The Online Abstract Submission deadline has been extended to March 31, 2008. ASIPP is seeking abstracts submissions for the 10th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians is now open. The meeting will be held June 21- June 25, 2008 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Washington, DC.

To be considered for a presentation at the meeting, abstracts must be submitted by the submission deadline of 5 pm Central Standard Time (CST) March 31, 2008.

Click here for rules an submission direction

After several verions over the last week, the final Medicare Extenders package is set to be taken up by the Senate and House today and no later than tomorrow (Wednesday). The bill is expected to pass both chambers no later than Thursday, and possibly sooner than that, and will then be sent to the President for signature before the end of the week.

The bill summary indicates a .05% increase rather than the proposed 10. 1% cut. Thank you to all the ASIPP members for the many letters sent and contacts made to reach Congress.

If you are interventional pain physician who owns or works in an ASC, it is very important that you send a comment letter to CMS addressing the many disparities which exist between ASC setting and HOPD setting. These disparities coupled with the new proposal by CMS are of great concern to SIPMS.

The cut-off for comment letters is Jan. 28, 2008 but please customize and send your letter(s) as soon as possible. If you send you letter via USPS you must send one original and two copies (3 total should be mailed). You may also send your comment letter electronically by clicking on the following link: Submit comment letter. We ask that you also get your staff involved as they may also send comment letters.

The docket number and titel is: CMS-1392-FC - Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Changes to the Hpsoital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2008 Payment Rates; Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2008Payment; Changes to Hospital Conditions of Participation; Changes Affecting Necessary Provider Designations of Critical Access Hospitals Rates

To assist you in sending your letter electronically, we have provided step-by-step instructions.

• Click on the link to access the sample letter
• Save the file to your computer
• Edit the letter as you desire adding your name and address to the letter
• Click on the following  CMS link to submit
• Click on the "Submit Comment" button
• Fill out the personal information screen and click "Continue"
• Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and type "attachment" in the text box
• Click on "Continue"
• Click on "browse," choose the Word file containing the saved comment letter
• Choose the appropriate file type and click and click on "Save Comments"

Make plans to attend ASIPP's comprehensive review course and hands-on cadaver workshop dedicated solely to vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and Sacroplasty on February 8-10, 2007 in Memphis TN. This CME educational program will consist of didactics covering various aspects of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, followed by a comprehensive hands- on cadaver workshop.

The course is designed to prepare physicians seeking credentialing or as an in-depth review of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Participants will experience a comprehensive learning opportunity focused on all aspects of vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and Sacroplasty.

Register before Jan. 18, 2008 to obtain the early registration discount! Visit the ASIPP Web site for more information.

Doctors often say healthcare would be better if insurers didn't interfere in medical decisions, and now some physicians in Kentucky have a chance to prove it. They have designed and will run a Medicare managed-care plan, called Essence, that stresses preventive care and low out-of-pocket costs for members. (Louisville Courier-Journal, December 18, 2007)

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 12, the N.J. Board of Medical Examiners reviewed the recent decision in Garcia v. HealthNet and Wayne Surgical Center and entertained application from the Medical Society of New Jersey and other physician organizations seeking he issuance of a Special Advisory Opinion. The Board also heard public comments from a number of interested persons, including representatives of physician groups and two insurers (HealthNet and Allstate). The Board notes that earlier this week, Judge Contillo denied the application request to intervene in the case, on the grounds that the applicant interests were ably represented in the litigation and, in any event, his earlier ruling was intended to affect only the rights of the parties before him.

Scott Becker's Review

A doctor who wrote prescriptions for an Oxycontin ring of more than 200 "patients" and generated hundreds of thousands of dollars was ordered to prison Friday for a 60-day evaluation.

Alexander Theodore - who also worked part-time as a physician at a juvenile detention facility - had pleaded guilty to four second-degree felony counts of drug distribution. Third District Robert Hilder initially sentenced Theodore to prison for up to 15 years, but relented and ordered the prison evaluation at the request of defense attorney Ronald Yengich. Sentencing is now set for Feb. 25, at which time Theodore could be returned to prison for the full one- to-15-year term.

The Salt Lake Tribune

Harvey Finkelstein is the Dix Hills Doctor whose medical malpractice exposed patients to blood-borne pathogen infections because of shoddy practices. Finkelstein, an anesthesiologist whose patient base reaches into the thousands, is no longer practicing medicine at three of the hospitals and clinics where he had privileges. So far, one patient contracted hepatitis C as a result of his practices; six other patients tested positive for hepatitis B and six more for hepatitis C. The state added 8,500 people to the list of patients notified that they are at risk due to Finkelstein's improper procedures; in all, nearly 11,000 patients have been identified. (Newsinferno.com - Dec. 17, 2007)

According to the State Medical Society on Long Island, Finkelstein has far more malpractice settlements than any other pain-management specialist and is among 475 of the state's 89, 681-0.5 percent-physicians statewide enrolled in the malpractice pool for doctors unable to get insurance. Finkelstein is insured as a pain management specialist, as pain management is a lower risk, lower cost specialty than anesthesiology.

ASIPP is now offering the Interventional Techniques In Chronic Spinal Pain to all meeting registrants at the special price of 50% off.

Interventional Techniques in Chronic Spinal Pain is the premier manual for interventionalists. With detailed descriptions of practical techniques in interventional pain management this is a must have publication for all interventioanl pain physicians. Additionally Eeach book comes with a complimentary CD version of the book.

To order your copy, go to ASIPP Web site.

ASIPP Publishing

ASIPP is offering a new feature for those who advertise on our Postions Wanted section of the ASIPP Website. As a service to our advertisers and our members, we will list the link to each current job posting.

Interventional Pain Physician -- Louisville, Kentucky

Partnership Opportunity - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pain Management -- Florida

Pain Management Opportunity -- Pennsylvania

Entrepreneurial Opportunity -- Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Florida Opportunities

Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Opportunity

Interventional Pain Specialist -- Toledo, Ohio

Interventional Pain Specialist -- Paducah, KY and Marion, IL

Interventional Pain Medicine Physician -- St. Cloud, Minnesota

Entrepreneurial Opportunity -- Wooster, Ohio

Musculoskeletal Interventionalist -- Dallas, Texas

Interventional Pain Specialist - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Interventional Pain Physician -- New Hampshire

Interventional Pain Physiatrist Wanted - Nevada