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BRM Proposes Definition of Patient-Physician Relationship for Medical Marijuana Law
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine this week proposed a legal definition for "bona fide physician patient relationship" in the state's new medical marijuana law.
If adopted, it could be used for the board's disciplinary cases involving inappropriate medical marijuana certifications of patients by physicians. Under the law, patient certifications "shall be made only in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship."
The Board's proposed definition states, "Bona Fide Physician Patient Relationship means a relationship between a physician, acting in the usual course of his or her professional practice, and a patient in which the physician has completed and documented a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition, including a physical and mental status examination, and has responsibility for the ongoing care and treatment of the patient."
The Board's proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Public Health, which will make the final decision on whether this definition is included in regulations for the medical marijuana law. The DPH is looking at such matters as how patients should be certified, and how dispensaries should be licensed. The DPH may or may not adopt this language in its proposed regulations.
The MMS has provided materials to the Board and the DPH to assist in developing the regulations. One threshold standard the MMS has proposed is that all physicians involved in certifying patients in Massachusetts must be fully licensed in Massachusetts. The DPH is under considerable pressure to advance its proposed regulations implementing the referendum that went into effect January 1.
MMS President Calls for More Research on Medical Marijuana
MMS President Richard V. Aghababian today called on the medical and research communities to conduct large-scale clinical trials on the efficacy and safety on the medical use of marijuana, after receiving word from the Drug Enforcement Administration that marijuana's classification as a Schedule I drug is not necessarily an impediment to medical research.
Read Dr. Aghababian's comments on the MMS blog
MMS Leaders Brief Mass. Lawmakers on Medical Liability Reform
MMS leaders spoke this week at the State House on several issues, including new legislation that would encourage Disclosure, Offer and Apology programs as an alternative to lawsuits, and exempt payments made under DA & O programs from inclusion in physicians' profiles with the Board of Registration in Medicine. "Most of the time patients just want to know what happened, and they want to talk to their physician," said MMS President-elect Ronald Dunlap, M.D. Other MMS-backed bills in the current legislative session include measures to update peer review laws and confidentiality protections for physicians.
MMS 2013 Annual Meeting: File House of Delegates Resolutions by March 25
This year's Annual Meeting is scheduled to take place, May 9-11, 2013 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston. The resolution deadline to submit an item for consideration by the HOD is Monday, March 25. Please visit www.massmed.org/resolutions to learn more about submitting a resolution. (A reminder to HOD Members Monday, April 8 is the deadline to opt in for mailed/printed copy of Delegates' Handbook.) Online registration for the Annual Meeting is now open. Hotel rooms at the Seaport Hotel can be reserved here.
Register for March 12 MMS Mandated Reporting Forum
"Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: The Provider's Role in Detection", a program designed to review the ethical and professional responsibilities of physicians and dentists as mandated reporters, will take place at MMS headquarters on Tuesday, March 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required - $20/member includes dinner and the program: $10 for medical students. Contact Candace Savage at csavage@mms.org or (781) 434-7017.
Celebrate National Doctors Day with MMS on March 30
Join the MMS Alliance at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 to celebrate National Doctors Day with lunch and a tour of the historic Otis House in Boston. RSVP by March 15 to Jill Cricones at jcricones@mms.org
Today is the Application Deadline For MMS Committee Appointments
If you would like to become more involved in the MMS, consider participating on a committee or the Member Interest Network (MIN) Executive Council.
Committee appointments are for specific terms, usually three-year renewable commitments. We have put in place resources for distance participation including conference calls, online meetings and video conferencing at regional offices. Those with limited time who wish to participate can take advantage of these means.
See a list of MMS committees and MIN Executive Council descriptions here. For more information and an application form to be considered for a committee, contact Sandra Manchester at the MMS Executive Office (800) 322-2303, Ext. 7012 or email smanchester@mms.org. If you would like to join the MIN Executive Council, contact Cathy Salas at the West Central Regional Office 1-800-322-2303 x7715 or email csalas@mms.org.
Benefit Buzz: Don't Forget to Renew Your Legal Advisory Plan Enrollment
The Legal Advisory Plan is currently enrolling for the January 2013 - January 2014 Plan Year. To renew or enroll for this enrollment period, please return your completed application before April 1. Don't miss out on this exclusive member benefit for legal assistance regarding Board of Registration in Medicine matters. More details on the Legal Advisory Plan.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Live Events
Future Trends That Will Impact Radiologists and Their Practice
Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Westin Hotel, Waltham, MA.
Public Health Leadership Forum - Mental Health: Achieving Parity in Principle and in Practice
Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
MMS Ethics Forum - Conflicts of Interest in Medical Publishing
Thursday, May 9, 2013, 3:30 pm. to 5:30 p.m., at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston.
MMS Annual Education Program - Navigating the Currents of Change: Integrating Innovative Technologies into Your Clinical Practice
Friday, May 10, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston.
MMS Shattuck Lecture - Chronic Infectious Disease and the Future of Health Care Delivery, Sponsored by the MMS and its Committee on Publications
Friday, May 10, 2013, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston.
Assessing Medication, Mental Health, and Cultural Needs During Sheltering,
Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2302, ext. 7306 for more information.
2nd Annual Addiction Medicine for All Providers Conference
Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2302, ext. 7317 for more information.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Save the Date
11th Annual Symposium on Men's Health
June 12, 2013
Online CME Activities
* Also available in print. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit
www.massmed.org/cme.
THIS WEEK IN HEALTH CARE
State Evaluates South Shore Hospital Merger
Elected officials told state regulators they are open to the proposed acquisition of South Shore Hospital by Partners if it doesn't boost health costs, hurt the quality of care, or lead to a loss of jobs at the hospital.
Medical Costs Rising, Putting State Spending Cap At Risk
After several years of moderating costs, Massachusetts health care prices - and insurance premiums - may soon start accelerating again, possibly exceeding cost limits set by the state last year.
DPH Issues Rules Before Faulkner Detox Unit Can Close
The Massachusetts DPH has ordered Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital to meet an extensive list of criteria before closing its inpatient drug and alcohol detoxification unit in April. Related news: Amid outcry, Faulkner revises plan to replace inpatient detox unit
Western Mass. Community Health Programs Face Sequester Cutbacks
Advocates voiced dismay over the cuts, which affect the area's most vulnerable, low-income families
Mass. Health Care Shoppers Still Choosing "Nieman Marcus Hospitals"
The latest figures show a wide gap between hospitals that get paid very well in Massachusetts and those that that do not. (text and audio)
Health Outcomes Improve for Some Infants in Boston
This year, the report published by the Boston Public Health Commission delves into data on the city's neighborhoods to find out how each is doing on important health indicators, such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, and maternal and infant health.
MassHealth Offers Opportunity for PCPs to Join New Model
The Executive Offices of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has posted a Request for Applications for its Primary Care Payment Reform Initiative for Primary Care Clinicians who have a PCC Plan Provider agreement to participate in MassHealth's PCC Plan.
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Event April 2 in Sturbridge
On April 2, MMS will co-sponsor Partner Up! Risk Down! a state-wide cardiovascular health improvement program for physicians, free of charge. CE/CME credits are available. For more information or to register, contact ihpc@masspro.org.
Please Take Mass Collaborative Survey by March 15
The survey, which can be found here, will be used to assess statewide provider awareness of and satisfaction with the work of the Mass Collaborative in the area of administrative simplification.
