MEMBER  BENEFITS

AZAAP provides the following services for its members:

Advocacy

• Recruits members to speak on behalf of Arizona children and pediatricians at the state and national level
• Provides members with timely notification of important legislative updates and instructions on how pediatric providers can help
• Educates payers on issues impacting the pediatric practice via the Pediatric Council
• Maintains regular communication with state agencies impacting children and pediatricians
• Educate members how to advocate for their practice, patients and peers via conferences, timely legislative updates and the chapter website
• Influence the quality of Arizona pediatric practice
• Influence the health and well-being of Arizona children
• Advocate on behalf of children and pediatricians to the state Medicaid (AHCCCS) programs

Leadership

• Provides members will the opportunity to lead and participate in chapter programs and committees
• Provides a place to help develop a special advocacy project within the AAP- Arizona Foundation
• Recruits members to represent the Chapter on national AAP committees, task forces, or other state or national conferences

Networking

• Facilitates committees made up of members and expert guests who have similar areas of interests
• Provide members with invitations to attend chapter CME conferences, social events, and the annual luncheon and meeting in June with their peers
• Connect members through the Chapter’s email ListServs, newsmagazine, directory and website 

Education 

• Hosts Arizona-focused CME conference, Pediatrics in the Red Rocks, in June each year
• Hosts other CME activities (live conferences and online at www.azpedialearning.org) and provides to members at a discounted rate
• Hosts Open Forums to provide an opportunity for pediatricians, state government officials and child health advocates  to review, discuss and debate important child health issues
• Publishes a bi-annual Chapter newsmagazine with articles of local interest
• Provides weekly email updates on issues important to AZ pediatricians
• Provides web-based educational materials including CME and non-CME activities and toolkits online at the new AZ PediaLearning Resource Center (www.azpedialearning.org)
• Provides important resources, including practice management tips, for members in  protected areas of this website
• Recently provided 5-2-1-0 AZ Way To Go obesity prevention toolbox to chapter members

We have also benefited pediatricians directly by: 

• Favorably resolving significant billing issues with managed care companies
• Developing a chapter-level quality improvement effort on ADHD diagnosis and treatment
• Offering in-office PEDS Tool training free of charge through the chapter’s Best Care for Kids Program
• Sending electronic communications of emerging issues through our distribution list
• Our website links pediatricians directly to their legislators, local pediatric societies, a calendar of events and other chapter specific information

Insurance benefit plans of the AZAAP membership, their families, and their employees.

One of the medical plans offered through the AzAAP is in conjunction with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona. If you are a member of the AzAAP, you may receive a discount on any of their individual plans. If you, your family members, or any of your employees currently have an individual policy with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, you may be eligible for the discount upon request and proof of your membership in the AzAAP without evidence of insurability.

The Argus Group, a full service organization in the areas of health insurance, long-term care insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans, has been selected as the new Benefit Program representatives for our association. They will be providing and managing the insurance benefit plans of the AzAAP membership, their families, and their employees.

In addition to a discounted health plan, they are also making available to our members a discounted disability and long-term care plan.

The AzAAP believes that a good, sound health plan has never been more important than in today’s economic climate. We are pleased that we can make these plans available to our members. The Argus Group has a representative available for a face-to-face interview anywhere in the state of Arizona, and they are anxious to take your call. You can reach Dave Perolis at (602) 863-0080 ext 106 or by email at dave@theargusgroup.com.  You can reach Jim Groff at (602) 863-0080 ext 105 or by email at jim@theargusgroup.com. 

They can also be reached toll free at 800-777-5300

NOTE: If you are unsure if your current individual policy under Blue Cross/Blue Shield is at the discounted rate, we encourage you to call or e-mail The Argus Group immediately. There is no cost or obligation to confirm this information or to call The Argus Group at any time.

We encourage you to call The Argus Group for quotes, as well as to review your current policies to see if they can save you even more. All of the AzAAP insurance programs are optional.

Collection Services

AzAAP has partnered with J.R. Brothers Financial, Inc. Medical and Dental Collections Specialists to provide a reduced collection rate (25%) exclusive to AzAAP members. Some of the other services J.R. Brothers Financial, Inc. will provide for members include:

• Review collection accounts through JRB's real-time client view program from your office
• Collection office manager seminars
• Credit Reporting
• Designated Customer Representative
• Status Reports
• Electronic skip tracing
• On-site Collection Training Program
• Monthly Email Management Bulletins
• Special Projects
• Bilingual
• Account Person

"No Collections - No Fee!" For more information please contact Jeff Dahl by phone at 602-371-1001 ext 220 or by email at jeff@jrbfinancial.com. Visit their website at http://www.jrbfinancial.com/.

Vaccine Purchasing Group

We are pleased to announce that the AzAAP now has a new preferred vendor—Atlantic Health Partners. Atlantic is a leading vaccine resource for physicians and hospitals. Atlantic’s vaccine purchasing program is available to AzAAP members at no cost and improves the vaccine purchasing process by:

• Lowering vaccine prices
• Improving purchasing terms and payment terms with manufacturers
• Providing reimbursement support for vaccines

Janet Mullins, MD (Kachina Family Practice) Phoenix, AZ stated,
“Our practice really enjoys participating in the Atlantic vaccine purchasing program. Most importantly, we like that we can still purchase directly from the manufacturers and receive better pricing and purchasing terms on our vaccine orders. The program has been very successful for our practice. “

If you are interested, please contact Atlantic Health Partners to learn more about how the Atlantic program may be able to help your practice. You can reach Atlantic by phone at (800) 741-2044 or by email at info@atlantichealthpartners.com.  

You can also learn more by visiting Atlantic’s website: www.atlantichealthpartners.com
 

Office Supplies

Your Staples Business Advantage Program provides:

• Deep Discounts on a market-basket of items available through StaplesLink.com.
• Fast and Easy internet ordering.
• Reduced Costs and Overall Savings with a Total Program including:
  • Printing – customized website providing exclusive  items (letterhead, business cards, notepads, stationery)
  • Retail Convenience – Receive the lower of your contract or retail pricing at any of our 1900 Staples Retail stores nationwide
  • Promotional Products that communicate your logo or message
  • Our “Family of Catalogs” includes office supplies, furniture, advertising specialty, printing, business machines, janitorial and technology products.
• Next day delivery on all in-stock items for all orders transmitted by 4:00 p.m.
• Dedicated Account Manager responsible for the needs of each AzAAP member

Please contact Tiffany Riley, your Staples Representatives to receive the full benefits of Staples Business Advantage program.  Tiffany can be reached at 602-220-0379 ext. 240 or email tiffany.riley@staples.com