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The staff at GVIMS have been hard at work implementing an electronic medical record (EMR).
Since the fall of 2002, all medical records of GVIMS have been recorded and stored in an electronic, digital format. This means that all documents are either scanned, electronically transfered or manually entered into the patient's chart. The advantages are many, including greater accuracy, speed in retrieval, instant drug interaction information, just to name a few.
Web site design change
The web site for Grand Valley Internal Medicine Specialists has been enhanced. We look forward to your comments and suggestions.
New additions to the GVIMS family
Congratulations to Lisa & Doug on the birth of their daughter Bailey Jo Callaway. She was born on Sunday, June 15th at 2:40pm - Father's Day (7# 2oz)
Congratulations are also in order for Amy and Ron Snyder on the birth of their son Philip Snyder. He was born on June 19, 2003. (7# 6oz)
GVIMS is HIPAA compliant
The notice of privacy practices describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. The complete notice can be obtained by clicking on the PRIVACY button on the right side of the home page.
Dr. Jeff Wilt is 40 years old
Dr. Wilt celebrated his 40th birthday party with a large gathering of friends. Did you know that not only is Dr. Wilt an outstanding Pulmonary physician but also a great bowler.
Dr. Bos has left GVIMS
Dr. Bos has left Grand Valley Internal Medicine to accept a position at the Veterans Administration. This decision was a difficult decision for Dr. Bos as she enjoyed her relationships with her patients and her colleagues. This opportunity will however give her more time with her family. We wish her our best in her future endeavor.
Dr. Bos joined GVIMS in 1997 and has gained a well earned reputation as an excellent internist. She will be missed.
Important Disclaimer
This site and any information contained in this site or in the links provided by this site are provided as an educational service and are intended for general understanding and education. Any access to this site is voluntary and is done at the sole risk of the user. We have carefully prepared this site in an attempt to provide reliable medical information and links but cannot guarantee that the information will always be current. Application of medical information to specific patient circumstances should always be done in direct consultation with your physician. Information obtained from this site is used voluntarily by the user and is used at the sole risk of the user.
Congratulations - Dr. McGrath
Congratulations to David and Doreen McGrath on the birth of their daughter, Sophia. All are doing well.
News From The Hill
THE LEGISLATION
After a great deal of debate, lawmakers in Washington have produced and passed new legislation that, among other things, will restructure how Medicare will pay for physician-administered drugs.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION
PHARMACY BENEFIT
The pharmacy benefit under the new Medicare Part D will have the patient pay a monthly premium of approximately $35 and the first $250 in prescription drug costs. Once that deductible is met, Medicare will play 75% of the next $2000 in drug costs. The patient will then pay 100% of the next $2850 (referred to as the "donut hole"). From that point forward, Medicare will pay all but nominal cost sharing.
SELF-INJECTABLE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
The self-injectable demonstration project, a pilot program with limited coverage for certain self-injected biologics and oral oncology products, will commence within 90 days of the enactment of the bill. The project will last for two years and is funded to a maximum budget of $500,000,000.
A limited number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are expected to be eligible to receive Medicare coverage for self-injected biologics. The legislation requires that at lest 40% of the $500,000,000 be spent on oral oncology products. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has yet to finalize the details of project administration. The legislation provides that patient out-of-pocket costs will be based on the new Part D methodology and will present patients with a significantly higher co-pay than with Remicade® (infliximab).
PART B DRUG REIMBURSEMENT
The new law will continue to cover physician-administered (Part B) drugs and biologics with a 20% patient co-pay. The current drug reimbursement methodology will change from AWP (Average Wholesale Price)-5% in 2003 to AWP-15% in 2004. In 2005, the methodology will change to ASP (Average Selling Price) plus 6%. Finally, in 2006, the physician will have the choice of ASP+6% or going to a new system of competitive bidding* for drugs.
PRACTICE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT CHANGES
Congress has directed CMS to increase practice expense reimbursement for all infused products in 2004. Specifically, $500,000,000 has been added into the total CMS spending pool for practice expense reimbursement.
To increase efficiencies and further cost savings, CMS also has been directed to rectify current coding and payment issues so that reimbursement is based on complexity of administration, NOT physician specialty. Once all of these changes are made, physicians will receive more appropriate reimbursement for infusing Remicade in their offices.
HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT DRUG PAYMENT REFORM
The new legislation establishes more appropriate payment for drugs in the hospital outpatient setting. Single-source drug payment will go from 55% of AWP in 2003 to a floor of 88% in 2004 and 83% in 2005. In 2006, payment will be determined by a hospital cost survey that will be conducted by the General Accounting Office.
MEDICARE DRUG REFORM
LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES
The "voice" of non-oncology specialties was clearly heard in Washington and had a positive impact on the new legislation. The result of a strong collective advocacy effort produced several major legislative successes. CMS has been directed to increase practice expenses simultaneously as drug reimbursement is reduced, to correct current coding issues, and to increase payment for infused drugs provided in hospital outpatient departments.
Updated health links
Please see our updated health links on the bottom of the home page. New information is available on obesity and weight management and on hormone replacement therapy.
Go Red for Women
The American Heart Association is conducting a nationwide educational campaign increasing the awareness of heart disease in women. This campaign features a logo of a red dress that you might see doctors or nurses wearing. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women and while the death rates for heart disease in men have been declining, the rates for women have not been declining to as great of a degree.
Follow this link to the Spectrum Health Women's Heart Advantage:
Women and Heart Disease
Follow this link to the official AHA Go Red for Women site
NCEP Committee recommends getting cholesterol levels even lower.
The Coordinating Committee of the National Cholesterol Education Program has issued some new guidelines for the management of cholesterol levels. This statement was based on the results of 5 clinical trials that have shown the benefit of more aggressive cholesterol lowering. Here are a couple of the key recommendations:
1. For those with known coronary disease or diabetes, the previous goal for LDL cholesterol was <100 mg/dl. This remains the goal, but there is evidence to suggest that ideal would be an LDL-C goal of <70 mg/dl.
2. For those without coronary disease but with risk factors the previous goal for LDL-C was <130 mg/dl. This also continues to be the goal, but with a statement that LDL-C <100 mg/dl is ideal.
The important news is really that these clinical trials have suggested that aggressive lowering of cholesterol can stabilize and perhaps reverse cholesterol buildup in the arteries. Such treatment could reduce your future risk of heart attack or stroke.
Click here to visit the NCEP site for useful information on cholesterol lowering.
Click here to read about the recent recommendation changes
PhRMA has information on prescription assistance programs.
Many programs have become available to assist patients without prescription insurance coverage to be able to get the medications they need. Navigating through these various programs can however be a daunting task. PhRMA (the pharmaceutical manufacturers association) has put together a helpful website to help you find if you are eligible for assistance. To use the site, you enter the prescriptions your are taking and some basic information about your annual income, residency, location, etc... and the site searches for programs that you might qualify for. To try it out click here:
http://www.pharx.org/Intro.php
Update on Medicare Advantage Programs
GVMS has decided to expand the Medicare Advantage plans that we participate with to include:
Priority Health: For existing GVMS patients only.
Blue Care Network: This is still pending but should be available in the next 1-3 months.
GVMS participates with most Medicare Advantage plans that are a PFFS or fee for service:
* Medicare Plus Blue
* Unicare
* Secure Horizons Direct
* Humana Gold
* Priority Health (for existing GVMS patients only) (effective 5/1/2006)
* Blue Care Network Advantage(for existing GVMS patients only)
Welcome John W. Hamersma MD FAAFP
Grand Valley Medical Specialists, PLC (formally Grand Valley Internal Medicine Specialists, PLC) is pleased to introduce John W. Hamersma MD FAAFP as our newest associate. Dr. Hamersma is board certified in Family Medicine and has been in practice in the West Michigan area for several years. He has joined Grand Valley Medical Specialists, PLC to head up our new Family Medicine Division.
Dr. Hamersma has a special interest in Pediatric, Adult and Family medicine. He participates with most major health insurance carriers. He is accepting new patients.
Grand Valley Medical Specialists, PLC is excited to offer the West Michigan community Family Medicine as well as Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary/Critical Care services.
Call and ask us how we may meet all your families’ medical needs.
New Healthpointe Medical Building
Our Healthpointe Medical Building in the Metro Village is coming along with completion scheduled for sometime in late January 2008; open to see patients February 2008. Several of our physicians are relocating there to see patients. Those included in the relocation at this time are Drs. Kuhl, Kinsey Callaway, Hamersma and Katz. More details will follow. Our pulmonary division on Michigan Street will then close.
Flu shots available
Flu season is here and as of October 1, 2007, flu shots are now available for our patients. Walk-in flu shot hours are: Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30am to 11am, and 2pm until 4pm. Please make note of these available flu shot times.
GVMS welcomes new doctors
GVMS welcomes three new Internal Medicine physicians this year. They are Daniel R. Drumm, MD, Scott D. Oberlin, MD, and Jeffery A. Woo, MD. Dr. Drumm comes to us from Grand Rapids Associated Internists, PC. Both Drs. Oberlin and Woo recently completed their residency at Spectrum Health. Please refer to our physician directory on this web site for personal information on each physician. Dr. Bruce B. Brintnall will be retiring in January, 2008, after over 30 years in private practice. More information regarding his wonderful career will follow in the next month.
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