Resources
Gassman Law Associatess - Estate and Trust Planning, Taxation, Business Law »
Physician Representation
MD_Knowledge: Your Guide to Health in 150 Articles »
Introducing..... MD_Knowledge: Your Guide to Health in 150 Articles by Dr. Jeff Steinhoff and Staff Contributors Medical progress changes rapidly. Today’s breakthrough treatment can quickly become tomorrow’s unexpectedly risky treatment. Information comes out quickly, sometimes even before it has been thoroughly thought out. The best examples are news stories about medical research on television. While these news stories are well-intentioned, they frequently confuse, scare, or misinform patients and their families because the details aren’t explained. More specifically, they don’t explain to whom the research does and does not apply. After three minutes of television, many patients are left more confused and frightened than before. The Internet, while an extraordinary medium for information exchange, also represents a potential risk for misinformation. There tends to be a reporting bias for bad outcomes and rare events in medicine. A great example is the cardiac pacemaker. While hundreds of thousands of patients have received them, with more than 95 percent doing very well, some patients do experience complications. Unfortunately, these unavoidable complications are the ones most likely to be found in chat rooms, blogs, and other websites. The result is a scared, bewildered patient who is unlikely to get a balanced education about a pacemaker. This book collects the first 150 MD_Knowledge articles, through 2012. More articles are also being added on the MD_Knowledge app and in the MD_Knowledge Shared Notebook on Evernote. We created MD_Knowledge to provide thoughtful analysis of medical news stories without overwhelming “doctor-talk” or overly technical medical-speak. Our hope is to help patients improve their understanding of medical care and communication with friends, family, and their healthcare providers. To that end, MD_Knowledge is not trying to uproot your relationship with your healthcare provider; we hope to supplement it. Please do not change any treatment or medications without talking to your physician or other provider first.
Background Screening Resource »
AHCA - Who is Required to be Screened...
Hearing Interpreters - Americans with Disabilities Act »
Hearing Interpreters - Americans with Disabilities Act
Florida Medicaid's ICD-10 - AHCA »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has mandated that all health care providers begin using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) on October 1, 2014. Florida Medicaid has developed plans for the transition of the diagnosis code set, and we look forward to assisting all Florida Medicaid providers and teams as they prepare for this change. Florida Medicaid’s ICD-10 page can be found in the public section of the Provider Web Portal at: http://portal.flmmis.com/FLPublic/Provider_ICD10/tabId/132/Default.aspx This web page contains many resources related to ICD-10, and will continue to grow in the coming months in preparation for the upcoming ICD-10 transition. This website not only houses general information related to ICD-10, but also has a section for training resources, ICD-10 related publications and support for ICD-10 related issues or concerns. Please take a moment to review the information available and share it with your Florida Medicaid community. As part of the preparation for the ICD-10 transition, there is a full team of ICD-10 Field Representatives to support your needs and the needs of the Florida Medicaid community. Your Field Representative can assist you with questions as well as deliver support and information in a live setting at your association meetings. For additional questions and concerns, please contact your local ICD-10 Field Service Representative at 1-800-289-7799, option 7. Thank you again for your interest in Florida Medicaid’s ICD-10 related efforts, and please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or concerns.
ICD-10 Implementation Guide »
ICD-10 Implementation Guide for Small and Medium Practices (1-20 provider single or multi-specialty groups) ICD-10 Implementation Guide for Large Practices Medscape Education Modules Here are two free video modules available for CE credit for physicians for ICD-10 transition. (1-20 provider single or multi-specialty groups)
UnitedHealthcare Core Providers »
Potential UnitedHealthcare members go to https://www.providerlookuponline.com/UHC/po7/Search.aspx , this is a list of core contracted providers. Current United members can sign in at www.myuhc.com . Once signed in, this site will provide the contact information specific to your plan.
SPC St. Petersburg College »
Continuing Education Upcoming Courses & Seminars - Mandatory Courses: Domestic Violence 2012 Update (Online) HIV/AIDS 2012 Update (Online) Medical Error Reduction (Online)
First Coast Service Options, Inc. »
First Coast Service Options (FCSO) has proudly served as one of the nation’s largest Medicare administrators for over 40 years, and is the current Medicare Administrative Contractor for Jurisdiction 9 (J9), which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida. The mission of FCSO is strongly linked to the Medicare program and the beneficiaries it serves. We contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide quality Medicare administrative services to the beneficiaries in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the health care providers who serve them. These services include claims processing, customer service, provider audit and reimbursement, provider enrollment, and various education and outreach activities. FCSO also performs financial management functions for CMS that help ensure the appropriateness of the Medicare benefit payments we issue.
2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares »
The mission of 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. (2-1-1 TBC) is to create connections between people and resources. 2-1-1 TBC serves as a vital communication link between health and human services resources and individuals seeking help. Our sole provider of information (gathering, sorting, validating, and distributing) provides those in need to quickly and efficiently access the health and human services delivery system.
EPI Watch-July 2012 »
World Hepatitis Day was commemorated on Saturday, July 28th. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recognizes this as a time to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. Any person, no matter their age, gender, race or ethnicity, can get the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are between four and five million Americans and more than 300,000 Floridians with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). One in 30 baby boomers is infected with hepatitis C. In July of 2012, the DOH data shows that there are 118,833 baby boomers in Florida who are currently infected with HCV. About two-thirds to three-fourths of people living with HCV do not know they are infected. It can take twenty to thirty years for hepatitis C to cause liver damage resulting in cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), liver cancer and even death. “Deaths from liver-destroying HCV are on the rise, and new data show baby boomers should take heed because they are most at risk,” said Administrator of the DOH Hepatitis Prevention Program Philip E. Reichert, MPH. “You don’t have to have symptoms, so that is why it is very important to get screened and begin a treatment program to prevent serious and permanent liver damage.” Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood containing the virus. It is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States. According to the CDC, sharing a needle while injecting illegal drugs is the biggest risk factor for becoming infected with this virus. Another risk factor is a previous blood transfusion. According to Reichert, “Before 1992, when widespread testing of the blood supply began, hepatitis C was commonly spread through blood transfusions”. This week, the CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis plans to release guidance on screening for HCV in conjunction with World Hepatitis Day. These will be CDC's first HCV screening guidelines published since 1998. The new hepatitis C recommendations propose that all U.S. baby boomers, the generation born between1945 and 1965, get a one-time blood test to determine if they are infected with hepatitis C. The one-time hepatitis C testing of baby boomers could identify more than 800,000 people with hepatitis C, prevent the costly consequences of liver cancer and other chronic liver diseases and save more than 120,000 lives. The DOH encourages everyone who may be at risk, including baby boomers, to ask their healthcare provider to test them for hepatitis C. A simple blood test may save not only your liver, but your life. Additional hepatitis information is available at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis or by contacting the Pinellas CHD Hepatitis Prevention Program at (727) 824-6932
Florida Board of Medicine »
MISSION: To protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties. VISION: A healthier future for the people of Florida. PURPOSE: To protect the public through health care licensure, enforcement and information. FOCUS: To be the nation's leader in quality health care regulation. VALUES: Integrity, Commitment, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Teamwork, & Empowerment.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Svs »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and health insurance portability standards. In addition to these programs, CMS has other responsibilities, including the administrative simplification standards from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), quality standards in long-term care facilities (more commonly referred to as nursing homes) through its survey and certification process, and clinical laboratory quality standards under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
Pinellas County Health Department »
Welcome to the Pinellas County Health Department The Pinellas County Health Department was established in 1936 and was the 7th county Health Department to open its doors in the State of Florida. Today, the Health Department has more than 600 employees in seven locations throughout Pinellas County all working to serve your needs in areas that range from controlling infectious diseases to safe drinking water to disaster preparedness. On this site you will find information about all areas of public health that can affect our community.
Anti-Obesity Grant’s Campaign »
Our site, www.FindtheFunNow.com, is designed to give people in Pinellas the opportunity to find active recreation and fresh foods by ZIP Code, neighborhood or budget. In December, we’re adding a smartphone app for Apple and Android. Find the Fun Now and get healthier and more fit! The Pinellas County Health Department’s anti-obesity Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant is funding policy changes that make it easier to find active fun and fresh foods—anywhere in the county. Click here to find places, events and healthy food offerings based on your ZIP Code, neighborhood, budget or time. Get fit, get healthy, get moving!
Florida Medical Association guide on CME requirements »
The State of Florida has some very specific requirements for licensure renewal that are unique to Florida. Florida Medical Association guide on CME requirements outlines the content that must be included for MDs and DOs under the Florida regulations. Please click on the above link (Florida Medical Association guide on CME requirements)for more information.
Tampa Bay MGMA Employment Opportunities »
Employment Opportunities - Clk on 'Tampa Bay MGMA' for the job descriptions.Follow the link below to apply via: their ‘taleo’ Tracking system. Hollie Jacobs [mailto:hjacobs@WomensCareFL.com] Recruiting manager at Women’s Care 813-286-0033 x2063.
New Prescription Pad Laws Effective July 1, 2011 »
Effective July 1, 2011, physicians and pharmacies (should) have been notified by the State of Florida of a new law requiring the use of counterfeit-proof script pads for controlled substances. Orders on a generic prescription pad will not be honored by the retail pharmacies. For additional information about counterfeit-proof pads and vendors follow the links below: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/counterfeit-proof.html Under "Frequently Asked Questions" tab... then scroll to "Pharmacists"...you can read details for the minimum specifications required on the counterfeit-proof prescription blanks/pads.
Benefits of Internet-based PECOS »
First Coast Service Options (FCSO) is responsible for furnishing Medicare claims administrative services for Part A and Part B health care providers located in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a Medicare administrative contractor (MAC), our responsibilities also include outreach and education. Therefore, when we learn of Medicare resources that would be beneficial to members of our provider community, we try to spread the word as much as possible. Some of your members may be considering enrolling as a provider in the Medicare program for the first time or may need to update the information contained within their enrollment record. We respectfully request that you encourage your members to utilize the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) instead of submitting a paper application. https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov/pecos/login.do Internet-based PECOS is not only 25 percent faster than the paper-based enrollment method, but it also facilitates the enrollment process for the provider by tailoring the application process to meet his or her specific needs and by automatically selecting the correct form. Checking the status of a Medicare enrollment application is also a lot easier with our Enrollment status lookup. With the increased volume of enrollment applications caused by recent graduations, using the fast track for enrollment is to the advantage of the provider community as well as the Medicare administrator responsible for application processing. We hope that you will share this information with your members and that you will encourage them to take advantage of Internet-based PECOS as well as the resources offered on medicare.fcso.com. Thank you for helping us to make the Medicare enrollment process faster and easier for everyone. Respectfully yours, FCSO’s Provider Outreach & Education Team
NOPE Task Force »
The Narcotic Overdose Prevention & Education (NOPE) Task Force is a group of community leaders and concerned parents working to save lives through dramatic personal presentations about the deadly consequences of drug abuse combined with ongoing efforts to influence anti-drug legislation and the provision of vital information about where young people with a substance abuse problem-and their families-can go for help. The NOPE Task Force is comprised of local law enforcement officials, members of the judicial system, addiction and parenting specialists, and most importantly, parents and family members who have lost loved ones to an accidental overdose or drug and alcohol related incidents.
Diversioninfo@pcsonet.com »
The Pinellas County Sheriff's office has created a new email address to report prescription drug abuse.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) »
Florida Chapter
