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IAFP News
IAFP REPORT ON ALL KIDS PROGRAM
This summer marks the first anniversary of the All Kids program in Illinois. Almost 1.7 million Illinoisans are eligible for the program:
1.1 million children
400,000 parents and guardians
100,000 adults with disabilities or the elderly
The number of primary care providers (PCPs) signed up to participate seems adequate for the population to be served. There are 3778 PCPs who report a capacity for 4.3 million patients. Details on patient enrollment can be found in the Illinois Health Connect Article under “News You Can Use”
The disease management program, Your Healthcare Plus, is responsible for about 160,000 persons on Medicaid who have diabetes, asthma, or more than five emergency room visits in the last 12 months without an overnight stay. In addition to having teams in 24 geographic regions, McKesson Health Solutions (the vendor chosen by the state) has deployed case managers to 11 community health centers and 9 hospitals state-wide where there are a high volume of persons who qualify for the disease management program.
Your Healthcare Plus will be pilot testing the provider profile report with physician groups, including IAFP leaders during the summer. The purpose of the reports is to inform physicians about the claims data of their patients who are in the disease management program as compared to national disease management indicators. The report is informative, not punitive.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) announced that beginning July 1, adult preventive services office visits will be paid in the All Kids program. Up until now, adult vaccinations were paid, but the office visits were not. This change is partially a result of consistent advocacy by IAFP leaders over the past 20 months.
**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.
Oct. 4: IAFP 60th Anniversary Party, Art Institute of Chicago, 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
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HEADS FOR OVERTIME
The Illinois legislature could not come to an agreement on a budget or many other significant items of business before the midnight, May 31 deadline. Session now moves into overtime, when a three-fifths majority vote will be required to pass the budget and any other “effective immediately” bills. Now the House will require Republican votes to pass anything – giving the GOP their first seat at the table after being shut out all session long.
Where’s Healthcare? At this point, the controversial gross receipts tax (GRT) that was supposed to fund the Governor’s Illinois Covered plan appears dead and it seems unlikely that the Plan itself will pass in its entirety, as many leaders – including Chicago’s Mayor Daley – have suggested scaling back the plan to something the state can afford. Unfortunately, legislative leadership in the House has not included expansion of healthcare access as part of their budget proposal. Since there are no compromise or alternative options available, many health advocates (both legislators and organizations) remain hopeful that SB 5 will continue to move through the process as the session goes into overtime.
SENATE VOTES “NO” ON SB 890 TO EXEMPT CASINOS FROM SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS
At twenty minutes past midnight early Friday morning, the Illinois Senate defeated Senate Bill 890 which would have allowed current and future casinos in Illinois to continue smoking for five years. This was a MAJOR victory in upholding the Smoke Free Illinois Act - for this amendment and any future attempts to weaken the Act. Thanks to all of you for educating your Illinois State Senator on the smoke free issue and for making those calls when we really needed you!!
See how your senator voted at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/95/senate/09500SB0890_05312007_043000A.pdf If you called your Senator and he/she voted NO, please follow-up with a “thank you” phone call.
**ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS: HB 1254 PASSES BOTH HOUSES.
HB 1254 provides a plan on how to best implement secure and standardized electronic health records for Illinoisans and persons served by Illinois providers. Creating an Illinois Health Information Network (IL-HIN) will ensure electronic health records in Illinois become interoperable with other states and consistent with federal standards. This legislation is also mirrored in the Governor’s Illinois Covered healthcare proposal. At this point it’s uncertain if the Governor will sign it since his Illinois Covered proposal has yet to pass out of the legislature.
**FEDERAL UPDATE (thanks to Health and Disability Advocates for this summary)
SCHIP
Congress Passes Supplemental Spending Bill
With Emergency Funds for Children's Health
Congress May 24 sent President Bush a fiscal year 2007 emergency supplemental spending bill (H.R. 2206) for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that includes up to $650 million for the State Children's Health Insurance Program and a one-year delay in implementing a federal rule on payments to health care providers and intergovernmental transfers under Medicaid.
President Bush was expected to sign the legislation as soon as May 25.
The additional SCHIP funding was needed because many states, including Illinois, have exhausted or will run out of money for their SCHIP plans.
The authorization for SCHIP ends Sept. 30, and congressional Democrats have said reauthorizing the program is their top health care priority this year. The Finance Committee has set a tentative date of June 7 to mark up SCHIP reauthorization legislation.
More information on the supplemental bill is available at http://www.rules.house.gov .
Medicaid
CMS Issues Final Rule on Public Providers,
But It May Be Blocked by Appropriations Bill
A final Medicaid rule aimed at curtailing what the federal government calls questionable financing arrangements by government-operated health care providers was published May 29 in the Federal Register.
However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking additional public comments on how it defines a "unit of government" in the rule.
CMS issued the rule in proposed form Jan. 18. The rule, which deals with a practice known as intergovernmental transfers, has been criticized by governors and hospital groups, as well as members of Congress, for its possible effect on safety-net health providers.
Provisions of Final Rule
At issue in the rulemaking is how states generate and use federal government funds for their Medicaid programs. In a May 25 memo to congressional committees announcing the final rule with comment period, CMS said the rule's key provisions:
reiterate that only units of government are able to participate in the financing of the nonfederal share of Medicaid payments;
establish minimum requirements for documenting cost when using a certified public expenditure;
limit providers operated by units of government to reimbursement that does not exceed the cost of providing covered services to eligible Medicaid recipients;
specify that providers receive and retain the total computable amount of their Medicaid payments; and
make appropriate conforming changes to the State Children's Health Insurance Program regulations.
The final CMS rule on Medicaid financing is at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2258FC.pdf or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/08_MedicaidRegulations.asp .
FOUNDATION:
**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! 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.
Seats are available in both Lower Reserved and Bleachers sections.
Bleachers: $25
Lower Reserved: $30
For an order form, go to http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/soxflyer07.htm or 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.
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CME Information:
**FIND IAFP EVENTS AND OTHER CME OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS ANY TIME AT http://www.iafp.com/calendar/
**CME SURVEY
Please help the IAFP better serve you and your educational needs by completing this brief CME survey. The survey can be accessed by clicking on the following link - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=966033832044 .
**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 IN JUNE
1. 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.
2. 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
**AAFP TO HOST CME EVENT IN OAK BROOK
Oct. 12 at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook
Topics to include: BPH, Constipation, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Immunizations and Insomnia. Look for more information as it becomes available.
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Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com .
*Ben Brewer, MD of Forrest discusses the challenge for family physicians to care for patients in nursing homes in his May 21 “From the Doctor’s Office” column in the Wall Street Journal Online.
*May 28th American Medical News article on the Illinois Covered Proposal included quotes from IAFP president Katie Miller, MD explaining why IAFP is one of the few physician organizations supporting Illinois Covered and the proposed funding mechanism.
*Congratulations to five Illinois Community Health Centers who received expansion grants from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services: Access Community Health Network in Chicago, Beloved Community Family Wellness Center in Chicago, Heartland Health Outreach in Chicago, Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center in Chicago Heights, and Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation in East St. Louis.
*Past President Carolyn Lopez, MD of Chicago was a featured panelist with Sheila Sister Lyne (Mercy Hospital CEO) and Ken Robbins (Illinois Hospital Association president) at the May 29 Chicago Rotary Luncheon to discuss the crisis of the Cook County Bureau of Health. Lopez was interviewed by Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Mike Colias after the event.
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FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:
**STUDENTS:
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW STUDENT LEADERS:
President-elect: Anthony Mrgudich of Loyola University – Stritch School of Medicine
Delegate to the AAFP National Conference: Katie Eichenger – Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Mark your calendars for the next IAFP Foundation Fall Family Medicine Program!
Date: Saturday, September 29th
Time: 9 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Oak Brook Marriott
For more information please contact Crishelle O’Rourke at corourke@iafp.com .
Click here for a flyer you can print out and save: http://www.iafp.com/students/Fall%20forum.htm
**RESIDENTS:
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW RESIDENT LEADERS
President-elect: Helen Williams, MD – Lutheran General Family Medicine Residency Program in Park Ridge
Delegate to the AAFP National Conference: Vas Naidu, MD – Carle Family Medicine Residency Program in Champaign.
*EXIBITOR REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL FORUM IS ONLINE
Has your program made plans to exhibit at the IAFP Foundation Fall Forum?
For details, visit: http://www.iafp.com/students/exhibitor%20prospectus.htm
*JOB LISTINGS AND OTHER INFO ON-LINE
Here is a place to start: http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/
*Link to new resources for residents IAFP web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
*IDPH Bureau of Maternal and Infant Health and Community Health Training Center present a satellite presentation, "The Well Woman Visit" Preconception/Interconceptional Care on June 20.
Link to registration at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/Satellite%20Teleconference%20June%2020%202007.pdf
Presentation materials are available at the CHTC website, www.chtc.org
**ILLINOIS HEALTH CONNECT UPDATES:
[EDITOR’S NOTE: IAFP is committed to ensuring our members have the necessary information about Illinois Health Connect to make an informed decision on their participation]
CLIENT ENROLLMENT UPDATE:
Mandatory Enrollment in Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, JoDaviess, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Mercer, Ogle, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, Winnebago and Woodford Counties began May 29.
Mandatory Illinois Health Connect client enrollment will follow in the Central and Southern Regions of the state in the coming months. Illinois Health Connect incorporates the concept of providing each client in the program with a “medical home” through a Primary Care Provider (PCP).
The client enrollment packets will provide education and information on the clients health care choices, instructions on how to pick a PCP, and how to enroll. Clients will be required to select a PCP for their medical home within 60 days from the date the initial enrollment packet is mailed. If a client does not pick a medical home, they will be assigned to a medical home.
Learn more about the enrollment process at http://www.iafp.com/legislative/Mandatory.htm
Find an updated Fact Sheet about IHC at http://www.iafp.com/legislative/fact%20sheet.htm
Provider Information can be found on the Illinois Health Connect Web site at
http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/providerinfo.aspx
For additional information, call Illinois Health Connect Provider Services Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999.
Link to IAFP FAQs on Illinois Health Connect: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/IHC%20FAQ.htm
**BRIDGING CARE PLANNER – FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AT YOUR PRACTICE
The Problem
Did you know…
• 46 percent of people in the U.S. have a chronic medical condition
• 49 percent of these persons have more than one chronic condition
• A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that patients with chronic conditions received only 56 percent of recommended care
The Solution
Enhance your quality improvement efforts and chronic care management with the BridgingCare® Planner (BCP) patient registry.
A registry is a practical tool that enables you to monitor patient care on a routine basis. A registry provides a systematic approach to documenting the quality of care provided. The information is organized in one place for tracking and monitoring the care of either individual patients or a group of patients over time. Through a dynamic reporting capability, a practice can identify patients due for evaluation or intervention and follow specific indicators (e.g. A1c).
Link to more information at http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/BCP.htm
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REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING
**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
**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. Dial in to monthly calls at NOON on the last Friday of every month. 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 .
**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 .
CLASSIFIED ADS:
ORLAND PARK - Looking for FT Family Physician in growing suburban practice. Orland Park is a thriving family suburb with excellent schools, housing, and shopping in the South suburban Chicago area, within 30 minutes of downtown Chicago. Salary based on level of experience and partnership possibilities considered after two years of employment. No OB required. Resident or seasoned FP welcome. Contact Dr. Susan Rife - fax CV to 708-873-1204, e-mail to drsrife@pol.net or phone 708-873-1187 for more information.
CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for 2 FP’s, one in Champaign’s twin city of Urbana and the other in nearby Rantoul. Call: 1/8. No OB. 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 Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com
