Many members might imagine that at the ripe old age of 103, APMA is your granddaddy's association — an organization steeped in the traditions of the past and slow to react to change. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Your APMA's longevity is a reflection of its resolute focus on the future of medicine and its commitment to meeting the needs of its members, whatever that future might bring.
As of this writing, ICD-10 was scheduled to be implemented on October 1, and there were no signs of a delay as in previous years. Over the past several years, APMA has prepared members for ICD-10 with a tremendous number of webinars, in-person seminars, articles, and the invaluable Coding Resource Center (CRC). The CRC has everything from ICD-9-to-ICD-10 crosswalks to an interactive superbill with all the most common codes you'll encounter in daily practice.
I hope the transition went smoothly for you and your practice. If it did not, APMA is still here to help. Access our many ICD-10 resources at
www.apma.org/icd10.
Today's health-care environment has plenty more change in store. The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System is on the horizon, and the 21st Century Cures Act is headed to the Senate. APMA identifies the changes that will affect you, your practice, and your patients and works to support you through those changes.
Of course, with so many changes headed our way and so many initiatives that might benefit our members, we need a plan to ensure we don't veer off course. A few months ago, we engaged in a strategic planning session in Orlando, FL, immediately following our Annual Scientific Meeting (The National). We examined our mission and vision statements and spent time discussing priorities to accomplish our strategic goals. The result will be a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the organization over the next several years as we continue to advance and advocate on your behalf.
APMA is also undergoing a governance and management review, another initiative that will help ready our association for the demands of the future. To learn more about strategic planning and the governance and management review, watch my latest video message at
www.apma.org/strategicplanningvideo.
So don't let APMA's age fool you. Your association's plan for the future is just one more way APMA delivers on my presidential motto: Esse Quam Videri, to be rather than to seem.
