AMA LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE TO HELP PHYSICIANS VOLUNTEER IN HAITI Physician volunteers needed to support Haiti relief efforts—sign up today Web site can be accessed and physicians can sign up at www.ama-assn.org/go/haiti-volunteer. The information physicians provide through the registry will be used specifically for disaster response deployment to Haiti, and it may also be used should future disasters occur around the world. To help physician volunteers prepare for service, a free online training program from the AMA and the NDLS Education Consortium titled “Medical and public health responders: Prepare for the Haitian earthquake disaster relief efforts” is available. It will help physician volunteers gain a better understanding of the essential clinical and public health skills needed to manage individuals and populations affected by the earthquake. The program can be viewed at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/news/news/haiti-earthquake-response.shtml.
The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health Department has issued an updated Notifiable Conditions information sheet. It is available in the attached link. Notifiable Conditions as of 1/29/10
H1N1 Update: TMA has posted on their Web site (www.texmed.org) information concerning the H1N1 cases in Texas, plus links to the official state website, www.texasflu.org, and the CDC and DSHS websites. NCMS has updated information for physicians and patients available in the attached links.Physicians' H1N1 guide Patient H1N1 Guide • Getting Payment for Administering H1N1The H1N1 influenza vaccine and supplies - syringes, needles, and alcohol swabs - are provided free of charge to physicians and other vaccine providers. You may bill for administering the vaccine but not for the vaccine itself. TMA and HCMS have provided a H1N1 Coding and Billing table to be used. H1N1Coding Table • Reporting Side Effects >From an H1N1 VaccinationAdvise your patients that mild side effects after an H1N1 vaccination, such as discomfort at the injection site or a runny nose, are normal and go away within a day or two. However, in case your patients experience more serious side effects, tell them to call you immediately or seek care. CDC relies on reports from health care professionals like you to track adverse events. • Do You Have Questions on Your H1N1 Registration or Vaccine Order? DSHS is contacting physicians who have not completed registration to give H1N1 vaccinations. If you have any questions about your registration or your H1N1 vaccine order, you can contact DSHS at vaccallcenter@dshs.state.tx.us •See the attached link for ordering informationa and vaccine expiration date changes. H1N1 Online Ordering Information H1N1 Vaccine Expiration Dates
Physicians' H1N1 guide Patient H1N1 Guide
• Getting Payment for Administering H1N1The H1N1 influenza vaccine and supplies - syringes, needles, and alcohol swabs - are provided free of charge to physicians and other vaccine providers. You may bill for administering the vaccine but not for the vaccine itself. TMA and HCMS have provided a H1N1 Coding and Billing table to be used. H1N1Coding Table
• Reporting Side Effects >From an H1N1 VaccinationAdvise your patients that mild side effects after an H1N1 vaccination, such as discomfort at the injection site or a runny nose, are normal and go away within a day or two. However, in case your patients experience more serious side effects, tell them to call you immediately or seek care. CDC relies on reports from health care professionals like you to track adverse events.
• Do You Have Questions on Your H1N1 Registration or Vaccine Order? DSHS is contacting physicians who have not completed registration to give H1N1 vaccinations. If you have any questions about your registration or your H1N1 vaccine order, you can contact DSHS at vaccallcenter@dshs.state.tx.us
•See the attached link for ordering informationa and vaccine expiration date changes. H1N1 Online Ordering Information H1N1 Vaccine Expiration Dates
TMLT Announces Entrust Physician Referral Program: Are you pleased with TMLT's products and services? Would you entrust your colleagues to TMLT's care? Entrust, TMLT's policyholder referral program, can earn you rewards for participating. Refer 3 colleagues to TMLT and receive a free TMLT online 3-hour CME course to take at your convenience. Successful completion of the course makes you eligible for a 3% discount (up to $1000 per course) at your next renewal. If you think TMLT might be a good fit for your colleagues or associates, please contact TMLT. Sales staff will track the referrals you made and will let you know by phone or email when you have reached the requirement for your free online CME program. If you have any questions, please contact the sales department at 800-580-8658 or sales@tmlt.org.The Corpus Christi-Nueces County County Health District would like all physicians to register with the Public Health Information Network (Tx PHIN). See attached link for registration information. Tx PHIN registration information
The Corpus Christi-Nueces County County Health District would like all physicians to register with the Public Health Information Network (Tx PHIN). See attached link for registration information. Tx PHIN registration information
Interested in Health Care Reform? TMA has set up a website with current information on this important topic.Visit their website at www.MeandMyDoctor.com.
The Corpus Christi-Nueces County County Health District has guidelines for dispensing state provided antiviral through private pharmacies. See attached link for the complete information. CCNCPHD Antiviral Dispensing Guidelines Healthcare providers may pre-register to recieve the H1N1 vaccine. See attached link for registration information. H1N1 Vaccine Registration There are new guidelines for distributing the Intranasal H1N1 vaccine. Please see attached link for this information. Intranasal H1N1 guidelines As of 1/8/10 N1H1 vaccines may be ordered online.
The Corpus Christi-Nueces County County Health District has issued an alert for an increase in cases of Pertussis. Please contact the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health Communicable Disease Division @ 826-7251 for more information. See attached links for the newest information and immunization schedule. Pertussis letter to Physicians Adult's Schedule Children's Schedule
The Nueces County Medical Society recommends that everyone check their health on a regular basis. Dr. J. Stefan Walker has compiled a health assessment brochure that helps you evaluate your health status. That brochure and health maintenance information can be downloaded with the following links.
Health Assessment Brochure Women: Stay healthy at any age Men: Stay healthy at 50+
Scam Alert from CMS: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has become aware of a scam where perpetrators are sending faxes to physician offices posing as the Medicare carrier or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The fax instructs physician staff to respond to a questionnaire to provide an account information update within 48 hours in order to prevent a gap in Medicare payments. The fax may have the CMS logo and/or the contractor logo to enhance the appearance of authenticity. Medicare FFS providers, including physicians, non-physician practitioners, should be wary of this type of request. If you receive a request for information in the manner described above, please check with your contractor before submitting any information. Medicare providers should only send information to a Medicare contractor using the address found in the download section of the CMS.gov website found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.
Las Brisas:
The state environmental agency’s arm that acts as a public advocate has recommended denying the air permit required before Las Brisas Energy Center can be built.
According to an article in the Caller Times, “The applicant has not proven that the emissions from the permit will not cause adverse impacts to human health,” Scott Humphrey, assistant counsel for the Office of the Public Interest Counsel, wrote in a brief in the case. All briefs filed by the deadline will be considered by the judges making their recommendation in the case.
Three Texas Commission on Environmental Quality commissioners will make the final decision on Las Brisas’ air permit. The permit will allow the company to begin construction of a $3 billion petroleum coke-fired power plant on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. A decision is expected by summer.
The Nueces County Medical Society, the San Patricio, Aransas, Refugio County Medical Societies, and the Texas Medical Association oppose building the project as it is currently proposed. There are other available technologies that would create minimal potential impact on the health of the people of the Coastal Bend.
Additional information relating to Las Brisas Energy Center can be found in the attached links.
Las Brisas brochure sponsored by SPAR and NCMS Caller-Times ad 2/15/09
About NCMS
Founded in 1904, NCMS represents more than 750 physicians in Nueces County,Texas. Our Executive Board, various committees, and our support staff are available here.
Request a membership application, update your membership information for our records, view our Spotlight on New Members.
Things to make operating your practice easier-Texas Common Credentialing Application and Hassle Factor form
Use our online Member Finder to locate a member physician. A hard copy of our Directory is also available.
Browse through major articles in the current edition of our bimonthly magazine, "Coastal Bend Medicine". Advertising and subscriptions are also available.
Monthly newsletter
The 2009 - 2010 Pictorial Directories are still available at the Medical Society office, 1000 Morgan Ave, from 8am - 5pm. Please call 884.5442 for more information.
A listing of our upcoming events may be found here.
Sponsorship of Nueces County Medical Society events puts your business in front of 800 physicians of all specialties throughout Nueces County. CLICK HERE for details.
Looking for CME credits offered in the Coastal Bend? CLICK HERE
Founded in 1927, the more than 150 physician spouses comprising the Alliance are involved in a variety of current activities on behalf of the health and well being of the community.