AAFP News Now
AAFP Joins AMA, Other Medical Organizations in Calling On HHS to Delay NPI Deadline (5/12/2008) -- The AAFP has joined the AMA and 35 other national medical organizations in urging HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt to delay a fast-approaching deadline that would require Medicare providers to file Medicare claims using only their National Provider Identifier, or NPI, number. In a letter dated May 1, the medical organizations cited their growing concerns about the ability of physician practices, clearinghouses and commercial insurance payers to meet the May 23 deadline.
Here's What AAFP's Restructuring Means for You (5/8/2008) -- This month, the Academy emerged from an intensive, difficult and ultimately successful restructuring process designed to achieve a balanced AAFP operational budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, which begins June 1.
NCSC Delegates Press for Stronger Advocacy on Payment (5/9/2008) -- Delegates to the 2008 National Conference of Special Constituencies, or NCSC, urged the Academy to step up its advocacy efforts with government agencies, third-party payers and other private-sector stakeholders to ensure family physicians get their fair share of the reimbursement pie. That message came through adoption of resolutions on a range of payment issues.
TransforMED Offers Free Medical Home Assessment Tool (5/8/2008) -- Medical practices working on becoming medical homes now can measure their progress, thanks to a free and comprehensive assessment tool recently made available by TransforMED, a practice redesign initiative affiliated with the AAFP.
AAFP Past President Calls for End to Health Care Disparities (5/8/2008) -- The nation's health care system continues to perpetuate health care disparities by providing different levels of care for minority and nonminority patients, thus creating a two-tiered health care system that makes it difficult for minorities to access a high level of care. That's according to former AAFP President Warren A. Jones, M.D., of Ridgeland, Miss., who delivered the keynote address during the 2008 National Conference of Special Constituencies May 1 in Kansas City, Mo.
Physicians Must Lead Way to Health Care Reform (5/8/2008) -- When it comes to the U.S. health care system, "we have multiple organ failure," said former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, M.D., during a recent meeting in Kansas City, Mo. And in terms of how physicians have responded to America's growing health care crisis, Elders added, "we have not been great leaders."
The Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians
proudly announces the candidacy of
Robert Wergin, M.D. for AAFP Director, 2008
Family Doctor of the Day - Making A Difference
Thanks for all you do to support the NAFP Family Doctor of the Day program!
Family Doctor of the Day Legislative Calendar
The Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians has provided emergency medical services to our senators since 1983. This program has enabled the NAFP to build an effective relationship with our senators; a relationship that should be maintained if our views and suggestions concerning health care are to be heard.
Click here for more information about volunteering to serve as Family Doctor of the Day
Click here for more information about volunteering to serve as Family Doctor of the Day
Mission Statement
The Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians exists to promote, support, and serve our members as they strive to improve the health of all Nebraskans. The total Nebraska membership includes just over 1300 family doctors, medical residents and students.
Founded in 1948, the Nebraska Academy is governed by policies and principles established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors meets quarterly.
The Academy is the untiring advocate of the family physician, the medical specialty of family practice, and the people of Nebraska. It promotes excellence in health care along with the betterment of the health of the people of Nebraska. The Academy assumes this challenge because it recognizes that healthy people are the Academy’s highest responsibility.
The Academy believes in access to quality, cost-effective care for all Nebraskans. The Academy strives to provide responsible advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health-related matters. The Nebraska Academy works to ensure an optimal supply of well-trained Family Physicians; it promotes family practice as the most desired career choice for dedicated individuals who seek the rewards this caring profession offers. The Nebraska AFP encourages the provision of quality, innovative education for practicing physicians, residents, and medical students that embodies the art and science of medicine. And it supports the development of a defined knowledge base in family practice through ongoing research.
Founded in 1948, the Nebraska Academy is governed by policies and principles established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors meets quarterly.
The Academy is the untiring advocate of the family physician, the medical specialty of family practice, and the people of Nebraska. It promotes excellence in health care along with the betterment of the health of the people of Nebraska. The Academy assumes this challenge because it recognizes that healthy people are the Academy’s highest responsibility.
The Academy believes in access to quality, cost-effective care for all Nebraskans. The Academy strives to provide responsible advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health-related matters. The Nebraska Academy works to ensure an optimal supply of well-trained Family Physicians; it promotes family practice as the most desired career choice for dedicated individuals who seek the rewards this caring profession offers. The Nebraska AFP encourages the provision of quality, innovative education for practicing physicians, residents, and medical students that embodies the art and science of medicine. And it supports the development of a defined knowledge base in family practice through ongoing research.
Cornhusker Family Physician
The Cornhusker Family Physician is the quarterly journal published by the Nebraska Academy. This is one way members can keep up with legislative events as well as activities of the NAFP.
Family Medicine: A Medical Specialty
In 1969, the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association designated Family Medicine as this nations 20th major medical specialty. Its roots are in general practice, but Family Medicine is a medical specialty requiring a three-year residency. Unlike other specialists, Family Physicians are specialists whose training focuses on the whole person, not just body systems or specific diseases.
American Board of Family Medicine: First to Require Recertification
As with all specialties, Family Medicine has a specialty board, the American Board of Family Medicine. This is an independent, separate organization that conducts examinations to measure competence in Family Medicine. Physicians who pass and become certified by the Board are recognized as a diplomate. The Board requires that a diplomate achieve recertification by examination every seven years. In fact the American Board of Family Medicine was the first medical certifying board to require its diplomate to recertify by examination.
Continuing Medical Education Required
Realizing that the family doctor’s effectiveness depends on up-to-date continuing medical education, the Academy requires its members to complete a minimum of 150 hours of approved continuing medical education every three years to retain membership.
The Only Specialists Qualified to Treat 85 percent of All Ailments
Family physicians are the only specialists trained to treat 85% of all ailments, and to provide comprehensive, continuing health care for people of all ages and both genders. They receive training in six major medical areas -- pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, psychiatry/neurology, surgery and community medicine. They also receive instruction in many other areas such as: geriatrics, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, radiology, orthopedics, otolaryngology and urology. No other specialist is so well qualified to diagnose and treat the patient for a broad spectrum of illnesses.
Family Physicians Provide Cost Effective Health Care
Family Physicians are trained to treat most ailments, referring to specialists only when necessary. Family Physicians encourage their patients participation in achieving good health. They emphasize prevention of problems and teach patients to take more responsibility for staying well. These are two ways that Family Physicians can be an important factor in reducing America’s health care costs.
With their combined extensive training and their ability to provide continuous health management, Family Physicians are able to deliver the ultimate in medically supervised judicious, cost-effective health care.
With their combined extensive training and their ability to provide continuous health management, Family Physicians are able to deliver the ultimate in medically supervised judicious, cost-effective health care.