Socioeconomics
AACE Members with Socioeconomic issues may utilize this webpage to access information that would be helpful for the management of your endocrine practice. In addition to this webpage, AACE helps to develop policies and strategies, as well as, serves as a membership resource, related to the effective positioning of the clinical endocrinologists, within the managed care or integrated health care delivery system.
The content of the Socioeconomic webpage is provided under the direction of the AACE Socioeconomic Committee. The Committee is also responsible for reporting and effectively responding to member hassle factor reports or grievance issues. They further receive reports from members of abuses by managed care, insurance payor, or other third party health care delivery system parties, and develop appropriate responses to resolve and address the problem(s). The Socioeconomic Committee regularly collects, disseminates, and publishes information related to reimbursement and policies for endocrinology services, including the Socioeconomic section in The First Messenger.
For more information, on Socioeconomic related issues, please see below or feel free to contact Melissa Cacia, Director of Socioeconomic & Member Advocacy at mcacia@aace.com or Jennifer Carlin Young, Practice Management Coordinator at jyoung@aace.com.
Clinical Trails for New Onset and Other T1DM Patients
Human clinical trials are the final phase of research done before a new drug or treatment is approved for the market. Many tests are conducted before the clinical trial stage to determine whether new treatments are both safe and effective for people. Participating in a clinical trial is one way you can play an important role in the fight to treat and cure type 1 diabetes. With this in mind, the AACE Task Force Re Joint Collaboration with JDRF recommends the following Web page for member review regarding clinical trials.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and AMA conducting Physician Practice Information Survey
For the first time in nearly a decade, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) , the American Medical Association (AMA), and more than 70 other health care professional organizations, have worked together to coordinate a comprehensive multi-specialty survey of America’s physician practices. The survey will collect up-to-date characteristics of thousands of physician practices from virtually all specialties, and be used in efforts to positively influence national decision makers to ensure accurate and fair representation for all physicians and patients.
Getting our nation’s policy-makers to understand today’s landscape and the requirements for care is critical. These data will allow medicine to articulate the challenges of running a practice that provides expert patient care, while operating a business that is sustainable. The study results will not only help in the short-term but will allow future generations of doctors to continue providing superior care to their patients.
One particularly important section of the study pertains to practice expenses and the amounts that are attributable to you. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have indicated that the results of this study will be used to help determine physician payment. Please encourage your staff to make this information available as the survey’s success depends on accurate and complete data. This information will remain confidential. The survey firm, Dmrkynetec, will not identify any individuals or entities participating in this research.
Dmrkynetec, a survey firm with extensive experience in the area of physician practice finance, has been retained to administer the survey. Dmrkynetec will contact randomly selected physicians and practice managers in order to collect their confidential responses. Please watch for this survey and complete it thoroughly and accurately. Do your part to represent our profession.
If you have any questions regarding the Dmrkynetec survey, please contact Melissa A. Cacia, AACE Director of Socioeconomics & Member Advocacy at (904) 353-7878 ext. 142.
National Study Support Letter
Physician Practice Information survey Frequently Asked Questions
AACE Successfully Petitions United Healthcare to Remove Radioactive Iodine Treatment Codes from Group Imaging Accreditation Policy
In a letter dated December 20, 2007, United Health Group informed AACE they will remove CPT® codes 78000 and 78001 from its Group Imaging Accreditation Policy (Attachment). The Policy, set to take effect on March 1, 2008, will require all physician offices, performing outpatient imaging studies and billing on a CMS 1500 claim form, to obtain accreditation from the College of Radiology (ACR) or the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), as a condition for reimbursement. These codes will now be removed from United’s accreditation list as they do not involve specific imaging of the thyroid gland.
In October 2007, AACE addressed the issue with United, indicating AACE’s concern with imaging modalities included in United Healthcare’s Nuclear Medicine Notification Table, specifically CPT® codes 78000-thyroid uptake; single determination and 78001- multiple uptake determinations (Attachment).
For additional information on this issue, please contact AACE Director of Socioeconomics & Member Advocacy, Melissa Cacia, CPC, PCA at 904-353-7878 ext. 142.