AOA Latest News                                                                                

Free Trial Membership!

If you are a DO, or know a DO who has not been member of the AOA since 5/31/2007, they may be eligible for a trial AOA membership! Join 38,000 other DOs in supporting the osteopathic family. Apply for a trial membership today!

If your colleagues haven’t been members since May 31, 2007, they may be eligible for a complimentary AOA trial membership through May 31, 2009. Go to our membership Web page to see what you can win by referring a DO for a trial membership!

2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative National Q and A

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the first in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., EST, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Get more information added Jan 06

2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Program Updates

2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Measure Specifications Now Available. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the release of the detailed specifications for the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) measures and the 2009 PQRI measures groups. All information has been posted to the PQRI webpage on the CMS website. added Jan 05

JAOA reports on firefighters' cardiac health

Coronary heart disease continues to be the most frequent cause of death among firefighters. In an effort to explore firefighters' cardiac risk factors and interest in risk modification, Patrick Scanlon, PA-C, DO, and Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, conducted a survey of volunteer firefighters in Long Island, NY. The study, published in the December issue of JAOA—The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, found that although many respondents had cardiac risk factors, the majority were interested in fire department–sponsored health lectures and fitness programs.

DO Performs Groundbreaking Surgery

As mentioned in the Daily Report, a DO at the Cleveland Clinic, Chad Gordon, DO, was on the team that performed the first facial transplant surgery in the US. This 22-hour surgery replaced 80% of a disfigured woman’s face with the face of a donor, whose family gave special permission to allow the facial transplant. Prior to the surgery, the recipient had been unable to eat, speak, or breathe normally, despite many prior reconstructive surgeries. One doctor on the team was quoted in the Washington Post calling the operation "the most complex surgical procedure ever performed." AOA Trustee Robert S. Juhasz, DO, is Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Willoughby Health Center.

Revised! Internet-Based Medicare Enrollment Expanded to Additional States

Internet-Based Medicare Enrollment is now available in thirty four states and the District of Columbia. Now there’s a better way for physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment information. The Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) will allow physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll, make a change in their Medicare enrollment, view their Medicare enrollment information on file with Medicare, and check on the status of a Medicare enrollment application via the Internet. Read more about this fast, easy and secure way to enroll.

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