...an abbreviated "online edition" of our medical society newsletter, "Lake County Medicine". A printed version is published periodically during the year for LCMS members. Views and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those of the Lake County Medical Society.
New LCMS Leaders Take Office
Rebecca Bergman, MD, MPH, is the new president of LCMS. Her term officially began on January 1, 2012.
Dr. Bergman was introduced as the incoming LCMS president at the LCMS annual meeting held on December 12 at Lovell's in Lake Forest. The festive holiday atmosphere was enjoyed by all. Holiday music was provided by the John Bishop Jazz Duo.
Dr. David Foosaner, outgoing LCMS president, thanked everyone for their support during his term and was given the traditional presidential plaque. He also presented a year-in-review (see article below).
Drs. James Milam (Lake County's trustee to ISMS) and Scott Cooper (ISMS Vice President) gave presentations at the meeting. Dr. Milam spoke about current issues in governmental affairs, including the current debate over Medicare reimbursements. Dr. Cooper gave his advice on how best to recruit new members.
Attendees were also treated to a presentation by Steven Byers and Nancy Williamson from Friends of Hackmatack. According to Mr. Byers, the Lake County area supports the highest concentration of the state's endangered and threatened species.
Friends of Hackmatack is working to establish the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in the northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. The refuge will conserve the area's unique natural landscapes, plants and wildlife; link existing open space areas; create recreational opportunities and provide long-term economic benefits to the residents of our region. Go to the Friends of Hackmatack website for more information.
President's Message LCMS Annual Dinner Meeting, December 12th, 2011 By David Foosaner, MD — President
2011 has been another successful and meaningful year for all of us.
We have come a long way from when LCMS was first organized by eight doctors, in November 1855. Our predecessors gathered on horseback, along the banks of the Des Plaines River, to share stories about rather primitive and experimental medical practices, and to learn from each other what techniques worked best to address the various injuries and other health needs of citizens within Lake County. Leeches, mud packs, wooden splints, tinctures of various concoctions and prayers were not uncommon treatments for numerous ailments.
The practice of medicine continues to evolve as does the regulatory environment that fights for control of so many of our practice decisions today. Today, so often, instead of treatment methods, we gather to discuss new laws and health care financing. And, now, more than ever, none of us knows precisely what the future holds for medicine in the United States. Challenges to President Obama's plan to change health care delivery in the US continue, and we all know that regulatory changes are increasingly difficult to keep up with at the state and national level... another reason we rely so much on our professional organizations. These are issues and changes that we monitor at LCMS on your behalf. Our State Medical Society and the AMA effect change and communicate with our legislators and regulators on behalf of our profession and our patients as well. We may not see the county, state and AMA at work every day, but there are with us, monitoring change, encountering local and national legislators and other movers and shakers in health care as often as we can.
I am very proud to have had the opportunity to serve as your president this past year. We have conducted some highly successful educational programs, held our annual and unique doctor/lawyer dinner with members of the Lake County Bar Association, produced another successful Mini-Internship program for lay leaders in our community to learn first-hand what the practice of medicine is all about, and solved numerous individual concerns for our members as we always have, on a daily basis. Our BCBS group insurance program remains a popular membership benefit as well. Members can retain this coverage when they move from one practice to another, and they can retain it even after they retire, at any age.
I want to encourage each of you to continue to support organized medicine, which serves as our voice with our legislative decision makers. I hope you encourage your colleagues to join as well. I hope you enjoy a relaxing evening and a great holiday season, no matter what you celebrate.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Medical Mission to Koraput in India
Dr. Raghu Thunga (anesthesiologist) and eleven other doctors and nurses went on a medical mission to Koraput, in India, in March. Some of them were also on the mission to Haiti, following the hurricane in 2010. They worked for a week at a Christian hospital, armed with special supplies and medications they brought along on their journey. They were very impressed with the quality of medicine that was available to the patients, but said they were knowingly lacking in modern anesthesia equipment and supplies as well as having a shortage of orthopedic surgeons.
The self-organized group of doctors and nurses made an exhaustive and lengthy journey by plane, train, and another plane to help serve one of the poorest populations of India in Koraput. They worked at a Christian Hospitcal, where they felt that the greatest need was for anesthesiologist and orthopedic surgeons.
According to Dr. Thunga, the quality of medical services was in fact extremely good, with the xception of anesthesia in particular, and the shortage of orthopedic surgeons. He said, "They were using ether, and had no muscle relaxants, nor do they use narcotics." Fortunately, Dr. Thunga brough his own anesthesia equipment and necessary drugs.
This was a second mission for Dr. Thunga, who volunteered a week of his time to serve in Haiti following the massively destructive hurricane in 2010. He is planning another in the Dominical Repuglic for November. Dr. Thunga hopes to entice others to the world of volunteer medicine.
Office Managers Are Key!
Doctors, please provide us with the name of your office manager, or a "key" person in your office who should be on our mailing lists. We offer breakfast and lunch time educational programs at least four times each year with speakers covering hot topics for medical practices. You may not have the time to focus on some of the issues we cover, but your essential staff can and should attend.
LCMS Mini-Internship: Connecting with the Community
The LCMS Mini-Internship program began in 1989 when LCMS became the first medical society in Illinois to couple physicians with members of the public to help increase the understanding of the ever-changing realities of practicing medicine. Healthcare decision makers, legislators, business leaders, reporters and others spend up to two days shadowing doctors to see exactly what happens during a typical day in area operating rooms, physician offices, ERs, clinics and labs. All leave with a better understanding of the intricacies of the world of medicine.
Pictured at the left is Mini-Intern Kelli Politte, with the Office of the Lake County Public Defender, and Mini-Internship co-chairman James Milam, MD. During this Mini-Internship program, co-chairman Raghu Thunga, MD spent most of two days with our visiting Mini-Interns at Condell and at Vista hospitals. We also sent Mini-Interns to Lake Forest Hospital to observe in surgery and more.
Photo: A surgeon at Condell Medical Center with two Mini-Interns observing. The Mini-Interns exclaimed over and over again what good teachers the doctors were and how accommodating they were with the Mini-Interns, and they clearly appreciated the hospitality of the hospitals and helpful staff they encountered from beginning to end of the two-day event.
"As an elected official, the Mini-Internship provided additional justification for promoting and
pursuing those public policies that enhance the delivery of medical services to Lake County residents.
I trust that the goodwill generated by the Mini-Internship program will grow and benefits therefrom
will flow into the future." (Michael Talbett, Vice Chairman Lake County Board)
Our BCBS of Illinois benefit booklets are posted online here on our web site. Simply click on the Insurance tab for insurance information and forms. The complete booklet for each plan option is posted and you can scroll through the books any time. For additional information about our health and dental plans, including eligibility and enrollment options, call us or email lakedocs@aol.com.
HIPAA Tip
Here's a scenario that might surprise you. Can a physician send a thank you note to a patient for referring a friend to his practice? The answer: sending the note would be a HIPAA violation. By thanking the patient for referring a friend, the note violates the new patient's privacy. Patients have the right to decide who knows what physician(s) they are seeing.
HIPAA Q&A
Q: May a health care provider disclose protected health information to a health plan for the plan's Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)?
A: Yes, the HIPAA Privacy Rule permits a provider to disclose protected health information to a health plan for the quality-related health care operations of the health plan, provided that the health plan has or had a relationship with the individual who is the subject of the information, and the protected health information requested pertains to the relationship. The period for which information is needed must overlaps with the period for which the individual is or was enrolled in the health plan.
Q: My State law provides greater privacy protections on patients' HIV information than the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Is this more protective State law preempted by the Privacy Rule?
Answer: No. The Privacy Rule establishes a floor of Federal privacy protections and rights for individuals. If a provision of State law provides greater privacy protection than a provision of the Privacy Rule, and it is possible to comply with both the State law and the Privacy Rule (e.g., where a State law prohibits the disclosure of HIV status while the Privacy Rule permits such disclosure), there is no conflict between the State law and the Privacy Rule, and no preemption.
Further, even in the unusual case where a "more stringent" provision of a State law is "contrary" to a provision of the Privacy Rule - that is, it is impossible to comply with both the Privacy Rule and the State law, or the State law is an obstacle to accomplishing the full purposes and objectives of HIPAA's Administrative Simplification provisions - the Administrative Simplification Rules specifically provide an exception to preemption of State law. Thus, if a more stringent provision of State law protects HIV patient information and is contrary to the Privacy Rule, the "more stringent" State law would prevail. Because HIPAA's Administrative Simplification Rules themselves accept more stringent, contrary State law from preemption, it is neither necessary nor appropriate to request a preemption exception determination from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Members who offer our Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois group health and/or dental insurance plan to eligible employees should keep in mind that eligibility does not begin until the member has been employed at least 30 days, or according to the terms of your office policies, which may state eligibility begins 60 or 90 days after employment. No one is eligible to enroll the first day of employment or membership. If you need a copy of our current Administrative Policy for the insurance plan, which explains eligibility and provides information about continuation coverage and more, please contact the Lake County Medical Society office. The policy is updated at least annually. The most recent version is dated 2009. Any older versions should be destroyed. We will be happy to send current Benefit Highlight sheets as well.
New Member Benefit -
HIPAA Training and Compliance Materials
Comprehensive materials to help make physician offices HIPAA compliant are now available at a discount to Lake County Medical Society members. PrivaPlan's™ MultiMedia HIPAA Training is a comprehensive, 55-minute course with an instructional CD and online quizzes to help train office staff. The HIPAA Privacy and Security Compliance Resource Kit includes ready-to-use forms, policies and procedures. The training kit normally sells for $169, but is available to LCMS members for $129. The compliance tool sells for $369, but is available at $350. All information is customized to Illinois, incorporating both state and federal HIPAA requirements. ISMS and ISMIE Mutual have endorsed PrivaPlan™, as have other state medical societies and insurance companies around the country.
Additional information and online purchasing is available at the links below or by calling PrivaPlan™ at 1-877-218-7707.
Volunteer for the
Lake County Medical Reserve Corps.
In response to the outpouring of volunteer support in the days following September 11, 2001, the Citizen Corps. was created by the President. Citizen Corps volunteers work to make sure their families, homes, and communities are prepared in the event of terrorism, crime, and disasters of all kinds. One specialized component of this effort is the Medical Reserve Corps.
[Get complete details!]
Helping HealthReach Clinic
HealthReach clinic has been serving the medically indigent (0r the uninsured) of Lake County since 1992, primarily with the help of some generous volunteer physicians, nurses and others. The clinic is located at 1800 Grand Avenue in Waukegan. You can contribute to the mission and success of the clinic either directly (by volunteering just a few hours once a month or so) or by donating much needed supplies including medical and office equipment or non-narcotic prescription drug samples for their patients.
Get On Our Group Email List!
If you have an email address, or two, please let us know. More and more of our communications are being sent electronically. You can get the newsletters faster and without adding to the paper clutter on your desk, and you can benefit from the brief electronic messages and reminders that we send to members several times each month.
You're safe with us. We do not share, sell or distribute email address to anyone. We also send periodic news by email to office managers of our members.
Go to our contact email form and send us your information to join our group email list. Include your full name, please, along with your email address(es), address, phone number, office manager, and manager's email.
Report Address Changes
Remember to notify our office when you change your address or phone number.
Dr. Michael Scheer, general surgeon, with Mini-Intern Erin O'Brien, Director, State Government Affairs, Illinois State Medical Society. (2005)
Dr. Syd Foreman (neonatologist) holding a baby boy delivered during a Mini-Internship program.
(2005)
L to R: Drs. Rebecca Bergman, Rashmikant Patel, Erik Nelson and Clair Callan, four of eight Delegates representing Lake County at the Illinois State Medical Society House of Delegates meeting held in Oak Brook, April 20-22, 2007.
The Downstate Caucus, including Delegates from all counties outside of Cook, meets twice during the ISMS Annual House of Delegates Meeting. They nominate members for leadership positions and to discuss Resolutions submitted from around the state.
Preserving access to care: (Left to right) Drs. Piyush, Gerald Frank, Albino Bismonte, Jr., and Steven Reinglass — all from Lake County Medical Society at the Rally on Daley Plaza in Chicago in May, 2003. (Photo: Jane Stein)
Will your doctor be there? Dr. Charles Frank (left), an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Lincolnshire and Dr. Burton Miller and Dr. Scott Miller, both general surgeons practicing in Libertyville, are pictured at the Medical Liability Reform Rally in Chicago in May, 2003.
Annual Awards Dinner — Old friends and new ones joined us for the Annual Awards Dinner and Celebration of Summer at the Chicago Botanic Garden in June, 2003.
Celebration of summer — Dr. Peter Chhabria and Family are pictured at the Awards Dinner celebration, June 2003.
Awards Dinner — Dr. Anthony Terrasse and wife Mary Anne were in attendance at the June 2003 Annual Awards Dinner and Celebration of Summer.
June, 2003 — Dr. Erik Nelson and his wife, Deborah Reed, MD, Dr. Rashmikant Patel, and Dr. Raghu Thunga and his wife Karen.
Dr. David Foosaner, outgoing LCMS president, thanked everyone for their support during his term and was given the traditional presidential plaque. He also presented a year-in-review (see article below).
The LCMS Mini-Internship program began in 1989 when LCMS became the first medical society in Illinois to couple physicians with members of the public to help increase the understanding of the ever-changing realities of practicing medicine. Healthcare decision makers, legislators, business leaders, reporters and others spend up to two days shadowing doctors to see exactly what happens during a typical day in area operating rooms, physician offices, ERs, clinics and labs. All leave with a better understanding of the intricacies of the world of medicine.
Photo: A surgeon at Condell Medical Center with two Mini-Interns observing. The Mini-Interns exclaimed over and over again what good teachers the doctors were and how accommodating they were with the Mini-Interns, and they clearly appreciated the hospitality of the hospitals and helpful staff they encountered from beginning to end of the two-day event.
County Medical Society members. PrivaPlan's™ MultiMedia HIPAA Training is a comprehensive, 55-minute course with an instructional CD and online quizzes to help train office staff. The HIPAA Privacy and Security Compliance Resource Kit includes ready-to-use forms, policies and procedures. The training kit normally sells for $169, but is available to LCMS members for $129. The compliance tool sells for $369, but is available at $350. All information is customized to Illinois, incorporating both state and federal HIPAA requirements. ISMS and ISMIE Mutual have endorsed PrivaPlan™, as have other state medical societies and insurance companies around the country.
