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U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich Crosses Party Line to Vote for Physicians and Patients - 6/27/08
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Edje, MD, Elected to AMA Council - 6/23/08
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McCormick, MD, Named to AMA Council - 6/23/08
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Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Coming Soon - 6/23/08
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Payers Respond to Questions from Ohio Practices - 6/23/08
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athenahealth to Host Webinar on PayerView Report - 6/16/08
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Doctors Company to Lower Rates - 6/16/08
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OHA: Ohio Hospitals Give $1.8 Billion Benefit to Communities - 6/16/08
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Physician Voices Needed to Help Pass Medicare Payment Fix - 6/10/08
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UnitedHealthcare Apologizes to Physicians for Interference in Physician-Patient Relationship 6/10/08
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Joint Commission Extends Deadline for MS.1.20 - 6/9/08
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Ohio Supreme Court: No Exemptions to Ohio's Smoking Ban - 6/9/08
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OSMA-Toledo Blade Physician Survey Goes National - 6/9/08
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Supreme Court Rules No "Protected Right" in Autopsy Specimens - 6/9/08
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athenahealth's 2008 PayerView Results Rank Payers - 6/2/08
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Help Stop Medicare Physician Payment Cut - 6/2/08
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Learn More About PayerView Results - 6/2/08
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Medical Mutual of Ohio Offers Valuable Information - 6/2/08
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Palmetto GBA Announces Separate Phone Lines for Provider Questions - 6/2/08
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Bitonte, DO, Appointed to Public Health Council - 5/27/08
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Coming Soon - OSMA's EMR University - 5/27/08
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State Senator Introduces Medical Marijuana Bill - 5/27/08
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Training Focuses on Children in Disaster Situations - 5/27/08
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AMA Toolkit Helps Practices Establish Costs of Providing Services - 5/19/08
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Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cuts to Take Effect July 1, 2008 - 5/19/08
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NPI Deadline Remains May 23, 2008 - 5/19/08
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Ohio Drug Card Program Can Help Patients Save - 5/19/08
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OSMA EMR Conference Set for July 12 - 5/19/08
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Aetna Announces Workers' Compensation Product - 5/12/08
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AMA Webinar to Help Physicians Decide About Accepting an HIT Donation - 5/12/08
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Ohio Tobacco Fund Extinguished by Legislature and Governor - 5/12/08
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OSMA Annual Meeting Sets Policy, Officers Installed - 5/12/08
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ValuePoint by MultiPlan Requiring Fax if Physicians Choose to Opt Out - 5/12/08
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Warren F. Muth, MD, to Serve as President of Ohio State Medical Association - 5/6/08
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Insurance Coverage for Cancer Clinical Trials Bill Headed for Governor's Signature - 5/2/08
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Medicaid Managed Care Program Announces Northwest Regional Change - 5/2/08
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Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation Snuffed Out by Legislature - 5/2/08
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OSMA Partners with The Toledo Blade on Survey - 5/2/08
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Additional PQRI Measures Added for July 2008 - 4/28/08
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Update - 4/28/08
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ODJFS Seeking Bids from Physicians to Serve as Advisors for Medicaid Program - 4/28/08
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OSMA Physician Appointed to AMA Council - 4/28/08
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Conference on BioPharma Open to OSMA Members - 4/21/08
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Federation of State Medical Boards' Website Offers Unbiased Drug Information and Free CME - 4/21/08
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OSMA and Supreme Court Justices Visit Cincinnati Practices - 4/21/08
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Medicare Cuts Looming for Physicians Beginning July 1, 2008 - 4/14/08
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National Survey to Give Physicians a Voice - 4/14/08
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State Lawmakers and Tobacco Prevention Foundation at Odds - 4/14/08
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May a Practice Make a Copy of a Patient’s Credit Card Information to Facilitate Bill Payment?
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OSMA Physicians Make 'House Call' on Congress - 4/7/08
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OSMA to Host Meeting on Advanced Directives - 4/7/08
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Standards of Excellence Program Adds Vendor - 4/7/08
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Governor Strickland Signs Healthcare Simplification Act into Law - 3/31/08
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Medicaid Tamper-Proof Rx Pads Required April 1, 2008 - 3/31/08
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Reminder: Anthem Discontinuing as Medicaid Managed Care Provider on March 31, 2008 - 3/31/08
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Governor Strickland Signs House Bill 125 into Law - 3/25/2008
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athenahealth to Offer Webinar on Improving Practice Performance - 3/24/08
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County Medical Society Meetings to Focus on Medical-Legal Landscape - 3/24/08
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NPI's May 23rd Deadline is Rapidly Approaching - 3/24/08
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OSMA Announces New Debt Collection Partner - 3/24/08
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Reminders for Physicians - 3/24/08
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Coalition Targets Marketing of Smokeless-Tobacco Products to Youth - 3/17/08
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In Memoriam - John H. Budd, MD - 3/17/08
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Meet Summit County Trial Court Judges on April 2nd - 3/17/08
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OSMA Launches EMR Standards of Excellence Program - 3/17/08
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OSMA-Backed Healthcare Simplification Act Passes Ohio Senate - 3/17/08
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Pharmacy Board Requirement Causing Headaches - 3/17/08
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OSMA Launches EMR Standards of Excellence Program - 3/13/08
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Ohio Senate Passes Healthcare Simplification Act - 3/11/2008
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Medicaid Requires Tamper-Resistant Prescriptions Starting April 1 - 3/10/08
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OSMA-Backed Healthcare Simplification Act Passed by the Ohio Senate - 3/12/08
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Ohio Senate to Vote on Healthcare Simplification Act - 3/10/08
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Ohio Primary Election Wrap Up - 3/6/08
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CMS to Conduct "On Site" HIPAA Security Compliance Reviews - 3/3/08
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Free Seminar for Service Providers Interacting with Refugees - 3/3/08
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Ohio's Primary Election is Tuesday - 3/3/08
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OSMA Video FAQ on How to Get a Medical License - 3/3/08
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Family and Medical Leave Update - 2/25/08
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Healthcare Reform Very Important to Ohioans - 2/25/08
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Healthcare Simplification Act Passes Key Ohio Senate Committee - 2/25/08
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OSMA-Backed Healthcare Simplification Act Passes Senate Committee - 2/19/2008
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2007 Medical Professional Salary and Benefits Survey Results Available - 2/15/08
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NY Attorney General Investigates Health Insurers' Reimbursement Practices - 2/15/08
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Ohio's Primary Election is March 4 - 2/15/08
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OSMA Web-Based Program Helps Residents - 2/15/08
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PMCC Class Weather Notification - 2/12/2008
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athenahealth Helps Physicians Maximize Participation in CMS' Pay-For-Performance - 2/11/08
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Joint Commission Announces Members of MS.1.20 Task Force - 2/11/08
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Medicare NPI Key Dates Approaching - 2/11/08
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UHC Preventive Medicine Reimbursement Policy - Claim Adjustments to be Retroactive - 2/11/08
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Governor Calls for $1.7 Billion Bond Issue - $200 Million Targeted for Biomedicine - 2/11/08
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Healthcare Simplification Act Needs Physicians' Support - 2/4/2008
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ODH Releases 2008 Update on Charges to Copy Medical Records - 2/4/08
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The Columbus Dispatch Editorial - 'Good medicine' - 2/4/08
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OSMA Advocacy Gets Medicaid 3% Increase Restored for Physicians - 2/1/08
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Governor to Reinstate 3% Medicaid Increase in July - 1/31/08
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Have You Been Wondering if athenahealth is Right For Your Practice? - 2/1/08
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A Look at Health Care 'Costs' from the Physicians' Perspective - 1/28/08
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Anthem to Pull Out of Ohio Medicaid Program - 1/28/08
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Medical Liability Closed Claim Report Shows Decrease in Claims for 2006 - 1/28/08
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OSMA Provides Informational Flyer to Share with Patients About Meeting Their Deductible - 1/28/08
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Anthem Pulling Out of Ohio’s Medicaid Program for Covered Children and Families- 1/23/08
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Ohio Medical Liability Closed Claim Report Shows Fewer Claims Filed in 2006 - 1/22/08
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AMPAC Offers Physician Candidate Workshop and Campaign School - 1/21/08
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Bill Passes Requiring Coverage of Routine Patient Care During Clinical Trials for Cancer - 1/21/08
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Medicare Physician Payment Update - 1/21/08
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Anthem Once Again Conducting Audits on CPT Codes 4 and 5 - 1/21/08
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UnitedHealthcare Extends Imaging Accreditation Program to Third Quarter of 2008 - 1/21/08
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MedPAC Recommends Medicare Payment Increases - 1/14/08
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OSMA Gauging Interest in Ohio Public Health Council - 1/14/08
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U.S. Government Requiring Employers to Use Form I-9 - 1/14/08
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U.S. Health Care Spending Growth Accelerated Slightly in 2006 - 1/14/08
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Anthem Once Again Conducting Audits on CPT Codes 4 and 5 - 1/15/08
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Anti-Mark-Up-Rule Delayed Until 2009 by CMS - 1/7/08
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athenahealth and UHC Announce Real-Time Claim Adjudication - 1/7/08
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Cap On Product Liability Lawsuits Upheld By The Ohio Supreme Court - 1/7/08
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Medicare Physician Participation Decision Deadline Extended - 1/7/08
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Should Nurses Administer Botox? - 1/4/08
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Ohio State Medical Association Reacts To Decision in Arbino Case - 1/3/07
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Cap On Product Liability Lawsuits Upheld By The Ohio Supreme Court - 12/28/07
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Congress Passes Medicare - SCHIP Package - 12/21/07
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Join the OSMA and Help the Future of Medicine - 12/21/07
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Physicians May File Claims in Second Blue Cross/Highmark Settlement - 12/21/07
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Stratton, O'Connor File for Re-Election to Ohio Supreme Court - 12/21/07
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House and Senate Pass Medicare/SCHIP Package 12/20/07
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Medicaid Pre-Approval for Mental-Health Drugs to Take Effect January 1, 2008 - 12/17/07
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Medical Mutual Announces Administrative Changes Effective January 1, 2008 - 12/17/07
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Medicare Payment Issue - Update - 12/17/07
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Alert - Medicare, SCHIP Appeared Headed for Resolution 12-17-07
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Medicare Contract Options for Physicians - 12/12/07
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Healthcare Costs Straining Ohioans' Budgets - 12/10/07
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Medicare Physician Payment Issue - 12/10/07
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ODJFS Offers Complaint Process for Physicians in Medicaid Managed Care - 12/10/07
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OSMA Featured in AM News Story on Frivolous Lawsuits - 12/3/2007
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Medicare Physician Payment Cut Begins January 1, 2008 - 12/3/2007
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Ohio Fares Well in CMS’ Error Rate Testing Report - 12/3/2007
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OSMA Physician Needed on State EMS Trauma Committee - 12/3/2007
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State Puts Medicaid Increase on Hold for Physicians - 11/20/2007
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State Puts Medicaid Increase on Hold for Physicians - 11/20/07
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Compensation For Switching Patients To Generic Drugs – Legal & Ethical Consideration - 11/26/07
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Anti-Tobacco Efforts Paying Off - 11/26/07
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How to Get Involved in Legislative Advocacy - 11/26/07
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Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton to Kick-off Re-election Campaign - 11/26/07
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Stark Provision Delay for Academic Medical Centers - 11/26/07
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Classified Advertisements on OSMA Website - 11/12/07
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Department of Insurance Releases Outcomes of Reviews of Health Care Claim Denials for 2006- 11/12/07
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Medicare Physician Payment Cut Looming for 2008 - 11/12/07
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OSMA Members Receive 2007 Outstanding Team Physician Awards - 11/12/07
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ProAssurance Becomes Latest Company to Lower Rates - 11/12/07
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Challenging Network Tiering - 11/5/07
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Help OSMA by Forwarding a Video - 11/5/07
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Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates in Ohio Decrease by Double Digits in 2007 - 11/5/07
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OSMA Participates in Launch of Ohio Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease - 11/5/07
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Study Finds Americans Frustrated About Healthcare System - 11/5/07
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HHS Announces EMR Financing Program for Physicians - 11/5/07
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athenahealth and Humana Launch National Platform for Real-Time Adjudication - 10/29/07
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OSMA Physician Needed on State Board - 10/29/07
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Physicians Testify for Bill Prohibiting Tanning for Those 18 and Younger - 10/29/07
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Last Chance: OSMA Salary & Benefits Survey Due October 31
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House Fails to Override Bush's SCHIP Veto - 10/22/07
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How Accurate is the Data About Your Practice in Your Local Carriers' Provider Directories? -10/22/07
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Ohio Mental Health Parity Law Now Applicable - 10/22/07
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Recent Medicare Claims Incorrectly Rejected - 10/22/07
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AMA Produces Free 'How-To' for Collecting Overdue Patient Balances - 10/15/07
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BCBS Settlement – Deadline to Submit Claims is October 19 - 10/15/07
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Fourth Annual Health Information Technology and Exchange Summit To Be Held October 29, 2007
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Healthcare Simplification Act Passes in Ohio House of Representatives - 10/15/07
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Medical Board Discusses Changes to Weight Loss Prescribing Rule - 10/15/07
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Recent Medicare Claims Incorrectly Rejected - 10/15/07
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OSMA-Backed Healthcare Simplification Act Passes Ohio House - 10/9/07
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Bush Vetoes S-CHIP Bill - 10/8/07
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Give OSMA Your Complaints About Insurance Companies - 10/8/07
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Learn About Health Care Trends From a Noted Expert - 10/8/07
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Reminder: 2007 Salary & Benefits Survey Due October 19 - 10/8/07
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Vote on H.B. 125- The Healthcare Simplification Act - Set for Tuesday - 10/8/07
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President Bush Vetoes S-CHIP Bill - 10/3/07
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Classified Ads Now Available on OSMA Website - 10/1/07
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Ohio House to Vote on Healthcare Simplification Act - 10/1/07
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Tell OSMA About Problems With Insurance Companies - 10/1/07
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S-CHIP Passes U.S. House and Senate - 10/1/07
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ALERT - Tamper-Proof Prescription Requirement for Medicaid Patients Gets Six-Month Reprieve
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Call for Nominations to the ODJFS Medical Care Advisory Committee - 9/24/07
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Fellowship in Minority Health Policy Available - 9/24/07
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OSMA Physicians Present Healthcare Access Principles at Statehouse News Conference - 9/24/07
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Physician Job Fair Being Held October 17 - 9/24/07
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S-CHIP Showdown Appears Imminent - 9/24/07
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Ohio Physicians Outline Framework for Healthcare Reform - 9/20/07
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Alert: Medicare Starting To Reject Claims With NPI Discrepancies - 9/17/07
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AMPAC Offers Physician Candidate Workshop and Campaign School - 9/17/07
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Health Insurance Costs Rise 6.1% in 2007 - 9/17/07
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Medical Society of Greater Akron and Summit County Merge into Single Organization - 9/17/07
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Member Discounts Available on Tamper Resistant Prescription Pads - 9/18/07
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OSMA Physician Victorious Against Frivolous Lawsuit - 10/15/07
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2007 Medical Professional Salary & Benefits Survey - 9/7/07
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CMS Invites Physicians to Help Address Regulatory Burdens - 9/7/07
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Ohioans 65 and Over Can Qualify for Homestead Exemption - 9/7/07
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United Healthcare Enters Multi-State Settlement Agreement - 9/7/07
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Significant Changes in Final Stark III Regulations - 9/7/07
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OSMA Physicians Needed on the State of Ohio's Boards and Commissions - 9/4/07
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OSMA Urges Ohio Members of Congress to Fix Medicare - 9/4/07
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Check Your CIGNA Contract Soon – MDL Class Action Settlement Protections End Tuesday! - 9/4/07
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UHC Clarifies How Penalties Will Be Imposed for Violations of its Lab Protocols - 8/31/07
In response to concerns raised by physicians and other medical groups, including the OSMA, United Healthcare has clarified how and when penalties will be assessed against physicians who patients opt to utilize non-participating labs. (more)
Enrollment Now Open for OSMA Workers' Compensation Group Rating Program - 8/27/07
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Payer Web Sites Can Help Your Bottom Line - 8/27/07
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SCHIP – The Clock is Ticking Toward the Reauthorization Deadline - 8/27/07
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UHC Radiology Notification Program Training Conference Call Being Held August 29 - 8/27/07
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What to Do With Damaged Medical Records if Disaster Strikes? - 8/23/07
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Tamper-Resistant Medicaid Prescriptions Take Effect October 1, 2007 - 8/27/07
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidelines to meet the tamper-resistant prescription requirement for Medicaid patients that take effect on October 1, 2007. (more)
BCBS and the Anthem/Wellpoint Settlement –You May Be Eligible to File Claims Under Both - 8/20/07
Ohio physicians who submitted claims in the Anthem/WellPoint Settlement may be eligible for payment from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS) Settlement Fund, even though Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio was not a settling plan in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Settlement. (more)
Medicare Preventive Services Guide Now Available - 8/20/07
The 2nd Edition of The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Health Care Professionals is now available in downloadable format. (more)
Renew Your OSMA Membership Online - 8/20/07
OSMA members lead busy lives practicing medicine and taking care of patients. That's why we've made it easier to renew your 2008 OSMA membership online. (more)
Banding Together for Patient Safety - 8/13/07
The Ohio Patient Safety Institute (OPSI) has recommended a statewide standardization of colored wristbands for Ohio hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory facilities, home health and hospice in order to provide consistency and avoid medical errors. (more)
Dissemination of Data from the NPPES to Begin September 4, 2007 - 8/13/07
NPPES healthcare provider data that are disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) will be disclosed to the public by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beginning September 4, 2007. (more)
Millions of Kids Covered by SCHIP in 2006 - 8/13/07
According to an analysis of government data released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) covered more than 6.6 million children last year at some point. (more)
House Passes Bill Eliminating 9.9 Percent Medicare Physician-Payment Cut - 8/6/07
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 225-204 Wednesday to approve H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007. This legislation includes provisions that eliminate the scheduled 9.9 percent Medicare physician payment reductions for 2008 and the 5 percent reduction for 2009. (more)
Report Ranks Disability Backlog - 8/6/07
This week the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) released state rankings based on the growing backlog in the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program that revealed hearing offices in Ohio have the 11th worst backlog in the country with more than 36,000 people waiting for a decision. (more)
The Joint Commission Names Mark R. Chassin, MD, President - 8/6/07
The Board of Commissioners of The Joint Commission this week announced the appointment of Mark R. Chassin, MD, MPP, MPH, to lead The Joint Commission as its next President. The appointment is effective January 1, 2008. (more)
Physicians Support Universal Coverage During Hearings on Health System Reform - 8/2/07
The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) gave testimony in front a legislative hearing held at Southwest General Hospital about Ohio’s current healthcare system. (more)
Hearings on Healthcare Begin This Week - 7/27/07
The Ohio House Healthcare Access and Affordability and Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committees will host joint meetings beginning in Cleveland and Toledo this week, and continuing in Zanesville, Springfield and Sharonville the following week. (more)
U.S. House to Vote on Medicare Physician Payment Update and SCHIP Legislation - 7/27/07
The U.S. House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means began hearings on the newly introduced, Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP Act), H.R. 3162. The bill is on the fast track and expected to be taken up by the full House of Representatives next week before Congress adjourns for August recess. (more)
Payer Web Sites Can Help Your Bottom Line - 8/27/07
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Managing & Charging for Missed Appointments - 7/27/07
Historically, practices have struggled with whether they should charge a patient who misses an appointment. In addition to the concern about patient relations, practices also worry about how the patient's insurer may react to the decision to bill the patient. (more)
OSMA Fights Tamper-Resistant Prescription Requirement for Medicaid Patients - 7/27/07
The OSMA is working with other state and national groups, including the American Medical Association and the Ohio Pharmacists Association, to stop, delay or soften the impact of a proposed new law that could cause serious problems for Medicaid recipients, physicians and pharmacists. (more)
Congressional Action on Medicare Physician Payment Rates Appears Imminent - 7/23/07
The House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means recently met with physician organizations to discuss the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, a proposal to address the scheduled 10 percent cut in Medicare physician payment rates next year and reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for 5 years. (more)
Legislative Field Hearings Scheduled in Cleveland and Toledo - 7/23/07
The Ohio House Healthcare Access and Affordability and Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committees will host their first joint meetings in Cleveland and Toledo later this month. During the course of these meetings, committee members hope to hear from consumers and other stakeholders about challenges they face in the current system and opportunities for reform. (more)
New Federal Law Requires Tamper-Resistant Prescriptions for Medicaid Patients as of October 1, 2007
As part of a new law taking effect October 1, 2007, federal reimbursement to states for Medicaid patients' prescriptions that are not written on tamper-resistant prescription pads will be denied. The intent is to save the Medicaid program money and prevent patients from illegally obtaining controlled drugs. (more)
Physicians Needed for Ohio Medical Reserve Corps - 7/23/07
We don't know when the next disaster will occur, but when it does, Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (OMRC) volunteers are ready to respond. (more)
CMS Posts Letter Explaining PQRI to Medicare Patients - 7/23/07
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a letter on its website to help explain the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) to Medicare beneficiaries. (more)
NPI Update: Clearinghouses and PQRI - 7/23/07
CMS has given notice that some claims clearinghouses are stripping the National Provider Identifier (NPI) out prior to submission of the claim to Medicare. This will adversely affect practices who wish to take part in Medicare's PQRI program because these claims will not count toward PQRI participation. (more)
NPI Update: Review Deadline Extended - 7/23/07
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended the deadline for physicians to review their National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data from July 16 to August 1. (more)
OSMA Offers Information for Practices on Referrals and Consultations - 7/23/07
Is it a referral or a consultation? Since the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its new requirements in 2006, both the requesting and the consulting physician must provide proof as related to the provision of consultation services. (more)
Online Prescribing Patterns Tool Available - 7/16/07
The Ohio State Medical Association in partnership with the AMA has a new online physician tool that provides unprecedented access to state and national prescribing patterns to assist Ohio physicians in clinical practice. (more)
CMS' July 2007 Proposed Rule Changes - 7/16/07
On July 2, 2007, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposals for the 2008 physician fee schedule. In addition to proposed reductions in the physician fee schedule for 2008, this release includes proposed changes to the regulations under the Federal Physician Self-Referral Law (the Stark Regulations) and other Medicare rules. (more)
Link to Review NPI Data, Delete Optional Information - 7/16/07
You have until July 16th to review your National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data, including your NPI numbers, to make certain the information that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has listed is correct and to delete information that you do not want released. (more)
Update - Proposed Medicare Budget Cuts for 2008 - 7/16/07
The AMA recently released a brief summary of the impact of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed 2008 funding cuts for Medicare. It includes information on funding for the Physician Quality Review Initiative. (more)
Action needed – Proposed Medicare Budget Cuts in 2008 - 7/9/07
The OSMA is urging Ohio practices to contact their Congressional representatives to protest the proposed budget cuts for the 2008 Medicare budget. Without congressional action Medicare physician payment rates will be reduced 10 percent in 2008. (more)
Anti-Smoking Agency Seeks New Revenue After Tobacco Securitization - 7/9/07
The Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF), an agency that was created to help prevent and control the use of tobacco in Ohio, suffered a major blow when Governor Strickland, with the support of the Ohio General Assembly, took away its funding source to pay for other initiatives in the recently passed biennial budget. (more)
MMO's Medicare Advantage Opt Out Requirement - 7/9/07
Medical Mutual of Ohio has announced that it is amending its participating provider agreements so that physicians have to notify the plan, in writing, if they do not wish to participate in MMO's Medicare Advantage network. MMO must receive the notice by August 1, 2007. (more)
Ohio BWC Adds NPI Numbers - 7/9/07
The Bureau of Workers Compensation has made changes to add National Provider Identifier information to its database to cross-reference BWC provider numbers. Providers wishing to incorporate NPI into their workers' compensation billing must provide their information with BWC's Provider Relations department. (more)
Physicans Urged to Review NPI Data, Delete Optional Information - 7/9/07
Physicians are being urged to review their National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) data, including their NPI numbers, before July 16th to make certain the information that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has listed is correct and to delete information that they do not want released. (more)
Governor Strickland's First Budget Clears General Assembly - 7/2/07
After several months of intense negotiations, Governor Strickland has successfully ushered his first state budget proposal through the Ohio General Assembly. (more)
Legislative Hearings Around Ohio Focus on Health Care Access and Affordability - 7/2/07
In late July and early August, the Ohio House Health Care Access and Affordability Committee and the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee will be holding joint hearings around the state. The purpose of these hearings is to hear from consumers and other stakeholders on challenges and opportunities they see related to the healthcare system in Ohio. (more)
CMS to Disseminate NPI Numbers; Urges Practices to Test NPI Numbers - 7/2/07
CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, recently announced that it will start disseminating the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES)health care provider data, including NPI numbers, on August 1, 2007. This information is required to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). (more)
Medicaid Provider Information Part of Stolen State Data - 6/25/07
The State of Ohio announced that a back up data storage device was stolen including Medicaid provider EFT files. These files contained provider name, tax ID number, address and bank account information. (more)
OSMA Letter to the Editor Published in Columbus Business First - 6/25/07
OSMA Senior Director of Government Relations Tim Maglione recently had a letter to the editor published in Columbus Business First. In the letter, Maglione outlines the need for administrative relief for physicians in the Healthcare Simplification Act and rebuts several claims that the health insurance industry has made about the bill.
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Health Insurers to Temporarily Stop Marketing Medicare Advantage Fee-For-Service Plans - 6/25/07
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced late last week that seven insurance companies nationally have agreed to voluntarily suspend marketing of Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service. This announcement occurred amid allegations from some quarters that the sales tactics were too aggressive, unethical and misleading. (more)
CMS to Hold Medicare Open Door Forum - 6/25/07
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) to discuss useful tips that providers and suppliers can use to facilitate enrollment into the Medicare program. The conference call will be held on Friday, June 29 2007 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT), and requires prior registration for participation. (more)
Optometrists' Scope of Practice Expansion - 6/15/07
H.B. 149, legislation that significantly expands optometrists' scope of practice, cleared the House Health Committee this past week over the objections of the Ohio State Medical Association and the Ohio Ophthalmological Society. In its current form the bill would allow optometrists to prescribe oral drugs with little or no oversight and perform certain invasive procedures. (more)
Update on UHC Lab Protocol Requirements - 6/15/07
In March, when UHC announced that it would start requiring all network providers to refer lab services to a participating lab network, the OSMA received a number of complaints from physicians. Of particular concern was the report that UHC would sanction network physicians whose patients did not comply with this new requirement. (more)
Vote on De Facto Moratorium on Physician-Owned Hospitals Expected Wednesday - 6/15/07
The Senate Health Committee is poised to vote on S.B. 120 (Goodman, R-New Albany), a de facto moratorium on physician-owned hospitals Wednesday. If enacted, the legislation would require all hospital facilities in Ohio to have a 24/7 emergency department, with certain exemptions for community hospitals. (more)
Ohio NPR Stations Air Healthcare Simplification Act Story - 6/13/2007
Ohio's NPR stations aired a story on the Healthcare Simplification Act featuring OSMA Councilor Kevin Chartrand, MD and his practice. (more)
Ask Your State Senator for an Increase to the Medicaid Fee Schedule - 6/11/07
On Tuesday, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee unveiled the $52.4 billion dollar substitute budget bill. While the bill included a funding hike for higher education and several social service areas, it did not provide for an additional increase to the Medicaid fee schedule for physicians. (more)
CMS Sponsoring Informational Calls on PQRI - 6/11/07
The July 1, 2007 start date for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), Medicare's new program to reward physicians who meet certain voluntary reporting standards, is right around the corner. (more)
Legislation Would Help Combat Skin Cancer - 6/11/07
House Bill 230, legislation designed to restrict the use of tanning beds by individuals under the age of 18, has been introduced in the Ohio General Assembly by Representative Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton). (more)
Physicians Can Resubmit Previously Denied CAD Mammography Claims To CIGNA - 6/11/07
Thanks to the work of the OSMA and other medical societies involved with the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI), physicians may resubmit their previously denied CAD mammography claims to CIGNA. (more)
Seven Hills Women's Center Hosts Legislative Reception - 6/11/07
On June 7, the Seven Hills Women's Center in Cincinnati hosted a successful legislative reception to promote The Healthcare Simplification Act. Senator Bob Schuler and Representatives Bill Seitz, Steve Driehaus, Jim Raussen, and Dale Mallory came to give their thoughts on the healthcare system and to speak with the OSMA members about the problems they have experienced with third party payers. (more)
Ohio Hospital Association Asks for Vote on Bill Requiring 24/7 Emergency Departments - 6/4/07
The OHA has sent out an alert asking its members to contact Senators on the Ohio Senate's Health, Human Services and Aging Committee to vote to approve SB 120 on June 6, 2007. (more)
OSMA Physicians Testify for Long-Overdue Medicaid Reimbursement Increase - 6/4/07
Two OSMA physicians presented testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee regarding the dire need for an update in the Medicaid fee schedule. (more)
Outpatient Cancer Treatment Center Opens In Columbus - 6/4/07
The Mark H. Zangmeister Center, an outpatient treatment for cancer and blood disorders that will be available to more than 16,000 patients annually, opened its doors this week in Columbus. (more)
Webinar Offered to New Physicians Interested in the Medicare Part B - 6/4/07
The Medicare Part B Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) designated carrier, Noridian Administrative Services (NAS), will be conducting workshops on the physician election process on June 7, 2007 at 3:00 PM Central Time and on June 11, 2007 at 11:00 AM Central Time. (more)
What Are Your Patients Saying About You? - 6/4/07
The OSMA Patient Satisfaction Program is an online survey program that is a free member benefit tool that can be used to measure patient satisfaction levels. The survey asks patients to respond to questions related to the physician office, staff and services. (more)
2007 OSMA Annual Meeting - 5/25/07
The 2007 OSMA Annual Meeting was held in Columbus at the Hilton Columbus at Easton from May 18-20, 2007. The OSMA Annual Meeting provided members an opportunity to learn more about priority issues of the OSMA and actively participate in policy discussions of the organization. (more)
Anderson, MD, to Serve as President of the Ohio State Medical Association - 5/25/07
At the annual meeting of the Ohio State Medical Association, Dr. Craig W. Anderson, became president of the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) for 2007-08. (more)
Get OSMA Breaking News Via RSS - 5/25/07
This week the OSMA added an RSS feed to alert subscribers to all OSMA Breaking News stories. (more)
NPI Update - 5/25/07
If you remember, in April CMS announced that it was delaying implementation of the NPI deadline, apparently in response to growing concern in the medical community about whether all parties were prepared to meet the deadline. (more)
IRS Says Hospitals Can Help Subsidize the Costs of EHRs - 5/18/07
In what could be good news for physicians, the Internal Revenue Service recently issued a memo clarifying that charitable hospitals will not jeopardize |
