AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

Lobby Day, also known as Advocacy Day, is an annual event across the country, in which special interest groups meet with legislative staff and politicians at various levels of government (state and federal) to educate, advocate, and garner support for legislation relevant to their group. One recent example is the New York Lobby Day that took place on March 8, 2017 in Albany, NY. We connected with a few Academy members who attended to learn about their experience and why it’s so important for other physiatrists to get involved in their own states. View your June issue of The Physiatrist for the full interview.

The Academy’s qualified clinical data registry, the Spine Quality Outcomes Database (SQOD), is your reporting tool for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). It is critical to engage your practice in meeting these requirements set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Read the special SQOD insert in your June issue of The Physiatrist to learn why reporting is so important.

Hurry—you must sign up to participate by August 1 to maximize your reporting options for 2017. Learn more about the benefits and how to get started.

The Academy has been selected for an appointment on the National Quality Forum (NQF) Post-Acute Care—Long Term Care Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) Work Group. MAP is a multi-stakeholder partnership that guides the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the selection of performance measures for federal health programs. NQF is seeking comments and feedback on all MAP appointments. Learn more.

A new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that CMS inappropriately paid $729.4 million (12% of the total) in incentive payments to eligible professionals who did not meet meaningful use requirements, as well as $2.3 million for those who switched between the Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs. OIG recommends that CMS recover or attempt to recover the incentive payments. Learn more.

On June 13, AAPM&R submitted comments to CMS in regards to an inpatient prospective payment system proposed rule. With the help of the Evidence, Quality, Performance Committee (EQPC) and Reimbursement and Policy Review Committee (RPRC), the comments centered on quality initiatives, including urging CMS to revisit how pain is captured and monitored under the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey, encouraging a focus on how pain limits function rather than whether or not pain is present. View the full comment letter here.

#AAPMR2017 is the world’s largest gathering of physiatrists. The 4-day event offers unlimited peer-to-peer networking opportunities—from our President’s Reception at Wynkoop Brewing Company to informal gatherings in our Community Network Lounge—there’s never of shortage of ways to network with your PM&R peers! Whether you want to connect on a practice or clinical topic, AAPM&R provides you the opportunities to interact and grow with your peers. View all of our networking activities.

Come to #AAPMR2017 early for our new spasticity preconference course on October 11. Attendees will focus on appropriate assessment and treatment planning, hands-on skills to enhance interventions (including botulinum toxin, nerve blocks and intrathecal baclofen; ultrasound, EMG and electrical stimulation guidance), and information on developing a spasticity management program. Learn more and register by August 30 for discounts. All preconference courses are MOC^® approved—visit the website for details.

We have reserved a number of discounted hotel rooms for #AAPMR2017. Discounted rates are available through September 8. Reserve your room now.

We’re seeking applications for the position of Editor-in-Chief of PM&R for a 5-year term that will begin with the January 2019 issue. Interested applicants must be able to demonstrate a record of scholarship in physical medicine and rehabilitation, prior experience in scientific editing (preferably journal editing), and history of leadership. Applications must be received by August 31. Learn more.

The AAPM&R Physiatrist-in-Training (PHiT) Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the PHiT Board. PHiT is the new name for our former Resident Physician Council (RPC), which was approved by the Academy's Board of Governors earlier this month. Any interested, current AAPM&R resident and associate fellow (those in fellowship 2017-2018) members may apply now. Don’t miss your chance to get involved! Learn more.

The Next Step Interventional Ultrasound: Hands-On PM&R Applications is a course built for a physiatrist—not just a sports medicine doctor. On August 18-20 at the new Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, take your ultrasound experience to the next level with hands-on training, straight from physiatry experts!

Academy Tested, Board Approved! This course has been approved by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) for a maximum of 16.25 Maintenance of Certification^® (MOC^®) Part II Self-Assessment credits. Attendees must actively participate and complete a self-evaluation at the conclusion of the course to earn MOC Part II credit. Learn more and register now to save.

If you attended the 2016 Annual Assembly, don’t forget to claim your CME. Visit the My Education tab on mē^® to get started—you have until October 20, 2017 to claim your credit.

• Robert B. Goldberg, DO, FAAPMR, director of strategic medical initiatives for the Touro College and University System, was elected to the AMA Council on Medical Education.
  
  
• Alexius Enrique G. Sandoval, MD, FAAPMR, medical director of the Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation Program at Johns Hopkins Medicine, discusses the different types of spasticity and ways to manage it. Read more.
  

Do you have a newsworthy story to share with your peers? Send us an email at: pressinquiries@aapmr.org. Please note: AAPM&R reserves the right to deny requests where the purpose or content may not be considered in the best interests of AAPM&R or its members.