Document 6595846
Transcription
Document 6595846
PAGE 2 PAGE 6 PAGE 18 In his final AAOMS Today column, AAOMS President Eric T. Geist sums up the past year and the groundwork laid for the specialty’s future. Your grassroots advocacy just got easier with a new, more robust online advocacy platform. Medicare regulations and reimbursement continue to be a source of confusion. Health Policy Perspectives offers some clarity. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 A publication of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Survey Results Offer Snapshot of OMS Practice and AAOMS Membership E very three years for the last 17 years, AAOMS has conducted a membership survey to assist the Board of Trustees in their development of a strategic plan that will guide the association’s programs and activities for the coming three years. The survey covers a number of key areas, including current practice trends, member needs, member opinions about the association’s programs, products and services, and member satisfaction. Nearly half of members report that their practice production increased over the last three years. In This Issue AAOMS President’s Column..........2 Coding Corner...........................14 Treasurer’s Account....................26 Practice Management Matters....28 Calendar...................................44 The latest survey was sent in December 2013 to a random sampling of AAOMS fellows and members. The results have been provided to the Board, which is currently preparing the 2015-2017 AAOMS Strategic Plan. Following are the highlights of this recent survey: PRACTICE TRENDS n Nearly half of members report that their practice production increased over the last three years, while about one-fourth reported a decrease. Those reporting a decrease were generally intentionally reducing their work hours. n Members spend an average of 35 hours a week with patients and 7 hours a week on administrative tasks. However, half of the members note that they are spending more time on the administrative end than they did three years ago. n 52% of members use an Electronic Health Record (EHR) compared to 48% who do not. n Asked to identify the three greatest threats that will affect their practice in the next three years, members pointed to: • Decreased coverage and reimbursement, particularly for third molars and anesthesia The rising cost of government regulation and compliance is considered as one of the greatest threats affecting a practice. n Over the next three years, half of the respondents plan to expand their practice by adding an OMS (33%), expanding surgical offerings (24%), adding a location (13%), or adding a CRNA or MD anesthesiologist (5%). n Four in 10 members are taking steps to reduce their practice by spending fewer hours at work (32%), reducing the types of procedures performed (16%), selling their practice or sharing a practice (14%), or retiring (14%). n One in 10 members report that their primary hospital affiliation has approached them about joining the system as an employee, and 3% plan to do so in the next three years. • Competition • Rising cost of government regulation and compliance continued on page 25 AAOMS TODAY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 AAOMS Today is published six times a year by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the opinions expressed and statements made in AAOMS Today do not imply endorsements by, nor official policy of, AAOMS. AAOMS Daniel M. Laskin, DDS, MS Editor 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701 Robert C. Rinaldi, PhD, CAE Executive Director 847/678-6200 Fax 847/678-6286 Janice K. Teplitz Associate Executive Director www.aaoms.org Janie K. Dunham Manager, Editorial OFFICERS TRUSTEES Eric T.A.Geist, Miro Pavelka, DDSDDS, MSD President 972/231-6661 318/388-2621 Fax 972/231-3161 381/388-2835 mapavelka@msn.com etgoms@comcast.net 400 Surgery Oral S. Cottonwood Associates Richardson, 2003 Forsythe TX 75080-5708 Avenue Monroe, LA 71201-4938 Eric T. Geist, DDS President-elect William J. Nelson, DDS 318/388-2621 President-elect Fax 381/388-2835 920/217-2036 etgoms@comcast.net Fax 920/347-0868 Oral Surgery Associates wnelson445@gmail.com 2003St. 480 Forsythe Mary’s Avenue Blvd. Monroe, Green Bay, LA WI 71201-4938 54301 Victor L. Nannini, Lawrence J. Busino, DDS DDS District I (Northeastern) 518/446-1001 516/294-9696 Fax 516/294-3531 518/446-0802 lawrencebusino@gmail.com vnannini@hotmail.com AlbanyIsland Long OMSOMS Group 2 Executive 134 MineolaPark Blvd,Drive Suite 302 Albany, NY Mineola, NY12203 11501-3918 Louis K.J.Rafetto, William Nelson,DMD DDS Vice President 920/336-0989 302/477-1800 Fax 920/347-0868 302/477-0343 wnelson445@gmail.com lkrafetto@gmail.com 480 St. Mary’s Blvd. 3512 Silverside Rd, Suite 12 Green Bay, WI Wilmington, DE54301 19810-4941 Brett L. Ferguson, DDS Treasurer 816/404-4355 Fax 816/404-4359 brett.ferguson@tmcmed.org Truman Med Medical Ctr,Center Dept. of Dentistry, Department OMS, 2301 Holmes of Dentistry, Street OMS 2301 Holmes Kansas City, MO Street 64108 Kansas City, MO 64108 Miro A. Pavelka, DDS, MSD Arthur C. Jee, Immediate PastDMD President Immediate Past President 972/231-6661 301/498-3900 Fax 972/231-3161 Fax 301/317-4758 mapavelka@msn.com ajeeone@aol.com 400 S. Cottonwood Dr., Suite B 13934 Baltimore Richardson, TX 75080-5708 Avenue Laurel, MD 20707 Robert C. Rinaldi, PhD, CAE Robert C. Director Executive Rinaldi, and PhD,Secretary CAE Executive Director and Secretary 847/678-6200 847/678-6200 Fax 847/678-4302 Fax 847/678-4302 brinaldi@aaoms.org brinaldi@aaoms.org 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue 9700 W. Bryn Rosemont, IL 60018-5701 Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL 60018-5701 Steven R. Nelson, DDS, MS Steven R.House Speaker, Nelson, of DDS, Delegates MS Speaker, House of Delegates 303/758-6850 303/758-6850 Fax 303/758-0729 Fax 303/758-0729 snelson.omsf@gmail.com snelson.omsf@gmail.com 6850 E. Hampden Ave., Ste 202 6850 E.CO Denver, Hampden 80224 Ave. Suite 202 Denver, CO 80224 Vincent Louis K. E. Rafetto, DiFabio, DMD DDS, MS District II (Middle Atlantic) 302/477-1800 301/694-0870 Fax 301/694-7034 302/477-0343 lkrafetto@gmail.com drdifabio@erols.com 3512Thomas 198 Silverside Johnson Road, Dr., Suite 12 Wilmington, Ste. 101 DE 19810-4941 Frederick, MD 21702 J. David Johnson, Jr., DDS District J. DavidIIIJohnson, (Southeastern) Jr., DDS 865/482-1319 District III (Southeastern) Fax 865/481-3067 865/482-1319 jdjj1@aol.com Fax 865/481-3067 OMS Specialists, PC, jdjj1@aol.com 420 Laboratory OMS Specialists,Road PC, Oak Ridge, 420 Laboratory TN 37830 Road Oak Ridge, TN 37830 Paul M. Lambert, DDS District Paul M.IVLambert, (Great Lakes) DDS 208/422-1102 District IV (Great Lakes) Fax 208/422-1157 208/938-1776 paul.lambert@va.gov Fax 208/938-1776 Boise VAMC plambert2008@live.com 500 Fort 5398 N. Brookmeadow Street Way Boise, ID 83713 83702-4598 Douglas W. Fain, DDS, MD, FACSFACS MD, District V (Midwestern) 912/381-5194 913/381-5194 Fax 913/381-5215 dfainddsmd@aol.com dfainddsmd@gmail.com Oral & Facial Surgical Assoc. 3700 W. 83rd St, St. Ste 203 Prairie Village, KS 66208-5120 A. ThomasIndresano, A.Thomas Indresano,DMD DMD District VI (Western) 510/437-4026 Fax 510/437-5128 atindresano@sbcglobal.net tindresano@yahoo.com University of the Pacific Sch. of Dentistry, Dept. of OMS 2155Fifth 155 Webster StreetSt., Suite 522F San Francisco, CA 94103 94115-2399 Scott C. Farrell AAOMS ASSOCIATE Chief Financial Officer, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Business and Operations AAOMS ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Mark Adams General Counsel Mark Adams ext. 4350 General Counsel ext. 4350 Mary E. Allaire-Schnitzer Advanced Education and Randi V. Andresen Professional Affairs and Advanced Education ext. 4315 Affairs Professional ext. 4337S. Choyke, CAE Barbara Continuing Barbara S. Education, Choyke Meetings and Exhibits Continuing Education, ext. 4309 and Exhibits Meetings ext. 4309 2 ext. 4352 Scott JaniceC. K.Farrell Teplitz Chief Financial Officer, Communications and Business and Operations Publications ext. 4352 4336 JaniceK.K.Wittich, Teplitz CAE Karin Communications and and Practice Management Publications Affairs Governmental 4336 ext. 4334 Karin K. Wittich Practice Management and Governmental Affairs ext. 4334 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Eric T. Geist, DDS, AAOMS President IN MY VIEW Clinical Research and the Informational Campaign Help Define our Future A s my year as AAOMS president draws to a close, I am reminded of the great Vince Lombardi who once observed, “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” This year has been a whirlwind of activity as our association embarked on three large-scale projects that, when brought to fruition, will surely impact our future practice, the perception of OMS among professional, regulatory and public audiences, and the longterm viability of the specialty. I believe that when future oral and maxillofacial surgeons look back on the early days of the 21st century, 2014 will be considered a watershed year that ushered in a new golden age of OMS practice. In my inaugural speech before the House of Delegates I stated that if we as a specialty are to advance and expand our scope of practice we must recapture our academic foundation and directly fund meaningful clinical research. The fact remains that today’s research grants are highly competitive and most often awarded for basic science research. While this situation is understandable, it adds a sense of urgency to our quest. One of my first actions as president was to appoint the Special Committee on Clinical Research Initiatives. Chaired by Past President Arthur C. Jee, the Special Committee has created the necessary infrastructure that will allow us to conduct clinical research in the vital areas of OMS, including third molars, anesthesia, implants and many others. This clinical research is designed to complement the research initiatives currently sponsored by the OMS Foundation, and we are pleased that the foundation has elected to partner with us in this new endeavor. “I believe 2014 will be considered a watershed year that ushered in a new golden age of OMS practice.” As I have reported to you previously, we are using approved Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to maintain continuity and approve protocols in the study areas. The studies will be achieved through our Practice-based Research Network (PBRN). Both the IRBs and PBRNs are necessary if we are to facilitate the involvement of multiple clinicians and monitor SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 These three major projects—clinical research, the development of an oral and maxillofacial surgery registry and our informational campaign—are the cornerstones of the association’s new three-year Strategic Plan. protocol observance so that the research is relevant, and meaningful. Our first clinical research study has launched. “Prospective outcomes of the management of third molar extractions via a large multicenter study” seeks to determine the outcomes of the various antibiotic protocols used in patients undergoing surgery for third molars and identify those factors with the highest probability of achieving a successful outcome for these patients. Initial findings from this study will be available early next year, and additional clinical research investigations are already being planned. This is your opportunity to advance OMS practice and give back to the specialty that has been so good to us all. Consider volunteering to participate in an upcoming research endeavor. Contact Ms. Mary Allaire-Schnitzer at AAOMS for more information about the projects and how to become involved or go to our Web site under AAOMS Members and look for the heading Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) in the right hand column. An additional area of concern for the specialty is rooted in the Affordable Care Act, specifically its changing reimbursement models and its requirement to report quality measures for full reimbursement in the future. The Board responded to this issue by appointing the Special Committee on Performance and Outcome Measures and having them partner with the Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) to design, develop and implement an oral and maxillofacial surgery registry that will provide relevant practice data that may be used to benefit AAOMS members when interacting with federal and state agencies, third parties and stakeholders. Established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the AQI will be “Our first clinical research study has launched and initial findings from this study will be available early next year.” creating registries similar to their own, actively cataloguing patient information from participating practitioners around the country. It is anticipated that once the registry is operational, there will be no direct charge for membership participation. Dovetailing with our desire to stake a claim to the key areas of OMS practice through clinical research and a specialty-specific registry was a very real need to communicate to our public, professional, legislative and third party stakeholders that oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely trained to be the EXPERTS in face, mouth and jaw surgery. The 2013 House of Delegates authorized $1.1 million to support year one of an AAOMS Informational Campaign. Working with New York public relations firm Athorn Clark and Partners, the Special Committee on AAOMS Informational Campaign (SCAIC), chaired by President-elect William J. Nelson, served as a conduit to the Board and coordinated the message of the campaign to targeted audiences. MyOMS.org, AAOMS’s new public Web site, is the foundation of the informational campaign. Its images, color palette and feel are reinforced in the campaign’s advertising initiatives, and the new tagline, “Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: The Experts in Face, Mouth and Jaw Surgery,” is used consistently to remind viewers that our training and experience uniquely qualify us to care for the entire maxillofacial region. This year’s activities included greater participation in the Google AdWords program, online advertising on public Web pages, print and online advertising in professional dental publications and Web sites, and the development of videos on third molars, dental implants and anesthesia. The videos will be posted to the MyOMS.org site as well as on Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo. At present, an outside and unbiased market research firm is resurveying the group of dental professionals, young adults, parents of teenagers, and adults age 30 and older, who comprised the target audience prior to the start of the campaign, to determine whether the activities of the last five-months have altered their opinions of oral and maxillofacial surgeons and the specialty. The campaign’s activities and the results continued on page 4 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 3 Osteo Science Foundation Announces First Research Grants T he Board of Directors of the Osteo Science Foundation has awarded its first four research grants, totaling close to $200,000, to researchers at Columbia University, Indiana University, Rutgers University and UCLA. The research projects, which focus on applied developments and treatment concepts in regenerative medicine for clinical application in oral, cranial and maxillofacial surgery, align with the vision of the Osteo Science Foundation, which is to advance hard and soft tissue regeneration in oral, cranial and maxillofacial surgery through research and education. Dr. Sidney Eisig, Columbia University Tracking cells and biomaterial remodeling in tissue engineered bone graft;” and Grantees from this first grant cycle are: The Osteo Science Foundation will be offering grants on a semi-annual basis. The next submission period for grant proposals is October 1 – December 1, 2014. All grant proposals must be submitted online at http://www. osteoscience.org. T Dr. Tara Aghaloo, UCLA Hard and soft tissue engineering to regenerate mandibular segmental defects; Dr. Tienmin Chu, Indiana University Thrombopoietin in cranial regeneration; Dr. Hilton Kaplan, Rutgers University Decellularized neurovascual bundle for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction. Dr. Jay P. Malmquist, chairman of the Osteo Science Foundation Board of Directors, noted that the board was pleased with the quality of the submissions from the first cycle and anticipates the funded research projects will significantly affect the healthcare community and improve patient care. In the 2012 elections, 3,046 federal PACs contributed to candidates. OMSPAC was the only one solely representing oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons’ voice in national politics for over 40 years. 9700 West Bryn Mawr | Rosemont, Illinois 60018 | 800/822-6637 | www.omspac.org 4 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org In My View Continued from page 3 of the survey will be presented to the 2014 House of Delegates during the first business session on Monday, September 8, and at the Reference Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 9. These three major projects— clinical research, the development of an oral and maxillofacial surgery registry and our informational campaign—are the cornerstones of the association’s new three-year Strategic Plan. From pre- and postdoctoral education and training to advocacy and OMS practice, AAOMS’s program goals and objectives will be inf luenced by the achievements of these three initiatives. This year as your president has been an exciting and fulfilling experience. I believe we have made significant strides this year in distinguishing oral and maxillofacial surgeons as the undisputed experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery as well as officebased anesthesia. I leave office confident in the knowledge that this association is in good hands and our specialty is well-positioned for continued success and future advancement. It has been a privilege serving you. T SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 We Take Care of Your Office So You Can Take Care of Your Patients OMSVision is truly visionary. For over 10 years, the exclusive partnership between the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and OMSVision has delivered the most comprehensive practice management technology on the market today. With OMSVision you will: • Achieve totally paperless operations with embedded EHR • Keep your practice cutting-edge with OMSVision Implant Center, Mobile, ePrescribe and Kiosk • Cultivate relationships that drive profitability with the best referral tracking features • Use the technologies you choose, thanks to an open integration policy It is time to take a look at how OMSVision can improve your patient care and practice profitability. www.omsvision.com ©2014 Henry Schein Inc. Third-party products, logos, trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. A-OMS2DAY-Q114 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 5 CAPITOL CONNECTION Integral Piece of AAOMS’s OMS Action Network Gets an Upgrade A AOMS has moved from CQ Roll Call’s Capwiz, the backbone of the OMS Action Network’s grassroots advocacy program, to the company’s new and more robust Engage grassroots advocacy platform, a change that will make it easier and more enjoyable for members to advocate for the specialty. While Engage continues to support OMS users with an editable, prefilled Web-form letter system that helps them contact their members of Congress, it goes several steps further. The new platform offers an updated look—from the Web page, to the key issues summaries, to the way in which you actually take action— and streamlines the way in which AAOMS members take action. With Engage, OMSs can become “virtual lobbyists.” The OMS Action Network is a vital advocacy program that offers fellows and members a variety of opportunities to participate in the association’s grassroots initiatives. One of its most relied upon features is the ability for OMSs to write their member of Congress in support of legislative issues important to the specialty. In fact, more than 100 OMSs have already sent approximately 665 messages to Congress in 2014. Engage, with its expanded capabilities will enhance this activity AAOMS invites all members to visit www.aaoms.org/action to familiarize themselves with Engage and Take Action Now! FEDERAL ISSUES n Since the last edition of the AAOMS Today, AAOMS has either sent or signed onto two comment letters to Congress and/ or federal agencies on the following issues: degree of provider nondiscrimination and FDA efforts to continued on page 8 6 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 PBHS BOOTH 515 - AAOMS IMPLANT 2014 RESEARCHED. PROVEN. ENDORSED. OUTLINED FONT (IF MYRIAD PRO NOT ON SYSTEM FOR USE) COLOR BREAKDOWN c 100 m 0 y 10 k 0 c 0 m 50 y 100 k 0 c m y k 0 0 0 85 PBHS. WE S PE AK O M S . ™ FONT BREAKDOWN r̾.:3*"%130$0/%&/4&% PBHS PBHS PBHS ON BLACK BACKGROUND WHITE TEXT 100% CYAN 10% YELLOW 50% MAGENTA 100% YELLOW ON COLORED BACKGROUND WHITE TEXT WHITE STROKE ON 3 BOXES 50% MAGENTA 100% YELLOW THE RIGHT WEBSITE ON WHITE BACKGROUND & LIGHT BACKGROUND 85% BLACK TEXT 100% CYAN 10% YELLOW 50% MAGENTA 100% YELLOW MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN: Design once and unify your website strategy. PBHS websites* automatically adjust to any desktop, mobile device or tablet. *On all new custom site packages and select semi custom websites. Rank higher with PBHS Launch Dental! Three stellar search engine marketing programs that will optimize your site, advertise your practice and engage patients. PBHS websites increase ROI. LAUNCH LOCAL Designed to boost your search engine results on Google, Bing and Yahoo! LAUNCH ADS Online Advertising that ignites an immediate response on Google, Facebook & Bing. LAUNCH SOCIAL Meaningful social media. A concierge based PR campaign with measurable results. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL PBHS AT: 800.840.5383 or visit: www.pbhs.com ADA is a registered trademark of the American Dental Association. ADA Business ResourcesSM is a service mark of the American Dental Association. ADA Business Resources is a program brought to you by ADA Business Enterprises, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Dental Association. AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 7 Capitol Connection Continued from page 6 stem the nonmedical use and abuse of prescription opioid analgesic drugs. n On June 19, House Republicans chose California Rep. Kevin McCarthy as their new majority leader. Rep. McCarthy defeated Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador in a closeddoor meeting, where the winner was chosen by secret ballot. The 49-yearold will replace Rep. Eric Cantor (RVA), who was unexpectedly defeated in a June 10 primary. Cantor left his post as majority leader on July 31. n Also on June 19, Republicans tapped Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise as the next House majority whip. Rep. Scalise defeated Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam and Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman. The current House whip, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA), won the job as majority leader, leaving the whip job vacant. n On July 10, Dr. Howard Koh announced that he is stepping down as assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services after five years in the post. Dr. Wanda Jones, who serves as principle deputy assistant secretary for health, will take over his duties until a replacement is named. STATE ISSUES n On June 2, 2014, South Carolina Governor Nikki R. Haley (R) signed legislation (S 1036) that creates a new process for securing dental sedation permits in the state. The new law will require dentists to secure a permit to administer moderate enteral sedation, moderate parenteral sedation, and deep sedation/general anesthesia. All of the permits come with their own requirements, which include completion of specified education 8 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org and training and verification that the applicant’s facilities meet specified requirements. The new law takes effect January 1, 2015 and the South Carolina Board of Dentistry will need to develop administrative regulations to implement the new law. For more information, please contact the South Carolina Board of Dentistry. n On June 20, the US District Court for the Western District of Texas ruled that dentists and dental organizations may pursue due process and equal protection claims against a state dental board (Am. Academy of Implant Dentistry v. Parker, 2014 BL 172220, W.D. Tex., No. 1:14-cv191, 6/20/14). This case involves four private dentistry-related organizations and five individual dentists suing the executive director and members of the Texas State Board HEALTH IT BYTES of Dental Examiners, in their official capacities, challenging the constitutionality of a rule promulgated by the state dental board. The ruling effectively denies the board’s motion for partial dismissal and a partial judgment in the case. OMSPAC n As of July, OMSPAC raised $541,730 in contributions from AAOMS members. Additionally, OMSPAC has contributed $392,250 to federal candidates as of July 31, 2014. For additional information on contribution totals or for a list of candidates to whom OMSPAC has contributed please visit www.omspac.org. T Highlighting health information technology (health IT) issues affecting OMS practices n The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed a rule to let providers in its “meaningful use” incentive program for electronic health record (EHR) systems use Stage 1 technology to satisfy Stage 2 requirements in 2014. The proposal would allow providers to use a 2011 system, a combination of 2011 and 2014 systems, or a 2014 system by itself to meet either Stage 1 or Stage 2 requirements, depending on when they began participating in the program. The proposal also delays the implementation of Stage 3 of meaningful use until 2017. n The office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has released a paper outlining its 10-year vision for achieving a nationwide interoperable health IT infrastructure. An array of interoperable health IT products and services that “allow the healthcare system to continuously learn and advance the goal of improved healthcare” is envisioned by 2024. A full copy of the plan may be found at http://www. healthit.gov/sites/default/files/ ONC10yearInteroperability ConceptPaper.pdf. T SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 800.753.6376 When performing sedation dentistry or oral surgery, ensuring patient safety through adequate ventilation is essential. www.sedationresource.com RespSenseTM Capnograph ADVANTAGES Nonin capnography monitors are ideal for use in dental clinics, surgery centers and other clinical settings where dental or oral surgery procedures on sedated patients are performed. Highly portable with a widescreen touch-panel display, the RespSense monitors are accurate, easy-to-use devices that are suitable for infant through adult patients in a wide range of clinical settings. KEY BENEFITS Fast, first breath detection of respiratory rate and end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) Highly visible display Easy to use Can be easily mounted on a pole or used as a tabletop monitor Unique moisture management Cost effective to purchase and operate with standard tubing AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 9 CE & M E CONTINUING EDUCATION, MEETINGS AND EXHIBITS Four LimitedAttendance Programs to Precede 2014 Dental Implant Conference F our limited-attendance preconference programs on “Complications,” “The Changing Landscape of Bone Grafting for Implant Therapy,” “Esthetics and Implant Therapy: What are the Real Issues?” and “Soft Tissue Grafting and Periodontal Procedures for Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons” will be offered concurrently on Thursday afternoon, December 4, immediately preceding the AAOMS 2014 Dental Implant Conference. Three general sessions on “Esthetic Implant Restorations: Recipes for Success,” “Implants, Abutments, and Graft Materials - Consensus Viewpoints,” and “Managing the Patient with Failing Dentition” comprise the Friday and Saturday conference schedules. Online registration for the December 4-6, 2014 AAOMS Dental Implant Conference in Chicago, IL is now 10 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org open. Detailed session and registration information may be found at aaoms.org/DIC. JOMS Reader’s Circle Continuing education credit is available through the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) online Reader’s Circle program. The program allows readers to earn up to 2 CE credits per issue, for a maximum of 24 CE credits a year. Visit the JOMS home page and select the CE tab in the upper left corner for full details and to access the articles and quizzes available for credit. New Programs in the Online CE Library Two new Webinars on the topics of anesthesia and cosmetic surgery are now available in the AAOMS online CE library. Visit www.aaoms.org/ceonline for details on earning CDE/CME credit. Check Out OMSKU V Online and Get Your Free OMS History Chapter Through the end of this year, AAOMS is offering a complimentary chapter of The History of OMS on the OMSKU V Web site. It’s our way of introducing you to the latest developments in interactive, online education. All OMSKU V chapters, including the new history chapter, are written by renowned experts in oral and maxillofacial surgery and related fields, and include multiple sections, embedded videos, slide presentations and links to related articles and information. Continuing education has never been so informative or enjoyable. In addition to the history chapter, there are currently five additional chapters on the OMSKU V site: “Anesthesia,” “Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” “Head & Neck Infections,” “Microneurosurgery” and “TMJ.” New chapters are being added regularly for a total of 14 chapters in all. View the brief video on aaoms.org continued on page 12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 maKingimplantsurgerY proFitableFortHeoms the art, sCienCe and Business of CliniCal iMPlant PraCtiCe Drs.paulFugazzotto,KanYonKeeneY&robertvogel • HelpYourpatients • improveoutcomes • increaseincome oct17-18,2014-Dallas,tX Feb27-28,2015-miami,Fl marcH27-28,2015-portlanD,or april24-25,2015-cHicago,il Free,Live, interactive Webinars! and....unique Courses CoMBininG six live surGiCal oBservations and fresh huMan Cadaver exerCises Maintain PriMary Closure with GBr Master soft tissue GraftinG around teeth and iMPlants Drs.paulFugazzotto&pHilipmelnicK • eXpanDYourpractice • eliminatecomplications • enHanceresults milton,ma oct23-25,2014 . June11-13,2015 oct1-3,2015 the realities of advanCed Bone GraftinG and iMPlant PlaCeMent Drs.paulFugazzotto&KanYonKeeneY • simplYregrowlostbone • immeDiatemolarimplants • innovativeFlapDesigns www.theicit.com milton,ma nov13-15,2014 april30-maY2,2015 Dec10-12,2015 25 High Street Milton, MA 02186 Contact Susan at 617-698-6732 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 11 State Leadership Conference Promotes Shared Information, Broadened Perspectives O n July 19 and 20, 2014 the AAOMS Board of Trustees and senior staff welcomed more than 50 executive staff and elected officials of the state and regional OMS societies to the association’s Rosemont, Illinois headquarters for the 2014 State Leadership Conference. This biennial meeting encourages participants to share ideas, exchange information about legislative and regulatory initiatives, and discuss regional and national trends affecting OMS practice. Additional perspectives were provided this year by guest presenters Ms. Meagan Johnson, who offered insight into the generational traits that distinguish individuals who join professional associations; Mr. Christopher Rorick, AAOMS’s Washington, DC representative and director of Government Relations at Bryan Cave LLC, who updated participants on the status of health reform in the nation’s capital; and Dr. Ken Slaw, director of strategic planning for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Representatives of 24 state and three regional societies attended this year’s meeting. T CE & ME Continued from page 10 before proceeding to the OMSKU V site where you will be asked to enter your AAOMS ID number in the “Password” box and your last name in the “Username” area. To access your complimentary copy of the “History of OMS,” simply click the “Chapters” button in the left-hand menu and select “History of OMS.” AAOMS President Eric T. Geist, DDS, welcomed everyone to the Saturday evening reception at AAOMS headquarters. Above: Reception in the AAOMS atrium. Below: Ms Meagan Johnson discussed generational traits of professional association members. AAOMS Executive Director Robert C. Rinaldi, Phd, CAE, delivered opening remarks to conference attendees. 12 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Annual Meeting Session Recordings Available Many annual meeting sessions were recorded and are available for purchase as digital MP4 files. An assessment and CDE/CME credit are available for certain session recordings. Visit www.aaoms.org/ recordings for details. T SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Visit AAOMS.org/OMSKU to preview and purchase chapters on: Anesthesia Obstructive Sleep Apnea Head and Neck Infections Microneurosurgery TMJ Disorders The History of OMS INTERACTIVE, ONLINE AND ON DEMAND! Keep your skills and knowledge sharp – Access the latest in OMS research, treatments and procedures from the comfort of your home or office with AAOMS’s interactive, online OMSKU V, the newest volume in the OMS Knowledge Update series. Each chapter includes videos, interactive tutorials and more – compiled by leaders in the specialty. OMSKU V chapters and topics correspond to the areas of practice specified in the Parameters of Care. Get to know the new OMSKU – the next step in OMS continuing education. *Offer expires 12/31/14. Residents, retired members, *Offerexpires12/31/14.Residentsand affiliates and allied staff are not eligible for this promotion. alliedstaffarenoteligibleforthispromotion. Visit AAOMS.org/OMSKU for details. VisitAAOMS.org/OMSKUfordetails. AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 13 CODING CORNER ICD-10 Update I t was announced in April 2014, that ICD-10 implementation would be delayed until October 1, 2015. Although many members were fully prepared for the 2014 implementation, the delay gives you additional time to learn the coding guidelines, work with your vendors and attend AAOMS ICD-10-CM coding courses. The AAOMS will continue to educate its members on the implementation of ICD-10 with in-person and online courses and Webinars. If you missed the AAOMS Webinar ICD-10: A Clinical Documentation Challenge held on March 19, 2014 you can still purchase the audio CD and MP3 recording by visiting the Practice Management page on the AAOMS Web site. Below are some of the questions raised during the Webinar. To register for an online or in-person ICD-10-CM workshop visit www.aaoms.org/CodingBilling. Question: Will ICD-10 be mandatory on ADA forms or just CMS-1500 forms? We perform both dental and medical procedures and normally do not associate diagnosis codes with our dental claims. 14 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Answer: The ADA claim form supports reporting up to four diagnosis codes per dental procedure. According to the claim form instructions, “a diagnosis code will be required when the diagnosis may affect claim adjudication when specific dental procedures may minimize the risks associated with the connection between the patient’s oral and systemic health conditions.” The updated claim form also supports the reporting of Place of Service Codes, which are the same Place of Service Codes required on medical claim forms. The revised ADA dental claim form and complete instructions may be found on the ADA Web site at http:// www.ada.org/7119.aspx Question: If we submit very few medical claims, is it necessary to attend an ICD-10 coding course? Answer: Yes, as you will need to know how to select and report the proper ICD-10 code for those medical claims that you do submit. Furthermore, dental claim forms are now equipped with space to report ICD-10 codes as dental payers may require diagnosis codes in certain circumstances. For instance, if a patient has a medical condition that allows them additional dental benefits for the year, a diagnosis code must be reported. Question: My doctor is going to perform a bone graft on the mandible for a patient who had an aggressive tumor removed. What ICD-9-CM codes should I use? Answer: Patients cannot be diagnosed based solely on the procedures that were performed. There is not one established ICD-9-CM code associated with a CPT code. The ICD-9CM code reported must ref lect the symptoms or diagnosis presented by the patient, regardless if that diagnosis is not considered medically necessary. To report any other ICD-9-CM code or diagnosis in order for the claim to be paid would be considered fraudulent under the False Claims Act. The patient’s diagnosis should be clearly documented within their chart. If coding staff is unsure of the documented diagnosis, they are encouraged to query the surgeon. The surgeon should be queried whenever conf licting, ambiguous, or incomplete documentation exists relating to a significant diagnosis or procedure. This would include variations between the encounter form and the medical record documentation. Communication between the OMS and coding staff is integral to the claim submission continued on page 17 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Professional Association Insurance Administrators • 1-800-345-6040 • th-online.net AAOMS TODAY- 2014 7.25 x 9.25 Full Pg Color AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 15 ADvertiseMent Do you know the secret to saving money in your OMs practice? Just ask the many AAOMs members who use Asi programs! More than 60% of AAOMS members use and benefit from AAOMS Services, Inc. (ASI) approved programs. Discounts for AAOMS members, special offers, and contributions to AAOMS that help fund a variety of Annual Meeting programs and other activities throughout the year are but a few of the reasons they do. The fact that all of the ASI approved programs have been thoroughly reviewed by a committee of AAOMS members and subsequently approved by the Board is another important reason. This type of thorough review gives AAOMS members the assurance that each program has been properly vetted. If any issues do arise with an ASI program, members know that they can contact AAOMS headquarters to get it quickly resolved. “CareCredit allows our patients to finance care that they could not otherwise afford which results in more flexibility for our patients who have limited resources or cash flow concerns.“ Dr.ChristopherC.Medley,SanAntonio,TX Be sure to look for this image logo on a company’s advertisement. It is your assurance that it has been thoroughly reviewed and accepted as an ASI Approved Program. aaomsservices.org Check out the benefits offered by these Asi programs and start sAving today! AAOMSPersonalCreditCardthroughBankof America The new BankAmericard™ Cash Rewards Visa Signature® credit card rewards customers with up to 3% cash back on certain purchases. View all the features of this new card at aaomsservices.org or call 800/932-2775. Source code: VAB9CC NationalElectronicAttachment(NEA) Transmit claim attachments and view payer requirements with FastAttach and FastLook. Call 800/782-5150, ext. 2. Mention that you are an AAOMS member and receive a 65% savings off $200† registration fee ($130 savings). † Includes installation, unlimited training and software. BankofAmericaMerchantServices Credit card processing with specially negotiated rates for AAOMS members and free, no-obligation cost comparisons showing how much you could save. Important note: If you’re enrolled in the original ASI approved program with Bank of America Merchant Services, please contact your representative and switch to the new program to take advantage of the new, July 2014 negotiated rates. 888/317-5402 Nuell,Inc. Repair of powered dental instruments with 10% discount for AAOMS members. 800/829-7694. OfficeDepot Office Depot AAOMS members (US only) will receive up to an 80% discount on a list of “Best Value” office supplies – online or in a retail outlet – including custom-printed material. In addition, AAOMS Members will receive GPO National Account pricing on all other items in the Office Depot Business Solutions catalog and on the Corporate Web site business.officedepot.com. Call ASI at 800/822-6637, ext. 4319 to enroll. CareCredit Help make it easier for more patients to get needed surgery by adding CareCredit, a healthcare credit card, as an additional payment option. Call 800/3003046, ext. 4519 to get started today and join more than 100,000 enrolled dental practices that accept CareCredit. Optum360™ Order the 2015 Coding Guide for OMS, purchase other essential practice resources and enroll in DentalRecyclingNorthAmerica AAOMS members a powerful online coding program – EncoderPro.com – all receive special discounted pricing for a variety of waste at a discount to AAOMS members. Visit OptumCoding. management services. Call 800/360-1001, ext. 17 and com or call 800/464-3649, option 1, for details. ask for the AAOMS Member Price List. PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc* Offers over 6,000 preHealthcareProfessionalFunding(HPF) A leading packaged medications for in-office dispensing needs, provider of financing programs designed specifically with a specially priced formulary for OMS practices. for licensed dental professionals, offering qualified Their no-cost, easy-to- use web-based software enhances AAOMS members 100%, fixed-rate financing for equipthe dispensing experience, from managing your ment purchases, expansion funding, and start-up and medication inventory and facilitating online ordering, to practice transitions. AAOMS members receive a 25 basis ensuring state regulatory compliance with PDMP point rate reduction, and pay only $99 in documentation programs. Licensed in all 50 states and fully pedigree fees. Visit www.healthprofunding.com or call 855/944compliant. Contact PD-Rx Sales or Customer Service: 2265 and mention that you are an AAOMS member. 800/299-7379. 16 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org ScientificMetals* Refine your old crowns and bridges – gold prices are high. Learn more about this ASI program that includes FREE pick-up of metals by visiting scientificmetals.com/aaoms or by calling 888/9490008 and identifying yourself as an AAOMS member. SouthernAnesthesia&Surgical,Inc Pharmaceuticals, surgical supplies and OMS specialty products with a 5% up-front discount, PLUS an annual rebate of 3% on annual purchases of $10,000 or more!For more information please call 800/624-5926 or visit our NEW Web site SASrx.com. StemSaveInc.* Enhance your practice and expand your care by providing stem cell banking services to your patients. You receive a payment for your assistance with each successful tooth collection. Visit stemsave.com or call 877/783-6728. TransworldSystemsInc.(TSI) A collection agency redefined with a 40-year track record, providing fixed- fee per account A/R management solutions to dental practices nationwide. Integration with most dental software allows clients to get paid faster through early intervention, while maintaining profit margins and patient relationships. Fixed-fee pricing averages $10-12 per account, with no percentages taken. AAOMS members will receive preferred pricing and personalized client service. For more information, call 800/ 294-3710 and identify yourself as an AAOMS member. *These ASI Approved Programs offer residual income. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Coding Corner Continued from page 14 AAO M S process. It will reduce compliance risks as well as lead to increased reimbursement by assuring correct codes are reported. B U Y I N G Take Your Coding to the Next Level 5% ICD-10-CM Coding Workshop November 8, 2014 Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Beyond the Basics Coding Workshops November 9-10, 2014 Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas To register for the AAOMS Coding Workshops visit AAOMS.org/CodingBilling BECOME AN AAOMS ALLIED STAFF MEMBER AND SAVE! AAOMS Allied Staff Members receive a discounted registration rate for these courses and more! For information and an application, visit aaoms.org/ alliedstaff. Apply for membership before completing your registration—prior course participation does not guarantee membership. If you register online before receiving confirmation of membership, you will not receive the discounted rate and refunds will not be rewarded retroactively. T save. invest. 3% discount at p:the1.800.624.5926 time of plus your purchaseto 7pm est m-f 8am $10,000+ qualifies for year end rebate REGISTER TODAY!! SAS invites you to experience our NEW WEBSITE! SASrx .com REGISTER TODAY FOR THE AAOMS ICD-10-CM AND BEYOND THE BASICS CODING WORKSHOPS join. G R O U P Easy to Shop Easy to Save O MS S AAAAOM BB UU Y Y I IN NG join. join. 5% 5% G G R GO RU PO U P save.save. invest.invest. discount at the discount time of at plus yourthe purchase time of your purchase 3% plus 3% $10,000+ qualifies for $10,000+ year end rebate qualifies for year end rebate p: 1.800.624.5926 m-f 8am to 7pm est SASrx.com AAOMS Today - 082014.indd 1 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 17 8/6/14 3:03 PM HEALTH POLICY PERSPECTIVES Reminder for OMSs Submitting Medicare Claims M edicare is transitioning from its fee-for-service (FFS) payment system to one that bases reimbursement on quality and value of care. For OMSs participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program, Medicare claims containing PQRS measures submitted in 2014 will be realized in 2015 physician bonuses or ref lected as physician penalties in 2016. AAOMS has partnered with CECity to offer the PQRSwizard to members and their staff to help them accurately participate in the PQRS program. CECity’s PQRSwizard is an online portal customized for the specialty, which allows members and their staff to submit the eligible quality measures directly to CMS. In doing so, OMSs will report using eligible measures and will avoid the payment reductions from their Medicare Part B reimbursement. The PQRSwizard can be accessed at http:// www.aaoms.org/docs/practice_mgmt/ pqrs_wizard.pdf. Many OMSs submitting Medicare claims may not be aware of the 18 PQRS measures that pertain to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Three of the most general are: 18 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org • Measure #130: The Documentation of Patient’s Current Medications in the Medical Record • Measure #226: Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention • Measure #317: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for High Blood Pressure and Follow-up Documented NOTE: When reporting a PQRS measure, the applicable E/M or CPT codes noted in the guidelines must be reported as well. For a full list of measures and reporting guidelines, visit the measures chart on the AAOMS Web site at http://www.aaoms.org/ docs/practice_mgmt/individual_pqrs_ measures_chart.pdf. OMSs submitting Medicare claims have until December 31, 2014 to report quality measures and avoid the 2% payment adjustment that will be ref lected in 2016. CMS has reported that the 2% payment adjustment made to those who do not successfully report in 2014 will be made on a claim-byclaim basis. This means that 2% of the final payment will be deducted from each FFS claim submitted to Medicare. CMS will monitor those physicians who participate in PQRS and their other incentive programs on the Physician Compare database. Currently the database only includes information about whether individual physicians and other healthcare professionals participate in PQRS, not about their performance. CMS plans to include performance ratings for physicians and other healthcare professionals on the site by 2015. OMSs who do not participate in the Medicare program are not affected by the PQRS program since they do not submit Medicare claims. The AAOMS is monitoring the use of quality measures by Medicaid and third party payers. For a full summary of the 2014 PQRS program visit the AAOMS Web site at http:// www.aaoms.org/members/resources/ practice-management-and-allied-staff/ practice-management-and-allied-staffnews-and-materials/2014-physicianquality-reporting-system-pqrs. Medicare Explained: A Primer for OMS Offices The AAOMS recently held a Webinar focused on the Medicare program and policies that impact oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Medicare Explained: A Primer for OMS Offices focused on the three enrollment options available to OMS, Medicare coverage SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Current Enrollment Status Status Vote Count Percentage Participating Provider 43 52.4 % Non-Participating Provider 12 14.6 % Formally Opted-out 19 23.20 % and exclusions, the proper use of Medicare forms, and advanced imaging accreditation. The above chart illustrates the enrollment status of those AAOMS members who participated in the Medicare Webinar. Based on the responses to the polling questions and the queries from Webinar participants, the following topics appear to create the most confusion for OMSs who treat Medicare patients: OPT-OUT PRIVATE CONTRACTS If an OMS does not participate in Medicare but still wants to treat Medicare patients, there is a process the OMS must complete in order to become formally opted-out of Medicare and able to privately contract with Medicare beneficiaries. The OMS must complete the Medicare Opt-out Affidavit and submit the completed form to the Medicare carriers within their area to be recognized as formally opted-out. An OMS may never enter into a private contract with a Medicare beneficiary, unless this process has been completed. Once the OMS has properly opted out, the surgeon may privately contract with Medicare patients for a two-year period. An explanation of the process, a sample opt-out affidavit and private contract may be found in the article Opting-out of Medicare on the AAOMS Web site at http://www.aaoms.org/members/resources/practicemanagement-and-allied-staff/practice-management-andallied-staff-news-and-materials/opting-out-of-medicare. ADVANCED BENEFICIARY NOTICES (ABNS) An ABN is a document provided to Medicare beneficiaries notifying them of their financial responsibility. An ABN should only be provided to a Medicare beneficiary by their OMS when the service being performed is usually covered, but is likely to be denied/non-covered in that specific instance. An ABN is not a standard form and should not be provided to every Medicare beneficiary before rendering service. A summary of Medicare covered and non-covered services may be found on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare.html. continued on next page Are slow paying patients and insurance pinching your cash flow? Transworld Systems provides better tools for managing your accounts receivable. Our unique tools: S S S S S S S Interface directly with your existing software. Save you from wasted staff time and expense. Handle each of the 4 payer types in the time and manner that causes them to respond more quickly. Increase your payments from both patients and insurance companies. Reduce or eliminate the need to send accounts to collections. Protect your regulatory compliance. Increase your profits. *Ask us about preferred pricing for AAOMS members* For more information on how to improve your cash flow, please contact: Steven Brown / Dave Wiener 800-294-3710 aaoms.transworld@ transworldsystems.com © Copyright 2007 Transworld Systems logos are registered service marks of Transworld Systems Inc. NYC License No. 1155022 360a.. _1007 This agency is licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. License number 1303526. Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences University of Minnesota School of Dentistry The Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is pleased to invite applicants for two full-time faculty positions (one tenure track faculty member and one clinical track faculty member). Applicants must be experienced surgeons with a dedication and commitment to providing full scope quality care and service to patients, be able to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students and have a keen interest and background in teaching both predoctoral students as well as residents within the graduate program. Applicants must be in receipt of a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree, be eligible for licensure to practice dentistry in Minnesota, have completed an accredited advanced education training program in oral and maxillofacial surgery (U.S. or U.S. equivalent), and be American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery certified. Applicants must have experience providing patient care and supervision in an academic setting as well as a demonstrated history of quality clinical and didactic teaching with predoctoral and/or graduate residents or fellows. This position will remain open until filled. Applications must be submitted through the University of Minnesota’s online employment system, (Assistant/ Associate Professor tenure track requisition #190442, Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor requisition #190439) at https://employment.umn.edu. Please attach your curriculum vitae, letter of interest including a brief summary of clinical, teaching and scholarly activities and names and addresses of three references to the online application. Online application is required. For questions, please contact Jan Casey, Executive Assistant, Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 7-194 Moos Tower, 515 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (612) 624-9959 or via email at casey007@umn.edu. The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 19 Health Policy Perspectives Continued from page 19 An ABN should never be provided to a Medicare beneficiary if the OMS has formally opted-out of the Medicare program. An ABN is sent to Medicare along with the patient’s claim form for the services rendered. OMSs who have opted out of Medicare may not submit claims to Medicare. By having a patient sign a private contract, the patient is agreeing to pay the OMS’s fee directly. An explanation on the use of the ABN as well as a link to the ABN may be found on the AAOMS Web site at http://www.aaoms. org/members/resources/practicemanagement-and-allied-staff/ practice-management-and-alliedstaff-news-and-materials/use-ofthe-medicare-advanced-beneficiarynotice-abn. ADVANCED IMAGING ACCREDITATION The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 required Medicare providers rendering the technical component of advanced imaging services (including computed tomography) to obtain advanced imaging accreditation from one of three approved accrediting bodies by January 1, 2012. All physicians, non-physician practitioners and independent diagnostic imaging centers that render advanced imaging such as MRI or CT scans are required to obtain accreditation in order to furnish such services to Medicare beneficiaries and receive reimbursement. The accreditation applies only to those providers and/or facilities that obtain the images 20 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org themselves, referred to as the “technical component,” and not to the physician’s interpretation of the image referred to as the “professional component.” The AAOMS is a sponsoring organization of the Computed Tomography (CT) division of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for OMS accreditation. Although CMS does recognize the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Joint Commission (JC) as official accrediting bodies, the ACR does not accredit an OMS and the JC will require the practice as a whole to become accredited, not just the MRI or CT components. More information on advanced imaging accreditation can be found on the AAOMS Web site at http://www.aaoms.org/members/ resources/practice-management-andallied-staff/practice-managementand-allied-staff-news-and-materials/ advanced-imaging-accreditationupdate. The AAOMS will continue to provide its members with Medicare information and resources. The information provided through the Medicare Webinar can be purchased as either audio or MP3 from the AAOMS Web site at http://www. aaoms.org/members/meetings-andcontinuing-education/practicemanagement-workshops-andwebinars/. Payment Through Virtual Credit Cards Many health plans are shifting away from using paper checks to reimburse doctors and relying instead on electronic payment through Virtual Credit Cards (VCCs). VCCs allow health plans to mail, fax, or e-mail single-use credit card payment information and instructions to doctors, who can then process the payments as any other type of credit card payment. Unlike traditional credit card transactions, however, the transaction fees associated with VCCs can be as high as 5% per transaction. Depending on the number of VCC payments received, the transaction fees can add up, causing you to receive reimbursement that is far less than that to which you are contractually entitled. Furthermore, many credit card companies are also offering health plans incentives of up to 1.75% per claim for reimbursing doctors electronically. The AAOMS recommends that OMSs review and evaluate all payer contracts to determine if providers are required to accept virtual credit cards as a form of payment. If not, OMSs may demand traditional reimbursement through paper checks or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). With EFTs, the funds from the health plan are directly deposited into the doctor’s/practice’s bank account. It is also highly recommended that a thorough review be conducted on possible net revenue changes through this type of payment modality since it may be considered a revision of the contract and a possible reduction in reimbursement levels. T SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Introducing OMSGuard TM Insurance Protection, Evolved. OMSGuard is the new name for the comprehensive TM claims protection and strong defense that OMSNIC designs only for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. OMSGuard has three components: the OMSGuard Professional Liability Policy, OMSGuard Claims Defense, and the OMSGuard Risk Management Program. Together, they represent the omsnic.com standard of excellence in comprehensive OMS practice protection and defense. OMSGuard is overseen by practicing OMS who fill key roles at OMSNIC, so you can trust in our knowledge of your practice needs. 800-522-6670 Photo: Andrew G. Pearson, DDS, board certified OMS at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants, Minneapolis, Minnesota OMSNIC is Exclusively Endorsed by AAOMS AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 21 Daniel M. Laskin, DDS, MS, Editor EDITOR’S CORNER Coming to Grips with Gripes N o matter how we try to make an oral surgical experience pleasant for the patient, admittedly, it is often not a happy occasion. With this in mind, we need to pay serious attention to limiting any other factors that may be annoying to the patient. A recent national survey asked 1,000 Americans what things bothered them most during a visit to their doctor. The findings included many gripes that also have applicability to the oral and maxillofacial surgery office, some of which can be readily remedied. Number one on the list was the doctor not providing a clear explanation of the patient’s problem and the recommended treatment. The emphasis on informed consent should be on “informed.” Did the patient really understand what you said or was he/she just too embarrassed to admit the explanation was unclear? Proper informed consent is designed not only for medicolegal purposes, but also for allowing the patient to participate actively in their care. Another major complaint was the long wait before being treated. It is called a “waiting room,” but when patients are given an appointment, and they arrive on time, the scheduling should be such that they are treated on time. Most patients are nervous and a long wait does not improve the situation. “Whereas we often find HIPAA regulations annoying, it is interesting that discussing issues with the patient within earshot of other patients was another important concern.” Bringing them into the office on time and then having them sit and wait in the operatory is not the solution. However, there are times when a case takes longer than anticipated and that puts you behind schedule. In such instances, informing the patients in the waiting room will make them more understanding. While patients complain about long waiting times, on the other hand they also complain about being rushed during the visit. I am sure that they do not mind if the operation is done 22 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org quickly, but if they are there for a consultation, they want to feel that they have your full attention and that all of their questions get appropriately answered. It may be just another routine set of third molars for you, but it is a onetime experience for the patient. Whereas we often find HIPAA regulations annoying, it is interesting that discussing issues with the patient within earshot of other patients was another important concern for patients. Other gripes included sideeffects not being fully explained, inconvenient office hours, having to fill out many forms in the waiting room, difficulty in reaching the doctor by phone or e-mail, and the doctor taking notes on a device and not looking at them. Although there are certain issues that concern the patient that we may not be able to change, there are obviously many areas in which we can avoid things that are of major concern to the patient. Openness, respect and trust are crucial to a proper doctor-patient relationship and we need to consider the patient’s emotional as well as physical complaints. T SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 MEMBERSHIP MINUTE LinkedIn Group Exclusively for AAOMS Allied Staff Members H ave a question related to managing the daily operations of your front desk, improving inventory control, patient compliance, insurance company trends and other questions for group participants? Post your questions to AAOMS’s Allied Staff Member group on LinkedIn, and benefit from the experiences of your colleagues, or share your knowledge by responding to their questions. You’ll also find posts on: • FAQ’s on current coding and billing trends • Articles and tips for managing the OMS practice • Updates on AAOMS classes and programs • Special AAOMS promotions for publications, educational offerings and membership To join our group, you must: • Be a current AAOMS Allied Staff Member. • Sign in to (or create) your LinkedIn account. Anne-Marie (left) and Randi flank a gift from their colleagues. AAOMS Bids Farewell After 90 Years of Service A fter a combined 90 years of service to oral and maxillofacial surgery, Ms. Randi V. Andresen, associate executive director emeritus, and Ms. Anne-Marie Rogowski, director, Administration, retired from AAOMS in August. Randi, who began her career at AAOMS on December 15, 1968, and Anne-Marie whose tenure began on September 21, 1970, were known to generations of OMSs for their commitment to the association and the specialty. AAOMS President Dr. Eric T. Geist and President-elect Dr. William J. Nelson joined AAOMS staff and friends for a reception in Randi’s and Anne-Marie’s honor at AAOMS headquarters. Calling the two women “pillars of support” for the board of trustees and AAOMS committees, Dr. Geist said, “Although we rejoice with them as they begin this latest adventure, they will be greatly missed.” T • Send a request to join the AAOMS Allied Staff Member Group. Once on board, adjust your notification preferences to receive twice-weekly digest accounts from the group or updates any time a member posts. Participation in discussions is not required; you can have as much or little involvement as you wish. It’s your membership, your group, your preferences. We look forward to seeing you there! T Executive Director Dr. Robert C. Rinaldi shares anecdotes and best wishes. AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 23 OMS FOUNDATION NEWS Leave Your Legacy in the Specialty W hen you think back, perhaps a few names pop into your head as key inf luences early in your career. Your residency mentors and dental school professors passed a valuable legacy down to you through professional training and mentoring. Leaders like Dr. Robert V. Walker and many others left legacies that are helping to advance care and the professional status of the specialty. You have the opportunity now to create your own OMS legacy for the specialty through membership in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation’s Robert V. Walker Society. Since its establishment in 1997, the R. V. Walker Society has provided an opportunity for members to leave their legacy for future generations of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Hundreds of oral and maxillofacial surgeons have answered the call by establishing bequests or designations in life insurance policies, IRAs or financial accounts. Since these are planned future gifts, they come to fruition in later years, when they benefit future generations of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Ultimately R. V. Walker Society gifts are used to support research and education opportunities and advances for our specialty. Daniel J. Meara, MD, DMD, a new member to the R. V. Walker Society in 2013, said, “The R. V. Walker Robert V. Walker, DDS The Ohio State University www.osu.edu Faculty, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Anesthesiology is seeking an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, to join the full time faculty as an Assistant or Associate Professor. This is a clinical track position with emphasis on teaching. Electronic claim attachments save you time & money The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is the third largest public dental school in the United States, and it is the only public dental school in Ohio. The college is divided into eight divisions or academic units. All major ADA-recognized dental specialties are represented. The primary area of responsibility of this faculty position will be contributing to the didactic and clinical instruction in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program. The candidate must be board certified, an active candidate for certification, or currently enrolled in a residency or fellowship, and must be eligible for licensure in Ohio. Responsibilities include pre-doctoral and resident teaching with emphasis in the area of oral and maxillofacial surgery resident education and participating in the school’s intramural practice. The Division enjoys excellent working relationships with the Divisions of Orthodontics and Prosthodontics/Implants. Interdisciplinary treatment opportunities are widely available. The Ohio State University Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is an important referral site from throughout the State of Ohio. This opportunity will become available June 30, 2015. Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary and academic rank are commensurate with qualifications. Applicants should provide a personal statement delineating qualifications and career goals, and will submit a curriculum vitae with three professional references. Application materials or inquires should be sent electronically to Dr. Peter Larsen, Chair at Larsen.5@osu.edu. To build a diverse workforce, The Ohio State University encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women. For more information about the college, the division and this position, visit http://www.dent.osu.edu. The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status. 24 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org FastAttach is the SIMPLE way to: • • • • • Createasecureinformationexchange Eliminatelostattachments Improveyourpaymentcycles Saveonpostageandprintingcosts Reducefollow-uptimewithpayers MentionpromoAAOMSandget 65% off yourregistrationfee! Call1-800-782-5150 opt. 2 orvisitwww.nea-fast.com toregister. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 AAOMS Member Survey Continued from page 1 AAOMS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES n Advocacy - Protecting the OMS’s ability to deliver anesthesia was identified as the top advocacy issue for AAOMS members. Promoting ethical conduct and high standards for quality of care were listed in second and third place, followed closely by advocating for the specialty at the federal and state levels. Other important advocacy areas included OMS education, third-party payers, public relations and clinical research. Society stands for excellence. Dr. Walker was a pioneer and ‘giant’ in our specialty and the Society epitomizes the strengths of oral and maxillofacial surgery: intellect, hard work, dedication, surgical skill and discovery. Further, the R. V. Walker Society, in conjunction with the OMS Foundation, has demonstrated a commitment to the future through faculty support and research funding which will improve patient care, while strengthening the profession.” The minimum commitment to become a R. V. Walker Society member is $25,000. Talk to your attorney or financial advisor about the types of gifts and documentation needed for a planned gift legacy. There is a wealth of information on the OMS Foundation’s planned giving Web site, www.omsfgift.org, including sample testamentary language to share with your attorney or financial advisor. Contact Dwight Edwards, OMSF Executive Director, at dedwards@aaoms.org for more information. T One-third of AAOMS members go to the aaoms.org Web site at least once a month. n Education/Professional Development – continuing dental education, continuing medical education, and advanced education led the priority list for this area. Primary topics of interest were anesthesia (75%), dental implants (50%), and bone grafting (40%), followed by soft tissue surgery, dentoalveolar, simulated office emergencies and EHR for OMS (30%). Sixty percent of members prefer to receive their continuing education in live, in-person settings, while 25% prefer archived Web programs and 10% prefer live Webinars. 60 percent of members prefer to receive their continuing education in live, in-person settings. n Communications – Members rate the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Member Alerts as the specialty’s most important communication vehicles. Three-fourths of members report that they read JOMS, AAOMS Today and Member Alerts “every time, or most times” they receive them. Visits to AAOMS. org have increased over the years with one-third of members going to the Web site at least once a month. Thirty percent of members direct their patients to MyOMS.org. n Meetings – Three-fourths of members who attended annual meetings in the past six years rate the symposia and clinical programs as “excellent” or “very good,” with 60% rating the exhibits as “excellent” or “very good.” n Satisfaction with AAOMS – 92% of members agreed that AAOMS “keeps me informed of news relevant to OMS,” and 84% agree that the association “facilitates professional development.” Ninety-nine percent of those members who have contacted AAOMS reported that staff was courteous, 97% reported that they received the requested assistance from staff, and 96% reported they received appropriate referrals from staff. The vast majority of respondents (up to 92%) view the value of membership in the AAOMS to be positive. T AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 25 Brett L. Ferguson, DDS, Treasurer TREASURER’S ACCOUNT Strong Reserves Support Strategic Investments B y the time you receive this publication, the AAOMS House of Delegates will have approved the 2015 operating budget at the Annual Meeting in Hawaii. The operating budget presented to the House of Delegates will result in a transfer of approximately $1.36 million from our operating reserves. In other words, revenues are projected to be less than expenses by $1.36 million. The Board of Trustees has historically been committed to budgeting for transfers into reserves from operations. Increases in reserves provide f lexibility in dealing with unanticipated events or opportunities. A strong reserve position also allows the association to commit to strategic investments that will have longer-term benefits, such as the required one-time costs incurred in 2009 related to the 15-year lease for the majority of the rental space on the second f loor. In 2013 and 2014, the association was presented with some unique opportunities to make strategic investments that will provide a framework for future returns for both the association and the specialty. These include the informational campaign, the clinical research initiative, the development of an OMS registry, and up-front funding for an enhanced OMS simulation education program. While these programs present some financial challenges in regards to 26 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org funding, the Board feels strongly that these strategic investments will pay significant dividends in the years to come. “In 2013 and 2014, the Association was presented with some unique opportunities to make strategic investments that will provide a framework for future returns for both the association and the specialty.” At the 2013 Annual Meeting in Orlando, the House of Delegates approved $1.1 million in initial funding for an informational campaign designed to educate public, professional, legislative and other third party stakeholders about our unique training, particularly in the areas of third molars, dental implants and office-based anesthesia. This funding covered the purchase of Google AdWords, online ads on public Web pages, print and online ads in dental publications and Web sites, and the development of three videos for posting to MyOMS. org, our public Web site. The budget request going forward to this year’s House of Delegates increases funding in 2015, to cover the development of three new videos, a continuation of the ad campaign with some additional exposure on radio or televised media, and additional emphasis on Google AdWords. Our first clinical research study, “Prospective outcomes of management of third molar extractions via a large multicenter study,” is under way. AAOMS is the first dental specialty to implement a Practice Based Research Network, and we are using an Institutional Review Board to approve protocols in the areas of study. The Affordable Care Act’s changing reimbursement models and quality measures reporting for full reimbursement in the future led our Board of Trustees to create an oral and maxillofacial surgery clinical registry. We have contracted with the Anesthesia Quality Institute, an arm of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, to design, develop, and implement an OMS registry. The OMS registry will catalogue billing and administrative data, quality and perioperative events, and electronic health record data. Once operational, it will provide practice data that will be valuable when interacting with federal and state agencies, insurance carriers, and other groups. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Finally, the 2015 budget request included up-front funding of $153,000 for development of an OMS-specific enhanced simulation program. The funding covers Phases 1 and 2 of a national simulation program to be developed in conjunction with Healthcare Simulation South Carolina. Phase 1 would involve the development of a curriculum for residency programs. Phase 2 would include offering the beta tested residency program curriculum to the general membership at certified regional simulation centers. Again, the 2015 budget proposed by the Board of Trustees assumes that the operating reserves would need to provide funding of approximately $1.36 million in order to balance the budget. Operating reserves, defined as cash and investments less advance collections of membership dues, have grown from slightly over $6.9 million at the end of 2008, to almost $11.3 million at the end of 2013. Additionally, operating reserves at year-end 2013 had grown to over 70% of the annual operating expenses in 2013, a very healthy reserve position. The Board of Trustees recognizes that continually utilizing operating reserves to help fund operations over multiple years can jeopardize an organization’s solvency, but feels that the current budget request involving some strategic investments will benefit the specialty in the years ahead. The increase in operating reserves over the last six years is very timely, given some of the opportunities that are currently before the association that will help shape the future of the specialty. A portion of the informational campaign budget is dedicated to analysis, which will provide hard evidence concerning what components of the campaign are providing tangible results, and if any components are less effective. This, in turn, will provide guidance in regards to future funding decisions. If all of the components of the campaign that are currently budgeted are providing the desired results based on upcoming research initiatives, it may be necessary to consider a member assessment in the future for a limited period of time in order to continue to capitalize on the campaign’s effectiveness. T Career Line your all-access pass to OMS employment opportunities Expanding or selling your practice? Looking for a new career in OMS? Post jobs for a nominal fee and be accessed by popular Web sites and search engines, including Google, Yahoo! and MSN. • Target your search • Review CV database • Receive candidate responses immediately • Sign up for e-mailed alerts • Place a banner ad for an even greater impact on potential candidates Search targeted, updated job postings for FREE! • Create and post your CV — confidentially, if desired • Review job postings and respond online • Receive e-mailed “Job Alerts” as new jobs are posted • Connect at events using the EventConnection™ feature Get started today! For more information, visit the Members and Healthcare Professionals section of aaoms.org and click on Career Line or call 888/884-8242 CPC Announces Decisions Based on a careful review of the complete record of the case, the Commission on Professional Conduct (CPC) on April 10, 2014, advised Dr. Francis A. Bald of Nags Head, North Carolina, of its decision finding him in violation of Chapter V. Sections A.1 and H.1 and Advisory Opinions H.2.00 and H.2.03 of the Code of Professional Conduct. As a result of this finding, the Commission issued a letter of censure. Based on a careful review of the complete record of the case, the Commission on Professional Conduct on April 10, 2014, advised Dr. William S. Bloom of West Bloomfield, Michigan, of its decision finding him in violation of Chapter V, Advisory Opinion A.1.01 and Section H.1 of the Code of Professional Conduct. As a result of this finding, the Commission issued a letter of censure. T AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 27 Call for Nominations for Membership on the Editorial Board of The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery T he terms of several members of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will end on December 31, 2014. Those positions will be filled with individuals who will each have 3-year terms. The responsibilities of the Editorial Board members are as follows: • Serve as peer reviewers for papers assigned to them by Section Editors. • Attend an Editorial Board meeting once a year to help guide the Journal’s future. • Identify new peer reviewers for the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. • Provide advice to the editor-inchief and associate editor, including reviewing drafts of editorials. Nomination of others or selfnominations should be made no later than 5:00 pm Eastern daylight time, November 3, 2014. The nomination should include a brief description of why the individual being nominated will be a valuable member of the Board and a current curriculum vitae. Nominees must be members of the AAOMS and practice oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States. Editorial board members whose terms are ending may also be nominated. All documents must be submitted electronically via JOMS@aaoms.org. The editor-in-chief and associate editor will evaluate the candidates; their recommendations will then be sent to the AAOMS Board of Trustees for their approval. T PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MATTERS Question: I’m an OMS DEA registrant. Am I allowed to authorize an individual to order Schedule I and II controlled substances on my behalf? Answer: Yes. Title 21 of the Federal Code of Regulations permits a DEA registrant, by power of attorney, to do this on his or her behalf. As an OMS and DEA registrant, you can grant power of attorney to your office manager and permit this person to sign and submit DEA Form 222 without requiring your signature. This is especially beneficial in situations where the OMS has more than one office location and orders medication from a central distribution warehouse. However, the form must include a revocation date that properly terminates this authority. Additionally, there is not a requirement of a power of attorney authorization for office staff to receive controlled substance orders that are delivered to the practice 28 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org facility. For more information, or to view a sample power of attorney form, please visit the DEA’s Web site at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/. Question: Clear communication with patients prior to surgery is of the utmost importance. What steps can an OMS take to ensure patients know what to expect during and after treatment? Answer: OMSNIC recommends a thorough review of the patient’s record prior to surgery, as well as a signed consent form and verbal review with the patient and surgical assistants. This is part of a surgical time out. Additionally, only the OMS may obtain informed consent from the patient. For more information, visit www.omsnic.com and download the “Time Out Checklist.” This provides information on performing a pre- and post-procedure check before treating patients. The preceding questions and answers are reprinted with permission from the OMSNIC Monitor, June 2014, Vol. 25, No. 3 Question: Is drinking water quality acceptable for irrigation? Answer: If the water contains less than 500 CFU/ml (colony forming units of heterotrophic bacteria per milliliter of water), it is considered potable. For non-surgical procedures, it is okay to use tap water. However, surgical dental procedures require sterile water for irrigation. Delivery devices, such as bulb syringes or sterile, single-use disposable products should be used to deliver sterile water. Oral surgery and implant handpieces can be used to deliver sterile water and other solutions, using single-use disposable or sterilizable tubing. For more information, visit the 2003 CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/ mmwrhtml/rr5217a1.htm. T SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 NAMES IN THE NEWS DR. BIERNE RECEIVES TEACHING AWARD O. Ross Bierne, DMD, PhD, has received the Bruce Rothwell Lifetime Teaching Award from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. The award recognizes effective and innovative teaching, motivation of students, and contributions to the goals of the school. global oral health work of Guralnick mentee, R. Bruce Donoff, DMD, MD, dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, who has been involved in the Bridge to Peace Program for 10 years as well as the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders since its inception in 2011. DR. JEE RECEIVES ALUMNI AWARD DRS. GURALNICK AND DONOFF HONORED WITH TREE OF PEACE Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) received the 5th worldwide Tree of Peace in honor of Walter C. Guralnick, DMD, professor emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, at an official installation on the School’s campus on June 16, 2014. This bronze sculpture symbolizes the pioneering partnership of medicine, dentistry and education, as well as the enduring desire to achieve peace within the global community. The Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity and Dr. Allen Finkelstein, CEO of Bedford HealthCare Solutions spearheaded the effort to bring a Tree of Peace to HSDM to honor Dr. Guralnick, who participated for decades in global dental health efforts, including many years serving with Project HOPE in China. The Tree also honors the Arthur C. Jee, DMD Former AAOMS President Arthur C. Jee, DMD, received the 2014 Aumni Fellow Award from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. DR. KATZ CREATES ENDOWED CHAIR Bernard Katz, DDS, MSD, has created the first endowed chair for the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry. Dr. Katz and his Dr. Bernard and Mrs. wife, Gloria Pepper Katz, have committed $500,000 to establish the second endowed chair in the school’s 109-year history. Current OMS Department chair and professor Mark E. Wong, DDS Mark E. Wong, DDS, will be the first holder of this endowed position. DR. SCHWARTZ ELECTED ADSA DIRECTOR Paul J. Schwartz, DMD, Dunkirk, MD, has been elected a director of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA). DR. TU APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF OMS Harold K. Tu, MD, DMD has joined the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as director of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, effective August 1, 2014. In assuming this role, he is also the inaugural appointee to the Dr. James Q. Swift Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, an endowed position named in honor of Dr. Swift, who had directed the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery since 1989. T Gloria Katz AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 29 OBITUARY Dr. Peter Geistlich D r. Peter Geistlich, chairman of the Board of Directors, Geistlich Pharma AG, and founder of the Osteo Science Foundation, has died at age 88. into medical technology with the development of bone regeneration products. Today, Geistlich Pharma is a leader in the area of tissue regeneration. Dr. Geistlich shared a lifelong A pioneer in biomaterial research, friendship and scientific Dr. Geistlich was committed Dr. Peter Geistlich research collaboration with to research and education, as the late oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Philip J. Boyne. well as the cooperation between Their joint interest in OMS industry and academia, in the and tissue regeneration led to the creation field of bone and tissue regeneration. and funding of the Boyne-Geistlich He studied organic chemistry at the Federal Institute of Chemistry in Zurich, Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Loma Linda University’s Switzerland and in 1955 joined Geistlich School of Dentistry. Pharma AG, his family’s business. In the 1980s he initiated the company’s entry In 2003, as evidence of his commitment to science, Dr. Geistlich and Geistlich Pharma AG founded the independent and Swiss-based Osteology Foundation to link science with practice in regenerative dentistry. In 2013, the Philadelphia-based Osteo Science Foundation was formed to provide research funding and education to accelerate innovation and development of novel biomaterials. Dr. Peter Geistlich, with his love of science, appreciation for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery and his commitment to making a difference in patient’s lives, will remain a role model for all who share his dream. T AAOMS Allied Staff Membership Benefits OMS Staff and the Practice your clinical skills your goals your future AAOMS Allied Staff Membership has something to enhance the knowledge and skills of every staff member in the practice and is a bargain at just $40*! • Reimbursement staff have first-hand access to coding and billing advice that can reduce claim errors. • Practice managers learn the latest management strategies to help them excel in their many roles in the practice. • Clinical staff education includes anesthesia courses and protocols for managing office emergencies. • Allied Staff Members receive direct online access to AAOMS Today and other important publications and communications. • The exclusive AAOMS Allied Staff Member Group on LinkedIn offers the opportunity to network with colleagues from OMS practices across the country. Allied Staff Members receive discounted registration rates on the many programs available through AAOMS. More than 1,000 Allied Staff Members are already taking advantage of the benefits of AAOMS membership. Join today! *Applications received October 1 to December 31 pay $55 for membership through the following calendar year. Applications received January 1 to September 30 pay $40 for membership through the end of the calendar year. MEMBERSHIP DESIGNED FOR Download an application at aaoms.org/alliedstaff and become a member today! 30 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Save the date! Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers Chicago, IL December 4-6, 2014 aaoms.org AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 31 CLASSIFIEDS Faculty Positions COLORADO: The School of Dental Medicine at the University of Colorado is seeking a qualified individual to join our dynamic and innovative clinical team. The school is located on the beautiful Anschutz Medical Campus in a new state-of-the-art facility. The campus is home to schools of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, public health and dental medicine, as well as a dynamic research community. The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine seeks a full-time faculty member at the rank of assistant/associate professor in the Department of Surgical Dentistry. Major responsibilities of this position include didactic and clinical teaching, administration and participation in multidisciplinary faculty practice. Minimum qualifications include a DDS/DMD or DDS/DMD and MD degree(s) from an accredited US dental school, completed residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and American board certification or active candidacy for certification. Applicants must be eligible for Colorado licensure. Experience in an academic, hospital or government institution with an understanding of clinical operations and practice is preferred. Salary and rank are commensurate with credentials and experience. The University of Colorado offers a full benefits package. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. We encourage applications from qualified women, ethnic minorities and veterans. Interested individuals may submit applications electronically at www.jobsatcu. com refer to posting: F00911. 32 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org September/October 2014 Review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Any questions may be directed to Shiela Otero@ ucdenver.edu or call 303/7242521. screen as required by Howard University. Howard University is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from minorities and women. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: The Department of OMS at Howard University College of Dentistry is seeking applications for a full-time tenure track or clinical track position at the assistant/associate professor level. The applicant must have a DDS/DMD recognized by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association and must have successfully completed advance training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at an accredited institution. Applicants must be eligible for licensure in the District of Columbia. Applicants must be board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or be a candidate for board certification. Responsibilities include didactic and clinical teaching in the predoctoral and postdoctoral program with some teaching responsibility for residents of the AEGD, GPR and pediatric programs. Independent research and scholarly activity are expected and collaboration with other faculty in both research and teaching is strongly encouraged. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with experience and qualifications. Send a letter of inquiry, curriculum vitae and names of three references to Dr. Andrea Bonnick, DDS, program director, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training Program, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave., Suite 2066, Washington, DC 20060. Upon offer of employment, successful applicants for this position must undergo a national background check and pre-employment drug DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Howard University Hospital College of Dentistry is actively recruiting a director of residency training in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Howard University College of Dentistry. This position is at the assistant or associate professor level. Candidates must have a DMD/DDS degree, be a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and be eligible for licensure in the District of Columbia. The college is affiliated with Howard University Hospital, one of the three Level 1 trauma centers in the diverse and metropolitan city of Washington, DC. This position offers the opportunity to develop a diverse and challenging academic oral and maxillofacial surgery curriculum, mentor residents and dental students and participate in professional collaboration and leadership development activities. Flexibility and commitment to program goals, office staff and faculty management, and high standards of ethical and professional conduct will be necessary characteristics of the right candidate. Salary and rank are commensurate with experience. Please send a letter of inquiry, curriculum vitae, and names of three references to Dr. Leo Rouse, dean, Howard University College of Dentistry, 600 W. Street, Washington, DC 20001. Upon offer of employment, successful applicants for this position must undergo a national background check and pre-employment drug screen as required by Howard University. Howard University is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from minorities and women. GEORGIA: The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Emory University School of Medicine, is seeking applicants for a full-time faculty position at the assistant or associate professor level. The applicants must have a DDS/DMD recognized by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association or equivalent, and must have successfully completed advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at an accredited institution. An MD is desirable as is fellowship training in oncology and microvascular surgery. Applicants must be eligible for licensure in Georgia. Applicants must be board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or candidates for board certification. Responsibilities will include supervision of residents at Grady Memorial Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center, and at the Emory Healthcare faculty practice. Pursuit of scholarly activities will also be required. Salary and academic rank are to be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please send a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references to: Steven Roser, DMD, MD, FACS, chief, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Building B, Suite 2300, Atlanta, Georgia 30322. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Emory University is an equal opportunity employer and SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 Reply to a classified ad in the following manner: AAOMS Classified Box 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL 60018-5701 encourages applications from minorities and women. from minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. ILLINOIS-CHICAGO: The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago is seeking applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenuretrack, faculty position at the rank of assistant professor or higher beginning July 1, 2014. Salary and rank will be commensurate with experience. Applicants must be boardcertified/active candidates for certification and have a DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-accredited institution, preferably also an MD degree, and be eligible for licensure in Illinois. Completion of a full-scope oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program, with additional fellowship training, and advanced research experience are desirable. Responsibilities include resident and dental student training and education, participation in an intramural practice, professional service, and scholarly activity, including basic and clinical research. For full consideration, applicants should submit a letter of intent, a current curriculum vitae, and the names of three professional references to http://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/ job-details?jobID=26920. Inquiries regarding this position may be addressed to: Michael Miloro, DMD, MD, Search Committee chairperson, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry MC 835, 801 S. Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60612, Phone: 312/996-1052, e-mail: mmiloro@uic.edu. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The College encourages applications ILLINOIS: Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine is seeking applications for a full-time tenure or clinicaltrack position at the assistant/ associate professor level in the Department of Applied Dental Medicine, section of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Responsibilities include didactic and clinical teaching in the predoctoral program, with some teaching responsibilities for residents in the AEGD, periodontics and implant programs, and service to the university. For tenure-track appointments, independent research and scholarly activity are also expected. Collaboration with other faculty, both in research and teaching, is strongly encouraged. A DMD/ DDS degree or equivalent, completed accredited oral and maxillofacial surgery residency, board certification or active candidate for certification are required. Previous teaching experience and/or a record of research accomplishment through publication and external funding are desirable. Applicants must be eligible for licensure in Illinois. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with experience and qualifications. Opportunity for extramural private practice is available. SIU/SDM’s suburban campus is located in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Send a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference to Dr. Bruce Rotter, dean, Southern Illinois University, School of Dental Medicine, 2800 College Avenue, Alton, Illinois 62002. For further information, contact Dr. Dwight McLeod, chair, at dmcleod@siue.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. SIU/ SDM is an EOE/AA employer committed to diversity in education and employment. SIU/SDM is a state university – benefits under state-sponsored plans may not be available to holders of F-1 or J-1 visas. MASSACHUSETTS: The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Dental Medicine is seeking an oral and maxillofacial surgeon board certified or active candidate for board certification to augment the department’s clinical, educational and research programs. In addition to practicing the full-scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, candidates must have an interest and expertise in temporomandibular joint surgery and reconstruction. The department has an active division of oral and maxillofacial pain. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s CV. Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We place a strong emphasis on the values of equality, diversity and compassion. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation to: Leonard B. Kaban, DMD, MD, chief, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Warren 1201, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail: lkaban@partners.org. NEW YORK: A full-time OMS faculty position is available immediately at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. The oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program has 16 residents, 12 in an integrated six-year MD program and four in a four-year program. Major responsibilities include resident education and training as well as faculty practice. Experience in a broad scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery is necessary. The position requires a DDS/DMD degree and formal training in oral and maxillofacial surgery from an ADA-accredited program, as well as OMS board certification. A New York dental license is necessary. Candidates are eligible for an academic appointment in the Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine. North Shore-LIJ Health System is an equal opportunity employer. Send curriculum vitae to: Ronald Burakoff, DMD, MPH, chairman, Department of Dental Medicine, 270-05 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040. E-mail: rburakoff@nshs. edu. NEW YORK: The University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, New York, is currently seeking outstanding applicants for a full-time position at the rank of assistant/associate professor for the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Responsibilities include didactic/clinical teaching and supervision of residents in the oral and maxillofacial surgery program, providing direct patient care as part of the faculty practice, including on-call coverage, participation in research programs and other collaborative activities with the University of Rochester Medical Center continued on next page AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 33 CLASSIFIEDS 34 Sept/Oct 2014 (continued) and the Rochester community. Requires a DDS/DMD degree from a CODAaccredited US or Canadian dental school, completion of a CODA-approved oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program, board certification or active candidacy for board certification, eligibility for a NYS dental license and post-offer health assessment. Candidate needs to possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to relate to groups at all levels within the organization, including office staff, faculty, management, senior leadership, governing agencies and others; must display initiative, a positive attitude, f lexibility and commitment to network goals and objectives; must be committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. Salary and academic rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Open until filled. Please forward a letter of intent, CV and contact information for three professional references to: Joseph J. Fantuzzo, DDS, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 705, Rochester, NY 14642 or e-mail: Joseph_Fantuzzo@ urmc.rochester.edu. TMJ disorders, dental implants, pathology of the jaws, ambulatory anesthesia and dentoalveolar surgery. Plan, direct and coordinate research activities. Participate in operating room and ward teaching, and advise, train and direct activities of surgical trainees and medical students; act as residency program director for advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Minimum qualifications: DDS or DMD; completion of a four-year CODA-accredited residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, board certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by time of appointment; licensure by Ohio Dental Board by time of appointment. Apply online at www.jobsatuc.com. Review of CVs will commence upon application. For additional information, contact Robert Marciani, MD, professor and division director, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Attn: Julie Valente, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, P.O. Box 670558, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0558. The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action//Equal Opportunity Employer. OHIO: The University of Cincinnati is currently seeking an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for a full-time non-tenure track position as associate professor of clinical medicine. Responsible for clinical, research and teaching activities of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents. Patient care responsibilities include diagnosis of problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions and performing surgery for maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery, PENNSYLVANIAPHILADELPHIA: The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is seeking an oral and maxillofacial surgeon board certified or an active candidate for board certification for a full-time instructor. The position will be a joint recruitment by the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and by the Philadelphia Veterans AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Affairs Medical Center. The successful applicant should have experience in the fullscope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Responsibilities include provision of surgical patient care as well as an instruction and supervision of dental students and surgery residents. Applicants must have an MD and a DMD/ DDS or equivalent degree. A current unrestricted MD and DMD/DDS license to practice medicine/dentistry in a state, territory or commonwealth of the United State or in the District of Columbia is required. For further information regarding the above position, contact: Anh D. Le, DDS, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Penn Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street/5 White, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or e-mail: jennifer.ramirez@ uphs.upenn.edu. Applicants must apply at PENN: http:// facultysearches.provost.upenn. edu/postings/224 for their application to be considered. The University of Pennsylvania and the PVAMC are equal opportunity, affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. TENNESSEE: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Section of Surgical Sciences is seeking applicants for a full-time faculty position in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the assistant/associate professor level. Salary and rank with be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a clinically busy program with clinical responsibilities covering the full-scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, with an emphasis on maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery, oral and maxillofacial pathology, and reconstruction. Additional responsibilities will include instruction and mentoring of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents. Qualifications for this position include a DDS/DMD or combined dental/MD degrees, completion of an accredited oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program, board certification/active participation in the certification process by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and dedication to academic surgery. Submit curriculum vitae and letter of interest to: Samuel J. McKenna, DDS, MD, professor and chairman, 1623 The Vanderbilt Clinic, Nashville, TN 37232-5225, e-mail: samuel. mckenna@vanderbilt.com; phone: 615/343-9404 or fax: 615/343-9397. Vanderbilt is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. TEXAS-HOUSTON: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - School of Dentistry invites applicants for one full-time (1.0 FTE) funded, non-tenured, clinical educator position at the assistant/associate professor level in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Predoctoral educational experience is highly desirable. Responsibilities will include supervision of students and residents in both clinic and hospital settings. Participation in the department’s intramural practice and pursuit of scholarly activities is strongly encouraged. The applicant must have a dental degree recognized by the Commission on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, or equivalent, and must have successfully completed advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at an SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 accredited institution. A current license to practice dentistry or be eligible for licensure in Texas, and board certification or an active candidate for board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery are required. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience. The UTHSC at Houston is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/V/D and a non-smoking environment. Women, minorities, veterans and disabled are encouraged to apply. This is a security-sensitive position and subject to Texas Education Code #51.215. A background check will be required for the final candidate. Please submit letters of application, curriculum vitae and three letters of references to the UTHSC at Houston online job application site at: jobs.uth.tmc.edu/applicants/ Central?quickFind=93461. Requisiton #131290, Dr. James Wilson, vice chairman, Faculty Search Committee, The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonSchool of Dentistry, 7500 Cambridge St., Suite 6510, Houston, TX 77054. Fellowship NonCoda Accredited FLORIDA: A fellowship in cleft and craniofacial surgery is available at the Florida Craniofacial Institute. This one-year fellowship is in a private practice environment in Tampa, Florida and the focus is congenital craniofacial anomalies. The primary goal of the practice’s cleft lip/palate and craniofacial fellowship is to educate and provide additional surgical training in the management and treatment of patients with craniofacial and/or facial differences. The fellow will work in conjunction with the cleft lip/palate and craniofacial team and will gain comprehensive experience and instruction in team-focused treatment coordination. Applicant must have a Florida medical or dental license and malpractice insurance. Foreign graduates are not eligible. This fellowship is only offered to OMS graduates. Please e-mail CV to ricalde@verizon.net. For more information on the Florida Craniofacial Institute, visit www.f loridacranio.com. MARYLAND/DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: A one-year postgraduate fellowship in orthognathic surgery is offered to recent graduates of accredited OMS programs. The fellowship is sponsored by: Posnick Center for Facial Plastic Surgery. If accepted, the fellow will be required to obtain an active medical or dental license in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. A clinical appointment in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital will be obtained. The philosophy of the fellowship is to enhance skills in: facial esthetic analysis; assessment of head and neck functions, including the upper airway; the patient-doctor relationship; and surgical skills. Clinical activities primarily revolve around the evaluation and treatment of dentofacial deformities, the airway, and secondary cleft lip and palate issues. Each patient is followed through their initial consultation, further evaluation, collaborative treatment, immediate preoperative workup, operation, postoperative care and long-term follow-up. The fellow will be Dr. Posnick’s right-hand person, evaluating and managing the patient through all phases of care. There will be an opportunity for clinical research and publication of papers. A salary allowance is provided. Send inquiries to Jeffrey C. Posnick, DMD, MD, e-mail: jposnick@drposnick. com or phone: 301/986-9475. MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS: Oral and maxillofacial fellowship 2015-2016. Sponsored by: The Oral Facial Surgery Institute (www. ofsinstitute.com). Accredited by: Department of Graduate Medical Education at Mercy. This advanced accredited opportunity is a year of hospitalbased oral and maxillofacial surgery centered at Mercy, a Level 1 trauma center in suburban St. Louis. This intensive fellowship program will focus on facial cosmetic, reconstructive, orthognathic, and TMJ surgery, facial trauma and complex dental implantology. Candidates must have completed an approved OMS residency. Missouri dental and/or medical licensure is required. Salary, benefits and continuing education allowance are included. Please address curriculum vitae and letters of interest to: Dr. Michael W. Noble, chairman and director of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Attention: Scott E. Graham, MA, CMPE, FAADOM administrator, 621 South New Ballas Road, Suite 16A, St. Louis, MO 63141, phone: 314/251-6725, fax: 314/2516726, e-mail: scott@ofsinstitute. com. or visit our Web site at www.ofsinstitute.com. TEXAS: Postgraduate fellowship in orthognathic and TMJ surgery offered to recent graduate from accredited OMS program. Expand your skills while working with an accomplished surgeon. Exposure to all aspects of OMS practice is included. All applicants must be eligible to receive a Texas dental license. Contact Dr. Sinn at 817/2253223 or e-mail: dpsinnoms@ gmail.com. Positions Available ARIZONA: OMS/Cosmetic Facial Surgery practice in Scottsdale, is seeking an OMS board certified, or an active candidate for certification, to join our wellestablished prominent practice. Great opportunity with an established referral base for the right candidate. Prefer a dual degreed individual. Partnership opportunity available. Please send CV to: socielisa@yahoo. com. CALIFORNIA: Multiple OMS opportunities currently available throughout California. Full- and part-time positions. Interested parties please contact Scott Price at Brady Price & Associates at 925/935-0890 or e-mail CV to scottp_brady@sbcglobal.net. CALIFORNIA: Stockton oral surgery and implantology practice is seeking an OMS for a full-time position leading to partnership in Stockton, CA. Excellent salary with bonus incentive plus benefits. Interested parties send CV to e-mail: esmhtthms@ yahoo.com. CALIFORNIA: Well-established, progressive, busy, solo OMS practice in San Francisco East Bay seeking to add a surgeon within next year. Candidates must be board certified or an active candidate for certification, trained in full-scope OMS with emphasis on third molar, dentoalveolar, implants. Opportunity for growth in orthognathic, TMJ and cosmetics exists. Practice located in area with small town atmosphere in urban environment. Easy access to mountains and ocean. Looking for associate leading to coownership. Reply by e-mail: info@albanyoms.com or fax: 519/526-5114. continued on next page AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 35 CLASSIFIEDS Sept/Oct 2014 (continued) CALIFORNIA: FLORIDA: Busy oral surgery practice located in a high traffic upper-class San Francisco neighborhood is looking for a well-qualified oral surgeon to become a junior partner. This is a buy-in opportunity, so applicant should have proven financials available. Please send CV to be followed by a personal interview to info@ stonestownsurgerycenter.com. Two surgeon, full-scope feefor-service practice in north central Florida looking for a surgeon to join practice. Senior partner planning to slow down. Two locations, great dedicated staff and generous compensation package. E-mail: info@catonandtaylor.com. CALIFORNIA-TAHOE: Excellent opportunity to build a career where most come to play. Lake Tahoe practice seeking an ABOMS-certified or an active candidate for certification for associate leading to partnership. Must be personable, hard working, and motivated to keep this two-office practice growing and thriving. Practice scope primarily dentoalveolar and implant based; occasional trauma and hospital cases. Offices all digital with CBCT in both locations. Please e-mail inquiries to dan@tahoeoralsurgery.com. FLORIDA: Excellent opportunity for an oral surgeon in sunny Sarasota. Premier full-scope practice seeking an OMS who is enthusiastic, hardworking, long-term and board certified or an active candidate for board certification. Practice emphasis on total joint replacements, orthognathic surgery, full facial reconstruction, full anesthesia, bone grafts and dental implants. Large majority of practice is fee-for-service. Florida licensure required and fellowship training preferred but not required. Salary, bonus program and benefits based on experience. Please call Dr. Gary Raska at 314/677-5039 or e-mail CV to: admin@sarasotaoralsurgery. com. 36 ILLINOIS-CHICAGO: AAOMS Today | aaoms.org FLORIDA-EAST COASTAVENTURA-MELBOURNE: Oral surgeon needed for 35-year-old, multi-speciality and general group practice. Full or part time. Modern, fully equipped, efficiently designed offices. Huge patient base assures excellent income. Call Kelly Oliver at 954/4610172; fax resume to: 954/678-9539 or e-mail careers@dentaland.net. FLORIDA: Longstanding practice with excellent reputation seeks associate leading to partnership in southwest Florida coastal community on the Gulf of Mexico. Great school systems in family oriented community with large network of referral dentists. All phases of oral surgery available to a surgeon board certified or an active candidate for certification. Come live the dream with us. E-mail: gatormom143@ me.com. FLORIDA-ORLANDO/ DAYTONA BEACH/ JACKSONVILLE/TAMPA REGION: Join our 50-office group practice. Hospital privileges NOT required. Our current oral surgeons exceed $300,000/year. Contact Dr. Andy Greenberg at 407/7725120 or drgreenberg@ katsur.com. All contacts kept confidential. www. greenbergdental.com. Excellent opportunity for an oral surgeon who is board certified or an active candidate for certification to join state-ofthe-art multi-specialty practice in Chicago and southwest suburb. Established referral base and limitless growth potential. Please reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4357. ILLINOIS: Established and growing practice in northern Illinois seeking associate for full- and part-time position leading to partnership. Laser, I-cat, mostly fee-for-service. Guaranteed salary and benefit package. E-mail CV to: os1161732@aol.com. ILLINOIS: Twenty-five-year-old Chicago suburban two-doctor, twooffice practice seeking an OMS board certified or an active candidate for certification to replace retiring senior partner January 2015. Primary scope is dentoalveolar, implant and office anesthesia. Trauma, orthognathic and TMJ surgery opportunities certainly available. Please reply with letter of interest and CV to blkoms@msn.com. ILLINOIS: Prominent oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in metropolitan Chicago area actively seeking an associate to replace retiring partner. Position available as of July 2015, but will consider an earlier start for 2014 grads. Our doctors practice the fullscope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with emphasis on dentoalveolar and implant surgery. Partnership for the right candidate. This is an excellent opportunity to join a high-quality, well-established surgical practice. Benefits include medical and malpractice insurance, society membership and hospital dues etc. This an equal partnership with long- term stability providing quality of life and a fulfilling career. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4570. ILLINOIS: Fantastic opportunity. Wellestablished, state-of-the-art, multi-office group practice with loyal referral base. Suburban Chicago. Seeking associateship leading to early partnership in a full-scope practice affiliated with Level 1 trauma hospital/teaching possibilities. Please reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4539 ILLINOIS: Excellent opportunity for kind, hardworking, affable, easy going and easy to get along with, well-trained and opento-learning-more OMS, in a busy, up-to-date OMS office in a beautiful southwest suburb of Chicago. Mostly dentoalveolar, level 1 trauma available, some pathology and orthognathic, no cleft or cosmetic. Please e-mail resume and reference to r.bosack@comcast.net. INDIANA: Multi-office OMS practice in Indiana seeking highly motivated 2015 or 2016 graduate for associate position leading to early partnership. Practice emphasis is dentoalveolar surgery, implants, bone grafting and anesthesia. Wide open opportunity to expand into other areas such as esthetic surgery. Light trauma call. Competitive salary and benefits. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4565. KENTUCKY: Established northern Kentucky (suburban Cincinnati) practice seeking an OMS board certified or an active candidate for certification to replace retiring partner. Primary focus is dentoalveolar, implants and anesthesia but full-scope is available and encouraged. Send SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 inquiry and CV to: ofsa@fuse. net. KENTUCKY: Bluegrass area of Kentucky. Established practice with strong patient f low and great income from day one. Robust CE budget, company paid malpractice, ownership opportunity within a year. We have an amazing unified team. Come see what make this a golden opportunity. Contact Nick Cease at 502/254-8514; or e-mail: ncease@mfdc.net. MARYLAND: Premier practice located on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay seeking an OMS who is board certified or an active candidate for certification to join us. We are a very successful multi-office practice and very well-established in our community. Practice is full scope and growing with emphasis on dentoalveolar, implants, grafting and orthognathics. Opportunity for associate or association leading to partnership. Area offers great lifestyle and recreational opportunities around the Chesapeake Bay with close proximity to Washington DC and Baltimore. Send CV to AAOMS Classified Box A-4569. MARYLAND: Excellent opportunity for an OMS board-certified or an active candidate for board certification in a multi-doctor, two-office practice just west of the Washington, DC/ Baltimore area in Hagerstown, MD and Martinsburg, WV. Two modern, state-of-theart facilities. Full-scope busy practice close to the amenities of the metropolitan area without all the congestion. Excellent schools and many outdoor activities: hiking, cycling, skiing and golf. Competitive salary and benefit package will be offered to an energetic, enthusiastic, and motivated, well-trained individual. Send CV to fax: 304/274-9546, or e-mail: hnelson@omaxdocs.com. MARYLAND: Mid-Maryland Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PA in beautiful Frederick, Maryland has an immediate opening for an associate to join our team. The successful candidate must be board certified or an active candidate for certification, and will have the opportunity to obtain full partnership with an excellent salary and benefit package. Mid-Maryland oral and maxillofacial surgery is a very busy, respected, full-scope office with a long history of serving patients from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Please send your current CV to LHogan@ midmaryland.com. MASSACHUSETTS: Gentle Dental Partners of New England is looking for full- or part-time OMSs who are board certified or active candidates for board certification. The doctor will provide surgical services, including implants and sedation, in growing multispecialty group practices. Facilities are equipped and permitted for anesthesia (permit D). This can be a full-time career track or a great way to supplement down time in your practice. Our full-time surgeons earn over $500,000 annually and a minimum of $350,000 will be guaranteed for full-time service. Please send CV and cover letter to: gdc@gentledental.com; or fax: 781/895-9995. MICHIGAN: Well-established solo practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan, seeking an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. State-of-the-art newly constructed practice, completely digital, 3D cone beam capabilities with a large referral base. Full-scope practice with emphasis on implantology and dentoalveolar surgery. Division I and Division III college town, with a great atmosphere. Two Level 1 trauma center hospitals within 10 miles of practice. E-mail resumes to: hamlinoralsurgery@yahoo. com. MICHIGAN: Well-established, very busy, full-scope OMS practice in southeast Michigan seeking an OMS ABOMS board certified or actively seeking certification for full-time employment. Send CV to Dr. Marvin Jabero at mjabero@gmail.com. MICHIGAN: Oral and maxillofacial surgeon needed to join well-established and respected group practice in southwest Michigan. Fullscope practice that is especially strong in dentoalveolar, implant, and orthognathic surgery. Stable referral base of high quality general dentists and fellow specialists. Digital imaging in place with second generation i-cat, simplant and dolphin software. Currently in the process of converting to electronic medical records. University town with many amenities. Great opportunity with strong schools, family atmosphere, and only an 45 minutes away from Lake Michigan beaches. A fun place to practice and raise your family. Please reply by e-mail: officemanager@kaloms.com. MINNESOTA: Full-scope practice includes orthognathics, pathology, implants, cleft palate, light trauma. Defined partnership buy-in. Above average associate income with 6 week’s vacation, medical, malpractice, CE/$5,000. One of the country’s most beautiful locations. Call Marla 866/2419003; e-mail: marlaspriggs@ OMS-Exclusively.com; Web Page/National Job Board: www.OMS-Exclusively.com. NEVADA-LAS VEGAS: OMS needed for busy, fullscope, oral surgery group practice in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have two full-time offices (one in Henderson, one in NW Las Vegas). Would you enjoy working in a team environment where camaraderie is high, ethics and quality of care are paramount, and the sun is always shining? Ideal candidate will have superb communication skills, enjoy marketing, have a great work ethic, and a willingness to deliver stellar patient service. Great opportunity to accelerate your career path. We’ve been told we provide the most dental implants west of the Mississippi. Trauma and ortho cases are seen here as well. Excellent salary/benefits package. Buy-in after first year (we are looking for someone who seeks partnership status). See our Web site at: nofslv.com for more information about our practice and surgeons. Call Gail at 702/360-8918 or e-mail: nofsgail@gmail.com for more information. NEW HAMPSHIRE: Well-established southern NH group practice seeking a motivated and caring oral surgeon to join our professional family for a two-day per week position with excellent longterm potential. With a strong referral base, our multi-specialty group practice seeks a colleague with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with us. Three year’s experience after residency and experience with pediatric sedation is required. Join us in a beautiful, spacious, modern facility to practice in the suburbs, close to the mountains, the seacoast, and Boston. Please send resume and confidential inquiry to: dmdsearch22@ gmail.com. continued on next page AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 37 CLASSIFIEDS NEW JERSEY-ESSEX/ MORRIS COUNTY: Well-established, four-doctor OMS practice, strongly committed to quality patient care, seeking an OMS board certified or an active candidate for board certification for associateship and partnership if desired. Three state-of-theart offices with surgical suite and I-cat. Excellent referral base with strong growth potential. Competitive salary with benefits including health and malpractice insurance and pension plan. Please forward CV to AAOMS Classified Box A-4560. NEW JERSEY: Multi-office premier group practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery at southern New Jersey shore is seeking a motivated, bright, personable OMS board certified or an active candidate for certification. We are an aggressive full-scope practice with a loyal broad referral base. Our practice area offers the perfect environment for raising a family in proximity to metropolitan areas yet the advantage of being in a relaxed seashore community. A brandnew, large office facility affords the best of work environments. An excellent salary and incentive package with fringe benefits make this a unique opportunity for the right OMS looking for early partnership. Interested parties reply by e-mail: HarveyS320@aol.com. NEW YORK: Outstanding opportunity to join an innovative multilocation OMS practice in Manhattan. New York City is an excellent place to live/ work with a vast array of cultural/ recreational activities. The ideal candidate must 38 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Sept/Oct 2014 (continued) possess top skills and display excellent interpersonal skills. Practice is office-based fullscope, dentoalveolar and implant surgery under general anesthesia. High quality, high-tech digital office. Emergency room call and academic affiliations available. Competitive compensation and future partnership for ideal candidate. Will sponsor green card candidates. E-mail CV to: robert.bodey@mofsny.com or contact Robert Bodey at 212/567-5536. NEW YORK: Excellent opportunity for an OMS board certified or an active candidate for certification to join a well-established multi-office practice in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Strong referral based practice which offers full-scope of oral and maxillofacial procedures including implants and general anesthesia, etc. in a state-of-theart facility. I-cat and surgical suite on premises. Association leading to partnership for a well-motivated, personable, patient friendly and ethical OMS doctor. Interested parties forward CV to AAOMS Classified Box A-4572. NEW YORK- LONG ISLAND: Excellent opportunity, multioffice OMS practice. Seeking an OMS who is board certified or an active candidate for certification for associateship leading to partnership. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4487. NEW YORK-LONG ISLAND: Seeking energetic person to join a unique multi-doctor practice. Association leading to partnership for motivated, personable, and ethical OMS doctor. Our group is office/ hospital-based and provides a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, including cosmetic procedures. A fulltime esthetician also provides nonsurgical cosmetic services in our medical spa. We offer an excellent salary plus a comprehensive benefit package that includes malpractice, health, life insurance, 401(k) and profit sharing. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4442. OHIO-NORTHERN: Well-established, two-doctor practice in transition due to retirement of senior partner seeking OMS who is board certified or an active candidate for certification to join practice. Newly built office, early partnership available. Please reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4519. PENNSYLVANIA: OMS practice in SE Pennsylvania seeking a surgeon who is board certified or an active candidate for certification to associate then partner with two-doctor practice. Looking for quality, motivated person dedicated to compassionate patient care. Practice is located approximately 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, 2 hours from New York City and 3 hours from Washington, DC. Excellent location to live and raise children. Our practice offers quality benefits. Stipend and time for board preparation. Relocation expenses. Our two well-established offices are committed to excellent patient care. We enjoy privileges at a large community hospital/ Level II trauma center and surgicenter. Please send letter of interest and CV to AAOMS Classified Box A-4536 to inquire about joining our team. PENNSYLVANIA: Quality, well-established, twodoctor, three-office practice located in a medium-sized town in central Pennsylvania, 1.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh. One doctor planning to retire in 1-3 years. Practice healthy, stable area, very low crime rate. Trauma as desired. Great place to raise family, lots of opportunities for recreation and education. Fast commute times. Board certified or active candidate for certification. Please e-mail cover letter and CV to gos@atlanticbb.net. PENNSYLVANIA: Excellent opportunity in eastern Pennsylvania. Well-established OMS practice is seeking an OMS board certified or an active candidate for certification for associate who is personable and hardworking. We are a contemporary practice with a large referral base and a focus on dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants and anesthesia. There is ample opportunity for trauma and orthognathic surgery if one desires. Great community with excellent schools and many cultural and recreational opportunities. Excellent financial package and benefits to start with early partnership potential. Please send CV to AAOMS Classified Box A-4567. PENNSYLVANIA: Seeking full-time oral surgeon for office-based practice in SE Pennsylvania. $500K salary first year. Visit Padentalcareers. com/current-openings for more details. TEXAS: Opportunity to transition into a busy oral surgery practice with a multi-disciplined practice. Present oral surgeon is retiring. Practice is private fee-for-service. New I-cat (3D) in office. For information contact Paul Kennedy, DDS by e-mail: pkennedy@gte.net or call 361/960-6484. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 TEXAS: Established three-doctor, one office, OMS practice in southeast Houston seeking an associate leading to partnership. Senior doctor to retire after a transition period. Desire an ambitious and personable OMS who is completing training or recently trained. Must be board certified or an active candidate for board certification. Primary scope is dentoalveolar and implants. Trauma, orthognathic and TMJ surgery opportunities are available. Great location to raise a family with recreational and big city amenities nearby. Please reply to dbaosa@gmail.com. TEXAS-HOUSTON: Multi-office, multi-specialty group practice seeking a motivated and energetic OMS to work 1-4 days per month or more. Dentoalveolar, bone grafting and implant-focused procedures. This will instantly augment the income from your private practice without the expense of establishing a satellite office. Please send letter of interest and CV to Surgeonrecruitment@ surgicalsynergistics.com. VERMONT: Board certified surgeons offering unparalleled long-term career opportunity: associate to equal partnership, competitive guaranteed salary with benefits and a winning future. Full-scope practice includes orthognathics, pathology, trauma, TMJ, dentoalveolar surgery and implants. Honesty, high integrity and commitment to community are the key to this practice success. Listed as the “healthiest” city in the US by the CDC, Burlington, VT is 2 hours from Montreal, 3.5 hours from Boston and 3 hours from the Maine seacoast. State-of-the-art office includes I-Cat, electronic medical records, six full operatories and two rooms with vaporizers capable of delivering anesthesia for advanced procedures. All communications will remain confidential. Contact our practice manager at referral@cvoms.com or call 802/862-9196. VIRGINIA: Well-established OMS practice in the historic, colonial capital of Williamsburg looking for an associate who would like to become a partner. This is a great college town with excellent medical facilities. Transition period prior to partnership is negotiable. This is an enormous opportunity for the right person. Reply to paul. hartmann@omsp.com. VIRGINIA: Our seven doctor/five location, well-established practice is seeking a candidate ready to begin employment for 2015. This individual must possess superb surgical qualifications, ethical standards, and interpersonal skills. Be dedicated both professionally and socially to developing their presence within the dental and medical community. We will offer the financial and marketing tools to develop a loyal referral base. Our practice offers full-scope OMS solutions throughout northern Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area. Our operating room has the support of board certified anesthesiologists facilitating on-site orthognathic, cosmetic and major implant reconstructions. Our associates become partners. You will be treated with respect and your opinion valued as an associate. You will be given professional freedom and the opportunity to mature and develop a practice that ref lects your strengths while taking advantage of a superbly managed professional corporation. Please e-mail: jspradlin@fairfaxoralsurgery. com or phone: 703/352-1493, ext. 213. VIRGINIA: Excellent opportunity for an OMS who is board certified or an active candidate for certification to join a twooffice practice in the suburbs of Virginia. This is a onesurgeon practice looking for an energetic and motivated surgeon who wants to practice the full-scope of oral surgery as well as establish financial and professional security. Office would be receptive to future associate buy-in. Both offices are efficient and state-of-the-art facilities. Multiple well-trained certified assistants capitalize production. Part-time or fulltime position is available with a start date that can be immediate for the ideal candidate if desired. Visit our Web site at www.meyerclinic.com. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box A-4571. WASHINGTON: Excellent opportunity to practice in beautiful Puget Sound and western Washington. Our state-of-theart practice is currently seeking an OMS who is board certified or an active candidate for certification for an associateship position. Busy practice with multiple locations and high-tech equipment, including digital radiography, chartless system and cone beam CT. Please send resumes to jaehongdds@ gmail.com or leave message at 206/234-4044. WASHINGTON/IDAHO: 44 years strong, Willamette Dental Group (WDG), a pioneer in the industry focused on quality patient care with emphasis on the evidencebased philosophy that is at the forefront of dentistry. WDG has a history of stability and growth in the Pacific Northwest with its many lifestyle advantages. Our multi-site group practice has an excellent opportunity for oral surgeons in Portland, OR, and Boise, ID. Oral surgeons enjoy freedom from administrative headaches as we provide all support services, benefits: medical, 401K, deferred compensation, CE, disability and malpractice insurance, paid vacation, professional leave, and more. We help defray costs of interviews, board exams, and moving expenses. Licensing just got easier! Visit our Web site at http://www.williamettedental. com/careers. Send resume to: Tiffany Brown, Dentist Talent Acquisition, Willamette Dental Group, call: 800/460-7644 ext. 810171; or e-mail: tbrown@ williamettedental.com. WEST VIRGINIA: Excellent opportunity to practice in the area of beautiful mountains and white water rivers. Our well-established OMS practice is seeking an energetic board certified OMS, or an active candidate for board certification, to join our growing group. Three busy offices located in southeastern West Virginia for a full-time associate, leading to partnership. Excellent laidback location for an outdoor enthusiast, with country or suburban living opportunities. Ideal candidate must possess top clinical and compassion and interpersonal skills. They must have a commitment to outstanding patient care and be highly motivated to succeed in a multi-office group practice. Salary of $275,000-$300,000 first year. Salary commensurate on training and previous private practice experiences. Bonus incentives included. Contact office supervisor at 304/256-3777 or e-mail CV to drgsmilesurgery.annie@yahoo. com. continued on next page AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 39 CLASSIFIEDS WISCONSIN: Excellent opportunity for an OMS to secure their financial and professional future. Very busy, two-doctor, two-office practice seeks a personable and energetic OMS with a strong work ethic for association leading to partnership. Senior partner looking to phase out over the next few years. The practice has an exceptionally large referral base that is implant-trained and oriented. Candidate must be well-trained in all phases of our specialty. Offices are located in beautiful southeast Wisconsin. If you enjoy golf, fishing, hunting or any of the wonderful activities that the outdoors has to offer and also enjoy being close to the arts, please send resume with references to Dr. Guy Jensen, 464 S. Hickory St., Suite A, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 or fax CV to 920/923-0366. WISCONSIN: Exciting opportunity for an OMS who is board certified or an active candidate for certification, to join a wellestablished and collegial group of four oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Practice in a new state-of-the-art facility with the latest in dental and surgical technology. Competitive compensation and benefits with partnership track. BayCare Clinic is a successful and democratic multi-specialty group with 17 specialties. BayCare is a physician owned and operated system developed to promote and maintain the independent practice of medicine. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a beautiful, safe, and family oriented “All-American City,” known for its outstanding quality of life and superb education systems. Contact Lesley O’Connell at 877/2699895, or e-mail: loconnell@ baycare.net. 40 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Sept/Oct 2014 (continued) Positions Wanted POSITION WANTED: Need some help? Want to slow down? Retired army/private practice oral surgeon relocating to the Austin-San Antonio area at the end of the year. Looking for 2-3 days/week possible in your office. Solid, dependable, proficient in dentoalveolar, IV sedation, implants, minor trauma. Available 2 days/week beginning 2 September, or more days/week beginning 1 November. Texas license on the way. E-mail: stvncrss020409@gmail.com. POSITON WANTED: Retired too soon, board certified OMS looking for 2-3 day in private practice or hospital/school environment. 35+ year’s experience. Licensed in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box W-104. Miscellaneous MAXSURGE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS: Prompt claim filing, monthly statements and a systematic, comprehensive approach by MaxSurge’s experienced billing/consulting team will yield the greatest possible ROI. New business assistance, staff training, other OMS-specific services 877/629-7874; e-mail mwalbe@maxsurge.com or visit www.MaxSurge.net. PRACTICE ADVISORY GROUP: Whether your focus is on starting your own practice or relieving yourself of the management challenges of your existing practice, The Practice Advisory Group is uniquely qualified to help you achieve your goals. We understand how valuable your time is. Our goal is to allow you to focus on patient care while we provide the comprehensive practice management required to maximize your productivity and profitability. Our team will become an extension of your practice with billing and timely collections, cash-f low management, accounting and human resources, and long-term planning, including practice growth and development. To find out more about The Practice Advisory Group, contact us today! Call Kathy at 405/615-3929 or Michele at 832/202-4770. FACILITY SPACE FOR LEASE: 2,641 square foot Thornton, Colorado oral surgery office on the 120th corridor. Five operatories, lunch room, and more, plus some equipment. Ample on-site parking and building signage. Gary Giglio, CCIM, President, Augustin Companies, Inc. at 303/4692020 or e-mail: ggiglio@ccim. net. OMS INTERNET DOMAINS: Attract more implant patients. Oralsurgeons.com and Toothimplants.com are top level domain names that will deliver more patients to your practice. Be one of only two local OMS office Web sites displayed from each US congressional district of 700,000 potential patients. Visit www.oralsurgeons.com and register today. EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Welch Allen Monitor + 2 pulse oximeters; CIP ACSL-supplied equipment; GE panalipse; tube X-ray GE; Ceph Wehmer machine; two dental chairs; ten file cabinets (5-drawer); lab instruments and equipment; Pelton Crane lights; mobile compressor; handpieces (some new). Please call 203/222-1665. Best offer. Practices for Sale CALIFORNIA: Multiple northern and southern California oral surgery practices currently available for sale or with associateship opportunities. CA dental licensure by credentialing and financing available to qualified parties. Contact Brady Price & Associates, specializing in oral surgery practice sales via e-mail at scottp_brady@ sbcglobal.net or call Scott Price, 925/935-0890. CALIFORNIA: Live in wonderful San Diego! Well-established practice grosses $900K+ on 28 hours/ week, 50% profit, freestanding professional building, gorgeous facility, three ops, two exam, digital pano/PAs, 27 years goodwill, outstanding reputation, broad referral base, dependable staff. Call 760/716-3199. COLORADO: Oral and maxillofacial surgery practice for sale. Established referrals! Collections $700750K, 26 hours per week. New modern digital office! Motivated seller. Call Susan at 303/973-2147 or e-mail: susan@sastransitions.com. SAS Dental Practice Brokers. CONNECTICUT: Well-established busy fullscope oral surgery practice in central Connecticut. Emphasis on dentoalveolar and implant surgery. State-of-the-art equipment including cone beam and paperless system. This practice has a good referral base close to a teaching hospital and an excellent support staff to assist buyer. Owner is willing to stay to assist transition. Reply to AAOMS Classified Ad S-2275. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 FLORIDA: ILLINOIS-CHICAGO: MISSOURI: NORTH CAROLINA: 26-year OMS practice for sale on Florida west coast. $1.5 million annual collections five days/ week. 2,300 square feet newly renovated office. Top of the line equipment. Retiring doctor will stay on part-time if needed for transition. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2277. Highly successful, wellestablished, two doctor OMS practice along with fully equipped 4500+ sq. ft. building in prime Lincoln Park location for sale. Contact Dan Welch at dwelch@3-ppc.com. State-of-the-art practice for sale. This is a modern digital office in a wonderful community. The practice produces $1.5M on four days/week. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2278. 35-year-old high-profile practice in Metro Charlotte for sale (transition possible). Walk to strong independent 400-bed regional hospital with adjacent ambulatory surgicenter. Modern 2500 sq. ft. office with three operatories, large storage and conference rooms. $1.0-1.2M collections last five years on 150 days/per year. Practice draws from 100 mile radius population 2.5 million. Excellent schools, churches, and recreational opportunities (90 minutes mtns; 3 hrs. to beaches, great hunting and fishing minutes away). 20 minutes from busy international airport, 30 minutes to downtown Charlotte without big-city pace. Current financials and projections proformas just ready. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2265. FLORIDA: Well-established, mature, fullscope. Excellent staff, facility, referral base, opportunity. Can accommodate one or two talented surgeons. Professional Practice Planners at 412/6733144; 412/621-2882 (after normal hours); or e-mail: stanpoll@aol.com. GEORGIA/TEXAS: Oral Surgery Practices for Sale (Nationwide). Georgia: High grossing, 5 ops, Est. 2005. Texas: High grossing, 4 ops, Est. 2007. Call Promed Financial for information. 100% financing available. Phone: 888/277-6633; e-mail: info@promed-financial. com or www.promed-financial. com. ILLINOIS: Solo oral surgery practice for sale. Excellent location. Outstanding Net. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2268. ILLINOIS: Prime Chicago growth location, fee-for-service/electronic claims, 33-years established. Ideal for main office or satellite. Two operatories, one exam room. Modern one story building. Priced to sell quickly at $199,000. Call Marla 866/2419003; e-mail: marlaspriggs@ OMS-Exclusively.com; Web Page/National Job Board: www. OMS-Exclusively.com. MASSACHUSETTS: Well-established oral surgery practice for sale. Practice the way you always wanted in an absolutely beautiful area. Send CV and cover letter to AAOMS Classified Box S-2273. MICHIGAN: Fee-for-service, little to no competition. Office-based/ implants. Four operatories, two exam. Class A 4800 sq. ft. office being sold with practice. Turn-key over $1.5M collections. Great location, stable economy. Win OMS Software. Call Marla 866/2419003; e-mail: marlaspriggs@ OMS-Exclusively.com; Web Page/National Job Board: www. OMS-Exclusively.com. MICHIGAN: Right practice, location and price in southwest Michigan. Well-established, solo oral surgeon retiring after 37 years. Practice, equipment and office with well-established referral base and excellent collections will provide a great opportunity. E-mail: zout1@aol.com or call 269/962-8505. MISSOURI: Retiring OMS - 40-year practice in southeast Missouri. Gross $1.2M, 3.5 days/week. Satellite practice with potential to double. Two large office buildings with room for expansion of practice. Contact B.L. Ogborn, DDS at ogbornbl@netscape.net or 800/333-8179 NEW HAMPSHIRE: Well-established, solo practice in the scenic Dartmouth/ Lake Sunapee region. Prime single office location. Doctor owned 2800 sq. ft. building. Retirement. Owner financing. Flexible transition terms. Very fairly priced. E-mail: thomashillebrand@comcast.net or call 603/542-8947. NEW YORK-SUFFOLK COUNTY: Oral surgery practice, grossing over $1.7 million. The practitioner is ready to scale back by taking in a full-time partner or selling the entire practice. Remaining to work three days/week for five-years. Call 973/476-8660. NEW YORK-NEW YORK CITY: Well-established solo practice with longstanding excellent reputation with solid patient and dentist referral base. High gross, six to seven figures, with future income dependent on motivation and quality of care of the purchasing OMS. Willing to discuss transition, purchase of multi-office medical building, and opportunity for teaching and hospital affiliations and all options. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2281. NEW YORK: Well-established practice in New York City for sale. Same location for over 80 years. Low overhead, electronic medical records. Owner will assist in transition if desired. On staff at major hospitals for fullscope OMS. Send inquiries to AAOMS Classified Box S-2282. NORTH CAROLINA: Well-established oral and maxillofacial surgery practice immediately available in the heart of Piedmont, North Carolina. Located next to I-85/40, in a high growth, wide referral base and a skilled, cohesive staff. Flexible transition, willing to discuss all options. Very reasonably priced. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2279. OHIO: Well-established solo practice, new office and equipment, SE Ohio/West Virginia panhandle. 35 minutes from Pittsburgh. Full-scope practice with great referral base. Willing to discuss all options for practice takeover and sale “Best kept secret.” Reply to nlse10@comcast.net. continued on next page AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 41 WASHINGTON: CLASSIFIEDS OREGON: Sept/Oct 2014 (continued) Wonderful OMS practice for sale in western Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley. Very nice, spacious office in an excellent location with plenty of off-street parking. For additional information contact Randy Harrison at RandyH@ practicesales.com facility with room to grow, with modern well-maintained equipment including I-cat, digital radiography, laser, etc. Excellent opportunity to practice in a highly desirable community. Building and land also available for purchase. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2263. TEXAS: VIRGINIA: Within two hours of Dallas. Turn-key, just shy of million dollar collection on 3 days/ week. Lots of room with three operatories, two exam rooms. Location is solid and established. Asking price is $399,000. Call Marla 866/2419003; e-mail: marlaspriggs@ OMS-Exclusively.com; Web Page/National Job Board: www.OMS-Exclusively.com. Slightly Southern VA, successful, state-of-theart CT guided implant technology/100% paperless/ turn-key. Practice and building available/priced right. 3100 sq. ft./4 large operatories. Hospital pays trauma call/ bill out services. Potential rental income available. Call Marla 866/241-9003; e-mail: marlaspriggs@OMSExclusively.com; Web Page/ National Job Board: www. OMS-Exclusively.com. VIRGINIA: Established, 21-year-old solo practice in a beautiful college town for purchase or associateship. Owner looking to retire. Large well-designed ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries other than classifieds should be directed to Ms. Joan A. Coffey, Account Manager, Integrated Solutions, Leader Specialty–Surgery, Elsevier, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010; Tel: 551/580-4018; Fax: 212/633-3820; e-mail: j.coffey@ elsevier.com. The publication of an advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement or approval by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of the product or service being offered in the advertisement unless the advertisement specifically includes an authorized statement that such approval or endorsement has been granted. n 42 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org Oral maxillofacial surgeon office is available in a large medical and dental complex in the central business area of Kent, Washington. This is an excellent opportunity for a start-up or a satellite office. E-mail: ctolas1@comcast.net. WASHINGTON: Broad spectrum practice serving thriving Bellevue, Washington for over 20 years. Located next to Overlake Medical Center in the center of a large referral base as well as an expanding city core. Ideal for a doctor looking to relocate or new graduate looking to take over busy established practice. Reply to AAOMS Classified Box S-2267. Practice Transitions OMS EXCLUSIVELYASSOCIATES, PARTNERSHIPS, PRACTICE SALES, RETIREMENT TRANSITION: Specialist since 2006 in the recruitment of oral surgeons nationwide. Over 34 years OMS experience, we understand your business. Time to sell your practice, transition into retirement, add an associate/partner? We work with all residents, confidential and military surgeons. Practice sales/retirement transitions-We are not practice brokers, do not sign exclusive agreements, only charge a set fee, no risk. We have buyers/associates, tremendous success! We always have a booth at the AAOMS meeting. Call Marla at 866/241-9003; e-mail: marlaspriggs@oms-exclusively. com; Visit www.OMSExclusively.com. PRACTICE TRANSITION: If you are considering valuing-merging-arranging an associateship-sellingbuying, contact a transition specialist. OMS-certified in all areas. Professional Practice Planners, 332 Fifth Ave., #213, McKeesport, PA 15132. E-mail: stanpoll@aol.com; Call 412/673-3144 (after normal hours, eastern). PRACTICE TRANSITION: Great opportunities available - Associateships Available: New Jersey, Ohio, Florida (Miami area), Maine, Texas, Pennsylvania (western), Arizona, Indiana - all excellent opportunities. For Immediate Sale: Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida. Well-established, active full-scope practice, excellent opportunities. E-mail: stanpoll@aol.com or Call: 412/673-3144. PRACTICE TRANSITIONS: Considering a practice sale or finding an associate to buy-in? Looking to associate or buy a practice? ADS is the leader in practice transitions with specialists and opportunities nationwide. ADStransitions. com/aaoms or 888/7615973 ext. 6 or nancys@ adstransitions.com. ADSPractice Transitions Made Perfect™. Classified Advertising Deadlines (The issue to which the deadline applies is indicated in bold type) November/December 2014 issue: September 15, 2014 January/February 2015 issue: November 10, 2014 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 2014 | VOLUME 10, 12, ISSUE 5 CLASSIFIEDS AAOMS Faculty/Fellowship Positions Available Available Position (please check all that apply): Description/Requirements: Chairman Program Director Professor (Clinical or Research track) Associate Professor (Clinical or Research track) Assistant Professor (Clinical or Research track) Fellowship: CODA Accredited Non-CODA Accredited OMS Training Program Faculty Ad Costs: Address City 1–250 words: $0 251–290 words: $125 Visa Mastercard Card No. State Zip Phone 291–330 words: $250 331–370 words: $375 Expiration Date Signature Check Enclosed Amount Check# Fax Contact Person For more information, contact Mary Allaire-Schnitzer at 847/678-6200, ext. 4315, or via e-mail at mallaire@aaoms.org and/or AAOMS Communications & Publications at 847/678-6200, ext. 4366, via e-mail at marilynk@aaoms.org or fax to 847/678-6279 Contact Email This is not a confidential ad. This is a confidential ad. Please contact only the following members of my staff if you have questions: Please run my ad in the ________________________________________________________ issue(s) of AAOMS Today. Repeat my ad exactly as is from the ________________________________________________________ issue Repeat my ad from the ________________________________________________________ issue, making changes as indicated. Please run my ad on the AAOMS Career Line. (Staff will contact with cost.) Classified Advertising Order Form (This form may be photocopied.) Please Print or Type Your Ad in the Space Provided or Attach Separate Sheet: Date AAOMS Name BOX #_________ Address City State Zip Phone This is not a confidential ad. This is a confidential ad. Please contact only the following members of my staff if you have questions: Please run my ad in the following issue(s)of AAOMS Today: (Indicate type of ad below) Classified ads appear in every issue of AAOMS Today. Ad costs are: 1–40 words: $125 41-80 words: $250 Visa Mastercard 81-120 words: $375 121-160 words: $500 Card No./Expiration Date Card Holder Name (Print) Card Holder Signature Credit Card Mailing Address (Print) New Ad Position Available Practice Transition Position Wanted Practice For Sale Miscellaneous AAOMS Box Number Requested (no add’l cost) Repeat Ad Repeat my ad exactly as is from the ________ issue. Repeat my ad from the _____________________ issue, but make changes as indicated. Check Enclosed Amount Mail completed form and check to: AAOMS Today Classified Ads, Attn: Marilyn Kukla: 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Check# Rosemont, IL 60018-5701 Or fax form to: 847/678-6279 Questions? Please contact Marilyn Kukla at 800/822-6637 ext. 4366, or e-mail: marilynk@aaoms.org. My box # is ______________________ . AAOMS Today | aaoms.org 35 43 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 9700 West Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701 AAOMS CALENDAR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES REGIONAL & STATE SOCIETY MEETINGS 2015 2014 2014 JANUARY 17-18, 2015 NOVEMBER 8 NOVEMBER 5 ICD-10-CM Coding Workshop Middle Atlantic Society of OMS Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV NOVEMBER 9-10 Beyond the Basics Coding Workshop Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV DECEMBER 4-6 AAOMS Dental Implant Conference Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers Chicago, IL Ellicott City, MD California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2015 Anesthesia Meeting La Quinta Resort & Club La Quinta, CA NOVEMBER 5 Connecticut Society of OMS Implant Symposium Waters Edge Resort Westbrook, CT APRIL 11-12, 2015 Virginia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meeting Westin Virginia Beach Town Center Virginia Beach, VA APRIL 16-19, 2015 Southwest and Texas Societies of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Joint Meeting The Westin Kierland Resort Scottsdale, AZ 44 AAOMS Today | aaoms.org PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID KELMSCOTT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT NOTES Affordable Care Act Focuses on Compliance Plans By Joseph W. Gallagher, JD, LLM COMPLIANCE PLANS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PROVIDERS NO LONGER A MATTER OF CHOICE T he era of the voluntary compliance plan for providers who treat Medicare or Medicaid patients is coming to an end. Although compliance plans have always been a good idea, they were not mandated for healthcare providers until enactment of healthcare reform legislation. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law in 2010, mandates that healthcare providers enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid adopt a healthcare compliance plan. Section 6401 of the ACA specifically states that healthcare providers must establish a compliance program that contains certain “core elements” as a condition of enrollment in government programs. Under Section 6401, the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), is required to define what “core elements” must be contained in the compliance plan. Under the law, “core elements” will vary according to the type of healthcare provider. As of the date of this article, the implementation date of the Section 6401 mandate is still to be determined, and HHS has not yet issued regulations defining “core elements.” But do not let these unknowns be an excuse to ignore what’s coming. Even though these regulations have not yet been written, it is highly likely that a previously issued guidance from OIG setting out seven fundamental elements of an effective compliance plan will form the basis of the mandated plans. This OIG guidance (described in detail below) was published in October 2000. WHY YOUR PRACTICE NEEDS A COMPLIANCE PROGRAM Even outside the context of the new ACA mandate, practices currently without a compliance plan should consider adopting such a program as a matter of smart management. Compliance plans help providers avoid or mitigate the significant penalties associated with violations of healthcare regulations. Enforcement initiatives against doctors, particularly with respect to Medicare fraud, are increasing. Further, the OIG has placed increased emphasis on compliance programs. In the OIG’s Fiscal Year 2012 Work Plan, the government identified compliance-related action areas such as claims accuracy, “reasonable and necessary” standards, and provider training. With enforcement likely to increase, the risks of non-compliance for oral and maxillofacial surgeons are significant. If you are found to be in violation of Medicare or Medicaid program requirements, criminal and civil liability can arise under a number of federal statutes and regulations, including the False Claims Act, the Medicare/Medicaid Civil Monetary Penalties Law and the Anti-Kickback Act. The False Claims Act prohibits the “knowing and willful” submission of a false or fraudulent claim for payment to the federal government, the “knowing and willful” use of a false statement or misrepresentation to obtain payment, or a conspiracy to defraud the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid Civil Monetary Penalties Law provides for civil monetary penalties plus fines equal to three times the amount of a fraudulent claim for services that the individual knows—or should know— were not provided as claimed. The Anti-Kickback Act prohibits the knowing and willful solicitation, offer, or payment of any remuneration, whether direct or indirect, in cash or in kind, to induce or in return for (i) referring an individual, or (ii) purchasing or otherwise arranging for an item or service, for which payment may be made under federal or state health plans. The Anti-Kickback Act is violated whenever there is an exchange of “remuneration” (money, referrals, or anything else of value) for referrals of Medicare or Medicaid patients or business. This could be used, for instance, to target a space lease signed by an OMS practice with a key referrer that provided for the referrer/lessee to pay below-market rent. Potential penalties for violation of these statutes include: jail time, exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid participation, and large fines. Thus, setting aside the fact that ACA now requires them, you should recognize that compliance plans make good sense from a risk management and business perspective. Defending against an accusation of a fraud and abuse violation can be as costly as paying the penalty for an actual violation. The Practice Management Notes | aaoms.org 1 purpose of a compliance program is to identify areas of existing or potential noncompliance and correct them on an ongoing basis. Having fraud and abuse compliance safeguards in place will be considered a mitigating factor by the OIG in the event of an investigation and may help your practice avoid an investigation altogether. FRAMEWORK OF A COMPLIANCE PROGRAM An effective compliance program needs to be tailored specifically to the needs of your practice. To ensure that your compliance program is right for your situation, start with an internal audit of all practice areas potentially affected by the “fraud and abuse” laws (both federal and state). Fraud allegations can be leveled against oral and maxillofacial surgeons in a variety of ways whether or not they treat Medicare or Medicaid patients. While the abundance of regulatory focus stems from abuse of the government programs, oral and maxillofacial surgeons must also be careful not to run afoul of commercial insurance requirements or the regulatory and ethical guidelines of state dental boards and/or professional societies. Examples of potential legal landmines include services by an unlicensed provider or clinician, billing a full fee when non-Medicaid patients are charged less for the same service, services provided by an excluded provider, payment for referrals, and the like. There are other obvious types of fraud, such as when the surgeon’s office: bills for services not performed; up-codes for services that were performed, generates patient charges in excess of the amount submitted to insurance; diagnoses and performs services of questionable “need”; improperly bills anesthesia to a Medicare or Medicaid patient; bills for services rendered on dates that the surgeon was not available to see 2 patients in the office; or, bills under a different provider’s name. The OIG recommends that practices perform one of two types of audits. The standards and procedures audit focuses on whether the practice’s standards and procedures are complete. The second type of audit is a claims submission audit that focuses on whether bills and medical/dental records are in compliance with coding, billing and documentation requirements. The OIG targets the following as specific risk areas for practices that are most in need of internal checks and balances to prevent Medicare/Medicaid payment errors and possible fraud: • coding and billing protocols; • reasonable and necessary services; • timely, accurate and complete medical/dental record documentation with respect to diagnosis and treatment; and • kick-backs, inducements and selfreferrals that come about through relationships with providers, hospitals and other third parties. OUTSIDE HELP To protect yourself from legal risk, consider using an attorney to conduct your practice audit and assist with the development of your compliance plan. Using legal help will identify areas of concern, develop third-party credibility and give “objectivity” to the audit. Also, if an attorney assists you, information and documentation generated as part of the audit may be protected from disclosure to investigators under the “attorney-client privilege.” Generally, investigators may not compel a client to disclose confidential communications with its lawyer if those communications are for the purpose of obtaining legal advice. Practice Management Notes | aaoms.org Otherwise, documents generated by a practice as part of an internal compliance audit must generally be disclosed to investigators upon request. OIG’S SEVEN FUNDAMENTALS OF A COMPLIANCE PROGRAM The findings of your audit will set the framework for developing your compliance program. Your compliance program should be an organized, documented initiative, to be carried out through practice policies and procedures written in your personnel policy manual, shareholder or board minutes, or similar documents. The OIG has identified seven key elements that must be addressed by an effective compliance plan. Your compliance plan should, at a minimum: 1. Designate a chief compliance officer. Give significance to this appointment by charging the individual with the power to educate other employees, update the doctors, call meetings and (if necessary) initiate corrective action in the event of a violation. Administrators, nurses, billing and office managers or other personnel with executive responsibilities are good choices, and they should be trained in healthcare compliance matters. The compliance officer’s duties should include: (a) overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the compliance program; (b) establishing methods to improve the practice’s efficiency and quality of services and to reduce the vulnerability to fraud and abuse; (c) periodically revising the compliance program to ref lect changes in the needs of the practice, the law or standards and procedures of government and private payer health plans; (d) developing, coordinating and participating in a training program for compliance; (e) ensuring SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 5 that the practice’s providers and contractors are not excluded from federal programs; and (f ) investigating allegations of improper business practices and monitoring corrective action. 2. Implement written compliance policies that are distributed to all employees (including the doctors) of the practice. According to the OIG, practices should consider creating a resource manual that contains their written standards and procedures as well as information such as OIG Fraud Alerts and Advisory Opinions and Health Care Financing Administration directives and carrier bulletins. Update clinical forms periodically to ensure the forms facilitate complete documentation of medical/dental care that is provided. 3. Require regular compliance education and training for all employees (including the doctors) of the practice. This includes compliance education for all new employees and annual refresher courses for all personnel. Maintain a written file of the educational meetings: when they were held and the content covered, as well as documentation of any outside seminars or training attended. Keep a statement on file signed by each employee by which he or she certifies to: (a) attendance; (b) receipt of compliance materials; and (c) understanding of the content. 4. Establish a user-friendly process for reporting compliance-related complaints anonymously and without fear of retribution. A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS 5. Create a mechanism for responding to allegations of noncompliance and for enforcing disciplinary action against employees who violate practice policies; violators could be issued reprimands, put on probation, demoted, suspended and even terminated with referral to government authorities. 6. Develop a process for monitoring ongoing practice compliance (eg, regular audits. For example, make it a practice to review patient charts every six months to ensure that the documentation supports the services billed. 7. Implement mechanisms for investigating and correcting identified problem areas, and screening out potential problem employees during the hiring process. CONCLUSION The ACA’s expansion of practice compliance programs from voluntary to obligatory dramatically raises the stakes for every practice and provider treating patients covered under government payer programs. Using the OIG guidelines as the presumed template, the practice must ensure strict compliance with government regulations, policies, and interpretations. Even though the specifics of ACA compliance programs are not yet available, the OIG’s past guidance is a good indicator of what practices can expect. The failure to implement an effective, ongoing compliance program will result in increased exposure to liability for substantial penalties. This is number 139 in a series of articles on practice management and marketing for oral and maxillofacial surgeons developed under the auspices of the Committee on Practice Management and Professional Allied Staff and AAOMS staff. Practice Management Notes from 2002 to present are available online at aaoms.org. Give your practice the important protection of a compliance program. Take advantage of the OIG’s compliance program guidance. It gives good insight to the areas of a practice the OIG is most concerned with and believes poses the most risk for fraud and abuse. By taking a look at these areas in your particular practice, you can isolate existing or potential noncompliance. Use the OIG tools to develop and implement the internal controls and procedures necessary for your practice. T For additional information concerning fraud and abuse and compliance with federal regulations visit the AAOMS Web site at http://www.aaoms. org/docs/practice_mgmt/fraud_and_abuse.pdf to retrieve the article “A Review of Healthcare Fraud and Abuse in America” written by the AAOMS Committee on Healthcare and Advocacy. Coding and billing decisions are personal choices to be made by individual oral and maxillofacial surgeons exercising their own professional judgment in each situation. The information provided to you in this article is intended for educational purposes only. In no event shall AAOMS be liable for any decision made or action taken or not taken by you or anyone else in reliance on the information contained in this article. For practice, financial, accounting, legal or other professional advice, you need to consult your own professional advisers. © 2014, The Health Care Group, Inc. Joseph W. Gallagher is a principal consultant with The Health Care Group, Inc. and a principal attorney with Health Care Law Associates, P.C. He is based in Plymouth Meeting, PA. (610) 8283888. jgallagher@healthcaregroup.com Information in this article should not be construed as client‐specific advice, nor should it be used alone to resolve specific legal or practice management problems. All articles in Practice Management Notes are published only with the consent of the authors, who have expressly warranted that their works are original and do not violate copyright or trademark laws. AAOMS is not responsible for any violations of copyright/trademark law on the part of these authors. Practice Management Notes | aaoms.org 3