APMA News - April 2013 - (Page 20)

State Advocacy in Focus: Building Relationships T he January issue of APMA News summarized the results of the 2012 State Component Self-Assessment survey. In preparation for the APMA State Advocacy Forum, April 26–27 in Detroit, the State Advocacy Committee is taking a more in-depth look at relationships, one of the categories covered by the survey (see table) and an area identified as a point of emphasis for 2013. For complete survey results, visit www.apma.org/CPA. Time and time again, APMA has stressed the importance of building relationships as a step toward achieving parity. Podiatric medicine advances when the profession reaches out to other groups, such as allopathic and osteopathic physicians and policymakers. We have seen this to be true in APMA’s work at the national level and with several state components at the local level. APMA strongly encourages all of its state components to get involved in building relationships now. Relationships take many shapes and forms. Many state components have well-established relationships with their local podiatric medical board and legislators, two bodies critical to our success at the state level. However, numerous relationship opportunities are being neglected. Most state components (roughly 60 percent) have not sought support for legislative initiatives from outside organizations and community leaders. Consider working with patient advocacy groups, medical and specialty societies, or other community groups to promote legislation that benefits health-care consumers. The state component does not necessarily need to take the lead, but showing support with other groups demonstrates to legislators that podiatric medicine is a member of the health-care team and faces issues similar to those affecting our allopathic and osteopathic colleagues. Less than half of our state components meet regularly with other medical associations and even fewer work handin-hand with other medical associations on local advocacy coalitions, despite the many concerns our organizations share. A vital goal of Vision 2015 is recognition from our medical and osteopathic peers. Every health-care practitioner should know that podiatrists are the best-qualified providers of foot and ankle care. Do you work in a hospital or multidisciplinary group practice? Find out what professional organizations your coworkers are involved with and begin to leverage those existing relationships to get a foot in the door with other medical associations. Another area in which APMA would like to see improvement from state component societies is one your state membership is likely to support: relationships with public and private payers. For members’ peace of mind, every component should have an existing relationship with its state insurance commissioner, Medicare carrier medical director, and private insurance medical director. The structure of APMA’s Carrier Advisory Committee and Private Insurance Advisory Committee (CAC-PIAC) was created to address this need, 20 APMA News April 2013 but it is incumbent upon state component leadership to make sure their CAC-PIAC representatives are engaged actively in the process and reporting the latest updates and concerns to the membership. For more information about the CAC-PIAC structure and to see videos from the November 2012 meeting, visit www.apma.org/CACPIAC. The vast majority of state components have some form of relationship with their state legislators. However, when it comes to other state leaders, there is a need for further engagement. To really cover all your state policymakers, get to know your state health and human services agency or social services department, the office of the governor, and the office of the attorney general. Remember, these individuals all play a role in the implementation and execution of laws, statutes, and regulations that affect your members. Relationships are the bedrock of nearly all effective advocacy efforts, and they all start with simple outreach. State component leaders and members should make time to introduce themselves not only to their state legislators, but also to other policymakers. Start making regular phone calls to public and private payers so you are not talking to a stranger when an issue arises. Take a fresh look at your existing professional relationships with other physicians and see if there are common interests to explore. Remember, Vision 2015 will be achieved most expediently and efficiently through cooperation with decision-makers and other medical professionals. n Does the state component have established working relationships with any of the following? (check all that apply) Answer Options Podiatric Medical Board/ Medical Board Legislator Health/Human Services/ Social Services Department Governor Medicaid Agency Insurance Department/ Insurance Commissioner Medicare Carrier Medical Directors Private Insurance Medical Directors Attorney General State component does not have relationships with any of the above individuals or agencies Other (please specify): Answered Question Skipped Question Response Percent Response Count 90.6% 71.9% 29 23 56.3% 50.0% 50.0% 18 16 16 43.8% 14 43.8% 14 34.4% 25.0% 11 8 6.3% 6.3% 2 2 32 6 http://www.apma.org/CACPIAC http://www.apma.org/CPA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - April 2013

APMA News - April 2013
President’s Message
Contents
Beat Bunion Blues: APMA’s Spring PR Campaign
Matthew G. Garoufalis, DPM: Presidential Inaugural Speech to the APMA House of Delegates
Nuts and Bolts of the House of Delegates and Resoultions Outcomes
State Advocacy in Focus: Building Relationships
Medicare Advantage: Answering Questions about Coverage
2012 Podiatric Practice Survey: Corporation Type
Podiatric Medical Assistants’ Program at The National Promotes Team Learning
Annual Scientifi c Meeting Registration Forms
Annual Scientifi c Meeting Sponsors
Team APMA 5K Run/Walk
Seeking Award Nominations
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Inside APMA’s Social Media
Website Wisdom
On the Road with APMA
Small Business 101
CPME Update
In Short
Worthy of Note
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classifi ed Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - April 2013