AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

Tell us, where do you primarily see patients? A private practice, an institution? Take a minute to update your member profile and make sure your practice setting and clinical focus areas are updated. 

In 2012, the ABIM Foundation launched the Choosing Wisely^® campaign with a goal of advancing a national dialogue on avoiding wasteful or unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures. AAPM&R established a Choosing Wisely^® Task Force to develop its list of “Things Physicians and Patients Should Question.” To ensure broad representation across our diverse specialty, members of this group were selected from various practice settings and subspecialties within PM&R. View the latest information.

Have you checked out the new PhyzForum? This is your destination to receive insights and ideas from fellow physiatrists. There are many active conversations taking place—log in and start engaging. Be sure to add us to your safe sender email list to ensure you’re not missing any discussions.

Don’t forget to upload your profile picture, your peers want to see you!

We’re bringing top-notch ultrasound education to you during the 2016 Annual Assembly. Don’t miss our preconference course and hands-on workshops that include an excellent faculty lineup who are dedicated to helping you grow your ultrasound skillset.

• Fundamentals of Ultrasound Preconference Course
  • NEW this year—online lectures will be available before the live course!
  • Earn up to 9.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Hands-On Workshops
• Learning Lab: Ultrasound—included in your registration
  

We want to see you at our annual Business Meeting during #AAPMR2016. Make plans to attend on October 22, where you’ll vote on nomination recommendations, approve the membership roster, consider bylaw amendment proposals, review 2016 activities, and preview 2017 Academy initiatives. View the full agenda and more.

On August 12-13, a Concussion “Think Tank” gathered at the Academy Headquarters in Rosemont, IL for a strategic planning summit on physiatry and concussion. The Think Tank consisted of some of the leading minds in physiatric concussion treatment. Learn more.

The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-mandated quality reporting program that gives eligible professionals (EPs) incentives and negative payment adjustments to promote reporting of quality information.

PQRSwizard^® is an online reporting tool, offered in partnership with CECity, which allows for individual EPs to report their PQRS data. The tool is now open for 2016 reporting. Physicians must successfully participate in PQRS in 2016 to avoid up to an 8-10% penalty in 2018. 2016 data is due February 28, 2017. Learn more.

National Quality Forum (NQF) is committed through its Measure Incubator™ to foster learning and improvement in the measure development process. Earlier this summer, NQF challenged the Measure Incubator working groups to identify specific areas for improvement and innovation. Through this process, the working groups revealed opportunities for improvement and leading gap areas in measure development. Now through September 18, 2016, the Measure Incubator™ is seeking proposals that identify innovative and agile approaches to solving one or more of the opportunities for improvement or leading gap areas in measure development. Learn more and access the submission form.

Do you ever find yourself wondering just what exactly CMS is looking for when one of their contractors denies a visit? Click here to find the guidance document published by CMS, which explains in some detail what they are looking for when you bill an E&M code. This information is current as of August 2015.

CMS reports that improper billing continues to be a leading cause of Medicare noncompliance for providers. The CMS Provider Minute: Lumbar Spinal Fusion video includes pointers to help you submit proper documentation for this procedure. Learn about:

• The 4 elements needed in the medical record.
• How to obtain an attestation for an illegible signature.
  

This video is part of a series to help providers of all types improve in areas identified with a high degree of noncompliance.

Through the generous support of The Milbank Foundation, the Foundation for PM&R is able to offer 2 new research grants of $25,000 each in physiatric rehabilitation of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Applications are now available for the Justus Lehmann and the Aspen Spinal Bracing Research Grants as well; criteria and application forms for all 4 grants can be found here. The application deadline is November 1, 2016. Questions can be directed to panderson@foundationforpmr.org, or call (847) 737-6062.

• Leslie Cavazos, MD, has joined St. Luke’s Physical Medicine and Rehab Associates in Duluth, MN. She recently completed her PM&R residency, as well as a fellowship in cancer rehabilitation at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Prior to joining St. Luke’s, Dr. Cavazos volunteered at a drug rehabilitation center and co-founded an acupuncture practice. Congratulations, Dr. Cavazos! Read more.

• Stuart Glassman, MD, discussed medical marijuana use for chronic pain patients on New Hampshire Public Radio's "The Exchange" program. Read more.

• Nadeem Hussain, MD, MPH, medical director of Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s Medical Rehabilitation Unit in Buffalo, NY, has received the hospital’s annual “Doctor of Distinction” award for 2016. Congratulations, Dr. Hussain! Read more.

Do you have a newsworthy story to share with your peers? Send us an email at: pressinquiries@aapmr.org.