Immunization Office Champions Program Applications Close Dec. 12

KAFP

Thank you to all who participated in the Kansas Family Medicine Pneumococcal Immunization Office Champions (KFMPIOC) Program Webinar last week. If you missed the webinar and would like more information about the program and the webinar slides and video recording, go to the KFMPIOC web page. The practice application and agreement deadline is December 12, 2018.

The KFMPIOC program is a QI Initiative designed to improve the rate of pneumococcal and other immunizations for the Medicare population. The program is funded by a grant from Pfizer and AAFP, who selected KAFP in a competitive grant proposal process, as one of three chapters participating in the grant. KAFP is pleased to work with Kansas Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) on this program.

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KAFP Website Features Center for History of Family Medicine

KAFP

The KAFP website has recently added the AAFP Foundation’s Center for History of Family Medicine page to its website. Go to KAFP’s homepage www.kafponline.org. Place your cursor over the Foundation tab and scroll to bottom to select Center for History of Family Medicine. The CHFM is the primary repository of information and resources on the history and evolution of general practice, family practice and the specialty of Family Medicine in the United States. Explore the CHFM web page today!

 

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FPM Journal Seeking New Medical Editor

AAFP

The AAFP is seeking a knowledgeable, forward-thinking family physician to serve as FPM’s next medical editor. More information about the part-time, paid position (approximately 2 to 3 hours per week) are included in the job description and application instructions (2 page PDF). The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2019.

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KFMPIOC Program Applications Deadline is Dec. 12

KAFP

Thank you to all who participated in the Kansas Family Medicine Pneumococcal Immunization Office Champions (KFMPIOC) Program Webinar last week. If you missed the webinar and would like more information about the program and the webinar slides and video recording, go to the KFMPIOC web page. The practice application and agreement deadline is December 12, 2018.

The KFMPIOC program is a QI Initiative designed to improve the rate of pneumococcal and other immunizations for the Medicare population. The program is funded by a grant from Pfizer and AAFP, who selected KAFP in a competitive grant proposal process, as one of three chapters participating in the grant. KAFP is pleased to work with Kansas Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) on this program.

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Check your dues off your to-do list and support the AAFP Foundation

AAFP Foundation

With one click, you can support the work of the AAFP Foundation when you renew your Academy dues. The Foundation Dues Check-Off campaign asks members to give a one-time $50 gift that will help advance the work of the philanthropic arm of the Academy. Go to the AAFP website to pay your dues.

Your dollars will fund grants for chapter-level programs through the Family Medicine Philanthropic Consortium as well as AAFP Foundation humanitarian, educational, and research initiatives. All programs are designed to advance the values of family medicine and improve the health of all people.

The dues check-off is the easiest and fastest way to support your state and national Foundation.

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Recognize a Colleague’s Achievements with a KAFP Award Nomination

KAFP

Nominate a colleague for one of KAFP’s annual awards: Family Physician of the Year, Exemplary Teaching Award, or Humanitarian Award. Do you have a colleague who inspires you; one whom you feel is the “best of the best?” If so, please consider nominating him or her for one of KAFP’s annual awards:

Kansas Family Physician of the Year: This is the highest recognition KAFP awards annually. Through it, KAFP recognizes involvement in community affairs and activities that enhance the quality of life of the community. >> Learn more and nominate.

Kansas Exemplary Teaching (two categories: full-time/part-time and volunteer): Through these annual awards KAFP recognizes members with exemplary teaching skills, who have implemented educational programs and/or developed innovative teaching models. >> Learn more and nominate.

Kansas Humanitarian Award: This award recognizes extraordinary and enduring humanitarian efforts. >> Learn more and nominate.

Please submit your nominations for Kansas family physician awards by Monday, December 31, 2018. Thank you in advance for sharing this information with your office manager.

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Advocacy Day is Filling Up!

KAFP

Good news! Registration is looking healthy for Advocacy Day! If you haven’t registered yet, do it today! Sign up at 2019 Advocacy Day! 

Join us on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 for an update on legislative issues expected to arise in the 2019 session and presentations on important topics such as Tobacco 21, Primary Care Spend, and a special training on how to best engage with legislators. Following Advocacy Day with dynamite speaakers, you are invited to the Dillon House for a reception to mingle with legislators. This is our biggest legislative event of the year – don’t miss it!

Register Today!
Advocacy Day

KMS/KAMMCO Bldg.
623 SW 10th Ave. Topeka, KS
10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Legislative Reception

Dillon House
404 SW 9th St., Topeka, KS
5:45 – 7:45 p.m.

Need hotel accommodations? The KAFP has a room block at the Topeka Courtyard Marriott at the group rate of $126 + tax. Mention that you are with the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians to get the special rate.  Reserve a room online or call 785-271-6165.

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Expanded KanCare Benefits for Tobacco Cessation

NAMI

For patients enrolled in KanCare, a newly expanded benefit for tobacco cessation is now available! KanCare now covers medications and counseling for tobacco users to make multiple quit attempts per year. The expanded benefit will help physicians and staff work with patients to find the right combination of treatments to quit for good.

Expanded benefits include:

Medications: Comprehensive, barrier-free coverage of all FDA-approved medications:

  • Chantix, Bupropion, all nicotine replacements (patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, nasal spray)
  • Evidence-based combinations of medications (e.g., concurrent patch/lozenge)
  • No prior authorization or copays

Counseling: No annual or lifetime limits

  • Individual (Billing Codes 99406/99407)
  • Group Counseling (Billing Code s9453)

The majority of patients using tobacco will make at least one quit attempt this year. Medications plus counseling double their chances for a healthier life.

Visit KAFP online to download an information card about the expanded benefits and find additional resources for your patients and staff.

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Influenza Resources for You

AAFP/IAC Express

Influenza season is now under way. This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), December 2–8. Check out the NIVW toolkit which includes videos, communication hints, matte articles to submit to newspapers, animated graphics, and more!

This flu season, Familydoctor.org is setting out to serve you and help patients by providing an impressive library of assets you can use in social media to talk to patients about the flu and prevention. Check out the Familydoctor.org Guide for the Flu Season toolkit. Facebook and Twitter posts, graphics, GIFs, videos and articles are available for you to use on social media networks to educate patients on the flu and prevention. Also watch for KAFP posts on Facebook and Twitter and like and share!

This is a great time to vaccinate your patients who have not yet been protected against flu and to remind your patients who have not been vaccinated to be sure they get protected. Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. As a reminder, vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond. Peak influenza activity does not generally occur until February. Read the CDC Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report.

 

 

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Changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Pertinent to Small and Rural Practices, 2018

Rural Policy Research Institute

The Quality Payment Program (QPP) was established by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The QPP consolidates existing Medicare pay-for-performance programs – the Physician Quality Reporting System, the Physician Value-based Payment Modifier, and the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program for Eligible Professionals – into a unified, cohesive program. MIPS is one of the two tracks of the QPP program and the regulatory framework for MIPs was originally provided by MACRA and CMS’s calendar year (CY) 2017 QPP final rule. This brief discusses changes to the original MIPS regulatory framework brought about by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and the CY2018 QPP final rule. Read it: Changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Pertinent to Small and Rural Practices, 2018.

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