Federal Watch
April 26th, 2012
AGS is tracking developments of interest to geriatrics health professionals in order to provide weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we share several relevant stories in the news, regarding a new survey released by the John A. Hartford Foundation; the challenges associated with caring for patients with dementia; as well as a look at the impact that this shifting demographic has on the family physician workforce. We additionally provide reminders for upcoming grant and application deadlines, as well as news on AGS’s most recent activities. Finally, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
New Survey from John A. Hartford Foundation Indicates Lack of Recommended Interventions for Older Adult Population
According to a new survey spearheaded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, large numbers of seniors aren’t receiving recommended interventions that could help forestall medical problems and improve their health. Notably, one-third of older adults said doctors didn’t review all of their medications, even though problems with prescription and over-the-counter drugs are common among the elderly, leading to over 177,000 emergency room visits every year. Familiar AGS voices and leaders are quoted in this article including, Drs. Sharon Brangman (SUNY Upstate Medical University) and Rosanne Leipzig (Mount Sinai School of Medicine), as well as Christopher Langston, program director at the Hartford Foundation.
Caring for Patients with Dementia Demands Special Skills
The American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP) New Now, covers the burgeoning need for dementia care in the United States, and touts the Dementia Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines developed by AGS. To read more, please visit here.
Aging Patient Population Further Strains FP Workforce Supply
AAFP News Now also covers the many opportunities and challenges presented by the growing population of older Americans on the family physician workforce. With this demographic shift, family physician practices are caring for more geriatric patients, and serving as the linchpin for care coordination and management. Gregg Warshaw, MD, a professor of family medicine in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine is one of AGS’s leading voices around workforce efforts, and has been quoted in this article. Click here to read more.
Reminders
Avoiding the 2013 eRx Payment Adjustment
Last week, we updated you that in 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program, a program that uses incentive payments and payment adjustments to encourage the use of qualified electronic prescribing systems. From calendar year (CY) 2012 through 2014, a payment adjustment that increases each calendar year will be applied to an eligible professional’s Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) covered professional services for not becoming a successful electronic prescriber. Individual eligible professionals and CMS-selected group practices participating in eRx GPRO who were not successful electronic prescribers in 2011 can avoid the 2013 eRx payment adjustment by meeting the specified reporting requirements between January 1 and June 30, 2012.
For more information on individual and eRx GPRO reporting requirements, please visit here. If you have questions regarding the eRx Incentive Program, eRx payment adjustments, or need assistance submitting a hardship exemption request, please contact the QualityNet Help Desk at 1-866-288-8912 (TTY 1-877-715-6222) or via qnetsupport@sdps.org.
AHRQ’s New Comparative Effectiveness Research Grants Program – Applications due May 2 (first round)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announced a new grants program aimed at training researchers in comparative clinical effectiveness research. The program, Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid-Career and Senior Investigators (K18), targets established mid-career and senior investigators who are interested in developing new skills in comparative effectiveness research methodology and applying these methods to patient-centered outcome research (PCOR). For additional information on the grants program, click here.
CMS Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care Workforce – Applications due May 21
CMS announced a call for applications for a new Affordable Care Act initiative designed to strengthen primary care in the US. Under the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration, CMS will provide hospitals working with nursing schools to train advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with payments of up to $200 million over four years to cover the costs of APRNs’ clinical training. APRNs—whether they are nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or nurse midwives—play a pivotal role in primary care. For more information including how to apply, visit the Graduate Nurse Education Demonstration website.
What AGS Did This Week
AGS submitted comments to the National Quality Forum (NQF) in regards to the draft reports produced by workgroups of the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP). The reports are part of MAP's ongoing detailed analysis of measures being considered for use in federal public reporting and performance-based payment programs, and the alignment of such measures with those being used in the private sector. This is the first time the federal government has looked to a public-private collaboration to advise on its selection of measures. Amongst the many AGS members who participate on the MAP, Jennie Chin Hansen, AGS’ CEO, represents the Society as a member of the workgroup focused on Dual Eligible Beneficiaries. For more information on this project, you may visit the NQF MAP website.
How You Can Help
AGS encourages you to Take Action by visiting AGS’ Health in Aging Advocacy Center. Contact your members of Congress today, and urge them to call for both the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: April 26th, 2012
