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Congratulations to Dr. Lorie Gottwald - promoted to full professorship at the University of Toledo, College of Medicine
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Congratulations to Drs. Brett Coldiron and Ken Tomecki - elected to the AAD Board of Directors
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Welcome to Dr. Julian Trevino - trustee…completing Dr. Cardone’s term ending this year due to his resignation.
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“2008 ODA Distinguished Service Award” will be presented at the 25th Anniversary Celebration at this year’s annual meeting. A notice will be sent to all members requesting nominations.
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Discussed possibility of having a membership category for physician extenders and, also, a proposal to allow general pathologists who do a significant amount of dermatopathology. Drs, Burkhart, Gottwald, and Zirwas will work on this.
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Dr. Olsen attends the quarterly meetings of the Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC), which is the interface with Ohio's Medicare carrier, Palmetto GBA. The major topic for review and discussion involves Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) for all medicine and its specialties. Over the past couple of years there have been no significant dermatology issues. Within the last year, an LCD for dermagraft was approved; but the policy is liberal and easy to work with, and Dr. Olsen did not receive any feedback from dermatologists indicating that these were onerous provisions.
The Dermatology Carrier Advisory Committee (DermCAC) meets annually at the Academy meeting and receives input from the various state CAC representatives. If there is a national trend involving several different carriers, the DermCAC will bring this forward within the Academy and inform our members.
There are now 42 Medicare carriers in the country, and this will be downsized to 15 following an ongoing bidding process. The decision for the Ohio carrier (Region 15) will be made in the fall of this year with implementation approximately 1/1/09. Dr. Olsen has been impressed with the efficiency and operation at Palmetto GBA, who has submitted a bid to continue providing administrative services in Ohio.
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NPI numbers go into effect May 23, 2008. If one is incorporated, there is a requirement for two NPI #: one for the individual and one for the corporation.
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Details of the Healthcare Simplification Act (effective 7/1/08) can be found on the OSMA website
www.osma.org
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The Ohio Department of Insurance has established the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIP) to help protect and inform seniors.
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Medicare cuts – Dr. Barich encourages everyone to send a letter to Senators Brown and Voinovich, as explained on our website
www.ohderm.org
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Life membership: Drs. Mark Joel Rinsky, Ralph E. Reeds, Jr, and Joseph L. Kloss.
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New member: Susan Kindel, MD
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Mentorship Program: Six participating residents have been matched with their mentors.
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Nominating Committee - Drs. Burkhart, Hazel, and Gottwald will obtain two candidates for trustee from each district. Elections will be held prior to the annual meeting.
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OSMA - Dr. Joe Hazel is our delegate to the annual meeting in May. Dr. Tom Olsen was elected the alternate.
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Pharmacy - All physicians who are incorporated are required to have a pharmacy license to administer injectables. More on this in the next Derm Alert and in the newsletter.
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AAD Advisory Committee passed the resolution in early February 2008, submitted by Dr. Barich on behalf of the ODA “Resolution to prohibit the sale of tanning parlor ultraviolet radiation to those 17 years and younger”.
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HB 230 - It appears that the Chairman of the Commerce & Labor Committee does not want to bring the bill to a vote. Next year, the OSMA plans to introduce the bill in the Senate and the House at the same time.
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25th Annual Meeting - September 26-28 - Hilton Columbus at Easton. Plans to finalize the program schedule by May 1st. Information will be placed on the website as it becomes available. An anniversary gala is being planned for Saturday, September 27th at the Hilton…reception, dinner, speaker, and presentations.
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Resident Trustee - Dr. Routhouska would like to have the first meeting of a Resident Committee this year…two residents and one program director from each residency program. The goal is planning a board review at our 2009 meeting along with the possibility of a job fair.
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Excimer Laser - Scope of practice issue: Clarification will be obtained regarding this laser and who is permitted to operate it.