Category: Uncategorized
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Physician Workforce Act Addresses Alabama’s Doctor Shortage So Patients Get the Care They Need
By Julia M. Boothe, M.D. If it seems you are having to to wait longer to get a doctor appointment than you used to, it’s not your imagination. Alabama is experiencing a physician shortage, and the results can be far worse than a mere inconvenience for your schedule. The physician shortage means patients are experiencing…
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WHAT DID THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023 TEACH US?
by Lindsey Phillips, Burr & Forman, LLP The first quarter of a new year often brings new laws, rules, regulations, and updates that have significant impact on the remainder of the year, and the first quarter of 2023 was no different. This article will briefly outline three of the most impactful healthcare law updates from…
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New DEA Requirements for Prescribers of Controlled Substances
The DEA has announced a new one-time, eight-hour training requirement for all DEA-registered practitioners on the treatment and management of patients with opioid/substance use disorder. This new requirement will go into effect with all DEA registrations or renewals occurring on or after June 27, 2023. Beginning on June 27, 2023, physicians will be required to…
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The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – What it Means for Alabama Healthcare Providers
By: Howard Bogard, Burr & Forman The Biden Administration recently announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) will end May 11, 2023. The PHE has been in effect since January of 2020. During the PHE, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) and other regulatory agencies eased certain restrictions for healthcare providers so…
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Discussions with Decision Makers: Rep. Susan DuBose
Representative Susan DuBose (R -Hoover) is the newly elected representative of district 45. Rep. DuBose worked as a residential, commercial and construction loan officer and business development officer for Compass Bank for over 12 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom to raise her two children in 1997. She is president of the Republican Women of…
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Grant Opportunity for Disaster Relief
Are you or do you know a physician whose practice was affected by the recent storms in Alabama? The Medical Association of the State of Alabama, in partnership with the AMA Foundation Disaster Relief Program, has a new grant opportunity to assist physicians to rebuild practices in their community. The grant aims to help practices…
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2023 Advocacy Agenda
As the professional association for some 7,000 physicians of all specialties in Alabama, theMedical Association of the State of Alabama exists to serve, lead, and unite physicians inpromoting the highest quality of healthcare for the people of Alabama through advocacy,information, and education General Policies Supported The Medical Association supports the physician-led health team model and…
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Discussions with Decision Makers: Rep. Frances Holk-Jones
Representative Frances Holk-Jones, a native of Foley, is the newly elected representative from the 95th district in Baldwin County. She is the first 4th generation State Farm agent in the country and is president of Frances Holk Insurance. Frances learned the importance of public service at an early age while watching both her grandfather and…
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I Have to Correct What?
By Kelli C. Fleming, Burr & Forman, LLP A client recently informed me that their practice was experiencing a large increase in the number of medical record amendment requests it was receiving from patients. My perception is that this is the result of two things: (1) the widespread transition to electronic medical records, and (2)…
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Stopping the Optometric Surgery Bill
For the 4th installment of an in-depth look into each of the Medical Association’s “Top 10 Highlights” from the 2022 regular session, we will look at the Association’s opposition to allowing optometrists the ability to perform eye surgeries using scalpels and lasers as well as performing eye injections. Outgoing Senator Jim McClendon, an optometrist himself…