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Florida Association of Occupational & Environmental Medicine

FAOEM Broadcast August 24, 2006 

MINUTES of OUR MEETING of August 15:  http://faoem.org/minutes.htm 

In follow-up to the minutes, we found out the status of the Work Comp Expert Medical Advisor Proposed Rule:  The proposed EMA certification rule has been workshopped, there was a hearing about it, there were no challenges at or following the hearing (the record is left open 7 days for this).  It was to have been filed this week and 21 days after filing, it will become an official rule.  This should happen no later than mid-September.  You can get further information on the Division’s website:  www.fldfs.com/wc.  New Rules are posted on this home page. Rules in the Florida Administrative Codes which begin with 69L-7 have to do with medical matters, as do rules beginning with 59a.  Another resource for information is Welby Cox-Myers (w/ the State), Welby.Cox-Myers@fldfs.com, 850 413 1940. 

And thank you again to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

OVER AND OUT FROM LORRY DAVIS:  Thank you for the nearly-dozen wonderful years we had working together.  Thank you for sending me off in such fashion!   

Diana McCluskey, your incoming Executive Director is such a terrific addition to FAOEM – and FAOEM will be a terrific addition to the ERC/OM Residency Program at USF. 

My mailing address, phone, fax, email will remain the same as the Editor Note below.

Beginning September 1, here is your new organizational and Executive Director’s contact information:   

Diana McCluskey MPH, Executive Director
Florida Association of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (or FAOEM)
30402 USF Holly Drive
Tampa, FL  33620 

Telephone: 813-974-9732 (daytime)
Cellular: 813-505-9638 (any other time) 
Fax: 813-974-7556
Email: dmcclusk@health.usf.edu

 

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

FAOEM Broadcast August 8, 2006 

LAST CALL!  NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm, in the Anaheim Room.   

ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) WILL BE at this meeting!  His mission is to motivate components to make the most of ACOEM.  

Say goodbye to Lorry Davis, and greet your new Executive Director, Diana McCluskey MPH.  PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY SENT YOU.  IF YOU NEED ANOTHER ONE, PLEASE CONTACT Diana McCluskey, dmcclusk@hsc.usf.edu.  Feedback from you is essential to a healthy future for FAOEM. 

RSVP to Lorry Davis (by Friday, Aug 11), Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting.   RSVP’d to date:  Drs Stanley Haimes, Jorge Trujillo, Joseph Mignogna, Gary Newcomer, Michael Macdonald, Stephen MacDonald, Michael Band, Chandra Bilgi, Mitch Zavon, Joe Thomas, Richard Dolsey, Oregon Hunter, Robert Dehgan, Jeffrey Smowton, Seth Feldman, Shabtai, Karen Carlson, Ken Phillips, Arlene Burke, James McCluskey, Michael Webb, Phyllis Gerber, Albert Lojko, Harold Haase, Monica Grinberg, Tee  Guidotti, Richard Kuehne, Rosemary Szollas, Mark Glencross/guest, Kathleen Jenkins, Jeanne McGregor, Brian Dowdell, Bud Ferguson, Jock Sneddon, Bob Fleigelman, Julio Sotolongo, Eve Hanna, incumbent Executive Director Diana McCluskey,and outgoing Executive Director Lorry Davis.   We know more of you will be there, so please let us know so we can order lunch accordingly.   

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

FAOEM Broadcast August 2, 2006 

NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm, in the Anaheim Room.   

ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) WILL BE at this meeting!  His mission is to motivate components to make the most of ACOEM.  

Say goodbye to Lorry Davis, and greet your new Executive Director, Diana McCluskey MPH.  PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY SENT YOU.  IF YOU NEED ANOTHER ONE, PLEASE CONTACT Diana McCluskey, dmcclusk@hsc.usf.edu.  Feedback from you is essential to a healthy future for FAOEM. 

RSVP to Lorry Davis, Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting.   RSVP’d to date:  Drs Stanley Haimes, Jorge Trujillo, Joseph Mignogna, Gary Newcomer, Michael Macdonald, Stephen MacDonald, Michael Band, Chandra Bilgi, Mitch Zavon, Joe Thomas, Richard Dolsey, Oregon Hunter, Robert Dehgan, Jeffrey Smowton, Seth Feldman, Shabtai, Karen Carlson, Ken Phillips, Arlene Burke, James McCluskey, Michael Webb, Phyllis Gerber, Albert Lojko, Harold Haase, Monica Grinberg, Tee  Guidotti, Richard Kuehne, Rosemary Szollas, Mark Glencross/guest, Kathleen Jenkins, Jeanne McGregor, incumbent Executive Director Diana McCluskey,outgoing Executive Director Lorry Davis.   We know more of you will be there, so please let us know so we can order lunch accordingly.   

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

 

Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 12 – 3 pm

Orlando World Center Marriott 

Thank you to Linear Solutions and Jeff Bogan for sponsoring our luncheon and for sponsoring Ann Bittinger, Board Certified Health Care Attorney.   

MINUTES 

Presiding:  Gary Newcomer, MD, President 

Present in Order of Sign-In:  Gary Newcomer MD, Al Lojko MD, Seth Feldman DO, James McCluskey MD, Diana McCluskey MPH Incoming Executive Director, Lorry Davis MEd Executive Director, Michael Band DO, Joan Watkins DO, Homi S Cooper MD, Stephen H MacDonald DO MPH, Michael MacDonald DO, Kathleen T Jenkins MD, Jorge M Trujillo MD PhD MPH, Monica Grinberg MD, Ken Phillips MD, Karen Carlson MD, Joseph J Mignogna MD, Emmett B (Bud) Ferguson MD, Harold Haase MD, Roger (ed: could not read last name) MD MSPH, Krishna Vara MD, Chandra Bilgi MD, Kamran Shabtai MD, Youssef W Wassef MD, Richard F Kuehne MD MPH, Eve N Hanna MD MSPH, Karen Olson MD, Phyllis Gerber MD, Cori Repp MD, Robert Fleigelman MD, Julio C Sotolongo MD MPH, Bob Chapa MD, Jeff Smowton MD, Robert Dehgan MD, S Williamson MD, Joe Thomas MD, Jock Sneddon MD, Harry Hazelwood MD MPH.  

Self-introductions all around. 

1.  Minutes of the August, 2005, Orlando meeting were approved. 

2.  Membership Report – Dr Michael Band, Secretary-Treasurer:  According to ACOEM’s July 26, 2006, report, the Florida Component has 165 members, of which 151 are dues paying and 14 are retired/non dues paying.    (same as last year at this time in total membership, down 1 in dues paying members, down 6 in the retired/nondues paying category).  

When ACOEM sends membership reports, our Executive Director and FAOEM’s Officers communicate with members late on their dues, to remind and encourage them to maintain their memberships. 

3.  Treasury Report – Dr Band:  Specific information on the Treasury Report can be obtained by members from Diana McCluskey, Executive Director.

4.  FMA Report – Michael Webb MD, FMA Liaison, and Chair, FMA Medical Economics Committee:  If you are not a member of the FMA now, you need to be.    Dr Webb encouraged attendance at the FMA Annual Meeting, Aug 31 – Sept 3, at the Gaylord Palms here in Orlando.  Dr Stephen MacDonald will be FAOEM’s Delegate to the FMA House at that event.  Dr Webb discussed the FMA’s lobbying successes, including bills which Gov Bush has signed that affect health care professionals:  providing notice to patients of what type of license you have via a name tag/oral notice, CME requirement decreases, supervision of PAs/ARNPs, electronic prescribing.  Attachments with details are at the end of these minutes, including information about National Provider Identifier (NPI) Numbers, the FL Division of Workers’ Compensation, AHCA and Reimbursement Disputes.  Re the status of the proposed work comp expert medical advisor rule change, Lorry will follow up with the FMA and report back. 

5.   Update on the OM Residency Program and the ERC  -

James McCluskey MD, MPH, PhD(C):  We have 6 great residents this year.  Two new faculty members were brought on board, Drs Rosemary Szollas and Karen Olson.  Both graduated from our program in June of 2006.  We would like to open up communication and interaction with the community on a much greater scale.  For example, if you have job openings, please email them to us.  Each June, those individuals completing the residency will graduate.  Most begin working immediately.  So it is good to let us know if you have open positions or are looking for someone by April or May.   The residency will go through accreditation renewal this fall.  We are preparing the application for accreditation and for the site visit.  We feel that everything will go well, but it will definitely be a lot of work to get everything done.  

6.  Comments from Outgoing Executive Director – Lorry Davis thanked all the Presidents with whom she has had the pleasure of working (Drs Dolsey, Johnson, Watkins, Cooper, MacGregor, and Newcomer) as well as all the various Board members with whom she has worked these past almost dozen years.  She reminisced about the comp conference when it was at The Peabody, how the healthcare provider breakout got started (involving an FAOEM member, Dr Hunter), how FAOEM moved to the comp conference (Dr Dolsey’s prompting), hospitality suites, exhibit booths, and how fortunate FAOEM is to be left in the hands of Diana McCluskey.  Serving FAOEM has been Lorry’s privilege, and anyone interested in staying in touch is welcome to do so. 

7.  Comments from Incoming Executive Director/Survey –

Diana McCluskey thanked the membership for their confidence in her ability to perform the Executive Director duties, and she encouraged everyone to complete their surveys so that she and the Executive Committee can chart a future course for FAOEM. 

8.  Work Comp Reimbursement Discounts – Dr Fleigelman:  Incidences of companies seeking (taking) discounts off the physician fee schedule are again cropping up.  You are encouraged to check your EOBs to make sure that this is not happening to you.  A motion was made and carried to form a committee to investigate payors who are seeking alternatives to the fee schedule.  Dr Band will chair the committee.  Those interested, please contact him at mband@watsonclinic.com.  It was suggested a letter of concern can be written to those payors, as well as to the FMA, and examples should be included.  With a number of work comp medical directors present, it is hoped that their presence within payor communities can help discourage any trend toward discounts off the fee schedule. 

9.  Dare to Be Silly!  Thank you to Dr Gerber who orchestrated a skit she had written to honor Lorry’s leaving FAOEM, and to welcome Diana in as the new Executive Director.  Roles were played by past and current officers.  Dr Gerber was the moderator.  Lorry, appropriately self-conscious and embarrassed, enjoyed it very much.  Lorry was given gifts and a plaque, and she is very grateful.   

10. Tee Guidotti, MD, President, ACOEM -  In his quite, competent, effective way, Dr Guidotti gave a presentation on the potential for occupational medicine to have a very bright future.  We asked for a copy of his powerpoint presentation to put on our website.  He replied that he would provide such for us, but first he would need to make some changes to make it appropriate for the worldwide web.  When that is received, you will be notified and given the link to it in a broadcast.

Click Here for Dr Webb’s Attachments

Respectfully submitted, 

Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed.

FAOEM Executive Director 

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Orlando World Center Marriott 

Thank you to OccMeds Billing Services Inc (Richard Orchard, President, and Denny Hamilton, Account Executive - 404 210 7879 , 888 796 6950, jdh63049@juno.com), a Finance Program for the Dispensing Doctor, for sponsoring our luncheon. 

 MINUTES

 Presiding:  Gary Newcomer, MD, President-Elect 

Present in order of sign in: Jock M Sneddon MD, Michael Band DO,

Gary Newcomer MD, Seth Feldman DO, Phyllis Gerber MD, Joan Watkins DO,

Anthony Dorto MD (a PM&R guest), Arlene Burke DO, P Mark Glencross MD,

Emmett B (Bud) Ferguson MD, Venerando Batas MD (a PM&R guest),

Ann Crutchfield (guest – administrator PM&R practice), Homi S Cooper MD, Robert Fleigelman MD, Krishna Vara MD, Cynthia Lewis-Younger, MD MPH, Kathleen T Jenkins MD MPH, Karen Olson MD, Jim McCluskey MD MPH, Monica Grinberg MD, Hal Haase MD MPH, Michael Webb MD, Brian Wolff MD (guest), Robert M Chapa MD (guest), Nitin Hate MD, Richard Dolsey MD, Robert Dehgan MD (a PM&R guest),

Gary Clonts MD, Michael Hankins MD, Stan Haimes MD, Joseph Thomas MD MPH, Michael MacDonald DO, Stephen H MacDonald DO, Joseph J Mignogna MD,

Ken Phillips MD, Karen Carlson MD, Cori Repp MD, Rosemary Stollas MD,

Kamran Shabtai MD MPH, Albert T Lojko MD, Diana McCluskey MPH (Guest, ERC Director), Lorry Davis M.Ed, Executive Director

 Self-introductions all around. 

  1. FMA Report – Michael Webb MD, FMA Liaison, and Chair, FMA Medical Economics Committee.  Dr Webb explained that work comp fell within the scope of the Medical Economics Committee, and that the FMA’s Council on Legislation seeks input from the Medical Economics Committee.  Within the FMA, work comp has finally made it to the lobby priority list (in the category of reimbursement issues).  Current FMA lobby efforts are to soften Amendment 8, which is attorney-sponsored legislation.  Dr Webb encouraged all to be FMA members.

 

  1. DWC-25 Status Report – Michael Band, DO, Chair of our DWC 25 Revision Committee thanked Dr Felix Freshwater for representing us in Tallahassee.  Dr Band discussed efforts to make the DWC 25 form available so that the cut and paste method could be used to complete the form as there is still a lot of duplication.  The form has not yet simplified the physician’s process.  Although a few are completing the form electronically (through some networks and/or payers) most are still dealing with a paper form.  Making the form into an electronic format for all has been opposed to date.   The form was revised May 26, and is on the DWC website.

General discussion followed:  The business community is not educated about the form.  Each employer is still sending their own form.  The State needs to educate industry to stop doing this and rely on the DWC 25.   

Some doctors are getting reimbursed for completing the form.  Each practice has to deal with each carrier on an individual basis. 

All present reported they do complete the form, but Dr Webb, as Liberty Mutual’s Medical Director, reported only a 50% compliance. 

The DWC is now going around the state with an educational program.  A motion was made and carried to have a doctor on this DWC education panel. 

Next year, Claude Revels, industry representative on the DWC education panel, will be invited to this meeting to continue discussions about how employers and doctors can help each other.  Dr Band will talk to Revels re this invitation and the need for a doctor on the DWC education panel. 

  1. Minutes of the August, 2004, Orlando meeting, were approved.

4.  Membership Report – Stephen MacDonald, DO, Vice President, reported that according to ACOEM’s August 3, 2005, report, the Florida Component has 163 members, of which 141 are dues paying and 22 are retired/non dues paying.  As usual, when ACOEM sends reports of members who haven’t yet paid their dues, we communicate with them to remind them to maintain their memberships. 

5.  Treasury Report – Michael MacDonald, DO, Secretary-Treasurer. Specific information on the Treasury Report can be obtained by members from Lorry S. Davis, Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net  

 

  1.  ACOEM Report – Gary Newcomer MD, one of our Delegates to this year’s AOHC, reported that there was a proposal on the floor to make a mandatory 200 member minimum for components.  This would mean that various state components, including Florida, would necessarily combine with other state components in the same geographic region.  Pros and cons were discussed.  The item will be voted on at this Fall’s SOTAC meeting.

 

ACOEM’s Practice Guidelines, Occupational Medicine Best Practices, were discussed and promoted.  These guidelines have been and can be adopted by various state bodies for their workers compensation programs. 

 

Emmett Ferguson MD, former ACOEM Officer, promoted ACOEM’s Corporate Health Achievement Award and flyers from ACOEM were distributed re same.  Dr Ferguson also mentioned the opportunity to become an Examiner for ACOEM on Saturday, May 6, 2006, in conjunction with the 2006 Los Angeles AOHC meeting.

 

  1. Update on OM Programs and Residency at USF and the ERC –

Robert Haight, MD, MPH, Co-Deputy Director of the ERC, reported that there are currently 6 occupational medicine residents at the University of South Florida in Tampa.   

Diana McCluskey MPH, Executive Director, Education Research Center and Program Director, Center for Biological Defense, USF College of Public Health, passed out both an Impact Assessment, and a Collaborative Program Suggestion Form.   The forms were completed by this meeting’s attendees.  The Impact form was for assessing the impact of the ERC on Florida’s students, employers, community and professional groups.  The Collaborative Form was to assess future joint meetings between the ERC and FAOEM.  Diana stated the results of the forms will be forthcoming.  If you have further input, Diana can be reached at 813 974 9732. 

  1. Presentation of Slate of Candidates/Elections 2005 – 2007 –

Dr Ferguson mentioned he was President of FAOEM 20 years ago when it was FOMA, before environmental medicine was added.  There were then 15 doctors who met with the occupational health nurses.    

Dr Ferguson presented this slate of candidates: 

President:  Gary Newcomer MD, Gainesville

President-Elect:  Stephen MacDonald DO, Indiatlantic

Vice-President:  Michael MacDonald DO, Indiatlantic

Secretary-Treasurer:  Michael Band DO, Lakeland

Directors:

Kathleen Jenkins MD, Bradenton

Michael Hankins MD, Lake Buena Vista

Seth Feldman DO, Ft Lauderdale

FMA Liaison:  Michael Webb MD, Ocala

FWCI Liaison:  Richard Dolsey MD, Miami

Immediate Past President:  Jeanne McGregor MD, Plant City 

A motion was made and carried to accept the slate by acclamation. 

  1. Comments from Incoming President – Dr Newcomer urged all to get more involved, to communicate more with each other about oc med’s issues.  He wants to establish another meeting each year, with the ERC.  He looks forward to his next two years of service

10.  FAOEM ListServe:  For purposes of staying in better communication with one another, Stanley Haimes, MD, suggested an FAOEM ListServe.  We will look into the service currently available through our webhost. 

11.   FL Occupational Health Nurses 2005 Meeting was announced:  Oct 13 – 15, St Petersburg Sirata Beach Resort.  A flyer re same was distributed.

12.  Job Opportunity:  Residency Trained Occupational and Environmental Medicine Physician needed to join established hospital-based Occupational Medicine Dept.  Clinic is open M – F, 8 am – 5 pm, no weekend or nighttime coverage required, closed for all major holidays.  Base salary extremely competitive and physician is encouraged to become an equal partner with other two physicians on staff.  Brevard County, Florida.  References concerning integrity of this organization provided upon request.  For more information, view the full opportunity at http://faoem.org/JobOps.htm, or contact Stephen MacDonald DO or Michael MacDonald DO, 321 434 8878 (work), 321 777 1749 (home), 321 434 8887 (fax), Stephen.macdonald@health-first.org, Michael.macdonald@health-first.org.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., FAOEM Executive Director 

 

New Law Changes (SB 50A) 2003

Highpoints of Medical Features

Michael J. Webb, MD

Florida Workers’ Compensation Institute

August 18, 2003 

I.      Improvement of employer/employee access to quality care: increase in physician participation.  Many physicians had left the Workers’ Compensation system because of the low fee schedule (the lowest of the 50 states) and because of administrative demands which accompanied work injury treatment (“hassle factors”). 

New Fee Scheduled Effective January 1, 2004: 110% of Medicare for non-surgical CPT codes; 140% of Medicare for surgical CPT codes (or present fee schedule, whichever is higher).

 Negotiation of fees: Physicians and carriers can negotiate contracts which pay above the fee schedule (reason must be stated in the contract). 

II.      Reduction in hassle factors: The Division of Workers’ Compensation will standardize physician reports to employers and carriers, thereby reducing the number and variety of forms which challenge the physician.  Effective January 1, 2004, the Department of Financial Services shall require that all medical bills properly submitted by the provider be paid within 45 calendar days.

 III.      Enhancement of quality, reduction in variation of medical services and improvement in resource utilization: Requirement of clinical practice guidelines adopted by United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).  Independent Medical Examinations. 

Intended results: put physicians and carriers on “same page” regarding acceptable guidelines for quality care; speed authorization of requested diagnostic studies and treatment; reduce the number of unnecessary tests and treatments.

 Reality:  AHRQ maintains a library of clinician guidelines but does not endorse or update specific state regulatory process to remedy this shortcoming is expected (e.g., establishment of a Clinical Care Guidelines Committee which will review AHRQ and offer resources and produce edited versions of existing guidelines).

 Independent Medical Examinations: In cases involving dispute, effective October, 2003, the employer and employee are entitled to only one IME per injury (rather than per specialty).  If the employee wins the dispute, the employer will reimburse the cost.

 If care is being provided under a managed care arrangement, the carrier will pay the costs of the IME if a network physician is used.  The parties may mutually agree to a “consensus IME”, when the conclusions shall be finding to both parties.

 Reasonable necessary medical care of injured workers shall in all situations: 

  1. Utilize a high intensity, short duration treatment approach that focuses on early activation and restoration of function whenever possible.

 

  1. Include reassessment of the treatment plans, regimes, therapies, prescriptions and functional limitations or restrictions presented by the provider every 30 days.

 

  1. Be focused on treatment of the individual employee’s specific clinical dysfunction or status and shall not be based upon non-descript diagnostic labels.

 

IV.      Establishment of a compensable work injury condition: A greater focus on reasonable medical care benefits: Effective October 2003, the establishment of a bona fide work injury or medical disorder must be based on objective relevant medical findings.  Pain alone, or other physical complaints, in the absence of objective relevant medical findings, will not be compensable. 

Causation:  To be compensable, the work injury must be the major contributing cause (greater than 50%) for the condition which is under treatment (compare to “old law”: major contributing cause is defined as being greater than any other contributing cause).

 

 

 

FAOEM Broadcast August 8, 2006 

LAST CALL!  NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm, in the Anaheim Room.   

ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) WILL BE at this meeting!  His mission is to motivate components to make the most of ACOEM.  

Say goodbye to Lorry Davis, and greet your new Executive Director, Diana McCluskey MPH.  PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY SENT YOU.  IF YOU NEED ANOTHER ONE, PLEASE CONTACT Diana McCluskey, dmcclusk@hsc.usf.edu.  Feedback from you is essential to a healthy future for FAOEM. 

RSVP to Lorry Davis (by Friday, Aug 11), Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting.   RSVP’d to date:  Drs Stanley Haimes, Jorge Trujillo, Joseph Mignogna, Gary Newcomer, Michael Macdonald, Stephen MacDonald, Michael Band, Chandra Bilgi, Mitch Zavon, Joe Thomas, Richard Dolsey, Oregon Hunter, Robert Dehgan, Jeffrey Smowton, Seth Feldman, Shabtai, Karen Carlson, Ken Phillips, Arlene Burke, James McCluskey, Michael Webb, Phyllis Gerber, Albert Lojko, Harold Haase, Monica Grinberg, Tee  Guidotti, Richard Kuehne, Rosemary Szollas, Mark Glencross/guest, Kathleen Jenkins, Jeanne McGregor, Brian Dowdell, Bud Ferguson, Jock Sneddon, Bob Fleigelman, Julio Sotolongo, Eve Hanna, incumbent Executive Director Diana McCluskey,and outgoing Executive Director Lorry Davis.   We know more of you will be there, so please let us know so we can order lunch accordingly.   

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

FAOEM Broadcast August 2, 2006 

NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm, in the Anaheim Room.   

ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) WILL BE at this meeting!  His mission is to motivate components to make the most of ACOEM.  

Say goodbye to Lorry Davis, and greet your new Executive Director, Diana McCluskey MPH.  PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY SENT YOU.  IF YOU NEED ANOTHER ONE, PLEASE CONTACT Diana McCluskey, dmcclusk@hsc.usf.edu.  Feedback from you is essential to a healthy future for FAOEM. 

RSVP to Lorry Davis, Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting.   RSVP’d to date:  Drs Stanley Haimes, Jorge Trujillo, Joseph Mignogna, Gary Newcomer, Michael Macdonald, Stephen MacDonald, Michael Band, Chandra Bilgi, Mitch Zavon, Joe Thomas, Richard Dolsey, Oregon Hunter, Robert Dehgan, Jeffrey Smowton, Seth Feldman, Shabtai, Karen Carlson, Ken Phillips, Arlene Burke, James McCluskey, Michael Webb, Phyllis Gerber, Albert Lojko, Harold Haase, Monica Grinberg, Tee  Guidotti, Richard Kuehne, Rosemary Szollas, Mark Glencross/guest, Kathleen Jenkins, Jeanne McGregor, incumbent Executive Director Diana McCluskey,outgoing Executive Director Lorry Davis.   We know more of you will be there, so please let us know so we can order lunch accordingly.   

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org 

 

FAOEM Broadcast July 11, 2006

 

NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm (or earlier if we finish our business), in the Anaheim Room.  ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) WILL BE at this meeting!  His mission is to motivate components to make the most of ACOEM.

 

RSVP to Lorry Davis, Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting.   RSVP’d to date:  Drs Stanley Haimes, Jorge Trujillo, Joseph Mignogna, Gary Newcomer, Michael Macdonald, Stephen MacDonald, Michael Band, Chandra Bilgi, Mitch Zavon, Joe Thomas, Richard Dolsey, Oregon Hunter, Robert Dehgan, Jeffrey Smowton, Seth Feldman, Shabtai, Karen Carlson, Ken Phillips, Arlene Burke, Diana McCluskey.  We know more of you will be there, so please let us know so we can order lunch accordingly. 

 

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon.

 

AOHC HOD Report from Gary Newcomer MD, FAOEM President:

Los Angeles May 2006.  Michael MacDonald DO also represented FAOEM at this HOD.

Resolutions passed by the HOD and sent to the ACOEM Board of Directors for final action:

*Educational sessions will be planned every 2 years in Washington DC to provide legislators and federal agencies information about occupational medicine and its importance to national health.

*Research publications will be encouraged in JOEM to promote more research presentations at ACOEM conferences.

*HOD Work Group meetings will be facilitated by more electronic meetings and constant assignment of members to the Work Group. The problem occurs when components have inconsistent HOD representatives or even none at all.

*HOD membership redefined to state that any component with over 50 dues paying members, and at least 33% of those being physician members, should have one voting member in the HOD.

*Encourage more use of the physician locator system which ACOEM has in place, and which allows members and nonmembers to search for occupational physician positions.

*Provide a member network for consultation and advice to other members who have had some type of practice legal action against them.

Proposed resolutions tabled or rejected :  1) which parties have access to DOT exam long forms, 2) how employers try to influence medical care in regard to defined OSHA recordable events, 3) redefine retirement for ACOEM members.

Sound financial state of the organization - about $400,000 excess currently, largely attributed to sale of the ACOEM Practice Guidelines to several states as the official work comp guideline. Efforts are proposed to promote similar use by other states.

New ACOEM officers installed including Dr. Tee Guidotti as new president. He is a very experienced and active ACOEM leader, who will be likely be more active throughout the country, motivating components to make the most of the organization.

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

FAOEM Broadcast June 23, 2006 

NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm (or earlier if we finish our business).  ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) is trying to arrange his schedule so that he can be a part of this meeting.  We have encouraged him to do so. 

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

RSVP to Lorry Davis, Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting.   These members have registered to date:  Drs Stanley Haimes, Jorge Trujillo, Joseph Mignogna, Gary Newcomer, Michael Macdonald, Stephen MacDonald.  We know many more of you will be there, so please let us know so we can order lunch accordingly.   

Goodbye Lorry Davis – Hello Diana McCluskey!  Note from Lorry Davis:  It has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve the organization and the members of FAOEM these past 11 years.  It is time for me to do some professional stretching, reshuffling, growing.  Our meeting in August will be my last one, and I hope I have the opportunity to speak to everyone.  Thank you for the many years of friendship.  

FAOEM’s Board has accepted Diana McCluskey MPH,  as its incoming Executive Director.  As most of you know, she is haute professional, she manages the NIOSH funded ERC in Tampa at the U of So FL, closely connected with Florida’s only OEM Residency program.  She is married to James McCluskey, MD, MPH, PHD – ACOEM/FAOEM dues paying member!  Diana will help FAOEM launch into a new era and provide FAOEM with many of the benefits of her ERC and Residency connections.  FAOEM is so very fortunate to have her. 

Diana will soon be sending out a survey for all of you.  Please participate!  It’s about the future of YOUR organization. 

Please come to the meeting in August, per above, and welcome Diana as our new Executive Director.  

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

 

 

FAOEM Broadcast June 15, 2006

Next Meeting; ACOEM/SOTAC; Florida Disaster Volunteer Information; FMA and the 2006 Florida Legislative Session; President Gary Newcomer MD at FMA Specialty Section; FAOEM Physicians Listed in Consumers’ Research Council of America Top Physicians; Job Op; Editor 

NEXT MEETING:  Will be Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in conjunction with the annual FL Work Comp Conference, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, 12 – 3 pm (or earlier if we finish our business).  ACOEM’s President, Tee L Guidotti, MD MPH FACOEM (George Washington University) is trying to arrange his schedule so that he can be a part of this meeting.  We have encouraged him to do so. 

And thank you to Linear Solutions, sponsor of the luncheon. 

RSVP to Lorry Davis, Lorry4@earthlink.net, 904 270 8886, if you plan to be at this meeting. 

ACOEM/SOTAC:  Dealing with Disasters:  Readiness, Response, and Rebuilding, October 20-22, Marriott Marquis, New York NY. 

Florida Disaster Volunteer Information:  Was sent to you via email from the FMA (FMA members).  Any of you need this information? 

FMA and the 2006 Florida Legislative Session:  Here are some of the outcomes of the FMA’s efforts:  *stopped effort to allow repeal of Amendment 3 from the Constitution to statute, maintaining limited attorney contingency fees in medical liability cases – the result of which has been a significant stabilization of the medical liability insurance market

*stopped naturopathic licensure

*stopped ARNPs from prescribing controlled substances

*stopped pharmacists from administering flu shots

*stopped allowing of foreign trained physicians to practice as physicians without completion of an ACGME residency

*stopped making it more difficult for a physician to self-insure and stopped draconian penalties for minor offenses related to physician profiles.

*stopped physician offices from having to be licensed and regulated as clinics.

*stopped requiring licensure for hearing interpreters, decreasing their availability, increasing costs to physicians, making it more difficult to comply with ADA

*did away with joint and several liability

*now only have to take the HIV/AIDS CME course one time

*now only have to take the Domestic Violence CME course every 6 yrs instead of every 2

*created more difficulty for ARNPs and PAs to set up practices independent of physician supervision

*passed requirement for all healthcare practitioners to wear nametags identifying their licensure or orally inform patient of same

*increased funding for the Professionals Resource Network, providing substance abuse assistance to physicians and other health care licensees.

*PIP fee schedule defeated, sunsetting of current fee for service delayed for 18 months

*allow unused cancer drugs to be collected and prescribed to patients in need 

Gary Newcomer, MD, FAOEM President Attends FMA Specialty Section, April, Tallahassee

His report:  Only about 20 of 47 possible groups represented; 50% of any specialty group have to be FMA members, or at least 200 total, group must have at least one annual meeting in order for that specialty to have a seat with the Specialty Section; legislative update given; no issues specific to occupational medicine; ER coverage/reimbursement hot issues amongst several present who claimed their areas had inadequate coverage due to reimbursement and hospital policies. 

FAOEM Physicians Listed in Consumers’ Research Council of America Top Physicians:  Congratulations to Joan Watkins DO and Stuart Brooks MD who were both listed this year.  Anyone else out there of whom we are not aware?  

JOB OP: Medical Director -- Florida Based -- Major WC Carrier

Exciting opportunity to join progressive WC insurance carrier to deveop a network of premium WC  providers.  High energy & innovative spirit required., along with good communication skills. Knowledge of Florida WC regs required.  Prefer Occ Med board certification. 

Contact B. Peplowski, National Med Director, cell 951-236-9061; Admin Asst 818-251-5870 

 

Editor:  Lorry S Davis M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Bch FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, Lorry4@earthlink.net, http://faoem.org

 

FAOEM Broadcast March 6, 2006 

NEXT MEETING:  Our previously scheduled meeting with the University of South Florida ERC, March 18, 2006, Tampa, is being RESCHEDULED/REFORMATTED.  Online/CD options for this event are being explored.  The USF ERC will keep FAOEM informed of this rescheduled/reformatted event.  Stay tuned….. 

ACOEM/FAOEM RENEWAL:  Dr Stephen MacDonald, FAOEM President-Elect, and Lorry Davis, Executive Director, attended ACOEM’s All-Component Conference Call yesterday.  ACOEM reports a 92% retention rate from 2005.  March 15 is the deadline by which you will be dropped from membership if you have not renewed.  However, you can still renew after that date and you will be reinstated.  On 2/10, we received ACOEM’s membership report and followed up via email/fax with those who had not yet renewed.  FAOEM’s Executive Committee has been leading a phone campaign with those remaining who have not responded to the email/fax message. 

AOHC – May 7 – 10, 2006, Los Angeles, CA (Pre-Conference Courses May 5-6)

Program/registration:  http://www.acoem.org/education/aohc2006/conference.htm.  Gary Newcomer, MD, FAOEM President, and Stephen Macdonald, DO, FAOEM President-Elect, will be our Delegates to the ACOEM House. 

FMA and the 2006 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION:  The 2006 Legislative Session begins today, and adjourns Friday, May 5.  PA/ARNP Supervision Bill (HB 699 by Rep Joe Negron) is being heard tomorrow, March 8, in the House Health Care Regulation Committee.  Encourage these committee members to vote YES.  By having these standards addressed in a rulemaking setting, the Board of Medicine will have time to hear testimony from all interested parties and consider the many factors involved in this issue.  The specialty of the physician, the type of health care practitioner under supervision, and the practice setting will all be considered.  Here are the committee members that need to hear from you:  rene.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov, eleanor.sobel@myfloridahouse.gov, dorothy.bendrossmindingall@myfloridahouse.gov, gus.bilirakis@myfloridahouse.gov, marty.bowen@myfloridahouse.gov, larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov, bob.henriquez@myfloridahouse.gov, ed.homan@myflorida.gov, ralph.poppell@myfloridahouse.gov, bill.proctor@myfloridahouse.gov, yolly.roberson@myfloridahouse.gov.

More info:  FMA Legislative Affairs, 850 762 0233 

 Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net

FAOEM Broadcast February 21, 2006 

NEXT MEETING:  Our previously scheduled meeting with the University of South Florida ERC, March 18, 2006, Tampa, is being RESCHEDULED/REFORMATTED.  Online/CD options for this event are being explored.  The USF ERC will keep FAOEM informed of this rescheduled/reformatted event.  Stay tuned….. 

ACOEM – Seeking Nominations for Officer and Board Elections.  You must be a Fellow or a Master of the College.  For more information:  Cheryl Winkowski, cherylw@ACOEM.org. 

FMA and the 2006 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION:  The 2006 Legislative Session begins Tuesday, March 7, and adjourns Friday, May 5.  Scope of Practice issue:  expecting “acupuncture physician” language in the form of an amendment this year.  Please keep an eye out and let Lorry Davis know if you hear anything about this.  Per Sandra Mortham, FMA EVP, “…the scope of practice issues continue to plague all of medicine.  The FMA remains totally committed to having no expanded scope of practice issue passed by the legislature.  As we move into the campaign season, please remember to ask the candidates where they stand on these sorts of issues before making a commitment to support their campaign.” 

Also from Mortham:  As a result of Amendment 3 and the 2003 tort reform efforts, FPIC has announced that there will be no rate increase for base rates for policies renewing March 1, 2006, and later.  This is the first sign of rate stabilization in almost 10 years. 

DWC and AHCA to Benefit from Co-location: - The Workers’ Compensation Medical Unit moved from the Agency for Healthcare Administration to the DWC.  One benefit:  closer coordination with the Office of Data Quality and Control, which will make for better cooperation and collaboration regarding the reimbursement manuals, and which will also provide a more accurate picture of provider performance in the medical arena. 

Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net

FAOEM Broadcast January 24, 2006

NEXT MEETING:  Our previously scheduled meeting with the University of South Florida ERC, March 18, 2006, Tampa, is being RESCHEDULED/REFORMATTED.  Online/CD options for this event are being explored.  The USF ERC will keep FAOEM informed of this rescheduled/reformatted event.  Stay tuned… 

OTHER NEWS from USF’s ERC:  From Stuart M Brooks MD, Professor, Colleges of Public Health & Medicine Director, Sunshine ERC Director, USF:  NIOSH is changing their National Occupational Research Agenda to meet the changing needs of the occupational world.  To collect input from people around the country, they have scheduled 11 town hall meetings that are full day programs.  Tampa is one of the 11 sites.  NIOSH has requested that we identify persons to testify about important types of occupational issues during the morning session (especially any that are related to our region) and on the Retail and Wholesale Sectors in the afternoon (this sector was assigned to us by NIOSH).  Our Town Hall Meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 13th. The location will be the USF Tampa Campus – Marshall Center Ballroom

I am writing to see if you wish to be one of the persons to testify at this Town Hall Meeting.  We would need to know in which session you prefer to testify.  If you are willing to do this, you will need to register directly with NIOSH and let me know (sbrooks@hsc.usf.edu) that you are registering as well.  You can register at this website: http://nora.conference- services.net/registration.asp?conferenceID=766&language=en-uk .  This is a once in a 10 year period opportunity to give your input!   Thanks so much. 

FMA and the 2006 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION:  The 2006 Legislative Session begins Tuesday, March 7, and adjourns Friday, May 5.  And this notice today from the FMA about the Doctor of the Day Program, which they have to stop coordinating effective immediately.  The FMA will be contacting those physicians who have already registered to be a Doctor of the Day.  From Sandra Mortham, FMA EVP/CEO:  Over the weekend we received the rules coming out of the House and Senate on the new gift law.  I was concerned about whether our Doctor of the Day program would be in violation of the new rules.  Yesterday I spoke with the Speaker's Chief of Staff and he indicated he would have the legislature's General Counsel look at this.  After discussions between their General Counsel and John Knight (FMA Counsel), it was concluded that we would no longer be able to coordinate the Doctor of the Day program for the legislature. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those that have participated in the past as well as those that have signed up for this coming session.  (We) may also be getting a contact person in the clinic that may be coordinating a similar program in the future. 

Florida MD License Renewals:   To renew online, go to www.doh-mqaservices.com  and click on "Licensees" and then "Renew License." You will need an account/user ID number and password, which was included in your license renewal notice sent in October. If you do not have your notice, you may email licensure_services@doh.state.fl.us  or call 850.488.0595, and press menu option 3. If you are unsure if you are up for renewal this year, check your license or your profile, since both list your expiration date.   

Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net

FAOEM Broadcast December 15, 2005 

NEXT MEETING:  Our next meeting will be with the University of South Florida ERC (affiliated with Florida’s only oc med residency program), March 18, 2006 (a Saturday) in Tampa.  The continuing education program will be finalized shortly and should be posted in the January, 2006, Broadcast as well as on our website, http://faoem.org.   Dr Gary Newcomer MD, FAOEM President  says, “You have been asking for another meeting during the year within our State – so here it is!  Please put this date on your calendar NOW and make plans to attend.” 

FMA ANNUAL MEETING:  Thank you to Dr Stephen H. MacDonald, DO, MPH, MBA, FAOEM President-Elect who represented FAOEM at the September FMA Annual Meeting.  His report from the Boca Raton event:  I attended the Specialty Society meeting where I had the pleasure of seeing Dr Homi Cooper, FAOEM Past President..  There were no significant decisions made at that time that involved any Occupational Medicine related topics. 

I attended the FMA House of Delegates sessions.  We learned that the FMA currently has zero debt, has very strong membership percentages, and has been voted the best “Not for profit” organization in Tallahassee. FLAMPAC had 70 of its 71 endorsed candidates win their election seats this past year.  

AMA President-elect, William Blested, MD, informed us that if we would like to assist the AMA in the Hurricane Katrina relief activities please call (800) 272-2707.  Financial donations can be made by contacting (800) HELP-NOW. The president of the World Medical Association as well as the former President of the AMA also spoke about the world affairs involving medical care and problems throughout the world.     

At the conclusion of the meeting, we voted on more than 70 resolutions, none of which negatively impacted FAOEM’s needs and desires. 

JOB OPS:

Rapidly growing workers’ compensation practice in Sebring, FL, has an immediate availability for an Occupational Medicine physician with an active Florida license and current applicable experience in the clinical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.  Salary and benefits are negotiable and commensurate with knowledge and experience.  Bilingual (English/Spanish) and/or military experience favored.  Job requirements include daily patient care with associated administrative duties; further development, implementation and management of the Occupational clinic, with an eventual position of Medical Director.  Please fax your curriculum vitae and compensatory requests to:  Lakeview Occupational and Industrial Clinic, PA at 863 471 1512, or email at loic_lakeview@yahoo.com 

Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net 

FAOEM Broadcast November 7, 2005 

NEXT MEETING:  We are working with the University of South Florida  ERC, utilizing your feedback to organize a late winter, early spring, 2006, meeting.  It MAY be in March in Tampa.  Stay tuned to these broadcasts and our website, http://faoem.org for further details. 

The minutes of our August meeting in Orlando can be read at http://faoem.org/minutes.htm. 

ACOEM’s Renewal Notices:  Lorry Davis participated in ACOEM’s phone conference in September regarding ACOEM’s 2006 Membership Renewal Campaign.  The second wave of notices are scheduled to go out November 29, and the third and final notices on January 6.  You can now pay online!  Go to http://acoem.org/memberinfo/ and click on Renew Your Membership.  

Congratulations to FAOEM’s New Officers for 2005 – 2007:

President – Gary Newcomer MD

President-Elect – Stephen MacDonald DO

VP:  Michael MacDonald DO

Secretary-Treasurer – Michael Band DO

Directors:  Kathleen Jenkins MD, Michael Hankins MD,

and Seth Feldman DO

FMA Alternate Delegate:  Michael Webb MD

FWCI Liaison:  Richard Dolsey MD

Immediate Past President:  Jeanne McGregor MD 

FMA Liaison Now Titled Alternate Delegate: Thank you to Karen Carlson MD who made the following proposal, which the Executive Committee approved and Dr Webb accepted:  FAOEM’s position would be strengthened by naming Dr. Webb our Alternate Delegate to the FMA.  He will continue to serve a liaison function, getting FAOEM recognized as a "player" in the organized medical arena. It will also strengthen Dr. Webb's position, by making him a voting delegate. The Alternate Delegate votes if the Delegate cannot be present, but Dr. Webb can do more than that. He can introduce our FAOEM Delegate to the "process" of how FMA works, discuss the political implications of what is going on. If the Delegate would like to attend one Reference Committee and the Alternate another, they can double the ability to listen to the "issues behind the issues.”  Also, we would not have to worry about who could attend in our Delegate's place, if the Delegate could not attend.        

Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net

 

FAOEM Broadcast July 7, 2005 

NEXT MEETING:  Tues, August 23, 12 – 3 pm, at the Orlando World Marriott Center, in conjunction with the FL Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference.  Thank you to OccMeds Billing Services Inc (Tom Waldorf, Representative), a Finance Program for the Dispensing Doctor, who is sponsoring our luncheon.  Please RSVP to Lorry Davis, contact information at bottom.   RSVP’d so far:  Dr James McCluskey, Diana McCluskey, Dr Karen Olson, Dr Richard Johnson, Dr Samer Choksi, Dr Cori Repp, Dr Victor Nwiloh, Dr Gary Newcomer, Dr Stephen MacDonald, Dr Michael Band, Anne Crutchfield, Dr Michael MacDonald, Dr Venerando Batas, Dr Gary Clonts, Dr Joan Watkins.  COME ON!  Let me hear from you.  I know you plan on being there!

 Here are FAOEM members who will be making presentations at the comp conference:

 Oregon Hunter MD, will be moderating “What’s New in Neurosurgery?”

James McCluskey MD MPH PhD(C), Chemical Exposure and Mold Breakouts

Kathleen Jenkins MD MPH, “Expediting Recovery – “Are ‘We’ Getting Better or Are ‘We’ Dragging it Out?” and “Ever Want to Ask a Physician a Question But Were Afraid To?”  

 If I’ve missed someone who is presenting, please let me know.

 Proposed Slate of Candidates for 2005 – 2007:

President – Gary Newcomer MD

President-Elect – Stephen MacDonald DO

VP:  Michael MacDonald DO

Secretary-Treasurer – Michael Band DO

Directors:  Kathleen Jenkins MD, Michael Hankins MD, Seth Feldman DO

FMA Liaison:  Michael Webb MD

FWCI Liaison:  Richard Dolsey MD

Immediate Past President:  Jeanne McGregor MD

 Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net 

 

FAOEM Broadcast June 14, 2005 

NEXT MEETING:  Tues, August 23, 12 – 3 pm, at the Orlando World Marriott Center, in conjunction with the FL Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference.  Thank you to OccMeds Billing Services Inc, a Finance Program for the Dispensing Doctor, who is sponsoring our luncheon.  Please RSVP to Lorry Davis, contact information at bottom.  COME ON!  Let me hear from you.  I know you plan on being there!

Proposed Slate of Candidates for 2005 – 2007:

President – Gary Newcomer MD

President-Elect – Stephen MacDonald DO

VP:  Michael MacDonald DO

Secretary-Treasurer – Michael Band DO

Directors:  Kathleen Jenkins MD, Michael Hankins MD, Seth Feldman DO

FMA Liaison:  Michael Webb MD

FWCI Liaison:  Richard Dolsey MD

Immediate Past President:  Jeanne McGregor MD 

Congratulations! To Stephen Field MD, who is retiring!  Best Wishes! 

DWC 25:  Felix Freshwater MD, represented FAOEM at the May 13 Tallahassee Workshop on Medical Services Billing Rule 69L7.602.  Prior to the workshop, Dr Freshwater coordinated with Michael Band, DO, Chair of FAOEM’s DWC 25 Revision Committee.  Highlights included discussion about Levels 1, 2, and 3 being redundant to the other information on the form, and why the form needs to be available in other than pdf format, so that physicians can cut and paste.  In the pdf format one can only enter, not save data.  George Furlong with Choice Medical Network stated that all his carriers agreed with the points above.  Another area of discussion was the difficulty presented with being able to fax the DWC 25, but being required to mail with original signature the claim form (DWC’s version of the 1500 form).  After the meeting, Dr Freshwater thought a solution might be to do away with the original signature rule and make it possible to fax or email all forms.  He followed up with Jeff Scott, FMA, about this solution, and FAOEM will continue to seek this relief.

 Job Op:  Orlando opportunity for physicians and nurse practitioner in industrial/urgent care setting.  Contact Arlene Palazzolo MD,

407 493 1388, RDOCP@aol.com. 

Job Wanted:  Board Certified Occupational Medicine physician in Pennsylvania looking for employment in Collier or Lee Counties, FL.  Please contact Susan Blydenburgh MD MPH, smblydenburgh@earthlink.net 

Editor:  Lorry S. Davis, M.Ed., Executive Director, PO Box 330298, Atlantic Beach, FL  32233-0298, Ph 904 270 8886, Fax 904 246 9233, lorry4@earthlink.net 

 

FAOEM Broadcast May 6, 2005

 NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday, August 23, 12 – 3 pm, at the Orlando World Marriott Center, in conjunction with the FL Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference.  Please RSVP to Lorry Davis, contact information at the bottom.

 AOHC: