Pertinent Information

REMINDER - to "FALL BACK" before you go to bed on Saturday, November 4th as daylight savings comes to an end.

PLEASE NOTE - THE HCMA OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 & 24, TO CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING.

Holiday Social for HCMA members  

December 5, 2023, 6:30pm

At the home of Dr. & Mrs. Michael Cromer 

Dr. Michael and Carol Cromer will open their home to HCMA members and their guests for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, socializing, live music, and celebrating the holiday season!  Whiskey enthusiasts are welcome to participate in a tasting hosted by Steward Cromer! Feel free to bring your favorite bottle of whiskey to share with your colleagues. HCMA Past Presidents will also be honored during the event. Thank you to our sponsors Physicians Wealth Planning and SGP Advisors. Mark your calendar and RSVP today! 

What patients want from the doctor's visit

As reported in a recent edition of Fierce Practice Management, in their 2023 Patient Confidence Index, PatientPoint a patient engagement platform, surveyed 2,000 Americans to determine how they feel going to the doctor and what factors contribute to these feelings. They outlined their findings in their report to help you better understand your patients and how to put them at ease in your office.  Based on their responses, Patient Point identified some key insights and opportunities to improve the experience at your practice, you’ll learn how patients feel about the doctor’s office, how to empower patients during their appointments, and why patients delay doctor’s visits. Download the white paper here.

Impact on patients unclear as retail pharmacists begin 3-day 'Pharmageddon'

The nationwide walkout is slated to continue through Wednesday. It's the last attempt to pressure chains to address concerns about staffing shortages that are leading to mistakes that could endanger patients. Read more.

Study: Hurricane Ian unleashed flesh-eating bacteria into Florida waters

According to Rita Colwell, the study's senior author, who has studied Vibrio for 50 years, within the last 50 years the number of Vibrio species has skyrocketed from a half-dozen to 110. Both Colwell and Huq (a research professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at the University of Maryland and one of Colwell’s co-authors), said the bacteria can cause illness or death for people who eat raw or undercooked seafood or go into the ocean with an open wound. “Anyone with liver disease, cirrhosis, alcoholism, hepatitis C or hepatitis B infection should not consume raw oysters,” Colwell said. Read more. 

A 'tropical disease' carried by sand flies is confirmed in a new country: the U.S.

Most of the infections reported are in Texas — the only state where health workers are required to report leishmaniasis to health authorities — but Mary Kamb (medical epidemiologist at the CDC) says, "The sand flies which have the capacity to transmit leishmaniasis exist in several U.S. states, primarily southern states." Dermatologist, Dr. Bridget McIlwee adds, "We have data supporting that the disease vectors and reservoirs have been located as far north as Ohio." Read more.

'Body Electric' examines the connection between social media and depression rates

Researchers study the psychological effects of time spent online, and what impact that can have on our physical health. Follow the series at npr.org/bodyelectric or on the TED Radio Hour podcast feed. Listen to this 4-minute report by clicking here.

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, has compiled a list of 2024 Legislative Priorities, that will be presented to our legislators locally, through our Key Contact program, and in Tallahassee.
• The GAC is coordinating a contingency of members to visit Tallahassee on February 20th,  during the 2024 Legislative Session. 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 joining the GAC contingency in their visit to Tallahassee, contact Elke Lubin or call the HCMA office: 813.253.0471.
• If you are interested in serving as "Doctor of the Day" any time during the 2024 Legislative Session (January 9 - March 8), download this information packet which includes the DOD application.  If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Legislative Services directly: Kelly Welborn, (850) 717-0301, welborn.kelly@leg.state.fl.us.
• The 2024 Know Your Legislators pocket guide is now available. For over 60 years, this resource has been the most respected and trusted legislative guide in Florida. Included in the guide you will find Senate and House members’ photos, biographical data, staff information, capitol and district office information, including e-mail addresses; committee assignments and committee staff; Florida’s Congressional Delegation photos, staff, district and D.C. office information; Senate and House term limits; and more! Order online!

Medical education loan reimbursement update

In October, FMA leaders joined Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at a press conference touting the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) Program. The FRAME Program assists eligible healthcare practitioners, including physicians, with the repayment of medical education loans. The FMA secured an annual appropriation of nearly $6.6 million for this program during the 2022 Legislative Session, and physicians and residents received the majority of funds allocated this year. The 2024 awards cycle will open on Feb. 1st. Read more.

HCMA Membership Committee is being revitalized...

One of the goals of HCMA President, Dr. Michael Cromer, is to revitalize the Membership Committee. The Committee will be charged with developing campaigns to recruit and retain members and will be asked to commit to following through on assignments. If you enjoy meeting new colleagues and passing on your enthusiasm for the Association, please CLICK HERE for more information or to volunteer.  

The future of medicine can begin with you.

Both pre-med and medical students have asked to shadow members in their offices to gain early clinical exposure. If you would like to serve as a mentor and allow a student to shadow you please register here. The HCMA is compiling a list of volunteers. When a student contacts us, we will share the volunteer's information so the student and physician volunteer can make final mentoring arrangements. Thank you for your participation!

The Academy of Senior Professionals Is recruiting

For the intellectually curious — and what physician isn’t? — the ideal retirement hangout is the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College, in South Pinellas. Now in its 40th year on the waterfront campus, ASPEC has openings and is recruiting physicians, professors, business executives, and other accomplished retiring professionals. The academy emphasizes lifelong intergenerational learning, service to the college, service to the community, and social engagement. ASPEC physician members who are interested in doing presentations take turns on medical topics, but can also attend and participate in a wide variety of other interest groups. Some physician members help faculty and interact with students in the classroom. And ASPEC has a lot of social events. Sample it for a month for $50; visit www.eckerd.edu/aspec/ or call Mary Robison at 727.864.8834. You can also contact Dr. Roland LaJoie, an ASPEC member who practiced endocrinology in Pinellas for many years by emailing him at rlajoie713@gmail.com.

Now you can own your own annually required complete package of OSHA training programs and compliance materials

Materials from OSHA Medical Courses (established 1991) were created by a team consisting of a physician, a lawyer, and a licensed Healthcare Risk Manager. They have been reviewed (unofficially) and complemented by an OSHA compliance officer. Secured on a Flash Drive, they contain required customizable (word document) plans and training materials (PowerPoint) to assure compliance with:

• OSHA regulation Title 29, Part 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control) and,
• OSHA regulation Title 29, Part 1910.1200 (Hazard Communications.

Both of the above require documented employee training BEFORE beginning work and ANNUALLY (1910.1030) thereafter. These training materials, for both Part 1910.1030 and Part 1910.1200 are available for $75 plus tax, S&H. Download the order form and send it with payment to the HCMA.

ICD Code lists

The ICD-9 and ICD-10 valid and excluded diagnosis codes for the latest fiscal year are made available to non-group health plan (NGHP) responsible reporting entities (RREs) and agents for Section 111 liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault, and workers’ compensation mandatory reporting. Updated ICD-10 and ICD-9 valid and excluded liability and no-fault code lists for 2024 are now available on the ICD Code Lists page on CMS.gov.

FL HIV EHE: provider technical assistance opportunity

The Florida Department of Health’s Division of Disease Control and Health Protection and the University of Central Florida College of Medicine’s HealthARCH have partnered to engage health system organizations with one-on-one technical assistance to improve HIV screening and re-screening rates. This Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) program focuses on seven Florida counties, with an aim to increase the performance of health systems in managing Opt-out testing using electronic health record systems. We are currently working with Tampa Family Health Centers and previously worked with Bayside Clinic. HealthARCH is looking for one more partner, preferably in the Hillsborough/Pinellas area, to round out their cohort. They are especially interested in working with traditionally underserved populations. This is at no cost to the practice, with the only initial requirement being that the health system is using an EMR. For more information click here or contact Kelly Lowenberg, 407.266.4006, or Kelly.Lowenberg@ucf.edu.

HCMA's new website feature - YOUR website!

Visitors to the HCMA website can not only find the office address and phone number for members - we have included the opportunity to list your website too!  To add your website to your online HCMA profile, simply log into your HCMA profile (www.HCMA.net) or call the HCMA office, 813.253.0471.

Member Spotlight … we want to hear from you!

If you have received an award, have written an article pertinent to medicine, or if you are serving our communities by volunteering for your favorite charity, we would love to showcase your endeavors! Submit a photo along with a brief description of your activities and watch for it in a future edition of Enews, The Bulletin, or on the HCMA website’s upcoming Member Spotlight feature.

Attention Practice Administrators

The HCMA is in the planning stages of another reception to honor HCMA members' practice administrators.  Please call Asta at the HCMA (813.253.0471) or email her your name and contact information by CLICKING HERE. We look forward to another fun event!

Jamais vu, the opposite of déjà vu

Why does the familiar feel strangely new sometimes? Many people have heard of and probably experienced déjà vu — the strange feeling you have already seen or experienced something as you are seeing or experiencing it. But very few people know about the opposite of déjà vu, known as jamais vu, when a familiar experience feels new. Why does it happen, and what takes place in the brain? Read more.