Check out FSMB's State-Specific Requirements for Initial Medical Licensure

Here's another great resource from FSMB that lists the minimum postgraduate training requirements, the maximum licensing examination attempts, and the time limits for completing licensing examination that each state requires for initial medical licensure. 

Check it out here.

A Message from the NAMSS Conference Chair -- Susan DuBois, CPMSM, CPCS

You probably noticed that registration for the 38^th Annual NAMSS Conference is open.  I hope you are planning to join me and hundreds of your friends and colleagues in New Orleans October 4-8! 

The Conference Committee, along with many others, have been planning what promises to be one of the best Annual Conferences in NAMSS’ history.  We have selected a wide variety of topics and presenters, some old friends and some new friends, that we can’t wait to hear from.  

In addition to the Annual Conference, we will be offering several pre-conference sessions on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, including Credentialing 101; CPCS and CPMSM Prep Courses and Becoming Your Own Advocate (held only on Sunday).  We’ve programmed many networking opportunities including a Roundtable Breakfast Networking Session; Becoming a Volunteer: An Introduction to Volunteering with NAMSS; and the Regional Roundtable Breakfast Session, formerly known as the Regional Luncheon Roundtable.   

There is no additional fee to attend any of these events, whereas in the past, you had to purchase a ticket to attend.  The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is a large beautiful hotel within walking distance of French Quarter, incredible restaurants, shopping, and just about anything else you might want to experience in New Orleans.  Many more details about the conference and online registration are available at NAMSS.org.  

Please share your favorite NAMSS Conference memories, the things you are looking forward to doing while in New Orleans and recommendations for your colleagues regarding places to eat and things to do while in New Orleans.  I’m excited for this year’s Annual Conference and hope to see you in October.   

Best wishes!  Susan     

CPEP and The Physician Reentry into the Workforce Project Release Physician Reentry Roadmap

"The Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP) and The Physician Reentry into the Workforce Project have collaborated to develop the 'Roadmap to Reentry.'  This comprehensive, 37-page booklet provides a wealth of useful material.  This endeavor was funded by the Colorado Trust’s Convening for Colorado program."

More information can be found physician-reentry.org.

CMS Issues Final Rule on Medicare CoPs

On May 7, CMS issued a final rule on certain Medicare CoPs as well as regulations pertaining to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) deemed "unnecessary, obsolete or excessively burdensome on hospitals and other health care providers."  CMS estimates that this rule will save $660 million each year.  

In April 2013, NAMSS provided comment to many provisions in this final rule, including dietitian privileging, medical staff membership, hospital governing bodies, and hospital outpatient orders. 

This final rule becomes effective 60 days after the date of its publication in the Federal Register on May 12, 2014.

NAMSS Releases Ideal Credentialing Standards at Industry Roundtable

Yesterday, NAMSS released best practice standards for practitioner credentialing at its Ideal Credentialing Standards (ICS) Roundtable.  The ICS Roundtable brought together representatives from government agencies and leading healthcare policy experts to discuss practitioner credentialing and how the ICS could be utilized.  

NAMSS has identified 13 essential data elements that serve as best practice for practitioner credentialing at medical facilities.  Today’s Roundtable provided a platform for thought leaders to discuss the flaws of the current credentialing system and the collaborative steps necessary to standardize provider credentialing.  

Credentialing is the gateway to patient safety.  Preventable Adverse Events in healthcare kill 200,000- 400,000 Americans annually, making them the third-leading cause of death in the United States.  Some of these deaths could be avoided if the healthcare system could better identify unqualified healthcare practitioners through the credentialing process.  Industry collaboration is essential to realize a credentialing system that reduces costs, streamlines the process – and ultimately, protects patients.   

NAMSS' Ideal Credentialing Standards can be downloaded here and on the NAMSS website.

Contact Molly Giammarco at mgiammarco@namss.org for more information.  

FSMB: State Medical Boards Adopt Policy Guidelines for Safe Practice of Telemedicine

Last week, state medical licensing board representatives approved "Model Policy on the Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine," FSMB's updated telemedicine guidelines to further ensure safe and high quality care.

Read more about these updated guidelines at www.fsmb.org.

TJC Releases Sentinel Event Statistics for 2013

Check out TJC's report for 2013 at www.jointcommission.org.