AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

Your Academy membership includes peer-developed resources focused on lifelong learning that help assess your skills and move your career forward. Renew today and you’ll instantly receive:

• One complimentary self-assessment exam for practitioners (SAE-P)—earn 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• All practice improvement projects (PIPs) are available at no cost to all members
  

Have you not used your complimentary SAE-P code from 2016? Renew your membership now to ensure that you do not lose access to your resource until you are ready to claim it. With your renewed 2017 membership, you gain an additional self-assessment. Learn more about the value of your membership.

Last week, we met with more than 50 physiatrists in the Seattle area to discuss Bold ideas for the future of PM&R through in-person focus groups, visits to local practices, and fun networking. Thank you to those who joined us! Stay tuned for a video recap.

Watch the recap videos from our recent trips to Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City to learn more about our community gatherings and the Bold conversations we're having across the country. 

Are you interested in presenting at an AAPM&R event? Do you have expertise in a physiatry-focused topic? Then nominate yourself to be part of our faculty. Or, let us know what other presenters you would recommend or would like to see again. Complete this survey.

AAPM&R is seeking 5 volunteer representatives who are enthusiastic about state policy issues and advocacy. The Academy is working to implement a new state advocacy strategy to create a formal system to monitor and respond to advocacy issues that arise at an individual state level and have potential implications at the national level. Read more about this volunteer opportunity and send your application by November 30, 2016.

Photos from the 2016 Annual Assembly are now available online. Click here to view the AAPM&R 2016 Assembly gallery. Photos are grouped by name and day. Both print and digital file formats are available. You will need to set up an account in order to purchase materials through this site. Happy browsing!

Complete an online self-assessment examination for practitioners (SAE-P) on mē^® and earn up to 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Don’t forget! Fellow and associate members receive 1 free SAE-P each year as long as you maintain your membership. Renew your membership now to claim your free resource.

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Sports Medicine
• Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
• Pain Management
• Regenerative Medicine
• Spasticity
  
  

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 the reporting of quality information. Why is it important that you participate? CMS states that physicians must successfully participate in PQRS in 2016 to avoid a penalty in 2018. Learn how to get started by visiting your Academy’s website.

The final Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) rule (with comment period) was published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2016. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will accept comments on the OPPS final rule through Dec. 31. Read more.

CMS advises that changes to the claims processing systems to implement the 2017 ICD-10 updates for several of the CMS National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) has not occurred and will not be implemented until early January 2017. Updates will then be phased in over the first quarter of 2017. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) are awaiting CMS direction on how to handle claims.

As of October 31, 2016, CMS has awarded the next round of Medicare Fee-for-Service Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) contracts to 5 different regions. Read more.

Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have been instructed to issue a compliance letter instructing named providers and suppliers to refund any erroneous charges and recall any past or existing billing with regard to improper QMB billing. Read more.