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IAFP News
**IAFP MEMBERS GARNER AAFP POSITIONS
Tina Brueschke, M.D. of Elburn was elected Alternate Delegate for the AAFP to the American Medical Association's Young Physicians Section at the National Conference of Special Constituencies on Saturday May 5.
*CORRECTION FROM MAY 4 E-NEWS: Deborah Edberg, M.D., was also in attendance at NCSC as IAFP Women’s Constituency representative.
*OTHER AAFP APPOINTMENTS
Past president and current Delegate to the AAFP Tim Vega, MD of Peoria was selected to serve as a Member of the Rules Committee of the 2007 Congress of Delegates.
Past President and current Alternate Delegate Ellen Brull, MD of Glenview was selected to serve as a Liaison of the Reference Committee on Special Issues of the 2007 Congress of Delegates.
**ILLINOIS BRINGS LEADERS TO AAFP CONGRESSIONAL CONFERENCE
Illinois is well represented in the nation’s capital this week as IAFP leaders and AAFP Key contacts from Illinois gather at the AAFP Family Medicine Congressional Conference to discuss vital issues with Congress. The agenda includes Medicare reimbursement, access for the uninsured, funding for primary care training, and more.
IAFP continued to build relationships to keep the family medicine viewpoint on the agenda of our Congressional Delegation. Like our strong presence in Springfield’s state government, IAFP now enjoys opportunities to provide direct input and feedback on federal issues.
The following members and leaders represented you in Washington this week: Board Chair Rick Leary, MD of Oak Park, President Katie Miller, MD of Decatur, First Vice President Javette Orgain, MD of Chicago, Second Vice President Patrick Tranmer, MD of Chicago, Alternate Delegate Ellen Brull, MD of Glenview, Past president and Foundation vice chair Carolyn Lopez, MD of Chicago, Past President Steve Wilk, MD – formerly of Hinsdale, Jerry Kruse, MD of SIU- Quincy and David McCarthy, MD of O’Fallon. See photos at: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/FMCC.htm
**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 PASSES SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS – NOW ASK THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN IT.
Once the Governor signs SB 500, Illinois will be smoke-free on Jan. 1, 2008. BUT Governor Blagojevich is receiving a flood of calls from the well-funded and powerful casino lobby group, which is requesting he exclude casinos from the Smoke-free Illinois Act.
All Illinois workers deserve a smoke-free work environment, including casino workers.
Please call Governor Blagojevich today and ask him to sign the Smoke-free Illinois Act as it was sent to him without changes. You can reach Governor Blagojevich at 217-782-6830 or 312-814-2121. Please leave a message asking him to sign the Smoke-free Illinois act without any changes.
**ILLINOIS HOUSE GIVES THUMBS-DOWN TO GRT
The Illinois House voted 0-107-7 on a resolution asking if they support the SB1, the governor’s gross receipts tax proposal in its current form. The issue continues to swirl in controversy at many levels from many angles. New this week, just after the House vote, the Illinois Pharmacists’ Association announced their support of the GRT.
**ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS: HB 1254 reflects the recommendations of the Electronic Health Records Task Force, created by Dr. Ellen Brull and Rep. Julie Hamos. The bill passed the House and is scheduled for a vote in the Senate by the end of May. 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 IL Covered healthcare proposal.
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/
**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 MAY AND 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
**PRI-MED OFFERS SPRING DIABETES CONFERENCE in ST. LOUIS
Pri-Med, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, presents 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.
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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.
*The May 6th Tribune takes a look at the issue of retail clinics in light of a proposed state bill that would regulate retail health clinics. Public Relations Task Force member John Sage, MD of Mount Prospect is quoted about his concerns when a retail clinic opened near his practice.
*Also on May 6, the Daily Southtown reported on the Illinois State Medical Society’s opposition to both Illinois Covered and the gross receipts tax. In that article, IAFP was mentioned as one of the only physician groups that has supported the funding proposal.
*The May 7 issue of American Medical News featured several physicians who are also accomplished figure skaters. Did you know IAFP member Erica Hartl of Arlington Heights competes in the National Adult Figure Skating Championship?
*Kevin Most, MD of Elgin serves as a resource on the recent trend of teens using over the counter cough medicine as a quick high. The Elgin Courier did a story on mothers who are uniting to combat the dangerous practice. Dr. Most explains how teens use the medicines for dangerous effects.
*Several family physicians provided input and insight into a lengthy series of articles on the State of Illinois’ health insurance services in the May 13th issue of the State Journal-Register. IAFP President-elect Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg Geoffrey Bland, MD and Michael Brewer, MD all provided quotes for several of the articles in the four-part feature. The articles examined various state programs (All Kids, Family Care, etc.) from both the patient and the provider perspective.
*The following day, May 14, IAFP board member Anna Mies-Richie, MD and member Lauri Lopp were featured in the State Journal Register’s report on the use of electronic health records in the SIU system and how it’s improving efficiency for the patients and the providers.
*The Smoke-free Woodstock coalition celebrated the passage of SB 500 (Smoke-free Illinois) and IAFP member Lisa Glosson, MD joined in the fun. She was quoted in a Woodstock Independent article on May 15.
*The Southern Illinoisan published a letter to the editor from SIU Carbondale student Katie Eichenger in support of Smoke-free Illinois on April 25.
*On April 29, the Chicago Tribune reported on the Gilead Center’s newest report on the state of Illinois uninsured. EVP Vince Keenan was quoted in his dual role as IAFP executive director and a board member of the Gilead Center’s board of directors.
*Tony Mikansek, MD of Benton has been selected as Co-Editor of the new feature section, "Close-Ups" in American Family Physician. Miksanek previously authored the "Diary from a Week in Practice" column in the same journal.
*On May 14th Steven Sauerberg, MD of LaGrange filed as a candidate for the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Dick Durbin in the 2008 elections. The Associated Press story was carried in several outlets around the state.
*Vince Keenan represented IAFP at the Suburban Primary Health Care Council’s Access to Care annual luncheon on Chicago on May 18. Vince reports that IAFP member Richard Dirkes, MD of Oak Park was featured in the Access to Care program DVD and is an avid participant in the program. Access to Care links uninsured patients in suburban Cook County to participating primary care physicians who care for them for a reduced fee.
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FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:
**STUDENTS:
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:
*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]
COOK COUNTY ENROLLMENT UPDATE
There are approximately 850,000 Illinois Health Connect HFS clients living in Cook County who must pick a medical home. Beginning on February 16, 2007 and proceeding over the following month, Automated Health System sent initial enrollment materials to these clients. (You can review the enrollment materials that were sent to clients on the Illinois Health Connect website at http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/clientmaterials.aspx ). HFS Clients who live in Cook County have the option of enrolling in a medical home through Illinois Health Connect or the managed care organizations, Harmony Health Plan or Family Health Network.
The original time frame for enrollment allowed clients 60 days from the receipt of their initial materials to actively select a PCP. At the end of the 60 day period, any client who had not selected a medical home would be “auto-assigned” to a PCP. A small percentage of patients in Cook County were auto-assigned according to the 60 day schedule, however, it became apparent that in order to accommodate the large volume of client phone calls and allow every client a reasonable opportunity to choose a PCP, the 60 day timeframe should be extended and auto-assignment was delayed. (Auto-assignment has proceeded according the schedule in the Collar Counties.) Currently, approximately 450,000 patients in Cook County have chosen a medical home and been enrolled in either an MCO plan or Illinois Health Connect. For the remaining approximately 400,000 patients, we anticipate that auto-assignment will resume by the end of May and patients will be receiving their second enrollment packets soon informing them that they need to select a medical home or they will be auto-assigned.
Provider Information can be found on the Illinois Health Connect Web site at
http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/providerinfo.aspx
MORE ILLINOIS HEALTH CONNECT RESOURCES
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
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REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING
**CMS ANNOUNCES NPI DEADLINE EXTENSION
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will extend 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.
**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:
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:
Ton 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 Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com
