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U.S. House Leaders Announce Bipartisan SGR Repeal Bill, H.R. 1470
In unusual bipartisan action, Congressional leaders in the House unveiled legislation that would permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate which is again producing a scheduled 20.1% reduction in physician payment rates under Medicare, effective April 1, 2015.
With only one week left before the next cut hits, efforts to fix the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula driving Medicare physician fees has accelerated in recent days. Last week, the U.S. House leadership, in an unusual bipartisan act, unveiled proposed legislation, H.R. 1470 which is an updated version of the legislation crafted a year ago, and which includes the following key provisions:
- Permanently repeals the SGR funding formula
- Adds positive annual payment updates of 0.5% for four years
- Includes a 5% incentive payment for physicians participating in and meeting certain thresholds of alternative payment models
- Replaces current Medicare quality reporting programs with a consolidated merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS)
- Extends the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for 2 years.
The legislation is set for a floor vote on Tuesday. With total cost exceeding $200 billion, the proposed legislation offers only a partial cost offset of $70 billion, an issue that could seriously hamper the effort to pass the bill. Nonetheless, the next ten days present medicine with the best chance it has ever had to get rid of the SGR once and for all. Go to the FixMedicareNow website to see what you can do to help pass the bill. No more temporary patches, no more excuses. This needs to get done.
The Maine Medical Association also participates in the so-called GEM (Geographic Equity in Medicare) Coalition which will again try to ensure the 1.0 Work GPCI floor is extended as part of any SGR Patch or fix. Without Congressional action, we will lose the 1.0 Work GPCI floor effective April 1st. The 1.0 Work GPCI floor has been in place by Congressional action since 2004 to prevent cuts to GEM states' Medicare physician payments that are based on flawed data regarding measurement of the Work GPCI adjuster. The purpose of the GPCIs is to adjust for the cost of delivering a service, i.e., local price differences in rent, wages, malpractice, and physician work.
The GEM Coalition is comprised of 25 state medical societies plus the American Society of General Surgeons.
The 2015 Work GPCI for Southern Maine (Cumberland and York counties) is 0.982 and for the rest of Maine it is 0.967.
Please help us get the word out! The AMA is promoting a National
Physicians Call-in Day TOMORROW Tuesday,
March 24. Email your members to let them know – we want as many physicians
as possible to be flooding the phone lines of their U.S. representatives to
make the case for SGR repeal through passage of H.R. 1470! The number to
call tomorrow and be connected to the office of your U.S. Representative: (800) 833-6354.
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Health Insurance Marketplace Tax Penalty Special Enrollment Period: March 15 through April 30, 2015
The Open Enrollment Period for 2015 Marketplace health coverage is
over, but consumers may still be able to get covered and avoid a tax penalty
next year. There is a new Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for consumers who
find out they must pay a tax penalty because they did not have coverage in
2014. You are eligible for this SEP if you:
- are not
currently enrolled in 2015 Marketplace coverage,
- attest that
when you filed your 2014 tax return you paid the fee for not having health
coverage in 2014, and
- attest that
you first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared
Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15,
2015) in connection with preparing your 2014 taxes.
This SEP will begin on March 15th and end on April 30th. Consumers
who qualify must complete the entire enrollment process (that is, including
selecting a plan) by 11:59 pm E.S.T. on April 30th.
Other life events that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment
Period include:
- Getting
married
- Having a
baby, adopting a child or placing a child for adoption or foster care
- Losing other
health coverage
- Permanently
moving outside your plan’s coverage area
- Gaining
citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S.
- Gaining or
continuing status as a member of an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native
shareholder.
- Leaving
incarceration
- For people
already enrolled in Marketplace coverage: Having a change in income or
household status that affects eligibility for premium tax credits or
cost-sharing reductions
If you think you my qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you
can apply at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596. For free in-person
help with your application go to www.enroll207.com to find an assister near you. More
information about Special Enrollment Periods is available at www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/
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Doctors' Day, 2015
This year Doctors' Day will be celebrated one week from today, on Monday, March 30th. On this day, many patients, facilities, and the Maine Medical Association will pause to thank physicians for the work they do every day for their patients, population health, and public health.
The first Doctors' Day observance was March 30, 1933 in Winder, GA. The idea came from Eudora Brown Almond, spouse of Dr. Charles B. Almond and the date was the anniversary of the first use of general anesthetic in surgery. On March 30, 1842, in Jefferson, GA, Dr. Crawford Long used ether to remove a tumor from a patient's neck.
The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctors' Day on March 30, 1958. In 1990, the U.S. Congress approved legislation establishing a National Doctors' Day and President George H.W. Bush signed the resolution. The first National Doctors' Day was celebrated on March 30, 1991. [return to top]
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New AMA, CDC Initiative Aims to “Prevent Diabetes STAT”
Leading voices in health care launch urgent effort to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, one
of nation’s most debilitating chronic diseases
With more
than 86 million Americans living with prediabetes and nearly 90 percent of them
unaware of it, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced that they have
joined forces to take urgent action to Prevent Diabetes STAT and are urging others to join in this critical effort.
Prevent Diabetes STAT: Screen, Test, Act - Today™, is a
multi-year initiative that expands on
the robust work each organization has already begun
to reach more Americans with prediabetes and stop the progression to type 2
diabetes, one of the nation’s most debilitating chronic diseases. Through this
initiative, the AMA and CDC are sounding an
alarm and shining a light on prediabetes as a critical and serious medical
condition.
“It’s time that the nation comes together to take
immediate action to help prevent diabetes before it starts,” said AMA President
Robert M. Wah, M.D. “Type 2 diabetes is one of our nation’s leading causes of
suffering and death—with one out of three people at risk of developing the
disease in their lifetime. To address and reverse this alarming national trend,
America needs frontline physicians and other health care professionals as well
as key stakeholders such as employers, insurers, and community organizations to
mobilize and create stronger linkages between the care delivery system, our
communities, and the patients we serve.”
“The time to act is now. We need a national, concerted effort to
prevent additional cases of type 2 diabetes in our nation – and we need it
now,” said Ann Albright, Ph.D., R.D., director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “We
have the scientific evidence and we’ve built the infrastructure to do something
about it, but far too few people know they have prediabetes and that they can take
action to prevent or delay developing type 2 diabetes.”
People with prediabetes have higher-than-normal
blood glucose levels but not high enough yet to be considered type 2 diabetes.
Research shows that 15 percent to 30 percent of overweight people with
prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years unless they lose
weight through healthy eating and increased physical activity.
As an immediate
result of this partnership, the AMA and CDC have co-developed a toolkit to serve as a
guide for physicians and other health care providers on the best methods to
screen and refer high-risk patients to diabetes prevention programs in their
communities. The toolkit along with additional information on how physicians
and other key stakeholders can Prevent
Diabetes STAT is available online. There is also an
online screening tool for patients at www.preventdiabetesstat.org to help them
determine their risk for type 2 diabetes.
“This initiative
is also about empowering patients to take control of their health,” said Dr.
Wah. “It starts with knowing your risk factors.”
Over the past two years, both the CDC and the AMA
have been laying the groundwork for this national effort. In 2012, the CDC launched
its National Diabetes Prevention
Program (National DPP) based on research led by the National Institutes of Health,
which showed that high-risk individuals who participated in lifestyle change
programs, like those recognized by the CDC, saw a significant reduction in the
incidence of type 2 diabetes. Today,
there are more than 500 of these programs across the country, including online
options.
The AMA launched
its Improving Health
Outcomes initiative
in 2013 aimed at preventing both type 2
diabetes and heart disease. That work includes a partnership with the
YMCA of the USA to increase the number
of physicians who screen patients for prediabetes and refer them to diabetes
prevention programs offered by local YMCAs that are part of the CDC’s recognition
program. This joint effort included 11 physician practice pilot sites in
four states, where care teams helped to inform the development of the AMA and
CDC’s toolkit. In the coming months, the AMA will be identifying states in
which to strengthen the linkages between the clinical care setting and
communities to reduce the incidence of diabetes
“Our health care system simply cannot sustain the continued
increases in the number of people developing diabetes.” said Dr. Albright. “Screening,
testing and referring people at risk for type 2 diabetes to evidence-based
lifestyle change programs are critical to preventing or delaying new cases of
type 2 diabetes.”
“Long-term, we are
confident that this important and necessary work will improve
health outcomes and reduce the staggering burden associated with the
public health epidemic of type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Wah.
Follow our social
movement to Prevent Diabetes STAT on Twitter at
#PreventDiabetesSTAT.
###
**Editor’s Note: Below are related links for patients and
health care providers
Patient Resources
Physician
Practice Resources
Toolkit for
health care providers
About the AMA
The American
Medical Association is the premier national
organization dedicated to empowering the nation’s physicians to continually
provide safer, higher quality, and more efficient care to patients and
communities. For more than 165 years the AMA has been unwavering in its
commitment to using its unique position and knowledge to shape a healthier
future for America.
About
the CDC
CDC
works 24/7 saving lives and protecting people from health
threats to have a more secure nation. Whether these threats are chronic or
acute, manmade or natural, human error or deliberate attack, global or
domestic, CDC is the U.S. health protection agency. [return to top]
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Healthcare Cost Workgroup (SIM Grant) Considers Infrastructure Reform including State Health Plan
The Healthcare Cost Workgroup, now supported with funding from the Maine State Innovation Model Initiative, met last Thursday, March 17th. The goal of the meeting was to continue discussion of the state's health care infrastructure, with a focus on strategies for identifying and re-purposing of misaligned infrastructure. Facilitated by Michael Bailit, attendees expressed opinions regarding the need for a State Health Plan and commented on the existing Certificate of Need law. Comments included that any new State Health Plan or planning process needs to be distinguished from the poor executed plans of the past.
The meeting also featured a presentation by Jerry Cayer, Executive Vice President of Franklin Memorial Hospital. Mr. Cayer commented on how FMH transformed itself to cope with a declining revenue base.
The group meets again on Thursday, April 23, 2015 with a specific location to be announced. [return to top]
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MMA Legislative Committee Weekly Conference Call, Tuesday, March 24th at 8 p.m.
The next MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the First Regular Session of the 127th Maine Legislature will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th at 8:00 p.m.
Legislative Committee members and specialty society legislative liaisons are strongly encouraged to participate. Any physician, practice manager, or other staff member who is interested in the MMA's legislative advocacy also is welcome to participate. It is not necessary to RSVP for the calls.
Please use the following conference call number and passcode. These will remain the same for every weekly call during the session.
Conference call number: 1-619-326-2772
Passcode: 729-7185
The purpose of the weekly conference calls is to review and finalize the MMA's position on bills printed the previous week, to hear the views of specialty societies on the new bills or their concerns about any current health policy issues, and to discuss the highlights of legislative action of the week. The calls rarely last longer than an hour. The MMA staff lists a suggested position for each bill and any medical specialty particularly affected by the bill.
If you have an opinion about any of these bills, but cannot participate in the call, please contact Andrew MacLean, Deputy EVP & General Counsel at amaclean@mainemed.com or 622-3374, ext. 214.
The following are bills of interest to the physician community printed last week. We will discuss the priority bills marked with an asterisk (*) first. This will be important when the list grows in the next few weeks.
LD 919, An Act To Provide Access to Opioid Analgesics with Abuse-deterrent Properties (support)*
LD 921, An Act To Strengthen the Right of a Victim of Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence To Take Necessary Leave from Employment (monitor; Public Health Committee)
LD 928, Resolve, To Enhance Consumer Awareness of Expenditures and Gifts by Manufacturers of Prescribed Products
(monitor)*
LD 936, An Act To Protect Children from Sexual Predators, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault (monitor; pediatricians)
LD 940, Resolve, To Require Hospitals To Provide Information to Parents of Infants Regarding Testing for Krabbe Disease
(support; pediatricians)*
LD 943, An Act To Provide Access to Infertility Treatment
(monitor; OB/GYNs)
LD 948, An Act To Harmonize Maine's Laws Governing Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products with Those of Other States
(monitor; Public Health Committee)
LD 950, An Act To Prohibit Discrimination against a Person Who Is Not Vaccinated
(oppose; pediatricians; Public Health Committee)*
LD 960, An Act To Support Family Caregivers in the Workforce
(monitor)
LD 966, An Act To Assist Patients in Need of Psychiatric Services (monitor; psychiatrists)
LD 969, An Act To Preserve Jobs and Primary Care Services in Rural and Underserved Areas of Maine
(monitor)
LD 970, An Act Regarding Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements
(oppose; anesthesiologists)*
LD 971, An Act To Reinstate the State Fire Marshal's Authority To Inspect Amusement Rides (monitor; pediatricians, Public Health Committee)
LD 973, An Act To Ensure That Nicotine Products Are Taxed Equally
(support; Public Health Committee)
LD 978, An Act To Promote Patient Choice and Access to Health Care
(monitor)
LD 984, An Act To Authorize the Dispensing of Eyeglasses with an Expired Prescription (monitor; ophthalmologists)
LD 989, An Act To Limit the Use of Extended-release Hydrocodone Bitartrate
(monitor)
LD 991, An Act To Amend Maine's Genetically Modified Food Products Labeling Law
(monitor; Public Health Committee)
LD 1000, An Act To Define Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices for Purposes of the Sales Tax Law (monitor)
LD 1003, An Act To Prohibit Discrimination by Employers and Protect the
Privacy of an Applicant for Employment, an Employee or an Employee's
Dependents Regarding Reproductive Health Decisions (monitor)
LD 1005, An Act To Amend the Law Regarding Medical Examiners
(oppose)*
LD 1009, An Act To Benefit the Education of Denturism Students
(monitor)
LD 1011, An Act To Address Drug Testing in the Workplace and the Effect of Approved Substances on Current Drug Policy
(monitor)
LD 1013, An Act To Prevent the Shackling of Pregnant Prisoners
(monitor or support; OB/GYNs)*
LD 1018, An Act To Make Certain Necessary Appropriations and Allocations
(monitor)*
LD 1019, An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the
Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and
Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper
Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2016
and June 30, 2017
(monitor)*
LD 1020, An Act To Make Certain Necessary Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations
(monitor)* [return to top]
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Five Things Physicians Say About the Evolution of Payment Models
Physicians are trying to move to new payment models, but need help successfully managing and responding to the many quality programs and metrics from payers, according to a new joint study by the RAND Corporation and the AMA.
Researchers conducted case studies of 34 physician practices in six diverse geographic markets to determine the effects that alternative health care payment models are having on physicians and practices. The models under investigation included episode-based and bundled payments, shared savings, pay-for-performance, capitation and retainer-based practices. Two other organizational models, accountable care organizations and medical homes, also were examined.
Here are the five things physicians should know about the report:
- The effect that alternative payment models have on practice stability, including the overall financial impact, ranged from neutral to positive. Among practices surveyed, none experienced financial hardship as the result of involvement in new payment models.
- Physicians generally agreed that the transition to alternative payment models has encouraged the development of collaborative team-based care to prevent the progression of disease.
- Most physician leaders were optimistic about alternative payment models, while physicians not in leadership roles expressed some apprehension, particularly about certain new documentation requirements. For example, physicians were supportive of new patient registries that list patients with certain health conditions as a way to improve care, but had concerns about documentation requirements where the link to better care was less clear.
- The operational details of alternative payment models can either help or hinder practices' efforts to improve their own processes. For example, practices are investing in information systems to analyze large amounts of data about practice patterns. But when crucial data—like quality performance feedback—are missing or inaccurate, it is difficult for practices to use data analysis to improve care and reduce spending.
- Most medical practices have shielded individual physicians from direct exposure to new financial incentives created by payers. While practices are paid more for improved performance, they generally use nonmonetary incentives to encourage physicians, including providing performance feedback.
The report's findings will guide the AMA's work in improving alternative payment models and helping physician practices successfully adapt to changes in the health care environment. The findings also point to the need for payers to make similar investments in managing the information that physicians collect.
Read more about the findings at AMA Wire.
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Physician Leadership Changes at the Maine CDC
Sheila Pinette, D.O. last week resigned from her
position as Chief Health Officer. Her last day with the Maine CDC is this
coming Friday, March 27th. Dr. Pinette has served in the CDC or HHS for the past four
years. The Maine Medical Association wishes her all the best as she continues
her medical career.
Kenneth J. Albert RN, Esq., Director and Chief
Operating Officer of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has
announced that Christopher Pezzullo, D.O. will serve as Acting Chief Health
Officer. He will continue to cover, along with contracted physicians, the
responsibilities of the State Epidemiologist while the Maine CDC continues to
recruit for that position.
Dr.
Pezzullo joined the Maine CDC in 2012 as the Medical Director of the Division
of Population Health. Prior to joining state government, he was the Medical
Director of University Health Care at the University of New England and
Acting Chief of the Department of Pediatrics at UNECOM. Dr. Pezzullo
earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at UNECOM in 1993 and completed
his Pediatric Residency at Maine Medical Center in 1996.
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ICD-10 Not Likely to be Delayed; MMA Announces Training Sessions May 8th and 9th
At a Congressional hearing earlier this month, it was once again emphasized by CMS that no future delays are contemplated for the effective date of implementation of ICD-10. It has already been delayed for two years at the request of the AMA and other physician organizations. At this point, the October 1, 2015 implementation date is supported strongly by the health plans and CMS and Congress is unlikely to delay further the implementation date.
Following up on successful educational training sessions offered in 2014, the Maine Medical Association will again sponsor a two-day training session for coders and others involved in the transition to ICD-10 in a medical practice. Taught by experienced trainer Laurie Desjardins, CPC and offered through her firm, CDI Coding Strategies, the two-day course will be held at the MMA offices in Manchester on May 8th (Friday) and May 9th (Saturday). Pricing will be similar to last year and the promotional materials for the course are being developed this week. Watch your e-mail or next week's Update for further details. This two-day training is to be distinguished from the Annual Coding Seminar April 3rd which is one of the regular First Friday education programs and is available both live in Manchester and via Webex. The two-day training is only available on site.
For details on the two-day course, call Gail Begin at 207-485-1341. [return to top]
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POLITICAL PULSE: HHS Committee Hopes to Finish Biennial Budget Work Sessions This Week
HHS COMMITTEE CONTINUES BIENNIAL BUDGET WORK SESSIONS THIS WEEK; APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CONTINUES WORK ON DHHS SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL (L.D. 236)
Members of the HHS Committee begin a third week of work sessions on the DHHS portions of the Governor's FY 2016-2017 biennial budget proposal. For several weeks now, Republicans and Democrats on the Appropriations Committee have been unable to reach consensus on the DHHS supplemental budget bill, L.D. 236. The sticking point is the Governor's proposal to divert money in the Fund for a Healthy Maine designated for the Low-Cost Drugs for the Elderly Program to the Medical Care - Payments to Providers account.
The biennial budget negotiations likely will occupy much of the rest of the session, some time in June.
You can find the documents on the Governor's proposed biennial budget on the Bureau of the Budget web site.
The following are high points from the “Medical Care - Payments to Providers” or “MAP” account, the primary account dealing with physician & hospital reimbursement:
- Provider-base reimbursement, p. A-336. Total cut in each year is $7.3 M state & federal. Description says, “Reduces funding by eliminating the separate facility fee payments that are billed on a UB-04 claim form and paid to hospitals for the services of hospital-compensated physicians, and provides funding to equalize reimbursement rates of hospital-compensated physicians and non-hospital-compensated physicians and eliminates the cost settlement component of hospital-compensated physician reimbursement. This would eliminate the two separate fee schedules of reimbursement and ensure all physicians billing under Section 90 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual would be reimbursed on the non-facility fee schedule.” There is no separate language in Part C, the language section of the budget.
- Health Homes, p. A-336. Replaces lost federal funding, so GF amount is $5.6 M/$7.8 M in the first & second years of biennium respectively. Description says, “Provides funding for Health Homes for adults with serious and persistent mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance (Stage B) and Health Homes for individuals with one or more chronic conditions (Stage A) due to the elimination of the enhanced federal match of 90/10 under the ACA.”
- Primary care fee increase, p. A-336. The amount is $7.4 M GF, $12.5 state & federal funds in each year of biennium. Description says, “Provides funding for the reimbursement of primary care physicians at an enhanced rate which replaces expiring funds provided through the ACA.”
- Community-based behavioral health services provided by hospital-affiliated entities, p. A-337. Reduces funding by $1.3 M in each year of biennium. Description says, “Reduces funding by requiring all community-based behavioral health services, including those that are operating as part of a hospital or in an administrative unit of a hospitality to bill and receive rates of reimbursement under Section 65 of the MaineCare Benefits Manual.”
- Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reimbursement, p. A-337. Saves $4.2 M in each year of biennium by reducing reimbursement from 109% to 101% of costs.
- Methadone treatment coverage eliminated, p. A-339. Savings is $1.2 M/$1.5 M state & federal.
- ER rates, p. A-339. Savings is $1.9 M/$2.6 M state & federal. Description says, “Reduces by changing reimbursement on non-emergent use of emergency services to be paid at an office visit rate.”
- Medicare Shared Savings Program cuts, p. A-339. Savings is $29 M/$34 M state & federal. Description says, “Reduces funding by reducing the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to the federal minimum.”
- Section 65 BH services 10% reimbursement cut, p. A-337. Savings in this line is $10.4 M in each year of biennium state & federal. There's also at least one line on this cut in the BDS part of the DHHS budget. FYI, despite the merger in the Baldacci years, the BOB still breaks the DHHS budget down into 2 parts, “DHHS, formerly BDS” (behavioral & developmental services) & “DHHS, formerly DHS” (human services).
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Job Openings: Note Posting of State Epidemiologist Position
Gastroenterologist
Job in Central Maine
Challenging, Lucrative,
Gastroenterologist job in central Maine - honoring and serving Veterans. An experienced Gastroenterologist is needed
in Augusta. Develop your skills of diagnosing,
treating, and managing patients, while living in an all-season recreational
getaway!
Must-haves:
Fellowship-trained and B/C specializing in Gastroenterology, fellowship-trained
in Transplant Hepatology, and fellowship-trained in Advanced Endoscopy;
experience in Upper Endoscopy (including EGD, Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis and
treatment, vatical bleeding, bleeding ulcers, dilation, stent placement for
esophageal strictures, and treating food impactions); experience in Colonoscopy (diagnostic and therapeutic),
ERCP, EUS with FNA (for both solid and cystic lesions), Push enteroscopy, Deep
small bowel enteroscopy, Capsule endoscopy, and Combined Interventional and
Endoscopic interventions (Rendezvous procedures); experience in hepatology and
liver diseases; lastly, an unrestricted medical license and current BLS
certification.
This is the opportunity
for you to receive a competitive salary, a generous leave package, excellent
health & life insurance benefits, and retirement benefits. You'd be
eligible to participate in a pension program as well as a matching Thrift
Savings Plan which is similar to a 401K. If you are a veteran, you may be able
to combine accrued military retirement credit with VA pension benefits.
Salary will be
commensurate experience, using VA’s market-based physician pay system. By law,
U.S. Citizens will be given 1st preference but non-citizens will be considered
in the absence of qualified citizens. A signing bonus may be available. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Equal Opportunity Employer. Disabled persons and/or veterans are
encouraged to apply.
3/16/15
State Epidemiologist Sought
As State Epidemiologist
in the Division of Infectious Disease, you will provide guidance and support to
approximately 12-15 epidemiologists in the Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Program for disease investigations and outbreak control, surveillance activities,
and planned epidemiologic studies. Additionally, you will provide medical
guidance, as needed, to all other programs within the Division; the Maine
Immunization Program and the HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis Program. You will be
involved in formulation of statewide public health policy including providing
legislative testimony by request for the Department. You will participate in
the development of disease investigation protocols and the review of case
investigations. You will consult with physicians and other health care
professionals on disease prevention and control measures. You will respond to
inquiries from the public and will coordinate response to media inquiries as
directed by the Director of Maine CDC. You will interact with staff in the Division
of Public Health System's, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, and
the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory, as well as the Division of
Environmental Health's Health Inspections Program and other programs as
requested. You will be part of the on-call rotation for nights and weekends
(for telephone consultation, not on-site work) and provide technical support to
other staff as needed when they are on call. As State Epidemiologist, you will
supervise the medical epidemiology team which includes the Deputy State
Epidemiologist and the Healthcare Associated Infections Coordinator. You will
also provide medical guidance and oversight to the Tuberculosis Control
Coordinator. You will serve as a liaison between federal CDC and Maine CDC on
issues related to infectious disease. The State Epidemiologist will report to
the Director, Division of Infectious Disease.
Requirements
Graduation from an
accredited school of medicine or osteopathy with board certification in an
appropriate medical specialty. A twelve year combination of training and
experience in medicine and public health, to include a minimum of four years
experience as an epidemiologist, OR a Masters Degree in Public Health or a
related field and six years experience in the field of medicine and public
health, to include a minimum of four years of experience as an epidemiologist.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Applicants must
be eligible for a license to practice medicine in the State of Maine and must
have a valid license prior to the start of employment.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: For
additional information about this position please contact Jeremy Wilson, Human
Resources Assistant at (207) 287-1873 or by e-mail @ jeremy.p.wilson@maine.gov. To apply, please forward a completed State of Maine application form and
cover letter to:
Department of Health and Human Services
J. Wilson, Human Resources Asst.
#11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Direct hire applications are available at www.maine.gov/dhhs/jobs
Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2015.
3/30/15
Augusta, Maine –
Adult Psychiatrist
Kennebec Behavioral Health seeks a BC/BE adult psychiatrist with a Maine Medical License or immediate eligibility for licensure, for our Augusta location. Join our thriving, successful outpatient Medication Management Team and the chance to work for a multi-site health provider that has been serving our communities for more than 50 years. Located a short distance from the coast, ski resorts, golf courses, lakes, rivers and hiking trails, KBH operates central Maine’s largest Medication Clinic. Our Med Management team provides assessments, medication management and education.
Generous Sign-On Bonus!
KBH offers flexible, competitive compensation and benefits:
- Health, dental, vision and life insurance
- Relocation assistance
- Travel reimbursement
- 20 vacation days yearly
- 11 holidays
- 8 sick days
- No on-call responsibilities or mandatory overtime.
- Day time schedule (Monday – Friday)
- Flexible schedule
Please forward CV and confidential inquiries to:
Amanda Fitts, Assistant Practice Manager
Kennebec Behavioral Health
67 Eustis Parkway
Waterville, ME 04901
(207) 873-2136 afitts@kbhmaine.org
03/23/15
MaineRockport, Maine – Hospitalist
Located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Rockport, Maine, Pen Bay Medical Center is seeking a BC/BE physician to join our Hospitalist team. Enjoy a dynamic practice opportunity featuring:
- 7 on/7 off scheduling
- Paid time off
- Broad subspecialty support
- Competitive salary with incentives
- 148 shifts per year - Additional pay for additional shifts
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, life & disability insurance
- Relocation & CME reimbursement
- Generous medical school loan repayment program
Join us, where the quality of the work and quality of your life are exceptional!
Send CV and confidential inquiries to John Bragg, Director, Physician Recruitment at jbragg@penbayhealthcare.org or call (207) 921-5894.
04/06/15
Assistant
Medical Director Sought
The Assistant Medical Director is responsible assisting the Chief Medical Officer with all areas of medical and behavioral treatment policy, pharmacy, utilization review and management, disease / case management and quality management and for the medical oversight of daily case management and utilization management activities and decisions.
MD or DO with unrestricted medical license in Maine or New Hampshire required. Board certification in primary or specialty care.
Minimum of five or more years of direct clinical experience in area of clinical practice, participation in a leadership role in medical staff organization activities, and management experience within a health care delivery system. Minimum of three years’ experience in medical management in a managed care setting or the equivalent.
Apply online at www.JobsinME.com or email your information to blovejoy@maineoptions.org.
04/13/15
Family Practice Physician
The Bucksport Regional Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, has a unique opportunity for an experienced Family Practice Physician to work at a small, independent, community-based primary care facility that offers great quality indicators, a team atmosphere, and excellent working conditions. Responsibilities will include the diagnosis, treatment, coordination of care, preventive care and provision of health maintenance services to patients of all life cycles.
Candidates must have graduated from an accredited medical school and completed a residency in Family Practice or Med/Peds, have a current State of Maine Medical License and D.E.A Certificate, and at least five years of experience in the practice of family or internal medicine. The successful candidate will be offered a generous compensation package, including a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
The Bucksport Regional Health Center has been offering easy access to quality, affordable care for persons of all ages since 1974. Interested applicants should apply with a resume and cover letter to Carol Carew, Executive Director, 110 Broadway, Bucksport, Me 04416 or via email at ccarew@brhc.info (or call 207-469-7371).
04/20/15
Family Medicine and Outpatient Internal
Medicine Physicians
Katahdin Valley Health Center is recruiting dedicated Family Medicine and Outpatient Internal Medicine Physicians that are committed to providing quality health care services to the people in Central/Northern Maine. Join our practice in one of the newly expanded facilities. We are seeking physicians for our Millinocket and Brownville outpatient only practices. KVHC is a fully electronic medical record site and offers a Four day work week with a competitive salary ($170,000 to $190,000 annual) and benefit package which includes: a 10% of first year salary sign on bonus, generous amounts of paid time off and $2500 annually toward CME. The call schedule is 1 in 9 with additional coverage from the Open Access Clinic. Physicians who join KVHC are eligible to apply for NHSC Loan Repayment. HPSA scores at the KVHC sites increased in 2015.
To learn more about KVHC and Practitioner Opportunities, please contact Michelle LeFay at mlefay@kvhc.org or visit our website at www.kvhc.org. KVHC is an equal opportunity employer.
06/01/15
Lincoln, ME:
Family Medicine Opportunity with Leadership Option
- Federally Qualified Community Health Center with
6 Locations
- Medical Director opportunity if desired
- Serves 19 small, rural towns in North Central
Maine with over 14,000 active patients
- Focused mission to serve/support underserved
populations
- Service area: +/- 24,000
- 4-day work week
- Phone call 1:8
- Excellent salary and benefit package, including
FTCA malpractice insurance
- Superb team of 25 multidisciplinary healthcare
professionals, with collegial professional environment
- On-site lab and radiology services
- Work collaboratively with two local Critical
Access Hospitals
- National Health Service Corps, and/or other
student loan repayment programs
- J1 visa candidates welcome
Home of 13 Lakes. Thousands of miles of accessible recreational
woodland and waterways appeal to those seeking nature, but this region is also
within 45 minutes of Bangor, Maine’s third largest city, and UMaine’s
flagship campus in Orono.
Contact: Jamie Lynn Grant at JGrant@NEHS.net or (207)745-7059
3/30/15 Department of Psychiatry Faculty Position
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Department of
Psychiatry, in a productive collaboration with the State of Maine, is
seeking psychiatrists to join our faculty for inpatient responsibilities
at the Riverview Psychiatric Center.
Riverview Psychiatric
Center is a 92-bed acute psychiatric facility located in Augusta, ME and is the flagship
inpatient treatment center for Maine’s public mental health system. Psychiatrists with expertise in general inpatient psychiatry or
forensic psychiatry are encouraged to apply.
Academic duties can include
teaching and supervision of medical students and residents. Research
opportunities available and encouraged.
Candidates should be board certified or eligible in Psychiatry.
This position will include a faculty appointment at The Geisel School of
Medicine at Dartmouth at a rank and salary commensurate with experience.
Curriculum vitae and three letters of reference, addressed to Dr. William
Torrey, Search Chair, should be e-mailed to psychiatry.jobs@dartmouth.edu. Please reference search number PS0314D.
Dartmouth
College/Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic/Geisel School of Medicine is
an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to
diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving
applications from a broad spectrum of people, including women, persons of
color, persons with disabilities, veterans or any other legally protected
group.
6/01/15
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Upcoming Events
***
Maine Concussion Management Initiative Training Programs – Level 1 and Level
2
General Information for 2015
When and where
held:
March 13, 2015 in Bangor at
St. Joseph’s Hospital
May 1, 2015 in Machias at DownEast
Community Hospital
June 12, 2015 in Waterville at Colby
College
October 20, 2015 in Portland
in conjunction with the Maine Brain Injury Conference
(Registration and fees will be through the
Maine Brain Injury Conference for October 20)
Training Program: Training
programs in 2015 will be updated.
Level 1 - An Introduction to
Concussions and Concussion Management
Level 2 – Interpreting Neurocognitive
Testing (Level 1 is a prerequisite for taking Level 2)
8:00am
– 8:15 Registration and Continental
Breakfast (Level
1 and Level 2 are run simultaneously)
8:15am-12:00pm Level
1 – An Introduction to Concussions and Concussion Management
- The Diagnostic and Return to Play
Dilemma
- Sport Related Concussion: Short and
Long Term Sequelae
- Concussion Sideline Assessment
- Concussion Risk Factors, Treatment
and Return to Function
- Tools in Concussion Management
- Concussion Case Studies
- Review and Wrap-up
8:15am-12:00pm Level
2 – Interpreting Neurocognitive Testing
- Using ImPACT Testing in Concussion
Management
- Interpreting ImPACT Test Results
- Case Reviews
- Review and Wrap-up
Registration Fee:
$100
for Health Care Professionals (MD, DO, NP, PA, Neuropsychologist, ATC, RN, PT,
OT, SLP)
$40
for school personnel and all other attendees
(School
nurses, coaches, school athletic directors, administrators, parents, etc.)
$20
for students – currently enrolled in a college program
Registration Fee
Includes:
- Handouts
- Continental Breakfast and mid-morning break
- CEU/CME credits for Health Care Professionals
Registration
Confirmation will be sent by email and will include:
- Directions to training location.
- Training agenda.
For more
information contact:
Jan
Salis, PT, ATC
MCMI -
Membership Committee Chair
jsalis@aol.com
(207)
577-2018
***
SAVE THE DATE: Maine Academy of Family Physicians Spring Events
23rd Annual MAFP Family Medicine Update – April 8-10, 2015, at the Atlantic Oceanside in Bar Harbor
April 11th (tentative) Certified Medical Examiner Training (for DOT Exams) – dependent on registration minimum met
For more information check our website: http://www.maineafp.org/cme/mafp-cme-meeting
Complete schedule and registration available after January 15th.
***
Please join us for the Northern
Maine Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) Summit
The University of New England
(UNE) invites you to participate in the Interprofessional Collaborative
Practice Summit, taking place on April 14, 2015 on the campus of Northern
Maine Community College in Presque Isle.
Funded by UNE’s Maine AHEC
Network (Area Health Education Center) and the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation, the
Summit will host national and local experts to address the relationship between
health professions education, clinical practice, and national healthcare
reform.
During the course of the day
healthcare providers will have an opportunity to learn more about:
- Trends in and
principles of interprofessional team-based practice
- Tools to
implement interprofessional practice
- How to
develop interprofessional student clinical experiences that
prepare the future workforce and help address healthcare shortages
We encourage you to attend as
individuals or as interprofessional teams!
THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND THOUGH
AN RSVP IS REQUIRED OF ALL ATTENDEES
Register online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CYLZD32 and/or
visit www.une.edu/ahec for more
information For assistance, please
contact: Dawn Lovelace at 207-221-4561 or dlovelace1@une.edu or Dora Anne Mills
at dmills2@une.edu or 207-221-4621
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