ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY in conjunction with SANTA ROSA COUNTY
MARCH/APRIL2012 Volume 42, No. 2
President’s Message
A Well Kept Secret by George A.W. Smith, MD
Upcoming Events Friday March 23, 2012
ECMS Doctors Day Celebration Ice Flyers Hockey Game, 7:05p
Dr. George A.W. Smith
I have a very exciting discovery that I can
beds of the Institute were designed into the old
hardly wait to share with you. I have been
Medical Center Clinic on Palafox Street and full
practicing medicine in Pensacola for the past
rehabilitation hospital services were available
seventeen years and perhaps this may not be
in 1976. It soon became apparent that a signif-
news to you. I suspect however that with the
icant number of the severely disabled needing
exception of the past presidents of the Escam-
rehabilitation had no funding source. Thus in
Pensacola Civic Center Please rsvp by March 16
bia County Medical Society this is a well-kept
1980 the Foundation was started with several
secret. Having just assumed the presidency of
small contributions and a $20,000 grant from
Tuesday April 10, 2012
the Society, I learned last month my responsi-
the Gannett Foundation. In 1983 the Institute
bilities include representing the medical soci-
Trustees voted to sell to any local hospital in an
ety on the Rehabilitation Foundation of North-
effort to secure funds for the foundation. The
west Florida. Of course having never heard
West Florida hospital’s offer of about $3.3mil-
of them before I was very happy to meet with
lion was accepted and most of this money was
their Executive Director Robert Bowman, Ed.D
transferred to the Rehabilitation Foundation to
to hear more about this organization and the
fund rehabilitation services to individuals with
role I would play.
physical disabilities who were needy and had
Florida State Representative Doug Broxson “Update on Florida Regulation”
McGuire’s Irish Pub, 5:30p Wednesday May 9, 2012
Annual Mini Health Fair
Paul’s on the Bay, 5:30p
RSVP: 478-0706
info@escambiacms.org Founded in 1873
www.escambiacms.org
no other funding source. Foundation invested It turns out that the Rehabilitation Foundation
assets grew over the years and although the
of Northwest Florida followed the successful
Institute Trustees stipulated that only the in-
initial funding and establishment of the Reha-
vested earnings would be used, to date over
bilitation Institute of West Florida in 1975. In
$6 million has been awarded to local citizens
1973-74 a community based feasibility study
of both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
concluded that the community needed and
Most of the funds have been awarded for inpa-
could support a combined inpatient rehabili-
tient rehabilitation, but awards are also made
tation and a vocational rehabilitation center
for out-patient therapy, orthotics and prosthet-
for the physically handicapped. The initial 38
ics and rehabilitation equipment.
ECMS Bulletin The Bulletin is a publication for and by the members of the Escambia County Medical Society. The Bulletin publishes six times a year: Jan/ Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec. We will consider for publication articles relating to medical science, photos, book reviews, memorials, medical/legal articles, and practice management. Editors Christopher Burton, MD Erica Laxson, Executive Director
AD PLACEMENT Contact Erica Laxson at 478-0706 Ad Rates ¹∕₈ page: $100 • ¼ page: $150 • ½ page: $300
2012 ECMS Officers President George A.W. Smith, M.D. President-Elect Wendy Osban, D.O. Vice President Susan Laenger, M.D. Secretary /Treasurer Christopher Burton, M.D.
Pages 4 A Successful First Year for the Go Seniors! Transportation Program! Page 5 Ways to Maximize Effective Cash Flow in an Ever Challenging High Self-Pay Environment Page 6 Merging Practices? Be Sure to Protect Yourself Vision for the Bulletin: -Appeal to the family of medicine in Escambia and Santa Rosa County and to the world beyond. - Collaborate with the Alliance to bring together Escambia and Santa Rosa County medical families. To know the needs of the community and promote the healthcare needs. - A powerful instrument to attract and induct members to organized medicine. Views and opinions expressed in the Bulletin are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the directors, staff or advertisers.
Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County 2012 Calendar of Events Friday March 23, 2012 DOCTORS DAY Ice Flyers Hockey Game, 7:05p Tuesday April 10, 2012 General Membership Meeting Legislative Update, Doug Broxson McGuire’s Irish Pub, 5:30p Wednesday May 9, 2012 ANNUAL MINI HEALTH FAIR Paul’s on the Bay, 5:30p Tuesday July 10, 2012 General Membership Meeting EHR/Meaningful Use Cactus Flower, 5:30p July 27-29, 2012 FMA ANNUAL MEETING Boca Raton, Fl Tuesday August 14, 2012 General Membership Meeting Heritage Hall, 5:30p Sunday September 30, 2012 WOMEN IN MEDICINE BRUNCH Tuesday October 9, 2012 General Membership Meeting [1AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM] Breast MRI, Patricia Green, MD 5:30p Tuesday November 13, 2012 General Membership Meeting Saturday January 19, 2012 ECMS INAUGURAL BALL
Membership ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY in conjunction with SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Benefits of Membership 2012
Escambia County
3
MEDICAL SOCIETY Santa Rosa County in conjunction with
10 Dinner Meetings in 2012: Opportunities to receive Free Florida Mandated Courses.
the information and register for ECMS events. We also work with physicians to create and manage their own internet site.
Representation in Legislature: ECMS has members actively participating in the FMA and AMA. Such topics include: Managed care legislation, PRN sovereign Immunity, Mandatory malpractice, tort reform, and grass roots efforts. ECMS gives our physicians’ updates through our newsletters, email, and faxes.
Patient Referral: ECMS refers patients to our physicians daily.
Malpractice Insurance Discount: The Doctors Company/FPIC gives ECMS members a 5% discount. In addition, FPIC’s claim-free program currently allows for the following discounts: 25% claims-free 15= years; 20% claims feree10-14 years; 10% claims-free 5-9 years. 20% Discount on Pensacola Opera Tickets DocBookMD: ECMS providers are now listed on the ECMS iPhone and Android application. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Members can receive up to 24.8% return on insurance premiums with OptaComp. CME: ECMS offers free CMEs to our members at many of our meetings.
Physician Information Service: ECMS has connections in Pensacola. The Society is pleased to research, ask, and retrieve information for you or your office personnel. Vested Vendor Resource Guide: These vendors are financially and personally invested in the success of the practice of medicine. They support our CME events, dinners, special events and our Bulletin newsletter. Please make sure to call a supporter of ECMS. The Florida Healthcare Law Firm: At no charge members of the Escambia County Medical Society may call the hotline 561-306-5699 with questions regarding specific legal issues. Crown Plaza: Mention “Medical Society” for a yearly discounted rate on you or your guest next stay. Transworld Systems: Member discount on professional services. Please contact Lin Engie #850-725-4408.
Directory and Website: ECMS website and Member directory, which includes you office information and picture, as well as allows you to control
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Membership ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY in conjunction with SANTA ROSA COUNTY
4
A Successful First Year for the Go Seniors! Transportation Program! by Erica Laxson, ECMS Executive Director This May the Escambia County Medical Society Foundation (ECMSF) will celebrate their one year anniversary of the GO SENIORS! program. For the last year this program has provided Yellow Cab of Pensacola vouchers to eligible seniors living in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Funded by The Fellows Memorial Fund, it is designed to encourage independent community mobility for seniors who need transportation assistance that may find the cost of transportation prohibitive to meet healthcare needs. The Fellows Memorial Fund was founded in 1961 under the will of the late Earle W. Fellows-Williamson, widow of the beloved Pensacola physician, Dr. J. Hugh Fellows. The Fellows Memorial Fund assists in providing loans for students in the field of medicine, nursing, medical technology, and ministry, as well as fund programs around the elderly at risk population in our community. The ECMS Foundation is involved in providing ser-
vices to at risk populations and currently supports the WeCare program has focused on providing specialty physician care to the working poor. With financial support of The Fellows Memorial Fund and physicians the Go Seniors! program has helped provide door-to-door transportation for healthcare related needs to more than 1000 patients living in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Go Seniors! transportation vouchers have been distributed by ECMS physicians, Health and Hope Clinic, St. Joseph’s Clinic, Good Samaritan Clinic, and the Escambia County Community Clinic. To be eligible, a person must be 60 years of age and be certified by a healthcare professional as needing door-to-door assistance. For more information call Escambia County Medical Society Foundation (850) 478-0706. Congratulations on a very successful first year!
Wishing you Success & Happiness in the New Year Attention Members! It is now time to send in your updated information for the 2012 ECMS Pictorial Directory. Our Medical Society directory is very beneficial for many reasons with use by members, non-members, and other health community providers.
Thank you to our friend Malcolm Ballinger and his team for all of their hard work in putting our Pictorial Directory together. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me, Erica Laxson, Executive Director, at 478-0706 ext 2.
As a benefit to our members, the directory will list the physicians alphabetically and by specialty. The directory will contain the physician name, address, phone number, specialty, NPI, picture, and website address if applicable. Our 2012 ECMS Directory will be distributed to each member at no cost. The purpose of this directory is to promote the concept of members doing business with both members and supporters, as well as to provide a comprehensive, easy to use reference and referral guide.
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Practice Management ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY in conjunction with SANTA ROSA COUNTY
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Ways to Maximize Effective Cash Flow in an Ever Challenging High Self-Pay Environment by Lin Engie, Transworld Systems, Inc. Accounts receivable are a major concern for medical practices in today’s world. Many practices struggle with how to deal with self-pay patients and insurance companies who don’t pay on time, or not at all. With today’s trend of ever higher deductible plans, and larger self-pay amounts, this is becoming a more critical cash flow issue for a majority of medical practices. According to an MGMA study, self-pay increased from 12% in 2007 to 20% in 2010, trending to 30% in 2012. This means a third of a practice’s revenue now comes from self-pay. Can you afford to solely focus on in-
Before paying a percentage to a collection agency, or using small claims court or an attorney, check into using a flat fee, diplomatic pre-collection service, where you may collect more without giving up a percentage of your revenue. If you decide to outsource, make sure to use a reputable and financially stable company, and one that is HIPAA-compliant.
surance resolution for your practice’s cash flow? For many practices, the answer is clearly “no.”
your own procedures, call your state’s department of finance or consult an attorney.
Here are some proven ways to maximize cash flow and collections. First, have a clearly defined and carefully communicated, yet diplomatic payment policy to help avoid difficult collections situations. By following these simple steps, you can watch your practice thrive while retaining good, professional relationships with your patients.
In the end, remember that even with a carefully designed and administered collection plan, there are some accounts that will never be collected. Adopting an early intervention plan to identify these few accounts that have no intention of paying you will save your practice time and money while benefiting from improved cash flow from the vast majority of accounts that will pay.
Developing and implementing a sound collection policy is vital to running a successful practice. If your staff is not well informed, and patients are not educated on payment expectations, chances of late or non-payment increase. Ensure that your practice’s terms of payment are clearly stated in writing for both staff and patients. If you don’t have a systematic invoice and billing system, get one. Studies show that the faster you mail invoices, the sooner you’ll be paid. An invoice should clearly show the amount due and when payment is expected, or else they may fall to the bottom of the patient’s payment stack. In addition to your policy and billing procedures, contacting late payers every 10-14 days enables you to diplomatically remind the patient of your terms of payment. Remember when evaluating accounts, use the data on your aging sheet, not your feelings, because if you’re not being paid, someone else probably is. In the event that a patient has moved without providing you the new address, the USPS will research their information and provide you with the change of address, if available. So make sure that your outgoing envelopes state “Address Service Requested”. For more difficult situations, make sure your staff is trained to be firm, yet courteous, when dealing with patients. Train your collections staff on customer service because they must “sell” your patients on the idea that you expect to be paid in a timely manner, without alienating them. And, if your practice makes a mistake, quickly admit it and correct it. Denying an obvious error only fans the flames of resentment your patient may already feel. There may be a point in which your internal procedures are not effective enough. A third party can motivate a patient to pay, simply because the demand for payment is coming from an outside agency. Another reason to outsource is if you do not have the internal resources to consistently and systematically (every 10 to 14 days) follow up on every past due account.
Always remember that in many states, medical practices are governed by the same collection laws as collection agencies. If you’re not sure of
Medical/Legal ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY in conjunction with SANTA ROSA COUNTY
6
Merging Practices? Be Sure to Protect Yourself by Georgette A. Samaritan, RN, BSN, Senior Risk Management Consultant Many practices are considering mergers with, or selling to, another practice as a way to reduce overhead expenses and take advantage of economies of scale. If your practice is moving down that path, along with all the other details, please don’t overlook how you will insure and protect the physicians’ medical professional liability in this new organization. If both practices use the same insurer, the process of combining the policies is simple, and may even result in a larger group discount. Notify your carrier, and they will walk you through the process. If the practices currently use different carriers for medical professional liability insurance, or are seeking a new carrier for the new entity, there are some important factors to consider: 1) Prior Acts coverage (also called “nose” coverage). It is essential that you confirm that any new policy covers prior acts for all of the physicians included in the new entity. This means that the new insurance company will assume responsibility for claims that arise, reaching back as far as each physician’s retroactive date (or original inception date) of coverage. If Prior Acts coverage is not available from the new carrier, seriously consider purchasing an Extended Reporting Endorsement (tail coverage) from the current insurance companies. While these can prove expensive, they give the newly merged practice the opportunity to start over with the new insurer for less premium. Without the purchase of either an Extended Reporting Endorsement or Prior Acts coverage, there will be no insurance protection available for any patient care delivered prior to the new effective date (and new retroactive date). For example, consider Dr. Lincoln. He has purchased new coverage effective 3/1/2011 and the retroactive date with his previous insurer is 3/1/1997. If Dr. Lincoln’s new insurance company agrees to provide Prior Acts coverage, they will now be responsible for any future claim arising back to 3/1/1997. If the new company cannot provide, or is unwilling to provide, Prior Acts coverage, they will give him a new retroactive date,
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3/1/2011, and will only cover claims incurred after this date. Dr. Lincoln must then purchase an Extended Reporting Endorsement from his old insurer, or go without coverage for any future claims from his practice arising between 3/1/1997 and 3/1/2011. Before making any changes, make sure that all known or potential claims have been reported to your current carrier. 2) Coverage trigger. Check policies from both the old and new insurance companies for what is considered a claim, or the “coverage trigger”. Look for a policy that considers a claim to be reported on the date you report an incident to the insurance company (incident reporting or incident sensitive), whether or not a lawsuit has been filed. 3) Financial strength. You want to know that the company selected will be there when you need them, to protect your livelihood and reputation. AM Best ratings are a good source of independent information on insurance companies. You can also inquire about a company’s total assets and surplus and review prior annual reports or financial statements. If your practice is being acquired by a hospital, insist on individual physician coverage with a company you know and trust. This may be pivotal if a lawsuit arises against you and the hospital-employer. The entity paying the premiums usually has some say in the decisions about the lawsuit. Also, in a hospital, all physicians’ medical professional liability insurance is often lumped together and applied to overhead – making is possible that your rates could increase greatly over time. There are many important factors to consider when merging practices with or selling your practice to a hospital. Prior to making such a significant decision, do your due diligence by reviewing your current and potential insurance policies and other contracts. Thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons of the opportunity along with the assistance of legal counsel and other professionals who specialize in such sales or mergers before you finalize your decision. Georgette Samaritan is a Senior Risk Management Consultant with MAG Mutual Insurance Company, Atlanta, GA
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InThe Community ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY in conjunction with SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Hospital News
7
Sacred Heart News
Baptist Health Care News New Cath Lab Coming to Gulf Breeze Hospital. Construction recently began on a new, state-of-the-art cardiovascular catheterization laboratory at Gulf Breeze Hospital, which will provide even more convenient cardiovascular care for residents of Santa Rosa County. The $1 million project will bring additional cardiovascular diagnostic services which are currently not available in Gulf Breeze and nearby communities. Construction on the lab is scheduled for completion in May 2012. Baptist Hospital Completes $35 Million Campus Transformation Less than two years ago, Baptist Hospital, the flagship facility for Baptist Health Care, announced a vision that would transform its campus into one of the most aesthetic and technologically advanced medical facilities in the nation. In March, that vision came to fruition and exceeded even the greatest expectations with the completion of its $35 million project, the largest in Baptist Health Care’s 60-year history. The project includes a new main entrance, two-story main lobby, enhanced family waiting areas, operating room expansion, progressive care unit, outpatient surgery and more. Visit BuildingABetterBaptist.org to see photos and learn more details about the recent transformation.
Interim CEO Selected for Sacred Heart Health System In mid-January, former SHHS President and CEO Laura S. Kaiser announced that she would be leaving Sacred Heart and Ascension Health to become the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Intermountain Healthcare, a large nonprofit health system, based in Salt Lake City and serving Utah and Idaho. A search committee comprised of leaders from Ascension Health and the SHHS Board of Directors recently announced the selection of Susan L. Davis, RN, Ed.D., as interim CEO to lead the Health System while recruiting of a permanent CEO continues. Susan began work at Sacred Heart in early March. In addition to her interim role at Sacred Heart, Susan also will retain her role as Ascension Health Ministry Market Leader for New York and Connecticut, and will add the markets of Florida and the Gulf Coast, where she will provide leadership and strategic direction for Sacred Heart and the ministries in Mobile and Jacksonville. Partnership With Bay Medical Center Approved Culminating months of negotiations, the Bay County Commissioners recently voted to accept the proposal of the joint-venture company of Sacred Heart Health System and LHP Hospital Group, Inc., to lease and operate Bay Medical Center in Panama City for the next 40 years. The partnership with the 323-bed regional medical center will provide funding for Bay Medical to eliminate its debt and gain the financial and clinical resources of two larger healthcare organizations. The agreement also allows Sacred Heart to fill a gap in its service area and strengthen its presence in a key market in Northwest Florida.
Sacred Heart Medical Group Welcomes James Williams, MD Paul Tamburro, MD Mark Grise, MD
www.sacredheartmedicalgroup.org Dr. James Williams, Interventional Cardiologist, is fellowship-trained in cardiology and has special interests in diagnosis and management of heart disease, preventive cardiology, interventional cardiology, cardiac pacemakers, stress testing and ICU-related procedures.
Now accepting new patients. Sacred Heart Medical Office Building, Suite 404. Physician Referral Line: 850-416-4763.
Dr. Paul Tamburro, Cardiologist and Medical Director of Sacred Heart Cardiovascular Services, is fellowshiptrained in cardiology and has special medical interests in valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary-artery disease, arrhythmias, cardiac catheterization and noninvasive cardiac testing.
Dr. Mark Grise, Interventional Cardiologist, is fellowship-trained in cardiology, critical care and interventional cardiology. Dr. Grise specializes in a minimally invasive intervention in which the catheter is inserted into the radial artery instead of the femoral artery.
www.escambiacms.org
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #258 PENSACOLA, FL
8880 University Pkwy., Suite B Pensacola, FL 32514 Ph: 850-478-0706 Fx: 850-474-9783 Email: info@escambiacms.org Executive Director: Erica Laxson
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MECOP Reminder
43rd Annual Pediatric Symposium Memorial Day Weekend Saturday, May 26, through Monday, May28 Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa 7 a.m. until Noon each day visit www.mecop.org for topics and agenda Contact 850.477.4956 (option 1) to register
Member Benefit: The Health Care Attorney On Call Hotline (561) 306-5699 View and opinions expressed in the Bulletin are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the board of directors, staff or advertisers. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.
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