mma news may/june04 - maine medical center · 2014-03-07 · mma news may/june04 5/27/04 10:01 am...
TRANSCRIPT
In this issue...
medicineMaineMaineMaine
MAY/JUNE 04
President’s Corner. . . . . . 2
Upcoming SpecialtySociety Meetings. . . . . . . 2
CCMEA AnnualMeeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Upcoming at MMA . . . . . 3
The Coding Center . . . . . 4
Public Health Corner . . . . 5
Spotlight on APGAROffice Systems . . . . . . . . . 5
Medicare Drug Cards . . . 5
Legislative Update . . . . . 6
Ethics Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
When this year’s Annual Session convenes on Friday, September10th, it will mark a return to the historic Colony Hotel inKennebunkport for the first time in thirty-two years. MMA held a num-ber of Annual Meetings at the Colony in the mid-twentieth century, butthe 1972 meeting was the last. Medical historians differ on what causedour departure, but in any case, the hotel and town have laid out the redcarpet for MMA members, guests and exhibitors for what promises tobe one of the best meetings in modern times.
The theme of this year’s Annual Session is “Medicine Rewired:Putting Technology to Use in Your Practice.” CME Director LaurelColeman, M.D., has put together a top-notch CME program focusing ontechnological issues such as e-prescribing and electronic medicalinformation systems. Keynoting Friday’s sessions will be Thomas E.Sullivan, M.D., immediate Past President of the Massachusetts MedicalSociety and Chair of the AMA’s Advisory Committee on Technology. Dr.Sullivan, a cardiologist, is well-known for his progressive views movingmedicine into the technology age. Many state and federal initiatives arepushing technology and connectivity, including Dirigo Health.
The meeting will begin witha Keynote luncheon at noon onFriday, September 10th and willconclude with a breakfast pro-gram on “Medicine and theHumanities” on Sunday morn-ing, September 12. Educationalprograms are scheduled forFriday and Saturday afternoon.On Saturday morning, MMA willhold its second GeneralMembership meeting to electofficers, consider Resolutionsand enact a budget and consti-tutional amendments. Reports from all MMA Committees will also bepresented at that time. MMA’s first woman President, Maroulla Gleaton,M.D., will give a President’s Address at the General Membership Meeting.
Over forty vendors are expected to exhibit at the meeting and a fullcomplement of social and recreational pursuits will take place. The TonyBoffa Band will play on Friday evening and the Annual Banquet will beheld Saturday evening, at which time new officers will be installed.Medical Mutual Insurance Company of Maine will again generously spon-sor golf, tennis and the 27th Annual Edmund Hardy, M.D. Road Race.
Give yourself a break and join your colleagues in September inbeautiful Kennebunkport. Registration materials are enclosed.
Thomas E. Sullivan, M.D., immediatePast President, MassachusettsMedical Society, Keynote Speaker
Monday, August 30, 2004Noon
Augusta Country Club
Look for materials in the mail in June!
MMA, in conjunction with thePenobscot County Medical Society, will host
an Anniversary Gala on Saturday evening,September 18th at the Maine Center for the Arts inOrono. The Penobscot County Medical Society was
organized in 1854, being the first County Medical Society in Maine. TheGala will celebrate the Society’s 150th Anniversary, as well as MMA’s 151stAnniversary.
A commemorative video is being prepared for the event which will con-sist of a reception and dinner followed by the program. Invitations will besent to all MMA members over the summer.
Because of the unqualified success of MMA’s Sesquicentennial Event
last Fall in Portland, a similarevent in central/northern Maine was con-sidered appropriate. There is a lot of history tobe shared and celebrated with many memorablephysicians and medical families.
An organizing Committee of Drs. George Wood, Thomas Palmer, HadleyParrot, Warren Strout and George Bostwick are working with CountySociety President Richard Long, M.D. and MMA staff to put together theevent. Any interested members or family of members are invited to partic-ipate by sharing stories and materials, and by joining us at the event. Formore information contact Gordon Smith or Chandra Leister at MMA at 622-3374 or [email protected] or [email protected].
151st Annual Session Returns to Kennebunkport
MMA news May/June04 5/27/04 10:01 AM Page 1
An Ugly Shadow
An old shadow, heroin, is raising its ugly head.Working with the state attorney general G. Steven Roweand law enforcement, most physicians are aware now ofoxycontin abuse. We have made strides in addressing this
problem through collaboration and communication. Since 9-11, 2001, ourMaine/Canadian border has been more closely patrolled so that the flow of oxycontin haslessened. However, one of the unforeseen end results of these events has been theincreased use of heroin. Its use is up 200% in the Northeastern United States.
The heroin that is available these days is not like the stuff of the seventies. It is muchmore pure. It can be taken orally, snorted, or injected. This makes its use much moreappealing to not only adults, but kids. Unfortunately, there is a false assumption that theheroin of today is somehow less harmful because there are no syringes involved.Alarmingly, narcotics usage is up 40% in high school students. Heroin is also cheaperthese days at four dollars a bag. Scary, that you can become addicted after only the thirdhit/use. The biggest rise is in the 18-24 year olds, but kids in the 7th - 12th grades areshowing up addicted. Now for the first time some kids are using by age 10! Some signifi-cant themes: Most have used other gateway drugs first like tobacco and alcohol (their par-ents have probably used these legalized drugs) and many have symptoms of depression.
There is polypharmacy out there as well. A significant number of these kids and youngadults gain easy access to parent’s or grandparent’s medicine cabinets filled with narcotics,benzodiazepines, antidepressants or stimulants and either use/abuse them or sell them on thestreet to buy more of their drug of choice. Every one in ten school age kids has or is cur-rently abusing prescription drugs, as reported by a representative of the Drug EnforcementAgency during a presentation to anesthesiologists in mid-May in Washington, D.C. This yearin February alone, the Northern New England Poison Center received over 300 calls fromMainers about opiods, with questions about benzodiazepines running second.
Eventually, abusers find their way into the legal/criminal system. They typically havedestroyed their learning opportunities in the educational system, become unreliable in theworkforce and ruined or strained their personal relationships in the process. Up to eighty-five percent of people in jails are substance abusers. For every dollar that society spendson treatment of addicts, it saves seven dollars. Not a bad return on investment. All of thisdata is alarming and disturbing.
What is MMA doing and what more can be done?The MMA has been engaged in dialogue with U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby on these issues.
She will be the Keynote speaker at our Physician Survival Seminars on May 26th and June23rd. In this newsletter, you can read about a new electronic system that will track apatient’s prescription filling experiences and feed the information back to doctors to poten-tially identify abusers. To deal with these complex time consuming patients, we need moretrained physicians and substance abuse treatment facilities. Difficult issues surroundingmethadone clinics and the training of physicians to prescribe buprenorphine have arisen.Many communities are reticent about having methadone clinics, however these clinics notonly provide treatment, they also provide much needed counseling and job training. After1-2 years, addicts can wean off methadone. Statistics show success rates at 60% for thefirst year and 75 - 80% three to five years out.
The MMA Executive Committee, spurred on after a joint meeting with New Hampshireand Vermont Medical Societies on this issue, will develop a Resolution to take to theAnnual Meeting at Kennebunkport in September to help address the opiod abuse andtreatment problem.
While Maine physicians don’t need more issues to be involved with, this one needs tobe on our agenda, front and center. These are our children and their future.
Any thoughts, comments or questions can be directed to me, Maroulla Gleaton, M.D.,by calling 207-622-3185, faxing 207-622-5697, or emailing [email protected].
President’s Corner Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings
Maroulla Gleaton, M.D.,President, MMA
JUNE 24, 2004 Cabbage Island - Boothbay Harbor, MEMaine Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Lobster BakeMMA Contact: Anna Bragdon 207-622-3374 or [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 10 - 11, 2004 The Colony - Kennebunkport, ME(Being held in conjunction with MMA’s Annual Session)
Maine Gastroenterology Society Meeting (September 11th)MMA Contact: Chandra Leister 207-622-3374 or [email protected] Psychiatric Association Meeting (September 11th)MMA Contact: Warene Eldridge 207-622-7743 or [email protected] Society of Anesthesiologists Meeting (September 11th)MMA Contact: Anna Bragdon 207-622-3374 or [email protected] Society of Orthopedic Surgeons Meeting (September 10th & 11th)MMA Contact: Lauren Mier 207-622-3374 or [email protected] Maine Urological Society Meeting (September 11th)MMA Contact: Ann Verrill 207-622-3374 or [email protected]
OCTOBER 1, 2004 Bar Harbor Regency - Bar Harbor, MEMaine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Fall Business Meeting(To be held in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium)10:30am - 12:30pmMMA Contact: Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or [email protected]
OCTOBER 1-3, 2004 Bar Harbor Regency - Bar Harbor, ME3rd Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium(Presented by the Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons)MMA Contact: Chandra Leister 207-622-3374 or [email protected]
OCTOBER 1-3, 2004 The Colony - Kennebunkport, MEDistrict I ACOG MeetingMMA Contacts: Chandra Leister or Ann Verrill 207-622-3374 [email protected] or [email protected]
NOVEMBER 13, 2004 Augusta Civic Center - Augusta, MEMaine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Fall ConferenceMMA Contact: Chandra Leister 207-622-3374 or [email protected]
M A I N E M E D I C I N E 2
CCMEA Annual Meeting
The Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation’s Annual CME Meetingwas held on April 29, 2004 at the Senator Inn, Augusta. The program speaker was Dr.Steven Strode from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences. Dr. Strode’s presentation,“ACCME Opportunities and Challenges for the Future of CME” reflected environmental fac-tors impacting the ACCME accreditation system, the status of ACCME’s updated Standards of
Commercial Support and new ACCME poli-cies. In attendance were several ofMaine’s twenty-seven CME accreditedproviders. In addition, the Annual Awardof Excellence was presented by MMAPresident Maroulla Gleaton, M.D. toPenobscot Bay Medical Center, for its out-
(left to right) Dr. Maroulla Gleaton and Dr. Peter Leadley presenting Cathy Hoplerof Penobscot Bay Medical Center with theAward of Excellence
MMA news May/June04 5/27/04 10:01 AM Page 2
MMA Welcomes Our
Newest Corporate Affiliate:
We appreciate their support!
UPCOMING AT MMA
JUNE 17, 20048:30am - 4:30pm
Home Care Alliance
5:30pmMaine Psychiatric Association
JUNE 21, 20041:00pm - 2:30pmPre-CAC Meeting
2:30pm - 4:30pmMedicare Carrier Advisory Committee
JUNE 29, 2004All Day
MMA Staff Summer Outing
JULY 6, 20046:00pm
Executive Committee, Maine Chapter,American Academy of Pediatrics
JULY 12, 20046:00pm
Committee on Physician Health
JULY 21, 20042:00pm
Loan and Trust Committee
JULY 24, 20046:15pm
Payor Liaison Committee
JULY 27, 20049:00am - 1:00pm
Maine Center for Public Health
JULY 28, 20042:00pm
Executive Committee (At Dr. Gleaton’s Home)
AUGUST 3, 20041:30pm
STOP STROKE Meeting
Crescendo Consulting Group
MMA Welcomes the Following New MembersDONALD M. BOOTH, M.D., 690 Minot Avenue, Suite One, Auburn, ME04210-3922. M.D. from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA.Surgery, Hand.
CRAIG BRETT, M.D., 96 Campus Drive, Suite 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.M.D. from University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT.Cardiovascular Disease.
GORDON H. CLARK, M.D., 1 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101. M.D.from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science,Washington, DC. Psychiatry.
MICHAEL H. CLARK, M.D., 8640 Sudley Road, Suite 203, Manassas, VA20110-4404. M.D. from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, LomaLinda - Los Angeles, CA. Family Practice.
HEIDI A. DECKER, M.D., 80 Main Street, Livermore Falls, ME 04254.M.D. from University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT. FamilyPractice.
JENNIFER EATON, D.O., P O Box 909, 114 Sanford Road, Wells, ME04090. D.O. from University of New England, College of OsteopathicMedicine, Biddeford, ME. Obstetrics and Gynecology.
ANDRE P. EDMONDS, M.D., 325 D Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville,ME 04901. M.D. from McGill University, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal,Quebec. Orthopedic Surgery.
A. INGRID ERIKSSON, M.D., 690 Minot Avenue, Suite One, Auburn, ME04210-3922. M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,Baltimore, MD. Orthopedic Surgery.
PATRICK FALLON, M.D., Central Maine Orthopaedics, 690 Minot Avenue,Auburn, ME 04210. M.D. from Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine,Halifax, NS. Orthopedic Surgery.
JEFFREY FLORMAN, M.D., 49 Spring Street, Scarborough, ME 04070.M.D. from University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.Neurological Surgery.
DAVID T. GREENLEAF, M.D., Two Great Falls Plaza, Auburn, ME 04210.M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. OrthopedicSurgery.
JEFFREY HOLMSTROM, D.O., c/o University Healthcare, 655 Main Street,Saco, ME 04072. D.O. from University of New England, College ofOsteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, ME. Family Practice.
DOUGLAS JICHA, M.D., Vascular Surg. of Portland, 306 US Route 1,Scarborough, ME 04074. M.D. from Columbia University College ofPhysicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. General Surgery.
WAYNE KRUITHOFF, M.D., 149 North Street, Waterville, ME 04901. M.D.from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.Cardiology.
KAREN KURKJIAN, M.D., 96 Campus Drive #1, Scarborough, ME 04074-7133. M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.Cardiovascular Disease.
ALAN LANGBURD, M.D., 19 West Street, Portland, ME 04102. M.D. fromMount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York, New York,NY. Cardiology.
SACHA D. MATTHEWS, M.D., 33 Sewall Street, Portland, ME 04102. M.D.from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.Orthopedics.
PAUL D. MCGRATH, M.D., 96 Campus Drive, Ste 1, Scarborough, ME04074. M.D. from University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT.Internal Medicine.
WALTER S. MEDLIN, M.D., 121 Medical Center Drive, Suite 3500,Brunswick, ME 04011. M.D. from University of Washington School ofMedicine, Seattle, WA. General Surgery.
JOHN F. MOLONEY, M.D., 96 Campus Drive, Ste 1, Scarborough, ME04074. M.D. from University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester,MA. Cardiology.
HECTOR J. ROSQUETTE, M.D., 690 Minot Avenue, Suite One, Auburn, ME04210-3922. M.D. from Indiana University School of Medicine,Indianapolis, IN. Orthopedic Surgery.
THOMAS J. RYAN, M.D., 96 Campus Drive #1, Scarborough, ME 04074-9665. M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Cardiology.
EDWARD J. TEUFEL, M.D., 96 Campus Drive, Suite 1, Scarborough, ME04074. M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington,DC. Internal Medicine.
STEWART J. TURNER, M.D., 57 State Road, Kittery, ME 03904. M.D. fromSt. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Ophthalmology.
LESLEY S. WEST, M.D., 6 East Chestnut Street, Augusta, ME 04330. M.D.from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.Cardiovascular Disease.
www.mainemedicine.com 3
standing compliance with the Essential Areas and Elements set forth by the ACCME. Dr. Peter Leadley, Chair of the CCMEA Committee thanked Dr.Richard Kahn, Chair of the PBMC Education Committee and Cathy Hopler, Credentialing and CME Specialist at PBMC for their hard work and ded-ication to the CME Program.
Thank you to the following twenty-seven CME sponsors in Maine for their support of MMA’s CME and Accreditation program.
Aroostook Medical CenterAugusta Mental Health InstituteCary Medical CenterCentral Maine Medical CenterDownEast Community HospitalEastern Maine Medical CenterFamily Institute of SweetserHoulton Regional HospitalMaineGeneral Medical Center - AugustaMaineGeneral Medical Center - Waterville
Maine Coast Memorial HospitalMaine Medical CenterMaine Medical Education TrustMedical Care DevelopmentMedical Mutual Insurance Company
of MaineMercy HospitalMid-Coast HospitalMiles Health Care Memorial HospitalParkview Memorial Hospital
Penobscot Bay Medical CenterRedington-Fairview General HospitalSt. Joseph Health CareSt. Mary’s Regional Medical CenterSouthern Maine Medical CenterUniversity of New EnglandWaldo County General HospitalYork County Hospital
MMA news May/June04 5/27/04 10:01 AM Page 3
M A I N E M E D I C I N E 4
Laurie Desjardins, CPC and Jana Purrell, CPC, Coding/Reimbursement Specialists • Maine Medical Association/NH Medical Society/VT Medical SocietyTel: 888-889-6597, Fax: 207-787-2377 • [email protected], [email protected]
Laurie Desjardins, CPC
the Coding Center
UPCOMING EVENTS Jana Purrell, CPC
CODING IN THE OFFICE 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMMODIFIERS - EVERY ONE TELLS A STORY 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
June 11, Friday–Hampton Inn Saco/Biddeford, MaineJune 15, Tuesday–Fratello’s, Manchester, New HampshireJune 16, Wednesday–Holiday Inn, Portsmouth, New HampshireJune 18, Friday–Maine Medical Association, Manchester, MaineJune 21, Monday–Hampton Inn, Colchester, VermontJune 22, Tuesday–Rutland Regional Hospital, Rutland, Vermont
TOPICS IN GYN CODING AUDIO CONFERENCE 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMJune 29, TuesdayCall from the comfort of your office and have as many people as your room canhold listen in for the same price.
TRICKS OF THE TRADE—FRACTURE CARE AND INJECTIONS AUDIO CONFERENCE 1:00 PM - 3:00 PMJune 29, TuesdayCall from the comfort of your office and have as many people as your room canhold listen in for the same price.
HANDS ON CHART AUDITING WORKSHOP 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMJuly 20, Tuesday–Keeley’s, Portland, MaineJuly 21, Wednesday–Spectacular Events, Bangor, MaineJuly 28, Wednesday–(location pending), VermontJuly 29, Thursday–(location pending), VermontJuly 30, Friday–Fire Side Inn, Lebanon, New HampshireAugust 5, Thursday–Radisson (formerly the Holiday Inn),
Manchester, New Hampshire
CODING CERTIFICATION CLASS 3:00 PM - 7:00 PMAugust 17 - November 30,
Tuesdays–Massachusetts Medical Society, Waltham, MassachusettsAugust 18 - December 1, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesdays–New Hampshire Medical Society, Concord, New HampshireAugust 19 - December 2, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursdays–St. Mary’s Hospital, Lewiston, Maine
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT IN YOUR BILLING DEPT. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMCREATING A CHART AUDITING PROGRAM IN YOUR OFFICE 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
September 08, Wednesday–(location pending), MaineSeptember 13, Monday–(location pending), VermontSeptember 22, Wednesday–(location pending), New Hampshire
JULY & AUGUST
THE BUSINESS OF THE PHYSICIAN OFFICE 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMOctober 20, Wednesday–(location pending), VermontOctober 27, Wednesday–(location pending), New HampshireNovember 03, Wednesday–(location pending), Maine
OCTOBER & NOVEMBERSEPTEMBER
2005 CODING CHANGES 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMEVALUATION & MANAGEMENT CODING 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
December 14, Tuesday–(location pending), VermontDecember 15, Wednesday–(location pending), New HampshireDecember 16, Thursday–(location pending), New Hampshire
DECEMBER SPECIALTY SPECIFIC AUDIO CONFERENCESSEVERAL PROGRAMS PLANNED FOR THE FALL 2004. STAY TUNED!
If you’d like more information or to learn more about The Coding Center you can viewour website (under construction) at www.thecodingcenter.org or call us at 1-888-889-6597 or email us at [email protected] or [email protected]. We look forward to assisting you with your coding and educational needs now and in the future.
JUNE
Bidders Conference Held on Dirigo Health Insurance Product
At least four major insurance companies attended the bidders conference on theDirigo Health Insurance Plan held May 17th in Augusta. MMA representatives attend-ed to assess the current level of interest among the potential bidders and to hear thequestions asked and answered.
Tom Dunne, Director of Dirigo Health and Karynlee Harrington, marketing manag-er reviewed the Request for Proposals assisted by consultants from Mercer. MMA notedattendees from Anthem, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, Cigna and United Healthcare.
Proposals are due from potential bidders on June 11th. If no bids are received, thestate has the authority in the Dirigo Health legislation to go back to the legislature and
establish its own insurance company to offer the product. While it is assumed that thatprovision alone is likely to spur enough interest among existing carriers to make a bidto be the state's partner in this effort, the RFP is a very complex document, with manytechnical and financial provisions that may discourage even the most avid suitor.Further complicating the negotiations is the state's arcane and difficult contracting law,which makes it difficult to "negotiate" with a proposed vendor without risking anappeal by a rejector bidder (the recent award regarding the state's liquor business isa good example).
MMA staff will continue to follow the development of Dirigo Health and informmembers and practice staff of its progress (or lack thereof) through the pages of ourweekly electronic newsletter. Dirigo Health continues to attract much attention fromboth the local press and national outlets.
MMA news May/June04 5/27/04 10:01 AM Page 4
MAINE MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION
30 Association Drive P.O. Box 190
Manchester, ME 04351 207-622-3374
1-800-772-0815 Fax: 207-622-3332
NEWSLETTER EDITORRichard A. Evans, M.D.
207-564-0715Fax: 207-564-0717
PRESIDENTMaroulla S. Gleaton, M.D.
207-622-3185Fax: 207-622-5697
PRESIDENT-ELECTLawrence B. Mutty, M.D.
207-326-4637Fax: [email protected]
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Gordon H. Smith, Esq.207-622-3374
Fax: [email protected]
Information in this newsletter is intended to provide
information and guidance, not legal advice.
Since exact language and definitions of key terms are critical to understanding the requirements of legislation,
rules or laws, we encourage you to read each carefully. Articles submitted to Maine Medicine
represent the views of the author only and do not necessarily
represent MMA policy.
www.mainemedicine.com 5
Spotlight on APGAR Office SystemsIn each issue of Maine Medicine, a new or existing corporate
affiliate will be highlighted. MMA appreciates the support of ourcorporate affiliates, and appreciates the efforts of MMA mem-bers and practices to utilize these firms and our other endorsedvendors.
APGAR Office Systems, located at 65 River Road, in Chelsea,Maine, just a quarter of a mile from the Augusta line on Rte 9, is theCapital District’s finest purveyor of office furniture, filing systemsand business machines. They were, in fact, awarded the 1999“Governor’s Award For Business Excellence,” the only company intheir industry ever to receive this award.
Yes, Virginia, there is a relationship to the famous DoctorVirginia Apgar, who formulated the Apgar Assessment Test for neo-natal infants, earning her a stamp issued in her name (October 24,1994) and a place in the National Women’s Hall of Fame (inductedin November, 1995). Samuel Apgar, who passed away in March of2001, was her great-nephew. Sam’s wife, Christine, has picked upthe banner and APGAR continues to grow under her able leadership.
APGAR is locally owned and operated, but APGAR’s relationshipwith “OF/USA”, a large national office furniture buying group, givesAPGAR the exclusive capability to serve Maine with high qualityoffice furniture products at low, no-haggle prices. “OF/USA”’s‘Quick-Ship’ capability enables APGAR’s customers to receiveorders in a fraction of normal delivery times, while their compre-hensive well laid out catalog makes ordering easy. Special needsand desires can also be met in an unusually timely manner.
APGAR is also proud to be Maine’s exclusive dealer for“Montel” filing and shelving systems. With identity theft on the rise,and the new “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act”in effect, the medical records of patients must be more carefullyprotected than ever. From the simplest shelving needs to mechani-cal and electrical high-density, mobile storage systems, “Montel”can solve any archiving needs, and provide the security mandatedby the “HIPAA laws”. Their trademark motto is “The Intelligent UseOf Space”; a very apt description of their systems. There are sys-tems designed to handle paper files, books and manuscripts, art-work collections, small and large artifact collections, garments andtextiles, and specimen collection cabinets providing specific micro-climate needs for conservation of entomological, geological, zoo-logical and herbaceous materials.
APGAR also boasts a machine division second to none; featuring“Toshiba - The Name Speaks For Itself” and “Gestetner”, whichincludes “Savin”, “Lanier”, and “Ricoh” brands of color multi-function systems, copiers, printers, fax machines and multi-func-tion machines that scan, print, copy and fax. Their factory author-ized technicians pride themselves on a rapid response to machineservice needs. APGAR also features the “Destroyit” brand of shred-ders. APGAR has shredder models from desk-side units designed toshred up to 7 sheets of paper at a time, to central units capable ofshredding a three-ring binder, metal and all.
APGAR’s capable staff can take you through the entire process ofsetting up or renovating a workspace of virtually any description.From the measuring of your space, to design, style, layout and instal-lation of the finished product, APGAR will be there every step of theway. Give APGAR a call at 207-623-2674(COPI), toll-free at 800-903-2674(COPI), visit them on-line at www.apgarofficesystems.com,or stop by their showroom at 65 River Road, Chelsea, Maine.
APGAR Office Systems...“Tomorrow’s Office, Today”
Public Health Corner Graduate Public Health Education comes to Maine! University of
New England College of Osteopathic Medicine web-based fall cours-es: Principles of Epidemiology and Introduction to EnvironmentalHealth (3-graduate credits each). Course registration deadline isJuly 19th. Please view http://www.une.edu/com/publichealth/ formore program or contact information.
Medicare Drug CardsEffective in June, the new Medicare prescription drug cards may
lead to patients asking questions of their physicians. The cards areexpected to save seniors 10 to 25% off drug costs but more impor-tantly, low-income seniors will receive a $600 credit in ‘04 andagain in ‘05. The cards cost up to $30 per year, but for low-incomeseniors there is no cost.
One of the difficult issues for seniors is determining which cardis “best” for them. All cards offer discounts on some drugs, but dif-ferent cards have different formularies, different drug prices, andare accepted at different pharmacies. Companies offering the cardscan change formularies and prices at any time, but most seniorscan’t switch cards until open enrollment from November 15 toDecember 31.
Seniors may get advice and help in selecting a card by calling 1-800-Medicare or by accessing www.medicare.gov.
Maine’s New Electronic Prescription Monitoring Program
On July 1st, the Office of Substance Abuse (OSA) will begindata collection for all Schedule II-IV drugs through the newlyestablished Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). The goalof the program is to assist prescribers and dispensers to identify“doctor shoppers” and emphasize prevention and treatment.Dispensers in the state will be required to electronically submittheir transactions to GHS Data Management, Inc. (the OSA dataentry contractor). Data will be submitted on the 15th and 30thof each month to GHS by the dispensers, which will allow the OSAto monitor Schedule II through IV prescriptions. Confidentialreports will then be generated that will identify those personswho surpass thresholds determined by sound medical guidelines.(doctor shoppers for example, would be identified through areport that lists all the prescribers in a 30 day period that haveprescribed a Scheduled II, III or IV drug to that patient, etc...).The prescribers and dispensers will only receive reports on apatient to whom they prescribed a schedule II, III or IV drug,who surpasses the pre-determined thresholds. Prescribers anddispensers can also submit requests for reports to GHS on indi-vidual patients for whom they are concerned or as part of a nor-mal patient work-up for new patients. GHS will respond to allrequests within a 24 hour period. There is no charge for thesereports. Feel free to contact the Office of Substance Abuse at287-3363 with any questions and concerns. GHS is available toanswer any questions on reports or data submittal at 622-7153.Kim Johnson, Director of OSA will be presenting more informa-tion on this important topic at MMA’s Physician Survival Programin Bangor on June 23rd.
MMA news May/June04 5/27/04 10:01 AM Page 5
M A I N E M E D I C I N E 6
MMA Concludes Successful LegislativeSession
Around 8 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2004, the 121stMaine Legislature gave up work on the contentious issuesof property tax relief and new state bonding andadjourned sine die (adjournment without assigning a
day on which to assemble again - final adjournment). The Legislature did complete itsroutine business including enactment of the second supplemental budget of the ses-sion, L.D. 1919.
Thanks to Katherine Pope, M.D., MMA Legislative Committee Chair, LegislativeCommittee members and conference call participants, and members who acted as “Doctorof the Day” or testified at the Legislature, the MMA has concluded another successful ses-sion representing the interests of physicians at the Maine State House.
In 2004, MMA faced no issues as significant as last session’s Dirigo Health Plan legisla-tion (L.D. 1611), but organized medicine in Maine did deflect an effort to move towardsprescriptive authority for psychologists (L.D. 1713), avoid direct cuts to MaineCare physi-cian reimbursement and the Fund for a Healthy Maine in two supplemental budgets (L.D.1828 and L.D. 1919), ensure a prominent role for public health in the merger of DHS andDBDS (L.D. 1913), and enact a bill to initiate a prescription drug disposal system in ourstate (L.D. 1826).
While we are disappointed that the Legislature passed and the Governor signed the billto expand the scope of practice of acupuncturists to include a variety of unproven tech-niques known popularly as “oriental medicine (L.D. 263),” it was important for the organ-ization to take a stand for evidence-based medicine. The bill ultimately passed by a merefour votes in the House.
The following are some highlights from the MMA’s review of the $160 million FY 2005budget document (L.D. 1919):
■ $2 M cut in the General Fund of DBDS for FY 04; $4.7 M cut in “other special rev-enue funds” for the Department in FY 05
■ $1.2 M FY 04 “other special revenue funds” appropriation for the Dirigo HealthDepartment
■ No cuts in the Fund for a Healthy Maine in FY 05 ■ $2.3 M in General Fund savings to be achieved through increased 3rd party recovery
by the MaineCare program ■ a new requirement that health care providers report to DHS infants with prenatal
exposure to drugs ■ a new Behavioral Health Working Group “to facilitate improved claims processing
and reimbursement for medically necessary behavioral health services, including butnot limited to emergency and urgent care services, pursuant to the Maine InsuranceCode and Bureau of Insurance Rule Chapter 850” (Part FF)
■ $1.5 M in savings in FY 05 from the mental health parity law ■ an increase in the hospital tax from 0.74% to 2.23% of net operating revenue (“tax
and match”)■ a provision that hospital-based physician practices “may not discontinue acceptance
of new MaineCare patients and may not limit services to MaineCare patients in anymanner that differs from the acceptance and service limitation policies that apply topatients with any other payment source.” (Part YY)
■ $10.8 M in additional General Fund savings in the MaineCare drug program alongwith a directive to the MaineCare Advisory Committee to establish a subcommittee toreview the prior authorization process (Part FFF)
■ $9.5 M in additional General Fund savings from the implementation of the“MaineCare Basic” benefit redesign (Part MMM)
You can view or download the Committee Amendment (H-904) to the second supplemental budget on the following web page:http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280013007&LD=1919&Type=1.
The five boards and commissions established in the Dirigo Health Plan legislation (L.D.1611) continue to implement the Governor’s health care reform plan. The Dirigo HealthBoard of Directors, chaired by Robert McAfee, M.D., has issued its request-for-proposals(R.F.P.) for health insurance carriers interested in offering the Dirigo Health product and hasset a deadline for responses on June 11, 2004. You can track the implementation of the DirigoHealth Plan on the web at: http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/healthpolicy/index.html.
Now that the current legislature has adjourned, the 2004 campaign season begins.The MMA and the MMA’s political action committee, the Maine Physicians ActionFund, encourage you to introduce yourself to the candidates for the 122nd MaineLegislature and to offer yourself as a resource on health care issues. You can find can-didate information on the 2004 elections at the Secretary of State’s web site:http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2004elec.htm.
The MMA’s summary of legislation tracked during the 121st Maine Legislature will beavailable soon. Look for a notice in Maine Medicine and Maine Medicine Weekly Update.The MMA staff will be developing a legislative agenda for the 122nd Legislature from nowthrough late fall. If you have issues you would like the MMA to consider addressing throughlegislation, please contact Andrew MacLean, General Counsel & Director of GovernmentalAffairs at [email protected] or 622-3374.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Andrew MacLean, Esq.
The MMA welcomes your participation in our legislative advocacy activities. Formore information, contact Andrew MacLean, General Counsel & Director ofGovernmental Affairs at [email protected].
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Ethics Note: Torture
Americans have been appalled by the recent allegations of abuse and torture
of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. military members and civilian contractors at the
Abu Ghraib prison. No one has alleged involvement by military physicians
in this activity, but military physicians who may have treated or determined
the health status of these prisoners and knew of such activity had an ethical
obligation to intervene. In Opinion 2.067, Torture, the AMA Code of
Medical Ethics states that physicians must not participate in torture and
urges physicians to oppose torture. The opinion also defines torture and
defines participation in torture. You can view the ethics opinions on the
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“Ethical Opinions” and then “E-2.00, Opinions on Social Policy Issues.”
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