Top Docs Radio

Caitlin Delfs

Autism Spectrum Disorder

The CDC estimates that the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the US is approximately

1:68 children. ASD affects more males (1:42 ) than females (1:189). ASD is a class of neurodevelopmental conditions including: interaction difficulties, communication and language impairments, and repetitive behaviors.

The average of at ASD diagnosis is around 4 years of age, but can be diagnosed much earlier.  Recent studies suggest that there is a gap between the number of children diagnosed with ASD and those

receiving services to treat ASD. Yet- we know early intervention helps children with ASD progress. Our

segment today focuses on the latest in ASD intervention and how technology has impacted the field. Top national expert, Dr. Caitlin Delfs, from the Marcus Autism Center joins us to provide the latest in ASD information and research findings.

More info soon!

 

Caitlin Delfs Autism Spectrum Disorder The CDC estimates that the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the US is approximately 1:68 children. ASD affects more males (1:42 ) than females (1:189). ASD is a class of neurodevelopmental conditions including: interaction difficulties, communication and language impairments, and repetitive behaviors. The average of at ASD diagnosis […]

Susan Moore and Laura McCrary

HealtheParadigm

I hosted a special edition of Top Docs Radio with MAG this week, to talk about healthcare information exchanges with MAG’s Susan Moore, and Laura McCrary, SVP of KaMMCO Health Solutions (KHS) and the executive director of the Kansas Health Information Network, Inc. (KHIN).

KHIN is a non-profit organization that provides health information exchange technology services to over 1,350 health care organizations throughout Kansas. KHS incorporates the KHIN formula for success with the valuable lessons learned and provides health exchange information and analytics services to physician-led organizations across the nation.  Laura has been instrumental in developing the new HealtheParadigm health information network that is available in Georgia.

Susan Moore is the Medical Association of Georgia’s Director of Third Party Payer and Health Policy. She will serve as MAG’s primary contact for HealtheParadigm.

MAG and KaMMCO Health Solutions (KHS) have established a partnership that is called HealtheParadigm that is transforming the state’s health care system with a health IT solution that enables physicians to generate sophisticated patient data reports that they can use to improve outcomes and fulfill the new quality-based payer metrics.

It features a private, statewide health information network that participating physicians can use to share key patient data. HealtheParadigm will appeal to a lot of physicians and other health care providers who have remained on the sidelines because they haven’t found the right ‘fit’ given the options that are currently available in Georgia.

With the new alternative payment models that have been developed by CMS as a result of federal law – including the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and a number of Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) – it is imperative for physicians to be able to secure and submit the data they need to demonstrate they are delivering quality care.

Physicians who participate in the HealtheParadigm network will have access to actionable, real time data and meaningful reports which can help identify high-risk patients and chronic disease populations and improve patient outcomes through enhanced care coordination.  Physicians have indicated they want a proven technology for connectivity that also delivers actionable intelligence while also providing patients with access to their own health data.

This new suite of health information tools not only provides physicians with seamless, real-time access to their patient’s full longitudinal medical record at the point of care but also prepares them for the transition to the MACRA/MIPS alternative payment models.  MAG has established a HealtheParadigm advisory committee that consists of physicians and MAG’s executive director, Donald J. Palmisano Jr.

Physicians can contact Susan Moore with MAG at [email protected] or 678-303- 9275 for details on how to begin using HealtheParadigm.

Special Guests:

Susan Moore, Director of Third Party Payer and Health Policy, Medical Association of Georgia

   

Laura McCrary, EVP, KaMMCO Health Solutions  

Ankur Chatterjee

Author Dr. Jay Faber and Enduring Hearts

Founded as a nonprofit organization in 2013, the mission of Enduring Hearts is to fund research that both increases the longevity of pediatric heart transplants and improves the quality of life for transplant recipients. The results of funded research projects contribute to the clinical and scientific knowledge about many important aspects of organ transplantation, e.g. the mechanisms of long-term organ deterioration, the consequences of tissue injury, and opportunities to intervene, postpone, and eliminate these rejection processes.

Executive Director for Enduring Hearts, Ankur Chatterjee joined me to talk about how the organization got its start and what it hopes to achieve by supporting research that will help extend the life

Dr. Faber is a veteran children’s and adult psychiatrist on staff at the Amen Clinic in Atlanta and in Costa Mesa, California.  He has written a book entitled “Escape: Rehab Your Brain to Stay out of the Legal System,” so he’ll be talking about this publication and how he believes this will be a game-changer for those who find themselves constantly getting into trouble with the law, often to the point of incarceration.

I was surprised to hear that as many as 85% of incarcerated Americans suffer from some form of substance abuse/addiction and many also face mental illness.  Dr. Faber’s book shares a road map for people who are dealing with substance abuse/addiction to be able to have a greater chance of recovery.

Susan Moore and Laura McCrary HealtheParadigm I hosted a special edition of Top Docs Radio with MAG this week, to talk about healthcare information exchanges with MAG’s Susan Moore, and Laura McCrary, SVP of KaMMCO Health Solutions (KHS) and the executive director of the Kansas Health Information Network, Inc. (KHIN). KHIN is a non-profit organization […]

Ankur Chatterjee Author Dr. Jay Faber and Enduring Hearts Founded as a nonprofit organization in 2013, the mission of Enduring Hearts is to fund research that both increases the longevity of pediatric heart transplants and improves the quality of life for transplant recipients. The results of funded research projects contribute to the clinical and scientific […]

 

Practice Transformation Networks Explained

This week, on MAG’s ongoing Top Docs Radio series, I hosted two experts in practice transformation networks (PTN’s).

The Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) is designed to help more than 150,000 U.S clinicians improve quality and reduce costs – keeping in mind that the Medicare is changing from a volume-based payment system to a quality-based payment system in the next several years. The four-year, $800 million TCPI initiative is being funded by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation.

It is aligned with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Medicare Access and Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The TCPI includes a network of 29 “practice transformation networks” (PTNs) that are designed to 1) improve health outcomes and 2) improve care coordination and 3) better engage patients and families and 4) improve patient, clinician and staff satisfaction and 5) reduce the overall cost of care. There is no cost for clinicians or practices to join a PTN. There are four PTNs that support clinicians in Georgia.

QualityImpact PTN

The QualityImpact PTN provides medical practices with meaningful support and resources to help them thrive in a value-based delivery environment. The QualityImpact PTN is a conduit and agent of CMS to work locally with physician groups and practices to assist them in preparation and readiness for alternative payment models. It provides services across the southeastern U.S. and beyond. It has already surpassed its enrollment target of 3,400 clinicians. Practices that enroll in the QualityImpact PTN receive a “comprehensive, transformation ‘package’ that includes: MDinsight – A sophisticated, EHR-integrated, population health management platform; Care Delivery Consulting – Process improvement facilitation enabling improved efficiency, quality, and proactive patient management; Clinical Quality Improvement – Expert-led guidance tailored to care gaps/opportunities.”

National Rural Accountable Care Consortium

NRACC has recruited more than 7,000 providers nationwide and is leading more than 876 practices through transformation from volume-based to value-based care payment models. TCPI will equip practices and clinics with the education and resources to establish the necessary population health framework and infrastructure at no cost to participating physicians while improving revenue through new billable wellness and prevention services. The following TCPI services are delivered to each practice location free for four years: Health Data Analytics Software offering a Quality Improvement Program, Risk Stratification, Annual Wellness Visit Tracking and Care Planning Program; Training & Development for Care Coordinators, Practice Managers, Billers and Coders; Implementation of a Billable Chronic Care Management program; 24/7 Nurse Advice Hotline; Patient Satisfaction Program with computer tablets for each practice; and PCMH readiness assessments every six months and training in Quarterly workshops.

Debra Simmons is the project director for the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control’s (COSEHC)QualityImpact PTN. She also serves as COSEHC’s executive director. COSEHC is a non-profit professional health care organization that is based at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina. Debra has a long history in health care – serving in such roles as clinical nurse, department director, chief nursing officer, and quality improvement program director in both pediatric and adult hospital settings.

Kathy Whitmire is the regional vice president of the National Rural Accountable Care Consortium. Her responsibilities include physician recruitment and oversight of continuous quality improvement for the Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative (TCPI) in the Southeast. Kathy’s experience is in health care reimbursement and education.

Practice Transformation Networks Explained This week, on MAG’s ongoing Top Docs Radio series, I hosted two experts in practice transformation networks (PTN’s). The Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) is designed to help more than 150,000 U.S clinicians improve quality and reduce costs – keeping in mind that the Medicare is changing from a volume-based payment […]

Tanya Mack and Dr. Hugo Ribot of Cartersville OB-GYN

Minimally-invasive Gynecologic Surgery

The field of women’s health has had some remarkable advancements in recent years – well even recent

months! Although there have been many advancements in women’s health, today’s show will focus on

three areas we have additional resources for here in Georgia: Laparoscopic Surgery, Maternal Fetal

Telemedicine in the OB office and Zika virus recommendations for pregnant women.

In this US, 1:9 women are expected to have a hysterectomy in their lifetime, mostly for benign disease. Technology advancements have now made it possible for MFM specialists to bring high risk care directly into the OB office vs. the patient traveling to a tertiary care center and well – the Zika virus has come to our communities in the US. Dr. Hugo Ribot has been a premier Georgia OB/GYN for over 20 years and has continued to be a top GYN surgeon and forward thinking obstetrician outside of the metro Atlanta area.

Time to get informed on what’s new in women’s health!

Special Guest:

Dr. Hugo Ribot, MD, Cartersville OB/GYN Associates 

Dr. Hugo Ribot

Tanya Mack and Dr. Hugo Ribot of Cartersville OB-GYN Minimally-invasive Gynecologic Surgery The field of women’s health has had some remarkable advancements in recent years – well even recent months! Although there have been many advancements in women’s health, today’s show will focus on three areas we have additional resources for here in Georgia: Laparoscopic […]