Welcome to GPPA

The Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association is a district branch of The American Psychiatric Association.  We are the only statewide organization representing Georgia psychiatrists and their patients.  Our members are dedicated to promoting professional values and ethics in the practice of psychiatry; improving patient access to  quality mental health care; lifelong learning and professional development; and supporting education and advocacy for our profession, our patients and their families.
 

Alerts

CMS Notice that Version 5010 Transition Deadline Remains 1/1/2012

As part of the Executive Office's ongoing effort to keep you updated on changes in healthcare regulations, we have created a linked to a number of documents from CMS regarding impending deadlines for compliance with Version 5010 and ICD-10. Click here for more information. 

States Get Power to Design Health Insurance Packages

From APA Psychiatric News Alerts: In a decision that could result in less-generous insurance benefits for mental health care than the original promise of health reform, the Obama administration has decided that states will get to determine what will be covered in the package of minimum benefits that millions of Americans will get through private insurers. As announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, states could choose among several packages of benefits that will be offered to their residents. These could range from the comprehensive benefits offered to federal employees to those included in the more limited packages offered by small-business insurance plans or even through HMOs. These benefit packages would apply to those gaining private insurance through provisions of the health reform law, those already insured through plans offered by small businesses, and those purchasing individual plans. If a state declines to choose a minimum package, the default is the coverage offered in the state's most popular small-business plan.

Learn more about key aspects of the health care reform law in the APA publication "Health Care Reform: A Primer for Psychiatrists" and in Psychiatric News.

Board of Pharmacy Extends Security Paper Compliance Deadline to 3/31/2012

UPDATE: Prescriptions on paper without the state seal may be marked "emergency" until March 31, 2012. Please read the Board of Pharmacy's memo for imporant compliance details. 

Effective October 1, 2011, Schedule II prescriptions require special security paper with the GA Board of Pharmacy seal.

Click here to view a memorandum including specific requirements and make sure you are in compliance.

On October 13, 2011, the Pharmacy Board released a new list of security paper vendors. Click here to download the list or visit the Pharmacy Board's website.

2012 Winter CME Meeting

Save the date for our 2012 Winter CME Meeting to be held at The St. Regis in Atlanta, February 17-18, 2012. Click here for further details and registration information.

A GPPA room block has been held with rates starting at $220 per night, plus taxes. Call (404) 563-7900 for reservations.
 

Other Happenings

APA Fellowship

Thank you to all who submitted an application for APA Fellowship this year! You will be notified in December of your Fellowship status. For more information on joining the APA/GPPA, click here.