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Continuing Education

Billing and Coding in Hospice and Palliative Medicine: What's New for 2010 Webinar
Join Bruce H. Chamberlain, MD FACP, FAAHPM and Christopher P. Acevedo, CPC, CHS PCS, on December 10, 2009, 1:00-2:30 pm (ET) for an informative webinar on billing and coding in hospice and palliative medicine. Earn up to 1.5 AMA Category 1 Credits^TM. Click here for more information and to register.

2010 AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly
Register now for the 2010 AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly, March 3-6, 2010 in Boston. Learn from experts in the field about best practices and current research in hospice and palliative care. Click here for more information.

Free Download of Communication Session
Download session 516 for FREE, "Discussing Prognosis with Patients and Caregivers" presented by Ronald M. Epstein, MD, and Timothy Quill, MD from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. Hear data-driven information about patients' expectations for information and support; preferred methods and formats for delivering information, and approaches for checking understanding. For session handout, click here. For more information on how you can purchase all of the MP3 downloadable recorded sessions from the 2009 AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly, click here.

Earn CME with PC-FACS (Fast Article Critical Summaries for Clinicians in Palliative Care)
Read the article, take the posttest, complete the evaluation form and you can earn up to 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. The PC-FACS second quarter posttest for April, May, and June 2009 is now available for only $15. Click here for more information.

Physician Resources

Access Fund Scholarship Deadline December 1, 2009
Scholarships are now available for U.S.-based physicians to facilitate attendance at the 2010 AAHPM & HPNA Annual Assembly.

New ICD-10-CM/PCS Fact Sheet
CMS has released a new International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System fact sheet. Click here to view the fact sheet.

AAHPM Jobmart - Your Employment Resource
Are you looking for a new position or wanting to advertise a position? Post your resume, explore job openings or find the right candidate on the AAHPM Jobmart.

Join AMA
AAHPM has a seat in the AMA House of Delegates and encourages you to join or renew your AMA membership.

Applications Available for Clinical Observership
AAHPM offers a year long experience for physicians at select HPM sites across the U.S.

Visit www.PalliativeDoctors.org
A new consumer Web site that explains the specialty of hospice and palliative medicine and its benefits.

Social Networking Sites
If you're a member of Facebook or LinkedIn, join the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine group. Also, follow AAHPM on Twitter.

News

House Passes Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act
On November 19, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3961, a measure that permanently repeals the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula for Medicare physician payment.
Click here for a summary, then use AAHPM's Legislative Action Center to contact your Senators, and tell them to follow the House in passing a permanent SGR fix.

Rep. Blumenauer Speaks Out on End-of-Life Provision in NY Times OpEd
Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), author of end-of-life provision in health care reform bill, discusses its history in NY Times OpEd. He states, "My experiences during the bizarre controversies of the summer should provide a note of caution about what potential troubles and political distortions might lie ahead as health care legislation moves forward in the Senate, through the reconciliation process and toward a final bill."

CMS Eliminating Payment for Consults
Effective January 1, 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer pay Medicare claims for inpatient or outpatient consultation using codes in the 99241-99245 or 99251-99255 series, except in the context of initial visits for telehealth services. Learn more.

H1N1 Flu Update
Click here to get the latest news and information about the H1N1 flu.

Wall Street Journal: Letter to Editor
Gail Austin Cooney, MD FAAHPM, president of AAHPM and Sean Morrison, MD, President Elect of AAHPM, sent a letter to the editor regarding an op-ed article entitled,
"What the Pelosi Health-Care Bill Really Says," which presented a misrepresentation of what is in the Health Care Reform Bill as it relates to hospice patients.

November is National Hospice Month
November is National Hospice Month. This year's theme is "Preserving a legacy...treasuring memories."

Publications and Products

The U.S. Palliative Care Movement in 2009 Webinar Available for Purchase Online
Learn the trends in palliative care and how it can make a difference in patients facing serious or life-threatening illness by alleviating their suffering and providing greater quality of life from Russell K. Portenoy, MD. Click here to purchase webinar online.

Management of Refractory Dyspnea Webinar Available for Purchase Online
Learn best practices and effectives strategies for the management of refractory dyspnea from Amy P. Abernethy, MD. Click here to purchase webinar online.

AAHPM Resources
AAHPM has additional resources to help you with hospice and palliative medicine. Visit the bookstore for a complete list.

Publisher Discounts for AAHPM Members
Visit the Members' Only section to take advantage of publisher discounts from: Elsevier, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford University Press, and Palliativedrugs.com.

HPM PASS - Hospice and Palliative Medicine Physician Assessment & Self Study Tool
Assess your knowledge in key areas of hospice and palliative medicine with this online practice test. Click here to learn more and to order.