Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission Medical
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Latest newsletter

Issue Vol. 35, Vol. 4, Oct. - Dec. 2020
• Statement on passing of former Senator Larry
Dixon
• Adverse event reporting of compounded drugs
• Brorphine-a new synthetic opioid on the rise
• MLC announces new wall certificate design
• Responsibility to patients with communication disabilities under the ADA
• Report of BME/MLC consultant group on sexual boundaries/misconduct
• Board member coauthors article on reducing usage of opioids
• Report of public actions of the Board and Commission
Newsletter Archives
Volume 35 (2020) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• 2020 Annual Report • Opinion-ultrasound guided egg retrieval • DEA Alert - scam targeting DEA registrants • 2020 CME audit waived, additional time to meet 2020 requirement • CME retirement waiver • Medicare bonus payments and physician shortage areas • Management of medical records • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
No. 2 |
• A word from the Assoc. Exec. Director • CME requirement modified for COVID-19 • Honoring Dr. Jefferson Underwood • Physician to physician communication • Considerations upon discharging patients/retiring/closing practice • ADPH advises providers in use of non-FDA approved COVID-19 tests |
No. 3 |
• William M. Perkins appointed Executive
Director • 2021 license and registration renewals • Scam alert - physician extortion attempts • Underwood Minority Scholarship awarded to Alicia Williams • Physician Assistant non-controlled prescribing formulary modified • Report of public actions of the Board and Commission |
No. 4 | • Adverse event reporting-compounded drugs • Brorphine-a new synthetic opioid on the rise • Commission announces new wall certificate design • Responsibility to patients with communication disabilities under the ADA • Report of Board/Commission consultant group on sexual boundaries/misconduct • Board member coauthors article on reducing usage of opioids • Report of public actions of the Board and Commission |
Volume 34 (2019) | Featured articles | |
No. 1 |
• New Executive and Associate Executive
Directors • Administrative rule changes • Doctors positively impacting state's opioid crisis • Notice to Limited License Holders • What do you need to know about CME for controlled substances? • 2018 Annual Report • NarxCareTM comes to PDMP • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
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No. 2 |
• ALBME welcomes new Board members for
2019-2020 • Effective Nov. 18: Gabapentin changed to Schedule V • Underwood Minority Scholarship Award announced • Do you have patients who live or travel extensively outside the country? • Be sure of accreditation status of ALS, PALS, ACLS providers • Disaster planning for your medical practice • DEA warns of alarming increase in scam calls • Use of lasers and other modalities affecting living human tissue • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
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No. 3 |
• 2020 license and registration renewals • Notice - Licensee Portal • Welcome to new employees • ALBME social media guidelines • Starting Nov. 18 Gabapentin will be a Schedule V drug • Administrative rule changes • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 4 | • Treatment of acute pain • Treating postoperative pain - a better way • Contact with patients before prescribing • Rules for dispensing physicians • PDMP EHR integration • Risk and abuse mitigation strategies • Requirements for the use of controlled substances for the treatment of pain • Use of controlled substances for weight reduction • Maintenance of records and inventories • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
Volume 33 (2018) | Featured articles | |
No. 1 |
• ALBME 2017 Annual Report • Controlled subs. prescribing issues for mid-levels/physicians • Reminder: New CME requirement for ACSC holders • Health professionals disaster response volunteer network • Alabama physician workforce profile • APHP announces reorganization • Web site and online licensure update • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 2 |
• BME/MLC welcome new members • Naloxone available OTC • In Memoriam: Ronnie Lee Lewis, MD • Kenneth Aldridge, MD, receives Garber Galbraith Medical-Political Award • BME staff update • New: Additional QACSC at lower fee • CME opportunities • Alabama Quitline • Online application forms available this fall • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 3 |
• 2019 license and registration renewals • Notice to Limited and Retired Senior Volunteer License Holders • Benzodiazepine use, misuse, and abuse • Important reminder for collaborative practice physicians • Changes to Office Based Surgery registration • Attn: lawful aliens/foreign national licensees • Licensee Portal update • FSMB: regulating use of stem cell and regenerative therapies • IMLC now covers half the country • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
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No. 4 | • Board members recognized • Recent physician survey responses highlight issues with EHRs • Medical conditions/controlled substances and operating vehicles • Clarence Neal "Buddy" Canup, MD, in memoriam • Important information for mid-level practitioners • Board rule changes • Special registration for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
Volume 32 (2017) | Featured articles | |
No. 1 |
• Questions about the new RMS rule • How to register for the AL Electronic Death Registration System • ALBME names new executive director • Risk and abuse mitigation strategies for prescribing physicians • 2016 ALBME annual report • If you need help - Alabama Physician Health Program • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 2 |
• Rescheduling selected drugs • Board welcomes new members Drs. Jordan, Lewis and Rogers • Board says farewell to Drs. Goetter and Smith • Social media and electronic communication with patients • Notices and reminders • CME requirement for ACSC registrants FAQs • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 3 |
• Big changes to web site, online renewal
applications • 2018 license and registration renewals • Notices to Limited/RSV/nonpermanent legally present licensees • Changes coming to PDMP • DEA releases 2017 Drugs of Abuse resource guide • FDA to require expanded training on opioids • Achieve successful transition to MACRA's QPP • PAs/CRNPs/CNMs prescribing to self or immediate family • CME notices • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 4 | • African-American female Dr. Halle
Tanner Dillon • Repairing "difficult" patient-clinician relationships • Free refresher training for Certified Medical Examiners • PDMP update • How to make HIPAA disclosures during mass tragedies • Interstate Medical Licensure Compact update • CME in 2018 • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
Volume 31 (2016) | Featured articles | |
No. 1 |
• 2015 Annual Report • Interstate Medical Licensure Compact • Alabama's Electronic Death Registration System • Meet Norris W. Green, Associate Executive Director • How does the PDMP apply to me? • Need CME? Prescribing of Controlled Drugs and Opioid Prescribing • Medical Association News • Professionalism in the use of social media • CME compliance • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
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No. 2 |
• AIM Award for Development of Prescribing Courses • Medical Assoc. Honors BME Investigator Munson • Meet the New Board Members • BME Investigations: What Happens When There is a Complaint? • George Smith, Sr., MD, Receives National Award • Opioid Pain Medicines - FDA Warning • William F. Addison, Esq., Retires • Meet the Staff: E. Wilson Hunter, Esq. • BME Mourns Loss of Staff Member Cindy Kirsch Smith • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
|
No. 3 |
• Billing Fraud • New Federal Buprenorphine Prescribing Rule • 2017 License and Registration Renewals • Notice to Limited License and Retired Senior Volunteer license holders • CME Requirement for Physicians and Physician Assistants • Important Reminder for Collaborative Practice Physicians • Attention Lawful Aliens/Foreign National Licensees • CDC Develops Useful Resources for Physicians and Patients • Notice for Dispensing Physicians • Famous Alabama Physician: Peter Henderson Bryce, MD |
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No. 4 | • A report on Interstate Medical Licensing Compact • Important notice from DEA (change in renewal process) • FDA warns of combining opioids and benzodiazepines • Healthcare personnel should get influenza immunization • HHS announces actions to combat opioid epidemic • In memory of James "Nick" Nichols • Public actions of the Board and Commission • CME in 2017 |
Volume 30 (2015) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Collaborative Practice Agreement renewal and termination • Alabama BME Annual Report • In memory of Arthur F. Toole, Jr., MD • Differentiation between electronically transmitted and electronic medical record produced prescriptions • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
No. 2 |
• Alabama joins Interstate Medical Licensure Compact • Patients, pain and physicians • Communication between physicians and patients • Internet drug sellers: what providers need to know • Notice: Requesting medication approvals under LPSP • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
No. 3 |
• Arrest, Search and Seizure in Mobile • 2016 License and Registration Renewals • Notice to Limited License and RSVP License Holders • Professionalism in the Practice of Medicine (reprint) • Tribute to William Jefferson Terry, MD • PA Corner - FTE Increase, 2016 Renewals • Reminders - Dispensing, Lawful Alien Licenses, FDA -Testosterone • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
No. 4 |
• Outside expert witnesses needed • The distressed physician: Not 'bad doctor' • John Meigs, MD, FAAFP, elected president elect of the AAFP • Ann Streetman Shiver retires after 36 years • Notice regarding Contrave® • Update: Board Rules Chapter 540-X-15, Telehealth • 10 Big healthcare predictions for 2016 • Public actions of the Board and Commission |
Volume 29 (2014) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• The pain medication dilemma • Medical examiners must be certified to conduct DOT physicals • Ending diversion of prescribed medicines • 2013 Annual Report • Providing records of other physicians • Termination of collaborative practice/registration agreement |
No. 2 |
• Terminating a physician/patient relationship • Alert regarding hormone pellet placement • Dixon receives lifetime achievement award • November courses - medical ethics, prescribing of controlled drugs, ER/LA Opioid Analgesics REMS |
No. 3 |
• License renewal: proving US citizenship/lawful permanent resident status • 2015 license/registration renewals • DEA final rule reschedules hydrocodone combination products • Physician impairment: what should I do? • Limited Purpose Schedule II Permit (LPSP) |
No. 4 |
• Limited Purpose Schedule II Permits for NPs and PAs • Alert regarding hormone pellet therapy • Q&A: Disruptive behavior among physicians • Physician impairment: what should I do? • FDA approves new, hard to abuse hydrocodone pill • Third edition of "Responsible Opioid Prescribing" book • UAB School of Nursing Ebola course • PA Corner |
Volume 28 (2013) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Special 2013 Legislative Edition • Immigration Act requires proof of citizenship/legal presence • Drug Abuse and Diversion package becomes law • Nurse Practitioner prescribing legislation passes |
No. 2 |
• Pain Medicine Legislation: An overview • Nurse practitioner prescribing update • 2012 Annual Report • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy uses and abuses • Physician Health Program reporting requirements • Report of public actions of Board and Commission |
Volume 27 (2012) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Treating androgen deficiency in the aging male • BME 2011 Annual Report • DEA announcement - carisoprodol (Soma) • Dispensing physician registration • A call to preceptors |
No. 2 |
• Testosterone replacement from endocrinologist's perspective • CME rule amendment - grace period eliminated • Providing records of other physicians • PA controlled substances prescribing reminder • Reminder - collaborative practice renewal and termination |
No. 3 |
• Board expresses concern regarding use of chelating agents • 2013 license and registration renewals • BME/MASA educational programs offer valuable CME • Registrations with the Board (office-based surgery, lasers, dispensing) • Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Certificate (P.A.s) requirements • DEA certification for electronic prescribing • Use of non-validated substances for weight reduction under scrutiny • Maintenance of licensure (MOL) update |
No. 4 |
• Health Department survey/email address request • Update on chelation therapy study • Board to address prescription drug diversion • Legibility of prescriptions, required info a concern to pharmacists • Medicaid announces enrollment requirements • Home assessments and home visits • Termination of collaborative practice/registration agreement • Avoid complaints to the Board • Special pull-out section - Board rules on prescribing/pain management |
Volume 26 (2011) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• DEA rules for electronic prescribing of controlled substances • ABME 2010 Annual Report • MASA/ABME prescribing seminar • AMA policy for use of social media • Prescription Drug Monitoring Database |
No. 2 |
• Best of Boards Award - Collaborative Practice Seminar • AQAF membership for physicians • PDMP database system upgraded • PAs controlled substances prescribing protocol • Activities misunderstood to confer Category 1 credit • Providing records of other physicians |
No. 3 |
• 2012 license and registration renewals • Volunteering for health emergencies • CME reminders • ADPH invites physicians to volunteer through Alabama Responds • Prescription drug monitoring program important reminders |
No. 4 |
• Male infertility - a common side effect of testosterone therapy • Registration for office based surgery • DEA e-prescribing rules clarifications • New Board Rule - utilizing controlled substances for weight reduction • Report of public actions of Board and Commission |
Volume 25 (2010) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Board discourages use of HCG for treatment of obesity • Office-based surgical procedures • MASA/ABME prescribing seminar • Rules governing the use of lasers • Treating and prescribing to family members |
No. 2 |
• Medical communication • CME requirement change for 2010 • Maintenance of licensure • Treating and prescribing to family members - a follow up • FDA on lipodissolve, refilling pain pumps |
No. 3 |
• Information for 2011 renewals • Understanding CME: what are Category 1 or equivalent credits? • Exercise care in annual renewals • Surveys determine benefit eligibility (ADPH) |
No. 4 |
• Use of non FDA approved hormones • Changes to Office Based Surgery Rules • 2010 Annual Report • DEA policy change - authorized agent • FDA electronic tools |
Volume 24 (2009) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• New collaborative practice rules by CMS • Appropriate prescription formats • MASA/ABME prescribing seminar • Utilization of mid-level practitioners • PDMP a useful tool |
No. 2 |
• Using controlled substances for the treatment of pain • A Board member's thoughts on obtaining CME • Ala. Act expands PA prescribing • PDMP zero based reporting • FSMB honors MLC member, BME Executive Director |
No. 3 |
• Information for 2010 renewals • CME requirement to change for 2011 renewals • Prescribing controlled substances by PAs • FSMB news |
No. 4 |
• The value of physician health programs • Prescribing controlled drugs seminar • Required information for prescription forms • QACSC rules • Potential indicators of drug abuse/fraud |
Volume 23 (2008) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Recommendations for weight loss programs • Online communication with patients • Rules about medical records • Utilization of mid-level practitioners • Signature requirements for prescriptions |
No. 2 |
• Using the PDMP database • Ambulance transport rules • Laser rules compliance date approaching • Retired senior volunteer program • Internet prescribing legislation passes US Senate |
No. 3 |
• Professional sexual misconduct • Criminal background checks • Treating and prescribing to family members • ADPH publishes list of controlled substances |
No. 4 |
• Avoid complaints to the Board • Patient conditions reportable by physicians • What to expect in a collaborative practice audit • Joint Commission issues alert on disruptive behavior • Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act |
Volume 22 (2007) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Advertising by physicians • Prescription Drug Monitoring Program • Board opinions - joint injections by mid-level practitioners |
No. 2 |
• Avoid common prescription problems • CMS rule requiring tamper-proof prescription pads • Collaborative agreements/registration • Procedures for PAs performing skin biopsies |
No. 3 |
• Board adopts rules for using lasers • Laser rules increase physician responsibilities • Use of Methadone for chronic pain management |
No. 4 |
• DEA rule change on frequency of prescribing controlled substances • Anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs • Weight loss clinics cause concern for the Board • Resigning hospital privileges may have unintended consequences • Over-the-counter insulin users may forego regular doctor visits |
Volume 21 (2006) | Featured articles |
No. 1 |
• Using mid-level medical practitioners • Prescription Drug Monitoring Program - Board Rules • Professionalism in the practice of medicine • Board encourages prevention (chemical dependency) |
No. 2 |
• Laser use in clinical medicine • Physician medical records • Board revises PA joint procedures policy • Board opinion - facial biopsies, arthocentesis, joint injection by mid-levels • Board opinion - pain pumps and dispensing physicians • Closing or retiring from a practice |
No. 3 |
• What to expect if a representative of the Board visits your office • Physician responsibilities when managing reports from screening agencies • BME issues opinion on pain pump refills • Internet prescribing |
No. 4 |
• Store-based health clinics - guidelines to promote quality and safety • Communication between physicians and patients • Board opinions - ear stapling • The sagging of medical professionalism |
A .zip file of pre-2006 newsletters can be located here. (File is 1.39GB)
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