DCMS Board Actions - Meeting June 9, 2009

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Posted 6.28.09

DCMS Board Actions

A meeting of the Board of Directors of the Delaware County Medical Society (DCMS) was held on June 9, 2009 at the society’s Media office. Dr. DeMario proposed that the DCMS coordinate a plan to highlight local public relations activities of individual physicians and the society in the community and to further develop some specific professional outreach initiatives, to help more physicians recognize the value in working together on important issues.

The board briefly discussed the recent “Docs On Call” telephone program which was held on May 18, 2009 at the KYW 3 television studio in Philadelphia At the conclusion of this discussion, the board directed staff to communicate with state society staff regarding some specific concerns with the program and a request to investigate the possibility of changing venues for future programs.

In a discussion of national healthcare reform efforts which are underway in Washington, DC the board noted that many physician groups and other key healthcare related stakeholders have shared input with the administration. In this discussion it was noted that the AMA’s goal of repealing the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) continues as an important priority.

A detailed discussion of state government’s phase out of the Mcare Fund included a presentation by Denise E. Zimmerman, Executive Vice President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. In this presentation it was noted that under Act 13 of 2002, the limits of primary liability coverage for physicians in the state are scheduled to increase in 2010 (as step #1) from five-hundred thousand dollars/year to seven-hundred fifty thousand dollars/year – with the Mcare fund’s coverage decreasing from fifty percent to twenty five percent of the required one million dollars of coverage.

The board further noted that step #2 (scheduled for 2013) would entail the primary limits being raised to one million dollars and the Mcare fund no longer covering new cases, despite continued assessments of physicians until the fund has no more liabilities. The board noted several plans to promote grassroots advocacy on this issue and directed staff to continue educational outreach efforts to promote a successful retirement of the plan.

The board discussed a number of practice management issues including new “red flag” rules on identity theft which are now scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2009; proposed legislation to reinstate certificate of need (CON) requirements in Pennsylvania and a proposal to further limit physician self-referrals.

The board reviewed a recent article “HINI & Emergency Preparedness” which was written by Dr. Hessen and was printed in several local weekly newspapers.

Ms. Shearer led a brief discussion on group membership practices and efforts of the state and county medical societies to promote membership to physicians who are practicing in large groups. Following some brief discussion, this matter was referred to the Executive Committee for follow-up.

Mr. McKeighan reported that the DCMS recently hosted a meeting of the Delaware County Immunization Coalition and that the society will continue as an active partner with this group, serving with representatives of the PA Department of Health; each of the local hospitals/health systems; several pharmaceutical companies and county government.

Mr. McKeighan also introduced several other matters of new business, which were referred to the Executive Committee, including a request for endorsement from Talksoft Corporation (Reminder Service); a request from PMSLIC to coordinate risk management programs; and nominations to the various councils and commissions of the Pennsylvania Medical Society for the coming year.

The next meeting of the DCMS Board of Directors is scheduled for Tuesday evening September 8, 2009