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William I. Bender, MD -- SCMS Physician Citizen of the Year for 2011
Dr. William I. “Bill” Bender of Columbia Neurology was named Physician Citizen of the Year for 2011 by the Spokane County Medical Society on May 4, 2012. Dr. David Bare, Vice President of the Medical Society, presented a plaque to Dr. Bender for his outstanding contributions to the medical profession and the community.
Dr. Bender received his medical degree from The Chicago Medical School in 1978. He completed his residency in Neurology at the USC Medical Center, Los Angeles and is board certified in Neurology.
In his nomination of Bender, Dr. John McCarthy wrote, “He is the epitome of a physician who is non-judgmental, professional and ethical.”
As a community advocate for healthy living in Spokane, Bender is the founder of Spokefest and co-chair of Summer Parkways. Bender believes in celebrating health, fitness and the great outdoors.
McCarthy closed his nomination of Bender with the following: “In summary, Bill is a leader in this community who embodies what we as physicians and PAs should strive towards. He is a solid physician, community member and leader. His presence in this community has made it better on a number of levels and we can look forward to this continuing and the community benefitting.”
The Spokane County Medical Society is proud to award the honor of 2011 Physician Citizen of the Year to Dr. William Bender. Click here for more photos. (submitted 5/9/2012)
Greater Spokane Incorporated; Look Who Went to Washington
Another year, another advocacy trip to Washington D.C. is in the books. The regional delegation met with government officials, elected officials, Air Force officials, presented a Key to the City to retiring Representative Norm Dicks, talked about tankers, transportation, graduate medical education, and a lot more.
Here’s what Dr. Brad Pope advocated for, among other issues important to medicine, while on the trip:
Medical education: Our elected officials are greatly supportive of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Building at the Riverpoint Campus, as well as the upcoming expansion, with the second year of studies at WSU Spokane soon to be a reality (fall of 2013!). What the federal government can influence is Graduate Medical Education (GME), mostly known as residency slots. Our region is in need of more residency slots, especially in rural areas. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers has a bill that would create a pilot program for rural primary care residency slots. We’ll keep an eye out for the bill. (3/3/2012)
Big Changes Coming Soon -- L&I Provider Network and New COHEs
Historic workers’ compensation reforms will affect every provider that does business with L&I:
- L&I is creating a network that will serve injured workers covered by L&I as well as those of self-insured employers.
- Network standards are being developed now and enrollment for attending providers will begin in early 2012.
- L&I will expand the Centers for Occupational Health and Education (recruiting soon for 2013 expansion)
- Beginning in 2013, workers will be able to see a non-network provider for their first visit only.
- Also in 2013, L&I will launch incentives for network providers who use occupational-health best practices.
Find out what’s going on and how it will affect you. Join the L&I Medical Provider News e-mail list — the best way to stay up to date — by going to www.Lni.wa.gov and entering “Medical Provider News” in the search box. Information is also available at www.ProviderNetwork.Lni.wa.gov
EHR Incentive Program Update
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published a data file containing de-identified information on eligible professionals (EPs) and hospitals (EHs) who have attested to the Meaningful Use Program (MU) including physician specialty, state, and vendor type. The dataset can be downloaded for free. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also recently published updated MU registration and attestation data. Attestations include 15,255 Medicare EPs and 14,089 Medicaid EPs. Physicians make up the vast majority of both groups, but overall participation remains low. The MU 2011 reporting period for physicians ended on Dec. 31. Physicians interested in applying for incentives for 2011 have until Feb. 29 to register and attest at https://ehrincentives.cms.gov/hitech/login.action. Feb. 29 is also the last day EPs have to submit claims for allowed charges incurred in 2011. (from the January 25th ed. of the AMA Advocacy Update, 1/27/2012)
The Pain Management Rules for Physicians and Physician Assistants: Effective Jan 2, 2012
As a reminder:
- The 2010 legislature passed engrossed substitute house bill 2876 requiring that the medical quality assurance commission, and four other boards and commissions, adopt rules regarding the management of chronic noncancer pain.
- The law required that the rules contain specific mandatory elements as well as guidelines. The medical commission adopted their rules for physicians and physician assistants that are effective January 2, 2012.
- The goal of these rules is to provide guidance regarding prescribing for practitioners who treat patients with chronic pain. A key component of the rules is to encourage practitioners to become better educated in the safe and effective uses of these powerful drugs.
- All practitioners who prescribe long-acting opioids are encouraged to have at least four hours of continuing education on that topic.
- Practitioners who have 12 continuing education credits on the topic of chronic pain management within the prior two years are exempt from the requirement for a pain management consultation when prescribing more than 120 mg morphine equivalent per day.
The medical commission worked with the agency medical directors’ group to provide four hours of free CME. Information regarding this CME is available at: http://www.agencymeddirectors.wa.gov/opioiddosing.asp#CME.
More information regarding the pain management laws and subsequent rules, as well as guidance and resources are available via the medical commissions web page at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/MQAC/PainManagement.htm, and the Department of Health’s web page at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/PainManagement/
Please see our Pain Resources page for additional information.
Attention: Information for the Medicare Fee-For-Service Provider Community
Given the new direction for the nation's health system, the AMA has developed Health System Reform Insight, a bi-monthly newsletter to help you understand what this new direction means to you and your patients. Click here for important links, key dates, or for more information on the important changes in the Medicare quality reporting program for physicians that will take effect in 2012. (12/16/2011)
A Place to Share Your Opinion
We'd love to hear your comments on topics of interest published in our monthly newsletter "The Message". Click here to go to the SCMS Opinion Page and post your comment. Articles available for comment are listed in the right column, arranged each month by date of publication. Please read "Our Comment Policy" for more information. (note: we review all submissions before they are posted)
The Challenge of Providing Primary Care Services to Spokane County
A study commissioned by the Spokane County Medical Society asked researchers to investigate the Challenge of Providing Primary Care Services to Spokane County. The comprehensive study available for download here was led by D. Patrick Jones, PhD, Executive Director of Eastern Washington University's Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis. "This study lays the framework for Spokane County Medical Society, the business and civic communities, hospitals, universities and legislative efforts for the next several years, according to Courtney Clyde, MD, SCMS President. For more information about the study please contact Keith Baldwin, CEO, at (509) 325-5010.
