Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD

State Network News November 2005 Special Issue, Issue 56 Front Page: HOD Chair's Message CMD Activities in Dallas Delegates Needed Revised F501 Implemented New, Revised CPT Codes 2006 Nominating Committee House of Delegates Resolutions State Chapter Receptions Chapter Connections Booth Foundation Art Auction AMDA Listening Posts Upcoming Chapter Meetings Printable Version of This Issue Attachments: A. Delegate Registration Form B. Active Member Count, by State C. Meeting Space Request Form D. State Chapter Connections Booth Request Form

E-mail Your Articles What better way to disseminate information to other AMDA chapters than to include an article in State Network News (SNN)? If you would like to include an article in an upcoming issue, please e-mail it along with permission to reprint to Nicole Germain, Membership Coordinator, at ngermain@amda.com.

State Chapter Meetings Click here for a listing of state chapter meetings.

Agenda Items The State Chapter Working Session will take place on Wednesday, March 15, 2006, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and the State Presidents' Council Business Meeting and Breakfast will be on Saturday, March 18, from 6:30 am to 8:00 am. As always, we are asking that you submit any agenda items in advance for consideration. Please email policy issues to Nancy Gebhart. If the items are regarding membership or general administrative issues, then send email to Nicole Germain. The deadline is January 6, 2006.

Getting the Word Out Symposium registration information is available on AMDA's web site. Remember that not all state chapter members are members of AMDA. Please promote the symposium in your newsletters and encourage your state members to register and join AMDA. Members save $200 on registration fees and increase your state's representation in the House of Delegates. If you would like to have AMDA membership information available at state meetings, please contact Nicole Germain, Membership Coordinator, at (410) 992–3114 or ngermain@amda.com.

New State Chapter Presidents As a new state chapter president, AMDA encourages you to participate in the state functions offered at the annual symposium. We understand that the symposium can be a little overwhelming. AMDA is here to help. If you have general questions about state chapter activities that occur during the annual symposium, please contact Nicole Germain, Membership Coordinator, at (410) 992-3114 or ngermain@amda.com. If you have questions regarding the House of Delegates activities, please contact Kathleen Meyers, Executive Office Coordinator, at (410) 992-3103 or kmeyers@amda.com.

Chapter Newsletters Please make sure that the national office is on your mailing list to receive your state chapter newsletter. The newsletters may be sent to: Nicole Germain, Membership Coordinator American Medical Directors Association 10480 Little Patuxent Parkway, Ste 760 Columbia, MD 21044.

Message from AMDA's House of Delegates Chair

The times, they are a-changing... and you can do something about it!

Physicians continue to see many transformations in long term care, from the new F-tag 501 on the Medical Director, to Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Plans, and to new nursing home CPT codes, among others. We all have thoughts and opinions on how our medical practice and resident care could be better served. As AMDA's annual meeting nears, it is imperative we reflect on how we want our future to be shaped, and more importantly how we as an organization should position ourselves in the long term care continuum. Our proud tradition as a grassroots association has demanded that we promote the concerns of the front line physician, and there is no better way to do so than to participate in the House of Delegates and the resolution process.

AMDA has worked hard to become the source for clinical practice in LTC. Our advocacy and educational efforts have remained resident-focused, and need to continue to reflect the changing needs of our patients. The House of Delegates is the conscience of AMDA, reflecting what members feel the organization should consider and deliberate to improve resident care.

The charge of the House is to develop and debate policy recommendations and resolutions for presentation to the board; consider and endorse resolutions, policy and position statements brought to it from the board; approve amendments/changes to the bylaws; and hold elections for board positions. The House proceedings basically tell the board the direction the average member wants its association to take throughout the next year.

Resolutions are the consolidated opinions of our organization. Any and all thoughts of what positions we should take are welcome for consideration. States and individuals can submit resolutions to the AMDA national office through their state president or directly to me. If you have an idea or an issue, but are uncertain how to prepare a resolution, our committee is here to assist you. Resolutions must be submitted by January 16th to the national office. The resolutions committee will review all submissions and coordinate revisions. Resolutions, Policy Papers, and related material will be sent to delegates on February 16, 2006. You can review past resolutions, white papers and bylaws as needed at www.amda.com/library.

Delegates to the House are appointed by the state chapter president. It is suggested that a mix of experienced and new persons be chosen to provide a balance of institutional memory and source of new ideas and leaders. Delegates should read all material prior to coming to Dallas to make the meeting productive and efficient.

It is also time to give serious consideration for nominations and elections for AMDA leadership officers. Positions this year include a Board of Directors representative from both the HOD and the State Presidents' Council, Secretary, Chair-House of Delegates and Vice President (with automatic succession to President-Elect and President). Send all resolutions and nominations to the AMDA office. I look forward to seeing you at our 29th Annual Symposium in Dallas, March 16-19, 2006.

Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD
Chair, House of Delegates

In This Issue of State Network News:

This issue of State Network News is devoted to helping you prepare for AMDA's 29th Annual Symposium to be held March 16–19, 2006, in Dallas, TX.

The meeting will feature many events involving state chapters, including:

State Chapter Working Session

Wednesday, March 15 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

CMD Reception

Wednesday, March 15 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The session will provide the opportunity for informal networking and a panel discussion.

House of Delegates Meeting with Box Lunch (Delegates only)

Thursday, March 16 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Preparation for the Business meeting on Saturday.

State Chapter Receptions/Meetings

Friday, March 17 from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

State Presidents Council Breakfast & Annual Business Meeting

Saturday, March 18 from 6:30 am - 8:00 am

House of Delegates Meeting (Delegates only)

Saturday, March 18 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Seating begins at 3:30 pm and doors will close promptly at 4:00 pm.

In an effort to seat delegates on time and allow the maximum amount of time scheduled for the business of the House, we ask that you confirm your delegates onsite prior to the meeting. We will have a House of Delegates Help Desk onsite Thursday and Friday to register State Delegates.

In order to have all of these meetings run as smoothly as possible, we need your input and cooperation. Please read the information included in this newsletter carefully and save it for future reference.

CMD Activities to be Offered at AMDA's 29th Annual Symposium
A snapshot of activities of interest to prospective and current Certified Medical Directors (AMDA CMDs).

Delegates Needed
Preparation is crucial to being able to accomplish the substantial amount of business before the House of Delegates. These guidelines from the AMDA Bylaws must be followed for appointing delegates.

Revised Medical Director Tag Implemented November 18th
Effective November 18, 2005, CMS implemented the revised Interpretative Guidelines in the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP for the medical director Tag (F501).

AMDA Efforts Result in New and Revised Nursing Home Codes
Over the past two years, AMDA has been working to both redefine and obtain appropriate relative value units for the Nursing Facility code family. This week, the AMA released the new family of codes.

2006 Nominating Committee
State chapters are encouraged to submit candidates to the Nominating Committee for the following positions: Vice President; Secretary; Chair, House of Delegates; State Presidents Council Representative; and House of Delegates Representative.

Resolutions, Policy Papers, and Position Statements
How to develop and submit resolutions, policy papers, and position statements for consideration by the AMDA House of Delegates.

State Chapter Receptions
Space for State Chapters to conduct business meetings or hold a reception is being held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas on Friday, March 17, 2006, from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm. This 60-minute timeframe has been set aside for our State Chapters and no other programming will take place at this time.

State Chapter Connections Booth
Showcase your state chapter accomplishments and member materials at the State Chapter Connections Booth in the AMDA Exhibit Hall.

Art Auction to Benefit AMDA Foundation
The AMDA Foundation will hold its first art auction on March 17, 2006 from 9pm-11pm at the 2006 AMDA annual symposium. The auction will feature artwork from residents of long term care facilities from around the country.

Minnesota and Massachusetts Host Listening Posts
The Minnesota and Massachusetts chapters were eager to provide the site for our first two listening posts, and we had great turnout at both meetings.