The past 6 months have gone by quickly because the Broward County Medical Association (BCMA) has been busy with many causes to help patients and their physicians.
A Medical Staff Member Bill of Rights was proposed and is available on the BCMAs web site. The Mission Statement is, “To support the autonomy and proper functioning of hospital medical staffs by evaluating problems brought by medical staffs to the Committee, which then acts by issuing letters of guidance and by reporting the problems to appropriate regulatory authorities, as guided by the Medical Staff Member Bill of Rights.
There have been many Hot Topic Meetings jointly held with the South Florida Medical Group Management Association on practice management issues; Merging Medical Practices, Electronic Health Records, E-Prescribing, Disaster Preparedness for the Office, FTCs Red Flags (Rule). The next meeting on HIT (Health Information Technology) will be on October 7 at which time more than 30 vendors will be invited to bring their software for physicians to examine and there will be lectures and guidance for physicians on what you really need in your office to get a better reimbursement from Medicare.
BCMA is kicking off a program with “AllScripts” for e-prescribing with a special benefit for members. Physicians are losing 2% of their income from Medicare and Medicaid if they are not using e-prescribing. So stay tuned for more information.
The BCMAs Board of Trustees has interviewed several Banks to discuss special loans for physicians to purchase or lease the equipment and software they will need.
Did you see the BCMA Telephone Bank on WTVJ, NBC 6? As a public service, the BCMA invited an insurance specialist, a coding specialist, doctors, practice administrators and staff to answer telephones during a live broadcast talking with patients who were having problems with COBRA and other health insurance issues, as well as getting referrals to the right specialist for their illnesses. The telephones at the office are still busy helping patients when the health plans refuse to allow their medications or treatment and helping physicians when the plans refuse to pay for services rendered. Medicaid Reform left many patients in a lurch, taking away their physician, and wanting them to start over on new medications.
There is a long list of benefits for BCMA Members with everything you need for your office from Accounting to Transcription Services. If you are not a member, consider joining today to get up-to-date information and available membership benefits. Recently, the BCMA has been working with Pro Health USA, Inc. on Discounted Group Health Insurance and Low Cost/Limited Benefit Hospital Insurance. Information will be emailed and faxed to each members office.
Who knows where health care is going in the next year, but organized medicine must band together and let our voice be heard. Thanks to all of you who sent emails to Congress, the Governor and legislators during the past 7 months. Be ready when the word goes out to alert your congressmen and women on your feelings about a reasonable health plan for our country.
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