TGIF

LUNCH & LEARN for Practice Managers

2011-06-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 29
11:00-1:00
Location: National Training Center
at South Lake Hospital
Lunch & Door Prizes!
Practice Management information,
discussion, and good take away knowledge!

Sponsored by Physician’s Consulting Group
PLEASE call 352-742-9902 or click here to R.S.V.P.
Members - Free! Non-Members - $25

FMA Thanks Senate President Mike Haridopolos

2011-06-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

The FMA PAC Board is hosting a fundraiser for Senate President Mike Haridopolos in conjunction with the FMA Annual Meeting in July.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos is running for United States Senate. The FMA is asking for everyone’s help to ensure this event is a success for medicine. Because this is a Federal election, checks must be personal (no business checks accepted) or from a Federal PAC and the contribution limit is $2,500 for individual and $5,000 from PACs. Checks should be made payable to Friends of Mike Haridopolos. Send contributions to the LSMS office, P. O. Box 1578, Mt. Dort, FL 32757.

·  Senator Haridopolos is the current President of the Florida Senate.

·  Senator Haridopolos was instrumental in the passage of HB 479 this year (the tort reform bill).

·  During Senator Haridopolos’ tenure in the Florida House and his six-years in the Senate, he has been a strong advocate and friend for physicians in Florida on tort reform issues and stopping all scope of practice issues from advancing.

·  His spouse, Stephanie Haridopolos, M.D., is a practicing family physician in Brevard county and a member of the Florida Medical Association.

Scholarships for Florida Med Students

2011-06-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Florida Medical Association Foundation is the FMA’s philanthropic vehicle for supporting medical education, research and community care. The Foundation funds medical school scholarships, leadership/mentoring initiatives and programs designed to improve the patient-physician relationship.

Each year the Foundation awards scholarships for students attending Florida medical schools and is turning to practicing physicians to support the continuation of this financial help for med school students.

Questions? Call Collette Podgorski at 800-762-0233 or send her an email at cpodgorski@FLmedical.org.

Checks Arriving!

2011-06-17T08:15:00.001-07:00

To the amazement of many, and after TWO YEARS of challenges, misunderstanding and confusion, the first CMS Medicare EHR incentives began arriving in May. This followed the first Medicaid incentives that began in January. CMS reports that 40,000 EPs had registered for the Medicare program and 2,000 registered for the Medicaid program by the end of April. Over 10,000 EPs are registering every month.

On May 19th the Medicare incentive program released $75 million in incentives and CMS has begun posting the names of EPs and EHs that have received incentives. They say they will keep the list updated. LSMS has reviewed the list and there are no recipients in Lake County, and in fact, only 22 total recipients in the state of Florida. Click here to see the list.

If your office is in line for incentive dollars, keep us posted on your success. The Board of Governors sees this is as a hot topic and is planning several opportunities for YOU to come together to express your frustrations, challenges and successes.

FMA Annual Meeting Aug. 13-15

2010-08-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

LSMS delegates
attending the upcoming FMA Annual Meeting are:
Ernesto Zavaleta, MD
Jason Boardman, MD
Shelley Glover, MD
Stacy Berckes, MD
Pete Marzek, MD
The meeting should be quite interesting since one of the hottest topics will be FMA secession from the AMA. Your own delegates offered a resolution suggesting the FMA pass legislature banning issuance of medical licenses pending acceptance of government insurance plans.
…...stay tuned!

Conference Calls on Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program

2010-08-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

To further explain the Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, CMS is hosting a series of conference calls to give details to providers next week, Aug.10 – 12. These calls will answer providers' questions, such as: Who is eligible? How much are the incentives and how are they calculated? What providers will need to do to get started? Call the LSMS office at 742-9902 for information on how to register and review training materials.

MOVING DAY for Lake-Sumter Medical Society

2010-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to report that Lake-Sumter Medical Society and We Care of Lake County will now be sharing an office suite effective July 1. Drop by for a visit at our new location at 401 E. Alfred Street (old Hwy 441) in Tavares. Effective that date, the new phone number for LSMS will be 352-742-9902, and our new fax number will be 352-742-9910. Email address stays the same!

The President signs the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 -- 2.2 % Medicare physician fee

2010-06-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

On June 25, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.” This law establishes a 2.2 percent update to the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) payment rates retroactive from June 1 through November 30, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed Medicare claims administration contractors to discontinue processing claims at the negative update rates and to temporarily hold all claims for services rendered June 1, 2010, and later, until the new 2.2 percent update rates are tested and loaded into the Medicare contractors’ claims processing systems. Effective testing of the new 2.2 percent update will ensure that claims are correctly paid at the new rates. CMS expects contractors to begin processing claims at the new rates no later than July 1, 2010. Claims for services rendered prior to June 1, 2010, will continue to be processed and paid as usual.

Claims containing June 2010 dates of service that have been paid at the negative update rates will be reprocessed as soon as possible. Under current law, Medicare payments to physicians and other providers paid under the MPFS are based upon the lesser of the submitted charge on the claim or the MPFS amount. Claims containing June dates of service that were submitted with charges greater than or equal to the new 2.2 percent update rates will be automatically reprocessed. Affected physicians/providers who submitted claims containing June dates of service with charges less than the 2.2 percent update amount will need to contact their Medicare contractor to request an adjustment. Submitted charges on claims cannot be altered without a request from the physician/provider. Physicians/providers should not resubmit claims already submitted to their Medicare contractor
.http://medicare.fcso.com/Fee_news/172182.asp

MEMBERSHIP MEETING June 24, 2010

2010-05-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Join us on Thursday, June 24, at MISSION INN for our summer membership meeting, featuring a free CME provided by FPIC (First Professional Insurance Company). M & I Bank is our meeting sponsor.

Reservations required for this meeting that starts at 6:30 with cocktails and is followed by a short business meeting and the CME. Cost of dinner is just $25 for members!

SPOUSES always welcome!

Reservations required…please call 483-4748 or email us at frontdesk@lakesumter.org.

SGR - Here We Go Again!

2010-05-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

The House Rules Committee reported a rule for the consideration of the extenders bill (H.R. 4213) that includes a $22.9 billion patch for the SGR formula. The proposal would provide a 2.2 percent Medicare physician payment update for the remainder of 2010, a 1 percent update for 2011, and revert back to current law in 2012—when an estimated cut of 30-32 percent would be called for under the SGR formula. By scaling back the originally proposed physician payment patch and other provisions, negotiators reduced the cost of the overall extenders package by about $50 billion, with plans to bring it to the House floor today.

Because the week-long Memorial Day recess is about to begin, it does not appear that legislation to stop the 21 percent Medicare physician pay cut can be passed by the House and Senate prior June 1, when the most recent payment extension expires. There has been some discussion of passing another very short-term 30-day or 60-day extension bill, so that negotiations on the larger bill can be completed after the recess. However, physicians should prepare for the possibility that Congress will once again pass a one or two-month extension after the deadline has expired, with a retroactive effective date of June 1.

Unfortunately, members of the Congressional Blue Dog Coalition and others remain concerned that the bill would still add $84 billion to the federal deficit. They are also concerned about the bill’s uncertain future in the Senate. As a result, it is becoming clear that the House leadership cannot secure enough votes to pass the current version of the bill today.

Advanced OB/GYN Welcomes Shawn Lundberg, ARNP

2010-05-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

Advanced Ob/Gyn is pleased to announce the addition of Shawn Lundberg, ARNP to the practice. Shawn is an experienced ARNP in women’s health and obstetrics with over 20years in caring for women of all ages. She is seeing patients at their office located at 1414 E. Main Street, Leesburg beginning June 7, 2010.

2010-04-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

FINAL COUNTDOWN! JUST ONE WEEK AWAY! GOLFERS MUST REGISTER NOW!

DOCS CARE BEST BALL SCRAMBLE

Presented by Lake County Medical Reserve Corps

Friday, April 23, 2010, 1:00pm
Mission Inn, Las Calinas Course

We are grateful to our wonderful sponsors!
South Lake Hospitalists,Clermont Surgical Assoc., Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery, FPIC, Keystone Insurance,Physicians Planning Group,
Florida Hospital Waterman,South Lake Hospital,Central Florid Health Alliance,Barrett, Liner & Co., Lake Medical Imaging, and to our Hole Sponsors,Montverde Academy, Women’s Care of Clermont, M & I Bank, Lake Port Square & Harris Health Systems, and South Lake IPA

Visit www.lakesumter.org to register for an afternoon of golf or Spa Marbella!

CMS Statement Regarding Claims Processing

2010-04-16T08:49:00.001-07:00

Both the Senate and the House passed the bills late yesterday that will maintain a freeze on Medicare payments thru 5/31/10. As soon as the president signs the bill, which is a given, the freeze will be in effect.

Hopefully, none of your Medicare claims for dates of service 4/1/10 and after will be processed at the 21.2% lower rate as Medicare contractors were in the process of transitioning to the new lower fee schedule; but as CMS stated below, any claims paid at the lower rate would be re-processed to pay correctly once the legislation was fully passed and became law

CMS Statement Regarding Claims Processing

CMS continues to work with Congress towards possible legislative action to extend the zero percent update for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The zero percent update expired on March 31, 2010.

We are hopeful that Congress will take action in the next few days.

Until now, CMS has been holding April 2010 date-of-service claims, anticipating congressional action. But that has not occurred.

Therefore, under current law, Medicare contractors will begin processing claims with dates of service April 1 and later at the negative update rates. This will begin as soon as systems are fully tested to ensure proper claims payment. And, Medicare contractors will pay these claims on a first in - first out basis.

If subsequent congressional action extends the zero percent update retroactive to April 1, 2010, Medicare will reprocess those claims at the higher rates. Claims with submitted charges at or above the higher rates will be able to be automatically reprocessed without further action.

Providers have the option of holding their affected claims until the legislative landscape becomes clearer.

Claims with dates of service prior to April 1, 2010, are not affected and will continue to be processed under normal procedures at the rates in effect on the date of service.

In Memory

2010-03-26T12:55:00.001-07:00

Dr. Charles Cartwright passed away earlier this week after a brief illness. His Urologic Surgical Services practice was in Tavares and he was affiliated with Florida Hospital Waterman, where his presence will be greatly missed. He was a generous volunteer with We Care of Lake County, and a member of the Lake-Sumter Medical Society. Charlie leaves one son, Kirby, who attends the University of Florida.

His service will be at 4:30pm, Saturday, March 27, at the First Baptist Church in Eustis. His desire was to donate his body to science, so there will be no viewing or burial. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Eustis.

Please take EHR SURVEY

2010-03-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

We are pleased that Dr. Robert Hoyt, physician, educator, and proponent of Electronic Health Records, will be our guest speaker at our June Membership Meeting. Dr. Hoyt lectured at the Lake Sumter Community College last month, and following his realistic approach and amazing insight, we were quick to ask him to come back so everyone could hear his intelligent opinions.

In preparation, Dr. Hoyt is asking members to visit the following site for a quick survey. Please go to: Click here to take survey for this brief assessment to identify your needs and expectations.

From the Executive Director...

2010-03-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

Last night’s incredibly interesting Membership Meeting featured a presentation from Leslie Witkin, consultant and owner of Physician’s First. Though she did not bring much “good news”, she gave information on PECOS and important Medicare regulations. Docs who attended felt a sense of solidarity and empowerment in understanding what is required of them, and what curveballs to expect.

Did you miss the meeting? We’ll be posting Leslie’s presentation on the website soon.
One especially important message...START NOW in making sure you (and your referring physicians) are in PECOS or after January 3 you won’t get paid! Act now!

Member Benefit from Hometown Health TV

2010-02-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

HHTV and Lake-Sumter Medical Society are partnering to offer a member-only opportunity for you to market your practice in a specialty-exclusive multimedia network of area medical professionals.

As a LSMS member, you will receive a 5% discount off your subscription agreement and HHTV will donate $250 to "We Care" on behalf of each LSMS
member practice that joins the network by February 26, 2010. Less than 10 specialty opportunities remain and are signed specialty-exclusive, on a first-come basis.

For a sample of Hometown Health TV, visit their web site at www.HometownHealthTV.com or watch this month's episode every Saturday at 11am on Lake Front TV (Comcast 22, Bright House 199, Florida Cable 4). For more information or to schedule a brief presentation, call HHTV President, Marc Robertz-Schwartz at 352-267-7247. Please be sure to indicate you are a LSMS Member so you can receive your special savings and "We Care" can benefit from your investment into your practice's future.

Lake County offers Free Tobacco Cessation Classes

2010-02-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

Quit Smoking Now Cessation Class - 6 week class includes Free Nicotine Patch, Gum or Lozenges

Lake Cares Food Pantry - February 16 - March 23, 2010
2001 W. Old Hwy 441, Suite 1
Mt. Dora, FL 32757
To register please call 1-888-323-2432 ext 106

City of Eustis - March 2 - April 6, 2010
Commission Chambers
10 North Grove Street
Eustis, FL 32726
To register please call 1-888-323-2432 ext 106

Leesburg Community Health Center - March 2 - March 30, 2010
225 N. First Street
Leesburg, FL 34748
To register please call 1-877-252-6094

FMA Legislative Update

2010-02-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

In the February 8th legislative update by Miguel Machado, Chair of the FMA Council on Legislation, he reports the following…

OPTOMETRISTS Can Now Prescribe…
The most notable event of last week’s Florida Legislature occurred in the Senate Health Regulation Committee. Despite ardent lobbying efforts by the Florida Medical Association (FMA) and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO), SB 330, which would allow optometrists to prescribe oral medications, passed by a 4-3 vote. The FMA and the FSO presented compelling testimony on why the bill presents a danger to public safety. FSO President Bradley Fouraker, MD, and Joshua Lenchus, DO, argued that optometrists do not have the education and training to safely prescribe oral medications, and they clearly articulated the dangers these medications present. Testifying for the optometrists was Alberto Aran, MD, an ophthalmologist from Miami, and William Soscia, MD, an ophthalmologist from Bradenton. Voting against the bill were Sens. Andy Gardiner, Don Gaetz and Eleanor Sobel. Please thank them for their support. Voting for the bill were Sens. Thad Altman, Mike Bennett, Dennis Jones and Al Lawson, Jr.

A better outcome occurred in the House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee, where HB 225, by Rep. John Legg, was temporarily postponed. Rep. Legg’s bill would prohibit a physician from dispensing more than a 72-hour supply of Schedule II, III or IV controlled substances. The FMA has been working to delete this provision and find more targeted ways of controlling South Florida pill mill abuses. The committee members appeared to agree that this bill would negatively affect honest physicians, and they asked Rep. Legg to bring the bill back to the committee after meeting with the FMA and other interested groups.

SAVE THE DATE!

2010-01-19T09:15:00.001-08:00

Lake-Sumter Medical Society and We Care of Lake County announce the 2nd annual Doc's CARE Golf Tournament, set for Friday, April 23 at Mission Inn at Howie-in-the-Hills.

Mark your calendar and plan to spend a great afternoon of golf or pampering at the fabulous Mission Inn Day Spa!

FMA Applauds Senator Goetz for Championing Cancer Patients' Treatment

2010-01-19T09:10:00.000-08:00

Tallahassee—Timothy J. Stapleton, Executive Vice President of the Florida Medical Association, issued the following statement today applauding Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) for his work to negotiate a compact with Florida’s insurance companies. The compact, which the FMA helped to craft, will protect patients who enroll in cancer-related clinical trials.

“This compact will ensure that no patient is unfairly denied care because of his or her decision to enroll in a cancer-related clinical trial. The compact not only prevents patients from being denied coverage; it also ensures that clinical trials maintain the participation they need to research new, potentially life-saving treatments.

“We have all been affected by devastation that cancer can cause, whether it is a family member, neighbor, colleague, or friend who is diagnosed. Thanks to the determination and leadership of Senator Gaetz, those cancer patients who make a decision to participate in cancer-related clinical trials—and possibly save the lives of future patients—can do so without fearing that they might be denied coverage. We are grateful for Senator Gaetz’s efforts.”

“This compact will ensure that no patient is unfairly denied care because of his or her decision to enroll in a cancer-related clinical trial. The compact not only prevents patients from being denied coverage; it also ensures that clinical trials maintain the participation they need to research new, potentially life-saving treatments.

CHRISTMAS CHARITY

2009-12-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

Lake Sumter Medical Society has “adopted” a needy family through Boys & Girls Club of Lake County.

We are seeking donations to provide toys and food for this very large family with children ages 2 months to 18 years old. Santa needs to know if your office will be able to help as soon as possible. We’ll be delivering our gifts on the 21st.

Thanks to M & I Bank, who is joining us in this Christmas charity. If you’d like to give cash, make checks payable to M & I Bank. Call the LSMS office and we’ll pick up your gifts!

Merry Christmas
& Thank You!

FMA asks for meaningful, financially responsible health care reform

2009-12-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

This week Dr. Ernesto Zavaleta, Board President,
and Carol Millwater, Exec. Director, participated in
a state-wide phone conference to bring the local, grassroots county societies up to speed on the current efforts of the FMA who is asking for meaningful, financially responsible health care reform. Their opinion is that HR 3590, currently being debated in the United States Senate, represents an unwarranted government takeover of medicine while failing to fix the SGR system or enact meaningful tort reform. They unveiled their new website that lists specific concerns regarding HR 3590, and invite members to please visit: www.dontrushreform.com.

Please contact Florida's two U.S. Senators today by clicking on the link below to let them know your concerns on the bill. It is important they hear from Florida physicians on this issue. Please let Senator Nelson and Senator LeMieux know that HR 3590 is not the right approach to meaningful reform and ask them to start over with a bill that truly addresses the concerns with the current system. Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/fma38466720.aspx

2010 Dues "due" now!

2009-12-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

2010 DUES INVOICES are going out now! Be sure to send your check to the Medical Society, P. O. Box 1578, Mt. Dora., 32756. Annual dues ( just $275) gives you benefits that only a local membership organization can!
Where else can you call and get personal attention for your practice management problems, get free CME’s and receive great opportunities for saving money? Membership is a bargain at just $275 a year!
Send your check today!

LSMS spotlighted on Hometown Health TV

2009-12-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

The 2009 EXPO is being highlighted on the award-winning Hometown Health TV and can be seen every Saturday morning at 11am on Lake Front TV. LFTV is carried throughout Lake County and The Villages on Comcast channel 22, Brighthouse channel 199 and
Florida Cable channel 4.

Hometown Health TV is also shown in more than 20 medical offices, is available on-line at HometownHealthTV.com and enjoys multimedia partnerships with Healthy Living Magazine and Heartbeat Radio for Women (1401AM).

Check out our video segment being aired in December featuring highlights of the Expo and interviews with Carol Millwater, Dr. Ernesto Zavaleta and Dr. Jason Boardman! Go to:
http://hometownhealthtv.com/main/index.php/golfclassic-dec09.
Be watching for the January edition when they will spotlight We Care of Lake County featuring a great interview with Dr. Shelley Glover.

We Care of Lake County

2009-11-16T09:05:00.001-08:00

WE CARE of Lake County is grateful to the wonderful volunteer physicians who make an incredible difference as they provide specialty services to people in need in Lake County.
Can YOU help?
We Care offers sovereign immunity, case management and flexibility. See one patient or many, it is completely at the physician’s discretion.
You CAN help!
Call the We Care office at 352-742-6595 to learn more!

EXPO 2009 a SUCCESS!

2009-11-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

"What a GREAT Expo! I just wanted to tell you “thank you” and let you know how much we appreciate the opportunity to be the media sponsor! We had a great time and met some wonderful people!"
Kendra Akers, owner/publisher,
VLife Magazine
Health Living Magazine

"I am so thrilled! I met Fred Nendza last night from XcInt Design. He is cleaning up our website and making it HIPAA compliant. Once he's finished, I'll let you know."
Cindy
Dr. Scott Rodger, Family Practice

"Just wanted you to know I have heard from three of your vendors who reported that the EXPO was phenomenal! Next year I need to be a vendor!"
Rick Rojas
A Plus Printing

DOOR PRIZES went to 36 attendees ranging from a full page ad in Healthy Living Magazine won by Dr. Shelley Glover to a FREE LUNCH FOR THE STAFF won by Dr. Denise Olliverri! There were chess sets, wine and fruit baskets, gift certificates, computer cases and even CASH! We had 51 vendors and we estimate 150 guests. Generous sponsors and vendors really put their best foot forward, sharing their knowledge and expertise and giving guests personalized attention for their business needs.
Did you miss it? Next year’s event will be THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2010!

2009-10-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

Lake-Sumter Medical Society & Lake Sumter Community College

proudly present the final session of the

Practice Management Series

Evaluations & Management Documentation Requirements & Coding
“Appropriate coding to minimize your risk of being audited and optimize reimbursement to which the practice is legally and ethically entitled.”

When - Tuesday, October 13, 2009 * 8:30am registration & 9:00am - 12:00 Class
Continental breakfast compliments of Cornerstone Hospice

Where - Lake Sumter Community College * Leesburg Campus, Hwy 441 * 1st floor computer lab, Health/Sciences Building

Who - Physicians and Practice Managers

Cost - $50 per class/per person - LSMS Members * $100 per class/per person - Non LSMS Members

How - Call 352-483-4748 or email frontdesk@lakesumter.org or register online at www.lakesumter.org

This class is filling up quickly. Call now!

2009-09-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

EXPO UPDATE! NEW VENDORS!

ELSEVIER, the world’s leading publisher of science and health information, serving more than 30 million scientists, students, and health and information professionals world-wide. Their representative is coming with a valuable array of medical books to give away(!) to physicians who must be present to win!

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA School of Medicine will also be giving us a great look at the facility, their mission and how UCF School of Medicine will influence Central Florida.

Representatives from LIFE STREAMS BEHAVIORAL CENTER, along with their Medical Director, Thomas Valente, MD, will be on hand to introduce visitors to the many innovative services they provide to patients in 5 counties.

EXPO is a perfect opportunity to recruit new members! Invite your colleagues! MARK YOUR CALENDARS for November 4, 2009, Lakeside Inn, Mount Dora!

H1N1

2009-09-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

The Lake County Health Department will be conducting a series of conferences for hospital clinicians as well as for community physicians, to be held at the three major hospitals in the county throughout the month of September. The LCHD is your source for current national and local information concerning the H1N1 virus.

-Florida Hospital Waterman at Tavares on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00am at conference room B, located on the ground floor across from the Cafeteria.
-South Lake Hospital at 1099 Citrus Tower Blvd. in Clermont, FL, on Wednesday, September 30, from 7:30-8:30am-Breakfast with Community Physicians.
-LRMC at Leesburg is having a meeting on Sept. 23, at 6:00pm, but it is for their staff and by invitation only.

In a previous TGIF the State of Florida Flu Emergency Hotline was incorrect. 1-800-352-3581 is the correct number. Patients can also visit www.myflusafety.com.

Emerging Trends...Misuse of Non-Medical Rx & OTC Drugs

2009-08-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

At a recent meeting of the Lake County Juvenile Justice Council, Mark Vargo, PhD, discussed emerging trends in the misuse of pharmaceuticals. The misuse of non-medical Rx & OTC drugs is at an epidemic level, especially by adolescents and young adults. The most eye opening information Dr. Vargo revealed was that there are 10 counties in the entire United States that are the top dispensers of Oxycodone. ALL are in Florida. And LAKE COUNTY is one of them!
The FMA endorsed the Prescription Drug Monitoring Bill, SB 462, which establishes criteria for creation of a basic prescription drug monitoring system and calls for the registration of pain clinics. Governor Crist signed the bill in June.

License Review & Update

2009-08-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

Avoid Problems with Your License By Reviewing & Updating Your Board of Medicine Practitioner ProfileWhen was the last time you sat down and reviewed your Department of Health Practitioner Profile? Click here to read an article from the Board of Medicine's ongoing series regarding the Top 10 Tips to Avoid Problems with Your License. This article will look at the requirements related to Practitioner Profiles, point to where you can go for more information and much more.

Lake-Sumter Medical Society Welcomes Our Newest Members!

2009-08-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to an active recruitment effort and an attractive health insurance trust program, our membership roster is growing! Please welcome these new members, who have joined since April!

Santiago Calderon, MD, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Leesburg
Steven Nerad, MD, Cardiology, Leesburg
Ahmad Jalloul, MD, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Tavares
Elias Mavrofrides MD, Ophthalmology, Mount Dora, Leesburg
Kalpana Desai MD, Family Medicine, The Villages
Jose Diaz, MD, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Leesburg
Juan Almeyda-Gomez MD, Pediatrics, LCHD Umatilla Clinic
Imad El-Jassous MD, Hematology/Oncology, Lady Lake
Robert Kraut MD, Ophthalmology, Leesburg
Pablo Reyes MD, Oncology/Hematology, Leesburg
Karlene Sinclair MD, General Surgery, Davenport
Shirkanth Upadya MD, Cardiology, The Villages
Margarita Correa-Perez MD, Physical Medicine & Rehab, The Villages
Cedric Tankson MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Leesburg
Jeffrey Kerina MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Leesburg
Isaac Mitchell MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Leesburg
Michael Joyner MD, Hand Surgery, Leesburg

FMA responds to President Obama

2009-08-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

During the recently completed meeting of the FMA House of Delegates, a motion was made and passed for the FMA to write a letter to President Obama expressing the FMA’s dissatisfaction with the comment he made during his July 22, 2009 press conference in which he alleged that physicians make medical decisions based on financial gain. Medical societies throughout Florida (including LSMS) signed on to the letter, which follows.

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

As a practicing physician and the President of the Florida Medical Association, I would like to express my deep disappointment over the comment you made during your July 22, 2009 press conference in which you stated:
Right now doctors a lot of times are forced to make decisions based on the fee payment schedule that's out there.
So if they're looking -- and you come in and you've got a bad sore throat, or your child has a bad sore throat or has repeated sore throats, the doctor may look at the reimbursement system and say to himself, you know what, I make a lot more money if I take this kid's tonsils out. Now that may be the right thing to do, but I'd rather have that doctor making those decisions just based on whether you really need your kid's tonsils out or whether it might make more sense just to change -- maybe they have allergies, maybe they have something else that would make a difference.
I find your implication that physicians make medical decisions based on the approach that provides the most reimbursement insulting to the approximately 35,000 practicing physicians in the State of Florida that provide high quality health care based only on the best interests of the patient. Physicians of all specialties provide millions of dollars of uncompensated care each year in Florida through charitable networks and other organizations. In addition, most physicians provide care to patients whose particular health insurance does not cover the full costs of providing that care and this trend is even more notable for physicians who provide care via Medicaid to those in our state who are in the greatest need. For these physicians it is the patient’s needs that drive their decision making, not the fee schedule.
At the July 2009 meeting of the House of Delegates of the Florida Medical Association, physicians from all over Florida resoundingly expressed their offense over your disrespectful remarks. The medical societies listed below join in this letter to assure you that for the physicians in Florida, patient’s come first. As stated in the American Medical Association’s Principles of Medical Ethics, “A physician shall, while caring for a patient, regard responsibility to the patient as paramount.” This is a principle that we in Florida will continue to adhere to, your unfortunate remarks notwithstanding.

Our patients in Florida and across the nation deserve an accurate and far more sensitive depiction of their caring physicians by the President of the United States, whose statements impact the opinions and impressions of millions of Americans and the future of our health care system.
We still look forward to working with you and our Florida Congressional Delegation to develop and implement effective health system reform that adheres to the principles of the Florida Medical Association and the patients our physician members serve with respect and integrity.
Sincerely,
James B. Dolan, MD
President, Florida Medical Association

The National Institute on Drug Abuse

2009-07-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

(NIDA) has launched a new Web site (http://www.nida.nih.gov/medstaff.html) to provide physicians and other health professionals with the latest science on drug abuse and addiction. Drug abuse affects the course and treatment of many medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and lung disease. NIDA’s new Web site shares the latest on:
Relevant research
Clinical practice
Materials for patients (including youth)
Trends in drug abuse and addiction
Clinical trials
NIDA, a component of the National Institutes of Health, is committed to timely dissemination of promising research findings for real-world application. The new Web site for physicians and other health professionals is part of NIDA’s continuing efforts to raise awareness about drug abuse and addiction.

Leadership Exchange Completed at June Membership Meeting

2009-07-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

At last week’s Membership Meeting, and with a full house looking on, Dr. Steven West officiated the induction of Ernesto Zavaleta, MD, FHM, newly appointed president of the Lake-Sumter Medical Society. Past President, Dr. Shelley Coleman Glover, was recognized for her achievements as president, including the implementation of the Health Insurance Trust Plan. Dr. Glover graciously accepted a plaque and roses, as mementos of her years of service. She will remain on the Board of Governors, providing guidance and assistance as the new president begins his term.

Newly inducted president, Dr. Ernesto Zavaleta, spoke of his plan to create goals for the coming year that will increase membership and make the Lake-Sumter Medical Society the first and obvious choice for physicians across the two counties.

Dr. Zavaleta, who hails from Peru, is well known at South Lake Hospital where he serves as a Hospitalist specializing in internal medicine. If you would like to speak with Dr. Zavaleta, or if you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the LSMS office either at 352-483-4748 or frontdesk@lakesumter.org.

Ernesto Zavaleta, M.D., F.H.M. New President of Lake-Sumter Medical Society

2009-06-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

Dr. Ernesto Zavaleta will assume the leadership position of the Lake-Sumter Medical Society after Thursday night’s installation dinner-meeting at Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora. With an anticipated full house, Dr. Steven West, FMA President, will oversee the induction and transfer of leadership.

Our thanks to Dr. Shelley Coleman Glover who has had a long and successful Presidency, and leaves a legacy of many accomplishments and programs that have benefited the membership of Lake-Sumter Medical Society. As Past-President, she will maintain a presence on the board and will continue to be a strong influence.

Dr. Zavaleta is already looking at ways to revitalize the organization. Be watching for a Membership Survey to assess member’s expectations and suggestions as we continue to look for ways to improve and grow our Society.

Dr. Jason Boardman was also inducted as Vice President of the Lake-Sumter Medical Society. He will join Dr. Zavaleta in a combined effort to bring in more members, become effective in supporting the political landscape, and provide greater opportunities for members.

Lake Sumter Community College has Quality Students for Your Job Openings

2009-06-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Does your office need billing assistance? The Lake Sumter Community College offers a certificate in Medical Office Management in which students do 150 hours of co-operative education internships in a medical office. They earn 3 credits toward the certificate and although some practices pay them minimum wage, it isn’t required. Students must be exposed to every aspect of the receptionist and billing specialist jobs during their office time. This program also has an option for students to specialize in transcription.

LSCC tries to assist all of their students to secure jobs. If your office is looking for qualified employees, contact Brandy Ziesemer at the college, 435-6414 or email at ziesemerb@lscc.edu.

FMA Annual Meeting

2009-06-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

The annual meeting of the Florida Medical Association is quickly approaching.

The 2009 annual meeting will be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club from July 24-26. The FMA has worked hard to pack as much into these 3 days as they can, including participation in the House of Delegates; Reference Committees; continuing medical education courses; a “Best Practices Symposium” panel of experts; opportunities for networking; banquets and a top-notch Expo. Through all of this, the FMA’s theme encourages involvement in the House of Medicine, the legislative and political arm of the Florida Medical Association. Fast paced and exciting, it provides attendees an opportunity to understand the importance of being informed and involved.

FIVE DELEGATE positions are available to the Lake Sumter Medical Society, of which three are taken. Please contact us so you can join our other confirmed representatives: Dr. Shelley Coleman Glover, Dr. Jason Boardman, & Dr. Ernesto Zavaleta.

Interested? Call us at 352-483-4748 or email us at frontdesk@lakesumter.org. All delegate expenses are covered by the Medical Society.

Docs CARE Golf Tournament a great success!

2009-05-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our wonderful and generous sponsors,
a terrific field of 60 golfers, and the hard work of the Lake Sumter Medical Society and We Care of Lake County staff and board members, we are pleased to report a successful event!

Tournament results:
Team Winner with a score of 57(!)…………..Team Montverde Academy
Closest to the Pin……………….Jason Roets, Team Montverde Academy
Putting Contest………………….John Moore, Team South Lake Hospital
Longest Drive………………..John Hopman, Team Montverde Academy
Hole-in-One…….according to the “hole judge” there were several “near
misses”, but unfortunately, there were no hole-in-one winners!

Receipts and checks are still coming in, but the anticipated net profit from this first time fundraiser will be MORE THAN $10,000 with the proceeds divided between LSMS and We Care of Lake County. The Board of Directors for both organizations is extremely pleased with the outcome and look forward to next year’s event! Participants will receive a brief questionnaire for suggestions and ideas.

We are grateful to our generous Tournament Sponsors!

Silver - K Hovnanian Builders
Luncheon - Barrett, Liner & Company
Hole in One - South Lake Hospitalists
Closest to the Pin - Clermont Surgical Assoc.
Longest Drive - Women’s Care of Clermont
Putting Contest - Lake Medical Imaging
Eagle Sponsors - South Lake Hospital
- Florida Hospital Waterman
- Central Florida Health Alliance
- FPIC
Hole Sponsors - Ameriprise Financial
- Brookdale Senior Living
- Montverde Academy
- Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery
- GloStream & ConnectU
- Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County

On the Book Shelf — Health Care Reform: The Truth

2009-04-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

Julio Gonzalez, M.D., author and orthopedic surgeon practicing in Venice, FL, expresses his concern about a "reform plan that relies on flawed assumptions and misinterpretation of fact and data in order to defend its ideals."
This must-read explores everything from Medicare and Medicaid to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the military health system. He looks at the health care work force, physician payment model, medical malpractice, and defines the true nature and magnitude of the uninsured population.
According to FMA President Dr. Steven West, Dr. Gonzalez "explores health care reform from the physicians perspective with great clarity and depth, supporting his points with thorough references and factual citations. For anyone interested in the health care debate, I could not recommend this book more."
To order your book ($29.95) go to www.aragonpublishers.com where they will ship your book the same day.