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Florida Pulmonary Society, Inc
FMA Recognized Specialty Society
Representing the interests of Florida Pulmonary Physicians
UPDATED10/16/02
READ ALL UPDATES BELOW
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MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CRISIS- 10/16/02
GOV BUSH HAS ESTABLISHED A STATEWIDE COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE CRISIS IN FLORIDA,- THERE WILL BE A MEETING IN ORLANDO NEXT WEEK -THE FMA WILL BE REPRESENTING OUR INTERESTS.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTACT DR.BERMAN (561-457-4989) ASAP IF YOU RECIEVE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOUR POLICY IS BEING CHANGED OR CANCELLED. ALL AHI INSUREDS- )
PLEASE CONTACT OUR SENATORS, NELSON & GRAHAM-ASK THEM TO SUPPORT TORT REFORM LEGISLATION .
----------------------------------------------- --------- --- ----- --------- --------- - Pulmonary Medicine rates have experienced among the highest increases of all specialites the past year. Pulmonary has been rated Class 1A in the past, but because of recent increases in claims, the class has been raised. If you have had 1 paid claim in excess of 100,000, you may be cancelled,or placed in a high risk class. Rates are as high as 70,000 in Dade County with 1 carrier (FPIC). Pulmonary Physicians are being named in suits that they had minimal contact with the patient. The situation is out of hand. There are a lot of reasons - insurance companies suffering losses, increase in suits but the 2 constants are- it is very easy for trial lawyers to initiate a suit, and are an unified, politically active group, hence legislation has been favorable for them..
Florida's Pulmonary Physicians, need to unite and as a group, and get behind organized medicines efforts to enact significant tort reform. The most effective is felt to be caps on awards-a constitutional admendment will be necessary. Legislative changes in expert witness qualification, and binding arbitration are being introduced.
The Florida Pulmonary Society fully supports the FMA in trying to enact significant reform, it will take a concerted and unified effort. The support of all Pulmonary Physicians is critical,we must be unified,aware of the challenges facing us.
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FPS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ENDORSED PROGRAM-AHI INSURANCE
For those FPS members (160) who are insured with AHI insurance have saved thousands of dollars. The company has had large losses with Pulmonary Medicine, and are being strict in underwriting. THERE IS STILL A FPS MEMBER CREDIT GIVEN FOR RISK MANAGEMENT, without a course being required, pending the Risk Management Home Study book being finalized. A FPS-AHI Risk Management committee is planned, physicians will be needed. Dr Berman and the AHI Director of RM feel that the development of a Pulmonary Risk Prevention plan will help to reduce the number of claims. Attempting to reduce exposure to suits are a high priority.
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FPS ENDORSED MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AGENT- MATT GRACEY,JR Matt has formed his own agency-Gracey & Associates,(561-276-6906) - he is the ONLY FPS ENDORSED MED MALPRACTICE AGENT.- Matt has established himself a a superspecialist in Medical Malpractice, Call Matt for any information about the AHI program, and before your next renewal.Matt has recently writen a number of articles for Florida Medical Business- he will send you this series of important information on professional liability and issues such as going bare. A must read!
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SPECIAL E MAIL ADDRESS FPSMEDMAL@AOL.COM
This has been established to have a rapid way to communicate with all members about the Med Malpractice situation, as well for members to write on any issue. It is important that we have your E Mail (or FAX) - This is an excellent way for all of us to communicate with each other. Please look for mailings-One was mailed 3/2/02.
Please inform your staff to forward any FPS correspondence to physicians or office manager . You are urged to E mail FPSMEDMAL@AOL.com , Dr Berman will reply to your response
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. ******** **** FPS ACTIVITIES-INFORMATION- (10/16/02 UPDATE) **************
_TORT REFORM- ON APRIL 11, DR BERMAN ATTENDED A MEETING OF SOUTH FLORIDA COALITION-FLORIDIANS FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE- THIS ENTITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BROWARD COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND
PHYSICIANS IN ORDER TO RAISE MONEY TO FUND THE CONSTITUTIONAL ADMENDMENT FOR A CAP. IKON POLITICAL CONSULTANTS WERE HIRED TO DO A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF AN AMENDMENT FOR A CAP ON NON-ECONOMIC AWARDS. DR. ART PALAMARA , VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION IS SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT. ALL INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PULMONARY PHYSICIANS SHOULD CONTACT DR BERMAN, OR DR PALAMARA ( 954-989-5533) FOR DETAILS. THE FPS SUPPORTS THESE EFFORTS. CALL- IT IS IMPORTANT!!!!!!
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MD CONSULT-THERE HAS NOT BEEN SIGNIFICANT INTEREST FROM MEMBERSHIP TO GET A GROUP DISCOUNT. AT LEAST 100 MEMBERS ARE NEEDED., TO GET A $25 DOLLAR DISCOUNT OFF THE $220 YEAR FEE. IF ANY INTEREST CONTACT DR. BERMAN
THIS IS A GOOD SAVINGS, -FOR FPS MEMBERS ONLY!
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The FPS represents Pulmonary Medicine on the Medicare Advisory Committee- *****NEW FLORIDA PULMONARY REHABILITATION POLICY***** will soon be published. It will be based on billing CPT codes for individual services during a rehab session. There is still not a National Policy for Pulmonary Rehabilation, only individual state policies.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FRENCH FINANCIAL GROUP-Joanne French is the endorsed agent for all insurances, Health,Medical IRAs, Long Term-Please contact Joanne, and identify yourself as a FPS member. Her number is 954 -351-1003 - or joanne@frenchfinancialgroup.com.Be on the lookout for a mailing from Joanne French-You will save Money!!
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FPSMEDMAL@aol.com -DO NOT HESITATE TO E MAIL DR. BERMAN WITH ANY ISSUES-
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10/16/02
THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE PAID 2002 DUES- FOR THOSE WHO HAVE
NOT PLEASE DO SO. EVERY FLORIDA PULMONARY PHYSICIAN WHO PRACTICES ANY CLINICAL MEDICINE SHOULD JOIN. THIS SOCIETY REPRESENTS YOUR INTERESTS WITH MEDICARE ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, HAS SAVED DRS WHO WERE IN THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE PROGRAM $$$$. THERE IS AN AGREEMENT WITH FRENCH FINANCIAL GROUP FOR ALL OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE, YOU WILL SAVE MORE THAN THE YEARLY $50 DUES.
JEFFREY BERMAN M.D FCCP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- FPS
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