Ohioans Honored at National Meeting

Congratulations to all the Ohioans who were recognized at the American Osteopathic Foundations Honors Gala, held last week in Baltimore during OMED.

Rachel L. Giesey, DO – Rocovich Resarch Award

Jennifer Belsky, DO – Top 10 Emerging Leader

Kevin Chase, OMS III – Welch Scholars Grant

Erica Hollar, partner of Michael Hollar, DO – Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award

In addition to award recipients, several other Ohioans were in the spotlight during OMED including AOA Trustees Jennifer J. Hauler, DO, of Tipp City, and Robert W. Hostoffer, Jr., DO, of Cleveland, as well as Ohio native (and AOA President) Ronald R. Burns, DO.

Legislative Update

This week at the House of Representatives Health Committee, the panel approved legislation designed to control tuberculosis in child care and preschool programs. HB 210 faced opposition from the Columbus Public Health Department who said the bill requires that child care and preschool employees are screened for TB, even though the CDC does not list either of the groups at high risk for the disease. The official also said the bill’s definitions of a tuberculosis test are problematic. Committee members said these concerns will be addressed later in the legislative process. The Committee also approved:

• SB 101 to designate May as Preeclampsia Awareness Month; and
• HB 287 regarding Medicaid home and community-based waiver services for relatives of active duty military.

Other bills on the agenda included:

• HCR 15, which urges Congress and the US Department of Agriculture to continue to give states flexibility in administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and
• HB 40 regarding testing pregnant women for HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.

Anthem Continues to Audit Modifier 25 Claims

Per the AOA, health insurer Anthem will continue to audit claims billed with modifier 25, despite finding no widespread misuse. During a call, Anthem executives also said they have no plans to exclude physicians who have repeatedly shown their coding is accurate from future audits. Additionally, Anthem is proceeding with its new prepayment clinical validation process, which affects claims submitted with modifiers 25 (significant, separately identifiable E/M service), 59 (distinct procedural service) and 57 (decision for surgery). Anatomical modifiers are also subject to review.

Offices experiencing payment issues due to the Anthem policies are asked to submit supporting documents to the AOA at physicianservices@osteopathic.org.

The AOA continues to press Anthem for policy changes.

What’s Your Policy?

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is now accepting applications for its Osteopathic Health Policy Internship, an eight-week program in Washington, DC. The program, open typically to third and fourth year students, focuses on federal health care and higher education policy. Applications are due by January 24.

For residents, the American Osteopathic Association offers the Training in Policy Studies (TIPS) program. Applications for the year-long program, which typically begins in the fall, will open in May.

Fourth-year OU-HCOM students are eligible for the OOA health policy rotation. The elective introduces students to the state legislative process and public health policy formation.

The Osteopathic Health Policy Fellowship offers a year-long program for attendings and other leaders in the profession. Sponsored by AACOM, the program is directed by Daniel Skinner, PhD, assistant professor at OU-HCOM. The application cycle will open early next year.

Explore Your Options

The OOA job board has been revamped! If you’re considering another professional opportunity or just want to see what else is out there, have a look. You’ll find a listing of OOA’s institutional members with direct links to each organization’s vacancies.

If you’re a physician employer or work with a health care facility seeking a physician, you can advertise on this page. All listings appear for two months. Happy hunting!