Practice Management Update: 2007 and Beyond—Changes in AMD Management

A Free On-Demand Webcast for Physicians, Nurses, and Practice Managers

The incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in Americans, has been increasing as the U.S. population continues to age. With more patients requiring treatment, and with the advent of newer and more efficacious therapeutic agents, clinicians and practice managers need to manage the flow of AMD patients in the practice setting and optimally incorporate these novel therapies into treatment regimens according to the newest Medicare reimbursement guidelines.

Practice Management Update: 2007 and Beyond—Changes in AMD Management presents updated information on current and emerging AMD therapies, including agents that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and clarifies the changes in Medicare reimbursement guidelines for 2007 and beyond as they relate to AMD management.

ACTIVITY AGENDA

Medicare 2007 and Beyond - Impact on AMD
William T. Koch, COA, COE, CPC

Overview of AMD Therapy
Sharam Danesh, MD

AMD Best Practices for Best Patient Care
Angela M. Chambers, RN, MBA

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TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity will be directed to office-based practice managers, physicians, and nurses/nurse practitioners involved in the financial responsibilities associated with the practice and management of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

ACTIVITY GOAL

The goal of this activity is to review treatment options and practical business aspects of managing patients with AMD.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Integrate knowledge of the need for early diagnosis in at-risk patients and the efficacy and safety/toxicity of current and emerging therapies, including anti-VEGF therapies, into strategic therapy regimens for patients with AMD to minimize their loss of vision.

• Assess the implications of new 2007 Medicare changes concerning AMD management, including targeted therapies, to develop strategies that maximize reimbursement and integrate anti-VEGF therapies into regimens that improve patients’ vision outcomes.

• Identify and evaluate strategies for incorporating efficiencies into the practice setting to obtain reimbursement for patient services, including new anti-VEGF therapies, and to ensure best practices and improved patient outcomes.

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CME INFORMATION—PHYSICIANS

Statement of Accreditation
Projects In Knowledge is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation
Projects In Knowledge designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CE INFORMATION—NURSES

This activity has been approved by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for 1.0 contact hour. Provider #00013784.

CE INFORMATION—PRACTICE MANAGERS

This program may qualify for continuing education credit in the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). To apply for ACMPE credit, submit an ACMPE generic credit hour form with a copy of this program.

Contract for Mutual Responsibility in CME/CE
Projects In Knowledge has developed the contract to demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality professional education to clinicians, and to help clinicians set educational goals to challenge and enhance their learning experience.
For more information on the contract, click here.

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DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The Disclosure Policy of Projects In Knowledge requires that presenters comply with the Standards for Commercial Support. All faculty are required to disclose any personal interest or relationship they or their spouse/partner have with the supporters of this activity or any commercial interest that is discussed in their presentation. Any discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices will also be disclosed in the course materials.
For complete prescribing information on the products discussed during this CME/CE activity, please see your current Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR).

Angela M. Chambers, RN, MBA, has received grant/research support from Genentech, Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and Pfizer Inc; is on the speakers bureau of the American Academy of Ophthalmology; and is a consultant for Alcon Laboratories, Eyetech, Genentech, Inc, IVN-IDP, and Pfizer Inc. Ms. Chambers has disclosed that she will not discuss any investigational or unlabeled uses of commercial products in this activity.

Sharam Danesh, MD, has no significant relationships to disclose. Dr. Danesh has disclosed that he will discuss investigational or unlabeled uses of Anecortave, Bevacizumab, Cand5, Dexamethasone, Sirna-027, Squalamine lactate, VEGF Trap, in this activity.

William T. Koch, COA, COE, CPC, has no significant relationships to disclose. Mr. Koch has disclosed that he will discuss investigational or unlabeled uses of bevacizumab in this activity.

Peer Reviewer has disclosed no significant relationships.

Projects In Knowledge's staff members have no significant relationships to disclose.

Conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by the Executive Committee of Projects In Knowledge. All conflicts are resolved prior to the beginning of the activity by the Trust In Knowledge peer review process.

The opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Projects In Knowledge.

This CME/CE activity is provided by Projects In Knowledge solely as an educational service. Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the clinician caring for the patient.

This independent CME/CE activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech, Inc.

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