State Legislative Update
- For most states, the 2017 legislative session has concluded. 2018 sessions start in January/February.
- The number of states that have adopted the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact stands at 22. 2 states currently have active legislation. The compact offers an expedited licensing process for physicians interested in practicing medicine across state lines.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how to improve your advocacy efforts, contact Grant Niver.
Federal Legislative Update
- Congress has several issues to address before the end of the year including funding the government, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization, and access to telestroke. The AAN sent an action alert to urge members of Congress to pass this legislation as soon as possible, please respond if you haven’t already.
- AAN member and child neurologist Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, MD, was elected to be the next governor of Virginia. Northam has been an AAN member since 1990 and will soon serve in the highest elected office ever held by a neurologist.
- The AAN participated in the American Medical Association’s 2017 Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates. Resolutions covered a number of topics important to neurology including the Quality Payment Program (QPP), drug pricing, physician burnout, reimbursement, medical marijuana, electronic health records, and opioids.
Stay up-to-date on #AANAdvocacy by reading the Capitol Hill Report and following the AAN’s Senior Legislative Counsel Mike Amery on Twitter at @MikeAmeryDC.
Medical Economics Update
- The 2017 Neurology Compensation and Productivity report and interactive dashboard is now available! It is free to members who participated in the most recent survey and a small fee for those who did not participate. Find it in the AAN Store.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) published the 2018 final Medicare physician fee schedule in early November. In the rule CMS reduced penalties and reporting requirements for several Medicare Programs. Learn more about the impact on Neurology and view final 2018 Medicare values.
For more information on AAN practice resources, visit our webpage
AAN Membership Update
- A new regional conference is scheduled for January 13 through 15, 2018, concurrent with the Breakthroughs in Neurology Conference in Orlando, FL. Career Essentials Conference: Foundation for Your Future is geared toward early career neurologists who are three to five years’ post-residency.
- Be sure to join the Consortium of Neurology Advanced Practice Providers on Synapse, and share with your APP colleagues. Ask questions of APPs, network, and share resources.
- The AAN Advanced Practice Provider Scholarship is now open. The AAN will be awarding two $2000 scholarships to help fund APP participation at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in nominating an APP or applying yourself, please click here for more information.
- The new Career Essentials Conference for early career members is now open for registration. The conference is designed for members no more than five years post-residency to learn the business, financial planning, and other skills that are not covered in residency. Spread the word about this family-friendly conference to be held in Orlando, FL, January 13–15, co-located with the Breakthroughs in Neurology conference.
- Registration is also open for the 2018 AAN Breakthroughs in Neurology Conference, January 12-15, 2018, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. The conference provides an opportunity to gain a year-in-review of the best neurology science and education in one convenient weekend.
Quality and Guidelines Update
