Current News
President's Corner
Extreme
positions are not succeeded by moderate ones, but by contrary extreme positions.
j
Friedrich
Nietzsche
Dear Colleagues,
As a proverbial “lame duck” with the tenure of my time as president winding down - I am struck by the magnitude of the changes that face our specialty. The very fabric of Healthcare in this country is in a state of flux and some would say needed changes are eminent while others would wholeheartedly disagree. Whatever your political or professional inclinations I think its easy to see that no matter how we interpret government involvement as intrusive or beneficial the bottom line is in the words of Bob Dylan “the times they are a changing”. We must be prepared to meet challenges head on to ensure that we are able to provide the quality of service and kind of service we pride ourselves when taking care of the citizenry of Georgia.
The society has confronted several issues over the past year-some more successfully than others but they have been addressed and confronted nonetheless. Our state run programs have made providing services almost untenable for most surgeons. The embarrassingly inadequate amount for consultation is almost a salvo toward reducing the number of providers as opposed to increasing access that we always hear about. The only way to change what we are facing is to work with the legislature to make sure they understand the difficulties and can apply the proper leverage to have the system bettered, changed or dismantled and rebuilt. Your personal relationship with legislators and with your community leaders are invaluable in the effort to make inroads to betterment. Organized dentistry (specialty and state societies) seem to understand this concept and we must join their efforts if we are to have a seat at the table. In a recent meeting with AAOMS leadership it was quipped that “if you are not at the table…then you are probably on the menu”. A Mark Twain like anachronism to be sure but drives the point home.
Our ability to self regulate our practices is of paramount importance. The office anesthesia evaluations, involvement with the board of dentistry,GDA law days and committee work within the society are great ways to keep that ability. Rules and regulations regarding office based surgery and anesthesia is under revision. The AAOMS, GSOMS and GDA have worked diligently to make sure that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons interests are served and considered. Our dual degree colleagues are in for some changes. Hopefully, we have “headed off at the pass” a problem and obtained an exemption for them from tighter and possibly practice ending resolution that could easily become law or rule and adversely affect them.
The AAOMS anesthesia resolution has been met (by all but 6 surgeons) and we can keep our number of delegates which would have to be reduced if too many memberships were eliminated because of non-compliance. It has been a long and winding road but you have traveled with me and I appreciate your efforts to bring us into compliance. Challenges from our third party payers to continue to bundle and downgrade our services have been renewed by another major insurance carrier …but as before the executive committee and committed officers are already at work to secure a face to face meet and hopefully obtain results like we did with Blue Cross/Blue Shield just a few short years ago. I don’t offer these points as resume fodder but to let you know there are many issues and a lot of effort that goes on between our general meetings. To those who question the need for or the relevance of their state society-I ask you to please evaluate openly and honestly the hard work and time that your elected officers put into taking care of our specialty.
I would be completely remiss if I didn’t thank all of you who have contributed in one way or the other over the past year. We all owe a special debt to Leslie Boulter and to Hank Holderfield who perform their jobs and tasks so well-even in the face of keeping up with busy surgeons. Special thanks also goes to Dr’s Roser, Perciaccante, Stacey, Maron, Kinsey, Schultz, Bankston and Hogan-your counsel and honest opinions have been invaluable. I know that Dr. Roser will not only draw on his vast experience but your opines as well. Please don’t forget to join us at the May 22, meeting at the Georgia Aquarium and bring your referrals. We will update you on our progress and whatever new issues we face-stronger and better prepared because of your participation.
Antwan L. Treadway, DMD
GSOMS President
Summer Newsletter 2010
GSOMS Rolls Out A New Credit Card
Processing Program For Members
The GSOMS Executive Committee recently endorsed First Healthcare Payment Systems as its strategic business partner for credit card processing. Depending on your volume, savings will be hundreds or even thousands annually to your practice. This new credit card processing program enables you to take advantage of low wholesale rates on MasterCard/Visa processing based on the collective annual volume of our entire industry.
Program Benefits
- Typical Savings for Member Range From $1,000 to $10,000 Annually
- Simple To Use
- No New Terminals Needed
- No Interruption Of Credit Card Processing Services
- No Complicated Paperwork Or Training
- Ability To Access Future Upgrades And New Features
- All Program Enrollment Fees Have Been Waived
- Helps GSOMS by providing a source of non-dues revenue
A First Healthcare representative will be contacting you soon on our behalf. To get started, simply provide them with a previous statement and they will compute your savings within 48 Hours.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact GSOMS Executive Director
Hank Holderfield.
For more information:
Brian, Darin or Elaine
Phone: 1-877-726-7017
Fax: 678-829-0517
www.firsthealthpay.com
Winter Newsletter 2010
Board of Dentistry Update
From the Emory Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Update On The Dental Medicaid/Peachcare Program
Summer Newsletter 2009
Summer
Conference Around the Corner
Governor Congratulates GSOMS
Board of Dentistry Update
From the Medical College of Georgia
From the Emory Division of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery
OMSF Celebrates 50th Anniversary
OMSPAC/Federal Affairs Update
Members
Who Have Completed the Anesthesia Evaluation Requirement
Past News
Let AAOMS maximize your practice's Web presence!
AAOMS.org's "Find an OMS" search to link to member Web sites
A growing number of patients seeking the services of a medical or dental professional are relying on the doctor's practice Web site for information about the office staff and procedures. This trend is supported by the results of the 2005 AAOMS Member Needs Assessment and Satisfaction Survey, which states that almost 40% of AAOMS members now maintain a practice Web site.
Beginning this month, AAOMS will offer an enhancement to aaoms.org's popular "Find an OMS" search. In addition to their name, practice address and phone number, AAOMS fellows and members who approve the Link Participation Agreement will be provided a link from aaoms.org to their practice site.
This offer is available only to AAOMS fellows and members who agree to provide a reciprocal link from their site back to the AAOMS Web site.
If this sounds interesting to you, log on to the AAOMS Web site and review the agreement. If you choose to participate, be sure to edit your member profile to enter or confirm your practice Web site address. Please allow up to seven days for your URL to appear in the Find an OMS directory. For additional information, contact Michael Aparicio, or call 847/678-6286.