(b)
Each nomination
must bear the signature endorsement of four members in good standing.
(c)
All nominations
must be submitted in writing before April 15th.
|
Officers |
President-elect (vote for one) Secretary (vote for
one)
□ Annette Teijeiro,
MD □ Mitchell
Forman, DO
Delegate Chair (vote for one) Treasurer (vote for one)
□ Kevin Hyer,
DO □ George
Alexander, MD
|
Trustees (vote for five total) |
Nominating Committee’s Slate
□ Rhonda
Robbins, MD
□
□
□ John
Kurlinski, MD
□ James
Lenhart, DO
|
Nominating Committee (vote for four) |
□ Ronald Kline,
MD
□ Warren Evins,
MD
□ Carol Van der
Harten, MD
□
Clark County District Court Medical Malpractice Filings
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008
Jan 39 33 108 61 41 50 109 64
Feb 20 14 98 72 63 61 41
Mar 35 30 169 123 64 38 70
Apr 37 34 111 81 70 58 60
May 37 35 126 65 14 71 84
Jun 27 24 103 90 65 83 56
Jul 19 100 114 45 66 74 84
Aug 54 51 76 67 33 82 74
Sep 20 65 105 79 36 51 62
Oct 37 83 110 59 26 74 78
Nov 38 184 59 78 73 50 53
Dec 9 170 67 47 30 28 53
Sum 372 823 1246 867 581 720 824 64
Member News
Congratulations and Welcome to the
·
James N Lau,
MD - General Surgery, 2040 W
Charleston Blvd 601, Las Vegas, NV 89102
·
Congratulations and Welcome to the
·
Shauna L Cole,
PA – Supervising Physician
Member – Lawson Richter, MD
Congratulations and Welcome to the
·
Steven M
Hopkins – Touro
Welcome Reinstated Members:
·
Albert H
Capanna, MD
·
Frank R Gioia,
MD
Applicants to Go Before Credentialing Committee
· Naomi Chaney
- Internal Medicine
· George
Westerman, MD - Internal Medicine
If you have any pertinent information about the
membership candidates listed above, please contact:
For
information on becoming a member of the
Alliance
By Wendy Agrawal & Estela Hansen, 2007-08 CCMS
CCMSA Annual Nursing
Award Luncheon
Newly Renovated
Spanish Trail Country Club
Tuesday, March 4th at
11:30am, RSVP to ccmsa@ccmsa-lv.org
Once again the CCMSA
Annual
Don't be a victim of complacency and inertia
By Mitchell D.
Forman, D.O., FACR, FACOI, FACP
CCMS Delegate Chair
Don't let
others decide the fate of our healthcare system. Be a part of the process that creates
positive change in the healthcare of
Opportunity,
challenge and collaboration have defined my experience since relocating to
The NSMA's
104th Annual Meeting at the Embassy
Suites in
By becoming
a Delegate or Alternate Delegate, you have decided to become a force for
positive change. You have decided to
take personal responsibility for the health of our communities and
CCMS Delegates will meet in March to discuss and prioritize issues for discussion at the NSMA Annual Meeting and to select CCMS' nominations for the NSMA Community Service Award recipient and the recipient of the Distinguished Physician Award. The registration fee for the Annual Meeting will be reimbursed by CCMS if you are present for the required roll calls . I encourage interested members of the CCMS who desire to be Delegates to contact me or the CCMS as soon as possible.
BOT Meeting Minutes Synopsis
January 15,
2008
I.
Call to Order
The
meeting was called to order by Dr. Havins at
II. Action Items
A. Minutes from the December 18, 2007
meeting were unanimously approved.
B. Financial report was presented by Dr.
Steinberg:
§
General Revenue – Actual for 6 months of Fiscal
Year 2007-08 is $333,809.32 compared to $348,594.13 in Fiscal Year 2006-07 for
a decrease of $14,784.81 over last year at this time.
§
Operating Expenses – Actual for 6 months of Fiscal
Year 2007-08 is $199,717.16 compared to $196,604.45 for an increase of
approximately $3,112.71 over last year at this time.
§
Overall,
for the first five months of our fiscal year, revenues exceeded our expenses by
$134,092.16. The bank balance for the
end of November was $613,310.69 compared to $544,989.68 last year at this time.
III. Committee Reports
A. Membership
Count
Dr.
Adashek presented the Membership Report:
§
As
of December 31, 2007, total dues-paid membership is 637, compared to 704 last
year at this time. This is a net
decrease of 67 members.
§
Total
CCMS members is 922, including 196 dues exempt members.
§
There
are 20 new members, 0 new student members and 7 reinstatements in the Fiscal
Year 07-08.
§
There
are 89 Student members in the Fiscal Year 07-08.
B.
Credentials Committee Report
Janice
Poblete presented the Credentials Committee Report. Candidates for membership were unanimously approved.
|
Applicant Names |
Specialty |
|
James Lau, MD |
General Surgery |
|
|
Anesthesiology |
|
Shauna Cole, PA |
Lawson Richter, MD (Supervising
Physician) |
Reinstated Members Student
Members
Albert Capanna, MD Steven
Hopkins – Touro
Frank Gioia, MD
C.
Community
Health/Community Relations Committee
Dr.
Teijeiro presented the report.
§
Dr. Teijeiro
stated that the committee is continuing to work on the non-profit clinic
project and expressed a desire for more participation in the committee.
§
Dr.
Jameson reported that a meeting at the Las Vegas Country Club was held January
14 wherein their goal is to open
§
Dr.
Garn Mabey will serve as the legislator/lobbyist for the organization.
§
The
groundwork is being laid to obtain a 501(c)(3), which is the first major
hurdle.
§
Dr.
Jameson stated that momentum is building within the community with interested
parties coming forward from many different areas, i.e., medical schools,
hospitals and insurance carriers.
§
Meetings
will be held every two weeks from 6:00 - 7:00 pm at the Las Vegas Country
Club.
D.
Remodeling
Committee
Dr.
Fathie stated there is nothing to report.
§
Dr.
Colletti advised that Lowe’s and Home Depot will provide an estimate for $75.00
and asked the approval of the Board to obtain estimates.
§
The
BOT approved the motion unanimously.
IV. Delegate Chair Report
Dr.
Forman presented the report.
§
Invited
all BOT members to attend the Delegates meeting immediately following the BOT
meeting.
§
A
letter will be sent via broadcast fax and will also be published in the
February County Line encouraging participation as a Delegate and to attend the
NSMA annual meeting.
§
Over
the next two months the members of CCMS delegation will be discussing topics
and creating resolutions/action items to present at the NSMA annual meeting.
§
The
BOT approved a motion to reimburse the registration fees of CCMS members (up to
the maximum delegates allowed). The
reimbursement of registration fees is not to exceed $300.
V.
Wendy Agrawal and Estela Hansen were
not present; therefore, no report was given.
VI.
Dr. Sands presented the report.
§
The
first laboratory-confirmed case of Influenza was reported in
§
The
Office of Epidemiology has identified several cases of mumps in
§
Flu
shots are recommended for all pregnant women. If patients are being turned
away, it is recommended that physicians write a prescription for the
immunization so the in-store clinics such as Walmart, Walgreens, etc., will
provide the immunization.
§
Beginning
with the 2008-09 academic years, the Nevada State Board of Health will enact
new immunization regulations that require children entering the seventh grade
to be immunized against pertussis. Also,
college freshmen younger than 24 years of age who will reside in on-campus
housing at a
VII.
§
Dr.
Bar-on was not able to attend, however, she provided an update (included in the
BOT packet) for review.
VIII.
§
Dr.
Lenhart and Dr. Trevisan were scheduled to be present at the meeting, however,
they were unable to attend. Therefore,
no report was provided.
IX.
Dr.
Foreman presented the Touro Report.
§
Dr.
Forman introduced the newest member of Touro’s staff, Dr. Rick Schaller,
DO. Dr. Schaller’s interest is in
graduate medical education and community relations and looks forward to working
with CCMS and the community.
X. Scholarship Fund Report
Dr. Ellerton stated there was no
report, however, there will be an annual meeting in March.
XI. NSMA Report
Larry
Matheis presented the report:
§
The
council met Saturday, January 12.
Included in the issues addressed was a follow-up to the J-1 Visa waiver
problems. A letter was sent to the state
health commission with some suggestions for consideration.
§
Legislative
Strategy – The Government Affairs Commission will meet Thursday, January
18 to review/approve the draft strategy
for distribution.
§
An
update is included in the BOT packets regarding the status of the United Health
merger.
§
A
Disaster Preparedness newsletter was issued to everyone this week, with the
content provided by Dr. Sands.
XII. MedPAC Report
Dr. Evins presented the report.
§
Time
to re-elect the Board of Directors for the 2008-09 term.
§
Currently,
there are 25 MedPAC members for the upcoming term.
§
Dr.
Evins requested the CCMS BOT appoint 4 members to the Board of Directors as
specified in the bylaws. Drs. Havins,
Jameson, Kline and Evins were appointed to the MedPAC Board of Directors.
XIII. AMA Report
§
Dr.
Nelson reminded the BOT that it is their duty to be a Delegate to the NSMA
annual meeting. She encouraged everyone
to submit resolutions for consideration at the annual meeting.
XIV. NBME Report
Dr. Rodriguez presented the report.
§
The
in-house surgery report was distributed to all physicians and Dr. Rodriguez
requested that everyone complete/submit their report.
XV. President’s Report
§
United/Sierra
Merger Update – an update is included in the BOT packet
§
XVI. Administrative Report
Dr.
Havins stated there was no Administrative Report.
XVII. New Business
§
Ruvo
(Alzheimers) Center -- Dr. Jameson had lunch with Dr. Katchatorian and some of
the elders & wives. Dr. Katchatorian
is trying to figure out a non-abrasive way to enter the community. He would like the opportunity to present to
the BOT and possibly submit an article to be published in the
§
NemPAC Meeting –
Dr. Evins stated that Dr. Havins presented an Inn of Court meeting regarding
Medical Malpractice. Dr. Evins stated
that there is a growing movement to change the current legislation, so it is
more important now than ever to get involved in making sure that Iniative #3
remains unchanged, and to support Dr. Heck for re-election.
XVIII. Old Business
None
to report.
XIX. Future Meetings
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19,
2008 at
XX. Adjournment
Meeting
adjourned at 6:47 pm.
XIV.
Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
President signs legislation delaying Medicare cuts for 6 months
From the Congressional Monthly
Update, Jan 2008
On Saturday, Dec. 29, the president signed
the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, which replaces the 10.1
percent reduction in Medicare Part B payments scheduled for 2008 with a
six-month, 0.5 percent increase. Physicians will again face a reduction in Part
B payments in July 2008 unless Congress once again intervenes.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) announced that it will give physicians an additional 45 days to
decide whether to participate in the Medicare program for 2008. Providers now
have until
Besides temporarily averting the cut, the
Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007:
- Extends the SCHIP at current funding through
- Continues the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative for all of
2008 (successful participants will still earn a bonus payment of 1.5
percent of all covered professional services provided during the reporting
period);
- Extends the 5 percent bonus payment to physician shortage areas
through June 30;
- Extends the geographic practice cost index floor of 1.0 through
June 30;
- Extends a provision in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that allows
independent laboratories to bill Medicare directly for the technical
component of certain pathology services provided to hospitals through June
30;
- Extends the exceptions process for therapy caps through June 30;
- Extends the current “charges to cost” methodology that provides a
separate payment for brachytherapy beginning April 1, including
therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals;
- Extends the reasonable costs payments for certain clinical
diagnostic laboratory tests in rural areas through June 30;
- Requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to
adjust the average sales price (ASP) calculation to use volume-weighted
ASPs based on actual sales volume and institutes a reimbursement rate for
generic albuterol; and
- Allows reimbursement for certain diabetes laboratory tests for
home use at the same rate as other glycated hemoglobin tests beginning
April 1.
Please note that congressional action to
avert the reduction to the conversion factor is not the only change affecting
2008 Medicare payment rates. Adjustments will vary by service, specialty and
locale based on the following factors included in the final CMS 2008 Medicare
fee schedule rule:
- 2008 will be the second year in a four-year transition to revise
practice-expense relative value units.
- A number of services — particularly under anesthesiology, and
home-health and eye exams — have revised relative value units for
physician work. These values increase significantly.
- CMS has increased the budget-neutrality adjustment created last
year to compensate for changes to the five-year review of work values;
payments for many services will drop by about 1 percent.
- The geographic adjustment factors (GPCIs) have been updated, as
they are every three years. The changes’ magnitude is generally small, but
affects many payment locales. In addition, the law just passed by Congress
continued the floor on the work GPCI and the physician-scarcity area
bonuses until June 2008.
The rule adds new services to those subject
to imaging payment cuts stemming from the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which
limits payments to no more than the comparable payment in hospital outpatient
departments.
CMS issues limited delay in application of
expanded anti-markup rule
CMS issued a delay in the application of the expanded
anti-markup rule that it published in the 2008 final physician fee schedule.
CMS posted a notice to be published in today's Federal Register that
postpones implementation of the rule until
The rule scheduled to take effect on
The delay postpones application of this new
rule except in the case of anatomic pathology diagnostic testing services
furnished in space used by a physician group practice as a "centralized
building" (as defined in the in-office ancillary services exception to the
physician self-referral regulations) for purposes of complying with the
physician self-referral law if the space does not also meet the "same
building" definition (found in the same regulations). CMS has stated its
intention to use the one-year delay to clarify the application of the rule,
issue an additional proposed rule, or both.
Current 2008 PQRI program
Funding will continue for the 2008 Medicare Physician
Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), which will contain 119 measures. A medical
group could receive 1.5 percent of its entire Medicare Part B total allowed
charges as a bonus during the 2008 reporting period.
CMS has published updated PQRI documents:
- 2008 PQRI Coding for Quality Handbook – provides coding and reporting
principles and describes successful reporting for each measure.
- 2008 Measure Specifications Release
Notes – describe recent changes to measure
specifications due to recent technical corrections posted in November on
the CMS PQRI Web site.
- PQRI Data Collection Worksheets were developed for each 2008 PQRI
measure, through a partnership with the American Medical Association.
(These worksheets provide a step-by-step description on how to document
and code each PQRI measure.)
Professional Employer Organizations Can Lighten Administrative Burden
By
Jared Jones
This article was adapted from a
professional paper submitted to the American College of Medical Practice
Executives(ACMPE), and from an article published by the Medical Group
Management Association (MGMA) in their journal, ‘MGMA Connexion’.
Many medical practice executives are turning to professional employer organizations, also known as PEOs, to handle employment issues and relieve them of the administrative burdens of running a medical practice. PEOs assume many risks, eliminate numerous headaches, and provide a group’s employees with a quality benefits package, often at a lower cost. They can also help a management team focus on what they do best, practicing medicine, instead of spending time and energy on employee-related issues.
Since their inception in the 1980’s, PEOs have steadily expanded their scope of services from basic bookkeeping to nearly all aspects of a high-functioning human resource department. More recently, individual PEOs have begun to specialize in certain areas to better understand the inner-workings of those specific industries.
Under the co-employment arrangement, an organization allows the PEO to handle services such as payroll; health, dental, life and disability insurance; retirement plan; risk management functions including workers’ compensation and unemployment, and other activities that usually fall under the authority of the practice administrator.
The increasing complexity of employment-related functions such as personnel management, health benefits, workers’ compensation, payroll, payroll tax compliance and unemployment claims dictate that most average-sized medical group practices must seek help in managing them. These management strategies include hiring an internal HR expert, paying an accountant to oversee payroll administration and ensure compliance, employing a payroll service, and relying on outside consultants or vendors to solve individual issues as they arise.
These strategies work for some groups and are worth the price paid if the functions are performed correctly. If they fail to address at least one important component, the practice is ultimately liable for the mistake. Under the PEO arrangement, the PEO as the employer of record assumes the risk for the services provided.
In addition to the plethora of human resource management, risk management, and payroll functions, the PEO can provide a wider, more cost-effective selection of benefits than the group could otherwise offer, and also assumes the risk for administering those benefits.
As the utilization of PEOs and their services continue to grow at high rates, it leads many to ask questions about possible negatives associated with Professional Employer Organizations. This is especially true with medical practice administrators that already have liability concerns.
The growth in the PEO industry has led many individuals and groups without the knowledge and education to capitalize on the industry by starting a PEO business. Many of these groups, when utilized, become a liability, and in many cases may end up costing the client time and money.
Medical groups in
While instances like these have happened in the past and in some cases are still happening, The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) is taking steps to ensure that they are not common, and are very proactive in discrediting these “flash in the pan” groups from the start.
If a PEO seems like it may be a good philosophical fit for your practice, how do you ensure it will perform the functions you require? Where is the accountability? NAPEO offers some basic guidelines when considering a PEO for your practice.
1) Determine your HR and risk-management needs,
2) Ensure that the PEO can meet your goals,
3) Check the firm’s financial background by asking for banking and credit references,
4) Ask for client and professional references,
5) Check to see if the PEO is member in good standing of NAPEO,
6) Investigate the company’s administrative and risk-management competence,
7) Understand how employee benefits are funded? Who is the third party administrator or carrier? Is it licensed?
8) Understand how the PEO tailors employee benefits. Determine if they fit the needs of your employees.
9) Review the service agreement carefully. Are the respective parties’ responsibilities and liabilities clear? What guarantees are provided? What provisions permit you or the PEO to terminate the contract?
If a PEO does not meet or exceed your standards in regards to the above listed questions, it is probably not a good idea to utilize their services. After all, you are outsourcing many of the practice’s administrative functions, and you should feel comfortable with group in knowing that they will mitigate your liability rather than becoming a liability.
PEOs exist to provide services to businesses for many reasons. Whether it’s a lack of experience or expertise with human resources, a lack of time, or maybe the owner just doesn’t want to deal with the hassles of employment and the associated liability. A PEO arrangement may, or may not, be right for your medical practice, but the potential benefits are at least worth careful and thoughtful consideration.
Jared
Jones represents the Professional Employer Organization Resource Management,
Inc. in
CME Calendar
AHEC 318-8452
x 258
Online - "Domestic Violence and Medical Ethics"
Bechtel
NV Cancer Institute 822-5290
NV Chapter AACE 434-8400
Pri-Med Institute (877)
4PRI-MED
Sierra Health Services 242-7735
Southwest Medical Associates 242-7735
Mar 7 - Neurovascular Case Discussions
1.5 CME Credits
Mar 14 - “Managing UA/NSTEMI in 2008: From Acute Care to Long-term Prevention of Secondary Events”
1.5 CME Credits
Mar
29 - Neurosciences Conference (
UMC
383-2604
Education Opportunities for Practice
Managers 697-5471
ext 134
Call the NV Medical Group Management
Association
Only CME Activities held at the Clark County Medical Society office are specifically endorsed by CCMS.
Southern Nevada Health District Report
Terrorism Injuries:
Information, Dissemination and Exchange (TIIDE)
By
Southern Nevada Health District
In order to enhance our ability to respond effectively to a mass casualty event producing numerous victims with traumatic injuries, the Southern Nevada Health District is working to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based and integrated strategic plan to strengthen the daily operations of the emergency medical services and trauma system. To accomplish this overarching goal the health district is participating in the Terrorism Injuries Information, Dissemination and Exchange (TIIDE) Project. The project was established to address the urgent need to develop and share information about injuries resulting from terrorism.
In
the 2006
The
health district was one of seven communities from across the nation selected as
best practice models for
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), “each of the selected communities has been
successful in strengthening the relationship and collaboration between public
health and the emergency care community to improve daily operations and disaster
preparedness for their communities.” The communities selected were identified
as having common features including:
- Strong medical oversight on both public health and emergency care.
- A desire and an effort to educate both emergency care and public health providers about each others' role.
- Recognition of the role of and a commitment to developing and maintaining relationships between leadership through regular meetings, teambuilding exercises, and planning.
- Bringing community stakeholders (businesses, clinics, universities, etc.), into the planning process.
- Creating disaster plans that were developed locally, involve public health and emergency care, and that are repeatedly drilled.
The health district’s participation in this program will help facilitate the dissemination of critically needed information to prepare for and respond to terrorist events, especially explosives. The goals of the three-year grant are to:
- Create automated
linkages to identified data sources for timely access to the number and type
of patients who access emergency medical care through
- Analyze the data
and assess the current baseline status of
- Develop and disseminate relevant, timely and evidence based information regarding pre-hospital, hospital and trauma center capacity and capability to provide transportation and emergency care to multiple victims with traumatic injuries.
To
accomplish these goals it will be important to engage new partners in the
public health, public safety, emergency care and emergency management
communities while maintaining and reinforcing our existing relationships. As
staff completes an inventory of existing data sources they will work with
identified partners to establish connections in order to allow information to
be more readily shared throughout different systems. This in turn will allow
Staff will also work collaboratively with the CDC and TIIDE partners to develop needed information including a field triage protocol for mass casualties, clinical references for blast injury training for health care professionals, and best practice models for civilian injury care based on recent military experience.
These efforts are especially important for our community as our rapidly growing population, significant tourist volume, and relative geographic isolation from any other major urban area contribute to our vulnerability to a mass casualty incident. As our emergency medical services and trauma system currently operate at full capacity on a near daily basis, the potential for a catastrophic event to overwhelm the system must be addressed through enhanced planning and assessment of our current resources and future needs. More information on the TIIDE Project is available on the CDC website at http://emergency.cdc.gov/masscasualties/tiidefacts.asp.
Classifieds
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doctors office, MA, scheduling, telephones.
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NEW
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from the new
Physician
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FOR
LEASE: Summerlin, any specialty short or long term, brand new, 2
miles from
Equipment
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Sub-lease
available: 9280 Sunset Rd (at
general
& laparoscopic surgery: We strive to provide high quality &
timely general & laparoscopic surgery services. Inpatient, outpatient, emergent &
elective consultations. Kevin Rayls, MD,
FACS & Stephen Horsley, MD. Mountain
West Surgical 796-0022, 9280 W Sunset,
laparoscopic
surgery: Obesity (weight loss), lap band, gastric bypass, antireflux
(Nissen), gall bladder, colon, splenectomy, stomach, rectum, wounds, PEGS,
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Bernadine A. Hanna, MD 384-1160, 501 S Rancho, Suite F-38, 89106.
County Line
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BJC Investments, LLC ……228-7464 …. www.priorityonecommercial.com
Bozell & Jacobs for MX Secure … 402-965-4300
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Five Star Mortgage ….. 947-7827……. www.mortgage4doctor.com
H&H Properties …. 858-342-2683
MassMedia for Territory 433-4331 ….. www.massmediacc.com
Medical Group Management Association ….. 697-5471 ext. 134
Medicus……..512-467-2800 ……. www.medicusinsurance.com
Nevada Docs Support Association, Inc ….. 702-215-4894… www.nvdocs.com
Nevada Mutual Insurance Company ….. 798-6001 ….. www.nevadamutual.com
Premier Physicians Insurance Company…..860-6130 ... www.ppicmedmal.com
Sunset Health Realty, LLC …. 310-273-2277