[ARNPCare] January 2014

Mon Jan 13 22:36:55 PST 2014

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Care
Official Newsletter of ARNPs United of Washington State
Volume 25(1) January 2014
Articles
Jobs
CE
Service Ads
Meetings
Photo of the Month
Ad & Publication Information
ARNPs United New Board Officers

At their January retreat the Board of Directors of ARNPs United of Washington State (AUWS) elected officers for 2014.
   President: Nancy Lawton, MN, ARNP
   Vice-President: Lorena Guerrero, PhD, ARNP
   Treasurer: Madeline D. Wiley, MSN, ARNP, FAANP
   Secretary: Afton R. Williamson, DNP, ARNP

Emails can be sent to our AA Tracy at tracy at auws.org and she will forward them to the board. 
Independent ARNPs Where Are You?

AUWS is continuing to work to assemble a comprehensive list of ARNPs in practicing in ARNP owned practices. We have a lost of approximately 25 practices. If you are in a private practice please send an email to tracy at auws.org and give us information about your practice. Thank you for you help with this project.

Changes to Contraceptive Dispensing 2014

In a Medicaid and Take Charge program provider notice which was effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2014, the Medicaid Program of the Health Care Authority (agency) will require pharmacies to dispense oral, transdermal, and intra-vaginal contraceptives as a one-time prescription of a 12-month supply (13 cycles). The agency encourages prescribers to include a dispensing quantity of a 12-month supply (13 cycles) on oral, transdermal, and intra-vaginal contraceptive prescriptions.  For prescriptions written with a dispensing quantity less than a 12-month supply (13 cycles) providers will begin receiving requests from pharmacies to change the dispensing quantity.

The agency is making this change as an attempt to reduce unintended pregnancy rates within our client population. According to U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, MMWR volume 62, 2013, “The more pill packs given up to 13 cycles, the higher the continuation rates.” Further, the MMWR states, “In addition to continuation, a greater number of pill packs provided was associated with fewer pregnancy tests, fewer pregnancies, and lower cost per client.”

Quantity required to be dispensed for twelve-months (13 cycles)
    Oral contraceptives (e.g. pills): 364 pills (13 packs)
    Transdermal contraceptives (e.g. patch): 39 patches
    Intra-vaginal contraceptives (e.g. ring): 13 rings

These and other changes will be made the Prescription Drug Program Medicaid Provider Guide later this month.

NPs Having Difficulty with DME Items
from the American Nurses Association

Most recently, it has come to the attention of ANA that some nurse practitioners have been experiencing difficulty ordering DME items. Some companies are implementing the rule even though an enforcement date has not been released. ANA has reached out to CMS to address this issue but could use your assistance in identifying where this is taking place and informing your Members of Congress about the negative impact on patient care. In the meantime show the supplier the announcement from CMS (listed below) and urge them to fill the order.

As CMS states in their announcement on December 3, 2013, the rule is in effect, but ENFORCEMENT has been delayed until an UNSPECIFIED DATE IN 2014.

Below is a quote from the CMS announcement. 
Although many durable medical equipment suppliers and physicians are aware of and are currently complying with this policy, CMS is concerned that some may need additional time to establish operational protocols necessary to comply with this new law. As such, CMS expects that during the next several months, suppliers and physicians who order certain DME items will continue to collaborate and establish internal processes to ensure compliance with the face-to-face requirement. CMS expects all durable medical equipment suppliers to have fully established such internal processes and have appropriate documentation of required encounters by a date that will be announced in Calendar Year 2014. Those suppliers and physicians who are currently implementing the face-to-face requirement should continue to do so.

ANA's President, Karen Daley, has asked CMS for permanent delay, or a change in the list of items that CMS developed that requires the redundant physician sign-off on the APRN order.  But short of a legislative fix, which ANA and the APRN Community are investigating, there aren't many other options.

Reaching out to your Senators or Representative's office to ask them to contact CMS on your behalf is a great idea.  Additionally as suggested above, show the supplier the announcement from CMS and urge them to fill the order.

For more information or to write to your member of Congress, please go to http://www.rnaction.org/site/PageNavigator/nstat_take_action_dme.html. ANA continues to monitor and advocate on this issue and we will keep you posted on any further developments.

Please do not hesitate to contact April Canter at april.canter at ana.org or Andrea Brassard at andrea.brassard at ana.org if you have any questions or if you require further assistance.
Colorado Opts Out of CRNA Supervision

The American Hosptial Association recently filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Colorado Supreme Court to uphold a July 2012 appeals court decision supporting the governor's authority to exercise the opt out of Medicare's physician supervision requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) to improve access to care for rural residents. 
Job Opportunities

ARNP Positions in Seattle, WA
Gastroenterology & Interventional Pain Management

PMC is a network of 9 outpatient clinics providing primary and specialty care to the greater Seattle area, employing over 160 providers and 600 staff.  The individuals we care for are culturally and clinically diverse, creating a stimulating and rewarding workplace.  Our strong team environment and mission allows us to provide friendly services that focus on the highest quality patient care.  We invite you to join our company!

GI ARNP – Seeking an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner  with three or more years clinical GI practice experience (preferred) to work with our team of four GI providers.  Specific responsibilities include: initial and follow-up consultations, patient and family education, and coordination of treatment with physicians as needed.  

Interventional Pain Management – Seeking an experienced Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner to work part-time (approximately four days/week) with our Pain Medicine Anesthesiologists. The ideal candidate will have three or more years’ experience in interventional pain or be willing to be trained. Additional background in psychology, neurology or neurosurgery would be beneficial. The Pain Medicine clinic features state-of-the-art equipment and innovative procedures and is focused on providing interventional pain management for chronic pain patients. 

Specific responsibilities include: • Assist physician with outpatient consults • Perform routine outpatient follow-up visits • Coordinate patients sent to the clinic solely for image-guided pain management procedures • Provide patient and family education • Perform basic office procedures such as joint and trigger point injections • Program spinal cord stimulation systems • Participate in call schedule.  NOTE: This clinic rarely performs inpatient pain consults or procedures. Medication refills are a very small part of the practice volume.

Both positions will be based at our First Hill Clinic with some travel required.  The successful candidates will have a proven track record of growth, learning, and self-development. Requirements include Washington  ARNP license, and DEA certificate.

Seattle presents breathtaking scenery, performing arts, exquisite dining, world-class shopping, quality schools and unique attractions. Take advantage of outdoor recreation over four seasons with no state income tax, and you have something to please everyone in your family. PMC’s competitive salary and benefits package will support and enhance a lifelong career. 

For more information, please contact: Deborah Atkins, Medical Staff Recruiter; Toll Free:  888.901.1122; Email: DeborahA at pacmed.org 
CE Opportunities

Advanced Practice Education Services invites you to:

NP/PA Joint & Trigger Point Injection Course - April 5, 2014
Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square
612 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104-2204
(206) 625-1111

Hands On Instruction & Practice for 12 different approaches. 8.5 CE/CMEs approved for NPs and PAs. Only 30 attendees per course- Register Early! See www.injectioncourses.com for all details. 
Service Ads
Interested in Mentoring the Next Generation of ARNPs?

Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA is looking for preceptors in the south Puget Sound area for the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Your commitment requires a minimum of 1 day a week for a semester. We need preceptors Fall (Sep to Dec), Spring (Feb to May) and Summer (May to August) semesters. If interested, please contact Dr. Lorena Guerrero at guerrelc at plu.edu or call (253) 535-7374.

Meetings
Puget Sound Nurse Practitioners Association

Join us! Puget Sound Nurse Practitioners Association is a non-profit
organization supporting ARNPs in Puget Sound since 1998. We meet
every other month and offer a social hour/networking and a speaker presentation.

Annual dues are $40/$20 for students. $20 per meeting for guests. Apply for membership and find meeting information at http://PSNPA.org

West Sound Advanced Practice Association

Meets the second Thursday of the month. Meetings include networking/dinner/educational session. E-mail Fionafnp at centurytel.net for more information.

Photo of Month

photo by Steve Fury

Ad & Publication Information
ARNP Care Ad Information

Copy deadline is the second Tuesday of the month prior to publication. Ads may be accepted later than this on a space-available basis. Position Available and Continuing Education Ads of less than 66 words are $45, of 66 to 130 words are $75, 131-180 words are $105, and greater than 181 words are $175. Position Available Ads are priced per insertion. Continuing Education Announcements are per offering for up to three (3) consecutive insertions. New Product Announcements per product for one insertion of 130 words or less are $75, more than 130 words are $175. Ad Inserts are $750 for one issue. All ads are subject to space limitations and editing. Call for detailed rate information. Mail copy to ARNP Care, 10024 SE 240th St, #230, Kent, WA 98031. Phone 253.852.9042. Fax 253.852.7725. Email care at nurse.net. 
ARNP Care Editorial Board

Editors:
   Robert T. Smithing, MSN, ARNP, FAANP
   Madeline D. Wiley, MSN, ARNP, FAANP
Contributing Editors:
   Nancy Lawton, MN, ARNP (President)
   Louise Kaplan, PhD, ARNP, FAANP (Legislative Chair)
Production Staff:
   Tracy Kiele, Managing Editor
   Sarah Abid, Production Staff
   NP Central, Publisher

Copyright 2014 NP Central 
ARNPs United of Washington State

Website: www.auws.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ARNPsUnited
Email: au at auws.org
Address:
10024 SE 240th St, #230, Kent, WA 98031
p. 253.480.1035   f. 253.852.7725

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