Federal Site Provides Physicians All-Hazards Event Updates

Continuing to Define "Meaningful Use" of HIT

Senate Finance to Complete Work on Health Care Reform

Sebelius Releases Guidance on Liability for H1N1 Vaccine

FTC Issues Red Flag Rule Regarding Identity Theft

FAQ Helps Physicians Understand Rule

On November 9, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its Red Flag rule concerning identity theft. Under the rule, financial institutions and creditors are required to develop and implement a written identity theft program to identify, detect, and respond to possible risks of identity theft relevant to them.

OOA Leaders Meet with Elected Officials

The OOA has been meeting with elected state and federal officials to discuss health care reform.

AOA Sets Date for DO Day on the Hill

New Business Partner Provides Rx Pad Discount

New Federal Law Takes Effect October 1

Proposed Rule on E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released its proposed rule on electronic prescriptions for controlled substances with comments due on September 25. It is intended to be consistent with the Medicare Part D e-prescribing regulations. The focus is on standards to provide safeguards against the diversion of controlled substances.

Important Education Legislation

On June 30th, the President signed into law the temporary extension of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The articles included in the act have been extended through July 31st. This extension marks the second short-term extension this year. The fate of the act remains uncertain; however, it is highly unlikely the legislation will not continue to be reauthorized.

Physician Quality Reporting in 2009

As part of the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made proposals concerning the Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). CMS is required by law to use a rulemaking process to select quality measures for the 2009 PQRI, as well as establish for 2009 alternative reporting criteria and alternative reporting periods for reporting of measures groups and for registry-based reporting.

Health Information Technology Legislation Advances

On June 25th the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health approved the "Protecting Records, Optimizing Treatment, and Easing Communication through Healthcare Technology Act of 2008" (H.R. 6357). H.R. 6357 was originally introduced by Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) and Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX). The bipartisan bill is a combination of elements from legislation previously introduced by various Representatives in the 109th and 110th Congresses. Prior to introduction of the final bill, Chairman Dingell held a hearing that provided stakeholder groups with the opportunity to voice feedback on the legislation.

Advocacy Over August

From August 11th through September 5th, Members of Congress will be returning to their districts from Washington for the August recess. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your elected representatives face-to-face and to develop a constituent relationship.

Federal HIT Plan Released

In June, the ONC Coordinated Health Information Technology Strategic Plan was released. The plan brings together all federal health information technology (HIT) efforts and will guide federal HIT advancement for the next five years.

2008 Election Summary

Election Day 2008 is less than four months away, and campaigns are gearing up for the fall campaign season. While most focus will be on the Presidential election, there are also thirty-five races in the U.S. Senate, as well as all 435 seats of the House of Representatives.

HHS Announces Medicaid GME Moratorium

Faced with the threat of pending legislation, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt announced the voluntary delay of 2 controversial Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rules affecting Medicaid support for graduate medical education (GME) and public hospitals including a regulation that would prohibit federal Medicaid funding for the costs of medical interns and residents. The delay extends until August 1 a legislative moratorium on the rules' implementation that expired May 25th.

Save the Date! - DO Day on Capitol Hill 2009

It may seem like only a short time has passed since DO Day on Capitol Hill 2008, but it is already time to start thinking about registering for next year. This is especially true in 2009, because the event will take place one month earlier than in previous years. The 2009 DO Day on Capitol Hill is scheduled to take place on March 5.

CMS Releases 2009 Medicare Proposed Rule

The passage of HR 6331-- Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 -- changes the recently released proposed rule for the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The proposal had originally contained a 5.4% reduction to the Medicare physician payment update for 2009, however; the legislation replaces the reduction with a 1.1% increase. Once the legislation becomes law, the payment impact for physician specialties for 2009 will need to be recalculated. The payment impact in the agency's July 7 proposed rule reflects the 5.4% reduction. More information is likely to come from CMS regarding the changes resulting from the legislation.

Historic Physician Payment Legislation Enacted into Law

On July 15 President Bush vetoed the House and Senate approved "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" (H.R. 6331). Shortly after the President's veto, both the House of Representatives and the Senate successfully overrode the veto. Actions by the House and Senate allowed H.R. 6331 to be enacted into law without the President's signature.

April 1 Effective Date for Certain Rx Written on Tamper-Resistant Pads

The new federal law requires all non-electronic prescriptions for Medicaid patients to be written on tamper-resistant pads.

CMS Moves Forward with Quality Reporting Initiative

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are transitioning from the Physician Voluntary Reporting Program (PVRP) to the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The agency has established a new web page on PQRI at www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.