AOA Latest News                                                                                

CMS Proposes Payment and Policy Changes for Medicare Beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Wednesday several proposals to refine Medicare payments to physicians. These proposals are expected to increase payment rates for primary care services including an update to the practice expense component of physician fees. For 2010, CMS is proposing to include data about physicians’ practice costs from a new survey, the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS), designed and conducted by the American Medical Association. Read full release updated July 02

2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Program Reminder

It is not too late to start participating in the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and potentially qualify to receive incentive payments. A new half-year reporting period begins on July 1. If you have not yet started, you can still begin reporting. Read more updated July 01

JAOA reports on the influence of personality type

Personality types have been reported to affect performance among allopathic medical students and dental students on standardized examinations. In the June 2009 issue of JAOA—The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, Donald J. Sefcik, DO, MBA, and coauthors explore the relationship of personality types and COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores among osteopathic medical students and suggest that personality profiling may help improve academic performance. updated June 30

AOA Hosted First Ever Virtual Town Hall Meeting

For those who missed it, the American Osteopathic Association held its first ever virtual town hall meeting on June 22. The meeting, which attracted over 500 participants, addressed Congress's plan for health system reform. AOA Executive Director, John B. Crosby, J.D. who served as host of the hour long interactive broadcast, entertained questions from participants from all over the country. Shawn Martin, Director of Government Relations from the AOA's DC office, provided an overview of the plan. Listen to the meeting updated June 26

Frequently Asked Questions on Graduate Medical Education

The Department of Government Relations has prepared a frequently asked questions (FAQs) document on graduate medical education and the physician workforce. The FAQs address questions on the disparities in primary care physicians versus general surgeons, the future shortfall of physicians and many other topics. Download PDF(49K) updated June 25

Time is Running Out to View 2007 PQRI Feedback Reports

Information for Eligible Professionals Who Participated in the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) feedback reports, posted since July 2008, will be archived effective June 30, 2009 and will no longer be available to eligible professionals (EPs) who participated in the 2007 PQRI. Read more | View reports updated June 22

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