OSPA News
The Lund Report
Retainer Medical Practices a Growing Trend in Oregon
By Amanda Waldroupe

Paying small fees per month are alluring to uninsured patients and primary care physicians, and an alternative to insurance

September 8, 2011—It’s almost unheard of to think about getting affordable primary care without insurance. But that’s what a lot of Oregon primary care physicians are working to do. Primary care physicians, frustrated by the reimbursement rates set by insurance companies have started to create “retainer medical practices.” In exchange for a monthly fee or an annual lump sum, they’re offering basic medical care.  [Read more]

MDNews.com
Legislation Would Extend Promise of EHRs to Underserved Communities

Bill extends Medicaid EHR incentive payments to medical practices in which PAs provide a high volume of care for Medicaid patients.

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Academy of Physician Assistants welcomed legislation to amend the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act to extend electronic health record Medicaid incentive payments to all physician assistants who meet the Act’s criteria in serving Medicaid patients. [Read more]

 Photo: MDNews.com
iHealth Beat
New Bill Would Extend EHR Incentive Payments to Physician Assistants

This week, Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.) introduced legislation (HR 2729) -- called the Health IT Modernization for Underserved Communities Act -- that would allow physician assistants who meet certain requirements to qualify for incentive payments under the meaningful use program, Modern Healthcare reports.

In a statement, AAPA President Robert Wooten praised the legislation, saying "this bill extends the promise of improved medical care to the Medicaid patients served by a physician assistant." [Read more]

Oregon Health Authority Division of Medical Assistance offers presentation to Physicians and Other Professional Services facing Fee-for-Service Rate Reductions.
July 1, 2011

Due to the severe revenue shortfall, most provider rates will be reduced in the 2011-2013 budget. As most of the dollars in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) budget go to providers for services, that is where the bulk of the budget reductions will occur. Oregon physical, addictions, mental and dental health care providers are facing an unprecedented reduction in rates in order to meet an OHP budget reduction of more than 11 percent.

Reduction rates will vary by program and will be implemented from July 1 through October 1, 2011, contingent on federal approval, as required.

Physician and Other Professional Services Presentation

Pacific Universtiy
A Tradition of Service
Randy Randolph, PA-C, Program Director & Associate Professor

 After forty years in healthcare, 34 as a PA and 14 in PA education, Randy Randolph, PA-C will retire.

Randy Randolph arrived at Pacific’s School of Physician Assistant Studies (PA) in August 1997 as the clinical coordinator for a brand new program. He is now leaving in July as the director of a program considered both innovative and dynamic and very highly regarded nationally. [Read more]

 Photo: Pacific University


Insurer-owned clinics bid to offer more patient care, American Medical News By Pamela Lewis Dolan

 Major health plans are expanding direct care to control costs and put their names in front of potential individual insurance shoppers. [Read more]
Photo: amednews.com

Face of Defense: Army Medic Builds Medical Career
By Army Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
Army Pfc. Levi Meyer, one of 49 Army medics and health care providers with the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team who worked to earn the mark of the expert field medic March 7-11, said the pathways and options open to soldiers are many, but he was choosing to take advantage of the military’s nationally recognized Interservice Physician Assistant Program, with the ultimate goal of possibly becoming a neurologist.

Army Capt. Jessica Larson, a physician assistant attached to Meyer’s brigade, said the Army’s PA program is an excellent choice. It rates consistently as one of the country’s top physician assistant programs, she said, and the financial support afforded in exchange for service takes a great burden off students. [Read more...]

Photo: U.S. Department of Defense

Partner highlight - Project Access Now

 OSPA President Barbara Martin, PA-C talks with Project Access NOW about the mission of OSPA and the many benefits of working with Project Access NOW as it provides specialty care for patients. Read the full story here.

Barbara Martin works with Central City Concern at the Old Town clinic. She recently went to Washington, DC for the AAPA Leadership Conference and visited Capitol Hill in support of pending federal legislation that would reduce delays in care provided by physician assistants.

PAs Can Play a Pivotal Role in Health Care Reform, Fox Business
Just tick off some of the tenets of the new health-care reform, and you’ll understand why physician assistants (PAs) can play a pivotal role: patient-centered, collaborative and compliant. These linchpins of reform align with the relationship-based brand of care that PAs deliver, working alongside the physicians who supervise them. [Read more...]
American Academy of Physician Assistants supports Affordable Care Act

 The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) recently announced its support for many provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which the organization believes will improve healthcare for many Americans. Read more...

A Bright Future for Physician Assistants, StarTribune.com, Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota

 The changing health care landscape will likely increase demand for physician assistants, who examine patients and prescribe medication under the supervision of a physician. According Dawn Ludwig, PA, director of the Augsburg program, three factors will contribute to the increasing demand for PA's: Health care reform, an increase in the use of PAs in medical specialties (particularly orthopedics) and the decrease in the number of hours medical residents may work. Read more...
Oregon Physician Assistants Challenge Licensure Process for Practicing Capacity, Becker's Hospital Review

 Check out what Becker's Hospital Review had to say about OSPA's proposed legislation here.

Physician Assistants Try to Gain Leverage with Legislators

Proposed legislation would change the licensing process, placing more responsibility in the hands of the supervising physician

The Oregon Society of Physician Assistants has prepared legislation to change the licensure process by placing more responsibility in the hands of the PA’s supervising physician and less on the judgment of the Oregon Medical Board.
 
While the OSPA and physicians claim it’s essential for PAs to work at their full capacity, the Board fears for patient safety if its power to judge a PA’s qualifications is diminished. Read more...

Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant, The Washington Post

Nurse practitioners (NPs) work in a variety of settings. So do physician assistants (PAs). They can both be found in hospitals and clinics, from rural to urban practices. PAs care for a variety of conditions. So do NPs. They both treat illnesses, provide patient teaching and prescribe medications, often acting as the primary care provider. But there is a difference. Read more...

PA Week Resolution Unanimously Passes in U.S. House of Representatives

House Resolution (HRes) 1600, supporting the critical role of the physician assistant profession and supporting the goals and ideas of National Physician Assistant Week, was brought to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives under suspension of the rules on December 15 and passed. HRes 1600 was introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) and primary cosponsor Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE). The resolution was cosponsored by 115 Members of the House of Representatives, thanks to the advocacy of AAPA members. Read more...

Primary Care Under Pressure, A Three-Part Series, NPR

Last August, NPR's All Thing Considered offered a three-part series, which examines some of the pressures of the Primary Care systems and some of the potential solutions. In the series overview, Primary Care Under Pressure, reporter Julie Rovner asserts that many health experts are predicting a major shortage of primary caregivers in the near future.

Part 1: Bucking the Trend: Primary Care Doc Practices Solo

Part 2: Future of Primary Care? Some Say 'Medical Home'

Part 3: Midlevel Providers Fill Primary Care Doctors' Shoes

McMaster University Graduates First Class of Physician Assistants

Dr. Robert French of the Centennial Family Health Team, says it [PA program] will let him do more of the work that a doctor should be doing and increase the number of patients he can see at the west-end clinic. Read more...

Physician Assistants: the backbone of nation's health care
PAs nationwide play a critical role in meeting America's growing health care needs and are valued members of today's medical work force. And with the passing of health care reform ushering in 32 million new patients, PAs are positioned to step up and fill the widening health provider gap. Read more...

White House Issues Proclamation in Support of National PA Week 2010

Stating, "I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that honor and foster appreciation for our physician assistants," President Barack Obama today issued a proclamation in support of National Physician Assistants Week, 2010.

The White House statement proclaims October 6 through October 12, 2010, as National Physician Assistants Week. The statement further reads, "In communities across our Nation, physician assistants serve tirelessly everyday to care for Americans and fulfill a critical function in our health care system...During National Physician Assistants Week, we honor these dedicated medical professionals and their essential role in providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services to millions of American men, women, and children." 

For further information, please contact Sandy Harding, AAPA Senior Director of Federal Advocacy, at sharding@aapa.org.

Celebrating the Critical Role of PAs during PA Week 2010

Physicians Assistants (PA) have been providing patient care at the National Institute of Health (NIH) since 1990 in a wide range of medical disciplines and for a variety of diseases including cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious and autoimmune diseases. So from October 6 to 12, at NIH and across the country, the vital role that PA's play in patient care and education is being celebrated during National Physician Assistant Week. Read More

Fall Edition of the OSPA Update is now available.

Do You Do DOT Physicals? Important Message About Examiner Certification

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing to establish a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) that will provide a list of certified medical examiners who are available to examine truck and motor coach drivers and effectively determine their physical qualifications to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

Section 4116 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a national registry of medical examiners who are qualified to perform examinations and issue medical certificates. The FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) program would require medical examiners receive training and pass a certification test before being listed on the Registry – which will be available to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and motor carriers to identify medical examiners authorized to conduct the CMV driver physical examination.

It is projected that the NRCME program would establish core curriculum specifications for training - based on a comprehensive Role Delineation Study - that addresses the range of knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform physical examinations of CMV drivers. The specifications would be available to qualified training organizations for development and delivery of FMCSA medical examiner training. However, this could be modified through the rulemaking process.

The Role Delineation Study will also be the foundation for the development of a certification test to assess the competence of the medical examiner. Long-term quality management of the program, accomplished through national accreditation, would include consistent application of the certification process, the avoidance of bias and the representation of stakeholders' needs.

The NRCME program is integral to FMCSA's medical program and would be the only program to qualify and list certified medical examiners that perform the required physical examination of interstate commerce CMV drivers. Until FMCSA completes the notice-and-comment rulemaking, medical examiners are not required to be listed on a registry or other database concerning qualifications to perform physical examinations of truck and bus drivers. At this time, FMCSA does not endorse any medical examiner training, education or certification programs.

For more information on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners program please visit http://www.nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Mandatory Pain Management Program

Due by January 2, 2009, medical providers must have logged 7 hours of pain-related CME. The first hour is a mandatory Oregon-specific course and is available online on the Oregon Pain Commission website as a link called “Start presentation” (click here for Pain Commission website).

The other six CME hours can be gained from pain management and/or the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients. According to the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners, any combination of CME coursework focusing on pain management and/or treatment of terminally ill and dying patients may be
used to fulfill this requirement (OAR 847-010-0100).

A downloadable version of the 1 hour Oregon-specific pain requirement has been made available for those not able to take the online version from the Oregon Pain Commission website.

  • For the downloadable version with 6 slides per page (9 pages), click here.
  • For the downloadable version with 2 slides per page (25 pages), click here. The 2 slides per page version is easier to read since the slides are text-heavy.

OSPA is working on a Pain Management CME to occur this winter. Keep checking back here for updated information or contact the OSPA office.

Posted November 26, 2005

 
Oregon.gov
Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring

Healthcare Provider On September 1, 2011 the Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) system went online. The OHA grants PDMP system accounts to Oregon-licensed healthcare providers and pharmacists so that they may look up controlled substance information on their own patients via the Web using a user name and password.

Healthcare providers and pharmacists must apply to the PDMP for a user account to access information from the system—see instructions below. Access is granted to individuals only—not to clinics, hospitals, pharmacies or any other health care facility. [Read more]
The Oregonian
Ambitious ZoomCare, expanding quickly in the Portland area, sees 'a clinic on every corner'
By Nick Budnick

If you haven't seen the compact storefront clinics or billboards, you probably will soon. 

Started in 2006 by two Portland doctors, ZoomCare recently opened its eighth clinic, this one on a North Mississippi Avenue corner. It has set up shops in trendy neighborhoods such as Tanasbourne, Bridgeport Village, Hawthorne and the Pearl District. A Seattle clinic is in the works, as well as one in San Francisco and more in Portland.  [Read more]

Photo: Thomas Boyd, The Oregonian
The Oregonian
Osteopathic medical school to open next week in Lebanon, Oregon
By Nick Budnick

 LEBANON -- The 26 human cadavers sit in a second-floor freezer, and the nearly 70 LCD screens and hi-definition projectors are tuned and ready to go.

Oregon's first medical school in more than a century isn't your father's medical school. It's a high-tech learning center where most teaching will be live-streamed from 900 miles south. [Read more]

Photo: Benjamin Brink, The Oregonian
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Oregon Governor Signs PA Legislation

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, an emergency physician, held a signing ceremony for Senate Bill 224, the Physician Assistant Practice Modernization Act, on August 4. The new law is the result of an eighteen-month advocacy initiative on the part of the Oregon Society of Physician Assistants. [Read more]
The Lund Report
Gov. Kitzhaber Lauded for Improving Physician Assistant Role

August 10, 2011 -- The American Academy of Physician Assistants welcomed the approval of the Physician Assistant Practice Modernization Act by Governor John Kitzhaber.

Kitzhaber, an emergency physician, signed the bill into law on August 4, as a result of an 18-month advocacy initiative led by PAs in Oregon, the Oregon Society of Physician Assistants and AAPA. Physician assistants and PA students, Senate President Peter Courtney and representatives from the Oregon Medical Association, strong supporters of the legislation, were present for the signing. [Read more]
Columbus Business First
Physician assistant shortages spur Ohio Dominic, Ohio State to plan programs

Central Ohio could go from having no master’s degree programs for physician assistants to two in the next couple years, eventually producing 100 graduates a year with healthy job prospects.

Physician assistants, who diagnose and treat patients under a doctor’s supervision, are among the state’s 15 fastest-growing professions. Yet the closest training program out of six in the state is 80 miles away at the Kettering College of Medical Arts in Dayton.

That’s about to change as Ohio Dominican University and Ohio State University prepare to launch programs. [Read more]

 Photo: Columbus Business First
KTVZ
Walden Co-Sponsors Bill for In-Home Care
 June 22, 2011

Would Allow Aides to Order Services for Medicare Users
2011 WASHINGTON -- Reps. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Allyson Schwartz (D-Penn.), along with 25 co-sponsors, said Wednesday they have introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that seniors and disabled citizens have timely access to home health services under Medicare.

The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, H.R. 2267, will allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives to order home health services for Medicare beneficiaries. [Read more]

Healthcare Advisory
Making the Most of Medicare Preventive Services
By Viggiani, MD; Emma Hitt, PhD

 "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That axiom is perhaps more true today than it was when Benjamin Franklin espoused the idea more than 200 years ago, especially for Medicare beneficiaries. A number of preventive services have been covered by Medicare for some time. In 2011, however, a new opportunity has become available—the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)—which expands upon the already available services. In addition, the copayment/coinsurance and deductibles are now waived for many of these preventive measures.

[Read more]
Practice Agreements Expected to Reduce Barriers for Physician Assistants, The Lund Report
Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson calls the bill "a physician assistant modernization act."
By Amanda Waldroupe

June 17, 2011—Sen. Alan Bates (D-Ashland) expressed frustration and lamentation on the Senate floor Tuesday telling his colleagues that physician assistants “simply give up the pursuit of a license and employment in Oregon and move to other states” because of the bureaucratic difficulties they experience. [Read more]
Announcing the Opening of Aspen Spine & Neurosurgery Center

 Dr. Warren Roberts is returning to the
Portland area with the opening of his new
practice, Aspen Spine & Neurosurgery Center.

Dr. Roberts will have three locations including the main location in Tualatin and two satellite locations in Sherwood and Tanasbourne.

Dr. Roberts has performed a wide variety of
procedures, including complex spine, vascular, tumor, and skull-base. Dr. Roberts’ primary focus is treating patients with spinal disorders, including neck pain, whiplash, back pain, compression fractures, spinal
stenosis, degenerative disk disease, disk herniation, and spondylosis/spondylolisthesis. [Read More]

Photo: Warren Roberts, M.D. Neurological Surgeon
New health support role planned for SA, ABC News By Caroline Winter

There is a push to introduce a new profession into the South Australian health system to improve service delivery for the community and boost the workforce.

But opponents are concerned the role of physician assistants will take clinical placements and training positions from young doctors and limit nursing opportunities. [Read more]

Photo: ABC News


New Hampshire PA Testifies on Proposed Regulation, AAPA

 On December 16, the New Hampshire Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules heard testimony on a proposed regulatory change that would increase the number of PAs that a physician can supervise from two to four. Representing the New Hampshire Society of Physician Assistants, PA Susan Finerty testified in favor of the proposed change, telling legislators that the current restriction "creates unnecessary barriers to patient care, as it prevents supervising physicians and health care facilities from customizing medical teams in a way that maximizes patient access to care." [Read more...]

Why hire a physician assistant?
The Clinical Advisor By Jennifer Leeper
March 25, 2011

 With a PA, employers can expect to gain a ‘right hand,' according to Jennifer Anne Hohman, assistant director of professional advocacy at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). “PAs work in concert with physicians, complementing the ability to deliver a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services to diverse patient populations.” [Read more...]

Family Physicians, Physician Assistants Join Forces, MD News

Washington, DC - Family physicians and physician assistants have joined forces in calling for national workforce, regulatory and payment policies that ensure Americans have access to high quality primary care in a team-oriented practice such as the patient-centered medical home. [Read more...]

Medical Assistants help doctors stanch overhead costs, Kansas City Business Journal

Pressure on physician practices to contain overhead costs has led to a revitalization of a 55-year-old occupation: the medical assistant. [Read More...]

Marion-Polk County Medical Society Elects OSPA Member to Board of Directors

By unanimous vote of its general membership, the Marion-Polk County Medical Society, whose office is in Salem, Oregon, amended its bylaws to offer physician assistants full membership. The new bylaws offer PAs unrestricted ability to serve on committees, the board of directors and as officers. In a second unanimous vote at the same meeting, PA Eric Schuman was elected to the Marion-Polk County Medical Society Board of Directors. [Read more...]

Caption: Mark Fischl, M.D., president-elect of the MPCMS (left),
with new board member Eric Schuman, PA-C

Oregon PA Political Action Committee (PAC)

Want Change in Your Practice? Want Changes in the way your are regulated? Want to be more supportive of your Society but don't have the time to volunteer? Donate to the OR PA Political Action Committee (PAC) today!

The Political Tax Credit was created to encourage citizen involvement in issues that affect you. If you do not use your tax credit each year, the government will use it as they deem fit. You already vote, but after that government usage of your tax dollars is out of your hands. Don't you want to choose where your money goes?

Oregon law provides each couple a $100 tax credit ($50 per individual) for contributing to a qualified PAC such as the Oregon PA PAC. And unlike a contribution to a charitable organization, where you can subsequently file a deduction on your taxes, donations to a PAC are a credit on your taxes. Dollar for dollar, you get everything back.

The Board of Directors of the OR PA PAC are working PAs just like you. They look to issues that affect the laws and regulations under which you practice. The monies donated to the PAC are used for Oregon issues that affect you. Send an email to OSPA for your donation packet today!

Download a Contribution Form

Schedule II Prescriptive Rights for PAs

As of August 31st, the DEA now has authorized PAs to prescribe Schedule II medications.

You will still need to get your certificate from the DEA if you haven’t applied for this yet. If you have gone through the application process already, the DEA will be getting you an updated certificate. Once you have that certificate, you may prescribe.

Remember, you must first get approval from the BME for an increase in privileges prior to applying to the DEA for a schedule change. Without BME approval, you will be denied schedule changes and this may impact your ability to prescribe at all for a certain period of time

Thanks to all of you for enabling this to happen!

There is a fast and easy schedule change form you can access on the DEA website. You’ll need to complete this, sign it and fax or mail it back to the DEA office. You can probably contact them via phone and have them send you the same form. The number for the DEA office is 206/553-4040. Below is the web address to access the DEA schedule change form:

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/
drugreg/change_requests/sched_change.htm

PAs who have applied to the DEA can copy duplicate certificates with their Schedule II info:

Go to the website: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov

Click on the tab “Registration” and then click on the option “Registration Changes” and then follow instructions.

Medicare Prescriptive Drug Program Information (starts February 2006)

Here are 3 downloadable pdfs about Medicare's prescriptive drug program which begins in February 2006. The first two are the same thing, just in different sizes. The font in the first one (horzntl) is harder to read, but it is only a half page size, whereas the second one (vert) is easier to read but is full page - you make that call. The last one is an algorithm.

Join the Oregon Medical Association!

The Oregon Medical Association (OMA) supports physician assistants in providing high quality, accessible health care and invites you to join their team. Membership in the OMA provides an opportunity to join a larger community of health care providers who are dedicated to health care issues. If your supervising physician is an OMA member, you are eligible to join. And if your supervising physician is not yet an OMA member, encourage them to join!

Click here for more information regarding membership. Download a OMA Membership Application.

Posted August 3, 2006

Completion of Death Certificates by Physician Assistants

By now, everyone should have received information outlining the requirements for completion of Death Certificates from the Oregon Department of Human Services. If you have questions, or did not receive the printed materials, contact the Center for Health Statistics at 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 225, Portland, Oregon 97232. The phone number is (971) 673-1180, or you can visit their website for additional information.
 
 

© 2011 Oregon Society of Physician Assistants ● PO Box 55214 ● Portland, OR 97238● Phone: 503-650-5864 ● Fax: 360-256-5597