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MMS News & Announcements
Governor Signs Prescription Drug Monitoring Bill
Gov. Deval Patrick has signed into law provisions that would limit the number of doctors who overprescribe medications that may be abused or illegally sold. The new measure is designed to increase participation in the state's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) by prescribers - a tactic that can be used to identify patients who might be engaged in "doctor shopping" to gain drugs.
The compromise bill - passed by the state Legislature on its last day of formal session -- contains provisions that the MMS had advocated for: automatic enrollment in the Prescription Monitoring Program and a required check of the database only for new patients. MMS had argued that automatic enrollment would increase registrations, currently numbering only 1,800 out of 40,000 some prescribers in the state, and that mandatory use of the system would negatively affect long-standing physician-patient relationships. The MMS will continue to be active in this important area as we move into regulations to implement the legislation.
Join the MMS LinkedIn Group
The LinkedIn online community exclusively for MMS members now has more than 500 participants. Join the free group today to discuss controversies, pose questions to fellow physicians, and stay up-to-date on the latest news. Recent physician discussions have centered on impact of the new Mass. payment reform legislation and how hospital rankings affect physicians. Visit www.massmed.org/LinkedIn to join today.
MMS Member Special Offer From Athenahealth
Athenahealth is an MMS preferred provider for its medical billing, electronic health records and patient communication services. Members are invited to hold a sales demonstration meeting by September 28, 2012 and receive a $100 American Express gift card. Please visit this site to learn more and schedule a meeting.
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
Women's Leadership Forum: Effective Team Leadership
Monday, September 24, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Management of Carotid Artery Stenosis and Acute Stroke: How to Provide the Best Treatments for Your Patients
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
CME Accreditation Orientation
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Federal Funding Opportunities
Thursday, October, 18, 2012, 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Controversies in the Screening and Management of Breast Disease
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Managing Workplace Conflict
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, November 2, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MSCO 2012 Annual Meeting: Burkitt's Lymphoma: From Uganda to the U.S.; a Personal Journey
Thursday, November 8, 2012, 5:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Save the Date
Directors of Medical Education Conference
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Online CME Activities
* Also available in print. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
Coming Soon: Acid Suppression Therapy: Neutralizing the Hype, Legal Advisor: Legal Duties and Options When a Patient Raises Suicide
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit www.massmed.org/cme.
Contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
This Week in Health Care
CMS Pushes ICD-10 Conversion Deadline to Oct. 2014
The CMS has published a final rule changing the compliance deadline for converting to the ICD-10 system of diagnostic and procedural coding to Oct. 1, 2014 from Oct. 1, 2013. Read the CMS final rule (pdf)
CMS Issues Final Rule for Stage 2 of EHR Incentive Program
The CMS this weekissued the final requirements that hospitals and other providers must meet to receive funding under the second phase of the federal electronic health-record incentive program. The Stage 2 meaningful-use requirements that providers must satisfy to receive payments under the program will go into effect in early 2014. Read the CMS final rule (pdf)
State Joins CMS program For "Duel Eligible" Disabled Adults
Massachusetts became the first state to sign on to a program that will change the way it pays for the complex and costly health care of up to 110,000 adults with disabilities.
Studies Question Physician Reward Programs
A major focus of the health care law signed by Governor Deval Patrick last week is that doctors should be paid for keeping patients healthy rather than for the volume of tests or treatments they order. Yet, several recent publications question whether pay-for-performance systems actually lead to better care for patients.
Doctor Burnout Widespread Problem
Research over the last 10 years has shown that burnout - the particular constellation of emotional exhaustion, detachment and a low sense of accomplishment -is widespread among medical students and doctors-in-training.
Racial, Ethnic Health Disparities Among Youths Found
A new study by Boston Children's Hospital and a consortium of research institutions looked at the potential causes of racial and ethnic health disparities in 10- and 11-year-olds.
Mass. Officials: Mosquito Decline After Spraying
State health officials say aerial spraying has cut the mosquito population in half in six southeastern Massachusetts communities.
Watertown Pharmacies Will Be Banned From Selling Tobacco Products
The Watertown Board of Health voted unanimously to restrict the sale of tobacco products at all health care institutions, including supermarkets that operate pharmacies.
