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April 18, 2019
Your Chapter in Action!
Chapter News
ACP Leaders Meet in Philadelphia for Spring 2019 Board of Governors Meeting
On April 9-11, 2019, ACP Chapter leaders from across the country and abroad met in Philadelphia to discuss current issues of importance in healthcare and review governance policies of the ACP. These meetings are a chance for all ACP Chapters to discuss timely issues, concerns, and priorities, and to act on resolutions in addressing such issues.
Three resolutions from New York were acted upon: The first two: (1) Determining the Average Costs to Medical Practices of Use of Health Information Technology, EHR Enhancements, and Improved Interoperability, and Protecting Physicians from These Costs and (2) Advocating for Group Medical Visit Reimbursement Provided via Telehealth were amended and adopted. The third, Amending the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), was referred for study - meaning that it will be researched over the next year and brought back at next year's Board of Governors meeting.
If you want to learn more about the resolution process and how to submit, please visit NYACP's Resolutions Page.
ACP Convocation & NY Chapter Reception: New Masters, Fellows, Awardees
The Convocation of the American College of Physicians is an annual ceremony where the College recognizes and applauds its new Masters, Fellows, and Awards recipients. It is a ceremony of tradition, transition, renewal, and celebration. These individuals have been recognized by their peers for outstanding medical scholarship and professional achievement. The ceremony allows new Fellows to march in full regalia.
 This year, there were five New York new ACP Masters and several award winners. The new Masters were Lynn Cleary, MD, MACP; Andrew Dunn, MD, MACP; Linda Efferen, MD, MACP, John LaRosa, MD, MACP; and Donna Seminara, MD, MACP.
Ruth Weinstock, MD, FACP was awarded the Samuel Eichold II Memorial Award for Contributions in Diabetes; Joseph Fins, MD, MACP was awarded the Nicholas E. Davies Memorial Scholar Award for Scholary Activities in the Humanities and History of Medicine (“Davies Award”); and John LaRosa, MD, MACP was awarded the John Phillips Memorial Award for Outstanding Work in Clinical Medicine.
After convocation, NYACP held a reception to honor award recipients and new fellows. The reception was co-sponsored by eight medical schools in New York: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYU Langone Medical Center, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Stony Brook University Hospital, University of Rochester Medicine - Highland Hospital, SUNY Upstate Medical Univeristy, New York/Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical College, and the Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra / Northwell.
Pictures from this event are available on the NY Chapter's Facebook page.
New York Doctor's Dilemma Team Advances to Semi-Finals
 The ACP Doctor's Dilemma Competition is held each year at the Internal Medicine Meeting, where it brings together some of the brightest residents from around the world in a medical Jeopardy-style competition. The 2019 competition featured 52 teams, each representing an ACP Chapter.
New York Chapter's own Rochester Regional Health/Unity Hospital team won NYACP's Doctor's Dilemma in February and was sent by the Chapter to the National Competition. They won the first round of the National Competition to advance to the semi-finals, but unfortunately did not advance any further.
Congratulations to Adeel Arshad, MD, Sandrine Hanna, MD, and Pratyusha Tirumanisetty, MBBS from Rochester/Unity Hospital for representing New York! We are very proud of you!
Have You Ever Led A Volunteering Effort? The Chapter Wants to Know!
NYACP would like to celebrate the impact of volunteer service! The Chapter’s newly-formed Volunteer Committee is seeking examples of members (and their families) who have participated in or led volunteer activities that benefit their community, align with NYACP values and provide personal and professional satisfaction and well-being. Please tell us, in 100 words or less, about your successful volunteer efforts. Be sure to include written permission to share the information on the NYACP website and in our Your Chapter in Action Newsletter. Email the information to Amanda Allen, at aallen@nyacp.org, who staffs this Committee.
practice Management
National Healthcare Decisions Week is This Week. Be Prepared.
NYACP, along with other national, state and community organizations, is leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), and the week of April 15-22 as National Healthcare Decisions Week.
To raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning, the website NHDD.org was created with information and tools for the public to talk about future healthcare decisions and execute written advance directives in accordance with applicable state laws. New York specific resources can be found on the NY Department of Health website.
Although several states have engaged in advance directives awareness events and numerous organizations have devoted substantial time and money to improving education about advance healthcare planning, only a small minority of Americans has executed an advance directive. NHDD seeks to address this issue by focusing attention on advance healthcare planning from a variety of directions simultaneously.
Cost Conversations: 3 Time-Saving Tips
A one minute1 cost conversation can have a powerful effect on physician/patient relationships, medication adherence and outcomes. Yet, at a short visit with a complex patient, one minute may feel like an eternity. So it’s no surprise that time is considered a major barrier for implementation. Here are 3 tips that other practices have used to overcome the time barrier and implement cost conversations into their workflow:
Use Your People Resources
Make the most of the knowledge in your practice by involving multiple staff members in answering questions and providing guidance. The billing department can access insurance portals and get plan information, social workers can find patient assistance programs, IT can get the most out of technology and other physicians can share experiences. Don’t forget patients too! Sometimes they are the best source of information, especially when it comes to the cost of medications and immunizations.
Make it Universal
The most important part of normalizing cost conversations and financial screening is removing assumptions. Early adopters have uncovered previously undetected medication and adherence issues that were due to cost. Screening is also a great conversation starter. Many physicians were hesitant to introduce the cost topic, but the overwhelming, positive feedback from patients has changed their minds!
Have Patient Handouts
Of the many tools and resources NYACP has shared with our members and early adopters, the patient handouts have been the most utilized. Staff members have remarked they are now more prepared to answer patient questions about basic insurance information. Handouts are helpful when numerous topics have been discussed at a visit or to gently re-direct a conversation that has gotten off track! NYACP has created handouts for medications, insurance literacy, avoiding surprise bills and the Medicare Donut Hole that are all available on the Patient Empowerment Resources page.
References
- Hunter WG, ZhangCZ, HessonA,et al.What strategies do physicians and patients discuss to reduce out-of-pocket costs? Analysis of cost-saving strategies in 1,755 outpatient clinic visits.Med Decision Making. 2016;36 (7):900-910. doi:10.1177/0272989X15626384
ACP's Assessment on Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
Article courtesy of Annals of Internal Medicine
In the April 9 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) Clinical Guidelines Committee presents its assessment of the quality and content of 7 English-language guidelines for breast cancer screening. The results of the assessment are 4 guidance statements that provide clarity and simplicity amidst differing recommendations while highlighting important points for physicians to consider in shared decision-making conversations with their patients about routine breast cancer screening.
You can read the abstract and full text here.
NY Department of Health Influenza Surveillance
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) collects, compiles, and analyzes information on influenza and produces a weekly report during the influenza season (October through the following May).
During the week ending April 6, 2019:
- There were 4,521 laboratory-confirmed influenza reports, a 14% decrease over the previous week.
- Of the 2,810 specimens submitted to NYS WHO/NREVSS laboratories, 540 (19.22%) were positive for influenza. 535 were for influenza A, and 5 were influenza B.
- Of the 67 specimens submitted to the Wadsworth Center, 63 were positve for influenza. 28 were influenza A (H1), 32 were influenza A (H3), 2 were influenza A (Not Subtyped), and 1 was influenza B (Victoria).
- Reports of percent of patient visits or influenza-like illness (ILI3) from ILINet providers was 2.81%, which is above the regional baseline of 3.10%.
- The number of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza was 777, a 14% decrease over last week.
- There were no influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported this week, and six influenza-related pediatric deaths so far this season.
Read the entire report here.
Advocacy
Help Drive ACP's New Vision for Health Care
ACP's Health and Public Policy Committee (HPPC) and Medical Practice and Quality Committee (MPQC) are working on a series of new policy papers outlining our vision for the future of America's health care system. Important topics include coverage and cost of care, delivery system and payment reforms, and breaking down barriers to accessing care.
ACP encourages members to participate in a survey to help gather input on proposed plans for improving health care in the U.S. for all Americans.
You must have your ACP username and password to log into the survey. Instructions for your username and resetting password are in the survey link.
Get Involved in Effecting Change with the NYACP Resolutions Process
What policy, practice, or public health issues impact you, your patients, colleagues, or staff? We want to hear from you!
Use the resolutions process to initiate change in our state or at the federal level right from your home or office.
The Resolutions Process is a mechanism for grassroots involvement in the affairs and policy discussions of the College and Chapter. Members who have an interest are encouraged to actively participate by submitting a short synopsis of the challenge to your practice and a proposed solution. Resolutions can address ACP/NYACP policy and also state and federal health policy issues. You may submit your resolutions at any time online.
Visit the NYACP Resolutions page to learn more and to access the online submission form. You may also contact your local Governor or Councilor if you would like to discuss your ideas further, or let Chapter staff know if you would like additional assistance in developing a resolution.
Over the past few years, topics such as payment reform, paperwork and administrative hassle, onerous regulations, public health, patient safety and membership services have been introduced as resolutions through our Chapter. Let your voice be heard!
EDUCATION
NYACP Weekend Board Review Recap
On April 5-7, NYACP held one of two Weekend Board Review sessions for 2019 at Rochester General Hospital. With Residents preparing to take their Board exams for the first time and Physicians needing to recertify for the ABIM IM Boards, it was a packed auditorium with over 50 in attendance. The team of Conrad Fischer, MD, FACP, Chris Paras, DO, FACP, and Niket Sonpal, MD, FACP were on site to deliver the high yield - material to help attendees pass their boards or recertify.
Some testimonials from attendees:
"Excellent knowledge, teaching and emphasis"
"Great course - very entertaining - loved it"
"I will return before 2026 internal board recertification!"
If you missed the Rochester Course, there will be another course in Buffalo, New York from June 14-16.
If you want to read more about the Buffalo Board Review Course follow the link below.
Upcoming Events
Weekend Board Review Buffalo - earn up to 27 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits and 27 MOC Points
Friday, June 14- Sunday, June 16, 2019
University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
955 Main Street • Buffalo, NY 14203
Register Online • Brochure
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NYACP Annual Scientific Meeting
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Hilton Westchester Hotel
699 Westchester Ave • Rye Brook, NY 10573
More information will be available soon!
NYACP Co-Sponsored Meetings & Events
Co-Sponsored with the NYU School of Medicine
Advances in Cardiovascular Risk Reductions:
Improving Treatment for Patients with Diabetes
Offering 7.5 Hours of AMA PRA Category I Credits™
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • 7:45am - 4:30pm
NYU Langone Health
Alumni Hall • 550 First Avenue • New York, NY 10016
Event Flyer • Online Registration
Membership
Auto Insurance Reduction Course - Save 10%!
NYACP continues to offer a 6-hour Insurance and Point Reduction Course that is approved by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and available to Chapter members, their families, office staff and friends.
This convenient online member benefit allows registered "students" the ability to start and finish the course within 30 days for only $42.00.The benefit includes a 10% reduction on your automobile insurance (liability, no-fault and collision) and up to 4 points off of your driving record (if applicable).
Find out more and register here!
Career Link
4.12.19: New Job Posting!
Internal Medicine Physicians
Emblem Health/AdvantageCare Physicians of New York
AdvantageCare Physicians is the largest physician led outpatient medical office in the New York Metropolitan Area. With 36 medical offices in the Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, we aspire to be the preferred care destination for our patients and the communities we serve. This vision is accomplished through focusing our care on the needs of our patients as we partner with them in the pursuit of better health. Each and every day, our actions should be guided by these principles as we interact with our patients, each other and our communities.
The values that drive the AdvantageCare Physicians culture include a caring attitude, quality focus, collaboration, excellence and good citizenship. By integrating these behaviors into our day-to-day operations, we can deliver the highest quality healthcare while also creating positive patient experiences. We are seeking Board Eligible/Board Certified Internal Medicine physicians to complement our collegial teams throughout New York City and the boroughs.
For position information, contact Susan Scherr at sscherr@emblemheath.com.
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