AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

Your Academy wants to help our members meet Maintenance of Certification^® (MOC^®)
requirements set forth by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR).
Bundled in with your membership are resources to meet these MOC requirements—valued at $440!

• One complimentary self-assessment exam for practitioners (SAE-P)—earn 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and meet your annual Part II Requirement.
• All practice improvement projects (PIPs) are available at no cost to all members—earn 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and meet your annual Part IV Requirement.
  

If you haven’t used your complimentary SAE-P code from 2016 or 2017, no worries. You can bank your codes until you are ready to claim them. You also gained an additional self-assessment when you renewed your 2018 membership. Thank you for being an AAPM&R member—learn more about the value of your membership and the benefits you can take advantage of.

With your input and insights, the Academy has determined a BOLD vision for PM&R. Take this quick survey to confirm your commitment to advancing the specialty. Together, we can advance PM&R into a future filled with opportunity.

This past September, a series of hurricanes brought complete devastation to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All forms of infrastructure were destroyed and the citizens are struggling to get by—with a dauntingly long road ahead. As those affected by this disaster work to rebuild their lives, your Academy would like to offer support. We will be waiving 2018 membership dues for our physiatrists in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

We also recognize that 2017 has been a difficult year for some of our members living and working in areas impacted by other natural disasters. If your home or business have been devastated by a natural disaster, please submit this attestation form to your Academy. Our goal is to support our members in getting back to the incredible work they do each day for their patients.

Contact your Academy at memberservices@aapmr.org or call (847) 737-6000 for more information.

We can’t wait for sunny Orlando, FL next October 25-28, 2018! We’ll be learning about the latest innovations in practice, science, and leadership to advance our vision for physiatry. Plus, attendees will enjoy exclusive access to a special section of the Universal's Islands of Adventure™ theme park for our President’s Reception! Learn more and mark your calendar.

The Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) is designed to potentially reward physicians for providing quality, high-value care to Medicare patients. Reporting on 1 patient on 1 measure with CMS before the end of this year is all you need to do to avoid a negative 4% payment adjustment in 2019 under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Eligible providers who do not act in 2017 will receive a negative 4% payment adjustment in 2019 for failure to report into the MIPS program. View this document, which explains how to submit a claims form with the measure information you need to report.

Plus, don’t miss this Friday’s webinar for more information on your 2018 MIPS reporting requirements. Register here.

Learn more about new research that suggests "acupuncture may reduce joint pain in breast cancer patients prescribed aromatase inhibitors," in this article.

• Michele Arnold, MD, FAAPMR, executive director of rehabilitation and performance medicine at Swedish Medical Center, discusses stingers and neck injuries in the NFL in this FOX News article, “Why doctors say Chancellor and Avril’s neck injuries could be career-threatening.” Read more.
  
  
• Cheri Blauwet, MD, FAAPMR, instructor at Harvard Medical School and sports medicine physiatrist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, talks about her personal experience as a physician in this New York Times article, “I Use a Wheelchair. And Yes, I’m Your Doctor.” 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.