In+Care Newsletter Issue 11 Winter 2018 for providers serving people living with HIV in Orange County:

InCare Newsletter Issue 11 Winter 2018.pdf

 

                                                                        

Name: Paul Lubinsky, M.D.

Specialty: Pediatric Critical Care

What is the most rewarding thing about practicing medicine?
Helping Kids set the course for the rest of their lives. Children are resilient and tend not to dwell on the past, it is a privilege to care for them.

Why did you choose to practice in Orange County?
From the first day I started my American Medical career as a CHOC intern I could not think of any institution I would rather work at. I have been at CHOC for 34 years and we provide care to whomever needs it.

What’s a great experience you had through your OCMA Membership?
The advocacy work that OCMA is involved in provides a voice for the physicians, that helps to direct and ensure their patients care. As a Pediatric provider we have enhanced Pediatric Board representation and established a Pediatric workgroup to specifically focus attention on Children’s needs 

Do you have a word of advice for today’s students and residents?
If I had it to do over I would choose a career in medicine, and once again Pediatric Critical Care. There are tough days but we can make a positive difference in every patients life story and I cannot think of a more fulfilling career.

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHOCChildrens/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CHOCDocs 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocchildrens/

As of February 1, 2018, OCMA’s new address will be:

OCMA is proud to recognize our incredible members who are leaders in medicine here in Orange County.  This year, we want to spend time honoring our 2018 Physicians of Excellence and sharing more information on what makes them so excellent.  

Name:  Connie Bartlett, DO

Specialty:  Pediatrics
  
What is the most rewarding thing about practicing medicine?  The relationships I’ve been able to build with my patients and their families is extremely rewarding – it’s the best thing about practicing medicine for me. As a pediatrician, I’m able to take a special part in “raising" the children who have seen me since birth – watching their development and seeing them transition into adulthood is the best gift.
 
Why did you choose to practice in Orange County? Besides the great weather, I chose Orange County because it’s home for me and my family, which always comes first for me. It’s also a great benefit to be surrounded by reputable academic institutions and hospitals. I feel blessed to be part of a health system and medical group that takes such great care of me and my patients. 
 
What’s a great experience you had through your OCMA Membership?  I really appreciate the various advocacy efforts from OCMA – championing important issues for our medical community. I also really enjoy the various lectures and workshops available to help me keep up with clinical decision-making and practice management. 
 
Do you have a message for the rest of your POE honoree colleagues? I am humbled and honored to be selected. I hope we can spread the word for next year and recruit more of our colleagues to participate in this great tradition. Congratulations to all.  
 
Do you have a word of advice for today’s students and residents?  It is a gift and a privilege for us to be in the healing profession.  I encourage all students and residents to study hard the science of medicine, but not to forget to learn the art of medicine as well.  It's the compassion, empathy and connection to others that will bring joy to our days and comfort to our patients. 

Follow Dr. Bartlett on Social Media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sjhmg
Twitter: @stjoehealth

OCMA is proud to recognize our incredible members who are leaders in medicine here in Orange County.  This year, we want to spend time honoring our 2018 Physicians of Excellence and sharing more information on what makes them so excellent.  Our staff spent some time interviewing honorees to bring you this series, and we hope you enjoy this series as we kick off the New Year!

Name: Eric Ball, M.D.

Specialty: Pediatrics
            
What is the most rewarding thing about practicing medicine?
I chose to become a pediatrician because I am drawn to preventative medicine.  I enjoy the ability to educate parents and families about healthy lifestyles in an effort to prevent diseases in the future.  It is a true privilege to be able to play a small role in the life of a growing child, and I am grateful every day for this opportunity.

Why did you choose to practice in Orange County?
My wife grew up in Orange County and we always knew that we would come back here to practice and raise a family.  It is an ideal spot for our children and, as a pediatrician, southern Orange County is the perfect place to practice.

What’s a great experience you had through your OCMA Membership?
This year I had the opportunity to attend the California Medical Association House of Delegates meeting, where physician leaders from all over the state gather to discuss policy and set the priorities for the medical community.  At the HOD, we heard from medical and government leaders and had vigorous discussions about the future of medicine in California.  As Orange County physicians with OCMA, we had the ability to influence these discussions and help shape state policy.

Do you have a message for the rest of your POE honoree colleagues? 
It is always an honor to be selected a Physician of Excellence.  In these times of upheaval and change in the medical community, it is refreshing to know that an organization like the OCMA is single minded in its efforts to advocate for the success of the physicians of this county.  I know that through the efforts of organizations like the OCMA, the future of the practice of medicine is bright.

Do you have a word of advice for today’s students and residents?
Choose medicine and choose your specialty because you love them.  I would have made more money, or worked fewer hours, in other professions or other specialties.  I chose pediatrics because I am passionate about the health and well-being of children.  When I leave the office every day, I have a sense of pride and purpose; each day, I feel that I made a small difference in the life of a child or a family.  To avoid burnout, you must love what you do, and your profession must be more than a ‘clock-in, clock-out’ job.  The act of making an impact in the lives of others will bring purpose and meaning to your own life.

Follow Dr. Ball on Social Media!
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/socpa/

Twitter: @DrEricBall (personal)  @socpa (practice)

Act now to avoid a 4 percent Medicare penalty in 2019 (Spoiler alert: It’s easy!)

This is the first year physicians need to report on quality measures under the new Quality Payment Program (QPP) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Eligible professionals who fail to report in 2017 face a 4 percent payment penalty in 2019. But did you know that physicians only need to report on one quality measure for one patient during 2017 in order to avoid a payment penalty in 2019?

During the 2017 transition year, CMS will allow physicians to select one of three “pick your pace” participation options. Participating at any level in 2017 will ensure that you will not be hit with the 4 percent pay cut in 2019.

The most lenient participation option—reporting on one measure for one patient—allows physicians to avoid a penalty by "testing" the program to ensure that their systems are working and that they are prepared for broader implementation in 2018 and beyond.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published a video, “One patient, one measure, no penalty: How to avoid a Medicare payment penalty with basic reporting,” with step-by-step instructions on how to report so physicians can avoid a negative 4 percent payment adjustment in 2019.

The California Medical Association (CMA) has also published a MACRA resource page at www.cmanet.org/macra to help physicians understand the new payment reforms and what they can do now to start preparing for the transition. Also available in the CMA MACRA resource center is an overview of MACRA, and a comprehensive list of tools, resources and information from CMA, the American Medical Association and CMS.

The U.S. Senate is currently considering the Graham-Cassidy block grant bill, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) insurance mandate, underfund health insurance subsidies and make drastic cuts to the Medicaid program. Under the bill, traditional Medicaid funding would be capped. Medicaid expansion and ACA subsidies for low- and middle-income families would be subject to an underfunded block grant and phased out in 2027. This bill would be disproportionately harmful to states like California, which embraced Medicaid expansion and increased coverage under the ACA. 

Today, in the House of Representatives, Congressman Lou Correa honored the work of the Waste Not OC Coalition.  His full speech can be read by clicking here. 

The Network of Ethnic Physician Organization (NEPO) Building Healthy Communities Summit is taking place immediately before the California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates on October 19-20, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. This year’s conference theme – “Striving for Health Equity in the Era of Change" – will focus on emerging health policy issues and solutions as we strive to achieve health equity and reduce health disparities.

The summit agenda will include a thought-provoking array of plenary sessions and workshops. Attendees will hear from nationally acclaimed thought leaders, learn about emerging health care policy issues and share best practices on how to reduce health disparities.

“Building healthier communities is a key component of what community physicians are all about,” said NEPO Chair Margaret Juarez, M.D. “The NEPO Summit helps physicians and health care providers connect to work with organizations across the state to make California healthier for all.”

This annual symposium has drawn an increasing crowd of motivated physicians, interested in advancing their expertise in health policy as an adjunct to their practice of medicine. Featuring keynote addresses by Robert K. Ross, M.D., President and CEO of the California Endowment, and Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), the NEPO Summit will provide you with opportunities to network with policymakers, health care advocates and thought leaders, alongside breakout sessions on topics as diverse as the impact of immigration laws on health care, physician mental health, and addressing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Register by September 15 to take advantage of the early-bird rate of $199. Participants can earn up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of continuing medical education.

For more information or to register, click here

From Voice of OC:

http://voiceofoc.org/2017/07/oc-supervisors-attempt-caloptima-takeover/