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Call for Abstracts - 2008 SCOA Annual Meeting

The SCOA is now accepting abstracts for the 2008 SCOA Annual Meeting taking place August 7-10 at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Kiawah Island, SC.  Attached to this posting is the Call for Abstracts for the upcoming event.

All of the information and forms you need to submit an abstract are attached.  Abstract submissions are due by March 15th.  The decisions of the Program Committee will be announced by April 15th.  Please remember those abstracts accepted for presentation will be provided 10 minutes during the General Session of the Annual Meeting.

The following are some basic instructions for submitting an abstract:

Abstract Submission Form – attached is the form that can be used to return your abstract to the SCOA office.  Please note that we can accept word documents emailed to our office as long as all the information requested on the Form is provided in your word document.  Download CallforAbstracts.doc

AAOS Financial Disclosure Form – please complete and return the attached Financial Disclosure Form.  This is a requirement of our CME accreditation and must be collected from all presenters. Download 2008_aaos_financial_disclosure.doc

AAOS FDA Disclosure Form – similar to the Financial Disclosure Form above, this is a mandatory requirement of our CME accreditation for all presenters. Download 2008_aaos_fda_disclosure.doc

All three of these forms may be returned to the SCOA office via email, fax, or regular mail using the contact information below. 

Thank you very much for your participation in the 2008 SCOA Annual Meeting.  We look forward to a fantastic event.

SCOA, 17503 Mallard Court, Lutz, FL 33559 - Tel: 866-949-3121 - Fax: 813-949-8994 - Email

Development of the South Carolina Association of Orthopaedic Executives

The South Carolina Orthopaedic Association is committed to assisting a group of enthusiastic leaders who are pursuing the development of the South Carolina Association of Orthopaedic Executives (SCAOE).  The leaders represent seven orthopaedic practices distributed throughout the state.  Their vision is to create a state-level organization of the American Association of Orthopaedic Executives (formerly known as the BONES Society).  The SCOA sees the development of this association as a major strategic initiative for the organization that will greatly enhance our communications and expertise.

The leadership of the SCAOE is planning two organizational meetings in 2008.  These meetings will lay the foundation for what will become an effective association.  The meetings will take place in conjunction with the AAOE Annual Conference in April in Charlotte and the SCOA Annual Conference in August in Kiawah Island.

We need your help in collecting contact information for all of the orthopaedic practice administrators and/or executives in South Carolina.  This will assist in the development of the association and notifications of upcoming meetings.  Please consider completing the form below and return it to the SCOA office. 

Thank you very much for your assistance and we look forward to the future growth of this association.

Please click here to download the remittance form;  Download development_of_sc_association_of_orthopaedic_executives.doc . 

SCOA Winter 2007 Newsletter Released

The SCOA is pleased to announce the release of the Winter 2007 Newsletter.  The issue was released to members via the SCOA website and email earlier today. 

To visit the SCOA Website please visit: http://www.scoanet.org/.

To view the SCOA Newsletter directly, please visit: SCOA Newsletter

SCMA Files Prompt Pay Legislation

The SCMA has filed Prompt Pay legislation in the South Carolina Senate.  Senate Bill 974 was filed on February 10th and would provide physicians protection from many of the unfair business tactics of health insurers in South Carolina.  This language is similar to that passed in many other states and contains many provisions included in the legal settlements with the health insurers.

Please look for additional alerts on this legislation in the coming months.

SCOA Announces Date of 2008 Annual Conference

2008 South Carolina Orthopaedic Association Annual Scientific Meeting
August 7-10, 2008
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island

This year’s signature event will include a dinner on Saturday evening at the famous Ocean Course Clubhouse at Kiawah Island.  A perfect venue for a fitting end to a fabulous weekend.  This is an opportunity you will not want to miss.

Please look for future announcements concerning the agenda, sponsorship opportunities, and registration.

Congress Passes Six Month Delay in Medicare Physician Payment Cuts

The United States Congress has approved the “Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007” (S. 2499), legislation that prevents the scheduled 10.1 percent cut in Medicare physician payments and extends authorization for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Senate approved the legislation by voice vote on December 18. The House approved the legislation on December 19. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation into law.

The following is a summary of the major provisions included in the “Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007” (S. 2499):

• Physician Payment—Prevents scheduled 10.1% cut in Medicare physician reimbursements. Replaces scheduled cut with a 0.5% increase through June 30, 2008.

• SCHIP—Extends SCHIP funding through March 31, 2009. Imposes a six-month delay on implementation of proposed administrative regulations relating to school-based services and rehabilitation services.

• Work Geographic Adjustment—Extends the work geographic index (GPCI) floor of 1.0 through June 30, 2008.

• Medicare Scarcity Payments— Extends provisions that provide a 5% bonus payment to physicians practicing in physician shortage areas through June 30, 2008.

• PQRI—Extends the physician quality reporting system and revises the Physician Assistance and Quality Initiative fund (more details once we see legislative language)
 
• Therapy Caps—Extends exceptions to therapy cap through June 30, 2008.

• Medicare Advantage Stabilization Fund—Removes $1.5 billion in 2012.

• Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Services—Permanently freezes the inpatient rehabilitation services compliance threshold at 60%, effective for cost reporting periods starting July 1, 2006, and allows co-morbid conditions to count toward this threshold.

• Military Physicians—Permits physicians in the armed services to engage in substitute billing arrangements for longer than 60 days when they are ordered to active duty.

SCOA Announces New Location and Management

I am writing to inform you of a change in the management of our South Carolina Orthopaedic Association and provide you with the updated contact information for the organization.

As many of you are aware, our Executive Director, Paul Biggers, PhD, submitted a letter of resignation this past summer.  Dr. Biggers represented our association with professionalism and commitment throughout his years of service.   We would like to recognize the numerous contributions he has made to the SCOA.  I would personally like to thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavors.

At the same time, we usher in a new era for the SCOA under the leadership of our new Executive Director, Mr. Fraser Cobbe.  Mr. Cobbe started his service to the association on November 1st.  He is very well regarded within the orthopaedic community through his service as Executive Director for the Florida Orthopaedic Society.  During the past seven years, the FOS has flourished under his guidance with a renewed emphasis on member benefits, communications, practice management services, and grassroots advocacy.  His achievements were recognized by the AAOS in 2003 when he was named Executive Director of the Year.  The FOS was the recipient of the State Society of the Year Award in 2006.   In addition to his continued service to the FOS, he has served as the Executive Director of the Bones Society of Florida for the past two years.   Mr. Cobbe brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our organization and I hope you will join me in giving him a very warm welcome.

Due to this transition in leadership, all of the contact information for the SCOA has changed.  The updated information is as follows:

Fraser Cobbe
Executive Director
South Carolina Orthopaedic Association
17503 Mallard Court
Lutz, FL 33559
Tel: 866-949-3121
Fax: 813-949-8994
Email: scoa@cobbemanagement.com

This transition has provided your SCOA leadership the opportunity to re-evaluate our organization and articulate a vision for our future.   We are committed to lead our association to new heights and hope you will join in our efforts.  Please feel free to contact me at any time. 

Bernie Kirol, MD - SCOA President