CMS to lead Part D conference call in late March

CMS will sponsor its next training conference call, "National Medicare & You," on Friday, March 24, 2006 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. CST. The topic is, "Coverage Determinations and Appeals under the Medicare Prescription Drug Program."

Dial 1 (800) 988-9673 to connect to the conference call, 15 minutes before the session is scheduled to begin. Enter the pass code: # 5247022.

The PowerPoint Presentation used with the training will be available to view or download after 2 p.m. CST on Wednesday, March 22, 2006. If you are unable to participate in the call, the recorded version of the session will be available after March 30, 2006.

CMS releases explanatory video

A direct address to providers by CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, M.D., and the most recent information about the Medicare Part D transition can now be found in an informational video just released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In the video that lasts less than five minutes, McClellan calls for physician leadership to help patients understand and use the program effectively. He frequently emphasizes the efforts of the CMS staff to smooth the transition, mentioning tools such as a national list of phone numbers for drug exceptions and appeals, the Epocrates formulary finder and other charts, graphs and informational aids. To view the video, go to the CMS provider center. For additional resources, visit TAFP's Medicare Part D resource page.

Report from C. Frank Webber

Over 250 physicians and 100 residents and students gathered at the Hilton Austin Airport to attend another successful C. Frank Webber Lectureship and Interim Session. The busy weekend was filled with CME lectures, committee/commission meetings and special events for all participants.

CME topics ranged from treatment updates for an enlarged prostate, ADHD and eczema, as well as policy topics like the progress of the Future of Family Medicine project.

On Saturday, TAFP hosted the Texas Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students where attendees listened to a set of lectures specifically tailored for in-depth learning about starting a family medicine practice. A resident-led procedures fair, the highlight of the conference, allowed students to get valuable hands-on experience with interactive demonstrations and simulations of suturing, circumcisions, vasectomies, splinting and casting, ultrasounds, colonoscopies and other procedures.

The Board of Directors meeting concluded the weekend with many important reports and recommendations from TAFP's committees, commissions and sections. Some highlights included decisions to increase the Foundation-supported funding of research, support the Doctors in Motion program, continue to participate in TMA's Hard Hats for Little Heads program and offer another leadership session at the 2006 Annual Session in Frisco. The Academy voted to join the Texas Health Institute's Long Term Care Industry Council to develop sound health policy recommendations for the state regarding long-term care. TAFP's longtime executive director, Jim White, announced that he will be retiring at the end of 2007. Mr. White received a standing ovation from the Board.

Perry calls special session on school finance, volunteers needed for Physician of the Day

Gov. Perry has made his long-anticipated announcement: the legislature will convene in a special session beginning on Monday, April 17. School finance, property taxes and business taxes are all on the table and TAFP will be there to make sure your voice is heard.

There are still opportunities available to serve as the Physician of the Day at the Texas Capitol during the session. For the past 33 years, Academy members have participated in the renowned Physician of the Day Program by donating their valuable time to provide the Capitol with an on-call physician every day that the Legislature is in session.

Each day, the Physician of the Day is introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and his or her name becomes a permanent part of the official legislative record. Dates are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so contact Paige Newman at pnewman@tafp.org soon to reserve your spot. Please be aware that your date might be cancelled depending on the speed in which the legislators complete their work. TAFP appreciates your consideration to participate.

Register for TAFP’s Annual Session and Scientific Assembly

Online registration for TAFP's 57th Annual Session and Scientific Assembly is now available at www.tafp.org. Here you can find an up-to-date CME schedule, workshop descriptions, hotel and city information and an advance peek at special events. To register for Annual Session by phone, or for more information, please call Ann Maldonado at (512) 329-8666, ext. 36.

Protect kids in your community from head injury with TAFP and TMA

Once again this year TAFP will help members participate in Hard Hats for Little Heads, a TMA program dedicated to the prevention of head injuries. Program participants sponsor bicycle helmet giveaways at local clinics, offices, schools or hospitals to promote bicycle safety. TMA supplies the helmets, covers half of their cost and the volunteer pays the other half. During the month of June, TAFP will pay the volunteers' portion.

For more information or to volunteer for Hard Hats for Little Heads, contact Kate McCann at kmccann@tafp.org or (512) 329-8666 ext. 16.

TMLT offers scholarships for Texas medical students

The Texas Medical Liability is currently accepting applications for the 2006 TMLT Memorial Scholarship program. TMLT will award eight $5,000 scholarships at each Texas medical school to students who are interested in finding creative and effective ways to enhance patient safety, according to a company press release. The TMLT Board of Governors will chose awardees based on academic achievement, financial need and a 500-word essay. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 1, 2006.

Application materials and further eligibility requirements can be found at the TMLT Web site, www.tmlt.org.

Judges needed for Tar Wars poster contest

Get involved in a tobacco-free education program for elementary students by participating in this year's Texas poster competition for Tar Wars. Tar Wars is an AAFP-sponsored program that brings health professionals into fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms to give educational presentations on the importance of a tobacco-free lifestyle. After the presentation, students are encouraged to create a poster sharing their tobacco-free messages.

One poster from each participating elementary school in Texas will be submitted to the Texas Tar Wars Poster competition. On May 4, 2006, the posters will be set up during TAFP's Primary Care Update in Houston and attendees are encouraged to take a few minutes at any time during the day to judge the posters and determine a Texas winner. The poster winner will be sent to Washington, D.C. to compete in the national competition.

To volunteer to be a judge, please send an email to pnewman@tafp.org by March 31. More information on Tar Wars can be found at www.tarwars.org.

Copyright 2006, Texas Academy of Family Physicians