Archive for December, 2015

Georgia Academy Joins the Chamber of Commerce In A Healthcare Access Study

The Georgia Chamber launched a task force to take an in-depth exploration on ways to improve healthcare access throughout Georgia. This study will pursue sustainable and fiscally responsible recommendations to address challenges that include, the viability of rural healthcare providers and safety net hospitals, recruitment and retention of medical professionals, and the coverage gap that leaves close to 400,000 Georgians uninsured and hundreds of thousands more underinsured.

The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians is joining the Chamber’s initiative and Dr. Rick Wherry (Past GAFP President and current GAFP Legislative Co-Chair) will serve as the GAFP’s representative.

“Access to high-quality healthcare ranks high on the priority list of our business community because it matters to our employees. We know that we can’t have an economically viable Georgia unless we have a physically healthy Georgia,” said Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “The coverage gap doesn’t just affect the uninsured and the providers who care for them. It shifts cost directly to employers who insure their workforce, and it poses an existential threat to rural healthcare access as well as the stability of critical safety net hospitals.”

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Committee will oversee the study and any policy recommendations that result. Over the next nine months, the study will execute three phases:

  • Economic impact, data collection and analysis
  • Policy option development
  • Finalize recommendations

“We’re looking for unique, Georgia-based ideas that provide a comprehensive approach to delivering healthcare services to our citizens,” said Tim Lowe, chairman of the Chamber’s Health and Wellness Policy Committee. “Finding ways to cover the uninsured represents a big piece of the puzzle, but we’re going to look at many ways of bolstering our entire healthcare system. At the same time, we have no interest in an unaffordable wish list that fails to meet the unique needs of Georgians. State government has to balance its budget. We need a pathway that is workable and affordable not just in the short term but also in the long term. That’s what this study is about.”

In recent years, five hospitals in Georgia have closed, with many more struggling financially.

“Having health insurance in a community without a hospital nearby does you no good in a medical emergency,” said Clark. “If you lose the only hospital in an area, you also lose any chance you have of landing a major economic development prospect. Put simply, we face a crisis that affects every Georgian, whether they have insurance or not.”

2016 Committee Chair Appointments

The new GAFP President, Dr. Mitzi Rubin, has been hard at work on committee appointments for next year.  She has appointed all Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs and Co-Chairs and they are listed here:

Bylaws                                                 

Chair – Alice House MD – Columbus

Education & Research                                                  

Chair – Susana Alfonso MD – Tucker

Vice Chair – Gurinder Doad MD – Albany

Finance Committee                                                       

Chair – Jeff Stone MD – Dallas

Vice Chair – Sharon Rabinovitz MD – Atlanta

Legislative Committee                                                 

Co-Chair – Bruce LeClair MD – Evans

Co-Chair – Rick Wherry  MD – Dahlonega

Membership Committee                                                            

Co-Chair – James Hagler MD – Buena Vista

Co-Chair – Tom Fausett MD – Adel

Vice Chair – Ivy Smith, MD – Newnan

PAC Board                                                          

Chair – Wayne Hoffman MD – Atlanta

Vice Chair – James Lemley MD – Thomson

Practice Management                                                  

Chair – W. Steven Wilson MD – Warner Robins

Vice Chair – Michael Satchell MD – Albany

Public Health                                                   

Chair – David Westfall MD – Gainesville

Vice Chair – Sherma Peter MD – Sylvania

Student and Resident                                                   

Chair Julie Dahl-Smith DO – Augusta

Vice Chair – Kevin Johnson MD – Lawrenceville

 

Congratulations to these leaders!

The GAFP thanks the leaders who are willing to devote time to advance family medicine in Georgia.  GAFP Committee appointments are currently underway, however, there is still availability to serve in 2016.  If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact Alesa McArthur, Chief Operating Officer – Phone:  800.392.3841 and email: amcarthur@gafp.org.

The first Committee Conclave of the year is the weekend of March 5-6, 2016 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA.

GHFA Corporate Trustee Spotlight: Brian Bibb- CircleLink Health

Characteristics of a Successful Chronic Care Management Program

 

An estimated 35 million Medicare patients are eligible to participate in the new Chronic Care Management (CCM) program. To date, only about 150,000 have enrolled. Why?

Justified skepticism of any “new” Medicare program by physicians, disruptions to practices, difficulties implementing and running a successful program, record-keeping requirements, compliance, expense of time, money, and staff resources, and low to zero return on investment are some of the many reasons cited by practices when asked about their concerns with CCM.

Most practices are in one of two camps in regards to CCM. One, they are interested in implementing a program but are waiting to hear success stories from other colleagues, or two, they have implemented a program and are finding it difficult to run and are probably only billing around 20% of the patients they have enrolled. Hardly worth it!

What makes this issue more frustrating or confusing to many is the constant chatter from vendors in the CCM marketplace stating how easy this is for physicians to implement and bring in significant new revenue to their practice (While not mentioning how this may benefit the patient or provide better patient outcomes).

I will agree and state that much of the claims surrounding this program are simply just “sales pitches”. However, having said that, there are many practices running very successful programs and their patients are benefitting greatly. My goal in writing this article is to hopefully cut through the confusion out there and provide some valuable information on what a successful CCM program looks like and give you something to compare to if you are thinking of implementing a CCM program or already have and are not very satisfied with the results.

Characteristics of a Successful CCM Program –

•   PATIENTS ARE BENEFITTING AND BETTER PATIENT OUTCOMES ARE CONFIRMED BY DATA

•   Little to zero time is required of staff and physicians to run program.

•   No disruptions to daily routines of practices.

•   Zero investment to implement program.

•   Zero compliance concerns. Written guarantees provided that all reporting will pass any CMS audit and ALL required reporting is automatically done for you.

•   Program provides a healthy revenue stream to practice. $175,000 or more in NET annual revenue per 1000 Medicare patients should be realized.

•   Data confirms that costs within system are going down.

•   Vendor offers options that provide additional patient benefits and practice revenue, such as, leveraging the Annual Wellness Visit to achieve greater results.

As stated before, it is possible to implement a successful CCM program and running it can be done without disruptions and difficulties. When designed properly the goals of Medicare can be met, the rewards for the practice can be great, and most importantly, chronic patients can enjoy better health!

Brian Bibb is the representative to GAFP for CircleLink Health and was the Draw Down Presenting Sponsor at this year’s Scientific Assembly in Atlanta. For questions or more information you can contact Brian by phone at (904)-477-8456 or by email at bbibb@circlelinkhealth.com

GAFP Members Recognized at Annual Meeting in November for 2015 Contributions to Family Medicine

At the GAFP Annual Scientific Assembly in early November at the Westin Buckhead, several individuals were awarded the GAFP top honors for 2015.

Dr. Foloshade Omole (left) accepting her award from Dr. George Shannon (right)

Two awards were given out at the George Shannon Leadership Series lecture luncheon on Saturday, November 7 by Dr. Shannon himself.  Folashade Omole, MD of Marietta was the winner of the 2015 GAFP Family Physician of the Year Award.  Dr. Omole, currently a Professor, Series 1 at Morehouse School of Medicine, practices the full scope of Family Medicine including prenatal and delivery care through care of the elderly.  In addition, Dr. Omole has been a member of the GAFP since 2000 and most recently served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer from 2012 through 2014.

Dr.George Shannon (left) presenting Dr. Fred Girton (right) with the GAFP Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award.

Fred Girton MD, of St. Simons Island, GA was the winner of the GAFP Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award.  A GAFP member for 38 years, Dr. Girton served as GAFP President from 2001-2002 and also served on the GAFP Board of Directors for much of this time.  Recently retired from Mercer University’s School of Medicine, Dr. Girton most recently served as Professor and Chair of the Family Medicine Department at Mercer University.

 

Dr. Rick Wherry (left) and Dr. Bruce LeClair (middle) with outgoing President Dr. Wayne Hoffman (right)

Drs. Bruce LeClair of Evans and Rick Wherry of Dahlonega jointly received a President’s Award from outgoing President Dr. Wayne Hoffman for the work they did this past year during the Legislative Session and their years of advocacy for Georgia’s family physicians and our patients.

Dr. Hoffman also gave a President’s Award to his partner, Tom Torrey, for his support this year during his presidential term at the Executive Committee dinner on Thursday evening.

Finally, during the Friday night Welcome Reception, two residents received their awards as well.

Dr. Phil Carter (left) accepting his award from Dr. Leonard Reeves (right). 

 

Dr. Leonard Reeves (left) presenting Dr. Jason Varghese (right) with his award.

Phil Carter, MD from the Floyd Family Medicine Residency Program was the Resident of the Year, and Jason Varghese, MD was the winner of the 2015 Keith Ellis Award as an outstanding Chief Resident.

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Volunteer Needed for Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee – GAFP Representative

The GAFP leadership is looking for a family physician who is willing to volunteer to be the GAFP’s representative to the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee that meets quarterly in Atlanta.  The next date for the upcoming GA CAC meeting is March 4th at 1:00 pm.

The GAFP asks that the GAFP member (who currently sees Medicare patients) attend the meeting and represent Georgia’s family physicians and report back any information that needs to be disseminated to our membership (typically via a brief article in the GAFP newsletter).

The meetings are usually held at Emory Midtown Hospital.  The GAFP can reimburse the volunteer for mileage and parking for each meeting attended.

If you are interested, please email Fay Fulton (ffulton@gafp.org) by December 20 and indicate:  1) your willingness; and 2) your ability to attend the next upcoming meeting.

REMINDER: Recruitment for 2016 Georgia Academy Leadership!

(Please reply back by December 9, 2015 via email or fax to Alesa McArthur at amcarthur@gafp.org or 404-321-7450)

To:       GAFP Colleague (Active, Life, Resident, Medical Student)

From:   Mitzi Rubin, MD, FAAFP – President Elect

One of the most important roles serving as your President for this upcoming year is appointing the Committee members for 2016.  I am soliciting your interest in participating on one of the Georgia Academy’s committees for next year.

I ask that you only volunteer to be nominated if you can attend either in person or by phone all 3 meetings in 2016.  Although several committees meet more than 3 times a year, here are the dates for the 2016 Committee Conclaves:

Saturday, March 5 – Pine Mountain, GA (Callaway Gardens)

Thursday, June 9 – Hilton Head, SC (in conjunction with the GAFP Summer CME Meeting at the Omni Hilton Head)

Saturday, August 6 – Lake Lanier Island, Buford, GA (Legacy Lodge)

I appreciate your consideration of service with your colleagues on a committee.  We are only strong with many voices of family medicine working together.

Committee membership will be held to no more than 15 members. For most committees, this will include one slot each for a resident and a medical student. The expectation is that each member selected for a committee will have the ability to 1) attend the three committee conclave meetings, 2) respond to emails, and 3) review committee materials and be ready to offer advice and guidance.

There will also be larger Working Groups that will be larger groups that meet for a shorter time period to assist in Georgia Academy programs.

Following is a list of the opportunities for service. We encourage your interest and participation as this is certainly an important and pivotal time for family medicine. We are only as strong as the commitment and involvement of our members.

Education and Research Committee (15 members): This committee is responsible for all the educational activities of the Georgia Academy, including the annual and summer meeting, as well as our national GO! Diabetes project and the education for the Patient Centered Medical Home University.

Summer Meeting Working Group (unlimited members): This working group will meet from February – June and the focus will be on the development of the education and programming of the Summer CME meeting which will be held at the Omni Hilton Head Hotel (June 9-12). This group will develop the agenda, review all educational content, and volunteer to serve as meeting moderators and hosts.

Finance Committee (15 members): This committee reviews the financials including staff benefits and the budget. It also makes recommendations to the Board on financial policies.

Legislative Committee (15 members): This committee oversees all advocacy and legislative activities and recommends action to the Board to assure representation of family medicine and our patients.

State Legislative Session Working Group (unlimited members): This working group will meet weekly by phone from January – March to review the policy priorities of the Georgia Academy along with receiving updates on the activities of the Georgia General Assembly. Areas of focus will include the State Budget (Medicaid, Public Health), Tort Reform, Insurance Initiatives, Public Safety, Medical Education, Georgia Board Physician Workforce Funding of Family Medicine Residency Programs and Scope of Practice.

Membership Services Committee (15 members): This committee has the responsibility for membership recruitment and retention, overview of leadership development, as well as all local and national award nominations. This committee is also tasked with monitoring the communications to our members.

Practice Management Committee (15 members): The Practice Management Committee monitors insurance policies and issues that affect the business of family medicine. It also works on practice transformation and the patient centered medical home. The committee is continually monitoring new payment models and works to educate our membership on patient centered medical home, accountable care organizations, Medical Advantage plans and other business models.

Public Health Committee (15 members): This committee works to improve the health and welfare of our state’s citizens by assisting Georgia’s Department of Public Health in their mission. The Georgia Academy has an ongoing contractual relationship with the Department of Public Health that is overseen by this committee.

Student and Resident Recruitment (15 members) – 6 active/life members, 3 students, 3 residents) This Committee promotes family medicine to our Georgia medical students, pre-medical and high school students as well as looks for areas to support family medicine physicians-in-training.

Committee Membership Application

Please return the following form by fax to 404-321-7450 or by email to Alesa McArthur amcarthur@gafp.org

Name: ______________________________________________________________________

I am a:  ____Medical Student      ____Resident       ____Family Physician

I would like to serve on the______________________________ Committee in 2016.

____I can attend all 3 committee dates (either in person or by phone).

____I cannot attend all three committee dates, I can attend ______of the meetings.

My talents and expertise that will assist the committee are:

 

 

If I am not selected for my committee of choice. I would like to be considered for the _______________ Committee.

I would also like to volunteer for a Working Group (list the Working Group):_____________________________

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Member Access to November Board Minutes and Leadership Decisions

In an effort to keep GAFP members more informed of Board decisions, members can now access the November Board minutes.

Even though major activities tend to be reported in our newsletter, members may keep track of leadership decisions and adherence to the GAFP mission and strategic plan by reviewing quarterly Board minutes via a simple request to staff.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the GAFP Board minutes, please contact the staff by email at gafp@gafp.org.  Only GAFP members have the privilege to review the GAFP’s Board of Director’s minutes.

Resident Officer Positions – GAFP Board for 2016

Nominations Open for Family Medicine Resident Board Positions

Deadline is December 4, 2015

Email Voting from December 7-18, 2015

GAFP has exciting opportunities for Resident members to participate in board leaderships activities in 2016 for a total of 4 positions.

Background on Positions:

  • Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Board of Directors – 1 position for 2016

The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) has an open position for one new resident board member for a two-year term.

The new Resident Board Member will serve as an Alliance Trustee and act as a liaison for their peers regarding GHFA projects including:

1. The Community Health Grant Program – A program that awards grants (up to $3,000) to GAFP member affiliated projects addressing health care needs in communities throughout Georgia.

2. Tar Wars – a tobacco education program presented to more than 3,000 fourth and fifth graders in Georgia during last school year.

All resident Board members are encouraged to attend each of the four GHFA meetings in 2016. Travel expenses for the GHFA Resident Board members will be covered at the same rate as GAFP Resident Board members.   The GHFA Board of Trustees will select one candidate from those that nominate themselves for this position.  Travel stipends will be given out to the resident GHFA Trustees.

2016 GHFA Board Meetings will be held:  

March 5, 2016 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain

June 7, 2016 Conference Call Board Meeting

August 6, 2016 – Legacy Lake Lanier, Buford

November 12, 2016 GAFP Scientific Assembly – Atlanta

  • GAFP Board of Directors

As stated in the 2015 GAFP Bylaws:  There shall be two (2) resident representatives elected by the Board of Representatives of the resident component chapter for the GAFP and shall have full voting privileges on the GAFP Board of Directors. One resident will serve two years and one will serve one year, with a corresponding number of alternate representatives elected annually. The resident alternate director shall be elected by the GAFP resident members. If the director’s position becomes vacant, a resident alternate is eligible to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

Therefore, for 2016, we have three openings:  two Resident Alternate positions (one for a 1-year term and one for a 2-year term), one Resident Director position and one GHFA resident position. Dr. Jordan Knoefler will serve as a Resident Board Director for 2016.  The candidate with the most votes will become the new resident board director, the candidate in second place will become the resident alternate director, and finally the candidate with the most votes following will become the alternate board director serving a one year term.

List of 2015 Resident Board Officers:

Resident Director             Phil Carter, MD

Resident Director             Danielle DonDiego, DO

Resident Alt. Director     Jordan Knoefler, MD

Resident Alt. Director     Chetan Patel, MD

As a board member, your main duties are to be in close contact with your peers and report back to the Board when we meet four times a year.

Additionally, many of your travel expenses will be covered (see below).

Prior to each Board meeting, staff will contact you and ask for a written report to be included in the Board agenda. During the meeting, you will have five minutes (or longer if you have an action item) to discuss current activities. If you have an idea or suggestion that requires Board action, staff will assist you with your motion.

We encourage all four of the resident representatives to attend each meeting.

New Board Attendance Policy:

Each district has a voting seat, AAFP delegates and residents both have two and the medical students have three.  There is currently an alternate seat for each of these positions and representation for each position or district should occur at each Board meeting.  The other can optionally attend or not attend without being charged with an unexcused absence.

If neither are in attendance (excluding the approval of an excused absence*), then they will both receive an unexcused absence for that meeting.  However, if either (one) delegate is in attendance, then neither will receive an unexcused absence for that meeting.

*Excused Absences for Board Meetings

Excused absences include emergency illness/funeral of a close family member or if a Board member must miss a GAFP Board meeting due to a conflict if representing the GAFP or AAFP at another meeting.  Absences and excused absences would be reflected in the minutes.

It is up to each director and alternate to contact each other to determine who will attend each Board meeting.

In addition, the Board of Directors voted in November to allow each Board member to attend one CME meeting per year for free if registered by the early bird deadline.  You may choose from the Summer CME weekend or the Annual Meeting in November.

2016 Board Meetings:

Sunday, March 6, 2016 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA

Saturday, June 11, 2016 – Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC

July 28-30, 2016 – Kansas City, MO- AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students

The GAFP will pay two scholarships each of $599 to cover expenses for two resident and two student Board members (invitation to participate will be emailed in the spring).

Sunday, August 7, 2016 – Legacy Lake Lanier, Buford, GA

Thursday or Friday, November 10 or 11, 2016 – Atlanta

Travel stipends available subject to the following:

Comp registration to GAFP Annual Meeting OR Summer CME Weekend (Committee Conclaves have no registration fee), mileage (subject to standard IRS rate, currently $.575), and one night’s accommodation at GAFP hotel block room rate.  Incidentals, including wireless, parking, or meals (other than those served during GAFP functions at no charge) are at your own expense.

If you are interested in being nominated – please fill out the form below and e-mail it to amcarthur@gafp.org no later than December 4, 2015.  Thank you!

 

Resident Board Position: Nomination Form for 2016

Position Applying for:  GHFA or GAFP

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Program: ____________________________________________________________

E-mail: ______________________________________________________________

Which Year in Program:

 

List any current leadership activities:

 

If elected, how many of the meetings can you attend?

Why are you interested in participating on the Alliance Board or GAFP Board in 2016?

 

 

Nominations Open for 2016 Medical Student Board Positions

Georgia Academy of Family Physicians

Nominations Open for Medical Student Board Positions – 6 positions, 3 voting members, 3 alternate board members, for one year terms (December 2015 – November 2016)

Deadline is December 4, 2015

Email Voting from December 7-18, 2015

GAFP has exciting opportunities for Student members to participate in board leaderships activities in 2016 for a total of 6 positions.

Background on Positions:

There are six medical students who serve on the GAFP Board of Directors for a one-year term (2016).  Of the six, 3 are voting directors and 3 are non-voting alternates.  We ask that all six student officers attend as many board meetings as possible and work together to stay in touch with your peers.

How will I benefit from this involvement?

Among other things, you have the opportunity to:

  • Network with family physicians from all across the State of Georgia and other Georgia medical students.
  • Attend national meetings funded by the GAFP, such as the National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students
  • Participate in the discussion of issues key to health care delivery and to family medicine.
  • Learn more about topics of special interest.
  • Cultivate organizational and communication skills.
  • Spend time with other student leaders who share common interests and concerns.

 

List of 2015 Medical Student Board Officers:

  • Student Director: Evelyn Coile, Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah
  • Student Director: Kara Leverette, Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta
  • Student Director: Monique Merritt, Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta
  • Student Alt. Director: Jonathan Russell Brock, Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon
  • Student Alt. Director: Candace Markley, Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta
  • Student Alt. Director: Daniel Ralston, Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University in Augusta

Your responsibilities include providing written/verbal reports quarterly to the Board, reporting back any needed assistance from the Family Medicine Interest Groups on your campus, and assisting in planning the agenda for the annual student meeting held in November in Atlanta in conjunction with the GAFP Annual Meeting.

New Board Attendance Policy:

Each district has a voting seat, AAFP delegates and residents both have two and the medical students have three.  There is currently an alternate seat for each of these positions and representation for each position or district should occur at each Board meeting.  The other can optionally attend or not attend without being charged with an unexcused absence.

If neither are in attendance (excluding the approval of an excused absence*), then they will both receive an unexcused absence for that meeting.  However, if either (one) delegate is in attendance, then neither will receive an unexcused absence for that meeting.

*Excused Absences for Board Meetings

Excused absences include emergency illness/funeral of a close family member or if a Board member must miss a GAFP Board meeting due to a conflict if representing the GAFP or AAFP at another meeting.  Absences and excused absences would be reflected in the minutes.

It is up to each director and alternate to contact each other to determine who will attend each Board meeting.

In addition, the Board of Directors voted in November to allow each Board member to attend one CME meeting per year for free if registered by the early bird deadline.  You may choose from the Summer CME weekend or the Annual Meeting in November.

2016 Board Meetings:

Sunday, March 6, 2016 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA

Saturday, June 11, 2016 – Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Hilton Head Island, SC

July 28-30, 2016 – Kansas City, MO- AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students

The GAFP will pay two scholarships each of $599 to cover expenses for two resident and two student Board members (invitation to participate will be emailed in the spring).

Sunday, August 7, 2016 – Legacy Lake Lanier, Buford, GA

Thursday or Friday, November 10 or 11, 2016 – Atlanta

Travel stipends available subject to the following:

Comp registration to GAFP Annual Meeting AND Summer CME Weekend (Committee Conclaves have no registration fee), mileage (subject to standard IRS rate, currently $.575), and one night’s accommodation at GAFP hotel block room rate.  Incidentals, including wireless, parking, or meals (other than those served during GAFP functions at no charge) are at your own expense.

If you are interested in being self-nominated – please fill out the form below and e-mail it to mleverett@gafp.org no later than Friday, December 4, 2015.  Thank you!

 

Student Board Position: Nomination Form for 2016

 

Name: ______________________________________________________________

 

Program: ____________________________________________________________

 

E-mail: ______________________________________________________________

 

Which Year in School:

 

 

List any current leadership activities:

 

 

If elected, how many of the meetings can you attend?

 

 

Why are you interested in participating on the GAFP Board in 2016?