The Nominating Committee is working to compile a slate of candidates for the 2025 GAFP Board of Directors. GAFP leadership has a history of excelling at both the state and national levels and far outpaces other physician groups in innovative and new initiatives.

The Congress of Delegates will vote on the slate for the 2025 Board in late summer. (Residents and Medical Students will hold their own elections in the Fall.)

If you are interested in becoming more active in the Georgia Academy, please consider applying. Your time commitment is four meetings a year (typically March, June, August and November) and being available to GAFP leaders, staff, and your district colleagues should issues emerge that require your leadership input and participation.

All Board members receive one free registration per year for either our Summer CME or Annual Meeting as a token of our appreciation for your hard work.

Board members are asked to be the eyes and ears of your community and bring leadership issues important to family physicians from your hometown. Please fill out this form by May 17, 2024 if you are interested in applying for the 2025 Board. Questions? Reach out to Alesa G. McArthur, Deputy Executive Vice President at amcarthur@gafp.org or 404.321.7445.

Potential vacancies are listed below:

Officers

*President-Elect (automatically becomes President in November 2024 and Board Chair in November 2025)

*Vice President (1-year term)

*COD Speaker (1-year term)

COD Vice Speaker (1-year term)

*Member of the Executive Committee and must be available for monthly conference calls and four face-to-face meetings in addition to attending the GAFP Board of Directors meetings.

AAFP Delegates – (must be eligible to attend AAFP Congress of Delegates)

AAFP Delegate (2-year term)

AAFP Alternate Delegate (2-year term)

District Director and Alternate Director Available Positions

Director – District 2 (3-year term) – (Counties: Baker; Brooks; Calhoun; Clay; Colquitt; Crisp; Decatur; Dooly; Dougherty; Early; Grady; Lee; Lowndes; Miller; Mitchell; Quitman; Randolph; Seminole; Sumter; Terrell; Thomas; Tift; Treutlen; Turner and Worth.)

Director – District 3 (3-year term) – (Counties: Chattahoochee; Coweta; Fayette; Harris; Heard; Marion; Meriwether; Muscogee; Schley; Stewart; Talbot; Taylor; and Troup.)

Director – District 4 (3-year term) – (Counties: DeKalb; Gwinnett; Newton; Rockdale and Walton.)

Director – District 9 (3-year term) – (Counties: Banks; Cherokee; Dawson; Fannin; Forsyth; Franklin; Gilmer; Habersham; Hall; Hart; Lumpkin; Pickens; Rabun; Stephens;  Towns; Union and White.)

Director – District 10 (3-year term) – (Counties: Barrow; Clarke; Columbia; Elbert;  Jackson; Lincoln; Madison; Morgan;  Oconee; Oglethorpe; Richmond and Wilkes.)

Director – District 11 (3-year term) – (Counties: Clayton; Fulton and Henry.)

Alternate Director – District 3 (3-year term) – (Counties: Chattahoochee; Coweta; Fayette; Harris; Heard; Marion; Meriwether; Muscogee; Schley; Stewart; Talbot;  Taylor; and Troup.)

Alternate Director – District 10 (3-year term) – (Counties: Barrow; Clarke; Columbia; Elbert; Jackson; Lincoln; Madison; Morgan; Oconee; Oglethorpe; Richmond and Wilkes.)

This year, the GAFP Medical Student Meeting hosted 38 medical students at The Westin Atlanta Perimeter Northwest in Atlanta on Saturday, March 9. Students from seven different medical schools were in attendance and were provided with a full day of family medicine activities, networking, and workshops dedicated to highlighting the breadth of the specialty. 

The day started with Family Medicine “Ted Talks,”, which are Speed dating roundtables that discussed Direct Primary Care, Integrative Medicine & Wellness, How to Shine in Your Clerkships, and How to Navigate Residency as an IMG. Next up were hands-on workshops that included IUD insertion, Nexplanon, OMT, acupuncture, suturing, intubation, and knee & shoulder injections. Finally, the day concluded with a family medicine residency fair.

A special thanks to Atrium Health Navicent/Mercer University, Augusta University, Emory University, Hamilton Healthcare, Houston Healthcare, Northeast Georgia, Northside Gwinnett, Wellstar Kennestone, and Wellstar Douglas family medicine residency programs for all your hard work and dedication.

Are you a medical student with an interest in family medicine? Be on the lookout for a notice for next year’s meeting!

Effective 01/01/2024, Health Check Providers may report E/M codes 99202-99205, 99213-99215, in addition to E/M codes 99211 and 99212, when also reporting a preventive visit for Medicaid-eligible and PeachCare for Kids® (PCK)-eligible children.

Health Check Providers should report the preventive visit with CPT codes 99381-99385, 99391-99395.

If an abnormality is encountered or a preexisting problem is addressed during the preventive visit, and if the problem/abnormality is significant enough to require additional work to perform the key components of a problem-oriented E/M service, then the appropriate Office/Outpatient code 99202-99205, 99211-99215 should also be reported.

Reimbursement for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine Administration

To address provider concerns related to the increased number of RSV cases and maternal RSV vaccination, the Department of Community Health (DCH) is allowing reimbursement for the administration of RSV vaccines. RSV vaccines protect infants and babies from becoming sicker from the virus. The two RSV vaccines, BeyfortusTM and Abrysvo, are available to Health Check providers via the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program. Reimbursement is also allowed on claims submitted for members 19 through 20 years of age.

Beyfortus

DCH allows reimbursement for new RSV vaccine administration codes 96380 and 96381 under the Health Check Program (COS 600). These new vaccine administration codes are covered for the administration of BeyfortusTM RSV monoclonal antibody vaccine and replaces the previously instructed generic CPT code 96372. For claims beginning with date of service March 1, 2024, Health Check providers should no longer report 96372 for the administration of BeyfortusTM. Providers should report the new vaccine administration codes (96380 or 96381) with the EP modifier, along with the BeyfortusTM vaccine product codes (90380 or 90381) with the EP modifier. 

Abrysvo

DCH allows reimbursement for the administration of the Abrysvo vaccine under the Health Check Program (COS 600).  For claims beginning with date of service January 1, 2024, Health Check providers should code the Abrysvo product (CPT code 90678) with the EP modifier. Additionally, the Abrysvo product should be reported with the appropriate vaccine administration code (90460, 90471, 90472) with the EP modifier.

Medicaid is holding ten Autism Spectrum Disorder Services workshops, around the State, and are scheduled for April. The workshops will provide important information you will need to know on the following topics including, but not limited to:

• Scope of Services
• Program Updates
• Common Denials
• Procedure Code and Modifier Combinations
• Prior Authorization Requests
• Contacting Gainwell Technologies
• Closing – Questions and Answers

To ensure all Georgia Medicaid clinicians can attend at least one workshop, the following ten face-to-face workshops will be available in all territories:

To register online, please visit:  https://forms.gle/DPhmoNErvf4kySVHA  Upon completion of your registration, a confirmation notice will be sent by e-mail to the address provided on the form. Please review the confirmation e-mail for accuracy.

The face-to-face confirmation e-mail will include:

1. Facility location
2. Date and time of the workshop

Should you have any questions regarding the Autism Spectrum Disorder Services workshops for the month of April 2024, please contact Gainwell Technologies via e-mail at gaworkshopregistration@gainwelltechnologies.com.

Dear Members of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians,

As an essential part of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), each one of you plays a vital role in the advancement and advocacy of our specialty. The Congress of Delegates (COD), AAFP’s policy-making body, is a cornerstone in our governance process, where elected members represent their peers, debate critical issues, and guide the direction of our work. This is our call to action—a request for your insights, experiences, and innovative ideas to develop meaningful policies that will shape the future of family medicine.

The COD is an opportunity for our voices to be heard, through the submission and discussion of resolutions. These resolutions are more than just proposals; they are a reflection of our collective aspirations and concerns for family medicine. They allow us, in collaboration with our chapters, to direct the AAFP to take specific actions on behalf of our specialty. Whether it’s an issue you face daily in your practice or a broader challenge impacting our community’s health, your experiences can inspire impactful policies.

We are particularly interested in resolutions that not only address ongoing challenges but also anticipate the future needs of family medicine especially in Georgia and ways that our national organization could help you in your practice. Think about the following:

• Technological Advancements: How can we integrate new technologies while maintaining the personal touch that is the hallmark of family medicine?
• Public Health Issues: What initiatives can we propose to address the ever-evolving public health challenges, including pandemics, mental health, and chronic disease management?
• Recruitment, Education and Training: In what ways can we enhance the education and ongoing training of family physicians to prepare them for the challenges of modern healthcare?
• Advocacy and Policy: How can we strengthen our advocacy efforts for policies that support family physicians and their patients?

We invite you to share your thoughts and proposals with us. Whether you have a detailed plan or the seed of an idea, we welcome your contributions. Please provide your feedback no later than April 14. Click Here, enabling our leadership ample time to review and consider your suggestions for inclusion in our Georgia Academy resolutions to the AAFP COD, which convenes this fall in Phoenix.

This is more than a call for participation; it’s an invitation to influence the future of family medicine. Let’s come together to ensure our specialty continues to thrive and adapt in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.

With anticipation and respect,

Georgia Academy’s Delegation to AAFP’s Congress of Delegates

Angeline TI, MD              
Thomas Fausett, MD
John S. Gerguis, MD       
Susana Alfonso, MD

Creating Leaders of Change and Champions of Well-being

Leading Physician Well-Being Program | AAFP

Physician leadership has never been a more important skill for the family physician than it is today. Thoughtful and capable family physician leaders can provide stability in uncertain times for their office teams, among their health system colleagues, and within their community. This physician leadership enhances the quality of care that teams can provide to their patients, improves the morale of the care team, and helps communities stay focused on health-enhancing activities.

Leading Physician Well-being (LPW), developed by the AAFP, is a unique certificate program designed to help you develop the leadership skills you need to spearhead that change among the physicians and other clinicians in your practice or health care organization.

All AAFP active members are eligible for LPW. Residents are eligible if they have the support of their residency program and should submit a letter of support from their program director.

More than 10 Georgia Academy members have gone through LPW and found it enriching and beneficial to both their personal and professional lives. If you’d like more information or to speak to one of the Georgia graduates, you can outreach to Dr. Alice House (house_a@mercer.edu) or Dr. P.J. Lynn (pjlynn@gmail.com).

The application period for the 2024 program year is now open. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final date to submit an application is May 31, 2024. Final acceptance e-mails will be sent June 14, 2024.

🧭 Set Your Compass for Hilton Head Island This June!

No need to wait for a message in a bottle—this is your official call to adventure. The 2024 Summer Meeting is on the horizon, and it promises knowledge, connections, and island memories that will sparkle like the sun on the waves.

Are you ready to anchor down some knowledge while riding the waves of networking opportunities? Chart a course for Hilton Head Island this June 6-9, and join us at the 2024 Summer Meeting– the much-anticipated conclave where minds meet and ideas sail!

🏖️ Bask in the Horizon of Healthcare Progress

With three days of refreshing ocean breeze and enlightening discussions, you’ll discover the treasure of cutting-edge topics presented by speakers who are captains of industry. The Omni Oceanfront Resort isn’t just a haven for relaxation; it’s your gateway to a sea of information that could change the way you navigate the waters of primary care.

🌐 Navigate the Network Currents

Come aboard and mingle with fellow trailblazers. Share your maps to successful practice, exchange tales of medical adventures, and forge alliances that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss the chance to expand your professional flotilla with contacts that can bolster your journey through the tumultuous seas of healthcare.

📜 Chart Your Educational Voyage

Seeking the compass to guide your continuous learning quest? Our CME schedule is star-studded with topics that will keep your practice steering true North. Return to port with a treasure chest of knowledge and experiences that will enrich your daily rounds.

⚓ Drop Anchor at the Omni Oceanfront Resort

Still on the docks? Cast off the bowlines, mateys! Secure your spot NOW to ensure you have a luxurious berth at the Omni Oceanfront Resort. Your link to confirm accommodations is just a registration away—don’t let it be the one that got away!

📲 Seize Your Digital Spyglass

For more information on how to register, to view hotel details, or to spy a glance at the CME treasure map, just tap into your magical modern-marvel compass here: Register for The Summer Meeting. 

Hoist your sails, plot your course and let’s make a splash this summer! Details of the land and sea await at your fingertips!

Looking forward to seeing you there, where we’ll not just be sharing experiences, but creating legends.

Final Reports Requested – All Expenses Paid Trip to Washington, DC for Most Improved Clinics

A message from our partners at the National Minority Quality Forum:

Hello Georgia Champions! Thank you for all the hard work you put in throughout the flu season. As we gradually come to the official end of the flu season, the NMQF team has reached out to request any data, reports, updates, or testimonials (including pictures, if possible) from your flu programs. We ask that practices also send them along with rates from last year and the year before last so that they can be analyzed for comparison and impact measurement.

Results can be submitted as Excel spreadsheets (within HIPPA privacy guidelines) and can be emailed to Chinnie Ukachukwu at cukachukwu@nmqf.org. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 15, 2024.

As a reminder, the top three improved clinics will nominate one staff member each to receive an all-expense paid trip to the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC to attend the NMQF summit from April 29-30, 2024. Winners will be announced the week of March 18. Questions can also be forwarded to Chinnie Ukachukwu, MPH (cukachukwu@nmqf.org).

Chinnie Ukachukwu, MPH
Director, Quality Improvement & Equity
National Minority Quality Forum
Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity

Georgia’s Department of Public Health Seeking Feedback and Offer for In-Office Education to Your Team

Public Health is counting on your expertise! We need your valuable feedback to ensure the best possible care for children and adolescents with special health care needs in Georgia. Your insights are crucial in shaping policies and practices that directly impact the lives of children and families across our state.

Each year, the Department of Public Health relies on the feedback and experiences of physicians like you to assess and improve the quality of care provided to this vulnerable population. This year, we’re excited to introduce an enticing incentive to encourage your participation!

By completing our annual survey and practice assessment by March 22, you’ll not only contribute to advancing healthcare practices but also stand a chance to win one of two Delta Gift Cards worth $500 each! Imagine the possibilities – a well-deserved planned getaway, or a quick hop to somewhere unexpected.

In addition to your valuable input, Public Health is also seeking a contact in your office if you would like your staff to receive additional education and support on Georgia services and support for youth with special healthcare needs.

Your participation ensures that Georgia continues to lead in providing comprehensive and compassionate care to every child, regardless of their unique health needs. We understand the demands on your time, but completing this survey will only take a few moments, and the impact will be significant.

Survey Link: Click here to access the survey

The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians is hosting a virtual KSA series. The first series of KSAs will be held on Saturday, April 27 at two separate times for your convenience.

Click here to register now.

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Pain Medicine

(Can be turned in for consideration towards DEA requirements)

This activity focuses on diagnosing chronic pain syndromes in family medicine, identifying pharmacologic appropriate therapy for specific conditions, including painful diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, and fibromyalgia, describing the use of active modalities such as exercise and physical therapy in the treatment of chronic pain, recommending appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options for the treatment of functional chronic pain conditions, and explaining the indications, risks, and monitoring recommendations for long-term opioid pain medications.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Care of Older Adults

The Care of Older Adults KSA focuses on diagnosis and management of common and uncommon medical conditions that occur in older adults.  Topics also include disease prevention, rehabilitation, geriatric psychiatry and health policy and systems issues as they relate to older adults.

Thursday, March 21, 2024
Macon Marriott City Center
240 Coliseum Dr., Macon, GA 31217
Register Now!

The Face-to-Face/Virtual Medicaid Fair will offer important updates on emergent issues by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) leadership and host several break-out sessions covering a variety of topics.

The Opening Session will highlight news from the DCH, including an overview of programs and policy updates. The day will feature break-out sessions focused on relevant topics for our provider community along with time for questions and answers. Some of the areas that will be covered are:

• CMO Updates
• Mental Health Parity
• Revalidation/Change of Information
• Member Redetermination
• New Initiatives

To register online and for details, visit: https://forms.gle/XRkS9Hkk4NwzYfeSA.

Attendees must register to reserve a seat for each individual session selected.  A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the address you provided during registration. Review the confirmation e-mail for accuracy.

Questions? Contact Gainwell Technologies at georgiamedicaidfair@gainwelltechnologies.com