IAFP e-News for March 14

 IAFP News  

**Vaccine Purchasing Programs gets first IAFP members to sign up  

IAFP recently announced a new partnership with Atlantic Health Partners, to provide members with the opportunity to receive vaccine purchase savings. (see next article below) 

The first IAFP members have signed up, including Dr. Jim Cunnar, IAFP board member from Naperville .  Dr. Cunnar’s office has signed up, ordered and received their first deliveries. Go to  http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/JCunnar.mp3 to hear about Dr. Cunnar’s office experience.    

To learn more about the vaccine purchasing program, contact Jeff Winokur, 800-741-2044 or at jwinokur@atlantichealthpartners.com .  

 

**IAFP PARTNERS WITH ATLANTIC HEALTH PARTNERS FOR VACCINE  SAVINGS AND ADVOCACY  

The very mention of immunizations can start debate among anyone who works in family medicine.   The AAFP and IAFP have been working in recent years to identify how to assist our members deal with the ever-increasing costs of providing vaccines, along with addressing proper storage, ordering, and payment problems.  

IAFP is pleased to announce a strong, new partner to help with vaccine purchase savings.  This new partner – Atlantic Health Partners – can help our member practices save precious dollars and advocate on your behalf with payers and manufacturers.  Atlantic , a physician purchasing program, works directly with Sanofi Pasteur and Merck and has obtained very favorable pricing and purchasing terms for a wide variety of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and travel vaccines.  Members of the Atlantic program make purchases directly from Sanofi and Merck (as many of you do now) but typically receive better pricing and purchasing terms.  In addition, participation is voluntary and there is no cost to enroll in the Atlantic program.

 

**MATCH DAY 2008 AND NEW IAFP WORKFORCE VIDEO 

Illinois fourth year medical students are eagerly awaiting March 20, Match Day!  That is when they will find out where they will go for continued training in the medical specialty of their choice. 

For family medicine, hopes are for continuing the trend started in 2004 for more medical students to go into Illinois family medicine residency programs.  Match Day 2007 results saw 91% of Illinois family medicine residency slots filled on Match Day.  For more information, see http://www.iafp.com/students/2007%20match.htm  

What makes Match Day critical is that there is a continuing need to add more family physicians to the workforce.  Family physicians are the only medical specialty located throughout Illinois , almost as evenly distributed as the population.  We need more family physicians trained so that the primary care work force is strengthened and the local economies where they practice remain strong. An economic impact study showed that each Illinois family physician has an economic impact of $1 million. The total impact of family physicians in Illinois is estimated to be more than $2.9 billion.  For more information and a geographic chart on the impact of Illinois family physicians go to http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/illinois.pdf  

Continuing federal support of family medicine training is an annual struggle and it should not be.  Family medicine training is the key to affordability, quality and access to primary care services.  For more information on what AAFP and IAFP are advocating for, see http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/federal/background-on-federal-issues/titlevii.html 

Steven Knight, M.D., IAFP president; Javette Orgain, M.D., IAFP president elect and Scott Levin, M.D., director of the West Suburban Family Medicine Residency program give the Illinois perspective on family physician in the latest advocacy video http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/iafpworkforce.wmv

**IAFP REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED FOR “CAMPAIGN TO SAVE OUR BABIES”  

Dr. Steve Knight, IAFP president, is seeking IAFP members who may be interested in serving as IAFP representatives to the “Campaign to Save Our Babies.”  This Campaign is being organized by the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, http://www.ilmaternal.org to reduce infant mortality racial disparities by 50 percent in the next 10 years and entirely by 2033.  

The Campaign is meeting on Weds., March 26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Center West, Chicago Room A, 828 S. Wolcott, Chicago.  

To register to attend or find out more information, please contact Angela Ellison Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, 312-491-8161.  

 **IAFP SEEKS REPRESENTATIVES FOR NCSC IN KANSAS CITY  

IAFP is looking for an International Medical Grad (IMG) member interested in going to the National Conference on Special Constituencies (NCSC) in Kansas City , May 1-3.  An IMG is anyone who graduated from a medical school outside of the US , Canada or Puerto Rico .  If you are interested in this opportunity, e-mail Jennifer at joleary@iafp.com.  All other slots have had candidates show interest already.  If you would be interested in being an Alternate in case someone can’t go, or for next year, contact the IAFP office at iafp@iafp.com. 


**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 about any issue or idea you would like.  The Board would love to hear from you!  

State Government Relations Activities

**FAMILY PHYSICIANS HEAD TO THE STATE CAPITOL  

Medical homes and health care disparities are the leading topics of conversations IAFP members are having with Illinois legislators during IAFP’s Spring Into Action.  Kathleen Miller, M.D., IAFP board chair, led a discussion with Senator Frank Watson, minority leader, about the benefits of medical homes for the improved health of patients.

“We do support every Illinoisan having access to primary care medical services through a medical home,” said Dr. Miller, who is a constituent of Senator Watson.  

That conversation continued with Representative Tom Cross, House minority leader.  “My patients whose healthcare insurance is covered by BP Amoco have a medical home,” said Soujanya Pulluru, M.D., of Naperville , to her state representative, Mr. Cross.  “They get annual physicals and my practice is their medical home.  Family physicians want their practices to be the medical home for all their patients, no matter how their healthcare is paid for.”  

The first two Spring Into Action sessions included visits with more than 15 legislators.  You can view photos at http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/SIA.htm  

First time attendee, Michael Fessenden, M.D., medical director of Home Physicians of Chicago, offered his State Representative, Anazette Collins, the opportunity to accompany him on home visits with patients. http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/siamfessenden.mp3 to hear Dr. Fessenden’s evaluation of Spring Into Action.  

Members also had an opportunity to meet with Illinois Department of Insurance Director, Michael McRaith regarding the advantages of a medical home for all segments of the population to decrease health disparities and increase access to comprehensive versus episodic care.  Director McRaith has been an advocate for increasing access to healthcare.

For Dr. Ravi Shah, IAFP’s resident board member, this was his second time attending Spring Into Action and second time meeting with his State Senator, John Cullerton. Go to http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/siashah.mp3 to hear his evaluation of Spring Into Action.  

This was Dr. Pulluru’s first time attending Spring Into Action.  She also saw her State Senator, Linda Holmes. Go to http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/pulluru.mp3 to hear her evaluation of the meeting.  

To register for one of the remaining Spring Into Action sessions on Weds., April 2 or Thurs., April 10, go to http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,M3,d821c2f7-baea-4e06-86d2-a9c86c3ebbf1

Federal Government Relations

 **QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS AVAILABLE  

The federal government is making quality improvement grants through the Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement (SHCPQI) program. http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/funding/SHCPQI.asp   

Deadline for applications is March 20, 2008  SHCPQI will distribute over $4.5 million across 60 new grantees, each eligible for up to $75,000 over a two-year period to support their quality improvement efforts.  This grant could be used to support a patient registry for chronic disease such as DocSite, which was used by all 15 grantees in the first round of grants for the SHCPQI program. See press release, http://www.docsite.com/pdf/HRSA%20Press%20Release_2008-02-13_FINAL.pdf

 **NATIONAL PROVIDER IDENTIFIER (NPI)  

Beginning March 1, 2008 Medicare Fee-for-Service electronic and paper claims must include an NPI on the claim.  On May 23, 2008, only the NPI will be accepted, and all legacy identifiers must be removed or the claim will be rejected.  AAFP provides NPI information in series of questions and answers on its web site at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/practicemgt/regulatory-compliance/hipaa/natlproviderid.html  

 CME Information

** CME CASE STUDIES ON HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES  

IAFP is offering free online CME case studies on “Hypertension in  Primary Care Practice” and "Diabetes in Primary Care Practice" at http://www.IAFP.com\education. There are 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.

*Hypertension in Primary Care Practice: a case study with coding . Three cases on Hypertension.  Learn how to diagnose and treat “Ed, Gayle & Jim” 1 Prescribed Credit or 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit ™ for each case study A program for Bridging Health Care sponsored by the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians  

Links to the Hypertension case studies:  

Hypertension case study 1:  Ed http://www.iafp.com/education/CourseListing_Detail.asp?CourseID=45
Hypertension case study 2:  Gayle http://www.iafp.com/education/CourseListing_Detail.asp?CourseID=46
Hypertension case study 3:  Jim http://www.iafp.com/education/CourseListing_Detail.asp?CourseID=44

*Diabetes in Primary Care Practice: a case study with coding. Three cases on Diabetes.  Learn how to diagnose and treat “Isabella, John & Sam”1 Prescribed Credit or 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit ™ for each case study A program for Bridging Health Care sponsored by the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians

 Links to the Diabetes Case Studies:  

Diabetes case study 1:  Isabella http://www.iafp.com/education/CourseListing_Detail.asp?CourseID=47
Diabetes case study 2:   John http://www.iafp.com/education/CourseListing_Detail.asp?CourseID=48
Diabetes case study 3:   Sam http://www.iafp.com/education/CourseListing_Detail.asp?CourseID=49

 **PRI-MED CME INFORMATION

Partnering with the IAFP, Pri-Med Updates offers world-class CME programs in your area. Taught by leading experts, you can earn Continuing Medical Education credits at 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
Two-day continuing medical education programs designed for Primary Care Physicians currently engaged in patient care. This program features new and emerging guidelines, therapies, and evidence- based information on multiple therapeutic areas encountered in primary care.

New Updates scheduled for 2008!!
Oakbrook, IL – Wednesday, April 2, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/ViewEvent.aspx?EventCode=30OAK08A&CCODE=r12

Chicago, IL – Tuesday & Wednesday, June 10-11, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/ViewEvent.aspx?EventCode=30chi08a&CCODE=r12

*Pri-Med Online
Pri-Med.com offers over 200 primary care focused eCME activities at no-cost in 15 key Condition Resource Centers including: ADHD, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Cancer in Primary Care, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Infectious Disease, 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 .

**FIRST COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE ON PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY**

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Vindico Medical Education and Michael H. Davidson, MD, are proud to offer The First Annual Comprehensive Update on Preventive Cardiology on Friday, March 28, 2008.  This continuing medical education program is intended for cardiologists, internists, primary care physicians and health care professionals diagnosing and managing patients with cardiometabolic disease.  It will take place at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago , Illinois , from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  

The program faculty is comprised of 22 recognized experts in cardiovascular disease management.  The morning sessions will present lectures and interactive case-based panel discussions on hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.  In the afternoon, attendees can choose from a series of specialized workshops that will cover a range of advanced diagnostic strategies and treatment options.   

This full-day educational activity offers physicians 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  In addition, there will be the opportunity for further CME credit in the form of a comprehensive self-assessment program.  Seating is limited so register today!  http://www.VindicoMedEd.com/Cardio  

 

**FIND IAFP EVENTS AND OTHER CME OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS ANY TIME AT http://www.iafp.com/education/

 News from AAFP and its Foundation

 **CHANGES TO MEDICARE MODERNIZATION ACT (MMA) Part D REGULATIONS MAY IMPACT THE WAY YOU PRESCRIBE  

From:  Steven Waldren, MD
Director, AAFP Center for Health Information Technology

If your practice currently prepares and submits prescriptions to pharmacies using an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), it is likely your EMR is generating faxes that arrive on paper at the pharmacy's fax machine. If so, you won't be in compliance with new regulations effective January 1, 2009 that require prescriptions for Medicare Part D be transmitted electronically and not by computer-generated fax.

Find out whether your EMR is capable of establishing an e-prescribing connection with pharmacies with a free E-Prescribing Readiness Assessment at http://www.getrxconnected.com/AAFP/site.aspx. This web site is provided by the AAFP in collaboration with leading medical societies. The site will also help you request pharmacy connectivity from your EMR vendor, and understand the benefits of e-prescribing if you haven't yet invested in an EMR.

**FINANCING MEDICARE - AN ISSUE BRIEF FROM AAFP

This brief provides an overview of Medicare's financing and the fiscal challenges the program faces in the coming decades. To view, http://chapters.aafp.org/online/execs/home/news/archives/march08news/finanmed.html.

**2008 PFIZER TEACHER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS PROGRAM

This program has been developed to honor 15 outstanding, community-based family physicians who are part-time teachers of family medicine.  The award is $1,500 scholarship to an educational event of each winner’s choice.  For requirements and application go to http://www.aafpfoundation.org/x269.xml The deadline to apply is May 9.  Contact Sondra at  sgoodman@aafp.org with further questions.  

**CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION AWARDS FOR FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCIES

AAFP Foundation is offering three awards for family medicine residency programs that develop creative solutions to overcome barriers to childhood immunizations.

The Best Practices Award is for overall achievement.  The Most Improved Award focuses on change in immunization rates.  The Implement New System Grant is for designing and implementing a new system.  Applications are due April 21.  For more information on applications, previous award winners, and other information, http://www.aafpfoundation.org/wyethimmunization.xml

 **POSTER/PAPER PRESENTATIONS AT ASSEMBLY (Due April 18):

Members interested in presenting a poster or research paper at the AAFP's 2008 Scientific Assembly apply by April 18. For more, http://chapters.aafp.org/online/execs/home/news/archives/feb2008/poster.html.

**NATIONAL CONFERENCE POSTER COMPETITION (Due April 18):

Poster Presentations are a new element in the Exhibit Hall at this year’s National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students (July 30 - August 2). The deadline for poster applications is April 18. For more, http://chapters.aafp.org/online/execs/home/news/archives/feb2008/ncposter.html.

**AAFP OFFERS CODING TUTORIALS ONLINE  

AAFP is offering a series of coding tutorials with CME credit.  Each tutorial consists of a short pretest; a brief discussion of coding elements, each followed by case studies; case study answers revealed upon selection of an answer choice, and a link to an online post-test and evaluation  Tutorials currently available include:

Inpatient E/M Coding: Selecting a Level of Service

Outpatient E/M Coding: Selecting a Level of Service

Introduction to Evaluation and Management Services Coding

at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/practicemgt/codingresources/tutorials.printerview.html#Parsys9752#Parsys9752  

 Members in the News  

**JANICE BENSON, M.D. President, medical staff at Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, was featured in an NBC5 television news story
"County Health System To Pass Into Hands Of Independent Board - News Story - WMAQ | Chicago."  To see the video, link to: http://www.nbc5.com/news/15493077/detail.html?taf=chi

Dr. Benson was also one of the authors of a Voice of the People letter “Providing health care in Cook County ” in the March 12th issue of the Chicago Tribune.com.

**MARK DREXLER, M.D., of Glenview, is featured in the article “Students battle winter sickness, doctor offers health tips in the Daily Northwestern, Evanston .   He explains how the college lifestyle makes students a prime target for influenza.  To read  the article go to http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.com/media/storage/paper853/news/2008/03/04/Campus/Students.Battle.Winter.Sickness.Doctor.Offers.Health.Tips-3250132.shtml

**DR. PHILIP ZUMWALT, a family physician from Watseka, is quoted in the Kankakee Daily Journal in an article “Doctors specialize in hospital care”  The link to the article is http://daily-journal.com/subscribers/login.php?dest=http://www.daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=415360&gwa=


**TONY MIKSANEK, M.D. an IAFP member from Benton , was featured in the March 2 issue of The Southern Illinoisan.  The newspaper article focused on the connection between the practice of medicine and the art of creative writing. Dr. Miksanek's new book, Raining Stethoscopes and Other Stories, was also discussed.

 **VINCENT D. KEENAN, CAE, executive vice president of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, had a letter to the editor published in the January 24th issue of the  Arlington Heights Post voicing IAFP’s disappointment over the Pioneer Press articles highlighting MinuteClinics as a solution to suburban health care needs. Mr. Keenan pointed out that “Solving our health care problems will not be a matter of convenience; it will be a combined effort of patients, physicians, providers and policy makers.”

**SYLVIA MAHONE, M.D., Hazel Crest, is serving as the IAFP representative to the Illinois Stroke Task Force.

 **GUY ABDERHOLDERN, M.D., of Libertyville , wrote a Letter to the Editor that appeared in the March 10th issue of the Chicago Tribune. The letter is in response to an article on improving payment to subspecialists.  He stated clearly the importance of family medicine as the basis for the future of a healthy healthcare system.  To read the letter go to http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-health-care-10mar10,0,2868703.story

 **BENJAMIN BREWER, M.D.’s latest article “The Patient Nobody Wanted,” in the Feb. 27 issue of the Wall Street Journal online can be found at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120398164073791983.html

 **RONALD GLAS, M.D., Darien , was extensively quoted in the March 11th Naperville Sun article, “Do it yourself doctoring” written by Katie Foutz.  In the article, Dr. Glas describes how patients bring in  health information they find online.  He tells how family physicians have the expertise to help patients put that information in perspective.

 News You Can Use

 **SILVER LINING IN NEW COOK COUNTY BUDGET

 Last minute tactics to pass the Fiscal Year 2008 Cook County budget included the highly controversial increase in the county sales tax.  The silver lining for primary care in it all this is that there are twelve to seventeen new primary care physician positions, according to Steven Stabile, M.D., IAFP member and Associate Director for the Ambulatory Health Care Network.  AHCN is looking for family physicians who perform obstetrics and prefer those who speak Spanish.  "We are looking forward to being able to serve more patients," says Dr. Stabile.

 **  NEW SEARCH ENGINE AVAILABLE TO IDENTIFY GENERIC/BRAND NAME AND PA

HFS has announced a drug search engine that has been
incorporated into its website that will allow providers to search for
drugs by both generic and brand names to immediately determine if the drug requires prior authorization (PA).  This web page also contains links to information regarding the PA process, PA forms and PA requirements so that prescribing for HFS clients can be streamlined. Click: http://ilpriorauth.com/hfs/searchadv.asp

This search engine was developed and is maintained by the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (UIC).  The Department would like to sincerely thank UIC for the hard work that they invested in the search engine.  

**CDC DEVELOPS NEW IPV ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS

Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5705a1.htm) shows men and women who report suffering from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are significantly more likely to experience a number of chronic health conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and activity limitations. 

To help healthcare practitioners better identify and treat these victims, CDC recently developed the Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Victimization Assessment Instruments for Use in Healthcare Settings. To view, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/IPV/ipv-SViolence.htm

This compilation provides practitioners and clinicians with an inventory of existing assessment tools for determining intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence victimization. It also helps inform decisions about which instruments are most appropriate for use with a given population. This document will aid in the selection of assessment instruments to identify victims requiring additional services. It can also help practitioners make appropriate referrals for both victims and perpetrators.

 Family Health Foundation of Illinois News (formerly IAFP Foundation)

Summer Externship Program, Tar Wars, Students and Resident Activities

 **URGENT!!  WE NEED FAMILY PHYSICIAN PRECEPTORS!  

Applications from first year medical students are currently under review and we need more preceptors, particularly in the Chicagoland area.  Please consider hosting a medical student for four weeks this summer as part of the IAFP Foundation 2008 Summer Externship Program.  Selected students have expressed an interest in family medicine and you can help them learn more about your specialty!  Contact Crishelle O’Rourke at corourke@iafp.com  if you are willing and able to serve as a preceptor.  CME credit is available for your participation.  

**WHITE SOX GAME FUNDRAISER FOR TAR WARS      

Mark your calendars now for this summer’s best fundraiser—Tar Wars at the White Sox!  Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7:11 p.m. at US Cellular Field, the White Sox take on the Detroit Tigers.  For ticket information, go to http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/sox08.pdf  

 

** TAR WARS STATE POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE IS MARCH 31

Poster contest rules are on the IAFP web site at http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/postercontestrules.htm and also on page 18 of the Tar Wars Program Guide.

Please mail posters to
TAR WARS
C/O IAFP Foundation
4756 Main Street
Lisle, IL 60532


**RESIDENT ROUNDUPS SCHEDULED FOR 2008

The Family Health Foundation of Illinois’ successful Resident Round-up series is set to go for 2008!  This FREE social and education lunch/dinner event for Family Medicine Residents has two scheduled—one in Oak Park and one in Springfield .

Family medicine residents will be able to network with their family medicine friends and learn some valuable lessons on job hunting, loan repayment and contracts.  We will present a program tailored specifically for family medicine resident physicians.  Plus you’ll be able to swap ideas and stories with your fellow family medicine residents.

Don’t miss this opportunity for food, fun and finance!

Springfield Thursday, April 17, 2008
4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Hilton Hotel Springfield , 700 E Adams Street

Oak Park Saturday, April 26, 2008
1- 3 p.m.
Papaspiros – Grecian Taverna, 733 W. Lake St. Oak Park

For more information, e-mail Crishelle at corourke@iafp.com .

 
**RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS

Resident information is always just a click away at IAFP’s web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm


**STUDENT FMIGs
Family medicine interest groups (FMIG) at the various medical schools are up and running. Join the group, learn more about family medicine, teach a Tar Wars program, and spend time with family medicine residents and more. You can find a complete list of the FMIG leaders at each campus on our web site at: http://www.iafp.com/students/fmigcontacts.htm

**FMIG LEADERS – have you connected with your “Adopt an FMIG” resident contacts? If you need assistance, please contact the resident leaders Ravi Shah or Helen Williams at IAFPResidents@yahoo.com.

 Worth Repeating

** Illinois Cares Rx Pilot Project for People who Lost Extra Help

As many of you know, the state has the statutory authority to apply on members' behalf for the federal Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy often called Extra Help.  Illinois Cares Rx has begun a PILOT project to obtain the necessary information from our members to apply on their behalf.  In the coming weeks, certain members will receive a letter from us requesting they complete the Schedule C.  If you have a member coming in with such a letter, please advise them this is a legitimate effort on the state's part.   Please let the member know the important financial benefit to them of being determined eligible for Extra Help. 

For questions specifically related to this pilot project call toll-free 1-866-493-3605.  This number will be discontinued once this project is complete.  Please DO NOT use this number for other Illinois Cares Rx issues. 

In addition to this pilot project, we will continue to work toward efficient mechanisms for applying for Extra Help on behalf of our members when appropriate.

**People Who Lost Illinois Cares Rx Coverage

As you know, for many members, Illinois Cares Rx coverage ended 12-31-2007 because they didn't reapply for Illinois Cares Rx or they reapplied and were determined ineligible for Illinois Cares Rx due to income.

These former members are beginning to reapply for Illinois Cares Rx and will be determined eligible now and over the next several months.   When working with these members, please contact the plan to request the wrap or encourage the member to contact the plan to request the wrap.  We have reminded the plan to take this information from the member and verify eligibility using the process we provided to them. We also provide reenrollment information directly to the plans as members are determined eligible by the Department on Aging.

 You may use the wrap request form, but, again, please attempt to contact the plan first to request the wrap.  DO NOT send a wrap request form to HFS if you have already confirmed the wrap with the plan.  This only creates more work for you, the plan and us. Once a request for wrap has been made to the plan, the wrap usually is in place within 24 to 48 hours.  After which time, the member may go to the pharmacy to receive the lower Illinois Cares Rx co-payments.

Please be aware, members are responsible for plan premiums and the plan co-payments during the time they do not have Illinois Cares Rx coverage or the federal Extra Help.

Finally on a related note, members will begin to move in to the coverage gap as the year moves along.  Don't forget cost sharing for members increases during this time because they are responsible for the low co-payment and the 20% cost sharing.  We know some members are in the coverage gap already and in fact some have actually moved to the 5% catastrophic coverage. 

Questions may be directed to terri.gendel@ageoptions.org or georgia.tzanetopoulos@ageoptions.org.

**INPUT ON VACCINE ISSUES MEMBERS FACE

Are you in solo or small group practice?

Dr. Corinne Kohler, a family physician at Frances Nelson Community Health Center in Champaign , is representing IAFP at the April 14 Immunization Summit.  Dr. Kohler is a member of the IAFP Public Health Committee.

She would like to present the issues you have with purchasing vaccines and getting reimbursement. If you haven’t already, please share your stories and concerns with her at ckohler@uiuc.edu.

**REPORTING FOR 2008 PHYSICIAN QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE (PQRI) BEGAN JANUARY 1, 2008.

Eligible professionals should begin submitting appropriate 2008 Quality Data Codes on qualifying Part B claims with a date of service of January 1, 2008 or after.  Information on the 119 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) measures, release notes, and detailed specifications are available on the CMS website at  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has posted PQRI worksheets for the 2008 PQRI program on the AMA website at  http://www.ama-assn.org. These worksheets are also available in the CMS 2008 PQRI Toolkit which is posted at    http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri.

 **CMS INFORMATION ON NEW MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE

CMS released that all Medicare contractors were instructed to process claims with January 2008 dates of service, using the new fees, beginning January 7. The new fee schedule should have been posted on contractors' Web sites by January 11. Also, the "Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up" link on the CMS Web site (online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PFSlookup/ ), which allows users to customize a search, should be updated with 2008 information.  Carrier-specific, public-use files are also available on the CMS website, which can be accessed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PhysicianFeeSched/PFSCSF/list.asp#TopOfPage

 Classified Ad

CHAMPAIGN , IL --Christie Clinic is a physician-owned multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for FP’s for its private practice offices in nearby Danville , Rantoul , and Tuscola. Good call schedules.  No OB.   Starting salary range of $175-200K. With productivity, FP incomes are well above national and regional averages.  We are also looking for an experienced FP to work in our urgent care office in Champaign .  Starting salary range of $150-170K. No call. Champaign is the home of the University of Illinois , with many cultural, social, and athletic amenities.  2.5 hours south of Chicago .  Contact Christopher Kashnig at Christie Clinic.  Phone 217-366-5374.  E-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com.  Website:  www.christieclinic.com

 **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.