A Stake In Your Future

You have invested a huge part of your time and resources in the two letters after your name which identify you as an Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon. In acquiring this distinction you have set your career choice in osteopathic medicine.
The Washington Osteopathic Medical Association's (WOMA) first responsibility is to
help you reap maximum dividends in professional success and personal fulfillment from your sizeable investment.
WOMA can't, however, do its job unless you are willing to join your colleagues in a
share of the responsibility. Your annual dues augment the funds WOMA generates
through conventions and seminars. Part of your dues finance daily operations and
governmental representation.

Why an Organization Like WOMA?

As in most of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in the military,
the Washington Osteopathic Medical Association (WOMA) is a divisional society of the American Osteopathic Association, each reflects the concerted position of osteopathic medicine . In the WOMA, this position is tailored to the special political, economic and professional needs of our Washington members. In addition, through the State Association, members benefit from programs and interaction with fellow DO's. Through this association an exchange of ideas, basis for mutual referral and professional friendships are established.
WOMA is the focus for educational and public initiatives which are essential to the
stability and credibility of osteopathic medicine in Washington. Organized together,
osteopathic physicians gain from concerted strength and speak as a single voice in
matters affecting licensure, discipline, practice rights and public policy.

Getting Involved

Participation in one of WOMA's committees or departments provides special benefits for members. These functions include such varied interests as legal and legislative affairs, state and federal regulatory and licensing agencies, continuing education, vocational guidance and scholarships, recruiting and assisting new physicians, governing bylaws and rules, finance, professional marketing, professional licensing and discipline, membership, liaison and procedural relationships with third-party payers, and trustee representation of local districts on the Board of Governors.
Through these activities and interests, WOMA is able to serve member needs more
effectively. In the process, members gain insights into the broad scope of WOMA
operations, pool ideas and needs and accelerate the level of involvement. Individual
members become aware of issues before they reach crisis proportion, allowing time for WOMA to engage in meaningful consultation in advance of crucial decisions.

Essential Information

WOMA keeps the membership up-to-date with timely information on federal and state legislative and regulatory developments, practice marketing and public issues affecting licensing and professional practice. Action Update is published on an as-needed basis in newsletter form. Its purpose is to alert members to fast developing and important matters requiring immediate attention. "The Washington D.O." is a more formal publication planned on a quarterly basis to provide recognition, forecast changes and publicize coming events.

Membership Services for New Members

This is an important area of WOMA activity. We notify the Trustees in your District of your application for membership. They will be happy to offer their assistance as you establish your practice and orient yourself to the conditions in your local area. WOMA can recommend ways you can market your practice and build your patient visits to an acceptable volume.

Membership Benefits

Individual disability income.
Business overhead expense discount.
Business buyout with a choice of benefit waiting periods.
Prescriber’s Letter subscription fee discount.
Federal Check Recovery Service.
Affiliated Associations of America program benefits, including merchant
discounts, travel discounts and group medical plans available to practices
of 2 or more employees.

Continuing Education

.WOMA provides its members with sufficient CME Credit hours to comply with AOA
membership requirements and/or state licensing requirements. The Program Committee knows a wealth of opportunity for continuing education is available, and it can only earn support of its presentations when they meet superior standards of quality. Special emphasis is put on integration of osteopathic practice and principals in the educational programs. WOMA members are entitled to discounted registration fees for its CME programs, as well as those in reciprocating states. Occasionally, free CME dinners are available to WOMA members in certain areas through the generosity of local pharmaceutical representatives.

Involvement of Members in WOMA

The Washington Osteopathic Medical Association (WOMA) tries diligently to maximize its resources in continuing efforts on behalf of members. With all-out involvement by every member, WOMA will triple or quadruple its effectiveness at the legislature, before governmental regulatory bodies, in helping members succeed in their practices, in presenting superior educational programs and in providing valuable benefits.

Patient Referral

WOMA continues its patient referral service from our office in Seattle. Many referral
services around the State are not prepared to provide information about osteopathic medicine and services offered by individual DO's. Nor can they answer questions about osteopathic training. Many times these inquiries and referrals are forwarded to the WOMA office. Members wishing to participate simply complete a referral information sheet to assist staff in referring patients.

Malpractice Insurance

The current malpractice market can make it difficult to obtain affordable malpractice insurance. WOMA continues to work on behalf of its members with the Legislature and Office of the Insurance Commissioner to obtain affordable rates. Members experiencing difficulty should contact the WOMA office for assistance.


Osteopathic Medical Education and Training

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
WOMA is pleased to support the establishment of the first osteopathic medical school in the Pacific Northwest. Located in Yakima, the school plans to seat its first class of 70 in 2008. The school is a regional effort and the founding board is currently working to establish internship and residency programs throughout the region to accommodate the first graduating class in 2012.

Western U COMP Northwest Track

The Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific has established a Northwest Track that will provide third and fourth year training programs in the Northwest. The program will graduate its first class in 2009. WOMA continues to pursue and encourage the establishment of osteopathic postgraduate training programs in the State of Washington. Whether AOA or dually-accredited, it is WOMA's goal to ensure that sufficient programs are available to accommodate osteopathic medical school graduates, particularly citizens of Washington who would prefer to train and practice in the State.

Provide Members with Understanding of Health Care Cost Containment

WOMA provides information and support for billing and coding issues. A coding
seminar is provided each January to help members and their staff to keep current. In addition, a coding and documentation class is offered each year at the annual convention in June.


DUES

1. Active Practice:
(in Washington State)
Payable in installments
Fiscal Year January 1 - December 31

•First Year
Pro-rated @ $12.50 each month or major portion of a month until
December 31 . . . . . . . . . . $150.00

•Second Year
Fiscal year . . . . . . . . .. . . .$250.00

•Third Year (and thereafter)
Fiscal year . . . . . . . . . . . . $600.00

2. Post Graduate Trainee:
Intern, resident or fellow . . .Exempt

3. Associate Professional:
Osteopathic physician practicing out-side Washington or on
active military duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00

5. Student: Enrolled in Approved
Osteopathic College . . . . . .Exempt

There are also categories with reduced dues for members who have retired or practice a limited number of hours due to age or disability. Call the WOMA office for more information and an application.

Applications are considered by the Board of Governors at Quarterly Meetings in March, June, September and December.