AMA HOD Meeting

CHIGAGO – Primary care physicians need better training on preconception counseling, according to the American Medical Association House of Delegates.

At its annual meeting, the HOD passed without debate on June 9 a resolution that calls for the AMA to “support the training of all primary care physicians and relevant allied health professionals in the area of preconception counseling, including the recognition of long-acting reversible contraceptives as efficacious and economical forms of contraception.”

According to the reference committee report, the committee noted that “tremendously supportive testimony was heard for efforts to prevent teen pregnancy and for the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (sic) methods to achieve such prevention and minimize barriers for the use of effective contraception.”

Delegates also called upon the AMA to work with federal stakeholders and pharmaceutical manufacturers to “intensify collaborative efforts involving a public health approach” to reduce harm from inappropriate use, misuse, and diversion of prescription controlled substances, increase awareness that substance use disorders are chronic diseases in need of treatment, and reduce the stigma associated with patients suffering from persistent pain and/or substance use disorders.

According to the report, limited testimony noted that it was “incumbent upon our AMA to continue to address these issues, and further intensify collaborative efforts in order to promote solutions to what are difficult and complex public health issues facing the American public, patients, and their families, and the health care professionals who are entrusted with their treatment.”

The reference committee tackled a number of other issues. Among them was a resolution targeting advocacy for hepatitis C virus education, prevention, screening and treatment. The resolution adopted without debate called for birth year–based HCV screening in alignment with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; working with the CDC and others on education and prevention efforts; supporting screening, prevention, and treatment programs “targeted toward maximum health benefit”; supporting adequate funding and negotiation for affordable pricing for HCV treatments; and recognizing correctional physicians and other physicians in the public health sector as key stakeholders in the development of HCV treatment guidelines.

Also addressed were issues related to drug labeling, with calls to the AMA to work with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that drug labels are updated quicker as new evidence comes to market.

Delegates called on the AMA to support federal efforts to stimulate early research and development of rapid infectious disease diagnostic technologies through increased funding for the appropriate agencies, and to work with payers to overcome reimbursement barriers.

[email protected]

CHIGAGO – Primary care physicians need better training on preconception counseling, according to the American Medical Association House of Delegates.

At its annual meeting, the HOD passed without debate on June 9 a resolution that calls for the AMA to “support the training of all primary care physicians and relevant allied health professionals in the area of preconception counseling, including the recognition of long-acting reversible contraceptives as efficacious and economical forms of contraception.”

According to the reference committee report, the committee noted that “tremendously supportive testimony was heard for efforts to prevent teen pregnancy and for the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (sic) methods to achieve such prevention and minimize barriers for the use of effective contraception.”

Delegates also called upon the AMA to work with federal stakeholders and pharmaceutical manufacturers to “intensify collaborative efforts involving a public health approach” to reduce harm from inappropriate use, misuse, and diversion of prescription controlled substances, increase awareness that substance use disorders are chronic diseases in need of treatment, and reduce the stigma associated with patients suffering from persistent pain and/or substance use disorders.

According to the report, limited testimony noted that it was “incumbent upon our AMA to continue to address these issues, and further intensify collaborative efforts in order to promote solutions to what are difficult and complex public health issues facing the American public, patients, and their families, and the health care professionals who are entrusted with their treatment.”

The reference committee tackled a number of other issues. Among them was a resolution targeting advocacy for hepatitis C virus education, prevention, screening and treatment. The resolution adopted without debate called for birth year–based HCV screening in alignment with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; working with the CDC and others on education and prevention efforts; supporting screening, prevention, and treatment programs “targeted toward maximum health benefit”; supporting adequate funding and negotiation for affordable pricing for HCV treatments; and recognizing correctional physicians and other physicians in the public health sector as key stakeholders in the development of HCV treatment guidelines.

Also addressed were issues related to drug labeling, with calls to the AMA to work with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that drug labels are updated quicker as new evidence comes to market.

Delegates called on the AMA to support federal efforts to stimulate early research and development of rapid infectious disease diagnostic technologies through increased funding for the appropriate agencies, and to work with payers to overcome reimbursement barriers.

[email protected]

CHIGAGO – Primary care physicians need better training on preconception counseling, according to the American Medical Association House of Delegates.

At its annual meeting, the HOD passed without debate on June 9 a resolution that calls for the AMA to “support the training of all primary care physicians and relevant allied health professionals in the area of preconception counseling, including the recognition of long-acting reversible contraceptives as efficacious and economical forms of contraception.”

According to the reference committee report, the committee noted that “tremendously supportive testimony was heard for efforts to prevent teen pregnancy and for the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (sic) methods to achieve such prevention and minimize barriers for the use of effective contraception.”

Delegates also called upon the AMA to work with federal stakeholders and pharmaceutical manufacturers to “intensify collaborative efforts involving a public health approach” to reduce harm from inappropriate use, misuse, and diversion of prescription controlled substances, increase awareness that substance use disorders are chronic diseases in need of treatment, and reduce the stigma associated with patients suffering from persistent pain and/or substance use disorders.

According to the report, limited testimony noted that it was “incumbent upon our AMA to continue to address these issues, and further intensify collaborative efforts in order to promote solutions to what are difficult and complex public health issues facing the American public, patients, and their families, and the health care professionals who are entrusted with their treatment.”

The reference committee tackled a number of other issues. Among them was a resolution targeting advocacy for hepatitis C virus education, prevention, screening and treatment. The resolution adopted without debate called for birth year–based HCV screening in alignment with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; working with the CDC and others on education and prevention efforts; supporting screening, prevention, and treatment programs “targeted toward maximum health benefit”; supporting adequate funding and negotiation for affordable pricing for HCV treatments; and recognizing correctional physicians and other physicians in the public health sector as key stakeholders in the development of HCV treatment guidelines.

Also addressed were issues related to drug labeling, with calls to the AMA to work with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that drug labels are updated quicker as new evidence comes to market.

Delegates called on the AMA to support federal efforts to stimulate early research and development of rapid infectious disease diagnostic technologies through increased funding for the appropriate agencies, and to work with payers to overcome reimbursement barriers.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Other than a brief amendment related to the 3-day rule, the American Medical Association House of Delegates adopted via voice vote a series of reference committee recommendations related to medical service and health system reform.

The lone item that came up for discussion during the June 9 vote at the AMA HOD annual meeting was related to the 3-day rule. The reference committee had substituted language of two separate resolutions and combined it into one, with two provisions: that the AMA “continue to advocate that Congress eliminate the 3-day hospital inpatient requirement for Medicare coverage of posthospital skilled nursing facility services, and educate Congress on the impact of this requirement on patients,” and that the association continue to advocate for the start of the timing clock toward meeting the 3-day rule being when the person enters the hospital or the emergency department or when under an observational status.

During the full-house session, a third resolution was added that the AMA work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to eliminate any regulations requiring inpatient hospitalization as a prerequisite for a Medicare patient’s being eligible for skilled nursing facility or long-term care placement, language resurrected from one of the two earlier resolutions.

Other adopted resolutions cover a wide range of topics, including the high price of generic drugs, vasectomy coverage, end-of-life counseling, and understanding the effects of Medicaid expansion.

Various separate resolutions related to the high cost of generic drugs were rolled into one final resolution that calls for a number of actions.

First, it calls on the AMA to work collaboratively with Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, and other relevant stakeholders to promote policies that address the rising cost of generic drugs. The resolution calls on the AMA to seek a legislative solution to ensure fair generic drug pricing and to educate Congress on the adverse effects of high generic drug pricing.

On Medicaid expansion, the house instructed the AMA to understand the level of health care access due to expansion, the quality of health care delivered, the adequacy of provider payments, and the effects of Medicaid expansion as a whole.

Delegates also adopted a resolution asking the AMA to encourage all private and public payers to reimburse for advanced care planning.

On contraception, the AMA was directed to work with national state and medical specialty societies “to advocate for patient access to the full continuum of evidence-based contraceptive methods and sterilization procedures, including vasectomy and male contraceptive counseling, to promote gender equality in contraceptive services under the ACA.”

With the move to alternate payment models that pay for value and outcomes, the AMA received direction to help practicing physicians with guidance and other assistance to help in the transition.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Other than a brief amendment related to the 3-day rule, the American Medical Association House of Delegates adopted via voice vote a series of reference committee recommendations related to medical service and health system reform.

The lone item that came up for discussion during the June 9 vote at the AMA HOD annual meeting was related to the 3-day rule. The reference committee had substituted language of two separate resolutions and combined it into one, with two provisions: that the AMA “continue to advocate that Congress eliminate the 3-day hospital inpatient requirement for Medicare coverage of posthospital skilled nursing facility services, and educate Congress on the impact of this requirement on patients,” and that the association continue to advocate for the start of the timing clock toward meeting the 3-day rule being when the person enters the hospital or the emergency department or when under an observational status.

During the full-house session, a third resolution was added that the AMA work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to eliminate any regulations requiring inpatient hospitalization as a prerequisite for a Medicare patient’s being eligible for skilled nursing facility or long-term care placement, language resurrected from one of the two earlier resolutions.

Other adopted resolutions cover a wide range of topics, including the high price of generic drugs, vasectomy coverage, end-of-life counseling, and understanding the effects of Medicaid expansion.

Various separate resolutions related to the high cost of generic drugs were rolled into one final resolution that calls for a number of actions.

First, it calls on the AMA to work collaboratively with Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, and other relevant stakeholders to promote policies that address the rising cost of generic drugs. The resolution calls on the AMA to seek a legislative solution to ensure fair generic drug pricing and to educate Congress on the adverse effects of high generic drug pricing.

On Medicaid expansion, the house instructed the AMA to understand the level of health care access due to expansion, the quality of health care delivered, the adequacy of provider payments, and the effects of Medicaid expansion as a whole.

Delegates also adopted a resolution asking the AMA to encourage all private and public payers to reimburse for advanced care planning.

On contraception, the AMA was directed to work with national state and medical specialty societies “to advocate for patient access to the full continuum of evidence-based contraceptive methods and sterilization procedures, including vasectomy and male contraceptive counseling, to promote gender equality in contraceptive services under the ACA.”

With the move to alternate payment models that pay for value and outcomes, the AMA received direction to help practicing physicians with guidance and other assistance to help in the transition.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Other than a brief amendment related to the 3-day rule, the American Medical Association House of Delegates adopted via voice vote a series of reference committee recommendations related to medical service and health system reform.

The lone item that came up for discussion during the June 9 vote at the AMA HOD annual meeting was related to the 3-day rule. The reference committee had substituted language of two separate resolutions and combined it into one, with two provisions: that the AMA “continue to advocate that Congress eliminate the 3-day hospital inpatient requirement for Medicare coverage of posthospital skilled nursing facility services, and educate Congress on the impact of this requirement on patients,” and that the association continue to advocate for the start of the timing clock toward meeting the 3-day rule being when the person enters the hospital or the emergency department or when under an observational status.

During the full-house session, a third resolution was added that the AMA work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to eliminate any regulations requiring inpatient hospitalization as a prerequisite for a Medicare patient’s being eligible for skilled nursing facility or long-term care placement, language resurrected from one of the two earlier resolutions.

Other adopted resolutions cover a wide range of topics, including the high price of generic drugs, vasectomy coverage, end-of-life counseling, and understanding the effects of Medicaid expansion.

Various separate resolutions related to the high cost of generic drugs were rolled into one final resolution that calls for a number of actions.

First, it calls on the AMA to work collaboratively with Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, and other relevant stakeholders to promote policies that address the rising cost of generic drugs. The resolution calls on the AMA to seek a legislative solution to ensure fair generic drug pricing and to educate Congress on the adverse effects of high generic drug pricing.

On Medicaid expansion, the house instructed the AMA to understand the level of health care access due to expansion, the quality of health care delivered, the adequacy of provider payments, and the effects of Medicaid expansion as a whole.

Delegates also adopted a resolution asking the AMA to encourage all private and public payers to reimburse for advanced care planning.

On contraception, the AMA was directed to work with national state and medical specialty societies “to advocate for patient access to the full continuum of evidence-based contraceptive methods and sterilization procedures, including vasectomy and male contraceptive counseling, to promote gender equality in contraceptive services under the ACA.”

With the move to alternate payment models that pay for value and outcomes, the AMA received direction to help practicing physicians with guidance and other assistance to help in the transition.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Physicians would have a 2-year reprieve from penalties while using the new ICD-10 coding set, under a resolution easily passed June 8 by the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates.

However, two proposals related to gun violence generated more heat than consensus among the AMA delegates at their annual meeting.

The ICD-10 resolution calls for the AMA to push the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers for a 2-year grace period from penalties physicians would otherwise face due to coding errors, mistakes, or other issues that might arise after the Oct. 1, 2015, transition to the new coding set.

The resolution passed without any discussion, other than a request that its reference committee report be considered at the top of the voting agenda so the AMA could begin working on it immediately.

The rest of the ICD-10 resolution calls for the AMA to educate physicians on how to meet obligations to Medicare and private payers if they choose to become a cash-only practice that no longer accepts insurance. The resolution also calls for the AMA to collect data on how ICD-10 implementation affects patients and changes practice patterns.

In contrast, two resolutions on gun-related violence produced far less agreement among the delegates.

The first resolution addressed prevention of firearm-related injuries and deaths among youth by calling on the AMA to work with other organizations to identify materials that could be handed out as educational material in clinical practice.

Some delegates were concerned that the resolution could open the door to partnerships with organizations such as the National Rifle Association. However, others saw that as a good thing, because it could open the door to the organizations working together and finding common ground. Some delegates also noted that the NRA has the ability to reach people to promote gun safety whom the AMA might not be able to reach.

After discussion, delegates passed the resolution with a voice vote.

Delegates also considered a resolution in favor of background checks for gun purchases. An earlier AMA Board of Trustees report recommended support for background checks for anyone buying firearms.

A number of delegates rose in support of this proposal. Speaking on behalf of the American Academy of Family Physicians, AAFP President Dr. Robert L. Wergin noted the recent statement of support signed by a number of medical societies and the American Bar Association.

However, the background-check provision met resistance. Some delegates said it would not do anything to stop criminals who are obtaining guns illegally, while others said it was too far-reaching to require all sales to be accompanied with a criminal background check.

The proposal does not address those who can legally own guns, such as law enforcement officials and those who recently purchased a gun and already underwent a check, cautioned Dr. Michael Greene, of Macon, Ga. Others mentioned the potential impact on situations such as nonoperative weapons that are transferred as heirlooms, as well as guns given as gifts.

In the end, delegates sent the resolution back to committee for further consideration.

Delegates did approve an electronic health records resolution that called for holding vendors accountable for system downtime and other technology disruptions, and working with the CMS to earn physicians partial credit if some meaningful use objectives are met, rather than the current all-or-none situation.

Delegates also approved provisions to increase the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP). Under those provisions, the AMA would support voluntary use of state PDMP programs, encourage states to modernize their programs, and support allowing access to PDMPs by a delegate appointed by a physician.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Physicians would have a 2-year reprieve from penalties while using the new ICD-10 coding set, under a resolution easily passed June 8 by the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates.

However, two proposals related to gun violence generated more heat than consensus among the AMA delegates at their annual meeting.

The ICD-10 resolution calls for the AMA to push the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers for a 2-year grace period from penalties physicians would otherwise face due to coding errors, mistakes, or other issues that might arise after the Oct. 1, 2015, transition to the new coding set.

The resolution passed without any discussion, other than a request that its reference committee report be considered at the top of the voting agenda so the AMA could begin working on it immediately.

The rest of the ICD-10 resolution calls for the AMA to educate physicians on how to meet obligations to Medicare and private payers if they choose to become a cash-only practice that no longer accepts insurance. The resolution also calls for the AMA to collect data on how ICD-10 implementation affects patients and changes practice patterns.

In contrast, two resolutions on gun-related violence produced far less agreement among the delegates.

The first resolution addressed prevention of firearm-related injuries and deaths among youth by calling on the AMA to work with other organizations to identify materials that could be handed out as educational material in clinical practice.

Some delegates were concerned that the resolution could open the door to partnerships with organizations such as the National Rifle Association. However, others saw that as a good thing, because it could open the door to the organizations working together and finding common ground. Some delegates also noted that the NRA has the ability to reach people to promote gun safety whom the AMA might not be able to reach.

After discussion, delegates passed the resolution with a voice vote.

Delegates also considered a resolution in favor of background checks for gun purchases. An earlier AMA Board of Trustees report recommended support for background checks for anyone buying firearms.

A number of delegates rose in support of this proposal. Speaking on behalf of the American Academy of Family Physicians, AAFP President Dr. Robert L. Wergin noted the recent statement of support signed by a number of medical societies and the American Bar Association.

However, the background-check provision met resistance. Some delegates said it would not do anything to stop criminals who are obtaining guns illegally, while others said it was too far-reaching to require all sales to be accompanied with a criminal background check.

The proposal does not address those who can legally own guns, such as law enforcement officials and those who recently purchased a gun and already underwent a check, cautioned Dr. Michael Greene, of Macon, Ga. Others mentioned the potential impact on situations such as nonoperative weapons that are transferred as heirlooms, as well as guns given as gifts.

In the end, delegates sent the resolution back to committee for further consideration.

Delegates did approve an electronic health records resolution that called for holding vendors accountable for system downtime and other technology disruptions, and working with the CMS to earn physicians partial credit if some meaningful use objectives are met, rather than the current all-or-none situation.

Delegates also approved provisions to increase the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP). Under those provisions, the AMA would support voluntary use of state PDMP programs, encourage states to modernize their programs, and support allowing access to PDMPs by a delegate appointed by a physician.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Physicians would have a 2-year reprieve from penalties while using the new ICD-10 coding set, under a resolution easily passed June 8 by the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates.

However, two proposals related to gun violence generated more heat than consensus among the AMA delegates at their annual meeting.

The ICD-10 resolution calls for the AMA to push the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers for a 2-year grace period from penalties physicians would otherwise face due to coding errors, mistakes, or other issues that might arise after the Oct. 1, 2015, transition to the new coding set.

The resolution passed without any discussion, other than a request that its reference committee report be considered at the top of the voting agenda so the AMA could begin working on it immediately.

The rest of the ICD-10 resolution calls for the AMA to educate physicians on how to meet obligations to Medicare and private payers if they choose to become a cash-only practice that no longer accepts insurance. The resolution also calls for the AMA to collect data on how ICD-10 implementation affects patients and changes practice patterns.

In contrast, two resolutions on gun-related violence produced far less agreement among the delegates.

The first resolution addressed prevention of firearm-related injuries and deaths among youth by calling on the AMA to work with other organizations to identify materials that could be handed out as educational material in clinical practice.

Some delegates were concerned that the resolution could open the door to partnerships with organizations such as the National Rifle Association. However, others saw that as a good thing, because it could open the door to the organizations working together and finding common ground. Some delegates also noted that the NRA has the ability to reach people to promote gun safety whom the AMA might not be able to reach.

After discussion, delegates passed the resolution with a voice vote.

Delegates also considered a resolution in favor of background checks for gun purchases. An earlier AMA Board of Trustees report recommended support for background checks for anyone buying firearms.

A number of delegates rose in support of this proposal. Speaking on behalf of the American Academy of Family Physicians, AAFP President Dr. Robert L. Wergin noted the recent statement of support signed by a number of medical societies and the American Bar Association.

However, the background-check provision met resistance. Some delegates said it would not do anything to stop criminals who are obtaining guns illegally, while others said it was too far-reaching to require all sales to be accompanied with a criminal background check.

The proposal does not address those who can legally own guns, such as law enforcement officials and those who recently purchased a gun and already underwent a check, cautioned Dr. Michael Greene, of Macon, Ga. Others mentioned the potential impact on situations such as nonoperative weapons that are transferred as heirlooms, as well as guns given as gifts.

In the end, delegates sent the resolution back to committee for further consideration.

Delegates did approve an electronic health records resolution that called for holding vendors accountable for system downtime and other technology disruptions, and working with the CMS to earn physicians partial credit if some meaningful use objectives are met, rather than the current all-or-none situation.

Delegates also approved provisions to increase the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP). Under those provisions, the AMA would support voluntary use of state PDMP programs, encourage states to modernize their programs, and support allowing access to PDMPs by a delegate appointed by a physician.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – The American Medical Association has launched an interactive tool to help physicians deal with burnout.

Dr. Steven Stack, who takes over as AMA president on June 9, said the organization wants “to the restore the joy to the practice of medicine. I think physicians feel besieged right now by an overburdened regulatory environment, too much paperwork, too much time doing clerical tasks that support the provision of care, and too little time actually interacting with patients.”

Gregory Twachtman/Frontline Medical News

The “STEPS Forward” program gives physicians access to online modules to help them improve their practices. Currently, 16 modules are available addressing practice efficiency and patient care, patient health, physician health, and technology and innovation. Each module includes steps for implementation and case studies as well as downloadable tools, videos, and resources. CME credits are available for completed modules.

The modules were designed by physician teams, and all include real-world examples of how the processes that are displayed have been implemented.

We “recognize that in a complex world where everyone’s busy, giving someone a PDF outlining what to do does not get much traction,” AMA CEO Dr. James Madara said during a June 8 press conference at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates..

The AMA, in partnership with the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), also are looking for solutions to add to the STEPS Forward program and plan to award several $10,000 prizes for those who propose the best solutions that help physicians adapt to the changing work environment. Entries are due Sept. 1. Dr. Madara said he hopes to give awards to at least five physicians and their practices for their ideas, but if more come in, AMA and MGMA will make more awards. He hopes those winners will be ready to be announced at MGMA’s annual meeting in October.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – The American Medical Association has launched an interactive tool to help physicians deal with burnout.

Dr. Steven Stack, who takes over as AMA president on June 9, said the organization wants “to the restore the joy to the practice of medicine. I think physicians feel besieged right now by an overburdened regulatory environment, too much paperwork, too much time doing clerical tasks that support the provision of care, and too little time actually interacting with patients.”

Gregory Twachtman/Frontline Medical News

The “STEPS Forward” program gives physicians access to online modules to help them improve their practices. Currently, 16 modules are available addressing practice efficiency and patient care, patient health, physician health, and technology and innovation. Each module includes steps for implementation and case studies as well as downloadable tools, videos, and resources. CME credits are available for completed modules.

The modules were designed by physician teams, and all include real-world examples of how the processes that are displayed have been implemented.

We “recognize that in a complex world where everyone’s busy, giving someone a PDF outlining what to do does not get much traction,” AMA CEO Dr. James Madara said during a June 8 press conference at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates..

The AMA, in partnership with the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), also are looking for solutions to add to the STEPS Forward program and plan to award several $10,000 prizes for those who propose the best solutions that help physicians adapt to the changing work environment. Entries are due Sept. 1. Dr. Madara said he hopes to give awards to at least five physicians and their practices for their ideas, but if more come in, AMA and MGMA will make more awards. He hopes those winners will be ready to be announced at MGMA’s annual meeting in October.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – The American Medical Association has launched an interactive tool to help physicians deal with burnout.

Dr. Steven Stack, who takes over as AMA president on June 9, said the organization wants “to the restore the joy to the practice of medicine. I think physicians feel besieged right now by an overburdened regulatory environment, too much paperwork, too much time doing clerical tasks that support the provision of care, and too little time actually interacting with patients.”

Gregory Twachtman/Frontline Medical News

The “STEPS Forward” program gives physicians access to online modules to help them improve their practices. Currently, 16 modules are available addressing practice efficiency and patient care, patient health, physician health, and technology and innovation. Each module includes steps for implementation and case studies as well as downloadable tools, videos, and resources. CME credits are available for completed modules.

The modules were designed by physician teams, and all include real-world examples of how the processes that are displayed have been implemented.

We “recognize that in a complex world where everyone’s busy, giving someone a PDF outlining what to do does not get much traction,” AMA CEO Dr. James Madara said during a June 8 press conference at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates..

The AMA, in partnership with the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), also are looking for solutions to add to the STEPS Forward program and plan to award several $10,000 prizes for those who propose the best solutions that help physicians adapt to the changing work environment. Entries are due Sept. 1. Dr. Madara said he hopes to give awards to at least five physicians and their practices for their ideas, but if more come in, AMA and MGMA will make more awards. He hopes those winners will be ready to be announced at MGMA’s annual meeting in October.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – With the ICD-10 transition looming, delegates to the annual meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates want their organization to advocate for giving some room to physicians to adjust.

A resolution submitted by the Alabama delegation calls on the AMA to push for a 2-year grace period during which physicians would not be penalized for errors, mistakes, and other system malfunctions, and payments would not be withheld due to coding errors.

Gregory Twachtman/Frontline Medical News

Dr. W. Jeff Terry, chairman of the Alabama delegation, noted that, despite the AMA’s policies and efforts against ICD-10, the government stands firm on its Oct. 1 implementation date.

“I truly believe that we have just not educated Congress well enough as to the issues of the consequences of ICD-10,” Dr. Terry said.

“We – as our AMA, me, and all of you – just haven’t done our job well enough. … I want to stress here today what our AMA message should be from out of this meeting. Even though the American Medical Association is firm in its view that the switch to ICD-10 is a mistake, we also recognized that there are other groups that are fighting to maintain the Oct. 1 implementation date. In order to maintain patients’ access to care and protect physicians’ practices, we offer a compromise solution that will allow ICD-10 to be implemented as planned on Oct. 1, and at same time, protect physicians from suffering financial consequences as a result of coding errors and mistakes for a 2-year period,” he said.

He called for the AMA to put in motion a letter-writing campaign to advocate for the grace period. “This should be our number-one priority, at least from now until Oct. 1, when it won’t matter.”

Dr. Wanda Filer, delegate from the American Academy of Family Physicians, echoed Dr. Terry.

“At this point, we believe that the adoption of ICD-10 is inevitable and, recognizing that advocacy resources are finite, we would like to encourage our AMA to work with CMS to prepare for this and ensure a soft landing for all physicians and patients … rather than a hard start,” said Dr. Filer, who is also AAFP president-elect.

Delegates suggested that the organization focus on how ICD-10 requirements could affect small practices and their patients. They called on the AMA to track data on rejected claims, payment delays resulting from coding errors, and the impact on patient volume.

Reference Committee B, which addresses matters of federal legislation, considered a number of other issues, almost without dissent. One exception was a resolution advocating for background checks on all gun sales, which met with some resistance as being onerous for certain people in specific situations.

Resolutions will be voted on by the full House of Delegates June 8-10.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – With the ICD-10 transition looming, delegates to the annual meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates want their organization to advocate for giving some room to physicians to adjust.

A resolution submitted by the Alabama delegation calls on the AMA to push for a 2-year grace period during which physicians would not be penalized for errors, mistakes, and other system malfunctions, and payments would not be withheld due to coding errors.

Gregory Twachtman/Frontline Medical News

Dr. W. Jeff Terry, chairman of the Alabama delegation, noted that, despite the AMA’s policies and efforts against ICD-10, the government stands firm on its Oct. 1 implementation date.

“I truly believe that we have just not educated Congress well enough as to the issues of the consequences of ICD-10,” Dr. Terry said.

“We – as our AMA, me, and all of you – just haven’t done our job well enough. … I want to stress here today what our AMA message should be from out of this meeting. Even though the American Medical Association is firm in its view that the switch to ICD-10 is a mistake, we also recognized that there are other groups that are fighting to maintain the Oct. 1 implementation date. In order to maintain patients’ access to care and protect physicians’ practices, we offer a compromise solution that will allow ICD-10 to be implemented as planned on Oct. 1, and at same time, protect physicians from suffering financial consequences as a result of coding errors and mistakes for a 2-year period,” he said.

He called for the AMA to put in motion a letter-writing campaign to advocate for the grace period. “This should be our number-one priority, at least from now until Oct. 1, when it won’t matter.”

Dr. Wanda Filer, delegate from the American Academy of Family Physicians, echoed Dr. Terry.

“At this point, we believe that the adoption of ICD-10 is inevitable and, recognizing that advocacy resources are finite, we would like to encourage our AMA to work with CMS to prepare for this and ensure a soft landing for all physicians and patients … rather than a hard start,” said Dr. Filer, who is also AAFP president-elect.

Delegates suggested that the organization focus on how ICD-10 requirements could affect small practices and their patients. They called on the AMA to track data on rejected claims, payment delays resulting from coding errors, and the impact on patient volume.

Reference Committee B, which addresses matters of federal legislation, considered a number of other issues, almost without dissent. One exception was a resolution advocating for background checks on all gun sales, which met with some resistance as being onerous for certain people in specific situations.

Resolutions will be voted on by the full House of Delegates June 8-10.

[email protected]

CHICAGO – With the ICD-10 transition looming, delegates to the annual meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates want their organization to advocate for giving some room to physicians to adjust.

A resolution submitted by the Alabama delegation calls on the AMA to push for a 2-year grace period during which physicians would not be penalized for errors, mistakes, and other system malfunctions, and payments would not be withheld due to coding errors.

Gregory Twachtman/Frontline Medical News

Dr. W. Jeff Terry, chairman of the Alabama delegation, noted that, despite the AMA’s policies and efforts against ICD-10, the government stands firm on its Oct. 1 implementation date.

“I truly believe that we have just not educated Congress well enough as to the issues of the consequences of ICD-10,” Dr. Terry said.

“We – as our AMA, me, and all of you – just haven’t done our job well enough. … I want to stress here today what our AMA message should be from out of this meeting. Even though the American Medical Association is firm in its view that the switch to ICD-10 is a mistake, we also recognized that there are other groups that are fighting to maintain the Oct. 1 implementation date. In order to maintain patients’ access to care and protect physicians’ practices, we offer a compromise solution that will allow ICD-10 to be implemented as planned on Oct. 1, and at same time, protect physicians from suffering financial consequences as a result of coding errors and mistakes for a 2-year period,” he said.

He called for the AMA to put in motion a letter-writing campaign to advocate for the grace period. “This should be our number-one priority, at least from now until Oct. 1, when it won’t matter.”

Dr. Wanda Filer, delegate from the American Academy of Family Physicians, echoed Dr. Terry.

“At this point, we believe that the adoption of ICD-10 is inevitable and, recognizing that advocacy resources are finite, we would like to encourage our AMA to work with CMS to prepare for this and ensure a soft landing for all physicians and patients … rather than a hard start,” said Dr. Filer, who is also AAFP president-elect.

Delegates suggested that the organization focus on how ICD-10 requirements could affect small practices and their patients. They called on the AMA to track data on rejected claims, payment delays resulting from coding errors, and the impact on patient volume.

Reference Committee B, which addresses matters of federal legislation, considered a number of other issues, almost without dissent. One exception was a resolution advocating for background checks on all gun sales, which met with some resistance as being onerous for certain people in specific situations.

Resolutions will be voted on by the full House of Delegates June 8-10.

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