Don't ignore RUC surveys! Annual updates to the physician work relative values are based on recommendations from a committee involving the American Medical Association (AMA) and national medical specialty societies - the RUC. The RUC is an expert panel of the AMA and specialty societies charged with developing relative value recommendations to Medicare. A key part of the RUC process is the completion of relative value surveys. Data from these surveys are used to establish the physician work that determines Medicare reimbursement. A short, 30-minute webinar explaining the importance of the survey and the steps to complete it will be presented June 13 at 5 p.m. (ET). Please plan to attend. You can join us directly by using this link.
Important FDA Alert: The FDA is recommending health professionals limit the use of the highest approved dose of simvastatin (80 mg) because of increased risk of muscle damage. Patients taking simvastatin 80 mg daily have an increased risk of myopathy compared to patients taking lower doses of this drug or other drugs in the same class. This risk appears to be higher during the first year of treatment, is often the result of interactions with certain medicines, and is frequently associated with a genetic predisposition toward simvastatin-related myopathy. The most serious form of myopathy, called rhabdomyolysis, can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure which can be fatal. FDA is requiring changes to the simvastatin label to add new contraindications (should not be used with certain medications) and dose limitations for using simvastatin with certain medicines. The FDA recommends that simvastatin 80 mg should not be started in new patients, including patients already taking lower doses of the drug. Read the full alert.
You can keep on top of FDA alerts like the one above with PDR Drug Alerts (HCNN). PDR Drug Alerts offer immediate, electronic delivery of FDA-approved, specialty-specific drug alerts and safety information for ACC members, and are aggregated on PDR.net for convenient review. As an added benefit, you may also earn continuing medical education (CME) credit for Drug Alerts and FDA-approved product labeling. For more information and to register, go to www.acc.pdr.net. Your email or fax number will only be used to send and administer drug and device alert services.
Registration for the ACC's 2011 Legislative Conference is OPEN! Don't miss this opportunity to hear from ACC leaders and health policy experts on important issues facing the cardiovascular community and to meet directly with congressional leaders. A select number of scholarships are available for FITs, CCAs and Practice Administrators. In addition, new this year, the ACC Political Action Committee (PAC) is holding a special dinner and reception on Sunday, Sept. 11 featuring General Stanley McChrystal. Cost for the dinner is $250 per person, with reduced rates for FITs, CCAs and Practice Administrators. A special VIP reception with General McChrystal will also take place prior to the dinner for PAC donors who have contributed $1,000 or more. For more information, contact advocacyleg@acc.org or visit CardioSource.org/LegislativeConference.
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