Congress Approves 10-Month SGR Patch
The House of Representatives approved an act today that delays the 27.4% cut in Medicare physician payments for 10 months. While the cut was originally scheduled to take effect on March 1, this agreement extends current physician payment policy through the end of 2012. Medicare-participating physicians will now be subject to a 32% cut on Jan. 1. Learn more about Medicare Physician Payments and the sustainable growth rate (SGR). Updated Feb. 17.
HHS Announces Intent to Delay ICD-10 Compliance Date
As part of President Obama’s commitment to reducing regulatory burden, Health and Human Services (HSS) Secretary Kathleen G. Sebelius today announced that HHS will initiate a process to postpone the date by which certain health care entities have to comply with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10). Read more. Updated Feb. 16.
Apply for a SOMA Research Fellowship
The AOA Council on Research and the National Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) has issued a call for SOMA Research Fellowships. Osteopathic medical students must apply by March 1 and are awarded $2000 if selected. For more information, please consult pages 78-98 of the 
AOA Research Handbook, and direct further questions to Joseph K. Prinsen, DO/PhD Candidate, MSUCOM National SOMA Research and Development Director at prinsen@msu.edu. Submit your application. Updated Feb. 14.
Join the AOA in a Conversation with Congressman Joe Heck, DO
Representative Joe Heck, DO, (R-NV-03) will provide an update on issues affecting our nation’s health care system on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST. Presented in conjunction by the AOA and the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA), this event is an opportunity to hear from a colleague and congressman about the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C. To attend, please call (800) 391-2548 and use the passcode 27032386#. Updated Feb. 14.
AOA Releases 2012 Match Program Results
The AOA has released the results of the 2012 AOA Match program, which places students into osteopathic graduate medical education positions for the first postdoctoral year of training. As of Feb. 13, institutions are permitted to fill available positions independently of the Match, and students can find information about unfilled positions at AOA Post Match. View a full listing of programs with available positions and learn more about the AOA Match. Updated Feb. 13.
NCCHC Holds Upcoming Correctional Health Care Conference
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) will hold their upcoming conference “Updates in Correctional Health Care” on May 19-22, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas. This conference, aimed at health professionals who treat millions of adults who will pass through our nation’s correctional systems each year, will focus on the correctional health care professional’s role in preventing recidivism. George J. Pramstaller, DO, CCHP, represents the AOA on the NCCHC Board of Directors. Learn more. Updated Feb. 10.
Register Now for AOA Webinar on 2012 CPT Coding Updates
Join the AOA for the webinar “2012 CPT Coding Update – Learn What’s New and What It All Means To You” on Thursday, March 1 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. CST. This webinar will cover the latest format changes to the CPT code book, changes to the osteopathic manipulative treatment codes, and other important code changes. Judith O’Connell, DO, and Robert Goldberg, DO, the AOA’s advisors to the AMA CPT Editorial Panel, will lead the webinar. The AOA is partnering with the AOIA, the AOA-accredited CME sponsor, to request CME credit. The AOIA anticipates this program will be approved for one AOA Category 1-A CME credit. Register today. Updated Feb. 9.
AOA Discusses Proposed Requirement Changes with ACGME
The AOA and AACOM leadership recently met with ACGME leadership to discuss ACGME's proposed Common Program Requirements changes, in continued efforts to preserve access to training opportunities for osteopathic physicians. ACGME stated that comments submitted in November will follow their review timeline, which ultimately ends with the ACGME Board of Directors in June or September. AOA also urged the ACGME to send a letter to their program directors clarifying that the requirements are only proposed at this stage, in hopes this will reduce the number of withdrawn interviews. The ACGME indicated that they would respond to student and resident concerns. Read more about this meeting and the ACGME policy issue. Updated Jan. 31.
Apply to Serve on an AOA Bureau, Council, or Committee
All DOs who will be in postdoctoral training in 2012 are encouraged to apply to serve on over 30 bureaus, councils, and committees (B/C/Cs) that direct the work of the AOA and address the needs of the osteopathic medical profession. This is an outstanding opportunity to work with the leaders and experts in the profession and to gain leadership and professional development skills. The deadline to apply is Feb. 24. View the instructions and FAQs for more information. Please send all application materials and questions to the AOA’s Division of Student, Intern, Resident and Member Affairs at sira@osteopathic.org. Updated Jan. 31.
HIPAA 5010 Implementation – Reprieve until March 31, 2012
On Jan. 1, 2012, the HIPAA 5010 version of the electronic transaction standards will replace the current 4010 version widely used by physician practices, payers, clearinghouses, and billing services to transmit and process claims. Recently, however, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a 90-day reprieve, stating that it would not enforce the Jan. 1 compliance deadline until March 31, 2012. Learn more about what steps your osteopathic practice should take now to avoid potential disruptions in cash flow from not upgrading and testing claims in the new HIPAA 5010 electronic data transmission standards. Updated Dec. 20.