WHAT CAN THE ACC'S PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR MEMBERSHIP OFFER YOU? ADVOCACY The practice of cardiovascular medicine is increasingly affected by legislators, payers and regulators, particularly given the increasing focus on health care reform. While the ACC is vigilant in its efforts to ensure patient access to timely, quality, cost-effective care, member involvement is crucial for success. ACC Advocacy makes it easy to get involved at whatever level you feel comfortable by providing the tools and resources necessary to help shape health care both now and in the future. • Key issues: Medicare Reform; Health Care Reform; Cardiovascular Workforce; Research and Prevention; and Health IT • Tools and Resources: - ACC Cardioadvocacy Network (ACC/CAN) – a grassroots network designed to keep you up to date on key health care issues before Congress and ways to get involved. Sign up at www.acc.org/can. - Annual Legislative Conference – Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about critical issues before Congress and even more importantly meet directly with lawmakers to advocate for fair and sound policies that ensure the greatest value for patients. - Other events – ACC Advocacy hosts several other events throughout the year as issues arise. Past efforts include educational Webinars on important regulatory changes; payer roundtables; fly-ins to meet with Congressional leaders on physician payment; and summits to address health care. INFORMATION • Online access to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions and JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, Cardiosource Review Journal via Cardiosource. Visit www.cardiosource.com/jacc/index.asp. • Free access to Cardiosource. Cardiosource is the premier clinical resource in the field of cardiology. In addition to providing full-text access to the JACC journals, Cardiosource provides access to summaries of over 1,000 clinical trials, case studies, and clinical collections. • E-delivery of the Lewin Report – fosters discussion on the trends, events and policy matters facing the cardiovascular community. • Free subscription to Cardiology, the College's monthly magazine, that keeps the cardiac care team in touch with breaking news and innovative research. • ACCF Standards and Guidelines – Easy-to-use pocket forms and instant Web updates, also available for your palm pilot. Critical medical information is always within your reach and includes the ACC/AHA Guidelines and ACP/ACC/AHA Clinical Competence Statements. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES • Professional meeting discounts for ACC Annual Scientific Sessions, including the ACC practice management programs; and the Advanced Cardiology Leadership Workshop in partnership with MedAxiom. • Leadership opportunities to bring practice administrator perspectives to ACC initiatives. KEY RESOURCES • A dedicated practice management website for practice managers to engage colleagues in discussion pertinent to current practice-based management issues. • CardioSmart – A patient education site to engage, inform and empower patients to better prepare them for participation in their own cardiovascular care. • The practice-based IC³ Program® for evaluating, treating, and educating cardiac patients in the office setting. • MGMA and MedAxiom benchmarking resources – Compare your practice with your peers to uncover many improvement opportunities. Go to www.acc.org/practicemgt.pmr_tools.htm to learn more. • Workforce information on physician supply and demand, and team-based care. • Cardiology Careers online in partnership with HealtheCareers, the one-stop solution for all your practice's job recruitment needs. Practice Administrator Membership Category FAQ Who is considered a Practice Administrator? An individual who is responsible for managing a private practice (can also be an MD, CEO, COO, CCA). Responsible for managing the "business" of cardiovascular care delivery. Practice administrators are typically responsible for the non-clinical aspects of running a practice. Why was the Practice Administrator Category developed? The membership category was established to address the business aspects of practice management. The initiative was set forth by Dr. Dove to address concerns unique to non-physician members of the cardiac care team involved in managing practices. It is supported by the BOG and approved by the BOT. Why are Practice Administrators important to ACC Physician Members? They are important non-clinical cardiovascular care management team members who administer workplace and healthcare practice success for the majority of ACC members in private practice settings. Practice administrators impact the efficiency and success of cardiology practices. They are the link the between the private practice cardiovascular care management team and the ACC. What is the goal of the member category? To engage all participants of the cardiovascular care team in ACC initiatives. To provide Practice Administrators with key advocacy, clinical, and other practice-related news that affects how doctors practice medicine. To provide Practice Administrators with a forum to discuss issues and solutions with other colleagues. What are the benefits of Practice Administrator Membership? Cardiovascular medicine's news and developments through online Cardiosource - the premier clinical resource in the field, the online version of Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Cardiology magazine, and a dedicated practice management website. Cardiology Careers online in partnership with HealtheCareers, the one-stop solution for a practice's job recruitment needs. Practice guidelines and quality standards for cardiovascular medicine Professional meetings, including the ACC practice management programs; and the Advanced Cardiology Leadership Workshop in partnership with MedAxiom. Workforce information on physician supply and demand, and team-based care. Advocacy and reimbursement news directly affecting cardiology practices. Leadership opportunities to bring practice administrator perspectives to ACC initiatives. What new initiatives are in the developing stages? Practice Administrator online member-only community with discussion board, document library, and message board Practice Administrator Advisory Committee Practice Administrator Town Hall Meetings Practice Administrator Online Community Practice Administrator membership application: http://www.acc.org/about/join/practice_admin_app.pdf Staff contact: Debjani Mukherje, Associate Director ACC Member Strategy American College of Cardiology 2400 N Street, NW Washington DC 20037 E-mail: dmukherj@acc.org, Ph: 202-375-6212 Fax 202-375-6842