As we approach the end of 2019, there are many exciting things happening at CPNP that I would like to share with you. To begin with, on behalf of the Board, I want to congratulate our newly elected 2020-2022 Board members, Bob Haight (Incoming President-Elect), Cindy Gutierrez (Incoming Secretary), and Clint Ross (Incoming Member at Large). These new members hit the ground running as they immediately start their training by joining CPNP Board meetings as one method of orienting them to the work of the Board. We are looking forward to their contributions to our organization as we continue to make forward progress on our current strategic plan and health policy agenda. Along that same line, your CPNP Board is carving out 2+ days next week to convene in Washington DC to set the stage for 2020 when we will be working with you as members to conduct a scan of the pharmacy environment and a full strategic planning effort. Be looking for the many different opportunities to participate in this process in 2020.
Additionally, current and incoming Board members will be on the Hill next week visiting congressional and senate representatives urging them to support and pay for the integration of psychiatric pharmacists as a means to expand access to much needed, quality care for those living with mental health, neurologic, and substance use disorders. These visits come on the heels of a CPNP success in relation to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services final rule on the 2020 Physicians Fee Schedule (PFS) that establishes coverage for treatment services provided at enrolled Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), creates a similar bundled payment for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) in a primary care facility and makes other changes for general coverage and billing under the PFS including changes to the evaluation and management codes. Out of more than 40,000 comments on the proposed rule, CPNP was pleased with the agency's recognition of the comments submitted by our organization regarding the role psychiatric pharmacists can play in helping to improve and provide treatment for patients dealing with SUDs, including OUDs. Pharmacists will be added to the list of employees of OTPs enrolled in Medicare who are legally authorized to prescribe, order, or dispense mediations. As CPNP continues to grow our government affairs efforts, we believe the latest acknowledgement by CMS serves as an important indication of our increasing visibility and influence within the policymaking process and we will continue to work with the Administration and Congress on these important issues.
With 2020 on our doorstep, it is important to note that the opportunity to purchase CPNP 2020 products is now available. You can read all about the CPNP 2020 Annual Meeting (April 26-29 in Dallas Texas) in various articles within this newsletter and at cpnp.org/2020. We are particularly excited to introduce a full-day Leadership Forum on Saturday, April 25 as we work to support members as they work to advance in their profession and in CPNP. Recertification products for 2020 are in development by your fellow members serving on the various editorial boards with one of the highlights being the launch of a new 2020-2021 edition of the Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Review Book. Don’t forget as well that USP 800 compliance commences on December 1. If your organization is looking for a detailed risk assessment tool, CPNP has the product to meet your needs.
As we move into the end of this year, I want to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season. This is a great time of the year to take a step back from our busy professional lives and to focus on our relationships with our loved ones. But in doing so, it is also important to keep in mind that the holidays can be a very stressful time for many people. Symptoms of mental illness, in particular feelings of depression or anxiety, can be triggered or exacerbated. Alcohol or other substances sometimes play a role in holiday celebrations which can be difficult for those in recovery. Grief can also be overwhelming and especially painful during this time of the year. As psychiatric pharmacists, it is important that we lead with kindness and always be mindful of how others might be feeling whether they be our colleagues, patients, family, friends, or strangers.