News From CHEST Physician®

Thank you to all of the donors who made gifts during CHEST 2013 in Chicago.

If you missed us at the Annual Meeting, please consider making your tax-deductible donation before December 31, 2013.

Four areas of support:

• Research Grants and Awards;

• Youth Tobacco Prevention Programs;

• Patient and Public Education; and

• Humanitarian Programs

Three ways to give:

• Donate online: www.onebreath.org/donate

• Donate by phone: 847-498-8370

• Donate by mail:

The CHEST Foundation

3300 Dundee Road

Northbrook, IL 60062-2348

Two choices

• Annual Fund – Your donations will support current programs and activities

• Capital Campaign – Your donations will support future programs and activities including the new CHEST global headquarters and the Innovation, Simulation, and Training Center. Donor recognition opportunities for indoor and outdoor spaces are still available.

One mission

• Develop resources to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication and research.

Thank you to all of the donors who made gifts during CHEST 2013 in Chicago.

If you missed us at the Annual Meeting, please consider making your tax-deductible donation before December 31, 2013.

Four areas of support:

• Research Grants and Awards;

• Youth Tobacco Prevention Programs;

• Patient and Public Education; and

• Humanitarian Programs

Three ways to give:

• Donate online: www.onebreath.org/donate

• Donate by phone: 847-498-8370

• Donate by mail:

The CHEST Foundation

3300 Dundee Road

Northbrook, IL 60062-2348

Two choices

• Annual Fund – Your donations will support current programs and activities

• Capital Campaign – Your donations will support future programs and activities including the new CHEST global headquarters and the Innovation, Simulation, and Training Center. Donor recognition opportunities for indoor and outdoor spaces are still available.

One mission

• Develop resources to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication and research.

Thank you to all of the donors who made gifts during CHEST 2013 in Chicago.

If you missed us at the Annual Meeting, please consider making your tax-deductible donation before December 31, 2013.

Four areas of support:

• Research Grants and Awards;

• Youth Tobacco Prevention Programs;

• Patient and Public Education; and

• Humanitarian Programs

Three ways to give:

• Donate online: www.onebreath.org/donate

• Donate by phone: 847-498-8370

• Donate by mail:

The CHEST Foundation

3300 Dundee Road

Northbrook, IL 60062-2348

Two choices

• Annual Fund – Your donations will support current programs and activities

• Capital Campaign – Your donations will support future programs and activities including the new CHEST global headquarters and the Innovation, Simulation, and Training Center. Donor recognition opportunities for indoor and outdoor spaces are still available.

One mission

• Develop resources to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication and research.

Where is the best place to find information on how to use the ICD-10-CM codes? The answer is in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The guidelines are beneficial for both the provider and coder to ensure the most accurately described diagnosis is reported to represent the documentation of the service performed. The guidelines are used to give additional instruction when used with the conventions and instructions. Following the guidelines is required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The general guidelines are provided to give overall guidance for the ICD-10-CM code book. There are some similarities between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM (eg, How to Locate a Code, Level of Detail in Coding), and some different guidelines are specific to ICD-10-CM (eg, Laterality, Borderline Diagnosis).

The chapter-specific coding guidelines explain nuances found with some of the more complex diagnoses. These include HIV infections, sepsis, anemia associated with other conditions, diabetes, hypertension with other diseases, pressure ulcers, pregnancy, and injuries.

The guidelines will assist in sequencing rules, stages for some disease processes, and the hierarchy of certain codes. For example, anemia is sequenced as the principal diagnosis when associated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. It is sequenced as a second diagnosis when anemia is associated with a malignancy (which would be sequenced first). This is an example of where the guidelines are different in ICD-10-CM when compared with ICD-9-CM.

Diabetes can be coded to the highest level of specificity when using the guidelines. This includes the types of diabetes, use of insulin, and diabetes with other conditions. Diseases of the circulatory system can be very complex, but by utilizing the guidelines, explanations are given on coding, such as hypertension with coexisting conditions. Information includes sequencing and use of additional codes when needed.

Information and definitions also explain acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This is important because there are significant changes from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM in the timeframe for current and old AMI.

Injury coding will see a tremendous increase in the number of code possibilities. The additional information given in the guidelines explains the 7th character requirement for both treatment of a condition and healing status of fractures.

Whether you are just diving into ICD-10-CM or you have already have taken the plunge, you cannot become too familiar with the guidelines. Read and reread them, and highlight those trickier areas for quick reference. The provider and coder must work together to successfully implement this expansive change. The extra knowledge you can gain from the coding guidelines will be helpful not only to you but can be an educational tool when training others.

Ensure proper code assignment in ICD-10-CM by studying the conventions and guidelines in greater detail. Watch for part 2 in the January 2014 issue of CHEST Physician.

Brenda Edwards entered the coding and billing profession 25 years ago and has been involved in many aspects of the field. Her current responsibilities include chart auditing, coding and compliance education, and contributing articles to AAPC and industry publications. Brenda is an AAPC ICD-10-CM trainer and has presented for AAPC workshops, regional conferences, and local chapter meetings. She has also served on the AAPCC local chapter board of directors.

Where is the best place to find information on how to use the ICD-10-CM codes? The answer is in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The guidelines are beneficial for both the provider and coder to ensure the most accurately described diagnosis is reported to represent the documentation of the service performed. The guidelines are used to give additional instruction when used with the conventions and instructions. Following the guidelines is required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The general guidelines are provided to give overall guidance for the ICD-10-CM code book. There are some similarities between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM (eg, How to Locate a Code, Level of Detail in Coding), and some different guidelines are specific to ICD-10-CM (eg, Laterality, Borderline Diagnosis).

The chapter-specific coding guidelines explain nuances found with some of the more complex diagnoses. These include HIV infections, sepsis, anemia associated with other conditions, diabetes, hypertension with other diseases, pressure ulcers, pregnancy, and injuries.

The guidelines will assist in sequencing rules, stages for some disease processes, and the hierarchy of certain codes. For example, anemia is sequenced as the principal diagnosis when associated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. It is sequenced as a second diagnosis when anemia is associated with a malignancy (which would be sequenced first). This is an example of where the guidelines are different in ICD-10-CM when compared with ICD-9-CM.

Diabetes can be coded to the highest level of specificity when using the guidelines. This includes the types of diabetes, use of insulin, and diabetes with other conditions. Diseases of the circulatory system can be very complex, but by utilizing the guidelines, explanations are given on coding, such as hypertension with coexisting conditions. Information includes sequencing and use of additional codes when needed.

Information and definitions also explain acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This is important because there are significant changes from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM in the timeframe for current and old AMI.

Injury coding will see a tremendous increase in the number of code possibilities. The additional information given in the guidelines explains the 7th character requirement for both treatment of a condition and healing status of fractures.

Whether you are just diving into ICD-10-CM or you have already have taken the plunge, you cannot become too familiar with the guidelines. Read and reread them, and highlight those trickier areas for quick reference. The provider and coder must work together to successfully implement this expansive change. The extra knowledge you can gain from the coding guidelines will be helpful not only to you but can be an educational tool when training others.

Ensure proper code assignment in ICD-10-CM by studying the conventions and guidelines in greater detail. Watch for part 2 in the January 2014 issue of CHEST Physician.

Brenda Edwards entered the coding and billing profession 25 years ago and has been involved in many aspects of the field. Her current responsibilities include chart auditing, coding and compliance education, and contributing articles to AAPC and industry publications. Brenda is an AAPC ICD-10-CM trainer and has presented for AAPC workshops, regional conferences, and local chapter meetings. She has also served on the AAPCC local chapter board of directors.

Where is the best place to find information on how to use the ICD-10-CM codes? The answer is in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The guidelines are beneficial for both the provider and coder to ensure the most accurately described diagnosis is reported to represent the documentation of the service performed. The guidelines are used to give additional instruction when used with the conventions and instructions. Following the guidelines is required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The general guidelines are provided to give overall guidance for the ICD-10-CM code book. There are some similarities between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM (eg, How to Locate a Code, Level of Detail in Coding), and some different guidelines are specific to ICD-10-CM (eg, Laterality, Borderline Diagnosis).

The chapter-specific coding guidelines explain nuances found with some of the more complex diagnoses. These include HIV infections, sepsis, anemia associated with other conditions, diabetes, hypertension with other diseases, pressure ulcers, pregnancy, and injuries.

The guidelines will assist in sequencing rules, stages for some disease processes, and the hierarchy of certain codes. For example, anemia is sequenced as the principal diagnosis when associated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. It is sequenced as a second diagnosis when anemia is associated with a malignancy (which would be sequenced first). This is an example of where the guidelines are different in ICD-10-CM when compared with ICD-9-CM.

Diabetes can be coded to the highest level of specificity when using the guidelines. This includes the types of diabetes, use of insulin, and diabetes with other conditions. Diseases of the circulatory system can be very complex, but by utilizing the guidelines, explanations are given on coding, such as hypertension with coexisting conditions. Information includes sequencing and use of additional codes when needed.

Information and definitions also explain acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This is important because there are significant changes from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM in the timeframe for current and old AMI.

Injury coding will see a tremendous increase in the number of code possibilities. The additional information given in the guidelines explains the 7th character requirement for both treatment of a condition and healing status of fractures.

Whether you are just diving into ICD-10-CM or you have already have taken the plunge, you cannot become too familiar with the guidelines. Read and reread them, and highlight those trickier areas for quick reference. The provider and coder must work together to successfully implement this expansive change. The extra knowledge you can gain from the coding guidelines will be helpful not only to you but can be an educational tool when training others.

Ensure proper code assignment in ICD-10-CM by studying the conventions and guidelines in greater detail. Watch for part 2 in the January 2014 issue of CHEST Physician.

Brenda Edwards entered the coding and billing profession 25 years ago and has been involved in many aspects of the field. Her current responsibilities include chart auditing, coding and compliance education, and contributing articles to AAPC and industry publications. Brenda is an AAPC ICD-10-CM trainer and has presented for AAPC workshops, regional conferences, and local chapter meetings. She has also served on the AAPCC local chapter board of directors.

The NetWorks would not exist without the help of our member volunteers—those who serve on steering committees, review guideline manuscripts, and moderate and contribute to the e-Community.

We like to thank the following steering committee members who rotated off at CHEST 2013 in Chicago.

Council of NetWorks

Burton Lesnick, MD, FCCP - Chair

Airways Disorders

Linda Rogers, MD, FCCP

Allied Health

James Maguire, PhD, FCCP

Janice Wojcik, MD, FCCP

Chest Infections

Glenn Tillotson, PhD, FCCP - Chair

Richard Winn, MD, FCCP

Critical Care

Steven Simpson, MD, FCCP - Chair

MAJ David Bell, MC, USA, FCCP

James Geiling, MD, FCCP

Jean-Louis Vincent, MD, FCCP

Disaster Response

Dawn Hernandez, MD, FCCP

Thomas Kaleekal, MD, FCCP

LTC Mohammad Naeem, MC, USA, FCCP

Aleksander Shalshin, MD, FCCP

Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease

Kevin Flaherty, MD, FCCP

Interventional Chest/Diagnostic Procedures

Momen Wahidi, MD, FCCP - Chair

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

James Klinger, MD, FCCP - Chair

Occupational and Environmental Health

Yuh-Chin Tony Huang, MD, FCCP - Chair

Lawrence Mohr Jr., MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Arunabh Talwar, MBBS, FCCP

Sleep Medicine

Francoise Roux, MD, FCCP

Thoracic Oncology

John Handy, MD, FCCP

Women’s Health

Janet Myers, MD, FCCP - Chair

Tilottama Majumdar, MD, FCCP

Suryakanta Velamuri, MBBS, FCCP

The NetWorks would not exist without the help of our member volunteers—those who serve on steering committees, review guideline manuscripts, and moderate and contribute to the e-Community.

We like to thank the following steering committee members who rotated off at CHEST 2013 in Chicago.

Council of NetWorks

Burton Lesnick, MD, FCCP - Chair

Airways Disorders

Linda Rogers, MD, FCCP

Allied Health

James Maguire, PhD, FCCP

Janice Wojcik, MD, FCCP

Chest Infections

Glenn Tillotson, PhD, FCCP - Chair

Richard Winn, MD, FCCP

Critical Care

Steven Simpson, MD, FCCP - Chair

MAJ David Bell, MC, USA, FCCP

James Geiling, MD, FCCP

Jean-Louis Vincent, MD, FCCP

Disaster Response

Dawn Hernandez, MD, FCCP

Thomas Kaleekal, MD, FCCP

LTC Mohammad Naeem, MC, USA, FCCP

Aleksander Shalshin, MD, FCCP

Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease

Kevin Flaherty, MD, FCCP

Interventional Chest/Diagnostic Procedures

Momen Wahidi, MD, FCCP - Chair

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

James Klinger, MD, FCCP - Chair

Occupational and Environmental Health

Yuh-Chin Tony Huang, MD, FCCP - Chair

Lawrence Mohr Jr., MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Arunabh Talwar, MBBS, FCCP

Sleep Medicine

Francoise Roux, MD, FCCP

Thoracic Oncology

John Handy, MD, FCCP

Women’s Health

Janet Myers, MD, FCCP - Chair

Tilottama Majumdar, MD, FCCP

Suryakanta Velamuri, MBBS, FCCP

The NetWorks would not exist without the help of our member volunteers—those who serve on steering committees, review guideline manuscripts, and moderate and contribute to the e-Community.

We like to thank the following steering committee members who rotated off at CHEST 2013 in Chicago.

Council of NetWorks

Burton Lesnick, MD, FCCP - Chair

Airways Disorders

Linda Rogers, MD, FCCP

Allied Health

James Maguire, PhD, FCCP

Janice Wojcik, MD, FCCP

Chest Infections

Glenn Tillotson, PhD, FCCP - Chair

Richard Winn, MD, FCCP

Critical Care

Steven Simpson, MD, FCCP - Chair

MAJ David Bell, MC, USA, FCCP

James Geiling, MD, FCCP

Jean-Louis Vincent, MD, FCCP

Disaster Response

Dawn Hernandez, MD, FCCP

Thomas Kaleekal, MD, FCCP

LTC Mohammad Naeem, MC, USA, FCCP

Aleksander Shalshin, MD, FCCP

Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease

Kevin Flaherty, MD, FCCP

Interventional Chest/Diagnostic Procedures

Momen Wahidi, MD, FCCP - Chair

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

James Klinger, MD, FCCP - Chair

Occupational and Environmental Health

Yuh-Chin Tony Huang, MD, FCCP - Chair

Lawrence Mohr Jr., MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Arunabh Talwar, MBBS, FCCP

Sleep Medicine

Francoise Roux, MD, FCCP

Thoracic Oncology

John Handy, MD, FCCP

Women’s Health

Janet Myers, MD, FCCP - Chair

Tilottama Majumdar, MD, FCCP

Suryakanta Velamuri, MBBS, FCCP

An ACCP Past President is the inaugural recipient of the The Frances K. Friedman and Oscar Friedman, MD, ’36 Endowed Professorship for Pulmonary Disorders. Dr. Kalpalatha K. Guntupalli, FCCP, is an internationally recognized master clinician, educator, and scientist who has made numerous contributions to what is now state-of-the-art care of patients with ARDS and other life-threatening acute lung diseases.

Dr. Guntupalli is Chief of the Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

An ACCP Past President is the inaugural recipient of the The Frances K. Friedman and Oscar Friedman, MD, ’36 Endowed Professorship for Pulmonary Disorders. Dr. Kalpalatha K. Guntupalli, FCCP, is an internationally recognized master clinician, educator, and scientist who has made numerous contributions to what is now state-of-the-art care of patients with ARDS and other life-threatening acute lung diseases.

Dr. Guntupalli is Chief of the Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

An ACCP Past President is the inaugural recipient of the The Frances K. Friedman and Oscar Friedman, MD, ’36 Endowed Professorship for Pulmonary Disorders. Dr. Kalpalatha K. Guntupalli, FCCP, is an internationally recognized master clinician, educator, and scientist who has made numerous contributions to what is now state-of-the-art care of patients with ARDS and other life-threatening acute lung diseases.

Dr. Guntupalli is Chief of the Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

CPAP is the first-line medical treatment for OSA in adults. It has been shown to reduce or normalize the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturations, and arousals from sleep, which are characteristics of OSA. However, the practical benefits of CPAP are limited by patients’ use of the treatment. Over the past 20 years, a large body of evidence suggests that average CPAP use is 4.7 hours/night and that approximately 50% of adults prescribed CPAP are not adherent to therapy (Sawyer et al. Sleep Med Rev. 2011;15[16]:343). These excessively high rates of nonadherence contribute to discordance between the high efficacy of CPAP and its far more modest effectiveness in clinical practice.

Health-care providers and researchers historically depended upon self-reported CPAP use as the measure of treatment adherence. Unfortunately, this metric is now recognized as inadequate, as it typically overestimates actual use.

CPAP is the first-line medical treatment for OSA in adults. It has been shown to reduce or normalize the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturations, and arousals from sleep, which are characteristics of OSA. However, the practical benefits of CPAP are limited by patients’ use of the treatment. Over the past 20 years, a large body of evidence suggests that average CPAP use is 4.7 hours/night and that approximately 50% of adults prescribed CPAP are not adherent to therapy (Sawyer et al. Sleep Med Rev. 2011;15[16]:343). These excessively high rates of nonadherence contribute to discordance between the high efficacy of CPAP and its far more modest effectiveness in clinical practice.

Health-care providers and researchers historically depended upon self-reported CPAP use as the measure of treatment adherence. Unfortunately, this metric is now recognized as inadequate, as it typically overestimates actual use.

CPAP is the first-line medical treatment for OSA in adults. It has been shown to reduce or normalize the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturations, and arousals from sleep, which are characteristics of OSA. However, the practical benefits of CPAP are limited by patients’ use of the treatment. Over the past 20 years, a large body of evidence suggests that average CPAP use is 4.7 hours/night and that approximately 50% of adults prescribed CPAP are not adherent to therapy (Sawyer et al. Sleep Med Rev. 2011;15[16]:343). These excessively high rates of nonadherence contribute to discordance between the high efficacy of CPAP and its far more modest effectiveness in clinical practice.

Health-care providers and researchers historically depended upon self-reported CPAP use as the measure of treatment adherence. Unfortunately, this metric is now recognized as inadequate, as it typically overestimates actual use.

Many have heard the saying that change is the only thing in life that is constant. In keeping with change, it gives me great pleasure to announce the unveiling of a new ACCP committee, the CHEST Regulatory and Reimbursement (CRR) Committee. The charge of this committee is to serve as subject matter experts in the understanding and development of educational content for members related to regulatory and reimbursement issues of high importance in ACCP’s scope of medicine.

Dr. James Parish, FCCP, has been appointed as Chair, and Dr. Kevin Chan, FCCP, has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the CRR Committee. A call for nominations was distributed to ACCP membership via e-mail, newsletter, and website. From these communications, the call for nominations has been well-received, garnering multiple responses for vacant committee member seats through November 4, 2013.

Staff of the CRR Committee has initiated restructuring and constitution of the committee with the creation of committee documents to be reviewed and vetted at our first formal meeting during CHEST 2013.

The CRR Committee looks forward to a successful year and will keep you abreast along the way.

Many have heard the saying that change is the only thing in life that is constant. In keeping with change, it gives me great pleasure to announce the unveiling of a new ACCP committee, the CHEST Regulatory and Reimbursement (CRR) Committee. The charge of this committee is to serve as subject matter experts in the understanding and development of educational content for members related to regulatory and reimbursement issues of high importance in ACCP’s scope of medicine.

Dr. James Parish, FCCP, has been appointed as Chair, and Dr. Kevin Chan, FCCP, has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the CRR Committee. A call for nominations was distributed to ACCP membership via e-mail, newsletter, and website. From these communications, the call for nominations has been well-received, garnering multiple responses for vacant committee member seats through November 4, 2013.

Staff of the CRR Committee has initiated restructuring and constitution of the committee with the creation of committee documents to be reviewed and vetted at our first formal meeting during CHEST 2013.

The CRR Committee looks forward to a successful year and will keep you abreast along the way.

Many have heard the saying that change is the only thing in life that is constant. In keeping with change, it gives me great pleasure to announce the unveiling of a new ACCP committee, the CHEST Regulatory and Reimbursement (CRR) Committee. The charge of this committee is to serve as subject matter experts in the understanding and development of educational content for members related to regulatory and reimbursement issues of high importance in ACCP’s scope of medicine.

Dr. James Parish, FCCP, has been appointed as Chair, and Dr. Kevin Chan, FCCP, has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the CRR Committee. A call for nominations was distributed to ACCP membership via e-mail, newsletter, and website. From these communications, the call for nominations has been well-received, garnering multiple responses for vacant committee member seats through November 4, 2013.

Staff of the CRR Committee has initiated restructuring and constitution of the committee with the creation of committee documents to be reviewed and vetted at our first formal meeting during CHEST 2013.

The CRR Committee looks forward to a successful year and will keep you abreast along the way.

Have ever received a member survey from the ACCP and wondered what to do with it, or pondered why should you take valuable practice time filling it out? This message is for you, so keep reading.

When Medicare transitioned to a physician payment system based on the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS), the American Medical Association (AMA) convened a multispecialty committee known as the Relative Value Unit (RVU) Update Committee, or RUC. The RUC provides the medical community a voice in describing the necessary resources required in providing physician services to your patients. RUC recommendations are carefully considered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in assigning values to physician services.

The RUC recommendations to CMS are made from an analysis of data collected via specialty society surveys of members, just like you. A specialty society, like the ACCP surveys their membership about various procedures in efforts to adequately evaluate the RVUs of physician work, direct practice expenses (clinical staff time, supplies, and equipment), and malpractice expenses. Surveys probe the level of physician physical effort, technical skill needed to perform service, time in providing service, mental effort, medical judgment, and stress. All of these factors have value and are accounted for in assigning an RVU to a procedure. Give pause and think about the time and effort it takes to provide an excellent service to your patients before completing a survey. You have a voice, and the survey process is your stage to express and influence your concern toward the value of codes.

The ACCP is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a survey on endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] code 31620). The online survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The window for completing the survey will begin on November 6, 2013, and will close on November 22, 2013.

If you have practice experience with EBUS and would like to participate in the survey, please contact JeAnna Stovall at [email protected]. Include "EBUS Survey" in the subject line; in the e-mail body, include your full name, practice address, telephone number (including area code), and e-mail address.

Have ever received a member survey from the ACCP and wondered what to do with it, or pondered why should you take valuable practice time filling it out? This message is for you, so keep reading.

When Medicare transitioned to a physician payment system based on the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS), the American Medical Association (AMA) convened a multispecialty committee known as the Relative Value Unit (RVU) Update Committee, or RUC. The RUC provides the medical community a voice in describing the necessary resources required in providing physician services to your patients. RUC recommendations are carefully considered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in assigning values to physician services.

The RUC recommendations to CMS are made from an analysis of data collected via specialty society surveys of members, just like you. A specialty society, like the ACCP surveys their membership about various procedures in efforts to adequately evaluate the RVUs of physician work, direct practice expenses (clinical staff time, supplies, and equipment), and malpractice expenses. Surveys probe the level of physician physical effort, technical skill needed to perform service, time in providing service, mental effort, medical judgment, and stress. All of these factors have value and are accounted for in assigning an RVU to a procedure. Give pause and think about the time and effort it takes to provide an excellent service to your patients before completing a survey. You have a voice, and the survey process is your stage to express and influence your concern toward the value of codes.

The ACCP is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a survey on endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] code 31620). The online survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The window for completing the survey will begin on November 6, 2013, and will close on November 22, 2013.

If you have practice experience with EBUS and would like to participate in the survey, please contact JeAnna Stovall at [email protected]. Include "EBUS Survey" in the subject line; in the e-mail body, include your full name, practice address, telephone number (including area code), and e-mail address.

Have ever received a member survey from the ACCP and wondered what to do with it, or pondered why should you take valuable practice time filling it out? This message is for you, so keep reading.

When Medicare transitioned to a physician payment system based on the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS), the American Medical Association (AMA) convened a multispecialty committee known as the Relative Value Unit (RVU) Update Committee, or RUC. The RUC provides the medical community a voice in describing the necessary resources required in providing physician services to your patients. RUC recommendations are carefully considered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in assigning values to physician services.

The RUC recommendations to CMS are made from an analysis of data collected via specialty society surveys of members, just like you. A specialty society, like the ACCP surveys their membership about various procedures in efforts to adequately evaluate the RVUs of physician work, direct practice expenses (clinical staff time, supplies, and equipment), and malpractice expenses. Surveys probe the level of physician physical effort, technical skill needed to perform service, time in providing service, mental effort, medical judgment, and stress. All of these factors have value and are accounted for in assigning an RVU to a procedure. Give pause and think about the time and effort it takes to provide an excellent service to your patients before completing a survey. You have a voice, and the survey process is your stage to express and influence your concern toward the value of codes.

The ACCP is currently seeking volunteers to participate in a survey on endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] code 31620). The online survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The window for completing the survey will begin on November 6, 2013, and will close on November 22, 2013.

If you have practice experience with EBUS and would like to participate in the survey, please contact JeAnna Stovall at [email protected]. Include "EBUS Survey" in the subject line; in the e-mail body, include your full name, practice address, telephone number (including area code), and e-mail address.

The ACCP Clinical Trials Registry is a free service that helps connect physicians and their patients with ongoing clinical trials in respiratory disease being conducted by participating pharmaceutical companies. Participation in clinical trials provides an opportunity to advance and accelerate medical research and contribute to improved and effective care for patients.

The following is a list of industry clinical trials available on the ACCP website at chestnet.org/About-ACCP/Industry-Support/ACCP-Clinical-Trials-Registry.

PROSPERO

A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate Predictors of Clinical Effectiveness in Response to Omalizumab

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: The PROSPERO registry is a prospective, observational study designed to examine baseline patient characteristics, including biomarkers, and to evaluate predictors of response to Xolair (omalizumab) treatment in patients with allergic asthma.

Type of patient needed: Patients who are 12 years of age or greater who are initiating treatment with omalizumab for allergic asthma and who have not been treated with omalizumab within the previous year.

Posted: October 11, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01867125

LAVOLTA I and LAVOLTA II

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Patients With Uncontrolled Asthma Who Are on Inhaled Corticosteroids and a Second Controller Medication

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: LAVOLTA I and LAVOLTA II are two parallel phase III studies designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in patients with uncontrolled asthma despite treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller medication.

Type of patient needed: Adult patients with asthma who continue to have symptoms after receiving treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller medication for at least 6 months may be considered for these clinical trials.

Additional information: Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits IL-13 activity.

Posted: October 10, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01867125

RIFF

A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis RIFF

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: The phase II study (RIFF) is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lebrikizumab in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The primary outcome measure for the study is progression free survival.

Type of patient needed: Adult patients = 40 years of age with a definite diagnosis of IPF according to the 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT consensus statement on IPF within the previous 4 years from the time of screening.

Additional information: Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits IL-13 activity.

Posted: October 10, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01872689

EXPECT

The Xolair Pregnancy Registry: An Observational Study of the Use and Safety of Xolair® (Omalizumab) During Pregnancy

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description:The Xolair Pregnancy Registry (EXPECT) is an observational study established by Genentech to obtain data on pregnancy outcomes in women who are exposed to Xolair® (omalizumab) during their pregnancy.

Type of patient needed: Women who have been exposed to at least one dose of Xolair within 8 weeks prior to conception or during pregnancy may be included in this registry.

Additional information: Pregnancy Category B. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Xolair in pregnant women.

Posted: May 14, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00373061

The ACCP Clinical Trials Registry is a free service that helps connect physicians and their patients with ongoing clinical trials in respiratory disease being conducted by participating pharmaceutical companies. Participation in clinical trials provides an opportunity to advance and accelerate medical research and contribute to improved and effective care for patients.

The following is a list of industry clinical trials available on the ACCP website at chestnet.org/About-ACCP/Industry-Support/ACCP-Clinical-Trials-Registry.

PROSPERO

A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate Predictors of Clinical Effectiveness in Response to Omalizumab

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: The PROSPERO registry is a prospective, observational study designed to examine baseline patient characteristics, including biomarkers, and to evaluate predictors of response to Xolair (omalizumab) treatment in patients with allergic asthma.

Type of patient needed: Patients who are 12 years of age or greater who are initiating treatment with omalizumab for allergic asthma and who have not been treated with omalizumab within the previous year.

Posted: October 11, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01867125

LAVOLTA I and LAVOLTA II

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Patients With Uncontrolled Asthma Who Are on Inhaled Corticosteroids and a Second Controller Medication

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: LAVOLTA I and LAVOLTA II are two parallel phase III studies designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in patients with uncontrolled asthma despite treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller medication.

Type of patient needed: Adult patients with asthma who continue to have symptoms after receiving treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller medication for at least 6 months may be considered for these clinical trials.

Additional information: Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits IL-13 activity.

Posted: October 10, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01867125

RIFF

A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis RIFF

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: The phase II study (RIFF) is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lebrikizumab in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The primary outcome measure for the study is progression free survival.

Type of patient needed: Adult patients = 40 years of age with a definite diagnosis of IPF according to the 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT consensus statement on IPF within the previous 4 years from the time of screening.

Additional information: Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits IL-13 activity.

Posted: October 10, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01872689

EXPECT

The Xolair Pregnancy Registry: An Observational Study of the Use and Safety of Xolair® (Omalizumab) During Pregnancy

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description:The Xolair Pregnancy Registry (EXPECT) is an observational study established by Genentech to obtain data on pregnancy outcomes in women who are exposed to Xolair® (omalizumab) during their pregnancy.

Type of patient needed: Women who have been exposed to at least one dose of Xolair within 8 weeks prior to conception or during pregnancy may be included in this registry.

Additional information: Pregnancy Category B. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Xolair in pregnant women.

Posted: May 14, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00373061

The ACCP Clinical Trials Registry is a free service that helps connect physicians and their patients with ongoing clinical trials in respiratory disease being conducted by participating pharmaceutical companies. Participation in clinical trials provides an opportunity to advance and accelerate medical research and contribute to improved and effective care for patients.

The following is a list of industry clinical trials available on the ACCP website at chestnet.org/About-ACCP/Industry-Support/ACCP-Clinical-Trials-Registry.

PROSPERO

A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate Predictors of Clinical Effectiveness in Response to Omalizumab

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: The PROSPERO registry is a prospective, observational study designed to examine baseline patient characteristics, including biomarkers, and to evaluate predictors of response to Xolair (omalizumab) treatment in patients with allergic asthma.

Type of patient needed: Patients who are 12 years of age or greater who are initiating treatment with omalizumab for allergic asthma and who have not been treated with omalizumab within the previous year.

Posted: October 11, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01867125

LAVOLTA I and LAVOLTA II

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Patients With Uncontrolled Asthma Who Are on Inhaled Corticosteroids and a Second Controller Medication

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: LAVOLTA I and LAVOLTA II are two parallel phase III studies designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in patients with uncontrolled asthma despite treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller medication.

Type of patient needed: Adult patients with asthma who continue to have symptoms after receiving treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and a second controller medication for at least 6 months may be considered for these clinical trials.

Additional information: Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits IL-13 activity.

Posted: October 10, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01867125

RIFF

A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis RIFF

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description: The phase II study (RIFF) is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lebrikizumab in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The primary outcome measure for the study is progression free survival.

Type of patient needed: Adult patients = 40 years of age with a definite diagnosis of IPF according to the 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT consensus statement on IPF within the previous 4 years from the time of screening.

Additional information: Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits IL-13 activity.

Posted: October 10, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01872689

EXPECT

The Xolair Pregnancy Registry: An Observational Study of the Use and Safety of Xolair® (Omalizumab) During Pregnancy

Company: Genentech, Inc.

Clinical trial description:The Xolair Pregnancy Registry (EXPECT) is an observational study established by Genentech to obtain data on pregnancy outcomes in women who are exposed to Xolair® (omalizumab) during their pregnancy.

Type of patient needed: Women who have been exposed to at least one dose of Xolair within 8 weeks prior to conception or during pregnancy may be included in this registry.

Additional information: Pregnancy Category B. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Xolair in pregnant women.

Posted: May 14, 2013

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00373061

Each year, The CHEST Foundation funds vital clinical research and education grants, coordinates youth tobacco prevention outreach events in schools, creates and distributes patient education materials in multiple disease states, and supports ACCP members working on humanitarian projects.

As this season of giving begins, consider adding The CHEST Foundation to the list of organizations you support.

Your donations can help the "Bring the Foundation’s Lung Lessons®"– an interactive tobacco prevention program – to a classroom, designed with the goal of keeping children tobacco free. They can also help The Foundation create and distribute lung cancer patient education brochures, or cover the cost of a 1-week supply of asthma medications for a rural community in Nigeria, provided through The CHEST Foundation’s Humanitarian Awards.

These are just some examples of how you can help make a difference in the lives of future grant and award recipients and the patients and the public served by our outstanding programs and activities.

In order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2013, please make your contributions by December 31, 2013.

Donate online by visiting www.onebreath.org. Click the "Donate" tab at the top. If you prefer to send a check by mail, send your check to: The CHEST Foundation, Attn: Annual Fund Manager, 3300 Dundee Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062.

If you have any questions, please contact Patti Steele, CHEST Foundation Annual Fund Manager, at [email protected] or by phone: (224) 927-5202.

Each year, The CHEST Foundation funds vital clinical research and education grants, coordinates youth tobacco prevention outreach events in schools, creates and distributes patient education materials in multiple disease states, and supports ACCP members working on humanitarian projects.

As this season of giving begins, consider adding The CHEST Foundation to the list of organizations you support.

Your donations can help the "Bring the Foundation’s Lung Lessons®"– an interactive tobacco prevention program – to a classroom, designed with the goal of keeping children tobacco free. They can also help The Foundation create and distribute lung cancer patient education brochures, or cover the cost of a 1-week supply of asthma medications for a rural community in Nigeria, provided through The CHEST Foundation’s Humanitarian Awards.

These are just some examples of how you can help make a difference in the lives of future grant and award recipients and the patients and the public served by our outstanding programs and activities.

In order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2013, please make your contributions by December 31, 2013.

Donate online by visiting www.onebreath.org. Click the "Donate" tab at the top. If you prefer to send a check by mail, send your check to: The CHEST Foundation, Attn: Annual Fund Manager, 3300 Dundee Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062.

If you have any questions, please contact Patti Steele, CHEST Foundation Annual Fund Manager, at [email protected] or by phone: (224) 927-5202.

Each year, The CHEST Foundation funds vital clinical research and education grants, coordinates youth tobacco prevention outreach events in schools, creates and distributes patient education materials in multiple disease states, and supports ACCP members working on humanitarian projects.

As this season of giving begins, consider adding The CHEST Foundation to the list of organizations you support.

Your donations can help the "Bring the Foundation’s Lung Lessons®"– an interactive tobacco prevention program – to a classroom, designed with the goal of keeping children tobacco free. They can also help The Foundation create and distribute lung cancer patient education brochures, or cover the cost of a 1-week supply of asthma medications for a rural community in Nigeria, provided through The CHEST Foundation’s Humanitarian Awards.

These are just some examples of how you can help make a difference in the lives of future grant and award recipients and the patients and the public served by our outstanding programs and activities.

In order to take advantage of a tax deduction in 2013, please make your contributions by December 31, 2013.

Donate online by visiting www.onebreath.org. Click the "Donate" tab at the top. If you prefer to send a check by mail, send your check to: The CHEST Foundation, Attn: Annual Fund Manager, 3300 Dundee Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062.

If you have any questions, please contact Patti Steele, CHEST Foundation Annual Fund Manager, at [email protected] or by phone: (224) 927-5202.

As the American College of Chest Physicians continues to evolve and advance, so does the need to communicate these changes to the clinicians ACCP serves – worldwide. That is why the College’s logo and visual identity system have a new appearance, which was launched at CHEST 2013 and reflected in the updated cover of this issue of CHEST Physician.

It’s not unusual for an organization to update its logo from time to time, to keep it contemporary. Consider how both the NFL shield and AT&T logo have evolved over the years.

The American College of Chest Physicians logo – last updated more than 10 years ago, featured a heart and lungs, plus the color red, typically identified more closely with cardiac issues than with pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The organization’s new logo features bold new colors plus an updated symbol of a chest, while keeping what was most familiar about ACCP’s identity – the word CHEST.

"Often referred to as CHEST by clinicians, ACCP is a trusted and essential connection for our members," stated Paul Markowski, Executive Vice President and CEO. "We desired a strong identity that readily distinguishes us as such."

The new symbol represents a chest and illustrates connectivity and the gathering of international experts in a genuine, collaborative exchange of ideas and knowledge. The new color palette is current, fresh, and vibrant, reflecting ACCP members’ forward-looking approach to the work they do. Both the symbol and the CHEST signature are clean and bold, strong marks that mirror ACCP’s commitment to transparent and relevant communications, building on the trust chest medicine experts have in the CHEST brand.

Beyond the CHEST annual meeting and CHEST Physician, over the next several months clinicians can expect to see ACCP’s new visual identity applied to the College’s educational courses and products, to Web and social media sites, as well as to the journal, CHEST. The new logo also is being adopted by The CHEST Foundation and CHEST Enterprises, helping to strengthen the organization through consistent branding.

As the American College of Chest Physicians continues to evolve and advance, so does the need to communicate these changes to the clinicians ACCP serves – worldwide. That is why the College’s logo and visual identity system have a new appearance, which was launched at CHEST 2013 and reflected in the updated cover of this issue of CHEST Physician.

It’s not unusual for an organization to update its logo from time to time, to keep it contemporary. Consider how both the NFL shield and AT&T logo have evolved over the years.

The American College of Chest Physicians logo – last updated more than 10 years ago, featured a heart and lungs, plus the color red, typically identified more closely with cardiac issues than with pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The organization’s new logo features bold new colors plus an updated symbol of a chest, while keeping what was most familiar about ACCP’s identity – the word CHEST.

"Often referred to as CHEST by clinicians, ACCP is a trusted and essential connection for our members," stated Paul Markowski, Executive Vice President and CEO. "We desired a strong identity that readily distinguishes us as such."

The new symbol represents a chest and illustrates connectivity and the gathering of international experts in a genuine, collaborative exchange of ideas and knowledge. The new color palette is current, fresh, and vibrant, reflecting ACCP members’ forward-looking approach to the work they do. Both the symbol and the CHEST signature are clean and bold, strong marks that mirror ACCP’s commitment to transparent and relevant communications, building on the trust chest medicine experts have in the CHEST brand.

Beyond the CHEST annual meeting and CHEST Physician, over the next several months clinicians can expect to see ACCP’s new visual identity applied to the College’s educational courses and products, to Web and social media sites, as well as to the journal, CHEST. The new logo also is being adopted by The CHEST Foundation and CHEST Enterprises, helping to strengthen the organization through consistent branding.

As the American College of Chest Physicians continues to evolve and advance, so does the need to communicate these changes to the clinicians ACCP serves – worldwide. That is why the College’s logo and visual identity system have a new appearance, which was launched at CHEST 2013 and reflected in the updated cover of this issue of CHEST Physician.

It’s not unusual for an organization to update its logo from time to time, to keep it contemporary. Consider how both the NFL shield and AT&T logo have evolved over the years.

The American College of Chest Physicians logo – last updated more than 10 years ago, featured a heart and lungs, plus the color red, typically identified more closely with cardiac issues than with pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The organization’s new logo features bold new colors plus an updated symbol of a chest, while keeping what was most familiar about ACCP’s identity – the word CHEST.

"Often referred to as CHEST by clinicians, ACCP is a trusted and essential connection for our members," stated Paul Markowski, Executive Vice President and CEO. "We desired a strong identity that readily distinguishes us as such."

The new symbol represents a chest and illustrates connectivity and the gathering of international experts in a genuine, collaborative exchange of ideas and knowledge. The new color palette is current, fresh, and vibrant, reflecting ACCP members’ forward-looking approach to the work they do. Both the symbol and the CHEST signature are clean and bold, strong marks that mirror ACCP’s commitment to transparent and relevant communications, building on the trust chest medicine experts have in the CHEST brand.

Beyond the CHEST annual meeting and CHEST Physician, over the next several months clinicians can expect to see ACCP’s new visual identity applied to the College’s educational courses and products, to Web and social media sites, as well as to the journal, CHEST. The new logo also is being adopted by The CHEST Foundation and CHEST Enterprises, helping to strengthen the organization through consistent branding.