CEO Message february 1, 2008
Author: Lynn Rolston
Dear Member,
Countdown to Outlook 2008: 6 days!
Not Registered Yet? It's not too late...register online at www.cpha.com/Outlook
The CPhA staff is busy putting the finishing touches on what promises to be an outstanding Outlook 2008 meeting in Sacramento next week. The meeting begins on Thursday at 9:00am, when the registration desk opens in the Hyatt Regency. We are eager to greet all CPhA members and their guests and look forward to all the great events we have lined up for you.
You won't want to miss the opening and closing sessions of the CPhA House of Delegates on Thursday and Sunday, followed by the McKesson Presidents' Reception. Friday and Saturday are packed with vital CE courses, CPhA and PFC awards, engaging general sessions and guest speakers, opportunities to caucus with colleagues, an exceptional gathering of exhibitors in the Sacramento Convention Center Exhibit Hall (lunch is included both days), and finally, a myriad of networking and social events that will feature something for everyone.
OUTLOOK Attendees to Use NEW Online Process to Claim CE Credit
Thanks to generous support from McKesson/Health Mart, the Pharmacy Foundation of California is able to bring you a new service that will make it faster and easier to claim credit for the CE programs you attend at Outlook. Because this process is online, you will be able to complete the program evaluations whenever it is convenient for you, from anywhere you have Internet access. Whether you wish to complete your evaluations after each session at the Outlook cyber-café, or wait to complete them all at the same time when you get home, we've got you covered.
Here's how it will work: At the beginning of each CE program attendees will receive a "voucher code" that they can record on the Evaluation Note Pages included in the syllabus. Then, using a computer with an Internet connection, the attendee can access the CE Claim Credit website, enter the "voucher code", complete the program evaluation and have immediate access to their Statement of Credit. The whole process takes just a few minutes to complete!
We look forward to having all Outlook attendees use this new process and tell us how they like it. Detailed instructions and trained staff will be available at Outlook to answer any questions.
CPhA Insurance News
On Sunday January 27, 2008 the CPhA Insurance Committee met with Marsh Affinity Group Services, the broker for our sponsored insurance program, and Fireman's Fund, the insurer for the CPhA Workers' Compensation and Business Owners Package policy. At the meeting, Gary Thomas, Committee Chairman, welcomed the newest member to the committee, Gary Basrai. Gary is replacing Bob Duey, who has served the Insurance Committee loyally, for many years. Thanks to Bob for all his work. Our Workers' Compensation program renewal was a great success thanks to our exceptional rates and the team at Marsh, who have been very busy delivering dividend checks to members, renewing policies and bringing CPhA members into the program. Fireman's Fund also announced that Marsh and CPhA are the sole representative for pharmacists in California for the Business Owners Package. The policy was exclusively designed for CPhA members with a broadened "scope of practice" definition of pharmacy services for the professional liability coverage. Remember, for your business and personal insurance needs, call a Marsh representative at 888-926-CPhA. If you have questions, please call Veronica Van Orman at CPhA 916-779-1400 x311.
Medicare/Medi-Cal Meeting
On Monday, PPSI held a special Medicare/Medi-Cal meeting at the Mosconi Center during the San Francisco Gift Show. Speakers included Lucy Saldana from CMS, Kevin Gorospe from DHCS, and CPhA President Paul Lofholm. There were more than 20 attendees and everyone agreed that it was a worthwhile program. Paul Lofholm reported several highlights from Lucy's talk, including:
- As Medicare Part D beneficiaries move from one plan to another, there are differing transitioning times for certain types of patients. Ambulatory patients have one month transition time, and long-term care patients have three months transition time, during which their prescriptions should continue to be paid from the old plan.
- The administration for Part D vaccines has been moved from Part B to Part D; however, the pneumoccal, influenza virus and hepatitis B vaccines, the latter for high and intermediate risk patients, as well as some other vaccines, are still Part B drugs. In other words, the Part B vaccines continue to be billed under Part B. Part D billing is used for the ingredient cost and dispensing of the Part B vaccines.
- CMS continues to have oversight of the Plans, which includes audits and corrective action for noncompliance.
Click here for a copy of the slides from Lucy's presentation. We hope you find this helpful.
Additionally, Paul provided highlights from Kevin's talk, including:
- Confirmation that DHCS is in a holding pattern waiting for the new FULs to come out from CMS.
- That Medi-Cal will now pay for branded Oxycontin since the generic form is no longer available.
ACS Presentation
On Tuesday, several CPhA staff members as well as Michael Negrete, CEO of PFC, Jerry Mazzucca, CPhA Past President and John Ortego, APO Board Member, watched a demonstration by ACS. ACS is a company that serves as a fiscal intermediary for programs like Medicaid across the country. The EDS contract with Medi-Cal will be coming up for bid this year and ACS provided us with insight on features and programs that might be possible when the entire system is replaced, which is what the new contract will require. We look forward to taking a very active role with DCHS as they develop the RFP and work toward the election of a new firm. We thank ACS for providing us with insight and education.
California Chronic Care Coalition
Today, California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC) members met at CPhA headquarters for their first annual strategic planning session. This group came together as a result of the health care reform efforts taking place in California. While the Senate rejected the Governor's health care proposal, the CCCC intends to continue on, working for enhancements to the health care system for chronic care patients. Their goals include a significant emphasis on prevention and early intervention, which can deliver huge programs savings as well as improved patient outcomes. As a member of this coalition, CPhA looks forward to working along side these dedicated individuals during the coming year.
Medication Errors Report
The U.S. Pharmacopeia released its 8th Annual MEDMARX report indicating that look-alike/sound-alike drugs lead to medications errors. The medication errors subject matter is something CPhA has been working on and is very passionate about eradicating. You can read the U.S. Pharmacopeia release here.
Pharmacist's Letter - Vytorin Update
We reported on the Vytorin issue last week and now it has come to our attention that the Pharmacist's Letter has produced a patient handout on the subject. If you are a subscriber, you can read the Pharmacist's Letter by clicking here. If you are not a subscriber, you are missing out and should join today!
In the News
Earlier this week, the Governor's health care reform package was voted down by the Senate Health Committee. Below you will find links to a wide array of articles regarding the vote.
Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert: How they voted and what they said
Sacramento Bee - Health plan defeated Budget deficit fears cited at Senate panel's vote
San Jose Mercury News - Health care dream gets a lethal shot of budget reality
San Mateo Daily Journal - Governor's health care bill runs aground
Los Angeles Times - Panel kills Schwarzenegger's health plan
San Diego Union Tribune - Universal health care effort fails in California
San Francisco Chronicle - State Senate committee kills health care bill
Question of the Week
Dear Lynn,
I understand that you are getting a lot of questions about the theme for our party on Saturday night at Outlook. Please let everyone know that the theme is 1930's Chicago and if you wouldn't mind, please provide links where they can find examples of the attire of the day.
Sincerely,
Marie McNutt
AmerisourceBergen
Good Neighbor Pharmacy
Answer
Dear Marie,
I would be happy to provide that information. I know that everyone is looking forward to this wonderful party and all will have a great time as usual. Thanks again to you and Mike Quick and the rest of your team at AmerisourceBergen for your ongoing generous support.
Here are the links.
1930's Clothing for Women
1930's Clothing for Women
More for Women
1930's Clothing for Men
More for Men
Sincerely,
Lynn Rolston
Chief Executive Officer
California Pharmacists Association