Subscribe to Vital Signs This Week and other MMS email newsletters
MMS News & Announcements
MMS: DPH Medical Marijuana Regulations “Thoughtful and Responsible”
MMS President Richard V. Aghababian, MD, today acknowledged the Mass. Department of Public Health’s “thoughtful and responsible” approach to proposed regulations for the new medical marijuana law. The regulations were released today, in anticipation of a series of public hearings in April and May.
The DPH proposes to limit the availability of medical marijuana to patients who have a “debilitating medical condition” for the diseases outlined in the law, which include cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
The DPH proposes that only Massachusetts-licensed physicians with an established place of business in Massachusetts may certify patients. There are also many detailed regulations regarding the ownership and operation of the dispensaries that will distribute marijuana.
Dr. Aghababian said, “The regulations take into account many of our major concerns, especially those relative to definitions of the physician-patient relationship, qualifying patient, and certifying physician. DPH has also narrowed the boundaries of medical conditions and allowed for physician judgment in determining what conditions may qualify for medical marijuana, and has included use of the Prescription Monitoring Program in certifying patients.”
Overview of the proposal, with links to the full text of the DPH document.
MMS statement on proposed regulations.
Medicare Payment Cut Takes Effect Monday
The 2 percent cut in Medicare provider payments that were mandated by the federal budget sequestration take effect Monday, April 1. The cuts affect all Medicare physician claims with a date of service on or after April 1. For details on how the cuts will be implemented, read these FAQs prepared by the American Medical Association.
Dozens of Physicians File Testimony Objecting to Proposed PMP Regulations
Criticism of the DPH’s proposed Prescription Monitoring Program regulations continued to mount this week, with more than 75 physicians, specialty medical societies and other health care groups filing testimony in opposition to the changes. The proposed regulations would mandate use of the PMP by physicians for all patients who have not been seen within one year, regardless of age or medical status, among other new rules. Read all the testimony here.
Related news: Mass. Physician Advocates Seek Changes in Prescription Monitoring Program (WAMC Public Radio)
April Physician Focus TV— Checkups and Screenings
The April edition of Physician Focus, titled Checkups and Screenings: What do you need?, examines the role of screening tests and preventive examinations, the pros and cons of undergoing such testing, and why the medical community seems divided on the question. It will also explore the concept of shared decision making between physician and patient.
The guest is Michael Barry, M.D., president of the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation in Boston, and Medical Director of the John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital. Hosting this edition is Mavis Jaworski, M.D., a primary care physician in Beverly, Mass. Watch the program online here, or check the listings of your local public access television stations for airtimes. Physician Focus episodes are also available for download on iTunes.
Notice of Limited Access to MMS Website: April 6-8
From Saturday morning, April 6, to approximately noon on Monday, April 8, most online transactions on the MMS website will be disabled in order to complete a major upgrade to the website.
During that time period, the following functions will unavailable:
- Members-only content
- Online dues renewal
- Online CME exams
- CME certificate downloads
- CME credit tracking
- Online registration for MMS events
- Online events calendar
- View leadership voucher balance
- Change contact information online
During this time period, members will still be able to register for live CME events contacting the MMS Department of Continuing Education and Certification at (800) 322-2303 x7306 or emailing us at continuingeducation@mms.org. We expect that all other content on the MMS will be available on April 6 and 7. Annual Meeting registration is not affected.
On April 8, the entire site will be unavailable in order to complete the cutover to the new site. Please plan your website activity accordingly.
This will not affect access to the massmed.org member email service, or to the New England Journal of Medicine or Journal Watch websites.
Questions? Contact us at webmaster@mms.org.
Annual Meeting Event Spotlight: House of Delegates
May 9 & 11, 2013
Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, Boston
The House of Delegates, the Society’s policymaking authority, is comprised of more than 500 physician delegates from around the state. Delegates will convene in Boston on May 9 & 11 to consider dozens of resolutions and reports of importance to physicians and the patients they serve. At the 2013 Annual Meeting of the HOD, delegates will discuss varied topics including payment reform, public health initiatives, and MMS administration. Resolutions and reports are published in the Delegates’ Handbook – the centerpiece of the House of Delegates meetings – and will be available online on Tuesday, April 16. (A reminder to HOD Members: Monday, April 8 is the deadline to opt in for mailed/printed copy of Delegates’ Handbook. Please email houseofdelegates@mms.org if you would like one.)
If you plan on coming to the HOD or any Annual Meeting event, please pre-register by Tuesday, May 7. Online registration is currently open at www.massmed.org/annual2013; to register by mail or fax visit the website for more information.
Reality Medicine: Opportunities, Obstacles and Keys to Success for a Career in Medicine
Students, residents, fellows and young physicians: Join the Committee on Diversity in Medicine on Friday, April 5, at 6 p.m. for a dinner and networking event at Harvard Medical School. Discuss your concerns about your future in medicine: Will medical school loans influence your career choices? Health care reform—what does it mean for you? Do race and ethnicity factor into the residency selection process? How can you help your minority patients access care? All physicians and medical students are welcome to this free program, but space is limited. To register email dph@mms.org.
Benefit Buzz: Free athenahealth Webinar
How to Switch Your EHR with Confidence: Taking Control of Patient Data Conversion will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at 12:15 p.m. Join the webinar and get confident about switching your EHR. More information and registration details can be found here.
This Week in Health Care
MHA Seeks Hospital Penalty Reform
The Massachusetts Hospitals Association has asked the Legislature to direct MassHealth to use what it called a "more equitable system" for issuing penalties against hospitals for patient readmission rates.
Morton Nurses Fight Plan to Close Pediatric Unit
The nurses union at Morton Hospital is accusing hospital owner Steward Health Care of backing out of a pledge to maintain services and says it will fight plans to close its inpatient pediatric unit.
Cuts, Capital Improvements for Quincy Medical Center
Fifteen months after the Steward Health Care System took over the financially troubled Quincy Medical Center, the for-profit company is starting to show more clearly its game plan for the city's sole hospital.
Michigan AG seeks criminal probe of Framingham's NECC pharmacy
Michigan officials this week sought permission to launch a criminal investigation into the Framingham, Mass., pharmaceutical company linked to a deadly outbreak of meningitis, saying Michigan was at the "epicenter" of pain and death in the case.
Mass. Health Officials Caution Hospitals About Robotic Surgery
Reports of complications from robot-assisted surgery are rising, according to Massachusetts health officials who sent hospitals an "advisory" letter, alerting them about safety concerns.
Boston Medical Center’s Credit Outlook From Neutral to Negative
A recent report from Standard and Poor's suggests that a decrease in the number of patients who are admitted overnight is leading to financial uncertainty at New England's largest safety-net hospital.
Nursing Homes Brace for Cutbacks
Automatic budget cuts going into effect April 1 will cost Cape Cod's 22 nursing homes a total of about $1 million dollars. Officials say their arrival on top of a recent 11 percent cut in Medicare and level funding of Medicaid could imperil programs.
Boston VA Uses Interactive Video for Patient Care
Doctors and nurses in the VA Boston Healthcare System are using a new program to monitor the health of patients, teach them about their care and connect them to medical and specialty clinics remotely using high-tech video equipment.
New Fallon Health Initiative Pays Members To Stay Healthy
Fallon Community Health Plan announced a new wellness program that provides $200 in cash to subscribers who are or become healthy. It's the first plan in Massachusetts that includes such a cash reward as a standard benefit.
