Evolving Models of Cardiovascular Practice Symposium November 2009

Survive and Thrive! Learn More about Evolving CV Practice Business Models
Your cardiology practice has grown successfully over the years, and you now have a larger practice with more physicians, perhaps mid levels, and a complex practice structure. You probably have entered into complex contractual arrangements with area hospitals. However, physician reimbursement fee cuts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) — along with new regulations and legislation — have shrunk your bottom line and at the same time reduced your ability to provide the kind of care you want for your patients. What do you do? How do you anticipate factors that may come into play in the years ahead? How do you take into account the many unknown elements of the still-evolving health care plan?

On November 5 - 6, 2009, ACC will provide you with some answers with “Evolving Models of Cardiovascular Practice,” an intensive, two-day practice management symposium. ACC is offering this timely course in response to the challenges that practices face in this uncertain health care policy and economic environment. At this symposium, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from experts on a wide range of topics and to learn from colleagues’ experiences through case study presentations. The collective knowledge and experience of the presenters will help you more fully understand practice alignment strategies, hospital integration models and accountable care organization (ACO) structures. What you learn from these experts will help you make the right decisions for your practice.

“Physicians need honest and trustworthy guidance in navigating these changes and making decisions that are best for their practice and associates,” says James T. Dove, M.D., M.A.C.C., a past president of the ACC. “Practices must be on a level playing field when they negotiate the [alignment] arrangements … Practice Administrators and physician leaders need to have the tools to effectively evaluate their environment and decide what strategy is best for them.” At this symposium not only will you be learning new ways of doing business, but you will also be able to connect with physicians and practice administrators who have the background to help you devise strategies, design solutions and avoid mistakes.

According to Dr. Dove, “The main thing that Physicians and Practice Administrators need to understand is that if it isn’t written, it may not happen … [Physicians] have repeatedly been misled by unwritten promises that turned out to come back and be ignored in future conversations.” By talking to your colleagues and experts in practice alignment at this symposium and by learning which questions to ask, you can avoid critical errors.

The course content will include information about the current state of health care and cardiology practices, ACOs, the CMS proposed fee cuts and health care reform. You will come away with an understanding of these topics and issues —

• practice integration strategies
• hospital integration models
• selling or leasing practices to hospitals and hospital systems
• navigating the maze of legal and anti-trust issues
• During the symposium, you also will review economic trends that affect your practice, gather information on the practical details of an integration deal, learn what happens once you sign on the dotted line and how to protect yourself in the event the arrangement goes wrong.

ACC’s goal in this symposium is to provide you with the information, tools and resources to help you navigate the process of practice alignment so that you can make well-informed decisions about whether to align with a hospital or not and, if you decide to join a hospital, ensure that the process works for you.

This symposium exemplifies ACC’s efforts in this topic area, starting with the Whitepaper, “Practice Management Opportunities: Practice Integration, Management Contracts and Business Opportunities,” which was first released at ACC.09 in Orlando. Since then, there has been a continuing series of articles in Cardiology magazine, and the whitepaper and articles are posted on the Practice Administrator Web site on www.acc.org/practicemgt/pmr_tools.htm.

Find Support for Your CV Practice in These Times of Change

“Never before in the history of medicine has the industry been faced with the paradigm shifts that we face today,” says Suzette Jaskie, CEO of West Michigan Heart in Grand Rapids. “Changes in the clinical medicine, but also the delivery and the business framework, are occurring rapidly.”

It is clear that the world of health care has grown more complex, and navigating the rapid-fire changes in regulations, pricing and management strategies has become more difficult. As a practice administrator, you are the one who makes the practice run smoothly. You are in charge of day-to-day issues and long-term strategies, and you ensure that quality standards of care are upheld. So, where can you go to get the answers and support you need to excel in your job during these uncertain times? How do you increase efficiency, productivity, profitability and accuracy so that both your practice and your patients thrive?

“In my mind,” says Ms. Jaskie, “the only truly effective management approach is when the clinical leadership and the administrative leadership become one team. In order for that team to be effective, we both need to understand the other’s perspectives and the overlay of the administrative membership into the clinically-focused organization facilitates that knowledge sharing.”

Now, more than ever, membership in the ACC as a Practice Administrator gives you the much-needed support you need to meet the challenges of a changing professional and economic climate. The ACC provides you with an extensive network of experts, colleagues and professionals in each facet of the cardiovascular care field and beyond.

As managers, you have a direct impact on the efficiency and success of your cardiology practice. As ACC members, you can enhance this success by providing the link between your private practice cardiovascular care team and the ACC, by getting involved in ACC initiatives and by taking advantage of the forum that ACC provides to discuss issues and solutions with other administrators and cardiovascular professionals. As an ACC member, you receive —
up-to-date information on key issues to help you protect your practice in the face of

• questions of alignment or regulatory cuts
• tools for improving clinical care management to boost productivity
• strategies to facilitate quality clinical care
• essential news regarding advocacy and reimbursement
  
• workforce information on physician supply and demand and team-based care.
  Administrative members are being added to ACC committees, helping to broaden the perspectives on issues that are vital for cardiologists and cardiology organizations.

More specific advantages of ACC membership include a broad range of professional education options tailored to your unique needs, access to industry resource centers, an array of online and print journals and leadership opportunities to bring your perspectives to ACC initiatives. Practice managers also have their own dedicated Web site, which provides a forum for information and discussion of current practice-based management issues. Also find information regarding practice guidelines and quality standards for cardiovascular medicine, online job recruitment and career solutions.

Practice administrators’ involvement in ACC advocacy efforts has resulted in more effective implementation of advocacy efforts, particularly with non-clinical issues such as billing and Medicare policies that affect the sustainability of a cardiology practice. Your membership in ACC can and does make a difference. It also enables you to guide your practice to the next level. Take advantage of the resources available from an organization that is working for and with you. Find out more and fill out an application today at http://www.acc.org/about/join/practice_admin_app.pdf.

What’s all the buzz about ACC’s Political Action Committee?

You may have seen or heard calls to action for the College’s political action committee, ACCPAC. Though the long newsletters, emails and solicitations can be daunting, the need and urgency is critical. If interested, the ACC wants to make it as easy as possible for you and the physician and nurse leaders in your practice to participate in ACCPAC. Getting involved is as easy as 1-2-3.

WHAT:
ACCPAC is a non-partisan committee formed to promote the shared political interests of members of the American College of Cardiology. The PAC’s mission is simple: helping to elect and support members of Congress that are supportive of our legislative priorities. By combining the voices and resources of members of the ACC, the PAC is able to send a powerful message to lawmakers about important issues that affect the quality of care provided to patients and to your practice’s bottom line.

WHY:
Approximately 7% of ACC members are supporters of the PAC. You would likely agree that issues like Medicare reimbursement rates, prevention & research, and the importance of medical imaging are issues that impact the majority of cardiology practices. That’s why it is important for more members to get involved. 100% of personal contributions to ACCPAC are used to inform and educate lawmakers on these very issues. With your help, we can be among the most robust political action committees in our industry.

HOW:
Visit www.accpacweb.org for more information. If you or a member of your practice is interested in getting politically involved visit our website. There you can view candidate disbursements, read frequently asked questions, and contribute online.

Contact Kaycee Smith at or 202-375-6665. The PAC can help you and your physician and nurse leaders meet with members of Congress and establish meaningful relationships.

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