WHEN PATIENT CARE INTERFERES WITH REQUIRED DATA INPUT, IT'S THE PATIENT WHO LOSES

First, a word of congratulations to the CEO of the American Academy of Neurology whose reportable compensation from the organization (W-2/1099-MISC) in 2014 was listed as $596,190 and whose estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations was reported at $35,338 (total of $631,5280).

In 2015 the respective amounts in these two categories grew to $657,503 and $36,142, respectively, an overall increase of  $61, 313 in reportable compensation and an overall increase in both categories of $62,117 (for 2015 the total was $693,645).

Next,  look at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) where the Chairman/president's reportable compensation from the organization was $258,551 and whose "other compensation" was listed as $70,000 (total = $328,551).

Why is ACC financially outstripped by AAN when it reports about 49,000 members to AAN's 30,000?

Neither organization has committed to full scale opposition to MOC or EHR with its attendant penalties for non-compliance. 

AAN, meanwhile, in its December 2016 issue of AAN News, proudly announced that "AAN Lobbying Helps Ease Impact of MACRA Changes on Neurologists" -- a "new program involves a two-track system for Medicare reimbursement"-- actually, what members really want is a Zero Track System -- THAT is what AAN and ACC should be using its net assets to acccomplish.

Both organizations in the opinion of this writer are applying their assets to greasing through MOC, EHR, and similar programs desired by government and/or insurance companies. Both organizations give pricey seminars, continuing educational course, and examinations to members. The need for enhanced organizational income is real.

Dues alone will not pay for the high level of staff and CEO remuneration that have now replaced clinical devotion as the hallmark of the medical profession. This writer's opinion is that the boards and their financial allies can derive mutual income benefit if they can dominate CME (Continuing Medical Education) by making their courses and programs mandatory.  

The net result is less time spent with patients, more time spent doing computer input for EHR to avoid financial penalties for non-compliance, and time actually taken away from true Continuing Medical Education (CME) which produces real benefits for patient and physician alike. 

Patients may not see these issues straight away: what they see are doctors whose focus is on a near-by computer screen during what they thought was going to be a personal medical visit. 

References

AAN News (American Academy of Neurology), V. 30, # 12, December 2016

ACC website (American College of Cardiology, Official site, www.acc.org)

"Maintenance of Certifcation (MOC): a rising business opportunity," 15 May 2015, The Weinmann Report (www.politicsofhealthcare.com) 

IRS Form 990 for 2014; 2015, AAN, and 2015, ACC

"Medical Staff Votes Against Mandatory MOC (Maintenance of Certification Requirements)," 16 January 2016, The Weinmann Report (www.politicsofhealthcare.com) 

"Medical staff votes against Mandatory MOC, Workcompcentral. 22 Jan 2016