A Message from our 2008 President, Dr. Kemp Skokos, MD

2008 President's Message: Kemp Skokos, MD, President

"Organized Medicine & the Business of Healthcare Delivery"

Bringing physicians together represents one of OUR Pulaski County Medical Society's (PCMS) most important functions. For several years, a group of like-minded physicians have worked to better communicate with insurance companies regarding issues that impact all our medical practices.

Traditional networking opportunities have spawned and expanded a close-knit Central Arkansas Medical Community. Yet, with ever-increasing demands on their time, doctors must forge business alliances in order to ensure financial stability as they continue practicing medicine. This has created the rise of separate - and occasionally disparate - groups that can create a reluctance to collaborate in a search for common ground.

Yet, nearly every physician in private practice agrees on one thing: Health care insurance contracting looms as a mystery for us to puzzle over. A prime example is fee schedules.

The PCMS Carrier Relations Committee has worked for eight years to facilitate interaction between physicians and healthcare payer groups. Last year, the PCMS Carrier Relations Committee contacted six major carriers attempting to make the process of fee schedules more transparent by asking for answers to the following questions:

1. How often are fee schedules updated?

2. How can we obtain the fee schedule?

3. Is there notification of a fee schedule update?

4. Does everybody's fee schedule get updated at the time of implementation of the new fee schedule?

5. When was your (company's) last fee schedule updated?

6. What is the best method for obtaining a current fee schedule?

7. Are there any costs in obtaining the fee schedule?

Only one of the six carriers responded thus far. Plans are to intensify effors in 2008 to obtain this important information and publishh the results.

Last year we launched an Op-Ed column for PCMS News. Its purpose: to provide a physicians forum on issues that affect the well being of doctors, and health care in Arkansas. We strongly encourage anyone interested in creating peer dialogue to submit copy for this valuable forum.

Our PCMS "Power in Numbers" preferred vendor program is growing in popularity. For example, one group, The Woman's Clinic, expects to realize a 30-35% savings by contracting with ADP for payroll services. ADP is one of the PCMS preferred vendors. Each time a clinic contracts with a preferred vendor through the Power in Numbers Program, the Society receives a commission. It is a win-win situation.

Commettee service provides ample opportunity for participation in PCMS. Physicians can move from responsible positions at the county level to state and national leadership roles with the Arkansas Medical Society and American Medical Association if so desired.

Recruitment efforts begin early with the annual freshmen medical student luncheon hosted by PCMS. The August event includes an introduction to organized medicine by members of the PCMS Board of Directors.

The Pulaski County Medical Society (PCMS) was the first medical organization chartered by the State of Arkansas in 1866 and the 14th Arkansas business to receive corporate status. It is the largest (with 1200 members) and most active county medical society in Arkansas.

Pulaski County physicians have historically led in shaping the health care of our community. With a focus on improving community health, PCMS often sponsors local health initiatives ranging from polio immunizations in the '50s to today's support of clean air proposals.

We plan to continue this positive thrust toward improving community health care in 2008. You and I - through our society of highly trained, dedicated physicians - can work together to assure an atmosphere of good health for our businesses, and therefore for our patients.

If you have comments or questions, please let us know. And than you for your membership.