Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
Our first article this issue looks at how ACP is urging the U.S. Congress to act on two issues with impending deadlines that could affect doctors nationwide: repeal of the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) and extension of the Medicaid Pay Parity Program.
As we detailed last issue, the Medicaid Pay Parity Program expires at the end of the year if Congress does not act. If it's not extended, doctors who see Medicaid patients could face an immediate cut in the amount of money they receive for services. The advocacy Pay Parity Campaign we unveiled a week ago is described in this news release. Meanwhile, Congress has until March 31, 2015, to act on the SGR, either repealing it or opting for a short-term path. Without either, physicians could face a 24 percent cut in Medicare payments.
This issue’s second article describes how a flexible new Medicare rule on electronic health records will help physicians meet reporting requirements for 2014. However, the rule also sets standards so high for 2015 that it may prompt physicians to simply throw up their hands, say ACP experts.
Finally, the codes really are coming this time… or about a year from now. And it’s time to get ready! "We just need to be prepared," says Dr. David Fleming, ACP president. "Part of our due diligence as physicians is to be knowledgeable about these codes and have people around us who are knowledgeable." We provide you with some tips to get ready. For more information on ICD-10 see the “sidebar” next to this Welcome.
Until our next issue and for more coverage of what's happening in Washington take a look at my award-winning blog, The ACP Advocate Blog by Bob Doherty. You can also follow me on Twitter @BobDohertyACP.
As always, please send your feedback and suggestions on this newsletter to: TheACPAdvocate@acponline.org.
Yours truly,
Bob Doherty
Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
American College of Physicians |
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| In focus |
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ICD-10 Deadline Extension |
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On April 1, 2014, President Obama signed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (HR 4302), which among other things, extended the deadline for ICD-10 by one year to October 1, 2015. In addition, on May 1, 2014, CMS announced that, accordingly, October 1, 2015, will be the new compliance date that will require the use of ICD-10. Furthermore, all HIPAA covered entities must continue to use ICD-9 through September 30, 2015. ACP has many free and discounted resources for understanding, training for, and implementing ICD-10. As we get more information about how this will play out, we will post it here: ICD-10. |
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Students to Service Program |
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If you are a student in your final year at accredited U.S. allopathic and osteopathic medical school, are committed to primary care and have eligible student loans, you can apply to the NHSC Students to Service (S2S) Program. If selected, you can receive $120,000 in loan repayment for committing to serve at an approved NHSC site full time for at least 3 years (or half time for at least 6 years) following the completion of a primary care residency. The FY 2015 S2S LRP application cycle opened on September 17, 2014.
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Accepting Applications: ACP Health Policy Internship Program |
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The American College of Physicians is pleased to offer the Health Policy Internship for Residents/Fellows and Medical Student Members. This internship represents a unique opportunity to develop legislative knowledge and advocacy skills by working directly with ACP's Washington, D.C., staff and participating in ACP’s annual Leadership Day.
The ACP Health Policy Internship provides a multifaceted opportunity to learn about the legislative process, health policy, and advocacy in organized medicine.
The deadline for applications is October 20, 2014. |
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Become an Advocate for Internal Medicine |
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Join ACP’s Advocates for Internal Medicine Network (AIMn). You’ll find updates about the latest legislation affecting internists and be able to help contribute to ACP’s continued success on Capitol Hill. In addition, the program will provide you with legislative alerts designed to help you easily email or call your members of Congress to let them hear about the issues important to you and other internal medicine physicians. |
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| About this newsletter |
| The ACP Advocate is an e-newsletter, edited by the College's Washington, DC governmental affairs division, created to provide you, our members, with succinct news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care. To learn more about ACP's Advocacy and to access the ACP Advocate archives, go to www.acponline.org/advocacy. |
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