We’re excited to extend an invitation to you and your colleagues to attend the 22nd Annual Herrick lecture scheduled on September 25. Alice K. Jacobs, M.D., F.A.C.C., will be our guest speaker addressing The Challenge to Develop Systems of Care for STEMI Patients. Click here for the invitation with registration details. Please also help us circulate this wonderful educational and networking opportunity to other interested individuals and groups.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Gavras at heather.gavras@heart.org or Curvine Summers at curvine.summers@heart.org.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 contains incentives to encourage the adoption of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) technology by health care practitioners. To take advantage of these incentives, the ACC, leading medical societies and the Center for Improving Medication Management have collaborated to develop a special resource site — www.getrxconnected.com/ACC/site.aspx — to help practices assess their e-prescribing readiness. The site contains an “E-Prescribing Readiness Assessment” that can determine if a practice’s electronic medical record or prescribing technology is compatible with the NCPDP SCRIPT standard and thus able to send prescriptions to pharmacies electronically, not by fax. In addition, the site contains a free guide and other resources detailing how to best adopt and implement e-prescribing technology. For more information, visit the GetRxConnected site by clicking here.

Dear Colleagues,
Mandatory Chapter dues were approved by the Board of Trustees (BOT) this past weekend.  I am excited that the College's leadership has taken this important step to strengthen our Chapter system. 

In March the BOT approved a proposal to consider mandatory dues, and in April a Workgroup was formed.  At the BOT retreat this past week, mandatory dues were approved.  This decision will directly strengthen the Chapters through stable funding, and will help move both the ACC and Chapters forward in our mission.  Jack Lewin, CEO, and the BOT are firm in their support of our work, and must be thanked for their wonderful leadership and commitment.  Thanks must be extended to the following ACC members and staff who were a part of the Mandatory Chapter Dues Workgroup: 

Members:

• James Dove, MD, F.A.C.C., Immediate Past-President of ACC
• Claire Duvernoy, MD, F.A.C.C., Chair, Membership and Credentialing
• Bill Zoghbi, MD, F.A.C.C., Chair, BFIC
• Jane Schauer, MD, PHD, F.A.C.C., Chair, BOG Steering Committee & Chair, Mandatory Chapter Dues Workgroup

Staff:

• Lianna Collinge, Chair, Chapter Executive Steering Committee & CA and WA Chapter Executive
• Richard Goldberg, Senior Director, Finance & Risk Management
• Pat Miyamoto, Senior Director, Membership Sales & Services
• Shalen Fairbanks, Chief Specialist, Corporate Communications
• Helen Smith, Associate Director, Chapter Affairs

Many thanks to all, and congratulations to the BOT!

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a nationwide health information technology (HIT) legislation (H.R. 6357). The bill would encourage the adoption of a nationwide electronic health record (EHR) system by hospitals and health care providers by providing grants and loans.

The bill also includes patient privacy protection provisions, and would require that the federal government develop uniform standards for EHRs and use the technology in its health programs as it replaces old equipment. Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee recently held a hearing on the HIT bill that discussed potential revisions to certain provisions, including the privacy protections.  Ways and Means Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA) is expected this week to introduce HIT legislation, which would, among other provisions, provide incentives to physicians who adopt EHR technology and impose penalties on physicians who do not. 

For more information about ACC's HIT efforts, visit: http://www.acc.org/HealthIT.

The Illinois Chapter of the American College of Cardiology is pleased to present a
Peripheral Cardiology coding and reimbursement solutions workshop. We have
arranged with McVey Associates, Inc. for consultant Ms. Terry Fletcher to present a 2008 workshop to assure rightful reimbursement for your patients, whether from government, managed care, or private insurers. It will begin where the other general cardiology seminars left off. A brochure can be downloaded HERE.

Rumors about new E&M guidelines have no effect on current law. The government is serious in its investigation of fraud and abuse, and the workshop will provide important answers for your practice.

Most specialties have been affected by the physician payment reforms from Medicare ("Correct Coding Policy" and pre-payment edits). Revised 2008 evaluation and management services documentation requirements, modifiers, and surgery rules have magnified the confusion that already exists, and this intensive workshop, focused on Peripheral Cardiology, will provide better clarification. Incorrect coding translates directly to problems which then require great effort and time to correct.

The Chapter is working hard to support the practice management needs of our members and believe that both you and your billing staff will find this workshop worthwhile. We encourage you to register today.

Best regards,

Diane Wallis, M.D., FACC
Governor, Illinois Chapter of the ACC