Our President’s Message
Hello Members,
Well, it looks like we are finally going to get an autumn this year. Did everyone get a chance to join a listserve this year? I hope so. We have one more educational/membership meeting this year then our Holiday social (see dates in this issue of the Newsletter. Please plan to attend both. There are so many members that we have not met and both of those venues are great for networking).
As a GSAC/AALNC member you have some great programs that you can take advantage of. One is the New Benefits Program for AALNC Members. AALNC has worked hard to provide us with a benefits program equal to or better than those normally found at large companies. Also, the 2009 AALNC Conference Recordings are available. If you were unable to go this year or missed a session, AALNC is offering online and on-demand access to the 2009 National Educational Conference Sessions and include the handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and a downloadable post-test and evaluation that may be submitted to earn nursing contact hours. Additionally, AALNC Members are eligible for ‘special offers’ and ‘discounts’ from VerdictSearch and receive 30% OFF any VerdictSearch print publication, including newsletters, books, binders, and indexes. Use these newsletters to keep current on verdicts and settlements around the nation. Please visit the AALNC website for information on these programs and more.
The next LNCC Exam is October 10, 2009. If you have applied to sit for the LNCC exam on October 10, 2009, you should have received your confirmation letter via email. If you have not received this please contact Headquarters at info@lnccertified.org or 877/402-2562 to receive another copy.
It’s tough in this economic time to keep our head above water. If you have any questions, please email a member of the board of directors. Some of our members have been LNC’s for a long time (back when it wasn’t necessarily in vogue) and are willing to offer their expertise. We can suggest techniques and plans that have worked and give you the boost you need to keep your business going.
This is the end of my term as President. I would like to encourage you all to write the editor with suggestions for articles, benefits, networking tips, anything you’d like the board to address next year. We do our best to provide you with the information WE think you want, but we don’t really know unless you make suggestions.
And finally, are you interested in running for a board position? It really is the way to go to get-in-the-know. As a board member you are required to attend the meetings (4-5 per year) and assist with a committee (education, public relations, or membership), none of them are really scary when you get going, and we have plenty of ex- and current board members that will advise you. To run for a board position you only have to submit your name to the editor and she will get it to the nominations committee. The committee will contact you for any further details they may require.
Hope to see you at all our upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Melony A. Carlton, RN, MSN
2009 GSAC President
Member Activities:
Karen Preston, Tracy Albee and Ruth Swiggum attended a Life Care Planning conference in Chicago September 26-27. We look forward to the detail of the event.
Kudos to Ruth Swiggum's daughter, Nicole, who made PARTNER at her Modesto law firm on September 17, 2009.
And final Kudos to Melony Carlton's daughter, Ann, who became an EMT in August 2009. Her plan is to become a nurse.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 2009 |
GSAC-AALNC COMMITTEES |
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Executive Committee: |
Bylaws
Chairperson: |
Ruth Swiggum |
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President |
Melony Carlton |
Finance
Chairperson: |
Muffy Ratto |
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President Elect |
Marilyn McDonald |
Holiday Party
Chairperson: |
Teresa R Cox |
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Past President |
Ruth Swiggum |
Membership
Chairperson: |
Tracy Albee |
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Secretary |
Marilyn McDonald |
Nominations
Chairperson: |
Marge Patzer |
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Treasurer |
Muffy Ratto |
Public Relations
Chairperson: |
Teresa R. Cox |
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Directors at Large |
Mariann Cosby
Teresa Cox
Anne Noder
Bev Skinner |
Publications:
Newsletter Editor:
Web Spinner: |
Teresa R. Cox
Tracy Albee |
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Policy and Procedure
Chairperson: |
Marilyn McDonald |
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Education
Chairperson: |
Anne Noder
Debi Turner |
Welcome Newest Members!
Nicole Johnson: Nicole@johnsonlnc.com
Please feel free to go to our Members listing and learn more about all our members.
Upcoming GSAC-AALNC Events:
October 6, 2009
Ken Braunstein.
Expert Witness Preparation and Responsibility
Mr. Braunstein is a Forensic Science Consultant.
He is an associate professor emeritus of Criminal Justice. He has testified in depositions and in the courts of several states. Mr. Braunstein is the principal consultant and president of Forensic Science Consultants. (FSC) often provides a team concept to the solving of its' clients problems. Mr. Braunstein is a Certified Security Consultant (CSC®) awarded by the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) on December 31, 2006.
December 5, 2009
Members Only Holiday Party
Aura’s
Midtown Sacramento
Emails will be sent to all members concerning the details
Watch our website for more details: http://www.gsac-aalnc.org/Pages/MemberEvents.aspx
Other Meeting Dates and Educationals:
October 13, 2009
Sacramento/Sierra Chapter
Forensic Expert Witness Association
Chapter Breakfast Wednesday
Dead Beat Attorneys: How to Collect Your Professional Fees
Speaker: Lawrence H. Cassidy, Esq.
Northern California Collection Service, Inc.
http://www.forensic.org/Public/calendar.asp
Updates from Nationals:
2010 AALNC National Conference
Invest in Yourself
Save the date for the 2010 National Educational Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, at the Westin Pittsburgh! Session information and registration will be available beginning Fall 2009.
http://www.aalnc.org/conf/2010/index.cfm
More Educational Opportunities:
Bay Area Chapter
Nov. 17, 2009"LNC Business Resources Panel"
Moderator: Stephanie Iseri, LNC, BACNC Treasurer
For more information please go to: www.bacnc.org/information.html
Orange County Chapter
For more information and registration: www.aalnc-orangecounty.org/calendar.htm
San Diego Chapter
Thursday, November 16, 2009 [NEW DATE]
All meeting times are as follows:
5:30 – 6:00 Registration and Dinner
6:00 – 7:00 Educational Presentation
7:00 – 7:30 Q & A, Networking, Adjourn
All Thursday meetings held at Sharp Spectrum:
8695 Spectrum Center Court
San Diego, CA 92123
CEU’s will be provided at the end of each meeting. MCLEs are provided for select presentations
For more details: http://www.aalncsandiego.org/education.html
Small Business Tax Workshops
Date(s): Various
Time: Varies by Workshop
Location: Various sites around Sacramento, CA.
Event Information: Tax workshops are now offered in coordination with our partnering organizations. These workshops cover the basics of federal taxes for small business owners, including Entity Choice, Accounting Methods, Recordkeeping, Business Income and Expenses. For the dates, times and locations, please check the workshop calendars for the:
Sacramento Business Information Centers
Greater Sacramento Business Development Center
Sierra College (Roseville) Business Development Center
Sponsored by: Sacramento Business Information Centers and the Greater Sacramento Small Business Development Center
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99033,00.html
What’s happening today:
In the news:
H1N1 flu
Helpful websites, should you have questions:
HIPAA Security Rule enforcement now falls under Civil Rights office
Compliance Monitor, August 5, 2009
The secretary of HHS shifted enforcement of the HIPAA security rule from CMS to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), according to a July 27 announcement in the Federal Register.
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama February 17, 2009, calls for:
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New security breach notification requirements
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HIPAA security rule compliance for business associates who handle PHI
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Contract revisions between covered entities and business associates
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Definition of "unsecure protected health information"
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Expanded criminal penalties and higher monetary penalties
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Power to state attorneys general to pursue HIPAA civil cases
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Restricted access to some PHI
Drummond says there will be more of an impact from the provisions in the HITECH Act that give state attorneys general the ability to pursue HIPAA violations.
http://www.hcpro.com/CCP-236948-862/HIPAA-Security-Rule-enforcement-now-falls-under-Civil-Rights-office.html
Notifying patients after a faxing mistake
Compliance Monitor, August 5, 2009
If the fax included the patient’s Social Security number, you probably need to inform the patient. Otherwise, no legal requirement to notify the patient currently exists. This will change August 18, when the new national breach notification requirements become effective (part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Title XIII, Subpart D).
After August 18, you must notify patients in the manner described in the new statute, maintain a breach log that includes all breaches involving fewer than 500 patients, report any breaches involving 500 individuals or more at the time of the breach to HHS, and forward a copy of the breach log to HHS at the end of each year.
Although the current law does not require you to inform the patient, doing so is a good idea because it:
Demonstrates a good-faith effort to inform the patient when information is inappropriately disclosed
Demonstrates due diligence
Promotes trust in your organization (learning about an inappropriate release of information or breach from you is preferable to learning about it from a news organization or other media)
Helps limit your legal risk
I advise you to notify the patient even though the law does not require you to do so (unless the fax included a Social Security number).
http://www.hcpro.com/CCP-236943-862/QA-Notifying-patients-after-a-faxing-mistake.html
Recalls/Product Safety:
Information on Natalizumab (marketed as Tysabri) (Sept 16)
FDA continues to receive reports of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients receiving Tysabri. Tysabri was approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in November 2004 and for moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in January 2008
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm107198.htm
Stolen Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Inhalation Solutions and Stolen Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution (Sept 10)
On or about August 6, 2009, a truck tractor-trailer which was not affiliated with Dey, L.P., containing 35,760 cartons of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.083%, unit-dose vials was stolen. The tractor-trailer contained two complete Lots of product, each identified with the Dey label and NDC number.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm182091.htm
Product Approvals:
FDA Approves Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
Approval Provides Important Tool to Fight Pandemic (Sept 15, 2009)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm182399.htm
FDA Clears a Test for Ovarian Cancer (Sept. 11, 2009)
Test can help identify potential malignancies, guide surgical decisions The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared a test that can help detect ovarian cancer in a pelvic mass that is already known to require surgery. The test, called OVA1, helps patients and health care professionals decide what type of surgery should be done and by whom.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm182057.htm
Sabril Approved by FDA to Treat Spasms in Infants and Epileptic Seizures (Aug 21)
Sabril (vigabatrin) Oral Solution has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat infantile spasms in children ages 1 month to 2 years. Sabril is the first drug in the United States approved to treat the disorder, characterized by a severe type of seizure that usually appears in the first year of life, typically between ages 4 months and 8 months.
Sabril (vigabatrin) Tablets have been approved for adult use in combination with other medications to treat complex partial seizures that have not responded adequately to previous drug therapies.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm179855.htm
The FDA approved Onglyza (saxagliptin), a once-daily tablet to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. The medication is intended to be used with diet and exercise to control high blood sugar levels.
The most common side effects observed with Onglyza are upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache. Other side effects include allergic-like reactions such as rash and hives.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm174780.htm
Medicare & Medicaid Informational tid-bits!
42 DEFENDANTS INDICTED IN $4.6 MILLION MEDI-CAL FRAUD CASE
CA authorities take down largest Medi-Cal fraud scheme in state history July 9, 2009
Imposter Nurses Used to Inflate Bills for Care to Disabled Medi-Cal Patients, Many of Them Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Major Disabilities
The organizer of the ring, Priscilla Villabroza, a registered nurse who ran a Santa Fe Springs-based company called Medcare Plus Home Health Providers, pleaded guilty in federal court last year to five counts of health care fraud. According to court documents, Villabroza and others hired individuals to provide care to disabled Medi-Cal patients, many of whom were children and young adults served under a program called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Supplemental Services. The indictment alleges that from August 2004 through the end of 2007, Villabroza and others hired unlicensed individuals to provide services to the disabled Medi-Cal patients and billed Medi-Cal as if they were licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). Some of the unlicensed individuals had foreign training, but never passed a nursing exam here. Some of them had no medical training at all.
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/pressroom/pr2009/082.html
CMS RELEASES BILLING INSTRUCTIONS FOR H1N1 VACCINE
CMS recently release an MLN Matters article outlining the instructions for billing the administration of the H1N1 virus vaccine. Medicare will reimburse providers for the administration of the H1N1 vaccine at the same rate established for the administration of influenza virus vaccine, according to the MLN Matters article. Medicare will not reimburse providers for the cost of the vaccine since it will be made available at no charge.
http://www.hcpro.com/LTC-238518-6935/CMS-releases-billing-instructions-for-H1N1-vaccine.html
DETROIT CLINIC MANAGER PLEADS GUILTY IN MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME
Vargas-Arias, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen. At her sentencing, which is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2010, Vargas-Arias faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Vargas-Arias admitted in her guilty plea that:
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During the time Sacred Hope was open, the clinic routinely billed the Medicare program for services that were medically unnecessary or were never provided.
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Medicare beneficiaries were not referred to Sacred Hope by their primary care physicians, or for any other legitimate medical purpose, but rather were recruited to come to the clinic through the payment of kickbacks. In exchange for those kickbacks, Vargas-Arias admitted, the Medicare beneficiaries would visit the clinic and sign documents indicating that they had received the services billed to Medicare.
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Between approximately September of 2006 and March 2007, she and her co-conspirators caused the submission of approximately $6,577,899 in false and fraudulent claims to the Medicare program for services purportedly provided at Sacred Hope and XPC. Medicare paid approximately $4,931,428 on those claims.
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/September/09-crm-910.html
Small Business Owner Information and Tips
Five Facts about the Home Office Deduction
With technology making it easier than ever for people to operate a business out of their house, many taxpayers may be able to take a home office deduction when filing their 2009 federal tax return next year.
Here are five important things the IRS wants you to know about claiming the home office deduction.
1. Generally, in order to claim a business deduction for your home, you must use part of your home exclusively and regularly:
- As your principal place of business, or
- As a place to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers in the normal course of your business, or
- In the case of a separate structure which is not attached to your home, it must be used in connection with your trade or business
For certain storage use, rental use or daycare-facility use, you are required to use the property regularly but not exclusively.
2. Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home that you used for business. Your deduction for certain expenses will be limited if your gross income from your business is less than your total business expenses.
3. There are special rules for qualified daycare providers and for persons storing business inventory or product samples.
4. If you are self-employed, use Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home, to figure your home office deduction. Report the deduction on line 30 of Schedule C, Form 1040.
5. Different rules apply to claiming the home office deduction if you are an employee. For example, the regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer.
For more information see IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home, available on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Link: Business Use of Your Home: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p587.pdf
Keeping Good Records Reduces Stress at Tax Time
Although most people won’t be filing their tax returns for several months, the dog days of summer are actually a great time to start planning for the tax filing season by ensuring your records are organized. Whether you are an individual taxpayer or a business owner, you can avoid headaches at tax time with good records because they will help you remember transactions you made during the year.
Here are a few things the IRS wants you to know about recordkeeping.
Keeping well-organized records also ensures you can answer questions if your return is selected for examination or prepare a response if you are billed for additional tax. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.
Individual taxpayers should usually keep the following records supporting items on their tax returns for at least three years:
- Bills
- Credit card and other receipts
- Invoices
- Mileage logs
- Canceled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment
- Any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return
You should normally keep records relating to property until at least three years after you sell or otherwise dispose of the property. Examples include:
- A home purchase or improvement
- Stocks and other investments
- Individual Retirement Arrangement transactions
- Rental property records
If you are a small business owner, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least four years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. Examples of important documents business owners should keep Include:
- Gross receipts: Cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC
- Proof of purchases: Canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices
- Expense documents: Canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and petty cash slips for small cash payments
- Documents to verify your assets: Purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing statements and canceled checks
For more information about recordkeeping, check out IRS Publications 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals, 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, and Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses. These publications are available on the IRS Web site, IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Links:
AALNC General Information:
Founded in 1989, the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) is a not for profit membership organization dedicated to the professional enhancement and growth of registered nurses practicing in the specialty area of legal nurse consulting and to advancing this nursing specialty
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AALNC Featured in The New York Times and Lawyers USA
We're excited to let you know that AALNC has recently been featured in a couple of prominent publications, including The New York Times and Lawyers USA
For copies of the articles: http://www.aalnc.org/about/inthenews.cfm
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Affinity Benefits Program:
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants has worked hard to provide you and your staff with a benefits program equal or better to those normally found only at the largest companies. Purchasing through this site has many benefits for both you and AALNC! Our benefits consultant, Association Benefits Corp., has combined the purchasing power of multiple associations to negotiate the best possible deals for you in your travel & entertainment, business, financial and personal needs. The more our members purchase through this site, the more discounts they can negotiate.
For more information: http://www.aalnc.org/ and click on members only.
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Bookstore:
AALNC is committed to providing educational resources to legal nurse consultants
and AALNC members. The association offers a growing library of books, brochures, CD-ROMs and value packages.
After a thorough review process, the AALNC Education Committee identified a list of books in several practice categories as additional resources that would enhance your knowledge and practice as a legal nurse consultant. Please visit this new Member's
Only resource by going to: http://www.aalnc.org/members/practiceresources.cfm.
Certification:
Certificate vs. Certification
A clear comparison of the differences between earning a certificate as an LNC and earning your certification as an LNC
http://www.aalnc.org/lncc/about/certificate.cfm
The Fall 2009 Exam
To see a listing of the exam sites and to apply for the exam, please visit: http://www.aalnc.org/lncc/exam/application_form.cfm.
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Educational Opportunities:
Did you miss the 2009 National Educational Conference in Phoenix, AZ?
Are you looking to earn additional Nursing Contact Hours?
AALNC is pleased to offer online and on-demand access to the 2009 National Educational Conference Sessions. These sessions have been recorded, fully synchronized to PowerPoint presentations, and are now available for year-round access. Start your online conference experience today be visiting www.dcprovidersonline.com/aalnc/!!
AALNC Introduces New Business Course
In conjunction with Business Management Solutions Inc. (BMS), we have just developed LNCBiz: Creating a Business Plan for your LNC Practice.
For more information and to purchase: http://www.aalnc.org/LNCBiz/index.cfm
AALNC Online Learning
Welcome! AALNC is pleased to offer a variety of online educational opportunities for current and future legal nurse consultants. Please feel free to check into any and all AALNC’s online education.
http://www.aalnc.org//onlinelearning/advantages.cfm.
Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting (JLNC) Contact Hour Program:
Starting with the Winter 2009 issue, each edition of the JLNC will feature one article that has been selected for the JLNC Contact Hour Program. Participants enrolled in the program will be required to complete an online post-test for each featured article. Participants who pass the test with a score of 70% or greater will be granted CNE and will be able to print their certificate of completion. Quizzes for the featured article will be added to the participant’s online workspace at the time the edition is published.
For more information go to: http://www.aalnc.org/ sign in as a member then follow the link on the left hand panel called: 2009 Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting (JLNC) Contact Hour Program.
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Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting
Published quarterly by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, this journal features:
- up-to-date information on a broad spectrum of medical-legal topics
- timely articles on subjects such as medical and products liability issues, managed care, life care planning, use of experts, and forensics
- valuable business advice and networking tips
- Also offers opportunities to become published and or advertise.
http://www.aalnc.org/ then click in the lower left hand column: Education and Professional Resources and then on Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
If you are a member: http://www.aalnc.org/edupro/journal.cfm
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Share Your Personal Injury Stories!The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting is seeking LNCs willing to share their experiences in personal injury cases. If you would like to contribute, please contact Journal Management at JLNC@aalnc.org.
The Journal welcomes submissions from all practitioners -- please advise your non-member colleagues that they are welcome to submit. Even if you don't have PI experiences to share, please consider writing on other topics. The Journal continues to accept manuscripts of all LNC-related topics.
Also remember that, as a member, you can view The Journal as a pdf within the "Members Only" section of www.aalnc.org. Issues are posted when they mail, so you don't have to wait by your mailbox!.
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Newsletter:
AALNC Network News
http://www.aalnc.org/members/networknews/2009/may.cfm
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Miscellaneous
Support AALNC When You Shop Amazon.com!
Access Amazon.com using AALNC's special web link and help support the Association. You can purchase books, music, movies, and more on Amazon.com for work and for play. By accessing Amazon.com through the AALNC link, you are helping AALNC every time you shop.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/amerassoofleg-20.
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Helpful websites:
2010 ICD-9 code updates now available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/ftpserv/ftpicd9/ftpicd9.htm
Information about Medicare payments proposed for long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals in fiscal year 2010. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Part 412
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12907.pdf
The Joint Commission, formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), is a private sector United States-based not-for-profit organization. The Joint Commission operates voluntary accreditation programs for hospitals and other health care organizations. the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals. They can be found in their entirety at the following hyperlink:
http://www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety/NationalPatientSafetyGoals/
GSAC-BRN number:
GSAC’s BRN number is available for $25.00 per class session for those who are in need of offering contact hours for their instructional event.
Please remember our GSAC Members when you are in need for assistance with your cases, as many are just starting out and will appreciate the business.
See you in January 2010, Teresa R. Cox, editor
