<sup>IAFP e-News for JULY 17, 2008

1. MEDICARE CUTS REVERSED – CONGRESS OVERRIDES PRESIDENT BUSH’S VETO OF HR 6331

Every day brought new twists and turns to the Medicare payment drama. On Wednesday, July 9 the Senate reconsidered and passed HR 6331 in a dramatic scene where U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) made his first appearance on the Senate floor since his brain tumor diagnosis to cast the decisive vote. With passage secured, nine Republicans joined with “aye” votes making the final total 69-30 in favor. 

On Thursday July 10, President Bush’s administration announced that the president planned to veto the bill. Once again, advocates sprang into action with the responding message: “Sign this bill!”

On Saturday morning, July 12, IAFP joined Senator Dick Durbin and other leading medical and seniors’ organizations in a press conference at Northwestern Memorial Hospital calling on the president to sign the bill and for Congress to stay the course with an override should the President veto the bill. 
“The strong bipartisan vote for this measure is good for seniors, our military families and the medical professionals who serve them,” Durbin said. “Now we need the President to reconsider his opposition and join the overwhelming majority of the House and Senate in supporting Medicare."
IAFP was represented by Bechara Choucair, MD, a family physician and assistant professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine department of family medicine. 

”I cannot understate the importance of blocking this 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician payment rates,” said Dr. Choucair. “When Medicare cuts their rates – many physicians are forced to make tough decisions to keep their practices afloat. If Medicare doesn’t fix the fundamental problems with the payment structure, many physicians will get out of Medicare all together. Tomorrow’s physicians may never accept Medicare, leaving a drastic gap between physician supply and patient needs.” 

Link to the full statement on IAFP’s web site at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/medicarepasses.pdf  

Link to a photo here: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/durbinchoucair.htm  

On Tuesday, July 15 President Bush vetoed HR 6331 and an override vote was quickly scheduled in both houses. IAFP staff contacted every Illinois congressional office to ask our senators and representatives to vote yes to override the veto.

The results:
The House overrode the veto that same day by the vote of 383-41-11. No Illinois representative voted against the override (Rep. Danny Davis did not vote and Rep. Bobby Rush is still on medical leave)
Link to the House roll call at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll491.xml 

The US Senate quickly followed suit and voted 70-26-4 to override. 
Senator Dick Durbin voted to override the veto. Senator Barack Obama was not present at the vote. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Sen. John Warner of Virginia also were not present. 

Link to the statement from IAFP President Steve Knight, MD at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/MedicareOverride.pdf  

HR 6331 becomes law and the 10.6 percent cut in Medicare rates is replaced with a positive 1.1 percent update for the remainder of 2008.

Use AAFP’s Speak Out system to thank your senators and representatives at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/speakout/usingspeak.html  

Find continuing coverage from AAFP at: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now.html 

More about HR 6331: The link below is a summary of the bill and looks at all aspects http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/Reform_08_07.10.HR6331.htm 

2. IAFP News

** MEMBER BENEFITS SECTION ON IAFP WEB SITE
Check out the new “Membership has its benefits” section on the IAFP web site for all the perks of IAFP membership in one place, with links to take you right where you need to go to take advantage of special IAFP member offers and discounts.
http://www.iafp.com/about/membership.htm  

**IAFP OFFICE ON SUMMER SCHEDULE
The office is open 7:00 a.m. till 4:00pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. until noon on Friday. The IAFP will operate on this schedule through August 29th. 

**SAVE THE DATE: PRESIDENT INAUGURATION SPECIAL EVENT
The next IAFP president, Javette C. Orgain, MD of Chicago will take the oath of office at a special IAFP event at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago. Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 18th at 5:30 p.m. for the ceremony and reception. 

**2008 IAFP ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
With so much going on at your Academy, this is the year to attend our annual meeting. Plan now and save these dates:

IAFP Annual Meeting: December 5-6 
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo.
Highlights include a wine tasting reception, five CME programs, the All Member Assembly and the annual awards banquet. Look for details on page 1 in the June/July issue of Family Physician. http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/junejuly08.pdf 

**SEND YOUR IDEAS OR CONCERNS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
You can contact your IAFP Board of Directors through the IAFP website at http://www.iafp.com/about/officers.htm.  

3. State Government Relations 
** SPECIAL SESSION RECAP
This week’s special session of the Illinois House of Representatives ended Wednesday after the House passed six override motions totaling approximately $480 million of the total $1.2 billion that Governor Blagojevich vetoed. However, in order for the reduction overrides to be successful, the Senate must do the same. Senate President Emil Jones has said that he would not return to Springfield prior to the Fall Veto Session unless the House passes revenue enhancing legislation. The House did not pass any revenue enhancements.

**NEW RULES ON EYE-EXAM REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN CAUSE PROBLEMS
IAFP concurs with ICAAP’s advice regarding the new law that took effect January 1 and applies to children entering kindergarten or enrolling in an Illinois school this fall.

Many doctors have inquired about whether or not they should complete the form, given that primary care physicians do not typically perform all the exam elements required and it would be necessary to check “unable to assess” for certain elements. ICAAP currently advises that pediatricians perform a standard vision exam and refer families to other providers to have this form completed, or remind families that they can submit a waiver due to lack of access.

In June, the Illinois State Board of Health voted to not support the new rules. 

Here is the new rule:
VISION EXAM: Public Act 95-671, effective January 1, 2008, requires that all children entering kindergarten or enrolling for the first time in a public, private or parochial school shall have an eye examination. Each such child is to present proof before October 15 of having been examined by a physician or a licensed optometrist within the previous year. Failure will result in withholding of report cards. This requirement may be waived for children who show an undue burden or a lack of access to an appropriate physician or optometrist, or for parents or legal guardians who object to eye examinations on religious grounds, with a signed statement of objection detailing the grounds for the objection. The waiver and exam forms are posted on the ICAAP Web site at http://www.illinoisaap.org.  


4. CME Information
If you are up for re-election on July 31 and need some quick CME – look no further than IAFP’s Online CME center: http://www.iafp.com/education 

** FREE QI/CME RESOURCES AT http://www.YHPlus.com  
Your Healthcare Plus’ CME activities can be viewed and completed through the http://www.YHPlus.com  Web site. Activities can also be downloaded to listen to at your convenience.
The Quality Improvement programs include 
-How to Conduct a Quality Improvement Program in Primary Care Practice,
- Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care, 
-Managing Adult Depression in Primary Care,
-Managing Childhood Asthma in Primary Care...with more topics on the way.
This valuable resource is absolutely free. Check it out today at http://www.YHPlus.com  
 
**IAFP ONLINE CME
IAFP is offering free online CME case studies on Hypertension, Diabetes and Depression at http://www.IAFP.com/education.  There are two to three case studies for each topic. The patient in each case study is uniquely different and represents what you see in your everyday practice. Each study takes about 45-60 minutes to complete. 

• Depression in Primary Care Practice: a case study with coding

IAFP continues to offer free online CME case studies on 
• Hypertension in Primary Care Practice
• Diabetes in Primary Care Practice

Log on to http://www.IAFP.com/education  

**NEW QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR YOUR OFFICE* 
ICAAP and IAFP are offering free, office-based provider education programs on a variety of topics. These programs are part of Your Healthcare Plus, which is a statewide disease management support program with a focus on promoting and sustaining the patient-physician relationship. It is a voluntary service that is provided to eligible Illinois Medicaid patients at no charge. Health care providers who participate can benefit from educational sessions and materials as well as help managing patients. These programs were developed by expert panels of family physicians, pediatricians and others convened by IAFP and ICAAP and are supported by an educational grant from McKesson Health Solutions, who is managing Your Healthcare Plus.

All programs will update practices and clinics on state-of-the-art clinical recommendations and give providers quality improvement tools and assistance. These programs are delivered free-of-charge by physician or nurse practitioner experts in your practice for all your practice staff, at a time that’s convenient for you. Each course is accredited for 1 AMA PRA Category Credit. Topics include:
• Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Primary Care 
• Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care 
• Managing Substance Use Disorders in Primary Care 
• Managing Childhood Asthma in Primary Care 
• Managing Adult Depression in Primary Care 
• Managing Heart Failure in Primary Care 
• How to Conduct a Quality Improvement Program in Primary Care 
For more information contact Jana Estell at 312/733-1026, ext 209 or jestell@illinoisaap.net  to schedule a presentation. 

** NEW! NATIONAL PROCEDURES INSTITUTE:
Our Illinois chapter is proud to partner with NPI to provide you an exciting opportunity to bring new procedures and generate revenue for your practice and state Academy at the same time. When you attend an NPI course, NPI will send $50 to the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. All you have to do is enter “Illinois” in the Referral Code field when you register online at the NPI Web site so that our chapter receives credit for your attendance. You can attend the Chicago NPI series September 10-14, or any of the NPI offerings around the country. Register early for a $100 early bird discount!

Visit NPI online at http://www.npinstitute.com  to view course descriptions, learn about NPI’s outstanding faculty, and register. Don’t forget to enter ILLINOIS in the Referral Code field during the registration process and start getting more out of your practice with NPI.

View the entire 2008 NPI Schedule at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/2008Schedule.pdf  


5. PRI-MED CME INFORMATION 

Partnering with the IAFP, Pri-Med offers world-class CME programs in your area. Taught by leading experts, you can earn Continuing Medical Education credits at little or no cost. All activities listed are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Application for AAFP Prescribed credit has been submitted. 

*Pri-Med Updates 
Locally held continuing medical education programs designed for Primary Care Physicians currently engaged in patient care. By attending, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with expert faculty, participate in question-and-answer periods, and test your knowledge and receive immediate feedback on patient care scenarios. 

Oak Brook, IL – Thursday & Friday, October 30-31, 2008 
http://www.pri-med.com/30oak08b/r12  

Chicago, IL – Tuesday & Wednesday, December 2-3, 2008 
http://www.pri-med.com/30chi08b/r12  

St. Louis, MO – Thursday & Friday, November 13-14, 2008 
http://www.pri-med.com/30stl08b/r12  

* Diabetes In Depth
Rosemont, IL – Thursday, September 4, 2008 
http://www.pri-med.com/ada/31oak08a/r12 

Presented by Pri-Med in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, this 1-day CME program is designed to meet the education and practice needs of clinicians who regularly diagnose and manage patients with diabetes. At every session leading experts will provide world-class information on the co morbidities and risk factors associated with what has become one of the greatest health problems.

* Pri-Med Midwest Conference & Exhibition 
Rosemont, IL - Wednesday-Saturday, March 4-7, 2009 
http://www.pri-med.com/midwest09  
(Please note: Registration for this event will open in fall 2008) 

Over four full days, Pri-Med Conference & Exhibition provides a diverse spectrum of learning opportunities in one place, including Harvard Medical School’s Current Clinical Issues in Primary Care lectures, practice management sessions, Industry-Supported Symposia, and an interactive Exhibit Hall, offering AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.


*Pri-Med Online 
Pri-Med.com offers over 300 primary care focused eCME activities at no-cost in key Condition Resource Centers including: Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Infectious Disease, Obesity, Pediatrics, Sleep Disorders and more. Plus, four eCME activity types are offered so you can thoroughly examine a topic, including: Patient case studies, Clinical reviews, Expert perspectives and Multi-media slide lecture series. Earn high-quality physician-authored eCME anytime at http://www.pri-med.com/onlineCME. 

**2008 WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE CME CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 
Friday, September 12 – Saturday, September 13
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont 

Registration Information: http://www.womenshf.com/2008national/chi2008/  
IAFP MEMBER DISCOUNT: Women’s Healthcare Forum and IAFP are pleased to offer all IAFP members a discounted registration fee of $75, a 50% savings on the standard 2008 registration fee. When registering, please use priority code: WHFC801 to take advantage of this offer. 


6. Members in the News
For a copy of any IAFP news story below, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.  

*Past president Ed Hirsch, MD is one for several physicians who offered personal insight for a story in the July 21 American Medical News on going from private practice to employed physician, or vice-versa. 

*President Steve Knight, MD and Board Member Carrie Nelson, MD are featured in the July 10 “Triage” health care blog on the Chicago Tribune’s web site about the need to overhaul Medicare and how to do that. 

7. NEWS YOU CAN USE
**WELL CHILD VISIT INCENTIVE BONUS PAYMENTS SENT TO PROVIDERS
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services implemented bonus payments to reward those who provide health care to children. Physicians earn the bonus incentive payment by providing children with the number of well child visits recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) periodicity schedule. The payments were issued during the last week of June 2008, based on services provided in calendar year 2006. 

HFS originally announced the Well Child Incentive Bonus Payment in a provider notice dated May 19, 2006 which can be found at www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/051906payment.pdf.  The Bonus Payment acknowledges the importance of providing quality pediatric preventive services, and is intended to help increase access to such services. 

The summary of this Well Child Visit Incentive Bonus Payment Program:

• Providers will receive a one time annual payment of $30.00 for each qualifying child ages 0-5 years in their practice.

• Children qualify if they have had the number of well child visits recommended by the AAP. (Six visits age 0-12 months, three visits age 12 to 24 months, one visit each year ages 2 thru 4).

• Payments will be made at least annually. 

**COUNSELING PARENTS ABOUT SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE – PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT CME INITIATIVE FROM THE AMA
Physicians who treat children with asthma and other respiratory disease are eligible to apply. With funds from the Environment Protection Agency, the AMA is offering physicians/practices $9,000 to support implementation of the Performance Improvement project and provide the necessary documentation and data collection. The AMA is contracting with the Office of Continuing Professional Development at the University of Wisconsin to work with physicians to develop a Performance Improvement CME activity on secondhand smoke. Participating physicians are eligible to receive up to 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.. 

Who can apply? 
• Physician/physician practice whose practice includes children (infant – 10 years old) preferably with asthma or other chronic respiratory condition. 
• Only one grant per physician/physician practice will be awarded. There is no limit on the number of physicians awarded the Performance Improvement CME credits.

Application Due Date - August 6, 2008
Apply online via the AMA web site at www.ama-assn.org/go/tobacco 
If you have questions regarding the project and application, please contact Janet Williams, Director, Tobacco Control Projects, American Medical Association at 312-464-5073 or janet.williams@ama-assn.org.  
 
8. News from AAFP 

** AAFP PRACTICE ENHANCEMENT FORUM IS COMING TO OAK BROOK
Our own IAFP board member Carrie Nelson, MD is a features presenter at this forum! Send three people (one FP and two support staff) to AAFP’s Practice Enhancement Forum October 10-11 in Oak Brook. Along with up to 20 prescribed CME credits, participating FPs will attain the following 
Objectives:
• Assess your practice and determine where to direct improvement efforts. 
• Begin implementing the Chronic Care Model into your practice. 
• Motivate your office team to deliver optimal patient care. 
• Understand how to implement and sustain improvement. 
• Be a champion for change in your practice

Learn more on from AAFP’s web site at 
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/practicemgt/quality/cme/pef.html  
Link to registration
http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/prac_mgt/quality/pef/reg-il.Par.0001.File.dat/PEFreg08-IL.pdf 

**AAFP LAUNCHES RURAL ONLINE COMMUNITY 
The AAFP Rural Online Community launched July 7 especially for rural family physicians, family medicine residents, students and those with an interest in rural family medicine. Check it out at http://www.aafp.org/rural  

The Rural Online Community can help you: 
- stay abreast of news and information relevant to rural family physicians and their patients; 
- quickly find and/or access resources, publications, information that support their efforts to provide quality health care in a rural environment; 
- share valuable information and resources with each other. 

Features: 
• Headlines. Daily news updates from national, local and online publications. 
• Rural listserv. 
• Rural FP Profile. A glimpse into the life of a practicing rural family physician, the rewards and challenges, and what being a rural family physician means to the physician and the community they serve. 
•Updates on legislative issues that impact rural family physicians. 
• Rural Events Calendar 
• Rural Health Resources 


9. CLASSIFIED ADS
Contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  to post your classified ad

**Family Medicine Physician Full Time position available providing services at Scott Air Force Base, O’Fallon, IL.

Interested candidates please send CV by Email to: lh@rlmservices.net  or by Fax to: 305-438-1486.

Requirements: 
*Successful completion of an accredited Family Medicine Residency
*Current Board Certification by the American Board of Family Medicine.
RLM Services, Inc. EOE


**AURORA - Family Medicine residency full time faculty position available in vibrant suburban Chicago community, working with a great team of faculty and staff. Rush-Copley Residency, an unopposed program with university affiliation, seeking board-certified family physician with experience, obstetrics optional. Competitive salary, benefits.

Send CV to Carrie Nelson, MD at carrie_e_nelson@rsh.net  or 2020 Ogden Avenue, Suite 325, Aurora, IL 60504. Phone: 630-518-3635.

**IAFP’S RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH OR POSTING
The RIGHT job or job candidate is out there in family medicine, and we’re here to help find it! We post jobs here in e-News, in Family Physician and at our Web site http://www.iafp.com  for Jobs Online. Select “Job Listings” from the menu on the left to learn more.</sup>