February 22, 2007

The FMA E-News is emailed to all members of the Florida Medical Association semimonthly. The FMA, located in Tallahassee, Fla., serves as an advocate for physicians and their patients to promote the public health, to ensure high standards in medical education and ethics, and to enhance the quality and availability of health care.

FRONTLINE ALERT
OBTAINING PAYMENT WHEN AN HMO AUTHORIZES THE SERVICE
The FMA has received several phone calls recently from members who have run into the same problem: A patient comes into the office and the physician's front desk verifies insurance coverage with the patient's managed care organization. The managed care company later refuses to pay for the visit, stating that the patient was not covered under the plan at the time of service. The FMA worked hard during the 2000 legislative session to pass legislation to address this issue. Section 641.3156, Florida Statutes provides that if the HMO authorizes the service, then the HMO must pay the claim. For a copy of the applicable statute, click here .If you are an FMA member and have a question about this law, you can contact .

 
FMA CONGRATULATES OUTSTANDING EFFORTS
Dr. Troy Tippett, FMA Immediate Past President, was recently honored at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce as Professional Leader of the Year.  The photo and story can be accessed by going to http://www.pnj.com/ and then clicking on "Money" in the menu at the top of the page.

Larry McPherson was elected as Executive Director of the Florida Board of Medicine to the Board of Directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards for a two-year term as an associate member.  The FSMB is a national organization of state medical boards and is dedicated to developing model legislation and policies and providing education for and communication between boards of medicine in the US.  Mr. McPherson has always been generous with his time, giving many talks a year to Florida physicians on their statutory and legal requirements.  Mr. McPherson joins Tully Patrowicz, MD on the Board.  Dr. Patrowicz is a physician from Mount Dora, Florida who was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.

US Senator Mel Martinez recently highlighted the Neighborhood Health Clinic, located in Naples, with a personal visit and statement.  The clinic is owned and operated by Bill and Nancy Lascheid.  Bill and Nancy credited the FMA and FMAA for the knowledge and drive in the pursuit of this effort.  Visit the clinic website at:  www.neighborhoodhealthclinic.org.  Congratulations to Bill and Nancy!

 

FMA WORKING FOR ALL SPECIALTIES
The Florida Medical Association has made it our number one priority this year to pass a meaningful, across the board increase to the Medicaid physician reimbursement rate.  On Tuesday, February 13th, FMA EVP Sandra Mortham testified before the House Health Care Council on the need to raise the rates to the Medicare level.  Candice King, a consultant with MGT, Inc., also testified.  The FMA hired MGT to perform a study on the current state of physician participation in Medicaid and the impact the current rates have on access to quality care in Florida.  MGT found that many physicians are unable to see Medicaid patients due to the low reimbursement rate, which is around 65% of Medicare.  MGT also found that patient access to physicians, especially specialists, is suffering as a result.  To hear the presentations, click here.  If you have questions about this issue or to find out how your society can help, email fplendl@medone.org

 

PREBOOKING FOR THE 2007-2008 INFLUENZA SEASON
Influenza vaccination is the primary method of preventing Influenza and its severe complications. Prebooking your Influenza vaccine is the best way to prepare for the upcoming 2007-2008 Influenza season. To help you prepare for the upcoming Influenza season, you may prebook Fluzone®, Influenza Virus Vaccine beginning February 21, 2007. There are two methods to prebook:

(1) Log onto www.vaccineshoppe.com, where you can obtain a 2% savings (offer applies to on-line requests only)

(2) Call 1-800-VACCINE (1-800-822-2463)
All prebook requests will be processed with the same attention and care, whether the request is placed on-line or over the telephone. You will receive a receipt of your request via e-mail or fax within 72 hours. Prior to shipping, you will receive a shipping alert notifying you of the estimated time for shipment and the amount of vaccine to be provided in the shipment.

 

EMERGENCY MEDICINE - WILL IT BE THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT?
 The Florida College of Emergency Medicine will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting in Tallahassee on Wednesday, March 14 from 8:30am to 10am in the Cabinet Room of the Capitol. The purpose of the event is to identify the challenges facing every person's access to emergency care, what is being done to address those challenges and what needs to be done to ensure that emergency care is available and accessible for each and every one of us. This will be accomplished via a panel discussion format with panel participants representing several entities from FMA's President Patrick Hutton, MD, MBA to AHCA's Secretary Andrew Agwunobi, MD, and will include Representative Gayle Harrell; ACEP Board Member David Seaberg, MD; FHA Representative Mike Gentry; EMS Representative Dave Freeman; and Patient Advocate Rosemary Goudreau , Editorial Page Editor, The Tampa Tribune. Plan to attend to be educated on the issues and know how to take action to be a part of the solution.

 
SPRING BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND COUNCIL DAYS
The FMA Spring Board of Governors and Council Days will be held in Tallahassee on April 12-14, 2007. The FMA Executive Committee will meet on Friday, April 13, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, in the large conference room of the FMA Office.

FMA councils and committees will meet on Thursday & Friday, April 12-13. The Board of Governors meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel on Saturday, April 14, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM in the Ballroom beginning with breakfast at 7:30 AM and a lunch buffet at 12:00 Noon.

Friday, April 13, the Fifth Annual FMA Foundation Dinner and Silent Auction will be held from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the home of Drs. Jana and Michael Forsthoefel. Minimum donations of $50 per person with proceeds going to the Foundation. To make your reservations for the Foundation Dinner, please contact Chris Gillespie at cgillespie@medone.org or 800-762-0233 x 280. For more information on the Spring Board Meeting please contact Lynette Drain at ldrain@medone.org or 800-762-0233 x 274.

 
 

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