IAFP e-News for November 7, 2008 **2008 IAFP ANNUAL MEETING – HOTEL DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 21 Meeting date: December 5-6, 2008 Illinois Family Medicine is heading south to St. Louis one month from now. That means the hotel room block deadline is fast approaching. If you need a hotel room for December 5th and/or 6th you must make your reservation by FRIDAY November 21 to be guaranteed the IAFP meeting room rate of $109.  IAFP President Steve Knight, an avid Cardinals fan and season ticket holder, looks forward to welcoming IAFP members from around the state to St. Louis.  Highlights of this meeting include 1. A full day of high-quality live CME programs for ONLY $25 2. The annual awards banquet honoring our Family Physician of the Year, the Teachers of the Year and the three President’s Award recipients.  3. The All-Member Assembly and elections – every member has a voice and a vote! Take an active role in deciding the direction you want your academy to go! 4. A family fun event at the City Museum Hotel Information:  Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark St. Louis, Mo. Room rate: $109 -- Cut off date is November 21st Call 877-845-7354 Learn more about the hotel at http://www.hilton.com   REGISTER FOR THE MEETING ONLINE AT:  http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?5S,M3,f2aa45ce-5430-46dd-b736-f4ca4c0381a1  ** LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Tim Vega, chair of the Leadership Development Task Force reports the unanimous decision of the Task Force for the slate of candidates to be voted on at the IAFP All Member Assembly, Sat., Dec. 6, 2008, Hilton at the Ballpark, St. Louis. For president-elect, Patrick A. Tranmer, M.D., Oak Park For first vice president, David J. Hagan, M.D., Gibson City For second vice president Michael P. Temporal, M.D., Belleville For board directors, class of 2011, three openings -Janet Albers, M.D., Springfield -Tamarah Duperval-Brownlee, M.D., Chicago -Tim Morthland, M.D., West Frankfort For new physician board member, one opening The Task Force slated two candidates, as there is a bylaws amendment before the All Member Assembly to increase the number of new physician board members to two, to make each position two years in length and to stagger the terms. If passed, the board would need two new physician board members, one serving two years and the other serving one year. For a two year position, Ravi Shah, M.D., Chicago For a one year position, Allison Rittmann, M.D., Schaumburg AAFP Delegate, Ellen S. Brull, M.D. Glenview AAFP Alternate Delegate, Kathleen J. Miller, M.D. Decatur Treasurer Tina Brueschke, M.D., Geneva IAFP News **JOIN US FOR THE NEXT IAFP PRESIDENT INAUGURATION  Javette C. Orgain, MD of Chicago will take the oath of office as the next IAFP president at a special event. Tuesday, November 18th at 5:30pm Harold Washington Library, 9th Floor South Hall  400 South State Street in downtown Chicago **The South Loop area has several parking garages conveniently located near the Library. Enter the Library from the Plymouth Court (west) side of the building.  There is no charge to attend this event.  AAFP past-president Warren Jones, MD will administer the Oath of Office as Dr. Orgain becomes the first African-American president of the IAFP. Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 18th at 5:30 p.m. for the ceremony and reception. To RSVP, please send an e-mail to iafp@iafp.com  or call Diana at 630-427-8003.  ** MEMBER BENEFITS SECTION ON IAFP WEB SITE Check out the “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   Government Relations  **WHERE DID YOU SPEND YOUR ELECTION DAY?  Did you join the thousands at Grant Park? Did you celebrate with a local candidate at a victory party? Were you there to support a candidate who lost a hard fought race? Send us your stories to iafp@iafp.com  for a future E-news and the December/January issue of Family Physician! To ensure that the IAFP remains active and supportive, please send your respective elected officials a congratulatory note. Make sure that your lawmakers know that you stand ready and willing to offer guidance and counsel on health care issues.  **THINGS WILL BE CHANGING IN ILLINOIS There will be many new faces along with familiar ones in the Illinois General Assembly and in the US House of Representatives in 2009 as a result of this week’s election. Also, now that Illinois US Senator Barack Obama is moving into the White House and US Rep. Rahm Emanuel will be joining him as chief of staff, a chain reaction of appointments and special elections will take place over the coming months. By the time President Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, our Congressional Delegation and General Assembly could have quite a few changes.  Link to a complete scorecard from Cook-Witter, Inc. for election unofficial results, go to: http://www.cook-witter.com/library.html.  Federal Government Relations ** E-RX REQUIREMENTS DEADLINE PUSHED BACK TO 2012 (Excepted from AAFP News Now By Sheri Porter, 11/5/08) Physicians who participate in Medicare and depend on computer-generated faxes to transmit prescriptions to pharmacies can breathe a collective sigh of relief. CMS has extended its deadline for banning faxed prescriptions by three years, moving the Jan. 1, 2009, deadline to Jan. 1, 2012.  The deadline change is included in the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule announced by CMS on Oct. 30. According to CMS' press release, the agency reversed its position "in the interest of patient care and safety and to encourage prescribers and dispensers to adopt e-prescribing."  CME Information ** 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.   • 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   **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.  Chicago, IL – Tuesday & Wednesday, December 2-3, 2008  http://www.pri-med.com/30chi08b/r12   * 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.  Foundation/Tar Wars **TAR WARS UPDATE All the presenters and schools have been notified for the 2008-09 school year.  Start making plans and setting up your presentations!  Just a couple of reminders: 1. Make sure you download the 2008-09 Program guide at  http://www.tarwars.org/cgi-bin/download_tracking.pl  You will need to fill out the form and select “Illinois” from the drop down menu to help the national program track state use/participation. 2. The state poster contest deadline is April 6, 2009 If you’re interested in signing up as a new presenter, it’s not too late! Contact Ginnie at gflynn@iafp.com  or link to a presenter form at http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/corporate/presentersignup.htm   **RAISE MONEY FOR THE FOUNDATION WHILE HOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE—FREE AND EASY! You can make money for the Family Health Foundation of Illinois and enjoy the convenience of online holiday shopping at the same time. All you need to do is sign up at http://www.iGive.com/IAFPF  and then shop from the participating stores that you already know and love. Go to www.iGive.com/IAFP  and receive a free membership (no costs or obligations) to shop at hundreds online stores. Then start shopping - you’ll be helping the IAFP Foundation at the same time! Each little purchase IAFP members make add up to important revenue.  Just by doing a little shopping all year-round, a percentage of every purchase will be donated directly to the IAFP Foundation! It’s a quick and easy way to donate money to the Foundation. Prices are not changed; simply a small portion of your purchase price is given to the Foundation. The list is not sold or traded. Try it today—you have nothing to lose and we have a lot to gain! **PRECEPTORS NEEDED FOR 2009 SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM The IAFP Foundation Summer Externship Program has successfully introduced more than 700 medical students to the specialty of family medicine since its inception in 1990. Our track record speaks for itself: one-third of our externs are now family physicians, and two-thirds are in primary care specialties. We also have several former externs who have completed residency training and are now serving as preceptors for this program.  YOU are our best recruiting tool for family medicine! If you are interested in serving as a preceptor for the 2009 IAFP Foundation Summer Externship Program, please contact Crishelle O’Rourke at 630-427-8006 or via e-mail at corourke@iafp.com  for more information or you can link to a preceptor form online at http://www.iafp.com/foundation/preceptor%20form.htm.   Members in the News For a copy of any IAFP news story below, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.   *Two IAFP members placed letters to the editor this week calling for our state and federal governments to take the same energy that they put into financial rescue packages and put that urgency into fixing our failing health care system. Dr. Soujana Pulluru’s letter appeared in the October 30th Naperville Sun and Dr. Manoj Mathew’s letter appeared in the November 4th Mattoon Journal-Gazette.  *Eric Schackow, MD of Chicago was quoted in an October 25th Associated Press story about a recent increase in patients skipping medications, office visits or scheduled screenings and tests as they try to balance their budgets in the face or our nation’s difficult economy.  *In a follow up to that AP story in the October 27th Chicago Sun-times Tamarah Duperval-Brownlee, MD was quoted about the adverse effects she is seeing in patients who are foregoing needed care at her Mile Square Health Center on the west side of Chicago, calling the situation “heartbreaking.” * David McCarthy, MD of O’Fallon is featured in American Medical News Oct. 20th sidebar story about his transition from an enlisted military physician to a private practice civilian ten years ago. The sidebar was part of a large feature on physicians and military service.  NEWS YOU CAN USE NOVEMBER 20TH IS GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT This month the American Cancer Society marks the 32nd annual Great American Smokeout (GASO). Nationally recognized as a platform to educate the public on the dangers associated with tobacco use, GASO encourages smokers to quit for a lifetime by starting with just one day.  What a great time to talk to every patient who smokes about how and when to quit. Remember, AAFP has a wealth of information and support materials through their Ask and Act program at http://www.askandact.org  For more ideas and information about how to get involved in the Great American Smokeout, visit http://acsf2f.com/gaso/index.html  .  **ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD FOR THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 15 AND RUNS UNTIL DECEMBER 31 Seniors should review their drug plans every year. Even if their medications haven't changed, it's almost certain that their plan's formulary of drugs covered and pricing have. Medicare contracts with a variety of insurance companies that submit new plans to Medicare each year.  ONLINE Resource: Medicare Prescription Drug Care Plan Finder at http://www.medicare.gov . By entering ZIP code, drug names, dosage information, and 30-day supply amounts, users can obtain a prioritized list of prescription drug plan options sorted from the least expensive to the most expensive plan based on total estimated annual cost. You can display all plans, do a side-by-side comparison and drill down to obtain specific information on how to lower drug costs. The drug list can even be saved for later reference. **PROVIDE YOUR PATIENTS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF LEAD  Safe and Healthy Homes: A Primary Prevention project is a new endeavor from the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics to assist physicians in educating their families about lead. Practices ask families to fill out a fax form and send it to the Metropolitan Tenants Organization who will provide specific information about their home and will assisting them in obtaining a free lead inspection from the Health Department. Chicago continues to be a national hot spot for lead poisoning with over 6800 children having lead levels above 10 in 2003. By helping families identify lead hazards in their home early in infancy, these children will avoid elevated lead levels and the long term consequences of lead poisoning. To learn more about the program or to receive a customized map of your practice, contact Jennie Pinkwater at jpinkwater@illinoisaap.com  or 312/733-1026 ext 213.  WORTH REPEATING: **CDC UPDATED FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released updated guidelines for the upcoming 2008-09 influenza season. New this year, the Committee recommends that all children age six-months to 18 years old should be vaccinated annually. Previously, children six months to age five were recommended. Recommendations for adults have not changed. To see the full set of guidelines for both children and adults, visit:  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5707a1.htm  News from AAFP  **AAFP LIVE!! November 21, OAK BROOK  You and your entire care team are invited to this live event to learn the latest diagnostic and treatment information you can immediately put to use in your practice. This full day program will bring primary care physicians and others in the care team high-quality, practice-oriented live CME with: • A fair and balanced view • The latest diagnostic and treatment information • Valuable information you can immediately put to use in your practice Topics include: - Fibromyalgia  - Hyperlipidemia - Immunizations - Musculoskeletal Concerns in the Pediatric Patient - Pain Management - The Appropriate Use of Opioids Up to 12.5 AAFP Prescribed Credits Approved Up to 6.5 AMA PRA Category I Credits™ You can link to: http://www.aafp.org/aafplive  or http://www.antidotecme.com/aafplive/OakBrook.aspx  **AAFP GUIDE TO MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS The uncertainly surrounding the future of Medicare physician payments can wreak havoc on your insurance and manage care payments as well. Be prepared with AAFP’s 12 page Contracting Guide. Link to it on the Private Sector Advocacy Section on the AAFP web site (Member login required) http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/privatesector.html   ** PARTICIPATE IN AN AAFP RESEARCH STUDY  Join this exciting AAFP National Research Network evaluation project and help us determine if the AAFP Practice Enhancement Forum (PEF) or AAFP METRIC Quality Improvement Programs have:  • Changed practice systems or processes related to patient care outcomes.  • Made improvements in patient processes and intermediate patient outcomes.  Participants will be compensated for their time and expenses, and may receive up to 20 CME credits.  Find out more about participating in the Research Study at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/research/natnet/studies/current.html