12/23/08 - IDPH issues Influenza data and recommendations Click here for more info

Updates and information from IDPH on pertussis prevention, diagnosis and treatment Click here

New video explains the Illinois Health Connect program and it's quality improvement features in six minutes.   To watch it, click here

View the latest issue of Family Physician and E-News as well as backdated issues.  Click here

Medicare veto override a success!!  Read statement 

Check out the NEW  Member Benefits page loaded with discounts for IAFP members!! 

2008 Match Results

 

News 

New AAP Policy on Hospital Discharge of the High-Risk Neonate This updated statement incorporates new knowledge about risks and medical care of the high-risk neonate, the timing of discharge, and planning for care after discharge. Click here for article

Link to the full policy statement issued November 2008 by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Fetus and Newborn Hospital Discharge of the High-Risk Neonate (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/5/1119).

Javette C. Orgain, MD installed as IAFP's first African-American president  Read article and view pictures

IAFP leaders gather at AAFP State Legislative Conference.  Read article

New Updates and answers about the HPV vaccine - Courtesy of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
These materials were developed by ICAAP to address concerns in the community and among teens regarding the safety of this particular
vaccine to give primary care providers accurate and up-to-date information about this matter so that they may answer questions from patients/families about these safety issues, etc.    Click here for Member Alert.  Click here for patient FAQs  

MRSA/SSTI Survey Results - In order to characterize current clinical management of SSTI in patients outside of the hospital by family physicians in Illinois, an electronic survey was distributed to members of the IAFP.  The project by IDPH and IAFP was led by Catherine Counard, MD.  Click here for survey results.  

**Measles Alert!  IDPH has confirmed a second case of measles in Illinois click here for IDPH memo with important details and instructions for providers.

State expands access to breast and cervical cancer screening for uninsured women click here for info

Medicare news

MEDICARE PAYMENT ISSUE AAFP’s #1 FOCUS AAFP has put up a new "Medicare Alert" feature on the home page of AAFP.org from now until July with a "Keep the Door Open" theme. The direct link is http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/federal/medicarecut.html.

  • Send us your personal story: How are declining Medicare payments hurting your patients and your practice?  What have you had to do as a result of the payment decline?  Write to AAFP at ann@aafp.org or IAFP at vkeenan@iafp.com

Other News 

Attention Medicaid Providers!  You must use your individual NPI (national provider indentifier) number as the billing provider on all claims to Illinios Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services.  Claims missing this number or using a Group NPI will be rejected beginning May 23.

Lyme Disease and Tickborne Illness information for physicians from IDPH Click here

COOK COUNTY BUREAU OF HEALTH 
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." click here .

IAFP PARTNERSHIP GIVES PURCHASING POWER FOR VACCINES
IAFP is pleased to announce a strong, new partner to help with vaccine purchase savings. 
CLICK HERE to hear about Dr. Jim Cunnar’s office experience.  Jeff Winokur is the primary contact at Atlantic 800-741-2044 or at jwinokur@atlantichealthpartners.com  for more information and details about how your practice can benefit from participation.

Check out the New Disease Management website. Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and McKesson Health Solutions, is proud to announce the unveiling of its new continuing education.   Click here for more information about the website and YHP!  

IAFP elects 2007-08 Board of Directors - click here 

IAFP Celebrates 60 Years and presents annual Awards click here

Celebrating Family Medicine - How family medicine and IAFP work together for Illinois. 

A chronology of family medicine's 60 years- 60 years of Caring - IAGP - IAFP since 1947

Steven D. Knight, M.D. of Harrisburg has been elected president of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP).  Read more.  To listen to a Podcast/MP3 interview with Dr. Knight - click here 

July 1, 2007 release from Illinois Department of Public Health on an exemption to Mercury Free Vaccine Act read more.  

Participate in a GlaxoSmithKline/IAFP research collaborative.  Enhance your quality improvement efforts and chronic care management with the BridgingCare® Planner (BCP) patient registry. Hear the experiences of two physicians at www.bridgingcare.com (@ bottom of page) or for more information, email  Kristen Jackson , IAFP’s Bridging Care Planner Project Manager. Click here to learn more about BCP

Resources

IDPH has guidelines for primary care providers for managing MRSA.  http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/MRSA_Provider.htm

You can find a list of other useful documents for schools, athletes and patients at http://www.idph.state.il.us/a-zlist.htm#mrsa

CDC Launches Preteen Vaccine Awareness Campaign.  A new Web site,  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/preteens-adol.htm, will link you to the Campaign Gallery filled with resources for parents and providers.

AAFP has created a "resource center" for members regarding retail health clinics. (Members Only - AAFP ID required)

AAFP offers Tobacco Cessation resources for patients online Go to www.askandact.org for resources you can use to help your patients kick the habit.  Materials include posters, patient education materials, provider toolkits and information on reimbursement.  

NIH offers free articles with patient education.  Read more 

AAFP's new "Vote for America's Health" a guide to health care issues and the tough questions to ask Congress on how to fix our failing federal health care system.

 

AAFP and AMA collaborate on Health Plan Complaint Form.  AMA will share quarterly reports with AAFP of family physicians who file complaints about private payer issues.  If you have a situation, please use this form to aid AAFP in gathering important data.   

Are you looking for information about Electronic Health Records?  The AAFP has a dedicated service to help you with answers and resources about every phase of the EHR process. Visit the AAFP's Center for Health Information Technology 

Bioterrism and Preparedness - AAFP has a new a new website for bioterrism which contains updates, links, articles, programs on bioterrisim. 

AAFP is offering a new listserv for bioterrism and related issues.  To sign up go to www.aafp.org/members/lyris and click on the bioterrism list.

Familydoctor.org - find links to patient information on health topics from A to Z.