2023 was the warmest year on record in the United States and abroad. Climate change is already exacerbating existing health problems and leading to the emergence of new health threats.
As we begin a new year, many of us will think of new beginnings. We don’t need to wait until January of every year to start fresh. Popular poet, Juansen Dizon, wrote “I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.” We can write new chapters every day, and our story can take a new course any time in the year, not just on January 1.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule for 2024 Highlights
The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule was released on November 3, 2023. Included in the final rule are significant policy changes for 2024 of which offices and physicians should be aware.
Joanne K. Baker, DO, FACOI, ACOI 2023 Teacher of the Year, Reflects on her Career as an Education Pioneer
“It really took me back when I when I found out I was getting this; it was so humbling,” she says. “My entire career has been about teaching, and I've been involved with students and residents since I was a resident. That's when I fell in love with teaching. I don't do it for awards or accolades. So, it caught me off guard to even think that one of my residents would even think to nominate me because it's just part of what I do every day and I get such joy out of it”.
ACOI Congratulates Jennie H. Kwon, DO, MSCI on PACCARB Appointment
ACOI was honored to help support Dr. Kwon’s nomination to PACCARB.
“Dr. Kwon has an impressive track record of antimicrobial resistance research (AMR),” said ACOI President Robert T. Hasty, DO, FACOI, FACP. “PACCARB is fortunate to have the value of her expertise, including her work on strategies to prevent transmission of AMR.”
The CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule released on November 3 finalizes a 2024 conversion factor — the starting point for calculating physician payments — of $32.74, a decrease of $1.15 (or 3.37%) from the CY2023 conversion factor of $33.89. Roughly 90 percent of the cut is attributed to fee schedule budget neutrality requirements triggered by the impending January 1, 2024, implementation of G2211, an office/outpatient evaluation and management visit complexity add-on code.
CMS Accepting Applications for New Primary Care Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting applications through December 14, 2023, for new voluntary payment and delivery model — Making Care Primary (MCP). Eligibility requirements and additional details can be found in the request for applications. The model, which will run 10.5 years, will be launched on July 1, 2024 and will be tested in eight states: Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Carolina and certain counties in New York.
New President Named for the American College of Osteopathic Internists
ACOI announced the appointment of Robert T. Hasty, DO, FACOI, FACP, as President for 2023-2024 during the ACOI 2023 Annual Convention & Scientific Sessions in Tampa, Florida last week.
Dr. Hasty, who has served on the ACOI Board of Directors since 2015 enters the presidency with clear objectives in mind. “My goals are to grow ACOI’s advocacy efforts, while also continuing to advance our world class education that we know many osteopathic internists count on. Plus, we’ll focus on further increasing leadership and community opportunities for our internists.”
ACOI Congratulates 2023-2024 Student Internal Medicine Club Leaders
Two Current SOIMA Officers Progress to New Roles; Seven New Officers & Regional Representative Elected. ACOI announces the results of the second national election of officers for its Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) held in September.
From Student Member to Active ACOI Committee Participant, Dr. Anya Cope Enjoys Giving Back
Anya Cope, DO, FACOI, believes everyone matters and has value. Perhaps that is what drew her to serve on the ACOI Committee for Health Equity and Inclusion in Medicine. As Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in Harrogate Tennessee, she is using her time and talents paying forward her experience and personal philosophy of care and compassion as she grooms the next generation of osteopathic physicians.
