What Has PPMA Done for Me Lately?
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MEMBER ACTION ALERT UPDATE!
Write to CMS to Oppose Its Proposed Rule Requiring Podiatrists to Use Different E/M Coding Than Other Medicare Physicians by September 10
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Dear Colleagues:
As most of you know by now, on July 12, CMS released a proposed rule [CMS-1693-P] that, if finalized, would require podiatrists to use different E/M codes from all other Medicare physicians. The codes would reimburse at a significantly lower rate. Podiatrists are recognized as physicians under the Medicare statute. The same billing standards should apply to the critical foot and ankle care podiatric physicians provide. To value the same service differently is discriminatory and punitive.
APMA has launched a profession-wide call to action, urging members, non-members, patients, family, and friends to use its eAdvocacy website to send a resounding response to CMS. Thus far, more than 2,000 podiatrists, more than 700 patients, and nearly 400 students have taken up the call. Many of our state societies and affiliated organizations also have participated in this grassroots effort to let CMS know that its inequitable proposal cannot stand.
If you are among the many who have already participated in this effort, thank you! Please continue to encourage your colleagues, patients, and family to comment. If you have not yet participated, please log on today—CMS will not accept comments after September 10. The process will take only minutes, and our eAdvocacy site will now allow you to simultaneously send a message to CMS and your legislators. Every voice matters in this pivotal battle.
APMA is drafting an official comment letter and will meet in person with CMS Deputy Administrator Demetrios Kouzoukas on August 31. We are actively engaging our congressional allies, as well our allopathic and osteopathic colleagues.
For more information, read our issue brief. Comments or questions about the proposed rule can be directed to APMA's Health Policy and Practice Department at healthpolicy.hpp@apma.org.
Michael Davis, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association
757 Poplar Church Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011
717-763-7665
717-761-4091 (fax)
PPMA MEMBERS:
1. Go to this site: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
2. Put in your Home Zip Code
3. Your Representative Address will come up on the screen
4. Write the Representative a letter concerning the proposed
CMS E/M Code Discrimination
Sen. Bob Casey
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Toll Free: (866) 802-2833
Fax: (202) 228-0604
Sen. Pat Toomey
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Fax: (202) 228-0284
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Important Child Abuse and Opioid Requirements for License Renewal
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As the December 31, 2018, deadline approaches to renew your license to practice podiatry in the state of Pennsylvania, there are two very important requirements that you need to be aware of. Below is an explanation of each requirement and resources available to assist you with obtaining the needed continuing education.
Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Requirements
Per Act 31 of 2014, two (2) hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting requirements must be completed prior to renewal or reinstatement of a license.The Association does not endorse a specific course, but a list of approved courses can be found here.
The Announcements page of the Board of Podiatry’s website contains all of the information detailing Act 31, including Frequently Asked Questions and an Exemption Form. With some exceptions, notably newer practitioners, the vast majority of podiatrists in the state of PA renewing their licenses by December 31, 2018, are required to have at least 2 hours of Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting training.
Opioid Education
UPDATE: Q&A with PA State Board of Podiatry: NOTE--Two (2) Credits Needed If Currently Licensed Podiatrist; Four (4) Credits Needed for New Applicants.
1) In this cycle, if you, as of this date, have a license, you need to do two hours of Opioid CME prior to 12/31/18.
Board of Podiatry Comment: Yes, noting that the hours are specifically in pain management, the identification of addiction, or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of Opioids. (The State Board must verify these specific content areas.)
2) If you do not have a license in this cycle and are applying, you need to do four hours (but have a year from the license issue date in which to complete.)
Board of Podiatry Comment: Noting that two hours are specifically in pain management or the identification of addiction, and two hours are specifically in the practices of prescribing or dispensing of Opioids.
3) Next cycle (2019-2020) you need to receive 2 hours.
Board of Podiatry Comment: Yes. The two hours will be required for licensees each biennial renewal, just as the child abuse CE Hours and other CME requirements.
4) In 2019-2020 cycle, if you are a new applicant, then you need to receive four hours. Board of Podiatry Comment: Yes. Any new applicant from this point forward must complete the four hours, within a year of the license issue date, as noted in #2 above.
PPMA has worked with the PA Medical Society on a free webinar series, which can be used to meet the required number of hours. To access the content, use the corresponding assessment labeled “access for non-physicians” for each session in the series you complete. You will be required to enter an email address, your first and last name, and your PA license number before beginning each assessment. At the end of each assessment, assuming a score of 70% or higher is achieved, participants have the opportunity to print a certificate of completion or to receive a certificate via email.
For general questions about license renewal, such as how many CE Contact Hours are required, how many can be earned online, what types of credits count, etc., visit the Continuing Education page.
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APMA Data Registry
APMA has developed a data registry that has been approved by CMS as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry for 2018. All APMA members can use the APMA Registry to attest to Advancing Care Information (ACI) and Clinical Practice Improvement Activity (CPIA) components of MIPS in 2018. https://www.apma.org/registry.
PPMA Scholarship & Guild 45/OPEIU Every year PPMA offers a $1,000 academic scholarship to a family member of an active member of PPMA whose professional liability insurance is supplied through the PMAP program. It shall be used by the family member to offset costs incurred to attend an accredited four-year college, an accredited two-year college, or an accredited trade school. Click on the Headline for Application. This year's deadline is August 17, 2018, to apply.
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