How to Make SLIT Work in Your Practice
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Sandra Lin, MD
Ivor A Emanuel, M.D.
Paul T. Fass, MD
Cecelia Damask, DO
William R Reisacher, MD
John A. Fornadley, MD

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is rapidly becoming a preferred method of allergen-specific immunotherapy. High profile media coverage and large scale pharmaceutical trials tout the benefits of SLIT and patients are listening. Increased public awareness means patients will be coming to your practice interested in this "new" method of treating allergies. Our panel of experts will explain how you can make SLIT a valuable part of your allergy practice. We will discuss everything from marketing SLIT to building your practice, how to get the best supplies and choose the best dosing for your patients, to common sense safety precautions, the role of tablets in your armamentarium and how to blend immunotherapy delivery methods to give your patients the best results

Annual Business Meeting: AAOA Today & Tomorrow (Lunch)
12:00PM - 1:30PM
Melissa Hertler, MD
J. Whit Mims, MD
Robert Stachler, MD
Alpen Patel, MD
Christine Franzese, MD
Matthew W. Ryan, MD
Douglas E. Dawson, MD
Exhibit Hall

New Format! This networking lunch is a great opportunity to meet with colleagues and peers, as well as share your thoughts and ideas with the elected leadership of your AAOA.

Allergies and Sinusitis: Where do the Two Intersect?
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Adrienne Laury, MD
Sarah K Wise, MD

Antigen Selection
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Bruce R Gordon, MD
Steven M Houser, MD

Chronic Cough
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Melissa Hertler, MD
Monica O Patadia, MD

Decision Making Between SLIT and SCIT
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Kevin F. Wilson, MD
Wesley D VanderArk, MD

Emergencies in Allergy
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Christopher D Brook, MD
Michael Platt, MD

Food Allergies
1:30PM - 3:30PM
William R Reisacher, MD
Maria Veling, MD

Migraines and Allergy
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Mark Mehle, MD
John A. Fornadley, MD

Pediatric Issues
1:30PM - 3:30PM
J. Whit Mims, MD
Zachary Soler, MD, MS

Practice Pearls
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Ivor A Emanuel, M.D.
Paul T. Fass, MD

Reflux and Laryngeal Issues
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Robert Stachler, MD
Alpen Patel, MD

Sublingual Immunotherapy
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Sandra Lin, MD
Douglas E. Dawson, MD
Andrew J Victores, MD

Venomous Stinging Insect Hypersensitivity
1:30PM - 3:30PM
Christine Franzese, MD
Andrea F. Lewis, MD

How to Stay Out of Trouble With the Law: Lessons From 30 Years Defending Physicians
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Kevin Glenn, JD
Red Lacquer Room

In this entertaining and sobering address, noted attorney Kevin Glenn will share anecdotes of mistakes physicians have made and advice for mitigating risk with the goal of keeping out of trouble.  With more than 150 jury trials to verdict over his 34-year career, Mr. Glenn concentrates his practice in the areas of medical malpractice defense, medical device/drug/products liability defense, physician representaiton before governmental agencies, and personal representation of physicians. He has a wealth of experience successfully defending a wide variety of healthcare professionals and institutions including physicians in many specialties, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. He has provided personal representation for healthcare professionals involved in legal issues relating to regulatory agencies, arbitrations and mediations, contract negotiations, and corporate disputes.

Networking Break with Exhibitors
4:30PM - 5:00PM

BJ Ferguson Memorial Keynote Lecture: Food Allergy: Wait, Wait, Do Tell Me!!
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Amal Assa''ad, M.D.
Red Lacquer Room

Dr. Assa'ad will discuss IgE-mediated food allergy and the 2010 NIAID-sponsored guidelines for managing food allergy. She will review the current evidence and knowledge gaps regarding primary prevention of food allergy, current primary prevention strategies, and how additional primary prevention efforts may lead to a reduction in the prevalence of food allergy.

Dr. Assa'ad will explain the new addendum guidelines on preventing peanut allergy and the background leading to the development of the addendum. Identifying children at risk who would receive the most benefit from early peanut introduction will be covered, Her lecture will culminate with a view of new food allergy treatments that are likely to be FDA-approved within the next 5 years.

AAOA Soirée: A Night at the Museum
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Matthew G Crowson, MD
Agnes Czibulka, MD, FAAOA
Alexa Castellano, MD
Dong-Kyu Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Samir A. Ballestas, MD
Art Institute of Chicago

Come join us for this special reception at the Art Institute of Chicago.  Featuring our scientific poster presentations, attendees will also have the luxury of a private viewing of the Pritzker Galleries of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, including world class treasures by Degas, Monet, and Renoir.  Enjoy learning about the research projects, networking with colleagues, and viewing some of the most world reknowned pieces of art.

90 Years Of Otolaryngology - Matthew Crowson
6:35PM - 6:45PM
Matthew G Crowson, MD
Art Institute of Chicago

Staff Training For Emergencies - Alexa Castellano
6:45PM - 6:55PM
Alexa Castellano, MD
Art Institute of Chicago

Nigella Sativa In the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis - Czibulka
6:55PM - 7:05PM
Agnes Czibulka, MD, FAAOA
Art Institute of Chicago

Readability Assessment of Allergy Online Patient Education - Samir Ballestas
7:05PM - 7:15PM
Samir A. Ballestas, MD
Art Institute of Chicago

Effects of Adenotonsillectomy On Attention - Dong-Kuy Kim
7:15PM - 7:25PM
Dong-Kyu Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Art Institute of Chicago

Healthy Start Fitness
6:00AM - 6:45AM
Exhibit Hall

Kick off your day with yoga or an run with peers through Millenial Park and Chicago.  Meet outside the exhibit hall.  We will pair the runners up based on distance/pace.  Those enjoying yoga will stay in the hotel with our instructor.

Networking Breakfast with Exhibitors
7:00AM - 8:00AM

Keynote: Strategic & Tactical Practice Management: 10 Things Every Medical Practice Should be Doing in the New Healthcare Environment
8:00AM - 9:20AM
Ron Howrigon
Red Lacquer Room

Many physician practices are not operating their business as successfully as they could be if they had certain business tools at their disposal, especially in light of recent changes with healthcare reform and the macro issues facing medicine. Most groups are wonderful at customer service, fantastic in clinical care but are they running a successful business? This program will cover complex business principles and apply them in a physician-friendly format.

 

Covered Topics:

• Ten crucial business tools every practice needs to know

• How your practice can implement complex business tools in a real-world environment

Objectives:

Session Objectives:

• Cover ten things practices should be doing including practice budgeting, strategic planning, medical

management reporting, marketing, and more.

• Convert business principles provided to how they relate to practice management

Practice Management: Analyzing & Improving the Workflow-Process Efficiency Leads to Improved Patient Care
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Ken Hertz

Practice Management: Best Practices in the Management of Allergy Ancillary Staff (AOA)
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Tricia Long
Carlos Vargas

This panel will focus on issues related to compliance, administration management, benchmarking, billing, etc. from the perspective of the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators.

Practice Management: Coding for Allergy Services in 2017
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Teresa Thompson

Course Description and Objectives

• Understand the allergy testing codes 
• Understand the allergy treatment codes
• PFT coding for patients with asthma
• Understand the difference between payer guidelines for allergy services

Practice Management: Marketing: How to Put It into Action
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Cheyenne Brinson

Attend this session and learn how you can use the principles of relationship marketing to attract new patients and to retain established patients.   

Objectives:

Learning Objectives:

Measuring  your  Net Promoter Score.

Improve your practice’s ability to make patient relationships “sticky.”

Tune up our practice’s first impressions on the phone, via email and in person. 

ReCAP: Immunology
9:30AM - 10:30AM
John A. Fornadley, MD
Christopher D Brook, MD
Michael Platt, MD

• Immunology Principles
• Why It Works
• Antigen Characteristics
• SLIT Immunotherapy

Networking Break with Exhibitors on 7th Floor & Exhibit Hall
10:30AM - 11:00AM

Practice Management: Analyzing Your Practice Culture: Improve Structure & Performance
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Ken Hertz

Practice Management: Dancing with the Devil: Insider Secrets for Negotiating with Managed Care Companies
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Ron Howrigon
Red Lacquer Room

Nearly every medical provider group today is forced to negotiate contracts with managed care companies in order to gain access to significant volumes of patients. The success of these negotiations can mean the difference between a thriving and growing practice, and a downward spiral of financial ruin. Managed care companies recognize this fact and are equipped with teams of highly trained and experienced negotiators to tip the balance of power in their favor. This presentation is designed to show you how to successfully negotiate your managed care contracts using the trade secrets from a former managed care negotiator. We will take the group through the entire negotiation process, from beginning to end, and show you how to effectively deal with your managed care relationships.

Covered Topics:

• Position evaluation and goal setting

• Development of strategies and tactics

• Negotiation, closure, and post_contract evaluation

Objectives:

• Learn how to evaluate one’s own position and the position of their opponent

• Develop the best course of action for your practice

• Understand the negotiation process

Practice Management: Optimizing the Revenue Cycle in Your Otolaryngic Allergy Practice
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Kim Pollock

Getting paid isn’t so easy anymore, is it?  This session will discuss what it takes to optimize revenue, streamline processes and improve efficiency in your practice.  From answering the phone to calling an insurance company on unpaid claims – every single person in the practice has a role to play in the revenue cycle. We will tell you what we’ve learned in 30+ years consulting with hundreds of practices!

Practice Management: Practice Transitions — Plan Your Journey
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Cheyenne Brinson

Whether it’s planned or not, one way or the other you will leave your practice.  Think about that.  In this session, you’ll learn key principles that can make the journey smoother for physicians and managers alike.

1. How physician and patient demographics drive decisions.

2. Assessing practice opportunities:  hiring an associate, selling, merging, join up with the hospital.

3. Governance issues that impact practice transitions

 

ReCAP: Testing & Treatment
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Kevin F. Wilson, MD
David K Palmer, MD

• Skin Testing
• In Vitro Testing
• Parmacotherapy
• Environmental Control

Networking Lunch with Corporate Sponsor
12:00PM - 1:00PM

Keynote: Surviving & Thriving in Challenging Times — What's Next for the Practice of Allergy & Otolaryngology
1:00PM - 2:00PM
Ken Hertz
Red Lacquer Room

• A high level overview of alternative payment models and their impact on allergy practices

• How otolaryngologists are going to be paid for quality

• ACO and alternative payment models (APM)

Practice Management: Analyzing Your Practice Culture—Improving Structure & Performance (repeated from 11:00 am)
2:15PM - 3:15PM
Ken Hertz

Practice Management: Coding & Billing Conundrums in Otolaryngic Allergy
2:15PM - 3:15PM
Kim Pollock

This session is a primer on CPT and ICD-10-CM coding for otolaryngic allergy.  Learn the difference between CPT 95004 vs 95024 vs 95027.  We will also answer these questions and more: When is it appropriate to “unbundle” the injection and vial codes?  What is the code for SLIT? What is the right date of service to bill for the vial? What services can be done when the physician is not in the office: Can I bill an office visit and testing on the same day? What about an office visit and injection?  There is so much to discuss – this will be a fast-paced session SEMINAR TOPICS

 

Practice Management: High Deductible Health Plans — You Need a Plan
2:15PM - 3:15PM
Cheyenne Brinson

HDHP are the cause of exploding accounts receivable in countless practices and patient payment plans that are little more than promises.    In this session you’ll gain insight into the size and scope of the issue, see how to structure financial arrangements with patients, assess how technology can help you size the problem and learn how patient financing can improve your collections. 

Practice Management: Patient-Centered Care — Providing Great Service in Addition to Great Care (repeated 4:45 pm)
2:15PM - 3:15PM
Ron Howrigon
Red Lacquer Room

With the development of Accountable Care Organizations and Narrow Networks, physician groups are now faced with having to compete for the “right” patients. Much of this competition will revolve around the service levels offered and the patient experience. In today’s environment, simply providing quality care is no longer enough to keep patients satisfied. Providing quality customer service is also necessary. In this session, the presenter will explore the concept of patient-centered care delivery and explain why it is critical for the success of any medical practice. Mr. Howrigon will share examples of patient-centered care and explore how a practice can begin making the transition to a patient-centered model and what needs to happen in order to complete this transformation. Additionally, Mr. Howrigon will cover the large amounts of claims data that payers can use to evaluate physician performance and compare the cost of care from one physician to another. Payers are beginning to use this information in a variety of ways, most of which can be very damaging to the physician. Mr. Howrigon will explain how physician profiling works, explain the problems and shortfalls, list the various ways in which payers will use this data, and suggest strategies that physicians can use to combat this situation

Covered Topics:

• Market drivers pushing patient centered care
• Current state of care delivery
• Future state of patient centered care
• How to attract the “right” patient
• Examples of patient centered care
• Strategies for transforming your practice
• Physician profiling methods
• • Problems and concerns with conclusions
• • Payer uses of profiling information
• • Strategies for combating payer profiling

Objectives:

• Understand the rationale behind patient centered care
• Explore the economics of the “right” patient mix
• Review current models of patient centered care delivery
• Explore steps and strategies for transforming your practice
•  Better understand payer physician profiling and strategies to combat

ReCAP: Vial Preparation & Delivery
2:15PM - 3:15PM
Monica O Patadia, MD
Stella Lee, MD

• Dose Calculation
• Vial Preparation
• SLIT Delivery

Practice Management: Dancing with the Devil: Insider Secrets for Negotiating with Managed Care Companies (repeat from 11:00)
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Ron Howrigon

Nearly every medical provider group today is forced to negotiate contracts with managed care companies in order to gain access to significant volumes of patients. The success of these negotiations can mean the difference between a thriving and growing practice, and a downward spiral of financial ruin. Managed care companies recognize this fact and are equipped with teams of highly trained and experienced negotiators to tip the balance of power in their favor. This presentation is designed to show you how to successfully negotiate your managed care contracts using the trade secrets from a former managed care negotiator. We will take the group through the entire negotiation process, from beginning to end, and show you how to effectively deal with your managed care relationships.

Covered Topics:

• Position evaluation and goal setting

• Development of strategies and tactics

• Negotiation, closure, and post-contract evaluation

Objectives:

• Learn how to evaluate one’s own position and the position of their opponent

• Develop the best course of action for your practice

• Understand the negotiation process

Practice Management: Documenting to Support Your Encounters
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Teresa Thompson

.  Tips for efficient and appropriate documentation of encounters

        Understand what documentation is supportive of different levels of services

        Understand the documentation guidelines and how have they changed since 1995 and 1997 for E/M services

Practice Management: Optimizing the Revenue Cycle in Your Otolaryngic Allergy Practice (repeat from 11:00 am)
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Kim Pollock

Getting paid isn’t so easy anymore, is it?  This session will discuss what it takes to optimize revenue, streamline processes and improve efficiency in your practice.  From answering the phone to calling an insurance company on unpaid claims – every single person in the practice has a role to play in the revenue cycle. We will tell you what we’ve learned in 30+ years consulting with hundreds of practices!

 

Practice Management: Society of PAs in Otolaryngology Perspective
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Marie Gilbert, PA-C
Kristi Gidley, PA

ReCAP: Food Allergy
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Melissa Hertler, MD
Ayesha N Khalid, MD

• Eosinophilic Esophagitis
• LEAP/LEAP-On
• Non-IgE

Networking Break with Exhibitors on 7th Floor & Exhibit Hall
4:15PM - 4:45PM

Practice Management: Coding for Allergy Services in 2017 (repeat from 9:00 am)
4:45PM - 5:45PM
Teresa Thompson

Course Description and Objectives

• Understand the allergy testing codes 
• Understand the allergy treatment codes
• PFT coding for patients with asthma
• Understand the difference between payer guidelines for allergy services

 

Practice Management: Improving the Patient Experience in Patient-Centered Healthcare (repeated from 2:15 pm)
4:45PM - 5:45PM
Ron Howrigon

With the development of Accountable Care Organizations and Narrow Networks, physician groups are now faced with having to compete for the “right” patients. Much of this competition will revolve around the service levels offered and the patient experience. In today’s environment, simply providing quality care is no longer enough to keep patients satisfied. Providing quality customer service is also necessary. In this session, the presenter will explore the concept of patient-centered care delivery and explain why it is critical for the success of any medical practice. Mr. Howrigon will share examples of patient-centered care and explore how a practice can begin making the transition to a patient-centered model and what needs to happen in order to complete this transformation. Additionally, Mr. Howrigon will cover the large amounts of claims data that payers can use to evaluate physician performance and compare the cost of care from one physician to another. Payers are beginning to use this information in a variety of ways, most of which can be very damaging to the physician. Mr. Howrigon will explain how physician profiling works, explain the problems and shortfalls, list the various ways in which payers will use this data, and suggest strategies that physicians can use to combat this situation

Covered Topics:

• Market drivers pushing patient centered care

• Current state of care delivery

• Future state of patient centered care

• How to attract the “right” patient

• Examples of patient centered care

• Strategies for transforming your practice

•  Physician profiling methods

• Problems and concerns with conclusions

• Payer uses of profiling information

• Strategies for combating payer profiling

Objectives:

• Understand the rationale behind patient centered care

• Explore the economics of the “right” patient mix

• Review current models of patient centered care delivery

• Explore steps and strategies for transforming your practice

• Better understand payer physician profiling and strategies to combat

 

Practice Management: Managing & Developing Your Most Valuable Practice Asset—Your Employees: Problem-based Approach
4:45PM - 5:45PM
Cheyenne Brinson

Most AAOA members will likely suggest that staffing issues are the biggest headache of clinical practice. The challenges begin with hiring the “right” individual and continue through staff retention and motivation. High staff turnover can significantly diminish a practice’s bottom line. From lost direct recruitment expenses to indirect expenses like lost intellectual capital and weakened team morale, the costs add up quickly. Making good hiring choices, keeping current employees happy, and motivating them to excel in their roles are the foundation to any successful practice and a happier plastic surgeon.

Desired outcomes:

? _Implement practices in recruitment and hiring process

? _Discuss national and regional compensation staff benchmarks

? _Assess the pros and cons of various compensations structures and incentives for employees

? _Identify tools for team building, performance evaluation, staff transition and employee theft prevention

? _Identify and avoid pitfalls in staff termination 

Practice Management: Staffing Conundrums & Techniques to Improve Efficiencies
4:45PM - 5:45PM
Kevin F. Wilson, MD
Douglas E. Dawson, MD
Kim Pollock
Marie Gilbert, PA-C
Kristi Gidley, PA
Dole P. Baker Jr., MD

This panel discussion will share challenges they have faced and steps they have taken to improve office efficiency.  This session will be an interactive to help participants learn from the collective experience of the group.

ReCAP: Asthma/Allergy Emergencies
4:45PM - 5:45PM
Bruce R Gordon, MD
John A. Fornadley, MD
J. Whit Mims, MD

• Asthma
• Adding Allergy 
• Anaphylaxis

Taste of Chicago: Reception with Exhibitors
6:00PM - 7:00PM

Healthy Start
6:15AM - 7:15AM
Exhibit Hall

Kick off your day with yoga or an run with peers through Millennial Park and Chicago.  Meet outside the exhibit hall.  We will pair the runners up based on distance/pace.  Those enjoying yoga will stay in the hotel with our instructor.

Scientific Research Breakfast
7:30AM - 9:00AM
Adam L Honeybrook, MD
Sarah K Wise, MD
Ashleigh Halderman, MD
Alexandra Ortiz, M.D.
Thomas Kaffenberger, M.D.
Leila J Mady, MD, PhD, MPH
Yu Ting He, M.D.
Red Lacquer Room

Join us for breakfast and presentations on current research in otolaryngology and how it translates clinically to your practice.

Single vs. Multi-Allergen Sublingual Immunotherapy in the Polysensitized Patient
7:50AM - 7:58AM
Alexandra Ortiz, M.D.

Comparison of Physician Adherence to the Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Practice Guidelines
7:59AM - 8:07AM
Adam L Honeybrook, MD

Airborne and Food Sensitivity Patterns in Children and Adults with Eosinophilic Esophagitis
8:08AM - 8:16AM
Yu Ting He, M.D.

Effects of Allergy Testing Methods on Driving Immunotherapy Outcomes
8:30AM - 8:38AM
Thomas Kaffenberger, M.D.

Air Pollutants May Be Modifiable Factors in Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis
8:39AM - 8:47AM
Leila J Mady, MD, PhD, MPH

Rapid Fire Learning: Advanced Therapeutics in Atopic Dermatitis
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Peter Lio, M.D.

Rapid Fire Learning: AERD
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Nathan A Deckard, MD
Amber Luong, MD
James A. Stankiewicz, MD
Anju Peters, M.D.

Rapid Fire Learning: Allergy in the CRS Patient
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Christopher D Brook, MD
Michael Platt, MD

Rapid Fire Learning: Asthma Updates
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Cecelia Damask, DO

Rapid Fire Learning: Biolgics
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Christine Franzese, MD

Cases, Collaborations and Conversations: Living with an Itch - A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
10:15AM - 11:15AM
Peter Lio, M.D.

Cases, Conversations & Collaboration: Medication Allergy
10:15AM - 11:15AM
Christine Franzese, MD

Cases, Conversations & Collaboration: Sleep & Allergy
10:15AM - 11:15AM
Andrea F. Lewis, MD
Douglas E. Dawson, MD

Cases, Conversations & Collaborations: Challenges in Immunotherapy Practice
10:15AM - 11:15AM
Ivor A Emanuel, M.D.
John A. Fornadley, MD
David K Palmer, MD
Matthew W. Ryan, MD
Erik R Swanson, MD

Cases, Conversations & Collaborations: Starting Your Allergy Practice
10:15AM - 11:15AM
William R Reisacher, MD
Elizabeth A. Shaw, MD