AANP Association News

New incentives to promote use of e-prescribing

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 21, 2008

A recent change to Medicare law has established incentives of up to 2% to encourage the adoption of e-prescribing technology by prescribers. Incentives are provided for practitioners who use e-prescribing systems in 2009 through 2013. CMS will soon announce details regarding the reimbursement process. For more information on establishing e-prescribing at your practice visit www.getrxconnected.com/aanp.

Your Passport to Health

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 21, 2008

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the National Women's Health Resource Center have developed the Passport to Health, a new, compact health record-keeping tool. Containing blood pressure and cholesterol screening ranges, personal record-keeping grids, a preventive health-screening schedule and more, the Passport to Health will help your patients keep track of personal health information and the results of their screening tests. Copies are available in English and Spanish. To order free copies of this health screening tool for your patients, contact the NWHRC at 732-530-3453 or visit the Web site.

Nominations now being accepted for 2009 AANP Election

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2008

The Call for Nominations for the 2009 AANP Election is now open. AANP members interested in running for office can get nomination information and the 2009 nomination form here. Deadline for nominations to be received by AANP is Jan. 9. AANP board of director positions up for election are president-elect, treasurer and regional directors for Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. State representative positions open are Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (N), New York (S), N. Carolina, N. Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, S. Carolina, S. Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. There are three open positions for the Nominations Committee.

November issue of JAANP now available online

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2008

A review describes barriers to health care among black men and outlines NP-led, community-based initiatives to raise awareness; an evaluation project assesses the efficacy of a mobile health care unit among homeless & street-involved youth; and an expert panel discusses the treatment of cardiovascular risk & hypertension. Members can access these articles and more online. Learn about JAANP online.

Home Health Prospective Payment System

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2008

The CMS issued a notice to update the Home Health Prospective Payment System for calendar year 2009. Medicare payment rates to home health agencies will increase by an estimated additional $30 million next year as a result of a 2.9% increase in the annual market basket calculation of the cost of goods and services included in providing services under the HH PPS. The update also accounts for a 2.75% reduction to the HH PPS rates (the second year of a four-year phased in reduction) to account for the changes in case-mix that are unrelated to patient's health status and an updated 2009 wage index. A copy of the notice is available on the CMS Web site here.

All back issues of JAANP available online

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2008

AANP members and individual subscribers to the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners can search the complete archive online. All journal issues going back to Volume 1, Issue 1 (January 1989) are available on Wiley InterScience. AANP members should access the journal by logging on to www.aanp.org with their member access details.

November is COPD Awareness Month

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2008

Please help the NHLBI's COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign to spread the word. Need ready-to-go fact sheets, posters, public service announcements and more, to encourage COPD awareness and education? Tailor the materials in the COPD Learn More Breathe Better Resource Kit for presentations, patient education, support groups and media events.

Access JAANP online through Wiley InterScience

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2008

Enjoy unrestricted access to all Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners content online at Wiley Interscience. Subscribers can take advantage of this time-saving resource by logging on to www.aanp.org using your AANP member access details.

Help patients transition to an HFA based short-acting inhaler

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2008

Do you have patients who need to transition to an HFA based short-acting inhaler? Enroll in a valuable patient feedback program and receive useful reports highlighting your patient's experience. Your patients can receive a Free Spacer and may be eligible to receive a free HFA inhaler. Find out more and enroll in this limited-time program.

A Roadmap for Managing Triglycerides and Protecting Your Heart

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

AANP recently partnered on the development of a new educational manual designed to assist you in counseling patients who have hypertriglyceridemia or are at risk for coronary heart disease. A Roadmap for Managing Triglycerides and Protecting Your Heart is a sturdy flipchart designed to include simple, patient-friendly information as well as clinical data, references and a patient handout. Request your complimentary copy here.

Co-payment assistance

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

Patient Advocate Foundation has announced the expansion of co-payment assistance funding for patients with osteoporosis. The PAF Co-Pay Relief Program currently provides financial assistance to eligible patients who are being treated for pancreatic, breast, lung, kidney, head and neck, colon and/or prostate cancers, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, sarcoma, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, malignant brain tumors, and secondary issues as a result of chemotherapy treatment. The addition of osteoporosis to the CPR Program will provide direct financial support to those insured patients, including Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Patients must financially and medically qualify to access co-payment assistance. Call toll-free 800-512-3861 or visit www.copays.org to learn more.

New AANP member benefit

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 13, 2008

AANP has created the CE Portfolio Center, allowing members to store non-AANP CE along with AANP CE, all in one convenient location for easy access. Members now have more than 30 continuing education activities offered through a variety of formats and on a wide range of topics, with new programs added frequently. Learners can print certificates immediately after completing activities and can track the credit earned over time. For information on the many benefits of AANP membership, visit the Member Center at www.aanp.org.

Nominations open for AANP 2009 Election

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 13, 2008

The Call for Nominations for the 2009 AANP Election is now open. Get nomination information and the 2009 nomination form here. Deadline for nominations to be received by AANP is Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. AANP board of director positions up for election are president-elect, treasurer, and regional directors for Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. State representative positions open are Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (N), New York (S), N. Carolina, N. Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, S. Carolina, S. Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. There are three open positions for the Nominations Committee.

National NP Week

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 12, 2008

National NP Week is in full swing as NPs in communities around the country celebrate the nurse practitioner role. A variety of activities are planned to educate the general public about the value and benefits of having an NP as their health care provider. AANP has developed the NP Week Resource Guide to help members plan and execute successful events. Review the guide and make NP Week 2008 an event to remember! If you have any question, please contact membership@aanp.org.

JAANP publishes its first expert panel discussion

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 11, 2008

A panel convened recently to discuss the significant role of ACE inhibitors and ARBs in the management of cardiovascular risk and the treatment of hypertension. JAANP editor, Charon A. Pierson, moderated the panel comprised of AANP member, Mary Ellen Roberts, and doctor of pharmacy, Benjamin J. Epstein. Members can access this article and more online. Learn about JAANP online.

Special AANP CareerLink promotion

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 11, 2008

In celebration of National NP Week, Nov. 9 to 15, HEALTHeCAREERS Network is offering special promotional rates on AANP CareerLink to help your practice hire an NP during the month of November. CareerLink is accessible to Nurse Practitioners online directly through AANP.org which receives significant increases in traffic during NP week and the month of November. Call 888-884-8242 today to take advantage of this special offer!

NP Week -- Celebrate your role!!

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 10, 2008

Nov. 9 to 15 is National NP Week -- your time to celebrate the role of the NP while at the same time building awareness in your communities about the many services that NPs provide to their patients. AANP has developed the NP Week Resource Guide to help members plan and execute a successful National NP Week 2008. Review the guide and plan now to make NP Week 2008 an event to remember! If you have any question, please contact membership@aanp.org.

National NP Week begins Sunday

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 07, 2008

National NP Week begins Sunday, Nov. 9, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 15. AANP has developed the NP Week Resource Guide to help members plan and execute a successful week building awareness of the NP by educating the general public about the value and benefits of having an NP as their health care provider. Review the guide and plan now to make NP Week 2008 an event to remember! If you have any question, please contact membership@aanp.org.

A free tool to screen your patients for mental health disorders

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2008

Talking with your patients about mental health has never been more important and Screening for Mental Health can help. SMH is offering Nurse Practitioners a free Mental Health Screening Kit to be used during National Nurse Practitioner Week or any day of the year! The kit of materials includes screening forms and instructions, educational brochures, and clinician information. Order here. To receive your kit of materials for National Nurse Practitioner Week you must place your order by Friday, Oct. 31. For more information, please call 781-239-0071, ext. 107.

Clinicians Guide to E-Prescribing

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2008

A comprehensive "how to" guide to electronic prescribing is now available through the Center for Improving Medication Management. The first section of the guide targets office-based clinicians who are new to the concept of e-prescribing, and who seek a basic understanding of what e-prescribing is, how it works, what its benefits and challenges are, and the current environment impacting its widespread adoption. The second section of the guide targets office-based clinicians who are ready to move forward and bring e-prescribing into their practices. It presents fundamental questions and steps to follow in planning for, selecting and implementing an e-prescribing system. The guide also provides a list of key references and resources readers may consult to help make the transition to e-prescribing as smooth as possible. You may find the guide at the Center for Improving Management's Web site. Or find it here.

NP Week begins Sunday

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2008

National NP Week begins next Sunday, Nov. 9, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 15. AANP has developed the NP Week Resource Guide to help members plan and execute a successful week building awareness of the NP by educating the general public about the value and benefits of having an NP as their health care provider. Review the guide and plan now to make NP Week 2008 an event to remember! If you have any question, please contact membership@aanp.org.

Update on Pancreatic Cancer

AANP SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2008

A free telephone education workshop for people living with pancreatic cancer, their families, friends and health care professionals will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. To register online for the workshop, go to www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

SAMHSA report examines mental health self-disclosure

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 31, 2008

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released a new report which reviews existing public health literature on how people who receive mental health services can be affected when they disclose this fact to others. Entitled "Self-Disclosure and its Impact on People who Receive Mental Health Services," the report, which is also based on a series of interviews with individuals involved in this process, examines the potential benefits and risks of this experience. Download a copy of the report or order a print version here.

Military and Veterans Pain Care Acts signed into law

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 30, 2008

New laws will provide necessary pain assessment, treatment and research to millions of our deserving military personnel and veterans. Read the American Pain Foundation's press statement.

NP educational scholarships available

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2008

Second Funding Cycle 2008 AANP Foundation Scholarship & Grant Program offerings are currently available. Twenty-five scholarships are available for Doctoral, Post-MS NP and MSN-NP students. For complete availability information, eligibility requirements and instructions for acquiring application materials visit the AANP Foundation Web site, www.aanpfoundation.org, and select "Scholarship & Grant Program" from the homepage. The application submission deadline is Nov. 3.

Make health care a priority this election

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2008

Make health care a priority in this historic presidential election. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease has created a campaign video message featuring Katey Sagal, Lauren Bacall, Mary-Louise Parker and Phylicia Rashad that encourages voters to consider health care issues, particularly the importance of working to prevent chronic disease, when voting for a presidential candidate on Nov. 4. View the video.

CMS Open Enrollment 2009 Update

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2008

The CMS Open Enrollment 2009 Update will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST. The sessions are designed to give Medicare partners, professionals and volunteers who assist people with Medicare "the most up-to-date information on the Medicare program." Topics include drug plan finder and options comparison tools, marketing surveillance, MA Plan marketing guidelines, paid and earned media advertising campaign and LIS. Call in 800-369-3118 and use passcode NMTP.

AANP Foundation Scholarships & Grants available

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2008

Second Funding Cycle 2008 AANP Foundation Scholarship & Grant Program offerings are currently available. Twenty-five scholarships and eight grants totaling $67,000 are offered. For complete availability information, eligibility requirements and instructions for acquiring application materials please visit the new AANP Foundation Web site, www.aanpfoundation.org, and select "Scholarship & Grant Program" from the homepage. The application submission deadline is Nov. 3.

NP Project & Research Grants available

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 24, 2008

Second Funding Cycle 2008 AANP Foundation Scholarship & Grant Program offerings are available for these grant topics -- DNP Project, Diabetes, Doctoral Dissertation Research, General Project and Research, and Women's Heart Health. For availability information, eligibility requirements and instructions for acquiring applications visit www.aanpfoundation.org and select "Scholarship & Grant Program" from the homepage. The application submission deadline is Nov. 3.

National NP Week Resource Guide available

AANP SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2008

National NP Week 2008 will be celebrated Nov. 9 to 15. AANP has developed the NP Week Resource Guide to help members plan and execute a successful week building awareness of the NP by educating the general public about the value and benefits of having an NP as their health care provider. Review the guide and plan now to make NP Week 2008 an event to remember! If you have any question, please contact membership@aanp.org.

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