ICD10 cometh October 1, 2014

Unfortunately the timing and coordination of government initiatives is poor at best and destructive at worst. With the ACA government takeover of healthcare and insurance, EHR meaningful use, poor economy and lack of freemarket medicine, ICD10 is now also thrust upon physicians, patients, hospitals and insurance companies. No party involved, including government will be equipped to handle it in time for the deadline. Each involved industry will lose time and money as in most massive government undertakings. Worst of all, patients will suffer at the hands of a purportedly well intentioned government.

Best wishes for good health,
Craig M. Wax, DO
Family physician
Editorial Board of Medical Economics
Host of Your Health Matters
Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS FM
http://wgls.rowan.edu/?feed=YOUR_HEALTH_MATTERS
Twitter @drcraigwax
Independent Physicians For Patient independence @IP4PI
IP4PI.wordpress.com

Is PCMH meaningful and effective?

Classic solo and small physician family medicine practices have been medical homes for individuals and their families for 100s of years. PCMH is an arbitrary expensive government and insurance designation than means nothing as documented by recent studies.

WSJ: Study Questions Benefits of ‘Medical Home’ Programs for Chronically Ill
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304834704579405444193946228.html

PCMH Pilot Not Associated with Cost Reductions, Study Shows
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/QUA-301470/PCMH-Pilot-Not-Associated-with-Cost-Reductions-Study-Shows

The patient’s relationship with the invested physician practice owner is the key to best health. Both parties interact at will and mutually benefit from the interaction.

Best wishes for good health,
Craig M. Wax, DO
Family physician, Editorial Board of Medical Economics
Host of Your Health Matters
Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS FM
http://wgls.rowan.edu/?feed=YOUR_HEALTH_MATTERS
Twitter @drcraigwax
Independent Physicians For Patient independence @IP4PI
IP4PI.wordpress.com

Dr. Chip responds to AOA SGR “Reform” Plea

In response to your recent touchpoint request for action on the SGR; The reason the participation is so low is what you profess is important does not matter at all.

Repeal PPACA and get government out of the decision making process and the payment process for patient care.

The major cost has been a decline in access to physicians and a decline in healthcare delivery at a cost of increased bureaucracy and an insurance company windfall at the expense of the patient payers and the middle class.

Wake up and listen to what we are really saying to you. We need a voice that speaks for us not at us.

Charles J Smutny III, DO, FAAO

Congress is Not Hearing Physician Payment Reform is a Priority—We Need You to Email Today

Congress has not heard from physicians that Medicare physician payment reform is a priority. Only 2.4% of DOs emailed letters to Congress last week. Your engagement with Congress in the coming weeks is imperative to end the constant struggle to reform the physician payment system, currently hindered by the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, once and for all. If you have sent a letter in the past, please send another today.

The “SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act” will only move to a vote by the full House and Senate if Congress hears from the entire osteopathic family. Don’t allow Congress to avoid physician payment reform. Send a letter to your Members of Congress today asking them to co-sponsor the legislation and help advance the bill for a vote. We need your help during this pivotal time!

Take two minutes to send your letter today.

Deadline soon for opting out of Aetna settlement

Guest post from AAPS:

When physicians received a booklet in the mail containing notice of a class-action settlement with Aetna, many of us tossed it in the garbage.

We have posted a copy online for you here:
http://aapsonline.org/judicial/aetna-terms.pdf.

Shockingly, this settlement binds physicians unless they affirmatively opt out of it. This settlement is a fantastic deal for … Aetna, as it gets out of perhaps billions of dollars in claims by paying only a small pittance on what it owes.  How much does Aetna owe you?  Most physicians can kiss their claims against Aetna goodbye if they do nothing with respect to this notice of settlement.

Is Your Healthcare Directed by a Criminal Enterprise?

Guest post from Ken Christman, MD.

Dr. Charles Denham left a career in radiation oncology to join the “patient safety” movement. He formed his nonprofit Texas Medical Institute of Technology, became editor-in-chief of the Journal of Patient Safety, and found his way to the National Quality Forum, where he co-chaired the NQF Safe Practices Concensus Committee. There, he ardently promoted a skin antiseptic formulation that, according to Dr. Bob Wachter, would be a “home run” for CareFusion, the manufacturer of ChloraPrep.

In January, 2014, CareFusion agreed to pay a $40.1 million fine to settle U.S. Department of Justice charges that paying Dr. Denham $11.6 million constituted a kickback.

Americans’ health regulated by Insurance Corporates

Written by Dr. Gina Reghetti, D.O.

Patriots, I wish to inform all of the excessive control that insurance companies are exerting on doctors’ practices, and hospitals, which is seriously altering the acceptable medical standard protocol that doctors are to follow to ensure quality and safe delivery of medical healthcare to patients. As a result of this insurance control, more and more patients are being harmed with no accountability, no regulatory legislation enforced against the insurance corporations. Doesn’t that seem strange? Health and safety are priority, and second to nothing! What is more important than one’s life?

ABIM/ABMS violating doctor privacy

Info about ABIM/ABMS shakedown sent from Parvez Dara, MD

Here is ACP in ABMS pocket too…

Dear Colleague,

Our records indicate that you earned your ABIM certification prior to 1990 and therefore hold a time-unlimited certificate that does not expire.  Internists in this position are sometimes referred to as “grandfathered” because you have not been required to recertify with the ABIM every 10 years.

I am writing to you now to make sure you are aware of new ABIM requirements regarding Maintenance of Certification which may affect you.