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MMS NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gov. Patrick Proposes $10 Million Increase in MassHealth Primary Care Rates
Governor Patrick proposed a $1.4 billion increase in MassHealth spending in the Fiscal 2014 proposal that he submitted to the Legislature this week, featuring a $10 million boost in MassHealth primary care rates, and an expansion in the number of MassHealth members from 1.37 million to 1.6 million. The primary care increases are in addition to the recent boost in primary care Medicaid rates from the federal government, due to the Affordable Care Act.
The Governor said the goal of these spending increases is to support the development of patient-centered medical homes for MassHealth patients. In the same vein, his budget would also support hospitals as they transition to alternative payments.
The plan devotes all federal funds from the Affordable Care Act to health care. The Governor also proposes increases in the personal income tax and other taxes, and new taxes on tobacco and candy.
Read the Patrick administration's summary of his health care budget proposals.
MMS Proposes New Mass. Legislation on Peer Review, Liability Claims
MMS has submitted 10 bills to the Massachusetts Legislature for consideration during its 2013-14 session. Two bills seek to clarify important provisions in the state's new payment reform law.
One bill would expand the definition of medical peer review programs to include accountable care organizations, and other and other entities with legitimate interests in reviewing the quality of care provided to patients. Another bill would exempt insurers and physicians from having to publicly report professional liability payments made under the new Disclosure, Apology and Offer program, when the unanticipated injury is not the result of substandard care.
Read details on all MMS bills proposed for the 2013-14 state legislative session.
MMS Member Named to Mass. GME Special Commission
MMS member Neil Shah, M.D., a resident at Cambridge Health Alliance, was recently appointed to the state's Special Commission on Graduate Medical Education. The commission, created as part of the new Massachusetts health reform law, is tasked with examining the economic, social and educational value of graduate medical education in the state. Shah is a Suffolk district delegate, and a resident member of the professional liability committee.
Call for Nominations: MMS Officer Positions
The Committee on Nominations is currently accepting nominations for the following offices: President-elect, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Speaker, and Vice Speaker.
To be considered for one of these offices, candidates should complete a nomination questionnaire and submit it with an accompanying resume by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013, to:
Frank S. Carbone, Jr., M.D.
Chair, Committee on Nominations
MMS Department of Governance Meetings & Services
860 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451-1411
Candidate questionnaires are available online. E-questionnaires should be e-mailed to Bonney Erskine at berskine@mms.org. Interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Benefit Buzz: Free Webinar on January 29, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
How well are you protecting practice data on mobile devices? Join VaultLogix, a leading cloud-backup service provider and an MMS preferred provider, to learn best practices for protecting your mobile assets. MMS members may register here.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Live CME Activities
8th Annual Women's Cardiac Health Conference
Friday, February 1, 2013, 8:00 a.m.to 12 noon
Preventing Falls in Older Patients: A Provider Tool Kit WEBINAR
Wednesday, February 6, 2013, noon to 1:30 p.m., via live webinar.
The Impact of Effective Communication on Patients, Colleagues, and Metrics
Friday, February 8, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
How to Prepare for ACOs
Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Managing Workplace Conflict
Thursday, March 7, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, March 8, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Future Trends That Will Impact Radiologists and Their Practice
Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call (800) 322-2302, x7317 for more information.
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 Hotel, Boston. Call (800) 322-2302, ext.7317 for more information.
Assessing Medication, Mental Health, and Cultural Needs During Sheltering,
Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2302, x7317 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, x7306 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
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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.
Contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
THIS WEEK IN HEALTH CARE
Beth Israel to Acquire Jordan Hospital
Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center this week signed a letter of intent to acquire Jordan Health Systems Inc., the parent of 155-bed Jordan Hospital in Plymouth.
BMC Expects Profit for '12
Boston Medical Center, the state's largest safety net hospital, expects to post a modest financial gain for its 2012 fiscal year, reversing three consecutive years of losses.
Beth Israel Deaconess-Milton Cites financial turnaround
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital- Milton's finances have improved significantly in the year since the former Milton Hospital merged with its larger Boston cousin.
Healthgrades Puts Berkshire Medical Center Among Top U.S. Hospitals
Berkshire Medical Center has received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades -- a rating that means the hospital is in the top 5 percent for patient care in the U.S.
Gov. Patrick Seeks to Bolster Pharmacy Oversight
The governor asked to increase the number of inspectorsassigned to compounding pharmacies, among other health care changes, in his recent budget proposals. Related news: Ex-Regulator Testified Meningitis Outbreak Was "Tip of the Iceberg."
Prescription Drug Shortage Affecting Mass. SouthCoast
Fall River pharmacists say many drugs are in short supply, despite the FDA's attempts to combat the problem.
Head Trauma, Guns Among Chief Killers of Children in State Care
The Office of the Child Advocate's 2012 annual report, which examined the deaths and injuries of children and youths involved with state agencies in 2011, highlighted a number of examples from the 40 fatalities and 24 near-deaths.
End-of-Life Care Rarely Discussed
Despite a report released nearly two years ago by a state-convened expert panel, few improvements have been made to Massachusetts's lagging system for end-of-life care.
Reliant Physicians Group Opening 10 On-Site Pharmacies
Worcester-based Reliant Medical Group is significantly expanding its pharmacy operations in the coming weeks, when it will open 10 pharmacies at several locations throughout Central Massachusetts, under the name EasyCare Pharmacy.
Bill Would Require Consent to Use Antipsychotics
Alleged overuse of anti¬psychotic medications has prompted a proposal to require Massachusetts facilities to inform patients, or their legal representatives, in writing of the medications' risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Mass. Policy on Drug Substitution Being Reviewed
Massachusetts biotechnology executives and lawmakers are discussing changes to policy that allows pharmacists to substitute prescription drugs with generic medicine as federal regulators prepare to license biosimilars, or cheaper versions of biologic drugs.
Free Health Clinics For Uninsured Thrive In Mass.
A loose-knit network of free clinics in churches, synagogues and vacant offices around the state - often run by retired doctors and nurses - is quietly caring for about 277,000 men, women and children who often put off care because it costs too much.
