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Upcoming Events
Past President Message - Dr. John Davine
Message from the Past President
After six years as president, I am happy to pass the torch on to my good friend and colleague, Phil Branshaw, MD. When I started as president in 2019, we did not foresee the looming COVID 19 pandemic which would alter the way we live life and do business for so many years. I am proud of the perseverance of the Kane County Medical Society and all its members throughout the last 6 years. Not only did we perform admirably for our patients and staff against a disruptive and lethal hundred-year virus, but we also persisted in the face of adversity from excessive regulation, insurance hassles, rising costs, and looming liability concerns.
A great thanks goes out to our executive director, Mara Little, who has been steadfast in her commitment to KCMS through challenging times, along with all our board members. Phil served as vice president last year and is now aided by longtime historian/new vice president Wayne Polek. Larry Johnson has given countless hours to KCMS as its long-standing treasurer. Brad Epstein has been a guiding force for us all but is sadden that he no longer carries the past president title! Louis Camras, Bob Nudera, Joe Onwuta and Patrick Para have been steadfast and loyal board members for many years. Will Velasquez, our resident member, has been a breath of fresh air and has reduced the average board age considerably. And I congratulate Bob Rivers, our KCMS 2024 Physician of the Year recipient, who has worked tirelessly for decades caring for residents of our county.
We have held numerous programs annually to represent the interests of member physicians, advocate for patients, promote the doctor/patient relationship, encourage the ethical practice of medicine and improve public health. Comradery is important in our profession, and I encourage all of you to attend more meetings and bring your younger colleagues to continue the mission of our 160-year-old medical society.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your president.
John Davine, MD, FAAFP
Illinois State Medical Society
2025
Do You Submit Medicare Part B Appeals through the NGSConnex Portal?
National Government Services (NGS), the regional Medicare contractor serving Illinois, recently implemented a new process to speed up delivery of appeal decision letters, also known as Medicare Part B Redetermination Notices (MRNs). The initiative, which is also expected to improve tracking, only impacts healthcare professionals who submit appeals for Medicare Part B using the NGSConnex portal.
Starting March 3, 3025, NGS will discontinue sending out paper appeal decision letters for redetermination requests that are submitted electronically through the NGSConnex portal. Instead, the letters will only be accessible to view and print electronically through the portal.
Please note that your beneficiaries will continue to receive a hard copy letter, as this change only affects those who submit an appeal through the NGSConnex portal. However, if you submit a redetermination request to NGS on paper through the U.S. postal mail or other means, the appeal decision letter will be mailed to you.
Register for NGS’ upcoming webinar, which will cover how to use the NGSConnex portal to submit and view/print MRNs:
Thursday, February 27
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CT)
If you have questions, please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.
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Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: What Illinois Doctors Need to Know
This on-demand course fulfills Illinois’ state mandate of 1 hour of CME pertaining to recognizing dementia, which is required for physicians who interact with patients 26 years of age or older.
Early diagnosis and thoughtful treatment of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are important for maximizing quality of life for patients with these conditions. Early detection may also allow for management strategies that may help slow the progression of the disease.
All physicians who may potentially engage with patients who are at risk for developing dementia should be up to date on the latest tools for addressing this illness.
ISMS offers an on-demand course, covering diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The program will also describe assessment tools that can be used to help in diagnosing the disease and how to apply effective communication strategies when working with patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: What Illinois Medical Professionals Need to Know
ISMS members and their employed staff may access this on-demand course at no cost! All others must pay $75.00 for this education.
The course fulfills 1 hour of CME pertaining to recognizing dementia, which is required for licensure renewal in Illinois for physicians who interact with patients 26 years of age or older.
If you have questions, please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.
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IDPH’s Webinar Series on Hot Issues Continues!
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is hosting a series of interactive info-sessions to raise timely awareness about emerging and high-impact public health issues that directly involve clinical care or health system considerations.
The FAST Public Health Allied Clinician Talks (PHACT) sessions will be presented by public health medical advisors and subject matter experts from IDPH and will also include a forum for addressing questions around clinician roles, such as triage, testing, reporting and prevention.
All healthcare professionals are invited to participate at no cost!
The four FAST PHACT webinars will be held on the third Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. (CT) and will focus on these issues:
· January 16: Health, Habits & Habitats: The Interrelated Roles of Frontline Clinicians – Public Health in Occupational/Environmental Exposures
· February 20: OneHealth: What Is it and What does it Mean for Every Clinician?
· March 20: Wisdom in Life, Wisdom in Health: Clinicians Guide to Elder Care Resources and End-of-Life Considerations
· April 17: Prenatal Care Considerations for PCPs
Register today for selected webinars!
Questions? Please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.
KCMS 2024 Annual Dinner Meeting
Wednesday, November 13 at Oscar Swan Country Inn
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Physician of the Year Award - Robert Rivers, MD
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Meet KCMS Resident Member and 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Career Options for Young Physicians
KCMS President Speaks to IMSA Students
KCMS President, Dr. John Davine, speaks to IMSA students interested in medicine.
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Telehealth Information2024-2025 KCMS Business Supporters | In Case You Missed ItEvent Playback - Managing the Adverse Effects of Radiation Therapy & Medical Management of Radiologic Casualties 6/8/2022 ___________________________________ Event Playback - Physician Employment - Legal Discussion 2/2/2022 ___________________________________ Event Playback - Appropriate opioid narcotic dosing. How to keep your medical license and effectively help patients with painful conditions on 1/19/2022 ___________________________________ Event Playback - Opioid Use Disorder in Kane County on 5/20/2021 Zoom Meeting Playback: click HERE _________________________________________________________________ |
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