2010 Member Directories Are In...
Complimentary copies are being mailed to all MCMS members. Click here to order additional copies.

Health Care Reform

The United States is headed toward historic health system reform. What will it mean to you and your practice? MCMS leadership is been watching as the process evolves at the national level, and will keep members informed of the issues in play. For information on new legislation, advocacy work and commentary, click here.

(01/26/2010) Letter from AMA to President Obama

Physician Rights Issue

Are too few physicians are aware of the risk of an audit, the
inherent unfairness of the audit process and/or the increasing likelihood that no physician or practice will be able to avoid facing such threats? Physician involvement, combined with the support of organized medicine, is a starting point towards restoring the health plan financial audit process to its intended methods.
To learn more, download The Misreading and Misapplication of NYS State Law §3224-b by NY Health Plans

New Physician Workforce Report

The FLHSA and the MCMS Physician Workforce Committee has published a study on the availability and accessibility of physician services in the Rochester area
Availability of Physician Services in the Rochester area, 2009

MSSNY Report

Economic Impacts of Private Practice Physicians in the State of New York, click here for complete report


Earthquake In Haiti

For crisis response information, click here

MCMS Technology Day - June 2

Technology in the medical practice is a common thread in today's world, but the path to becoming "paperless" can be filled with obstacles if you are not adequately prepared. Join us and learn about the preparation needed at every step from assessment to vendor selection to implementation. Meet with vendors and gather sound advice on technology that aligns with your needs. To register, click here

Vendors interested in being a part of the event, click here

2009 H1N1 Influenza

Resources for Clinicians
(12/31/2009) Message from Secretary Sebelius more

(12/31/2009) Weekly reporting of H1N1 influenza vaccine doses administered is REQUIRED more . For information on doses not reported more

(12/23/2009) CDC Update: MedImmune Monovalent 2009 (H1N1) Influenza Nasal Spray Vaccine- Shortened Shelf Life of Certain Lots. more

(12/16/2009) Letter of Voluntary Recall of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine sent to providers. more

To read H1N1 news articles, click here

More H1N1 Resources

Review health advisories, updates and recommendations click here
To read H1N1 news articles, click here


Where to find H1N1 information:

  • Call the New York State Department of Health Hotline for information on H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Disease 1-800-808-1987.
  • Get the lastest H1N1 updates from the CDC
  • Obtain general information on H1N1 Influenza from the Monroe County Public Health Department


Monroe County Medical Society launched a Twitter profile as a way to keep physicians informed on important issues. Join the Dicussion.

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Physician:

Please accept my wholehearted thanks for your continued support of the Monroe County Medical Society, especially during the challenging economic times we all faced in 2009. The uncertain economic outlook forced businesses, including medical practices, to take a hard look at the return on investment for everything they were doing. And as a result, we are all doing more with less. more

Important Resources

Keep your contacts current Download MCMS Physician Primer.
(Updated Jan. 4, 2010)

Download AFTER HOURS RESOURCE GUIDE
(Updated Dec. 4, 2009)

Download a COVER YOUR COUGH poster

Mark Your Calendar

For a full list of coding programs for 2010 click here

HIPAA & HITECH - February 9- Learn about HIPAA & HITECH and the significants changes in how privacy and security of protected health information is regulated.

Documentation in the Medical Practice - February 10- An overview of proper documentation for employee personnel files and other important documents.

Certified Medical Office Manager- Certification class for Medical Office Managers offered through Practice Management Institute begins on February 22.

Confidentiality & Medical Records - March 10- A useful discussion on confidentiality laws and retention of medical records.

Chart Auditing- March 29- A hands-on workshop about chart documentation, improper code selection and identifying appropriate levels of service for billing.

Medical Practice Theft- March 31-Learn how to prevent and detect theft in your medical practice.

Ask the Carrier - April 7- Get updates from representatives from eight area insurance carriers on.

Principles of Coding - April 8- This fast-paced workshop explores outpatient coding systems with emphasis
on proper code selection for accurate and timely reimbursement.

Patient Safety

The faculty of the Division of Healthcare Management in the Department of Community & Preventive Medicine is offering a program on Patient Safety, designed specifically for health care professionals, trainees, and students from medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, hospital administration, and health services research.  more

CDC ALERTS

Sanofi Pasteur Monovalent 2009 (H1N1) Influenza Vaccine in Pre-Filled Syringes — Shortened Shelf Life of Certain Lots. more

 
Media Bytes

Report warns of looming doctor shortage
(01/22/2010)The Rochester area is at risk of seeing its physician supply fall to dangerously low levels, a Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency and Monroe Medical County Society report concludes.Reported by the Rochester Business Journal. more

Rochester Needs to Recruit Younger Doctors:
(01/13/2010) Nancy J. Adams comments on the area's physician shortage, reported by WROC-TV more

Flu vaccine for seniors tested in Rochester
(01/05/10) Leslie Algase, MD, comments to the Democrat and Chronicle about Fluzone High-Dose, a drug tested in Rochester, which will be available for the 2010-11 flu season. more

Radio ads target prescription drug habit
(01/01/10) Radio commercials alerting people to how addiction to prescription pain medication can start and that treatment can be available in doctor's offices began airing this week across the state. more

Local doctors, patients look behind new women's health guidelines
(12/28/2009) Dr. Posy Seifert of Elizabeth Wende Breast Care Inc and Dr. Avice O'Connell, director of Women's Imaging at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Highland Breast Imaging, speak to the Democrat and Chronicle about recently announced new guidelines for mammograms and Pap tests.
more

Response to health care bill mixed
(12/27/2009) Nancy Adams, executive director of the Monroe County Medical Society, comments to the Democrat and Chronicle on health care legislation passed Christmas Eve. more

Survey reveals doctor shortage in New York
(12/23/2009)Nancy Adams, executive director of the Monroe County Medical Society, confirms to WXXI that there is a shortage of doctors in the area, and the problem is getting worse. more

more headlines