American College of Phlebology : Press Room

President Obama Signs Bill Delaying Medicare Pay Cut to April 1

acpedit — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:58:59 +0000

March 3, 2010 — President Barack Obama last night signed a bill to end the “Medicare meltdown” of 2010. Now Congress faces the task of making sure the meltdown does not repeat itself.

The bill inked by President Obama delays the effective date of a 21.2% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for physicians from March 1 to April 1.

from MEDSCAPE MEDICAL NEWS

AMA Requests Assistance Concerning the SGR

acpedit — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:21:32 +0000

The AMA sent this letter to all Senators and Representatives stressing the urgency of repealing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The letter points out that less than a week remains before the postponed 21% Medicare physician payment cut scheduled for 2010 takes effect. It also expresses the AMA’s opposition to further short-term fixes that make future cuts steeper and the budgetary impact of permanent reform more expensive.

The ACP has been urged to ask our members to share this message with their legislators. The AMA grassroots hotline is available for physicians to use to contact Congress, at 1-800-833-6354.

Further information

February AMA HSR Bulletins and February Advocacy Update

acpedit — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:02:06 +0000

The AMA has issued the February 24, 2010 Health System Reform Bulletin . AMA has previously released Bulletins on: January 22, 2010 Health System Reform Bulletin, January 19, 2010 Health System Reform Bulletin, December 2, 2009; December 4, 2009; December 7, 2009; December 9, 2009, December 15, 2009, December 21, 2009, and December 22, 2009.

In addition, the AMA released their February 2010 Advocacy Update.

These and past bulletins can be found on the ACP website under the RESOURCES AND UPDATES tab, AMA Updates.

AMA Requests Physician Input

acpedit — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:01:16 +0000

As you are aware, on December 30th CMS published the long awaited proposed regulation on the criteria for meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR) incentives. Yesterday the official version of the proposed regulation was published in the federal register. In an effort to provide understandable information on this 550 page regulation, as well as get your input on these proposed requirements, we are providing the following documents:

1) REG FACT SHEET: The AMA has prepared a short document that describes the highlights of the meaningful use regulation. We will be sharing a more detailed document on both this regulation and the certification regulation in the future.

2) FEEDBACK: We are interested in hearing from you on the top five most problematic issues with the meaningful use regulation. Given the volume of input we expect to receive, we have developed a one page document that we are asking you to complete if you would like the AMA to include your concerns in our comments. Please send this back to mari.savickis@ama-assn.org by Friday, February 5th.

ACP Ultrasound Courses in March 2010

acpedit — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:01:35 +0000

Advanced Ultrasound Course, March 5, 2010; and Ultrasound Registry Review Course for RPHs Credential — Paradise Valley, Arizona at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort.

Online registration details and information can be found on the ACP website, www.phlebology.org/meetings/othermeetings.html

Chicago Tribune Insert on Vein Therapy

acpedit — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:41:58 +0000

The ACP has written the forward to this insert which includes paid advertisements. ACP does not endorse any specific practice or physician.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of this insert, please contact Linda Chreno at lchreno@acpmail.org

Medicare Payment ACTION KIT

acpedit — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:25:41 +0000

This web-based kit, from the AMA, provides state by state information as well as other useful resources.

AMA Alert: BC/BS Association Data Breach Alert

acpedit — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:56:39 +0000

The AMA has notified the ACP concerning a data breach at the BCBSA involving provider identifiers. The full alert has been posted here.

ACP Wins Bid to Host 2013 UIP World Congress; Dr. Nick Morrison Elected UIP Vice President

acpedit — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:49:05 +0000

The American College of Phlebology (ACP) will host in Boston the next World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (UIP) in September of 2013. For the first time in UIP’s 50-year history, the event will take place in the United States. To convene jointly with the ACP Annual Congress, the 2013 UIP meeting will provide a world forum for specialists in venous and lymphatic disease for the purpose of furthering phlebologic research and the standards of practice and patient care.

ACP president, Nick Morrison, MD, FACS, FACPh, serving as the ACP’s representative to the UIP Council, UIP’s elective body, has been elected to one of five vice presidential posts for a four-year term. In this role, Dr. Morrison will assume oversight for the UIP, and also serve as program chair for the 2013 UIP World Meeting.

Full Press Release

New York Times Article: Spider Veins

acpedit — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:42:42 +0000

A recent article about Spider Veins. See article here.