Published: June 1, 2016

Academy develops ICD-10 FAQs

ICD-10 has been in effect as of October 1, 2015. The Academy is dedicated to helping our Members through the ongoing transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. Based on Member inquiries the Health Policy Team received, the following two ICD-10 FAQs were developed in conjunction with the AAPC.

ICD-10 has been in effect as of October 1, 2015. The Academy is dedicated to helping our Members through the ongoing transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. Based on Member inquiries the Health Policy Team received, the following two ICD-10 FAQs were developed in conjunction with the AAPC.

General ICD-10 FAQ: questions on resources for the ICD-10 transition
ICD-10 Private Payer FAQ: questions on how private payers are handling the ICD-10 transition

These FAQs were presented at the Spring Leadership Forum this past March, and are also available online on the Academy’s website at www.entnet.org/icd-10-coding-resources.

More from June 2016 - Vol. 35, No. 05

Bridging the gap

On April 27, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposal for the long-awaited replacement for the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) as the payment system for physicians participating in Medicare: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Model (APM) programs.

Payment reform updates on website

As the payment landscape continues to shift, the Academy has created a new section on the website that is devoted to keeping Members informed on the latest updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Academy updates CPT for ENT articles

As part of a process to continue to provide the most up-to-date resources for our membership, Academy CPT experts have begun to reevaluate and update the Academy’s list of CPT for ENT articles.

Meaningful Use hardship exception application due July 1

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the application deadline in February 2016 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program hardship exception process. The deadline for Eligible Professionals, Eligible Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals is Friday, July 1, 2016, by 11:59 pm ET.

Crossing the payment bridge

On April 27, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the long-awaited replacement for the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) as the payment system for physicians participating in Medicare: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Model (APM) programs.

Lisa C. Perry-Gilkes, MD, third from left, heads the Polaris Medical Group-ENT, LLC.

PRACTICE PROFILE Polaris Medical Group-ENT

Polaris Medical Group-ENT, LLC, in Atlanta, GA, is owned by Academy Member Lisa C. Perry-Gilkes, MD. As a solo private practitioner, Dr. Perry-Gilkes (above, third from left) employs four full-time staff members and one part-time.

Mae Jemison, MD, is an engineer, physician, educator, and former NASA astronaut.

OPENING CEREMONY KEYNOTE SPEAKERMae Jemison, MD, will launch Annual Meeting

Mae C. Jemison, MD, will inspire attendees at the Opening Ceremony of the AAO-HNSF 2016 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPOSM with stories of her adventures in space and achievements in medicine and science.

2016 PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS John W. House, MD, on behalf of the Associates of the House Ear Institute and House Clinic

The House Ear Institute and House Clinic (HEI/HEC) are synonymous with the best in otology and neurotology clinical excellence, research, and education. The motto, “so that all may hear” translates to a generosity of spirit in sharing not just knowledge but reasoning, in order to spread outstanding ear care around the world.

2016 PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS Lauren S. Zaretsky, MD

A busy private practice otolaryngologist, physician practice manager, wife and mother of three, and strong leader in the AAO-HNS, Lauren S. Zaretsky, MD, makes “having it all” look effortless.

2016 PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS Karen Jo Doyle Enright, MD, PhD

Karen Jo Doyle Enright, MD, PhD, embodies the complete person that we all aspire to be. Karen Jo is not only a leader in otolaryngology, but has actively encouraged others up into their leadership positions. This citation is given to Karen Jo Doyle Enright, MD, PhD, in recognition of her selfless work to advance our specialty and her generous and enduring friendship.

2016 PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS Hosakere K. Chandrasekhar, MD

Hosakere K. Chandrasekhar, MD, is a clinician-academic, thoroughly dedicated to patient care and resident education, who has overcome the barriers of being foreign-trained and brown-skinned with his encyclopedic knowledge of otolaryngology, his generosity with that knowledge, and his respectful care of patients.

LEADERSHIP FORUM & BOG SPRING MEETING My mini-MBA

As vice-chair to the Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF), I was very lucky to be able to attend the 2016 AAO-HNS/F Leadership Forum & BOG Spring Meeting in Alexandria, VA, and benefit from the wonderful mentorship and wisdom being passed along to all the residents and fellows in attendance.

Board of Governors candidates for office 2016

Eligible BOG governors or alternate representatives will cast their votes during the BOG General Assembly meeting, Monday, September 19, in San Diego, CA.

ACADEMY ADVANTAGE PARTNER: ENTCAREERS Think like a hiring managerExpanded from the print edition

It happens to everyone—even the best medical professionals in the industry—at least once. An internet search leads you to a clinic, hospital, or health system job posting that seems like a perfect fit. You dust off your résumé and cover letter, submit them according to the instructions … but nothing happens.

How to write a business plan

Many years ago, one of the authors came across the book, Handbook of Law Firm Mismanagement, a tongue-firmly-in-cheek exposé on the business of a learned profession.

aao-hnsf_CombinedBudgets

Proposed fiscal year 2017 combined budget

The Executive Committees (ECs) were presented with the Finance and Investment Subcommittee (FISC) proposed budget for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 (FY17), and endorsed it for approval by the BODs. During their April meeting, the BODs reviewed and conditionally approved the FY17 budget that is presented here for our membership.

BOARD OF GOVERNORSFinding joy in what we do

This month, the Bulletin addresses health policy and the budget—two subjects that always bring a smile to physicians’ faces.

REGENTSM UPDATEQuality reporting for 2016

Quality reporting for 2016 Now is the time to prepare for Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) reporting for calendar year 2016. There are many changes to requirements this year and the fines associated with failing to report are significant. Highlighted below are important considerations and information on reporting via RegentSM, a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR.) For practitioners who still maintain paper charts, or who want to take advantage of the simplicity of reporting measures groups, RegentSM offers a solution. Make sure to read the July Bulletin for information on all of Regent’s measures and measures groups that will be available to you in 2016. Also, make sure to visit www.entnet.org/Regent as we will be updating this page frequently with RegentSM PQRS reporting resources. Using RegentSM for PQRS 2016 RegentSM does all of the work for you if you are reporting as an individual or as a group, and depending on whether you choose to report individual measures or measures groups. 1. Know the penalties Practice Type PQRS and Value Modifier Penalties Solo practioners and practices with 2-9 providers -2% PQRS and -2% Value Modifier = -4% Practices with 10 or more providers -2% PQRS and -4% Value Modifier = -6% 2. Decide how to report RegentSM pilot sites Advanced ENT & Allergy Advanced ENT Augusta ENT Colorado ENT & Allergy Dr. Steven Peskind, MD & Associates Ear Nose & Throat Clinics of San Antonio East Alabama Ear, Nose & Throat, P.C. ENT and Allergy Associates Hebert Medical Group Oregon Health and Science University Pinnacle Ear Nose & Throat Associates, LLC Premier Medical Group Select Physicians Alliance, PL South Florida ENT Southern New England ENT* Texas Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, P.A. University of Alabama – Birmingham Hospital University of Missouri Medical Center* White Rock ENT *Newly added You may report either as an individual or as a group. Individuals may report individual measures or measures groups, while practice groups may report individual performance measures only. If you decide to report as a group, first, understand your practice size as there are different CMS requirements depending upon how many Eligible Professionals (EPs) are in your group. Next, make sure to register with CMS if you plan to report as a group. For more information on group reporting and to self-nominate with CMS before the June 30, 2016 deadline, visit https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeedbackProgram/Self-Nomination-Registration.html. For practices of two to 99 EPs NEW! Practices of two to 99 EPs participating via the Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) may report quality measures via RegentSM for the 2016 reporting period, and Reporting Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for PQRS survey measures is optional. For practices with 100 or more EPs Groups with 100 or more EPs are also required to report the CAHPS for PQRS measures through a CMS-Certified Survey Vendor in addition to satisfactorily reporting PQRS measures via RegentSM. For more information on CAHPS for PQRS click here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/PQRS/downloads/2016PQRS_CAHPS_MadeSimple.pdf. 3. Learn about Regent’s measures and measures groups Visit www.entnet.org/Regent and click on the measures link in the right-hand navigation to view all of the measures contained in Regent. As noted above, RegentSM is also able to accommodate measures group reporting. The measures groups are listed here: www.entnet.org/content/quality-measures-groups. Get started Visit www.entnet.org/Regent and sign up to learn more. Then, make sure all the physicians in your practice are AAO-HNS Members and up-to-date on dues payment with the AAO-HNS even if they choose not to participate in RegentSM. Nurses, physician assistants, audiologists, speech pathologists, and non-physician providers do not have to become AAO-HNS Members to participate. Dues payment for 2017 starts in October 2016. All Member dues must be paid by January 15, 2017, for participation in RegentSM. Stay tuned to your AAO-HNSF emails and watch for our full launch date, which is anticipated to be late summer 2016. Visit www.entnet.org/Regent. PQRS reporting needs already addressed? PQRS reporting is just the first phase of RegentSM. RegentSM is the first Otolaryngology Clinical Data Registry and will be growing to include measures covering the depth and breadth of the specialty. In the future and as measures are added, Members will be able to engage with RegentSM data for research, quality improvement, and meeting Maintenance of Certification and licensure needs. If your practice or institution cares about defining quality in practice and documenting the value of the care you provide, then you need to become part of RegentSM, even if you don’t need to report for PQRS.

James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO

New payment models

This month’s Bulletin highlights many facets of the activities of our Health Policy team and the rapidly escalating demands that they face in the shifting healthcare environment.

Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President

A new year, academically speaking

June marks the end of another academic year and the completion of various aspects of training—medical school, residency, and fellowship. About 20.4 percent of Academy Members are in full-time academic practice, and another, more fluid group of practitioners are either in part-time or voluntary academic otolaryngology.