Wellness (Up to 3 CME credits) and Social and Emotional Development Screening (1 CME Category 1 credit), is available FREE on the IAFP website at http://www.iafp.com/education .  **NEW IAFP TELECONFERENCES – DIAL IN FOR CME The IAFP has developed two CME activities focused on the developmental health of young children. The Social and Emotional Development: Screening Strategies for Primary Care Physicians CME activity includes information on which "red flags" to look for in children 15-18 months old, the benefits of screening children for delays, how the conduct and score validated screening tools, and who to refer children do. The Identifying Postpartum Depression during the Well-Child Visit: Resources for Screening, Referral, and Treatment teleconference will discuss the effects of postpartum depression on children and families, and the effects of a depressed mother on a child's cognitive development. Attendees will also learn how identify risk and protective factors of a maternally depressed woman, and use the Edinburgh screening tool.  Each teleconference is an hour long and worth 1.0 Prescribed or Category 1 credits.  Teleconferences run in May and June, for a complete list and a registration form, link here: http://www.iafp.com/CME/ConferenceCalls.htm   For more information, contact Kate Valentine at kvalentine@iafp.com   **PRI-MED OFFERS SPRING DIABETES CONFERENCE in ST. LOUIS Pri-Med, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, is proud to announce a new CME program on diabetes. Pri-Med Clinical Focus in Diabetes: “Risk Assessment and Management of the Diabetes Patient”, will be coming to St. Louis, MO on June 9, 2007. As an Illinois Academy of Family Physicians member, Pri-Med offers you the opportunity to register for this intensive half-day program which focuses on a single topic critical in helping you manage the complex diabetes patient. You can earn up to 3 Complimentary AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Please visit http://www.pri-med.com/ada/r49  for additional program information or to register. Please note: Registration for the event in Oakbrook, IL (May 12, 2007) is now closed.  ** PCN PRESENTS MULTI-TOPIC CME FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS Primary Care Network offers Best Practices in Primary Care™, a 2-day, multi-topic educational program for primary care providers. Receive up to 16 hrs of CME and turn the latest emerging science into better patient care: attend June 15 & 16 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. A variety of therapeutic areas presented in case-based format by nationally recognized faculty. Topics include osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual migraine, insomnia, cervical cancer/HPV, herpes zoster, COPD, sexuality, ACS, cardiometabolic risk, type 2 diabetes, and sleep-wake disturbances. To register, or for more information, please visit http://www.primarycarenet.org/bp_primarycare.html  or call 877-594-1770. __________________ Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.   *IAFP was mentioned as one of the only physician groups to publicly support Illinois Covered and the corresponding funding bill (SB 1). Crain's quoted IAFP Executive Vice President Vince Keenan about IAFP's position that Medicaid payment rates to physicians be raised to Medicare levels in order for Illinois Covered to succeed and attract enough physician participation. IAFP Board Member Ashwani Garg is also quoted and photographed as an individual private practice physician not representing IAFP in the article which ran in the April 23rd Crain's Chicago Business. * The April 25th Chicago Tribune's story on this year's light flu season featured insight from IAFP Public Relations Task Force member John Sage, MD of Mt. Prospect. *The following day, IAFP Public Relations Task Force chair Kristin Coyle, MD of Sterling is quoted in the April 26th Chicago Tribune in a story on the New England Journal of Medicine which surveyed physicians on their relationships to pharmaceutical reps regarding gifts, honorarium, samples etc. Dr. Coyle illustrated the challenges of her communities physician shortage coupled with the patient's high rate of unemployment as compounding their reasons for relying on drug samples to meet their patients' needs.  *Tar Wars Press Coverage -An article and photos appeared in the April 27th issue of the Bloomington Pantagraph featuring Tar Wars poster winner Tyler Kiefer -On April 26th WEEK-TV ran a 45 second story about Tyler's grand prize announcement at Colene Hoose Elementary on the 6:00 news.  *Past President and current AAFP delegate Chris Petty, MD spoke at an April 24th press conference in support of Illinois Covered. She is quoted in the Quad City Times and appeared on WQAD and WHBF TV newscasts. - Also on April 26th, president-elect Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg spoke at a press conference in Carbondale with Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services director Barry Maram. *Two IAFP members appear in the April issue of Chicago Hospital News. Tom Cornwell, MD is featured for his HomeCare Physicians practice and his 20,000-plus visits. Also in that issue, Kevin Most, MD is profiled. He is the Senior Medical Director for Central DuPage Hospital Convenient Care Centers and a regular contributor to WGN Radio. *Board member Carrie Nelson, MD (Wheaton) and President-elect Steve Knight, MD (Harrisburg) provide the “upstate – downstate” look at how the Illinois All Kids program is working for patients and providers. They are both interviewed in an April 9th story in American Medical News. *Jerry Kruse, MD and David Lockart, MD – both from Quincy provided insight into the inner struggle to provide Medicaid services in the face of low and slow payments from the state. Both emphasized their dedication to Medicaid patients, while acknowledging the strain Medicaid payment cycles put on practices and discourage physician participation. The article is in the April 15 Quincy Herald –Whig.  *The following day, Maria Vazquez-Scott, MD of Quincy is featured in a QHW article about recent surveys indicating teenage girls list physician as their top career choice. Dr. Vazquez-Scott relayed some of her own medical school experience and was encouraged by this recent trend, although she is quick to point out that practicing medicine isn’t quite as glamorous as the hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy” portrays.  *Past president Ellen Brull, MD of Glenview is featured in an April 16 Crain’s Chicago Business article about her medical malpractice rates not decreasing, even though ISMIE’s profits soared in 2006. Dr. Brull was contacted directly by Crain’s and was only representing herself in the article, not the IAFP.  *IAFP is mentioned as a supporter of smoke-free Illinois in the South Suburban Chicago newspapers Editorial that appeared 7 different south suburban newspapers on April 5th. *One late addition to Members in the News: Arvind Goyal, MD - IAFP's 2001 FP of the Year is quoted in the January issue of Glamour magazine in an article about women and the difficult topic of discussing weight issues with physicians. *Mary Pohlmann, MD is now Carbondale City Council member Dr. Mary Pohlmann. She was elected April 17th to her first term on the Carbondale City Council.  *Carrie Nelson, MD, IAFP board member, is now chair-elect of the Chicago Patient Safety Forum. ------------------------------- FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS: AAFP ANNOUNCES STUDENT AND RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF FAMLY MEDICINE RESIDENTS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS Due Date is MAY 1, 2007 LINK to more information about scholarships offered at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/NC%20Scholarship%20info%20AAFP.pdf   STUDENTS:  PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY RECAP Thanks to everyone who participated in the April 14th Preparing for Residency event at Loyola. We appreciate Loyola hosting the event and the efforts of the FMIG leaders Anthony Mrgudich and Cindy Chen, along with IAFP student leader Jeffrey Griesemer in making the event a well-organized success! Thank you to our workshop presenters - “How to Select a Residency Program” by Donna Lawlor, MD of MacNeal, “How to Write a CV and Personal Statement” by Clara Carls, DO of Hinsdale, and “Interviewing Skills” presented by Jennifer Swoyer, MD of LaGrange. Students enjoyed personal time with 11 residency programs and the US Army Health Care program in an informal and fun setting.  *Apply for a student leadership position! Applications for President Elect and National Conference Delegate are due May 15. http://www.iafp.com/students/leadership_application.htm   **RESIDENTS:  ** IAFP RESIDENT ROUND-UPS ROUNDUP IAFP and Health Care Associates Credit Union presented their first two resident workshops on financial issues specific to family medicine residents in two debut events this past week: Saturday, April 14th in Oak Park and Thursday, April 19th in Springfield. Resident attendees gave rave reviews on their evaluations of the information and the presentation by Joe Wheeler of US Advisors Consulting.  The IAFP Foundation is grateful for this partnership with Health Care Associates Credit Union to assist our resident members. To learn more about services for physicians from Health Care Associates Credit Union, please visit http://www.hacu.org   If you would like a copy of the presentation slides, if you would like to host a Resident Roundup at your program (and perhaps invite other nearby FMR programs), or if you have suggestions for future Resident Roundup topics, we’d love to hear about them. Please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com .  *JOB LISTINGS AND OTHER INFO ON-LINE Here is a place to start: http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/   *Link to new resources for residents on the IAFP web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm   ----------------------------- NEWS YOU CAN USE **APRIL IS NATIONAL ORGAN DONATION MONTH. Link to the AAFP editorial encouraging family physicians to talk to their patients with the facts and benefits of organ donation. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/opinion/20070416organdonoreditorial.mem.html   **PHYSICIAN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  CommunityHealth is seeking physicians to volunteer at our clinic located at 2611 W. Chicago Ave. A volunteer commitment of just one clinic session (four hours) every month would be welcome. We are in need of primary care physicians and specialists (Gynecologists, Endocrinologists, Ophthalmologists, and Rheumatologists). In addition, other volunteers such as, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, interpreters (Spanish and Polish), and clerical support are always needed.  Founded in 1993, CommunityHealth is Illinois' largest volunteer-based clinic serving the uninsured. Dedicated volunteers have allowed the clinic to annually provide over 17,000 free patient visits to approximately 6500 active patients.  For more information about CommunityHealth or to become a volunteer: go to http://www.communityhealth.org/volunteers  or contact: Kelly Jordan, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 773-395-9901 ex. 23 or kjordan@communityhealth.org . **CMS ANNOUNCES NPI DEADLINE EXTENSION The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that it is initiating a contingency plan that extends the compliance date for the National Provider Identifier (NPI) from May 23, 2007 to May 23, 2008. Physician practices, covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), are required to get NPIs for the organization and their providers, and submit those numbers on all HIPAA electronic standard transactions, including claims. Medicare is requiring use of the NPI on the revised paper 1500 claim form. This contingency plan announcement mirrors MGMA’s recommendation to CMS in testimony before a federal advisory panel in January. The CMS enforcement process is complaint driven and will allow covered entities to demonstrate good faith efforts and employ contingency plans. If a complaint is filed against a covered entity, CMS will evaluate the entity's "good faith efforts" to comply with the standards and would not impose penalties on covered entities that have deployed contingencies to ensure that the smooth flow of payment continues. Each covered entity will determine the specifics of its contingency plan. Contingency plans may not extend beyond May 23, 2008, but entities may elect to end their contingency plans sooner. Medicare will announce its own contingency plan shortly.  _____  REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING **NEED HELP CONNECTING WITH ILLINOIS HEALTH CONNECT? [EDITOR’S NOTE: IAFP is committed to ensuring our members have the necessary information to make an informed decision on their participation] Mandatory enrollment in Illinois Health Connect is underway in the Cook and the Collar Counties. Mandatory enrollment will continue in the Northwestern Region and the Central and Southern Regions in the coming months. Providers are needed in those areas. Illinois Health Connect is Illinois’ new Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) program. In Illinois Health Connect, most people with an HFS or All Kids medical card will have a medical home through a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Through the services of Automated Health Systems (AHS), eligible participants (predominantly parents and children, All Kids members and adults with disabilities) will choose a PCP who will manage their care, provide immunizations and other primary and preventive health care services and help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. PCPs will make referrals for additional care when needed. For a copy of patient education materials you can distribute at your clinic, visit http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/providerinfo.aspx  (scroll down to the bottom of the page). To view sample client education and enrollment materials, also visit http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/providerinfo.aspx.  For additional information, call Illinois Health Connect Provider Services Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999. Link to the full article with more detail at: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/HFS.htm   Link to IAFP FAQs on Illinois Health Connect: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/IHC%20FAQ.htm   **RETAIL HEALTH CLINICS RESOURCES FROM AAFP AAFP Members can access a collection of online materials compiled by Family Practice Management.  LINK (requires AAFP ID login) http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/journals/fpm/retailclinictoolkit.mem.html   Members interested in background on the Academy's stance on retail health clinics or in news coverage of this health care trend will find links to that information, as well. **AAFP PRESENTS “EXPERIENCE THE AAFP” PROGRAM This AAFP program is designed to get Active new physician members familiar and engaged with the programs, products and services available to them as AAFP members. New physician members should receive materials in the mail in either May or September.  For more information visit http://www.aafp.org/experience or call 800-274-2237 x6824 or e-mail experience@aafp.org   **AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION OFFERS TOLL-FREE ILLINOIS TELEPHONE STROKE SUPPORT GROUP The goal of the telephone support group is to build community, provide support and share information by connecting survivors, caregivers, health professionals and other stroke stakeholders. The calls will last approximately 60-90 minutes. Participation is free but registration is required. Please see the announcement for details at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/strokesurvivor.pdf   CLASSIFIED ADS: 1. Southern Illinois University Quincy Family Medicine Program A Community based, University administered Family Medicine Residency is recruiting a board-certified family physician. In existence for over 25 years, the program features a progressive and innovative faculty, a supportive medical environment and very limited managed care. Strong clinical skills and a desire to teach are essential. Hospital based procedural skills and maternity care training and experience are desirable. With a service area of over 175,000, the eighteen-resident program with a Sports Medicine Fellowship is located in a Midwestern community of 42,000. Quincy is great family community with excellent schools and a love of the arts. We offer a very competitive salary, excellent benefits and terrific residents. Submit a letter of interest and current CV to: Tom Miller MD Residency Directory 612 N 11th Suites B Quincy, IL. 62301 217-224-8957 tmiller1@siumed.edu  2. The Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford is seeking family physician faculty for our family medicine residency program, OB optional. The Department offers an on-site MPH program, faculty development, research opportunities, and numerous community health programs. Candidates should be board certified or board eligible. Rank is commensurate with qualifications.  Please send a cover letter and resume to Farion Williams, MD, Residency Program Director, Department of Family and Community Medicine; 1221 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61104 or by email to farionw@uic.edu . Call 815-972-1030 for further information. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  3. CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for 3 FP’s, one in Champaign and the others in nearby communities. Call: 1/8. No OB. Very busy practices. The clinic is looking for highly motivated FP’s who want to work hard and be rewarded for it. Starting salary could be $170K, with lucrative bonus potential. Earnings well above national and regional averages. Metro population of 150,000. Home of the University of Illinois, with comfortable college town lifestyle and many cultural amenities. 2.5 hours south of Chicago. Send CV to Christopher Kashnig, Christie Clinic, 101 W. University, Champaign, IL 61820. Phone 217-366-5374. Fax 217-373-6872. E-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com.   If you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, please e-mail GinnieFlynn at gflynn@iafp.com