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AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

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April 7 – Free Preview Webinar for 2015 MSK Ultrasound Course

Thinking about attending the Diagnostic & Interventional Musculoskeletal Ultrasound of the Upper Extremitycourse in Tampa, FL? Then you’ll want to attend this free informational webinaron April 7, 2015 at 7 pm (CT).

Led by Course Director Evan Peck, MD, this preview webinar will give attendees a sneak peek of the lectures and hands-on demonstrations. Register today!

Upcoming Deadline: Academy Leadership Program

We’re currently accepting applications for the prestigious 2015-2017 Academy Leadership Program! This 2-year program was developed to help identify and train future leaders and immerse them in the culture of volunteerism at the Academy. Click here for details and an application.

AA is ONE Month Earlier!

Make plans now to attend the 2015 AAPM&R Annual Assembly in Boston, October 1-4. Information for booking your hotel room can be found on the Academy’s website.

Meeting registration will open in early May. Stay tuned to the 2015 Assembly website for the latest announcements.

Academy News


AAPM&R Gains Support of Rehabilitation Research Bill

Exciting news from the advocacy front! On March 19, Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) (along with Senators Orrin Hatch and Lisa Murkowski) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Gregg Harper (R-MS) introduced companion bipartisan bills (S. 800; H.R. 1469) to improve, coordinate and enhance medical rehabilitation research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Visit the Academy’s Advocacy Action Center for a template letter that you can send directly to your Congressional representatives urging their support of the legislation.

AAPM&R has played a significant role in bringing this piece of legislation to fruition through our leadership in the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC). The Academy has focused its efforts on improving medical rehabilitation research for years and has been able to successfully advance this issue through partnerships with APTA, AOTA, AAP and ACRM. View the full press release here.

Medicare Provider Call on Open Payments (Sunshine Act) 2015: Prepare to Review Reported Data — Registration Now Open

On Wednesday, April 15 from 2-3:30pm (ET), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide a brief overview of the Open Payments National Transparency Program and highlight the parts of the program timeline when it is most critical for physicians and teaching hospitals to be aware. To register, visit MLN Connects®Upcoming Calls.

Public Comment Period Closes April 17

A 30-day public comment period is open for an expedited process to remove the Smoking and Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling National Coverage Determination. For more information, go to http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/medicare-coverage-document-details.aspx?MCDId=30

Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in July — Forms Due April 17

During the week of July 20-24, 2015, a third sample group of providers will have the opportunity to participate in ICD-10 end-to-end testing with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. Volunteer forms are available on your MAC website.

Additionally, the Medicare FFS Provider Resources web page has testing resources to help you prepare for ICD-10.

Receive the Latest in Coding & Reimbursement Education

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AAPM&R and KarenZupko & Associates, Inc. (KZA) are teaming-up in 2015 to provide specialty specific coding and reimbursement workshops to you and your staff:

  • Saturday, August 15, 2015: Loews Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN

  • Saturday, November 14, 2015: Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL

These comprehensive and practical workshops deliver the information you need to select codes accurately, document them appropriately and optimize revenue and cash flow. Click here for details and a full agenda or call (312) 642-8310.

Personal MOC®Plans Available on Your Academy’s Website

Confused about what requirements you need to meet for your American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) Maintenance of Certification®(MOC) cycle? ABPMR sets MOC requirements for board-certified physiatrists and monitors the process to ensure all standards are being met.

MOC_MEad_2MOCPlan

There are a lot of different requirements to meet. Luckily, the Academy makes it simple for you to stay on track. AAPM&R offers personalized MOC plans on its website. This virtual tool helps you stay on track by allowing you to select the year you were certified and view the Academy’s suggestions on how far you should be toward meeting each of these requirements.

 

Opportunities for Free CME on mē®

Your Academy has recently introduced a new member benefit on the mē®website! AAPM&R members now have the opportunity to earn free CME by watching select presentations from the 2014 Annual Assembly and answering 1 question at the end of each video.

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The following videos are currently available:

Members can earn 1.25-1.50AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per video.

Around the Web

Mass Medicare Adjustment of Claims Containing Code G0473- Due to a systems error, coinsurance and deductibles are not being waived on claims containing code G0473 (intensive behavioral therapy for obesity). If you provide this service, click here for more information.

 

AboutAAPM&R Connection

This newsletter is emailed twice a month to AAPM&R members.

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