News to Use

Medicaid HMOs May Affect PH Patients in 24 States This Year

In 2013, 24 states will move patients who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, or “dual-eligible,” from traditional fee-for-service Medicaid plans to Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). California began transitioning dual-eligibles to Medicaid HMOs 2 years ago, and while the change was intended to save money and increase efficiency, many Californians living with PH were unable to receive the care they needed under their new HMOs. Some PH patients were forced to see general pulmonologists because their PH specialist was not part of their new HMO's network. Others experienced medication delays because their new specialty pharmacies were not familiar with PH.

The states planning Medicaid HMOs for dual-eligibles are: AZ, CA, CO, CT, HI, ID, IA, IL, MA, MI, MN, MO, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, TX, VT, CA, WA, WI. PHA encourages physicians to work with patients who may be affected by helping them understand when the switch will begin in their state, whether they will be able to continue to receive PH expert care after the switch, and what the exemption process and deadlines are for those who wish to stay in a traditional fee-for-service plan.

You can learn more about what's happening in your state at http://medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-State/By-State.html.

PHA Online University Live Webinars

Stay up to date on what's new in the field of PH with our live webinars. Upcoming topics include:

• Making the Most of a Legislative Visit, September 2013

• Medical Professional Involvement in Patient Services, August 2013

To register or learn more, visit www.PHAOnlineUniv.org/UpcomingWebinars.

If you missed one of our recent webinars, visit www.PHAOnlineUniv.org/WebinarArchive to catch up on these meetings:

• Inotropic and Vasopressor Therapy for Decompensated Right Heart Failure

• Schistosomiasis-Associated PH: The Global Impact

• Insurance Issues for the PH-Treating Professional

PH Ready – E-Courses for Your Patients

Your patients who have been recently been diagnosed with PH probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Or, they may be feeling so overwhelmed by the diagnosis that they aren't sure what kinds of questions to ask. PHA has created The Newly Diagnosed Self-Study: PH Ready, a series of e-courses that serve as a roadmap for newly diagnosed PH patients. It is full of information about treatments, living with PH, insurance, working with your medical team, and more. Participants will receive a monthly email highlighting relevant resources for newly diagnosed patients.

PH Ready can be started at any time. Register today at: www.PHAssociation.org/PHReadyRegistration.

Global PHCR Membership

In an effort to increase global membership in PH Clinicians and Researchers (PHCR) and foster the sharing of ideas around the world, PHA is offering free first-year membership for non-US physicians, researchers, residents, and fellows interested in PH. Benefits of PHCR membership include case-based learning opportunities by top PH specialists, access to an email group of a growing number of PHCR members, inclusion in PHA's Find a Doctor Directory, and more. For medical professionals in countries that have a gross national income per capita of less than $5000 USD, PHCR memberships may be renewed at no cost each year. Learn more at www.PHAssociation.org/PHCR.

CALENDAR OF PH ACTIVITIES

To have your event for PH health care providers considered for listing in future issues of Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension, send your announcement to meghanf@PHAssociation.org.

European Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2013, September 7–11, 2013, Barcelona, Spain, www.ersnet.org

2013 PH Professional Network Symposium, September 26–28, 2013, Arlington, Virginia, www.PHAssociation.org

European Society of Intensive Care Medicine Annual Congress, October 5–9, 2013, Paris, France, www.esicm.org

CHEST 2013, October 26–31, 2013, Chicago, Illinois, www.chestnet.org

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2013, November 16–20, 2013, Dallas, Texas, www.americanheart.org