Gulf Coast MGMA as an affiliate of MGMA endorses the following MGMA guidelines for the GULF COAST MGMA Listserv at

gcmgmalistserv@gulfcoastmgma.org

E-mail forums

Rules, policies and disclaimers

You can register for e-mail forums for free! E-mail forums are a members-only benefit of Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). By participating, you agree to abide by our rules below.

Overview and scope

MGMA e-mail forums are intended to facilitate dialogue and idea sharing among all MGMA members about current practice management issues. All members are encouraged to pose and respond to questions, participate in discussions, offer ideas and share experiences with others in the e-mail forums.

Participants agree not to use this service for any other purpose.

Specifically, the following uses of the e-mail forums are strictly prohibited:

* As marketing distribution channels for products or services

* For commercial advertising or solicitation

* As a means to collect contact information and/or to identify potential customers for a product or service offering

* To conduct unauthorized market research studies

MGMA will not preview nor censor (edit) any messages. MGMA is the distributor, not the publisher, of the information posted. MGMA accepts no responsibility for the opinions and information posted by users other than the association. All policies of MGMA, including its antitrust compliance policy, apply to use of the association's online service.

MGMA reserves the right to terminate use of the e-mail forum to any user who does not abide by these guidelines.

Antitrust Compliance

Compliance with applicable antitrust law requirements prohibiting collusive or other anticompetitive behavior is an essential condition of participation in MGMA's e-mail forums. At no time should discussions be initiated or information shared concerning medical service pricing or specific reimbursement rates due to antitrust law compliance considerations. As the host of the e-mail forums, MGMA seeks to ensure that unlawful anticompetitive practices are not encouraged or permitted in this setting.

Research using e-mail forum participants

The e-mail forums may not be used as a means of communicating with potential participants in formal research or academic studies.

Participant responsibilities

Participants agree to not send messages with any defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, offensive, anticompetitive or illegal materials. MGMA does not condone and will not be responsible for any such materials or resulting liability.

All postings to these forums will display the author's e-mail address. Users who do not wish this information to be displayed publicly should not send messages to the list.

E-mail forums may contain materials protected by copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights. Do not modify, transmit, or in any way exploit such information. Do not include any information or other material protected by copyright without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. By using the e-mail forums, the sender of a message warrants and represents that he or she owns the copyright for such information or has received permission from the person or entity that owns the copyright. By sending a message, the sender grants MGMA and others the non-exclusive right and license to display, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, print and use such information.

Limitation of liability and disclaimer of warranty

This service is provided free of charge and "as is." MGMA (including its employees and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences resulting from the use of the information herein, (or from use of the information obtained at linked Internet addresses) or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omission, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, the defamatory nature of statements, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others.

MGMA is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose, are made by MGMA with respect to such information.

Participants agree that the laws of the State of Colorado will apply for resolving any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the use of this service. In addition, participants agree and consent that if there ever is legal action between us, the courts of the State of Colorado will have exclusive jurisdiction.

Source: MGMA