American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians

Rio Grande Valley Alliance Achieves Shared Savings Success Through Population Health  Physician-led ACOs have been shown to be more successful at improving outcomes and reducing costs than hospital-run ACOs. Looking at a case study with Rio Grande Valley Health Alliance (RGVHA) ACO in South Texas, learn how 24 primary care physicians joined together to become one of the top Medicare Shared Savings ACOs in Texas. Featured Speakers: Victoria Farias is the Program Administrator at Rio Grande. Josh Patten is the Lead Advisor and Medical Economist at Lightbeam Health Solutions.

Telemedicine is the fastest growing medical technology and will change the way physicians communicate with patients. This podcast explains how telemedicine provides additional touchpoints for physicians and patients in a busy family medicine practice and which telemedicine platforms can be used. Though not a replacement for in-office visits, telemedicine is especially helpful for managing patients with chronic disease(s) who need additional physician support between office visits. Depending on the state, telemedicine payments from private insurers may be the same as for a face-to-face visit. This episode was organized by the Alternative Payment Model Committee. Moderator: Christopher Scuderi, DO Clinical Associate Professor, Family Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville Medical Director, UF Health Family Medicine and Pediatrics-New Berlin Speaker: Nipa R. Shah, MD, FAAFP Professor and Chair, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine Chair, Task Force on Telemedicine University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville

Hierarchical Condition Coding - Document and Code for Serious Illnesses for Accurate Payment Hierarchical Condition Coding (HCC) is required in capitated plans such as Medicare Advantage. Coding should be specific for the patient’s condition and well documented in the patient’s record. Understand that HCC relates to serious life-altering, life-threatening conditions such as diabetes with complications, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, post-stroke syndrome, etc. HCC codes determine physician payment in Medicare Advantage plans. This podcast will help ACOFP members avoid common mistakes, properly document and code for serious conditions of their Medicare Advantage patients. Host: Christopher Scuderi, DO, Associate Chair, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine; Medical Director, UF Health Family Medicine and Pediatrics - New Berlin Speaker: Dr. Judella Haddad-Lacle, Associate Professor with the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville; Medical Director of UF Health Community and Family Medicine – Jacksonville; Medical Director and Chair Value Based Care Funding Team UF Jacksonville. The ACOFP Alternative Payment Committee is pleased to provide this member education podcast.

Anastasia Benson, DO is a family physician and owner of Paradigm Family Health, a direct primary care practice (DPC) in Dallas, Texas. In this episode, she shares learnings about the inner workings of her DPC practice. She reviews start-up costs, and how to set pricing for patients for office visits, tests, and screening. Dr. Benson actively recruits her patients from various civic activities, and lots of networking. Her enthusiasm for DPC shows! This episode was organized by the ACOFP Advanced Alternative Payment Committee.

Small things have a big impact on patients. Listen as Christopher Scuderi, DO, Associate Chair, Department of Family Medicine, U. Florida shares insightful ideas on how to improve patient satisfaction while delivering quality care. Change involves not just the physician, but everyone in the office. In reviewing feedback from patients seen in the clinic, he understands what patients are dissatisfied with and comes up with novel solutions. A negative review on social media can be devastating. Ensure your patients keep coming back happy with this comprehensive guide to improving patient satisfaction. This episode was organized as a Member Service by the ACOFP Alternative Payment Committee.

This podcast is a “tell all” about starting and maintaining a successful Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice; an interesting and less complex environment for family physicians. Chris Larson, DO is the CEO of Austin, Texas-based Euphoria Health DPC, which he founded three years ago. Dr. Larson provides answers to common DPC questions about start-up costs, number of patients in a typical practice, potential income, overhead costs, marketing a DPC practice, and contracting with labs and imaging facilities to get the best rates. This podcast was organized by the ACOFP Alternative Payment Model Committee.

An Annual Wellness Visit, or AWV, is recommended for all Medicare Part B patients who have been on Medicare for 12 months. The AWV determines the status of the patient’s overall health, including chronic disease(s), medications, weight and BMI, and more. Dr. Robert Pedowitz explains what is included and why it is important for all Medicare Part B patients to receive an AWV. You will also hear coding and payment information for AWVs, including that there is no co-pay for Medicare Part B patients. Presented by: Robert N. Pedowitz, DO Medical Director, Family Practice of CentraState, Freehold, New Jersey; Chairperson, ACOFP Alternative Payment Model Committee

The last element of the QPP is Clinical Practice Improvement Activities. These are ways your practice has improved processes, programs and care coordination to improve outcomes and the patient experience. This podcast teaches how these activities can help your practice as well as your QPP performance score. Presented by: Debbie Sarason, ACOFP Manager of Practice Enhancement and Quality Reporting

Advancing Care Information is the third element of the QPP. This is an attestation that focuses on how you are using your EMR to broaden your communication with referral physicians and your patients. The category of Advancing Care Information includes keeping your system secure and HIPPA compliant. Presented by: Debbie Sarason, ACOFP Manager of Practice Enhancement and Quality Reporting

Quality is the most important element of the CMS Quality Payment Program. This podcast summarizes the process for tracking quality outcomes during the year. It gives examples of quality measures for family physicians and how they are calculated and reported. The podcast also explains how population health can be used to improve outcomes and simplify identifying those patients who need care interventions to improve outcomes and reduce cost to the healthcare system. Presented by: Debbie Sarason, ACOFP Manager of Practice Enhancement and Quality Reporting

Resource Use is the second category used in QPP. Resource Use refers to the cost to the healthcare system of treating your Medicare Part B patients. This information is gathered through Medicare Claims that you file for the year. This podcast shows how CMS figures your Resource Use score. Presented by: Debbie Sarason, ACOFP Manager of Practice Enhancement and Quality Reporting

Nicole Bixler, DO, MBA, FACOFP discusses the various Alternative Payment Models, Medicare Advantage, Capitated Plans and Comprehensive Primary Care Plus in this podcast. She will cover key characteristics of each model to help decide which might be right for your family medicine practice.

Jay Shubrook, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP, Professor Primary Care Department, Touro University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, shares important information about the new CMS Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Shubrook discusses how to access resources and set up the program. He also explains the payments for physicians who enroll patients and the parameters for successful completion.

The first in the series of Quality Payment Program (QPP) podcast episodes explains what is new for 2018. It also provides a brief overview of the four categories that determine your performance score – and your incentive or penalty adjustment – Quality, Resource Use, Advancing Care Information and Clinical Practice Improvement Activities. Future podcasts will present a deeper dive into understanding each category of the QPP individually. Presented by: Debbie Sarason, ACOFP Manager of Practice Enhancement and Quality Reporting

Christopher Scuderi, DO discusses how successful practices place importance on creating shared and individual goals so the team clearly understands their “why.” Insuring that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and is educated and empowered to do their tasks exclusively saves time and resources. Physician-led mutual respect is essential for teams to function properly. Dr. Scuderi gives examples of effective communications and conflict resolution, as well as suggestions for team building that are simple and applicable to most family medicine offices. Dr. Scuderi also reviews the importance of having measurable goals and outcomes and how focusing on lead measures can make a difference.

Christopher Scuderi, DO presents how team-based care may help your practice balance the many challenges of being a Family Physician today. The change to a value-based healthcare system and implementation of the CMS Quality Payment Program are likely the two greatest challenges. Team-based care can provide solutions for Family Physicians, eligible professionals and staff, which can help to streamline the day-to-day processes in the office. Dr. Scuderi discusses the five key elements of team-based care and how he has successfully implemented them in his practice.

Crush the COMLEX! SAACOFP and a panel of top-scoring osteopathic students from around the nation who have recently aced their COMLEX Level 1 exams share their test taking skills. Learn tips and strategies, what resources they used, how they incorporated board studying with school, and much more! Panelists: Karla Guerra, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Candidate, Class of 2018 at C.U.S.O.M Garrett Harrison, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Candidate, Class of 2017, A-COM Alyssa Estes, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Candidate, Class of 2018, Touro - COM

This presentation discusses leadership at work, in the profession and at home. Dr. Nicole Bixler, DO, MBA, FACOFP shares her practice model: how to balance working full time and being involved in the osteopathic profession with maintaining a fulfilling home life.

This podcast is a forward-looking discussion focused on where medical technology is going. During the presentation, the speaker considers not only which technologies are and might be available, but how the practice of medicine might change if they are implemented.