February 2024 E News 

Pertinent Information

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR 2024 HCMA MEMBERSHIP DUES?

Your HCMA membership renews on the first of each year.  Check your membership status by logging into your account at HCMA.net.  You can pay your dues securely online, or by calling the HCMA at 813.253.0471, or by mailing your payment to HCMA, 3001 W. Azeele Street, Tampa, FL 33609.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE...

TO RSVP FOR THE 

HCMA Membership Dinner

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 6:15pm

Westshore Grand Hotel

Dr. Joseph Dituri, our guest speaker, broke the world record for the longest time spent living in a fixed underwater habitat. Also known as “Dr. Deep Sea,” the USF professor lived underwater to study how the human body responds to long-term exposure to pressure from the underwater habitat. RSVP by clicking here! Sponsor and exhibit opportunities are available, 813.253.0471.

FOR SELF NOMINATIONS

If you would like to be placed, as a candidate, on the 2024 HCMA ballot, it is not too late to self-nominate. You must be a member in the ACTIVE, AFFILIATE, or LIFE membership categories and your 2024 HCMA membership dues must be paid in full. Nominations to specific seats will be determined by the Nominating Committee members on February 6th. However, if you have a preference to serve in a certain capacity, please indicate such when submitting your request. Click here if you have any questions or to submit your name for nomination.

TO GO TO TALLAHASSEE WITH YOUR PEERS

The HCMA's Government Affairs Committee (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 followed by scheduled appointments with legislators and/or their administrative staff.  Members often arrive in Tallahassee the evening before 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.

JN.1 takes over as the most prevalent COVID-19 variant

The virus continues to evolve so rapidly that "our immune systems have not been able to keep up," an expert says. Here's what you need to know. 

The US hasn't seen syphilis numbers this high since 1950

It's not clear why infectious cases of syphilis rose 9% while gonorrhea dropped 9%, the CDC reports. Syphilis is less common than gonorrhea or chlamydia but is considered more dangerous. Read more. 

AI excels in patient interaction and diagnosis in pilot study

The Articulate Medical Intelligence Explorer (AMIE), an artificial intelligence algorithm, has been trained to conduct and evaluate medical conversations. In dialogues with "patients" who were trained actors, it matched or even surpassed the performance of human doctors. Read more. 

Attention 4th year medical students planning a career in OBG

Robert Yelverton, Sr., MD Memorial Scholarship - Deadline April 1st

The HCMA Foundation USF Health/Morsani College of Medicine Robert Yelverton, Sr., MD Memorial Scholarship, established in 2023, will be presented at the May HCMA Membership Dinners to a senior USF medical student who will continue their graduate medical education in obstetrics/gynecology and is based on financial need and academic achievement. One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually. Among his many notable accomplishments, Dr. Yelverton served as HCMA President in 1997 and as a Clinical Associate Professor of Ob/Gyn at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. Click here to apply.

Membership Directory rates have been reduced

Now accepting ads for the Annual HCMA Membership Directory, Summer 2024 Edition. The HCMA Annual Membership Directory has proven to be an excellent referral source for physicians and businesses. 2024 advertising rates have been reduced for both members and businesses. Click here to view the rate sheet and to secure your advertisement. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Bauman, E&M sales associate, at 800-572-0011 or brian.b@eandmsales.com.

Tampa Bay Street Medicine - Wish List

Tampa Bay Street Medicine, a USF Health student-led organization dedicated to bringing healthcare to Tampa’s unsheltered population, is holding a donation drive via an Amazon Wishlist. Please view their list via THIS LINK and consider making a donation. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Heideman, MD Candidate ‘24, Morsani College of Medicine, eheideman@usf.edu.

Panera Heart Cookies support St. Joe's Hearts

The Panera Valentine cookie promotion benefiting the Patel Heart Institute at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital will be underway from February 1-14. With your purchase of a heart-shaped cookie at one of the 30 bakery-cafes throughout Tampa Bay owned by Covelli Enterprises, Panera will donate 100% of the profits to the kids at St. Joe’s. Find a participating location.

Bill would create police training on dealing with people who have Alzheimer's

A bill creating an Alzheimer's training program for law enforcement officers is making its way through the Florida Senate. The optional online course would teach how to interact with people who have dementia, recognize behaviors, use alternatives to physical restraints, and spot signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The training in SB 208 would be optional and count toward continuing education. Read more.

Expected to be a big deal, Alzheimer's drug is pulled after disappointing sales.

A drugmaker is pulling the plug on an Alzheimer's treatment that was once expected to be a blockbuster. NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports on what happened and what it could mean for patients. Read more. 

When should your patients stop driving? Preparing to hang up the car keys.

As cognitive skills erode, driving skills weaken, but an older driver may not recognize that. Advance directives on driving are one way to handle this challenge. Resources to help family members address the issue with their elderly loved one are available.  Many people with cognitive impairment continue to drive and don’t want to stop. There are no standards for when they should give up their car keys, but planning ahead is recommended.

Here are some resources that offer guidance:

For basic information:

·        Alzheimer’s Association: “Dementia and Driving”

·        National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Driving and Alzheimer’s Disease”

Hitting the milestone:

·        Healthwise: “Is It Time to Stop Driving?”

A conversation guide:

·        The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence: “At the Crossroads: Family Conversations About Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and Driving.”

CMS Prior Authorization regulations

On January 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that makes important reforms in prior authorization (PA) programs for medical services. The rule addresses PA in government-regulated health plans: Medicare Advantage, state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Fee-for-Service programs, Medicaid managed care plans, CHIP managed care entities, and Qualified Health Plan (QHP) issuers on the Federally Facilitated Exchanges (FFEs).

The AMA continues to analyze the details of the final rule; their initial read suggests that CMS has taken important steps toward right-sizing the PA process by addressing both technological and operational requirements. Among the technology provisions is a requirement that impacted payers support an electronic PA process that is embedded within physicians’ electronic health records (EHR)—bringing much-needed automation and efficiency to the current time-consuming, manual workflow. In addition, CMS is curtailing payers’ PA processes by mandating shortened PA processing timeframes and significantly enhancing transparency around PA, including requirements for specific denial reasons and public reporting of program metrics. CMS is also requiring that payers provide physicians and patients more PA-related information.

CMS notes enforcement of its policies, particularly around Medicare Advantage payers, can include CMS sanctions and civil monetary penalties. CMS received considerable feedback on the effective date of its policies, including some concerns regarding technology challenges. Unless otherwise noted in the section summaries attached, CMS’ policies will go into effect January 1, 2027.

The AMA issued a press release commending the Biden Administration for its PA reforms that prioritize patients’ access to care and reduce administrative burdens for physicians and their staff. The AMA has been urging the Biden Administration to move forward on many of these reforms and this final rule is an important step. The AMA looks forward to continuing to work with CMS on this critical issue, including expanding these improvements to drug PA. A more detailed, preliminary summary of the new regulations can be found here.

PHYSICIANS NEEDED to conduct guardianship evaluations for the Court in Hillsborough County

Applications are currently being sought from licensed Florida physicians to serve as members of the 13th Judicial Circuit’s Guardianship Examining Committee. The work product of the Examining Committee is an essential consideration of the Guardianship Court, before declaring a person to be legally incapacitated, in whole or in part, and before removing any of that person’s rights and, potentially, delegating some of those rights to a legal guardian. Physicians are required to complete the evaluation and file a written report to the Court, for which they are paid a $350 or $500 flat fee, depending on the circumstances of the case.

A completed application must be submitted for consideration, along with a résumé reflecting relevant experience. Applicants must also be cleared through a court-conducted criminal records check. A one-time initial training is required to be completed within four months of appointment and is available in this Circuit via online video training. After that, members of the Committee must simply demonstrate 2 hours of relevant continuing education training that will enhance their ability to conduct the evaluations. For more information about this Examining Committee work and/or to request an application, please contact the Court’s Elder Justice Center by email at elder@fljud13.org or by calling (813) 276-2726. Thank you for your consideration regarding this important community service.

Florida Rx Card

A FREE statewide Prescription Assistance Program (PAP). This prescription discount drug card offers savings as high as 75% on both generic and brand medications. Anyone living in or visiting Florida can use this discount card; regardless of age, income, health conditions, or residential status. No restrictions or applications. No personal information is required to obtain a card. Accepted at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. Very easy to use and some prescription costs are less than health insurance co-pays! For more information, or to order cards to distribute to your patients, contact Timra Campbell, Florida Rx Card, info@floridarxcard.com. 

In the immortal words of David Bowie, “Let's Dance”

Do your patients hate exercise? Have patients who want to lose weight? Tell them to put on their dancing shoes. Dancing can be an effective fat-loss tool for people who are overweight or have obesity, according to a recent meta-analysis in PLOS One. People who danced regularly lost about four more pounds — including three and a half pounds of fat — than those who didn't dance. They also shaved an extra inch off their waists. Read more.

Happy Heart Month!

Heart Month is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and cardiovascular diseases. It serves as a reminder to prioritize heart-healthy lifestyles, learn about heart disease prevention, and support those affected by cardiovascular conditions. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and this observance seeks to reduce its impact through awareness and action. Learn more.

Connect with us!

Follow and connect with the HCMA on social media. Tap the links and also connect with HCMA administration staff:

Hillsborough County Medical Association, Inc. | Tampa FL | Facebook

Hillsborough County Medical Association (@medicalassn) • Instagram photos and videos

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC | LinkedIn

Hillsborough County Medical Association - YouTube

Debbie Zorian, Executive Director and

Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant

From the Board of Medicine

Medical Doctors

Group 1 – current license will expire at midnight, ET, January 31 of each even year.

Group 2 – current license will expire at midnight, ET, January 31 of each odd year.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on March 31, 2024.

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.

CE Broker

The HCMA has formed a partnership with CE Broker, the official continuing education tracking system. HCMA members receive a discount when subscribing to a CE Broker account. Subscriptions renew annually and offer a user-friendly system that helps you sort through complex CE requirements. Contact Elke Lubin at 813-253-0471 or click here to receive the promotion code. Go to CEBroker.com and subscribe or set up a 7-Day Free Trial Account. Use the HCMA promotion code to apply your discount.

Physician Wellness

The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program (PWP) provides a safe harbor for members to address life difficulties, challenges, and increased stress through counseling and coaching services, up to six sessions in twelve months. This complimentary and completely confidential benefit is available for all members, regardless of membership category. 

Help us build our resource page

The PWP webpage will now include links to articles and resources related to wellness.  If you have discovered an article, a book, a social media channel, or a resource you feel may benefit your colleagues, please send a link to Elke Lubin. We welcome you to add a testimonial to support your submission.

Personal News

USF Medical Student Social

The HCMA and AMA co-sponsored a student get-together at Greenwise Pours, on January 3rd. USF Medical Student representative and hostess, Alexandra Mazur, organized the event attended by several students, Drs. Michael Cromer (HCMA President), Bryan Bognar (Vice Dean, USF MCOM Educational Affairs), Arun Kalava (HCMA Secretary), Charles Lockwood (Dean, USF MCOM), and HCMA administrative staff. Students mingled, asked questions about the HCMA while discussing organized medicine, and learned about HCMA’s long-running partnership with USF MCOM. The medical student contingency continues to impress, and we look forward to seeing them at future HCMA events! Go Bulls! 

New Members

Active Member

Trisha Larkin, MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

3001 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Tampa, 33607

813.321.6820

Affiliate Members

Angus Jameson, MD

Emergency Medicine

Prehospital Medicine Consultants, LLC

50 8th Ave., SW, #22

Largo, 33779

727.582.5699

Ernst Klaus, MD

Rheumatology

The Arthritis & Diabetes Center/Palm Harbor

32615 US 19, North

Suites 2&3

Palm Harbor, 34683

727.789.2784

Joining the HCMA is easy!

Do you have a nonmember colleague? Share this edition of Enews, direct them to our website,  or scan the QR code to learn more about the HCMA and all of the benefits we offer!

Spotlight on Savings

SGP Advisors – SGP is a boutique, Tampa-based insurance brokerage specializing in insuring physicians. SGP's team of professionals has 50+ years of experience insuring healthcare providers in the Tampa Bay area. SGP has developed numerous, exclusive insurance programs specifically for HCMA members. These not only address the professional liability insurance needs of the HCMA members, but the additional insurance needs that each practice requires. Our unique experience and capabilities will give you peace of mind, knowing that your risks are our biggest concern. SGP will provide eligible HCMA members with a 10% discount on professional liability insurance premiums.

For a no-obligation consultation, please contact Patricia Thompson, AAI, CIC, Advisor/Practice Leader, pthompson@sgpadv.com, office: 813.418.4492, mobile: 813.404.7905.

Classified Ads

For information on how to place a classified ad in Enews, contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA or complete and return this form. 

The Bulletin

Click here to review the most recent issue of The Bulletin along with previous issues.

If you or anyone you know is interested in advertising in The Bulletin, or marketing their services to HCMA members, more information can be found in the HCMA Marketing packet.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

26th HCMA Foundation's Charity Golf Classic

Thursday, April 4, 2024, Call to carts: 1:15pm

Tournament Players Club - Tampa

Sponsorship opportunities are available and golfer registration is now open.  Click here for all of the info! 

Sponsors as of today... we'd love to add you to the list of supporters!

TITLE SPONSORS

Excelis Medical Associates

Jensen Anderson/Brighthouse Financial

CHAMPION SPONSORS

TGH Imaging Powered by Tower

WINNER SPONSORS

BT Wealth Advisors

USF Health

USF Morsani College of Medicine

EAGLE SPONSORS

SGP Advisors WellMed - Tampa

PAR SPONSORS

The Bank of Tampa

Florida Pain Medicine

Healthcare Realty Group, LLC

The Woman's Group

HOLE SPONSORS

Advent Health Medical Group

Michael Foley, MD, FACR

HCMA Physician Family Alliance

Carol Hodges, MD & Ed Homan, MD

Rivero, Gordimer & Company, CPAs

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. David & Elke Lubin

Michael A. Zimmer, MD, MACP

Debbie Zorian

HCMA Presidential Installation

Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 6:15pm

Westshore Grand Hotel

Save the date! Dr. Damian Caraballo will be installed as HCMA's 2024-2025 President.  FMA President, Dr. Jason Goldman will be our special guest. Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are available - contact the HCMA office for information, 813.253.0471 or AOrthman@hcma.net. 

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