Archive for the ‘Practice Management News’ Category

Thrive Workshop: Now Open to All Members

Are you an employed physician concerned about increasing your bottom line? 

Let the GAFP Thrive – Coding and Reimbursement Practice Improvement Workshop Help!

With the devastating financial impact COVID-19 is having on the economy, there is no better time than now to ensure your practice is reimbursed at the highest rate possible.  There is still time to register for the July 16th Thrive – Coding and Reimbursement Practice Improvement workshop in Atlanta.  Thrive is an innovative practice transformation project that focuses on helping primary care practices increase reimbursements by identifying under-used codes and procedures. It is designed to help practices survive and thrive in today’s changing healthcare environment by educating the care team on ways to find hidden or underutilized coding to help receive the highest possible reimbursement rates.  Thrive will also help the practice ensure their patients are taking advantage of all the benefits that their health plans allow.

As an added incentive, completion of the Thrive program counts as an American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Self-Directed Performance Improvement Activity where you earn up to 20 points towards your overall 50-point activity requirement.

The July 16 workshop will include education on missed coding opportunities, proper documentation tips and techniques, and rapid-cycle improvement processes. During the second workshop on October 15, 2020, practice teams will have an opportunity to report progress on their individual practice improvement projects and receive additional coaching from the practice transformation consulting team.

If you’re tired of losing money because you’re not being reimbursed for the work that you and your team perform in your practice, please submit an application to attend the July cohort today.

Registration fees are $500 per practice, reimbursable upon completion of the program.  Only active GAFP members and their billing team qualify to attend.

Register for the July Thrive Cohort in Atlanta, GA

With the devastating financial impact COVID-19 is having on the economy, there is no better time than now to ensure your practice is reimbursed at the highest rate possible.

There is still time to register for the July 16th Thrive – Coding and Reimbursement Practice Improvement workshop in Atlanta.  Thrive is an innovative practice transformation project that focuses on helping primary care practices increase reimbursements by identifying under-used codes and procedures. It is designed to help practices survive and thrive in today’s changing healthcare environment by educating the care team on ways to find hidden or underutilized coding to help receive the highest possible reimbursement rates.  Thrive will also help the practice ensure their patients are taking advantage of all the benefits that their health plans allow.

As an added incentive, completion of the Thrive program counts as an American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Self-Directed Performance Improvement Activity where you earn up to 20 points towards your overall 50-point activity requirement.

The July 16 workshop will include education on missed coding opportunities, proper documentation tips and techniques, and rapid-cycle improvement processes. During the second workshop on October 15th, practice teams will have an opportunity to report progress on their individual practice improvement projects and receive additional coaching from the practice transformation consulting team.

If you’re tired of losing money because you’re not being reimbursed for the work that you and your team perform in your practice, please submit an application to attend the July cohort today.

Registration fees are $500 per practice, reimbursable upon completion of the program.  Only active GAFP members and their billing team qualify to attend.

Thrive 2020 Dates Announced

Continuing in the success of the inaugural Thrive Practice Transformation Project workshops, GAFP is pleased to announce dates for the 2020 cohorts.  Thrive is designed to help practices survive and thrive in today’s changing healthcare environment by assisting independent practices by educating the care team on ways to find hidden or underutilized coding to help receive the highest possible reimbursement rates.  Thrive will also help the practice ensure their patients are taking advantage of all the benefits that their health plans allow.

There will be three cohorts of two-day workshops (held three months apart) on Coding and Documentation. Cohorts will take place in Albany, Statesboro, and in the Atlanta/Metro area.  Each session will be led by Bob Addleton and Adele Cohen, Leadership in Practice consultants, and longtime GAFP partner and coding expert, Steve Adams.  The workshops will include education on missed coding opportunities, proper documentation tips and techniques, and rapid-cycle improvement processes.  Please note, the Atlanta/Metro cohort is open to employed physicians as well as those in private practice. Applications will be accepted for up to 8 practices.

To register for a session in your area, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/thrive2020

Registration closes 30 days prior to first workshop!

2020 Cohorts

Albany: February 13 | May 14

Statesboro:  April 1 | July 9

*Atlanta Metro: July 16 | October 15

*open to employed physicians

Recruitment for 2018 Georgia Academy Leadership!

Recruitment for 2018 Georgia Academy Leadership!

(Please reply back no later than November 30, 2017)

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

From:   Loy D. “Chip” Cowart, MD, FAAFP – President Elect

One of the most important roles serving as your President for this upcoming year is appointing the Committee members for 2018.  I am soliciting your interest in participating on one of the Georgia Academy’s committees for next year.

Limited Appointments to Be Made – Please Send in Your Form As Soon as Possible as committees are filling up – but no later than November 30th.  And, make sure to add a second option as your first option may be full.

I ask that you only volunteer to be nominated if you can attend either in person or by phone all 3 meetings in 2018.  Although several committees meet more than 3 times a year, here are the dates for the 2018 Committee Conclaves:

Saturday, March 3 – Atlanta, GA (Westin Atlanta Perimeter)

Thursday, June 14 – Amelia Island, FL (in conjunction with the GAFP Summer CME Meeting at Omni Amelia Island Resort)

Saturday, August 4 – Savannah, GA (Hyatt Regency Savannah)

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 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 a Legislative Session Working Group that meets for a shorter time period (January-March 2018) 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.

Bylaws Committee (15 members), Chair: Alice House MD, Vice Chair: Howard McMahan MD:  This committee will review governance issues and review any needed bylaws changes.  Bylaws changes must be sent to the general membership for review and approved by the GAFP Congress of Delegates.

Education and Research Committee (15 members), Chair: Theresa Jacobs MD, Vice Chair: Ken Howard MD: 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.

Finance Committee (15 members), Chair: Sharon Rabinovitz MD (Treasurer), Vice Chair: Christina Kelly MD: 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), Co-Chairs: Bruce LeClair MD and Richard Wherry MD: 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), Chair: Michelle Cooke MD, Vice Chair: Ivy Smith MD: This committee has the responsibility for membership recruitment and retention, overview of leadership development, as well as, for all local and national award nominations. This committee is also tasked with monitoring the communications to our members.

Practice Management Committee (15 members), Chair: Jay Goberdhan MD, Vice Chair: Michael Satchell MD: 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), Chair: Jay Floyd MD, Vice Chair: Sherma Peter MD: 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), Chair: Julie Dahl-Smith MD, Vice Chair: Kevin Johnson MD: 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

______________________________________________________________________Name

I am a __________Medical Student ______________Resident ________________Family Physician

______________________________is the Committee I would like to serve on in 2018.

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 the Legislative Session Working Group:_________.

____________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:

Register Now!! GCT2 Monthly Webinar: Healthier Patients, Improved Star Ratings: What Medication Synchronization Can Do for Your Patients and Your Pharmacy Business Wednesday, September 27th

The GAFP serves as a partner of the Georgia Clinical Transformation Team (GCT2), a coalition of organizations who have aligned programs and services dedicated to connecting and collaborating to lead Georgia providers in transforming healthcare using technology and quality improvement processes.

The GAFP coordinates and hosts 30-minute monthly webinars on topics that foster collaboration on practice quality improvement, facilitated efforts around cardiac care, diabetes management, motivational interviewing, behavioral health, and medication adherence. These educational CME webinars offer a streamlined, comprehensive approach to services that are needed and accessible to clinicians.

This month’s webinar, Healthier Patients, Improved Star Ratings: What Medication Synchronization Can Do for Your Patients and Your Pharmacy Business, will be held on September 27th at 12:30 pm with Bri Morris, PharmD, Director, Strategic Initiatives National Community Pharmacists Association.  From this webinar, you’ll learn more about the ‘med sync’ program and how it can help improve patient outcomes; how a ‘med sync’ program can positively affect pharmacy operations; and the staffing/workflow considerations needed to begin a ‘med sync’ program.

Please click the link to register for the September 27th webinar.  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6353936240793489921

 

Register Now!! GCT2 Monthly Webinar: Opioid Safety and the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain– Wednesday, August 23rd at 12:30

The GAFP serves as a partner of the Georgia Clinical Transformation Team (GCT2), a coalition of organizations who have aligned programs and services dedicated to connecting and collaborating to lead Georgia providers in transforming healthcare using technology and quality improvement processes.

The GAFP coordinates and hosts 30-minute monthly webinars on topics that foster collaboration on practice quality improvement, facilitated efforts around cardiac care, diabetes management, motivational interviewing, behavioral health, and medication adherence. These educational CME webinars offer a streamlined, comprehensive approach to services that are needed and accessible to clinicians.

This month’s webinar, Opioid Safety and the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, will be held on August 23rd at 12:30 pm with Mike Crooks of Alliant Quality.  From this webinar, you’ll learn how to recognize the 12 recommendations of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain; calculate Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) to compare potencies of opioid therapies; and describe opioid medication management best practices to reduce the risk of harm.

Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we will send you the link to our website once it’s been posted.

Please click the link to register for the August 23rd webinar.  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6353936240793489921

 

 

Want help interpreting your Quality Resource Use Report (QRUR)?

For every physician that bills Medicare Part B, CMS has created a performance report called the Quality Resource Use Report (QRUR).  This report shows their interpretation of your relative cost of all care compared with your peers for the patients you see and bill Medicare Part B.  The most recently available data is the 2015 QRUR.  This report was used to calculate the 2017 Value Modifier that is currently impacting your Medicare reimbursements this year.

We are exciting to announce a free web based education opportunity for you on the evening of Wednesday, August 2, 2017 from 7- 8 pm. This educational session will be a presentation on interpreting your Quality Resource Use Report (QRUR).   As the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization, we are contacted by CMS to provide this free technical assistance.

In preparation for the session, we suggest that you log into the CMS portal and download your report to have on hand during the call.  If you have not previously set up the specific EIDM account to access this report you can follow this guide at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeedbackProgram/Downloads/2015-QRUR-Guide.pdf  This guide will walk you through how to set up and EIDM account (page 3) and how to download the report.  Please allow 2 weeks to go through this process prior to the call.   It will be very helpful for you to have your report with you when you attend the presentation as we walk you through each of the tables in the report.

Click here to register https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6824012648649498113

Donna Cohen, RN, BSN, CCM ~ Task Manager Population Health

Donna.cohen@alliantquality.org O 678.527.3681    C 912-665–0279

 

Understanding Cost in MACRA (aka Quality Payment Program) through your personalized Quality Resource Use Report (QRUR)

For every physician that bills Medicare Part B, CMS has created a performance report called the Quality Resource Use Report (QRUR).  This report shows their interpretation of your relative cost of all care compared with your peers for the patients you see and bill Medicare Part B.  The most recently available data is the 2015 QRUR.  This report assists you in choosing quality measures and improvement activities under MACRA (aka Quality Payment Program).  It was also used to calculate the 2017 Value Modifier that is currently impacting your Medicare reimbursements this year

We are excited to announce a free web based education opportunity for you on the evening of Wednesday, August 2, 2017 from 7- 8 pm. This educational session will be a presentation on interpreting your Quality Resource Use Report (QRUR).   As the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization, we are contacted by CMS to provide this free technical assistance.

In preparation for the session, we suggest that you log into the CMS portal and download your report to have on hand during the call.  If you have not previously set up the specific EIDM account to access this report you can follow this guide at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeedbackProgram/Downloads/2015-QRUR-Guide.pdf  This guide will walk you through how to set up and EIDM account (page 3) and how to download the report.  Please allow 2 weeks to go through this process prior to the call.   It will be very helpful for you to have your report with you when you attend the presentation as we walk you through each of the tables in the report.

Don’t wait.  Start preparing for MACRA (aka Quality Payment Program) now!

Click here to register https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6824012648649498113

 

Congratulations to Emory Healthcare Network on PCMH Level 3 Recognition

In early 2015, EHN partnered with PCMH University to transform 10 primary care sites to Patient-Centered Medical Homes.  The program completed in April 2016 with nine sites submitting their applications to NCQA.  All 9 sites received PCMH Level 3 recognition.

Like other health systems around the country, EHN is adapting to the trend of health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, paying hospitals and doctors based on the value of the care they provide rather than the volume of services they render.  Enhancing primary care services is a pillar of EHN’s strategy.  Numerous studies around the country have demonstrated the potential of the PMCH to both improve quality and lower costs.

After a competitive bidding process, EHN chose to partner with the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (www.gafp.org) and Discern Health (www.discernhealth.com) to support the transformation. EHN is enrolling 10 primary care practices in GAFP’s PCMH University.

Congratulations EHN PCMH University Class of 2015:

  • General Internal Medicine at St. Joseph’s –  Dipak Vashi, MD
  • General Internal Medicine at Emory Midtown – Fred Turton, MD
  • Emory Clinic at Decatur –  Nick Church, MD
  • Integrated mEmory Clinic – Janet Cellar, MD
  • Emory Specialty Associates at Sugarloaf – Drew Huber, MD
  • Emory Specialty Associates at Eagles Landing –  Kennard Hood, MD
  • Internal Medicine of Newton – James Stillerman, MD

MACRA Bytes: Payment Primer Helps Family Physicians Digest MACRA Implementation Details

MACRA_ArticleOpener.jpg.daijpg.380Sometimes, when an upcoming project seems overwhelmingly complicated, it’s nice to be presented with a simple step-by-step plan in this format: “Do this now, then do that.”

That clearly was the idea behind the latest Family Practice Management supplement created by the AAFP as a resource for family physicians whose brains are bursting with an excess of information from CMS about how the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) is being implemented.

The long-term goal of MACRA is commendable: building a creative new Medicare payment system that focuses on the value of health care provided to patients. And with a huge focus on the value of care — and elements such as team-based care, chronic care management and quality measurement — family physicians stand to benefit.

Unfortunately, too many physicians currently are mired in the muck of endless detail.

Family physicians, do yourselves a huge favor and check out the new supplement available in the July/August Family Practice Management that is available at no charge to all AAFP members and FPM subscribers.

The title says it all: “Making Sense of MACRA: Start Today, Prepare for Tomorrow.” Pull it up online, print it out it, post it in a prominent spot in the office, and then use the supplement as a guide through the next couple of years of Medicare payment reform.

The article starts with a quick overview of current Medicare payment and quality programs — think Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), the valued-based payment modifier (VBPM) initiative, and the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive programs that hatched meaningful use (MU) — and then outlines what happens to those programs in the coming years.

At this point, it’s time to become familiar with a new term — the Quality Payment Program (QPP) — that HHS introduced in April when the massive MACRA implementation proposed rule rolled out. Everything MACRA-related now falls under this giant payment program umbrella.

From there, the article launches into an explanation about how each of the current payment and quality programs will be assimilated into one of two new payment pathways created as part of the QPP — namely, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System.

The MACRA preparedness supplement is written in an easy-to-understand format that first explains topic areas related to PQRS, VBPM and MU and then answers two basic questions for each that family physicians across the country are likely struggling with:

What can I do now?

What comes next?

The supplement includes colorful charts and graphics that help make sense of the various programs and that point out those definitely-need-to-know dates and timelines, as well as highlight potentials for additional earnings or penalties.

CMS Opens Door to Possible Delay of MACRA Implementation

During Senate proceedings on July 13, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and senators showed that they have heard and understand the AAFP’s sharp call to slow down plans for implementing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
Speaking before the Senate Finance Committee(www.finance.senate.gov), Slavitt said he knows small physician practices might not have enough time to prepare for the important changes in Medicare payment if they go into effect on Jan. 1 as planned.
A final rule on new payment models under MACRA is expected to be announced in November. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the committee, noted the short period between then and the planned implementation date.
“Physicians will only have about two months before the program goes live,” Hatch said. “This seems to be a legitimate concern. What options is CMS considering to make sure this program gets started on the right foot?”
Slavitt responded that CMS is open to alternatives that include postponing implementation and establishing shorter reporting periods. He acknowledged several times during the hearing that the more time physicians have to spend reporting data, the less time they can devote to patient care.
“We’re putting in an awful lot of change,” Slavitt told the committee. “Too much change on top of an already burdened physician practice is not where we should be going.”
Slavitt’s stance is a good start for family physicians. The AAFP sent CMS a detailed letter on June 24 that called on the agency to, among other changes, delay implementation of MACRA until 2018 and set aside 2017 as a preparation year. The AAFP was also critical of the agency’s decision to delay formation of virtual groups until 2018; the groups would be a crucial support tool for smaller physician practices.
Slavitt also suggested that reporting requirements could be adjusted to ease the burden on physicians. For instance, CMS could obtain data through an automated database such as a registry. He also said practices that demonstrate strength in a particular area of care might not have to report those data and that physicians who do not see a high volume of Medicare patients might not be required to report data.

Georgia Academy Leaders Shine at Primary Care Summit

Primary Care Summit

The Georgia Academy supported this day-long event and was a Gold Sponsor of this initiative.

Several emerging trends in health care and health care delivery that may have an impact on primary care workforce training initiatives were discussed. These included:

  • Impact of Hospital System(s) merging on training of primary care providers
  • Impact of adoption of Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) model on primary care workforce needs
  • Impact of emergence of hospitalists as a specialty area on primary care practice environment and workforce
  • Impact of the closure and /or fragility of rural health facilities on the primary care workforce and rural populations

 

The Georgia Academy serves on the Steering Committee for the Primary Care Summit and will continue to work on these issue throughout the year, as well as, support legislative initiatives next winter.