by: Gene M. Battistella, DO

The end of summer and beginning of fall signifies so much to each of us. For our children and young people it sadly typically means the end of summer vacation and the return to school. For others it is the changing of the seasons evident in later sunrise and earlier sunset with more crisp and cool temperatures and the brilliance of colors in the changing of the leaves demonstrating the beauty of nature in our portion of the world here in Pennsylvania. Still for others it is the anticipation of the start of football, basketball, hockey, soccer and other fall sports seasons and the conclusion of baseball season, including playoffs. And yes, there are probably even those that look forward to “political season” with political advertisements, debates and the like that we see so much of at this time of year leading up to our fall elections. These are just some of the many examples of what we would typically experience at this time of the year. Obviously, this year is unlike any other that any of us have ever seen.

During this once in a lifetime (hopefully) pandemic, we have all had our sense of “normalcy” changed. Children are returning to school albeit in a different fashion mostly virtual or in a hybrid model with a small few in person, and certainly not in a usual sense overall. Sports are all over the place with hockey and basketball playoffs having just recently begun and in progress, football to hopefully proceed and baseball now being played in a rather unique setting as well in a shortened season. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Mother Nature has not been impacted by the pandemic demonstrated by the changing of seasons that is occurring and the onset of hurricane season in our Southern states, the latter unfortunately, not affected by this unusual year.

Why you may ask am I reflecting on these issues that are clearly evident to everyone? With ALL the uncertainty, unrest and change that has been going on our world already this year and appears likely to continue into the foreseeable future, I want to reassure you that the POMA continues to have the best interests of the Osteopathic physicians and our patients within the Commonwealth at the forefront of all that we DO. From issues of membership and member benefit, advocacy for our physicians and patients, reimbursement, and patient safety, to mentorship of students, residents as well as physicians along the entire spectrum of our careers and continuing to provide needed education and CME in virtual and other formats, in addition to those issues directly related to the COVID pandemic, the POMA is here for you as a trusted and easily accessible resource. Our POMA Central Office Staff and Leadership, the POMA Trustees of the Board of Directors and POMA Officers are continuing to move forward with all matters of the POMA for the benefit of our members and patients.

Should you have an issue to bring to our attention or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at POMA.org or 1-800- 544-POMA (7662). We are YOUR POMA and Osteopathic Family and will work tirelessly to resolve your issues or direct you appropriately to those who can if outside our realm. You have my pledge of commitment to each of you on behalf of all the POMA in this regard. In closing, as we continue moving forward, we at the POMA wish each of you nothing but the best in health, family and profession! Be safe and take care!

by: Diana Ewert

Do not judge the story by the chapter you walked in on.”  Unknown

Over the past two days, POMA has heard from several physicians inquiring about our relationship with the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. These run the spectrum from the assumption that POMA IS the licensing board (which we most certainly are not) to POMA never advocates for physicians with the board (which we most certainly do), most of which was brought on by the State Medical Board’s decision to suspend licensure fees for 2020. POMA has been advocating on behalf of osteopathic physicians in this same regard since the pandemic started to play out in March, including letters in April, notification of fee increases in our publications, seeking examples of hardship that could be shared with the board, statements that osteopathic physicians were experiencing economic upheaval and were unable to treat patients and generate income, and that obtaining the required continuing medical education could be compromised by the pandemic and shelter at home orders.  

POMA invests significant resources in representing the osteopathic profession in the Commonwealth. To infer that POMA has not been representing the osteopathic profession to the SBOM or to equate failure to obtain a desired outcome to a failure of effort is simply not true. POMA transitioned the Annual Clinical Assembly from a face to face meeting to virtual in a compressed period of time to ensure the required AOA Category 1-A credit could be offered in a convenient and contact free environment. POMA continues to attend and voice the concerns of the profession at SBOM meetings which are now held virtually. POMA has followed up with individuals requesting support with licensure and have been able to resolve a significant number of issues, especially with resident training licenses over the past two years. We provide substantial support on the PALS system when it was first implemented and continue to inform osteopathic physicians about SBOM activities.  

The decision on licensure fees was not POMA’s. POMA is not the SBOM. But understand, POMA was advocating at the SBOM on behalf of licensed osteopathic physicians for years prior to the pandemic and will continue to do so long after.

Legislative Action Heating Up in Harrisburg

As the weather starts to cool down after a hot summer, this is the time when the legislative activity begins to revs up in Pennsylvania state government. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is in the second year of a two-year legislative session. The majority of the year has been monopolized by COVID-19-related concerns and posturing. And, while COVID-related activity won’t end, there is a realization that any bill that does not see significant movement in September or October, will be dead for this session.

POMA is working to blunt or kill legislation that intends to take the over 40 administrative decisions taken by Governor Wolf under the COVID-19 disaster declaration and give them the full force of law for a year. This issue is being deliberated upon in Committee this week. POMA is also working in good faith with the Chairman of the House Professional Licensure Committee on a tentative compromise with the CRNPs who want full independent practice throughout the state, just like California and Florida recently enacted. Additionally, POMA is supporting legislation that would end balance billing of patients and setting reimbursement at a rate favorable to physicians and the cost of the care they provide. POMA is also advocating for more encompassing immunity for COVID-19-related treatment during the pandemic.

All of these bills and many more are being considered in a high-stress and fast-paced environment. POMA will continue to fight for Osteopathic physicians on all of these issues and more, until the last vote is taken!

POMA Districts Go Digital Series

POMA is bringing traditionally localized District Events right to your doorstep! POMA is excited to announce the Districts Go Digital Series. District leadership and the POMA team have arranged an engaging series of events that focus on education, wellness, fellowship, and networking. The events are designed to connect POMA members throughout all districts in a fun and unique way.   

These Member Only events are a part of the POMA strategic plan. Based on member feedback via surveys, events, and direct conversations, POMA members requested the opportunities to interact with POMA in a virtual setting, eliminating the need for travel. This is your voice and feedback in action. 

There are currently two events set with several more in the works. These will not replace your local district events but are additional options for you to enjoy.

• Therapeutic Uses for Medical Marijuana / Hosted by District 3 & 14 - Thursday, October 1, 8:00 pm – CME available*
• Wine with the President / Hosted by District 8 - Thursday, October 15, 8:00 pm

These events are open to all DOs regardless of experience, practice type, specialty, or age but you must be a POMA member to attend. We look forward to you joining us.

  POMA Dues Renewal

We all need family, especially in times like these.  POMA is your professional family and has been ceaselessly working on behalf of you and the osteopathic professional throughout the pandemic.  The impact on your professional and personal life is immeasurable.  That’s why it’s important to renew your membership today!

POMA's 2020-21 membership year began July 1 and it's easier than ever to remain part of our osteopathic community when you Choose POMA. Call 717-939-9318 x170 or renew online today – your username is 

Thank you for all you DO and thank you for continuing to Choose POMA! 

Physician Licensure Renewal Reminder

Osteopathic physicians are reminded that the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine requires 100 CME credits for the 2018-2020 licensure cycle, which ends October 31, 2020. 

As part of the 100 credits, physicians must earn at least 20 Category 1A AOA CME credits, at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (Category1 or Category 2), at least 2 hours of opioid education (Category1 or Category 2), and at least 12 patient safety credits (Category 1 or Category 2). The credits for child abuse recognition/reporting and opioid education are counted into the sum of 100 credits and/or sum of 20 Category 1A credits but do not overlap into patient safety.

Additionally, the child abuse recognition/reporting course must be documented and reported to the Pa. Department of State by an approved course provider. Topics that qualify for opioid education include pain management, identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. The credits for opioid education and patient safety credits must also be documented by an AOA, ACCME, AMA or AAFP accredited sponsor (institution, health system, professional association, etc.)

Please note: Renewal applications are typically opened 30-60 days prior to expiration dates. Please make sure you allow enough time for processing. Visit the checklist of application materials.

If you are a POMA member, we can affirm how many credits you have earned for all POMA-sponsored programs. However, if you have not completed your CME reporting forms and returned them to the Central Office, you will not receive credit. Any credits earned outside of the POMA must be sent to the Central Office in order for us to record them. Active members can access the system by clicking here.

*If you have not yet paid your 2020-2021 membership dues to maintain your "Active" status, you will no longer have access to POMA’s online CME module. Any requests for a CME record or a reprint of a POMA sponsored CME program will result in a $75 fee per request. 

Need Required CME Credits for License Renewal?

If you are still looking to fulfill CME requirements, visit DO-CME. This is an online collaborative education center with the osteopathic state societies and Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors.  It features on-demand programs, webinars and live educational opportunities that address a broad spectrum of topics, including content from POMA's 112th Annual Clinical Assembly, that are available for purchase.

*If you did not attend POMA's 112th Annual Clinical Assembly, the seminars are now available for purchase on DO-CME. Individual lectures are available for purchase, as are specialty bundles. Links to the bundles are below or you can search POMA on www.docme.org.

Bundles:

• Patient Safety
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• OMT
• Pediatrics

Opioid Lecture:

• Opioids

If you still need to fulfill your Child Abuse credits, please visit www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu.

Visit www.docme.org to start earning 1-A credits online. 

View the
newsletter online!  

POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.poma.org/covid-19 for all of our updates, as well as resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time.

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. POMA Districts Go Digital Series
5. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
6. POMA Dues Renewal
7. SoFi
8. Physician Licensure Renewal Reminder
9. Need Required CME Credits for License Renewal?
10. COVID-19 Updates
11. Upcoming District Events
12. Upcoming PGYP Meetings
13. Under the DOme
14. Welcome New Members
15. Classified Ads Information
16. Follow POMA on Social Media
17. POMPAC
18. Download the POMA App
19. Fee Regulations in Place
20. Calling All Writers
21. POFPS CME Certificates

CLASSIFIED AD
RATES
— Per insertion —

Member Ads*: $10 for the first 20 words, $.25 for each additional word. $2 each for special services: box letter, all caps or all bold type, boxing an ad in.

Non-member Ads: (Payment must be received in advance.) $50 for the first 20 words, .50 each additional word. $5 for each special service (listed above).

*Please Note: Member ad rate to be used only by POMA members and only for their medicine- or practice-related ads. Charges for other types of members’ ads will be calculated using the non-member ad rate.

POMA does not take a position of endorsing any organizations, individuals or services whose classified advertisements appear in this publication. The POMA Newsletter reserves the right to select and edit all advertisements submitted.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

POMPAC is the collective
voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.

Send your personal check to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card!

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

Download POMA’s Mobile App Today!

POMA’s free mobile app can be used all year long to find information on advocacy, education, association events, member benefits and more!

• Be in the know
• Get engaged
• Stay connected
• And many more valuable resources

Search POMA in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to download the free app today!

Fee Regulations In Place

Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved the regulations yesterday that will increase the licensure application and renewal fees for Osteopathic physicians and other clinicians under the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. This goes into effect for the renewal cycle which ends October 31, 2020.  The increase is $110 or $55 per year for Osteopathic physicians. 

Calling All Writers!

POMA is seeking writers for both the Journal of the POMA and the blog, "How Are You DOing?"

The Journal of the POMA is published four times a year and the blog is published each month in our newsletter.

If you are interested in submitting an article either now or in the future, please contact Brenda Dill at [email protected]. 

 POFPS CME Certificates

The POMA CME Team will begin the process of creating CME statements for the 45^th POFPS CME symposium next week. The certificates will be emailed soon. Thank you in advance for your patience as we navigate this new process for our 600+ conference attendees.

Just as a reminder, if you have not submitted your attestation form, please do so by September 30, 2020. Stay tuned for future progress updates.

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111  (717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org