AAFP Lobbies to Protect Patients from Surprise Medical Bills

For the past 22 years, Dr. Gregory Tapson has been operating a private practice in Carmel, California, where he provides around-the-clock primary care. Supplementing this role, Dr. Gregory Tapson holds membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

In February, AAFP, along with more than 100 national and state medical organizations, signed a letter in support of protecting Americans against unexpected medical expenses. The letter was sent to Representatives Kevin Brady and Richard Neal, who serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The issue of surprise medical expenses has been well-documented in recent years, with the New York Times citing examples in both Colorado and New York wherein courts have had to step in to mediate cases concerning excessive medical bills from out-of-network providers. Moreover, a Kaiser Foundation poll in 2018 found that 39 percent of insured adults between the ages of 18 and 64 received surprise medical bills after believing expenses were covered.

In the letter, AAFP and its cosignatories urged Congress to place limits on patient responsibility and increase insurer accountability. The letter also asked for cost transparency among health care providers.

Preparing for the ABFM Exam with AAFP Prep Questions

Dr. Gregory Tapson has spent 22 years as the owner and lead physician at a private medical practice in Carmel, California. In addition to his work at the practice, Dr. Gregory Tapson spends time engaging with a number of professional organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

AAFP represents the interests of nearly one-quarter of a million family physicians, residents, and students throughout the nation. AAFP members enjoy a number of unique benefits, including opportunities to prepare for the ABFM family medicine certification examination with carefully prepared test questions. The board review program includes multiple-choice questions and mixed-review prompts, both of which are featured on the actual exam.

While students and residents can use board review questions to prepare for the certification exam, they are not the only groups who can benefit from the service. Certified medical professionals who complete board review questions may be eligible to receive up to 34 prescribed continuing medical education credits. Board review questions are provided to AAFP members free of charge. To learn more about the program or AAFP membership, visit www.aafp.org.

Membership Benefits at AAFP

Gregory Tapson received his medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and has now practiced family medicine for more than two decades. Dr. Gregory Tapson currently serves as a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Transformed health care for patients’ optimum health stands as the goal of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The national organization consists of over 130,000 members from the United States and all over the world. Memberships at AAFP are categorized as follows:

Active membership. Active members of the AAFP receive the support necessary to building and sustain their practices and provide quality patient care. They receive access to resources, tools, discounts, live courses, and member interest groups.

Resident membership. AAFP’s resident member gets access to information on family residency programs as well as fellowships. Other benefits include access to board review practice questions, use of clinical and career resources and tools, and connection with member interest groups.

International membership. An AAFP international member benefits from the organization through quality education resources. Whether a teacher or a practitioner of family medicine abroad, an international member gets opportunities to network with colleagues worldwide. Although not allowed to hold any position in the association, he or she can exercise his or her rights in reference committees.

AAFP Looks after Family Doctors with New Initiative

A longtime resident of California, Gregory Tapson, MD, has cared for patients at his private practice for more than two decades. Dr. Gregory Tapson holds membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which recently introduced the Physician Health First initiative to prevent possible cases of burnout among family doctors.

The initiative aims to look after the personal and professional satisfaction of family physicians by encouraging them to produce a well-being plan. Using the Well-being Planner, members can choose among pre-selected goals to attain or enter their own, analyze their progress over time, and provide the AAFP with suggestions on how to improve the program.

The goal of the AAFP Physician Health First initiative is to urge family physicians to perform self-examinations and boost their personal satisfaction in the process. The organization points to a dysfunctional health care system as one of the major causes of physician burnout. In response, the AAFP is committed to decreasing this administrative burden to help its members focus more effectively on their patients.