Exam Code: AACN-CMC Practice exam 2023 by Killexams.com team
AACN-CMC Cardiac Medicine Subspecialty Certification

CMC® is a subspecialty certification for certified nurses who provide direct care to acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients. Nurses interested in this certification may work in areas such as cardiac care units, medical ICUs, telemetry, progressive care, heart failure clinics, home care, interventional cardiology, cardiac cath labs and/or electrophysiology units.

A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license is required.
An unencumbered license is not currently being subjected to formal discipline by any state board of nursing and has no provisions or conditions that limit the nurses practice in any way.

A current nationally accredited clinical nursing specialty certification, to which the CMC credential will be attached, is required.

Candidates must complete one of the following clinical practice hour requirement options:

Two-Year Option

Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most latest year preceding application. Of those 1,750 hours, 875 need to be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients.
OR
Five-Year Option
Practice as an RN or APRN for at least five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most latest year preceding application. Of those 2,000 hours, 1,000 need to be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients.

Must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.
Are those spent actively providing direct care to acutely/critically ill adult patients or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely/critically ill adult patients, if working as a manager, educator, preceptor or APRN.
Are verifiable by your clinical supervisor or professional colleague (RN or physician). Contact information must be provided for verification of eligibility related to clinical hours, to be used if you are selected for audit.
For complete eligibility requirements.

Cardiac Medicine Subspecialty Certification
Medical Certification exam
Killexams : Medical Certification exam - BingNews https://killexams.com/pass4sure/exam-detail/AACN-CMC Search results Killexams : Medical Certification exam - BingNews https://killexams.com/pass4sure/exam-detail/AACN-CMC https://killexams.com/exam_list/Medical Killexams : How To Earn Medical Billing And Coding Certification Online For Cheap

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

For individuals who are comfortable in front of a computer and have the organizational skills to convert large amounts of medical information into code, medical billing and coding can be a promising career path. As the population ages, this profession is playing an increasingly important role in the healthcare sector.

You can obtain medical billing and coding certification online within a year or less. Accredited online medical billing and coding courses cover basic medical terminology, coding and classification and coding and billing software. This knowledge prepares you to pass a certification exam and become a qualified job candidate.

Below, we recommend what to look for in medical billing and coding schools and explain how to find a low-cost medical coding and billing online program that meets your needs.

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What do Medical Billers and Coders Do?

What is medical billing and coding, exactly? Medical billers and coders process medical records and health insurance paperwork in hospitals, doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities. Coders assign preset codes to medical procedures and treatments. Billers then use that code to prepare patient bills and insurance claims.

These two professions overlap significantly, with medical billers regularly handling medical coding and vice versa. Most employers in the field are looking for workers with both skill sets.

Acting as conduits between doctors and their patients and between medical billing offices and insurance companies, medical billers and coders play an essential role in an increasingly digitized healthcare environment.

But is medical billing and coding hard? If you’re detail-oriented and you complete the right training program, this career isn’t particularly difficult.

Medical Billing and Coding Career

Work Environment

Medical billers and coders work in every type of medical facility, from clinics and doctors’ offices to hospitals and nursing homes. They also work for insurance companies, law firms and government agencies.

Because this job entails significant time in front of a screen, a standard office environment is typical—but remote work is becoming a more common option for this information-based, digital field.

Salary and Job Growth

In 2021, the annual median salary for medical records specialists, including billers and coders, was $46,660, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects employment for these workers to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031.

How To Find Low-Cost Medical Coding And Billing Programs

If you’re concerned about how much medical billing and coding online courses cost, there’s no need to worry. Affordable and even free medical billing and coding certification programs are out there. Here’s where to find them.

Explore Online Options

There are clear benefits to taking an online course for your medical billing and coding certification. First, the online route offers cost savings due to lower tuition fees, no commuting expenses and the elimination of ancillary costs like room and board at an in-person institution.

Then there’s the significant gain in flexibility. Online learning often allows you to complete your coursework at your own pace and on your own time, from any location with a decent internet connection. Another noteworthy advantage is that remote learning can increase your familiarity with job-relevant technology and digital environments.

Online learning allows you to earn your certification more quickly, too, with some accelerated programs promising job-ready credentials within weeks. But not all shorter courses include medical coding in their curricula, and not all come from properly accredited institutions.

Consider Local Colleges

In-state institutions may offer tuition discounts to state residents. Again, remember that you want a program from an accredited school or institution, meaning the provider meets rigorous standards set by a recognized accrediting body. Online resources can help you determine whether there’s an accredited school with a medical billing and coding program near you.

Research Scholarships and Grants

Don’t let the cost of obtaining your medical billing and coding certificate or diploma deter you; financial aid is available. Health information management associations in many states—Georgia and New York, for instance—offer assistance to residents attending accredited degree programs. Individual medical billing and coding programs may also offer scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

Be Sure the Program Prepares You for Certification

To ensure your program meets requirements for medical billing and coding certification, it should provide materials and coursework that are geared toward a specific certification exam.

As you research your program, look for references to credentialing exams like the Certified Coding Associate (CCA)® and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)® certification exams administered by the American Health Information Management Association, or the Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® exam run by the American Academy of Professional Coders.

Check if the exam Fee is Included in Tuition

At the time of writing, the CPC exam mentioned above costs $299 for the online version and $349 for an in-person test. However, some courses include this examination fee in their tuition costs, so check whether your prospective course includes exam fees as part of the package.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Medical Coding and Billing

Is medical billing and coding difficult?

Medical billing and coding is a detail-oriented profession that involves handling large amounts of complex data. While that may sound daunting at first, remember that your coursework for certification will teach you the codes and train you in the software that you’ll be using every day.

How many months is a medical coding course?

Earning a medical billing and coding certification can take anywhere from four months to a year. The alternative to certification is an associate or bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, accounting or business administration—any of which can take up to three years to acquire.

How much does a medical coder make?

As per the BLS, the median annual wage for medical records certified was $46,660 ($22.43 per hour) as of May 2021. Compensation for the top 10% of earners in the field exceeded $74,200 per year.

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 12:15:00 -0600 Jeff Tompkins en-US text/html https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/medical-billing-and-coding-certification-online/
Killexams : UC Health doctor accused of luring patients to home for unlicensed genital exams WTVG © Provided by Toledo WTVG WTVG

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The Ohio Medical Board has suspended the license of a University of Cincinnati physician who allegedly conducted unlicensed examinations of patients in the bedroom of his apartment.

Dr. Rudel Saunders is a clinical instructor in internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the College of Medicine’s website says. He has been a licensed physician in Ohio since April 2020, according to state medical board records.

The board says it found several instances over the last year where he allegedly invited patients to his home, failed to “employ proper disrobing and draping procedures to ensure the patient’s privacy,” performed ultrasounds on their testicles and recorded the examinations without the patient’s knowledge or consent.

The board voted to suspend his medical license on Feb. 8.

Written notice to Saunders of the suspension claims the board found “clear and convincing evidence” of Ohio Revised Code violations. It says Saunders’ continued practice “presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public[...]”

Saunders falsely told at least five patients he had to complete “a certain number of ultrasounds” for his training program, the board said.

According to the board, one of the patients allegedly went to the apartment but ended the exam before the ultrasound could take place.

Saunders allegedly examined four patients’ testicles with his bare hands before performing the ultrasounds without the patients’ consent and “for no legitimate healthcare purpose,” the board said.

He also allegedly video-recorded three of the exams without the patients’ consent, “thereby surreptitiously invading the privacy of the patient by recording him in a state of nudity.”

Ohio Revised Code provides that licensed doctors can only practice in board-certified clinical settings, such as a medical office. Doctors are also required to practice under proper supervision and practice to a minimum standard of care, as laid out in their board-issued training certification. Saunders’ alleged exams violated all of those stipulations, the board said.

Each of the five alleged incidents constitutes a felony count of practicing medicine without a license, and the four alleged exams constitute misdemeanor voyeurism, according to the Board.

Saunders has until March 10 to request a hearing with the board where he is allowed to defend himself against the allegations with evidence and witnesses. The hearing is open to the public.

If he does not request a hearing, or upon the board’s decision following such a hearing, the board can then decide about further punishment, including a permanent suspension of Saunders’ medical license and probation. The board can also impose a civil penalty of up to $20,000 for each violation.

Saunders has not been arrested or formally charged in Hamilton County.

A UC Health spokesperson says UC Health is looking into the allegations.

Saunders declined to comment on the record when reached Wednesday night.

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Thu, 16 Feb 2023 22:48:00 -0600 en-US text/html https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/uc-health-doctor-accused-of-luring-patients-to-home-for-unlicensed-genital-exams/ar-AA17zN9Z
Killexams : Patient safety courses a tough sell at medical schools

From increasing the use of sepsis bundles to streamlining diagnostic test ordering to improving patient satisfaction with consent procedures, medical students at the Ohio State University College of Medicine develop projects to solve real-world patient safety risks in clinical settings.

This coursework is part of the college’s four-year health system science studies focused on safety, quality and how different healthcare professions and specialties collaborate to Improve patient care.

Rather than having health professionals wait to learn certain concepts until later on in their careers, some medical schools are beginning to incorporate patient safety into curricula so graduates enter the workforce more fully prepared.

“Why wait for a physician or a nurse or someone to be in practice for years before allowing them to take a course like this or receive certification?” said Dr. Frank Filipetto, dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. ”Let's not have them develop bad habits.”

However, medical schools must convince students and academic leaders that patient safety is worth prioritizing. Schools looking to implement safety curricula face barriers including student disinterest and uneven internal support for devoting resources to these initiatives.

“The biggest challenge was convincing students that they needed this curriculum and because it’s a change, and they don't see other medical schools doing this,” Filipetto said. “I’ve had students say, ‘I don't need to learn this.’” To counter these objections, professors explain how studying safety advantages students by enhancing their skills, in addition to benefiting patients, he said.

The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine is among the innovators in this area. The school decided a few years ago to emphasize safety so students understand the importance of preventing harm, Filipetto said.

“My vision back then was: We really need to change the way healthcare is being delivered in this country because we have significant issues with medical errors and patient safety issues that result in death,” he said.

With assistance from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and SaferCare Texas, the college first developed a curriculum and a pilot program to prepare 10 students for an IHI exam to qualify them for a Certified Professional in Patient Safety designation. Nine students passed on their first try, exceeding expectations, Filipetto said.

The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine refined its safety curriculum and now requires a two-week course and the exam during the third year of medical school. Ninety-eight percent of graduates depart with patient safety certifications, according to the college.

Students learn about the foundations of patient safety, including hospital leadership, a culture of reporting adverse events, and measuring and improving performance. They also study how to identify root causes of safety failures to inform solutions.

More than 5,000 individuals have earned Certified Professional of Patient Safety designations since the exam debuted in 2012, said IHI Vice President Patricia McGaffigan. Since the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine began its program, its graduates represent about 10% of those who have passed the test, she said. The IHI is seeking additional academic partners to expand its efforts, she said.

At the Ohio State University College of Medicine, health systems science students take a four-year course completing IHI quality and patient safety modules and engaging in group work to apply the lessons to clinical scenarios, said Dr. Philicia Duncan, program director of the school’s applied health systems science course.

During their final year, students engage in quality improvement projects that identify areas where care could be improved and work with faculty and others on quality and safety initiatives such as a campaign to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

The university ultimately wants safety incorporated into the entire curriculum, Duncan said. “That's almost looked at as a niche area,” she said. “Once it's demonstrated that patient safety and quality is more a fabric of medical education and medical practice, then that would help the program's success.”

The University of Michigan Medical School takes a similar approach that is personalized for students based on their interests and future specialties, said Dr. Jawad Al-Khafaji, director of patient safety and quality improvement. Students also work on projects emphasizing measures to prevent adverse events, he said.

“We've had quite a few very impactful projects that ended up changing some of the practices even here at the University of Michigan” and at Veterans Health Administration facilities, said Al-Khafaji, who practices internal medicine at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

Medical school graduates who are certified in patient safety are attractive to employers because so few physicians have been formally educated on the subject, Filipetto said. Newly minted doctors with this background are prepared to perform duties such as participating in patient safety and quality committees, he said.

Trying to recruit first year medical students to join the patient safety elective over an area like global public health is difficult because most have no idea of what patient safety and quality improvement are or why they are important, Al-Khafaji said.

In addition to persuading students, advocates for patient safety education face skepticism from academic leaders, said Lillee Gelinas, director of patient safety at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“The two most common questions we get—not just from medical schools, but other health profession schools—are: ‘How much does it cost and where does it fit in the curriculum?’” Gelinas said. “We can't answer that. The schools have to look at their own curriculum and where it fits. But the main message is: You can't just sprinkle the subject of safety and quality into other courses.”

Academic leaders often are reluctant to borrow best practices from other schools or from third parties, and contend they must create safety programs in-house from scratch, said Stephanie Mercado, CEO of the National Association for Healthcare Quality.

“One of the big misconceptions that I've experienced working with academic organizations is that they think that there's a benefit to having a custom program built by their organization,” Mercado said. “They believe it represents a secret sauce, that they are bringing something to the market that no one else has," she said.

“Programs who are trying to develop this de novo are going to miss the opportunity to have their students meet their peers where they're at,” Mercado said. “They need to be speaking the same language, the same vocabulary, the same toolkit, and we do that by aligning to a standard.”

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 20:00:00 -0600 en text/html https://www.modernhealthcare.com/safety-quality/patient-safety-courses-medical-schools-texas-college-osteopathic-medicine-ihi-ohio-state
Killexams : Medical admission test on 10 March

TBS Report

08 February, 2023, 09:30 pm

Last modified: 08 February, 2023, 09:36 pm

Admission test for MBBS in government and private medical colleges of the country will be held on 10 March. 

The exam will be held from 10am to 11am on that day.

Dr Abul Bashar Md Jamal, additional director general (Medical Education) of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) on Wednesday told media that the notice for the medical admission test will be published on Friday or Saturday.

Students can then apply online from 12 February.

Students who have obtained GPA 9 collectively in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) can apply for admission. The admission process will remain as before and the number of seats will also remain the same.

There are 4,350 seats in 37 government medical colleges and 6,489 seats in 72 private medical colleges.

In 2022, the medical admission test was held on 1 April where 1 lakh 43 thousand students participated.

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 01:36:00 -0600 en text/html https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/education/medical-admission-test-10-march-582146
Killexams : FMGE exam 2023: Application process for eligibility certificate open till March; check for more details The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination has announced the date for the FMGE exam 2023 registration. The National Medical Commission (NMC) also announced the commencement of the FMGE 2023 registration for the eligibility certificate. Candidates appearing in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination will be required to obtain the eligibility certificate.

The official notification stated, "The candidates who are required to have the eligibility certificate are not permitted to apply for Screening Test without the Eligibility Certificate issued by the National Medical Commission."

According to official sources, the online process for the FMGE eligibility certificate began on 9th February and will be open till 8th March, 2023. The online application for the same can be found on the NMC official website, nmc.org.in.


FMGE exam Date 2023

The FMGE 2023 exam will be conducted in June 2023, but the schedule is not fixed and is till tentative for the time being.

FMGE 2023 will be administered by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, NBE or NBEMS. Candidates who are applying for the exam will get all the required information on the detailed schedule and application process through the FMGE 2023 notification.

Those applying for the FMGE eligibility certificate will get the details regarding their applications via a tracking number. "All such candidates who intend to correspond regarding their applications are requested to provide reference of their file Tracking No, at eligibility.regn@nmc.org in or usregn@nmc.org.in," states NMC.

Candidates are advised to fill in the application form on the NMC website and save their tracking number for future reference. Incomplete applications will not be entertained and will be summarily rejected.

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:05:00 -0600 en text/html https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/fmge-exam-2023-application-process-for-eligibility-certificate-open-till-march-check-for-more-details/articleshow/97791649.cms
Killexams : FMGE 2023 exam Likely in June, Application Window To Apply For Eligibility Certificate Releases, Check Last Date Here

FMGE 2023: NMC has released the application window to apply for FMGE 2023 eligibility certificate in online mode. Candidates who wish to appear for FMGE June session must have the eligibility certificate. Know how to apply here 

FMGE 2023 Application Window To Apply For Eligibility Certificate Releases
FMGE 2023 Application Window To Apply For Eligibility Certificate Releases

FMGE 2023: As per the updates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has started the application window to apply for eligibility certificate in order to appear for Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) 2023 June session. Candidates have to apply for their eligibility certificate of FMGE 2023 from the official website of NMC. The last date to apply for FMGE 2023 eligibility certificate is March 8. 

Along with this, the official notice also informed about the FMGE 2023 exam date for June session. As per the updates, the FMGE 2023 is tentatively scheduled to be held in June. However, the exam date is expected to be announced soon. FMGE 2023 will be administered by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. 

FMGE 2023 Eligibility Certificate Application Window - Direct Link (Available Now) 

FMGE 2023 Eligibility Certificate Application Dates 

The official notification states - "The candidates who are required to have the eligibility certificate are not permitted to apply for Screening Test without the Eligibility Certificate issued by the National Medical Commission."

Events 

Date and Time 

Last date to apply for FMGE eligibility certificate

March 8, 2023 (Till 6 PM)

FMGE Exam

June 2023 (Tentative)

Check  FMGE Eligibility Certificate 2023 Notice PDF - Here

How To Fill Application Form to get FMGE 2023 Eligibility Certificate?

Candidates who are willing to appear for the FMGE exam must get their eligibility certificate. For that, they need to apply through the official website of the National Medical Commission (NMC) till the prescribed date. They will have to apply in online mode by entering all the asked details. Further, the incomplete FMGE eligibility certificate application form will be rejected. 

Those who are applying for the FMGE eligibility certificate will be able to get details regarding their applications via the tracking number. NMC states - "All such candidates who intend to correspond regarding their applications are requested to provide reference of their file Tracking No, at eligibility.regn@nmc.org in or usregn@nmc.org.in." 

Also Read: NEET PG 2023 Registration Window Reopens, Check Who Can Apply, Get Direct Link Here 

REGISTER FOR RESULTS UPDATES
Thu, 09 Feb 2023 22:09:00 -0600 text/html https://www.jagranjosh.com/news/fmge-2023-exam-likely-in-june-application-window-to-apply-for-eligibility-certificate-releases-check-last-date-here-167211
Killexams : Med Mal Claims Go Up in Smoke After Finding That Plaintiff Lied About PTSD to Obtain Marijuana

The Connecticut Court of Appeals tossed out a medical malpractice lawsuit in which a plaintiff alleged that prescribed medical marijuana, which he obtained by falsely claiming to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, exacerbated his bipolar condition.

In the opinion, set to be officially released Feb. 14, the appeals court affirmed a district court ruling dismissing the lawsuit by Richard Lastrina, the conservator of the estate of his son Daniel Lastrina.

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 06:07:00 -0600 en text/html https://www.law.com/ctlawtribune/2023/02/13/med-mal-claims-go-up-in-smoke-after-finding-that-plaintiff-lied-about-ptsd-to-obtain-marijuana/?slreturn=20230119152725
Killexams : Regional hospitals start visa medical examination

Nima Wangdi 

Those planning to go to Australia will now no longer have to travel and wait in queue at JDWNR Hospital in Thimphu for an immigration medical examination (IME). This is because the Central Regional Referral Hospital (CRRH) in Gelephu and Eastern Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH) in Mongar will start to offer the service today.

The two hospitals started registering applicants on February 6 according to officials from the health ministry. The real medical examination service will start today.


An official from CRRH said that some 54 people have registered with the hospital as of yesterday. The service will be provided from 3pm to 6pm except on weekends and government holidays. The official said they would take eight persons in a day for now.  Similarly, health ministry officials said Mongar hospital has recorded eight applicants as of yesterday afternoon.

Gelephu hospital management said that the commencement of the service comes after the successful empanelment of the CRRH and the panel physicians, and radiologists by the Australian government upon request and support of the government.

Anyone planning to go to Australia should have a medical certificate for Visa application and only physicians approved by the Australian government can perform the medical examination.


Only a team at JDWNRH was recognised to do it earlier.

The health ministry wrote to the ministry of foreign affairs and external trade (MoFAET) who in turn wrote to the Australian government for approval and Australian Home Affairs approved ERRH and CRRH to perform the medical test on January 17.

Officials from the health ministry earlier had said that the commencement of e-medical services at two more regional hospitals would help reduce the patient load at JDWNRH. “There were also some cases where people traveled from far to Thimphu and failed to get appointments on time due to many rushing for the service.”

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:37:00 -0600 text/html https://kuenselonline.com/regional-hospitals-start-visa-medical-examination/
Killexams : LCCC medical claims coding program named among top in nation Laramie County Community College’s Health Information Technology and Management (HITM) program was named among the nation’s top 50 online medical coding degree programs by a trusted resource for higher education ranking and planning. © Provided by Cheyenne-Scottsbluff KGWN-TV Laramie County Community College’s Health Information Technology and Management (HITM) program was named among the nation’s top 50 online medical coding degree programs by a trusted resource for higher education ranking and planning.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (PRESS RELEASE) - Laramie County Community College’s Health Information Technology and Management (HITM) program was named among the nation’s top 50 online medical coding degree programs by a trusted resource for higher education ranking and planning.

Intelligent.com, which provides research to help students make informed higher education decisions, creates curated guides, including for best online medical degree coding programs in 2023. LCCC’s Medical Claims Coding Associate certificate was ranked 32, earning an 87.44 “intelligence score.” The score evaluates a school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation, as well as the student resources provided for online students.

“I was so glad to see (the ranking), and I hope it helps our students know that they are getting a good education,” said Ann Howard, LCCC’s HITM program director.

The Medical Claims Coding Associate program builds on the Medical Office Essentials credit diploma and addresses specialized skills in medical coding and reimbursement, including advanced techniques in medical insurance, reimbursement methodologies, basic health information management, electronic health records and basic and advanced coding, emphasizing CPT/HCPCS and ICD coding.

The coding courses prepare students for a national coding exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The courses for the Medical Office Essentials credit diploma are embedded in the Medical Claims Coding Associate Certificate of Completion.

Those who enjoy working independently and appreciate the intersection of information technology and healthcare are a good fit for the program, Howard said.

“Once they graduate from the program, they can sit for the national exams, then they can go anywhere and work,” she said. “Our curriculum follows the coding exam, so our students are ready when they leave.”

For more information about the Health Information and Technology Management program, contact Ann Howard at ahoward1@lccc.wy.edu or 307.432.1686. The full Intelligence.com list can be found at intelligent.com/best-online-medical-coding-degree-programs.

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 08:59:00 -0600 en-US text/html http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/lccc-medical-claims-coding-program-named-among-top-in-nation/ar-AA17Afe1
Killexams : Medical pot practitioner conduct bill clears committee

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A bill that would address a handful of issues facing medical marijuana cleared the House Health and Human Services Committee Thursday, despite vocal opposition from one member of the committee.

Republican Rep. Greg Jamison’s HB 1154, titled, “An Act to modify acceptable conduct for practitioners related to medical cannabis” amends and adds to the existing statue 34-20G-78.

The current statute reads:

A practitioner who knowingly refers patients to a medical cannabis establishment or to a designated caregiver, who advertises in a medical cannabis establishment, or who issues written certifications while holding a financial interest in a medical cannabis establishment is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

34-20G-78

Jamison’s bill would tweak the language, and add more actions which could result in the penalty of a class 2 misdemeanor. These would apply to a practitioner who:

  • Knowingly refers patients to a medical cannabis establishment or to a designated caregiver (already in statute),
  • Advertises in a medical cannabis establishment (already in statute),
  • Issues written certifications while holding a financial interest in a medical cannabis establishment (already in statute),
  • Offers a discount, deal, or other financial incentive for making an appointment with the practitioner for the purpose of receiving a written certification (new),
  • Conducts the medical assessment required for a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship in a space licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages (new), or
  • Charges a patient based on the term of a written certification issued to the patient (new).

The three new provisions added by the bill are meant to (1) prevent practitioners from offering discounts and other financial incentives such as ‘buy-one-get-one’ or ‘bring a friend for half off,’ (2) keep practitioners from doing assessments in bars, and (3) charging patients differing amounts for certifications of different lengths, such as $99 for a 6-month certification vs. $200 for a 12 month certification.

Jamison brought the bill at the behest of elements within the South Dakota Marijuana Industry, telling the committee during proponent testimony; “they are the ones who are requesting this bill.”

Having said that, Jamison stepped aside to allow Jeremiah Murphy, a lobbyist for the South Dakota Cannabis Industry Association to speak.

The first issue Murphy raised that he said came out of a meeting of the Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee (MMOC) is that of practitioners potentially operating in bars.

“There was a report of — then Secretary of Health [Joan] Adam was in Vermillion for Dakota Days and she was walking down the sidewalk past a bar and somebody popped out of the bar and offered her a flyer,” Murphy said, “‘Come on in — five minutes and we’ll get you a medical card.'”

Murphy says Adam declined the offer from the stranger, but that it was still wildly inappropriate. “That’s bad practice,” he said.

Two other issues raised at the MMOC meeting Murphy broached were inappropriate pricing and incentives. “That applies to the BOGO offers,” he said, arguing that such options make patients agents of the practitioners.

As for the section about charging based upon the term of the certification, Murphy called such practices wrong on their face.

Murphy also noted that this bill was fairly simple, without too much detail added. This he said, was a good thing, as it allows for the Dept. of Health (DOH) to step in later and make rules based upon the law.

Speaking next, Kittrick Jeffries, a South Dakota dispensary owner representing Dakota Cannabis Consulting agreed with Murphy’s testimony and thanked Jamison for bringing the bill. “I’ve personally reached out to both good and bad actors,” he said, urging passage of the bill.

The last person to speak in favor of the bill was Deb Peters, representing the business which runs True North Dispensaries. “The industry takes this so seriously,” she began. “All members of our association must now sign a code of conduct which talks about striving to conduct business and ourselves in an honest and dignified manner.”

After Peters spoke, the committee opened the floor for opponent testimony. There was none.

During committee questions, committee chair Republican Rep. Kevin Jensen asked the proponents of the bill, why the penalties in the bill apply to practitioners, and not the facilities hosting them. “There are some doctors that are working with a provider — with a dispensary, so to speak,” pausing before realizing he’d been confused. “Maybe that’s tribal, so I’ll leave that alone.”

A proponent of the bill then interjected, explaining that if a practitioner was working with a dispensary, that would already be a violation of the existing law. “I thought there were some doctors working in conjunction with a particular dispensary,” Jensen continued.

“If there are, they’re violating current law,” Murphy answered.

Jensen also told the House of Representatives on Wednesday that he believes medical marijuana clinics in the state are creating recreational marijuana, also unlikely considering the DOH approves both patient applications as well as those of the practitioners who recommend the treatment.

The next question came from Republican Rep. Fred Deutsch, who wanted to know if the bill had gone through the MMOC. It has not, though it was noted by Murphy that it came out of discussions held by the MMOC.

“Just to be clear, the oversight committee has not brought this bill forward,” Deutsch asked again. “Correct,” Murphy answered.

The final question came from Republican Rep. Brandi Schaefbauer, who asked Murphy if the bill was the same as Deutsch’s bill that was voted on in the House the day before.

“No. This is not redundant — they are completely separate. They’re two vastly different approaches to the same problem. This provides criminal penalties and brings doctors in for professional liability,” Murphy said. “The other bill just did not do those things.”

Deutsch’s bill, HB 1129 faced criticism itself in the House at large for adding little to the existing law and instead creating redundant certifications that already existed in other areas of the same law.

Moving on from committee questions, the bill received its only vocal opposition of the day from Deutsch, who had a number of comments.

Deutsch began by bemoaning the fact that this bill only applies to practitioners, many of which he said he believes are flown in from other states. He said he thinks it would be better to amend a different part of the law, 34-20G-80, to target both practitioners and the owners of the facilities they operate out of.

Another issue Deutsch had with the bill is that he said he felt there was nothing to protect South Dakotans “from getting a rubber stamp type of certification like Joan Adam was asked for — it doesn’t address hotel room examinations — it simply makes a cut out for a bar. I guess an argument could be made that there’s alcohol served in strip clubs — but I don’t know if it’s served in all strip clubs.”

This marks a latest fixation for Deutsch, who has claimed on multiple occasions that doctors are giving exams for medical cannabis in strip clubs and hotel rooms.

KELOLAND News has reached out to individuals throughout the medical cannabis industry in the state to ask if there have been any documented cases of such things. According to multiple sources, there have been zero reports of examinations taking place in strip clubs, and the only report of operations in a bar is that of the situation involving former Secy. Adam.

According to one of the proponents for HB 1154, some practitioners in rural areas have operated out of hotels. KELOLAND News reached out to Deutsch himself to ask if he could provide documentation of any accounts of strip club exams, but he would not, instead answering only “Google it. Talk to people. Do your research.”

As to the idea of the ‘rubber stamp certification’ concern Deutsch noted, it is unclear how such a certification could happen, as the DOH, as noted above, would still need to approve the patient’s certification, and would have already have had to approve the practitioner to make the certification.

Deutsch also seemed upset that the bill hadn’t gone through the MMOC. “I question if this bill isn’t a double standard,” he complained. “Yesterday we heard a lot of pushback that well, one bill [HB 1129] hadn’t gone through the oversight committee, and I don’t think any bills have to go through the oversight committee frankly, but I just want the same standard applied to all the bills.”

Speaking next, Democrat Rep. Erin Healy responded to Deutsch’s complaint that the bill addresses practitioners and not facilities.

“Just read the title of the bill,” she said, doing so. “An act to modify acceptable conduct for practitioners — We are only talking about practitioners and when they are going to get in trouble, so while I understand that, Representative Deutsch, you may see that there are still issues here, that’s another bill for another day.”

Following Healy’s statement, a do-pass motion was made and seconded on the bill, however, Deutsch interjected with substitute motion before vote could be called, asking the committee to kill the bill by deferring it to the 41st day. This was seconded by Schaefbauer.

Commenting on Deutsch’s motion, Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt expanded on Healy’s statements about the need to focus on the purpose of the bill. “This bill is this bill. There are other bills, but we need to concentrate on what this one does,” she said.

Rehfeldt also pushed back on Deutsch’s complaint about a double standard regarding the MMOC.

“The [MMOC] looks at issues, tries to find solutions and occasionally, potentially, will probably propose legislation,” Rehfeldt said. “The key difference between this bill and the other bills that have been brought forward, is there’s consensus. These was no opposition testimony. They are clearly in consensus on this issue.”

Deutsch spoke one last time before the vote on his motion, repeating that he still thinks there is a double standard, and that he thinks the bill is too limited because he doesn’t think practitioners, who he earlier said are rubber stamping certifications out of strip clubs, would ever place advertisements. “I think it’s just fluff because come on, how many doctors are really going to put out those ads,” he said.

Republican Rep. Gary Cammack spoke moments before the vote to defer, praising the measure and asking his colleagues to resist Deutsch’s action.

Deutsch’s motion failed 2-11 with only himself and Schaefbauer supporting it.

“Got my butt kicked pretty good on the last one,” Deutsch said after Jensen asked for comments on the original do-pass motion. “So I’ll probably decide what I’m going to do on this one, thank you.”

“Thank you for that unsolicited comment,” Jensen replied, proceeding to call the vote. The do-pass motion passed 11-2.

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 07:36:00 -0600 en-US text/html https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/medical-pot-practitioner-conduct-bill-clears-committee/
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