Pertinent Information
Membership renewal due January 1, 2023!
HCMA membership renewal statements for 2023 have been emailed and sent via USPS. If you have not received your notice, would like to check the status of your membership, or request a duplicate statement, please contact Asta Orthman, HCMA Membership Coordinator, or call the HCMA office: 813.253.0471. Your dues can also be easily and securely paid online. Visit the HCMA website and log into your account.
Encourage a colleague to join!
Throughout all the changes in healthcare, your HCMA has remained a strong leader at the local, state, and national levels. Please encourage your colleagues in Hillsborough and surrounding counties to join the HCMA. Share this edition of Enews or direct them to our website to learn more about the HCMA and all the benefits we offer! Your assistance is appreciated as we continue to provide great benefits and services to members and the community.
HCMA Government Affairs Committee
The HCMA's Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is gearing up for another busy legislative season.
- The GAC, in conjunction with the FMA, is compiling a list of 2023 Legislative Priorities, that will be presented to our legislators locally, through our Key Contact program, and in Tallahassee.
- The GAC will host a Legislative Luncheon for the Hillsborough Legislative Delegation and their district staff. It is a great opportunity to educate legislators on the important issues facing medicine and your patients.
- The GAC will coordinate a contingency of members to visit Tallahassee during the 2023 Legislative Session (March 7-May 5). This one-day event includes a meeting with FMA legislative experts to brief attendees on the important issues of the day and appointments will be secured for our contingency to meet with legislators and/or their administrative staff. Members often arrive in Tallahassee the evening prior to the scheduled day at the Capitol.
- If you are interested in learning more about serving on the GAC, joining the GAC contingency in their visit to Tallahassee, or how you can serve as a Key Contact to our legislators, contact Elke Lubin or call the HCMA office: 813.253.0471.
2023 Know Your Legislators Pocket Guide - now accepting orders
For over 60 years, this has been the most respected and trusted legislative guide in Florida. The guide features:
- Senate and House members’ photos, biographical data, staff information, capitol and district office information, including e-mail addresses
- Committee assignments and committee staff, room, and phone numbers
- Florida’s Congressional Delegation photos, staff, district and D.C. office information
- Senate, House, and Congressional cross-reference list of county representation
- State Agencies and Organizations photos and office information
- Senate and House term limits
- Committee structure
Order online or download a printable order form.
Telehealth flexibilities in 2023 and beyond
Throughout the pandemic, physicians have widely embraced telehealth flexibilities granted under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) to deliver telehealth services. While the PHE is likely to be extended past its current Jan. 11, 2023, expiration date, its eventual end will bring PHE-associated telehealth flexibilities to an end as well. Read the FMA’s policy update to learn how these changes will affect telehealth use for physicians and patients, and where things stand with federal legislation to extend telehealth flexibilities beyond 2023.
2022 MIPS EUC exception applications due Jan. 3
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) Exception applications and MIPS Promoting Interoperability Performance Category Hardship Exception applications for the 2022 performance year. The deadline is 8 p.m. (EST) Jan. 3, 2023. Physicians who are interested in applying for an MIPS EUC exception due to Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole can contact CMS for more information at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or call (866) 288-8292.
Do your holiday shopping on AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate to the HCMA Foundation, Inc.
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the HCMA Foundation, Inc. every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at www.smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the HCMA Foundation, Inc. Get started with these three easy steps:
- Go to: www.smile.amazon.com. It’s just like shopping on amazon.com.
- Sign in. Simply use your existing Amazon credentials. If you don’t have an account, you can create a new one. Confirm your charity is the Hillsborough County Medical Association Foundation, Inc. *
- Start shopping! After you’ve chosen your charity, your shopping experience will be the same as it is on the Amazon website. And there’s no extra cost for you at checkout! Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of your purchase to HCMA Foundation, Inc.
*Be sure to activate the Amazon Smile feature on the Amazon app on your phone or mobile device!
USF Morsani College of Medicine thrives with Water Street location, Tampa General partnership.
The 2021 incoming class at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine were the highest achievers in the college’s history. They carried the highest median score of any class on the Medical College Admission Test and the highest average grade point average, 3.89. The 2022 students, who began classes in July, are another impressive batch of future physicians. Dr. Charles Lockwood, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the medical college, believes these bright minds are choosing USF for multiple reasons. Read more.
HCMA Foundation's Charity Golf Classic - another way to participate
Can't play? Visit the Foundation's Amazon Smile wish list for raffle prize donations. Raffle items are a big part of the day's fun - and another way we raise money on golf day! Please take a look at our wish list for an easy way to donate some raffle items:
1. Sign into Amazon
2. Review our Wish List!
For more information about the tournament, click here.
HCMA Database & Website - New and Improved!
In order to make use of our innovative new database and all of its features, all HCMA members need to create a password for their profile.
By setting up your profile, it will ensure that you have full access to our website in which you can update your office information, your home mailing address, RSVP to our events, pay dues, and receive all future correspondence from the HCMA.
Please follow these few simple steps to set up your profile:
- Log in to your HCMA account at www.hcma.net
- Click the orange sign-in icon located in the upper right-hand corner
- Enter your email address - IF YOU HAVE NOT CREATED A PASSWORD YET, click the "forgot password" link and follow the instructions.
- If you have any questions please contact Anni Blackwell.
HCMA Referral Service
Please note, beginning January 1, 2023, the annual fee for the HCMA referral service will increase to $40. The increase will take effect upon annual renewal. If you have any questions about the HCMA referral service, please contact Asta Orthman, HCMA Membership Coordinator.
From the Board of Medicine
The renewal deadline will be here before you know it!
Medical Doctors
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine
The Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine are responsible for setting the CME required for licensure and re-licensure in Florida. Each Board specifies a certain number of hours, including some mandatory topics, that must be completed within each two-year licensure term.
MD:
Florida Board of Medicine Licensing - Main Page
FL Medical License - MD Unrestricted
DO:
Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine Licensing - Main Page
FL Osteopathic Medicine - Full Licensure
