News

IPS Announces 12.0 APA PRA Category 1 Conference

The return of the integrative mental health conference is upon us. IPS is pleased to announce it has joined in a partnership with The Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association and the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association to present the 2012 annual Tri-State Integrative Mental Health Conference at the lovely West Baden Springs Hotel. Now in its third year, this cutting-edge medical psychiatric conference looks to continue the exploration of psychiatry’s integration into the physical healthcare model. Our conference will explore the integration of psychiatry and treatment of mental illness in medical populations as it applies to health care reform, technology, pharmacology, community health centers, and disaster-related situations. Sponsors have assembled an outstanding group of nationally-known speakers who will address professional practice gaps and advance the physicians’ and mental health professionals' competence and effective use of targeted skills.

Our conference opens with a live interactive session hosted by Dr. Chris Bojrab exploring the use and role of EHRs and internet tools in the treatment of patients experiencing mental illness. This demonstration will be followed by tech expert, Kurt Snyder, Esq who will provide participants with resources to help them improve access to care through marketing efforts and responsible use of social media.

Dr. John Wernert will open Saturday’s discussions with a review of integrative mental health care in Indiana-based community health centers with special emphasis on payment models. This talk will be expanded to explore the federal situation with a presentation by APA Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jay Scully. Dr. Scully will update participants on Medicaid expansion, DSM 5, and national trends in scope of practice.

Dual diagnosis and addiction round out Saturday’s programming. Dr. Mary Helen Davis returns to the conference with a fresh look on the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on psychiatric disorders while Dr. Jonathan Butler will explore narcotic and Benzo addiction in community health centers.

Sunday concludes with a look at the neurobiology of psychotherapy presented by renowned speaker, Dr. Jerald Kay. This is followed by Super Bowl disaster preparedness volunteer, Dr. Maria Poor, who will explore the role of mental health preparedness planning and that of mental health practitioners as second responders.

Registration is now open and early bird rates are good until January 31.

To learn more about the conference, click here.

To view the conference brochure, click here.

To register online for the conference, click here.

To mail or fax in your registration, click here.

Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to learn more or contact Sara.

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Indiana Medicaid and Prior Authorization

Submitted by: George Parker, MD

Indiana Medicaid and its contractors use a set of prior authorization criteria to ensure safe and effective use of psychiatric medications.

These criteria, which apply to the use of antipsychotic, antidepressant and medications, were developed by the Mental Health Quality Advisory Committee. This committee is composed of representatives from Indiana Medicaid, the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, and Mental Health America, along with a community psychiatrist and three pharmacists, one of whom is a Pharm.D. who is expert in mental health medications. The prior authorization criteria are public documents and are maintained on an accessible website: www.indianapbm.com/automatedrxpa.htm.

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APA Sends Action Alert to Members Urging them to Contact Congress to Repeal Broken SGR

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (i.e. the Supercommittee) represented a viable vehicle for repealing the flawed SGR formula. However, the Supercommittee’s disappointing failure to agree upon a bipartisan deficit reduction package has made it urgently necessary for Congress to address the SGR before the end of the year. Failure to repeal the SGR or, at a bare minimum, take action to avoid the anticipated 27% payment cut will critically handicap the ability of physicians to treat Medicare beneficiaries. At present, physician payment rates under Medicare are scheduled to be cut by 27% on January 1, 2012.

In December 2009, the Congressional Budget Office scored the cost of an SGR fix at $210 billion. Nearly 18 months later, the score for long-term reform has increased to an estimated $300 billion. Further delaying SGR reform will only increase the cost, and make permanent reform much more difficult. If Congress were to wait until 2016 to eliminate the SGR, the combined score for providing temporary patches through 2016, and then eliminating the SGR, would approach $600 billion.

The APA has sent out an Action Alert to its members urging them to please contact Congress in repealing the SGR NOW.

Applications Sought for Child, Adolescent Fellowship

Psychiatry residents interested in pursuing a career in child and adolescent psychiatry are invited to apply for APA's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. The program provides mentorship by senior child and adolescent psychiatrists and funding to participate in a wide array of sessions on child and adolescent psychiatry at APA's 2012 and 2013 annual meetings. The deadline for applications is January 12. Visit www.psych.org for more information.

Conflicting Minds Act Out on Screen

A new film opening across the nation will take you back to the early days of psychoanalysis. "A Dangerous Method" digs into the rocky relationship between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung and his mentor, Sigmund Freud. The film revolves around Jung, played by Michael Fassbender, and his troubled yet brilliant patient Sabina Spielrein, portrayed by Keira Knightly. Jung decides to try Freud's "talking cure," or psychoanalysis, on Spielrein. What starts as a strictly doctor-patient relationship develops into much more and tests the boundaries of Jung's friendship with Freud, played by actor Viggo Mortensen. "A Dangerous Method," directed by David Cronenberg, was released by Sony Pictures in New York and Los Angeles on November 23. The Washington, D.C., opening is set for December 16 with nationwide release in the weeks that follow.

Another eFOCUS CME Survey Ready for You

Take APA's Clinical eFOCUS survey on alcohol dependence. Clinical eFOCUS is a continuation of the FOCUS program of lifelong learning and is approved by the ABPN as a self-assessment activity for 2 AMA PRA Category 1 credits. The survey provides an opportunity for you to share your opinion, see how others approach the same case, and learn more about patient management of alcohol dependence. Given your knowledge of alcohol dependence and the points made in the vignette, which treatment approach would you choose? Indicate your choice by clicking on the survey and then the voting buttons. Visit www.psych.org to learn more.

Make Your Plans Now for APA's 2012 Annual Meeting and Save on Fees

APA's 2012 Annual Meeting is being held in Philadelphia from May 5-9. If you register before January 3, you'll save on fees. To get a head start on planning your down time see information on the City of Brotherly Love created just for meeting goers.

DSM-5 Online

Information on the development of the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is available at www.dsm5.org. The site includes the latest draft criteria for diagnoses which are currently being tested in the field. Publication of the DSM-5 is scheduled for May 2013. See the latest APA Update on the Status of DSM-5.

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Help IPS by Surfing or Shopping Online

IPS has found a way to raise money every time you shop online or search the web and we hope you choose to help us out.

By using iGive.com you can raise money for IPS every time you shop online at any of their 775 participating stores (Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Macy's, etc) and when you search the web through iSearchiGive.com (a search engined powered by iGive!).

If you do happen to make a purchase through iGive within 45 days of joining, and you designate IPS as your "cause" they'll donate an extra $5 to IPS - that's in addition to the percent of purchase price!

Here's how it works:
1. Join iGive.com : it's safe, free, and easy to use.
Don't feel like registering?
Take iSearchiGive.com out for a spin and raise two cents per search. Click here and type "Indiana Psychiatric Society" in the "Select Your Cause" area
2. Every time you search online by using the iGive search engine, the iGive partners will donate two cents to IPS per site you visit.
~ OR ~
Shop through iGive.com's online mall. The iGive Mall features over 700 trusted online retailers like Amazon.com, Staples, JCPenney, Expedia.com, Barnes & Noble, to name a few! You'll NEVER pay more when you reach these stores through iGive.com. And if you take advantage of the coupons and free shipping deals posted at iGive, you might save even more. Many retailers offer 2 and 3% back to IPS with your purchase.

All donations are recorded by iGive and once IPS' account reaches $25, iGive sends IPS a check. The more you search and spend, the more IPS earns.

The service is free to you and free to IPS. If you have questions, contact Sara by clicking here.

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Upcoming Events Calendar

*Council & General Membership Meetings are complimentary for IPS members. Guests may attend General Membership Meetings but a fee will be charged. Nominal fees are charged for symposia participation. Please contact Sara Stramel for further information.

February 16, 2012

Council & Membership Meeting

Fleming's Steakhouse

6:00pm Council Meeting (council members only)

7:15pm Membership Gathering

7:30pm General Membership Meeting, Dinner and Presentation

Presentation by Vladimir Maletic, MD, MS

"Beyond the Resistance: How Novel Neurobiological Understandings of Depression May Lead to Advanced Treatment Strategies"

Hosted by: PamLab

February 16, 2012

11:30 am "Nobody Needs to Know" Performance

Valle Vista Health System, Greenwood

To learn more, click here

February 21, 2012

7:00 pm "Nobody Needs to Know" Performance

Franklin College, Franklin

To learn more, click here

February 24, 2012

Richter Conference

The Ritz Charles Conference Center

Carmel, Indiana

March 15, 2012

Council & Membership Meeting

Morton's The Steakhouse

6:00pm Council Meeting (council members only)

7:15pm Membership Gathering

7:30pm General Membership Meeting, Dinner and Presentation

Hosted by: Novartis

Presentation by Dr. Peter Weiden, University of Chicago

To view his cv, please click here

"Monitoring and Management of Adults With Schizophrenia: Neurologic Effects"

April 20-22, 2012

3rd Annual Tri-State Integrative Mental Health Conference

West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden, Indiana

Accredited for 12.0 APA PRA Category 1 Credits

April 26, 2012

Council & Membership Meeting

Location to be determined

6:00pm Council Meeting (council members only)

7:15pm Membership Gathering

7:30pm General Membership Meeting, Dinner and Presentation

Hosted by: Eli Lilly & Company

May 5-9, 2012

APA Annual Meeting

Philadelphia, PA

To learn more, click here.