Academy News
Academy Leadership Program – Application Deadline is Tomorrow!
If you’re interested in applying for the prestigious 2015-2017 Academy Leadership Program, you have until tomorrow to submit your application! 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.
Senate Passes SGR Repeal
On April 14, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act immediately repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. The 21% payment cut scheduled to take place April 15 was halted, and a positive payment update of 0.5% will take effect July 1. The 0.5% payment update will be applied through 2019.
Included in the Act are provisions developed by your Academy, which would ensure that cross-cutting functional status measures are developed and implemented for all PAC sites by 2018, before any payment reforms are implemented. Additionally, the Act had no reference to an ICD-10 delay, giving further momentum towards the October 1, 2015 implementation deadline.
The therapy cap amount for 2015 is $1,940 (up from $1,920) for physical therapy and speech language pathology combined, with a separate $1,940 cap for occupational therapy. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act extended the therapy cap exceptions process until December 31, 2017.
CMS Releases Article on Changes to the Face-to-Face Encounter Requirements for Home Health
On April 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a MedLearn Matters Article reminding providers of changes in the Face-to-Face Encounter Requirements for Home Health that were outlined in the 2015 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HHPPS) Final Rule published on November 6, 2014. Read the full article here.
Nominate Member Council Leaders by May 10
Nominating is important:You can help your Academy discover the next leaders of the Central Nervous System Rehabilitation, Pain/Neuromuscular Medicine,Pediatric/Developmental Disabilities Member Councils. AAPM&R is currently seeking nominations for several positions within each of these Councils.
If you nominate a colleague, then that person is required to submit a self-nomination ballot to confirm interest. Visit the Academy’s websitefor a PDF of position descriptions.
Questions? Email info@aapmr.org or call (847) 737-6000.
New CMS Proposed Rule Streamlines EHR Incentive Programs Requirements for 2015-2017
On April 10, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a new proposed rule for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs to align Stage 1 and Stage 2 objectives and measures with the long-term proposals for Stage 3, to build progress toward program milestones, to reduce complexity and to simplify providers’ reporting. These modifications would allow providers to focus more closely on the advanced use of certified EHR technology to support health information exchange and quality improvement. This new proposed rule may be viewed online. The rule is not expected to be finalized until July 2015 at the earliest.
The Foundation for PM&R Seeks Your Input On the Most Pressing Unanswered Questions in the Field of PM&R
Clinicians, researchers and administrators are asked to participate to provide representation from the full spectrum of physiatry. The Foundation will use your feedback to develop a research agenda; their Research Awards and Grants Program will use this agenda in the grant selection process, and to encourage investigators to develop studies in the identified priority areas. Please click here to answer these questions; the survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Thank you for your assistance!
Regenerative Medicine Supplement and SAE-P – Coming Soon!
Members have ranked regenerative medicine as a critical educational topic. That’s why AAPM&R is excited to announce the Regenerative Medicine Supplement,Physiatric Applications of Stem Cell Therapies in Regenerative Treatments of Musculoskeletal Conditions, which is included with the AprilPM&Rjournal.
The supplement offers insight into regenerative medicine, and you can preview the 25 Self-Assessment for Practitioners (SAE-P) questions to assess your knowledge on the topic.
The Regenerative Medicine SAE-P, which will be available for purchase soon, offers up to 8AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™and will help fulfill part II of your American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) Maintenance of Certification®(MOC®) requirement. Look for this new supplement with your AprilPM&Rjournal and stay tuned to the mē®catalog for this exciting new SAE-P, coming soon!
2015 Annual Assembly Registration Opens Next Week
Registration for the AAPM&R 2015 Annual Assembly opens next week. Be one of the first members to register for this year’s meeting being held October 1-4 in Boston! This year’s meeting – “The Physiatry Experience: Success in a Changing Healthcare Environment” – will empower physiatrists to become more effective, visionary leaders to help transform your practices for success.
As an Academy member, you have the first opportunity to secure a spot in all limited attendance events, including popular limited attendance workshops and 3-hour intensive workshops. Workshop tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Take a look at some of this year’s highlights:
- The Academy’s inaugural Summit for Innovations in Spine Care
- The President’s Reception at the John F. Kennedy Library and Presidential Museum
- Special sessions on “Improving the Health of Your Practice”
- Preconference courses focused on coding & billing, ultrasound and regenerative medicine
- Intensive workshops on ultrasound, spasticity and regenerative medicine
- Live Self-Assessment for Practitioners (SAE-P) opportunities
Stay tuned to the Assembly’s website for registration details!
Dynamic Ultrasound Education
Your Academy is committed to providing you with the resources to fully integrate ultrasound technology into your practice with our 2015 ultrasound course – Diagnostic and Interventional Musculoskeletal Ultrasound of the Upper Extremity, June 26-28 in Tampa, FL.
“Diagnostic ultrasound offers you and your patients a low-cost, real-time and portable imaging modality that is safe for virtually any population and does not require additional staff or a radiology referral. I’m looking forward to an excellent musculoskeletal ultrasound course that will maximize the value of the attendees’ time and be highlighted by elite-level hands-on instruction.” –2015 Course Director Evan Peck, MD
View the full course agenda to learn more.
AAPM&R Seeking AMA RUC Advisor and Alternative Advisor
The Academy is searching for candidates who are enthusiastic about coding and reimbursement and are willing to increase the visibility of PM&R as a specialty as the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Committee (RUC) Panel. The RUC advisors play an important role in advocating for fair reimbursement for physiatric physicians and their practices. Selected advisors will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the complex process and politics involved in determining physician payment.
Visit the Volunteer Match Tool web page for more details and to indicate your interest in this opportunity.
AboutAAPM&R Connection
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