The meeting was held on the day after a snow/ice storm affected our area, so attendance was down. However, there was some representation from upstate New York besides the usual contingent from NYC (and,of course, GLIPS!).

 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MEETING

 Proposed Dues Increase: A dues increase of $15 was proposed. No action was taken in the expectation that this will be discussed in the District Branches. The rationale is that a lot of work is done on our behalf and that costs are not going down. On the other hand, we continue to be squeezed by third party payers (see Medicare fees below).

 Political Action Committees: It is a sad fact of life that to keep our concerns as physician psychiatrists in the forefront of our lawmakers’ minds we must lobby. All members are encouraged to contribute to the NYS and national APA PAC. This seems to me to be common sense. The fact that psychologists are persistently able to get prescribing bills in front of state legislatures is evidence that they are willing to put up the money to be heard. Because we are not fighting to get something, it is too easy to feel  complacent. But the barbarians are at the gate!

Medicaid Preferred Drug List: While I think that this item invites general interest it will of course be of most interest to our members who practice in the public sector or who have a significant number of patients who are covered by Medicaid. Glenn Martin (Queens DB) reported that Antidepressant and Antipsychotic medications have been exempt from the Preferred Drug Plan for Medicaid in NYS. Glenn said that the plan has saved NYS about one quarter billion dollars. However, the Governor now wants to make Antidepressants subject to the preferred plan. The hassle factor will rise considerably for psychiatrists if this occurs. It has not occurred yet, as notice must be given, followed by public testimony. So stay tuned.

 Legislative Report:  Barry Pearlman (Westchester DB) reported that Richard Gallo will receive the NYSPA Distinguished Service Award (at the Fall Meeting) in honor of passage of Timothy’s Law. Timothy’s Law was implemented as of 1/1/07. There is a Task Force that is looking into parity for Alcohol and Substance Abuse care.

  Governor Spitzer has proposed a 1.2 billion cut in the MDCD budget. Nevertheless, the OMH budget is considered to be a good one. Additional monies have been added for programs for geriatric psychiatric services and for Transitional Services.

 On a positive note, it is expected that MDCR/MDCD reimbursements will be completely restored, i.e., the reduced MDCD contribution will be restored to the full amount. When will this happen? No date was given.

Look out!  NYS is looking to raise the licensing fee by $400 per registration period. It is suggested that psychiatrists contact their state legislators.

  Civil Commitment of Sexual Offenders: Seth Stein noted that some good aspects of the Governor-backed bill is that it will call for longer criminal sentences and early intervention. However NYSPA objects to the fundamental, conceptual basis of such legislation. NYSPA sees this as a social and political problem, not a psychiatric or public health problem. I agree. But speaking out in favor of fairness for Sex Offenders is dicey. The public does not see this as we do. My lay person friends roll their eyes whenever I talk about this. I think that NYSPA must tread carefully!

 Reduced Medicare Fees: Seth Stein addressed the issue of reduced fees for Medicare services provided at the usual psychiatric code levels: 90862, 90807, 90805, etc. He is strongly recommending that psychiatrists use E/M codes. The suggested E/M codes are associated with higher fees, but psychiatrists who use them can expect to be audited. He mentioned that NYS is subcontracting out to auditing firms and promising them a cut of whatever fees (“overpayments”) that they can recover. There are templates for Progress Notes on the NYSPA website. The templates are audit proof or “self-proving.” I see this as a real problem area. Those of us who feel a commitment to the care of older patients have been taking it on the chin for a long time. The choice facing the practitioner is to opt out of Medicare completely, accept insultingly low fees, or take Seth’s suggestion and prepare to be audited.

Miscellaneous items: 1) Herb Peyser (Manhattan DB) is running for APA Assembly Speaker-elect. Herb seems to evoke strong feelings from those who know him. He was one of my first supervisors when I was a resident – and he was a wonderful, awe-inspiring supervisor. 2) Jeff Borenstein, editor of the Bulletin, asked for contributions to the Bulletin. He also talked about his Healthy Minds television program which is produced by Channel 21, and which is shown twice each Sunday. It has been renewed for a second season. There is also a link on the NARSAD website. I got to spend some time chatting with Jeff during the meeting. He is a very bright and energetic guy with great ideas. Try to make time to watch his TV program.

Home | About GLIPS | Advocacy | Articles | Info for Patients | Member Information