MMS News & Announcements
Amendments to Prescription Monitoring and DA&O Included in FY 2014 $33.6 Billion State Budget Signed Today
Governor Deval Patrick today approved a state budget that makes important improvements to the state Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and the Disclosure, Apology and Offer (DA&O) program. These issues have been major advocacy priorities for the MMS.
Under the revised PMP rules, physicians would have to check the program only when prescribing a Schedule II or III narcotic to a patient for the first time. As originally written, the law would have required physicians to use the PMP for every new patient, regardless of age, diagnosis or intent to prescribe a scheduled medication. Today’s budget also specifies that payments made under the DA&O program will be exempt from inclusion in Board of Registration in Medicine physician profiles.
News coverage:
MMS Regional Offices to Host Individual Claims Consultation Days
The MMS Regional Officers will host annual Individual Claims Consultation Days in Holyoke, Lakeville and Waltham during the months of July and August. These sessions are designed to allow MMS member physicians and their practices to schedule 30-minute appointments with health plans to pursue adjudication of troublesome claims.
To schedule an appointment for one of the upcoming sessions, please contact the regional office at the number listed:
- Lakeville: July 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (800) 322-3301*
- Holyoke: July 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (800) 322-2303 ext. 7715*
- Waltham: August 15 , 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (800) 944-5562
*Note: these contact numbers were incorrectly listed in the summer print edition of Vital Signs.
July 31 is Legal Advisory Plan Enrollment Deadline
The Legal Advisory Plan is currently enrolling for the July 2013 – July 2014 Plan Year. To renew or enroll for this enrollment period, please return your completed application by July 31. Plan members now receive a 25 percent discount on Legal Advisor online CME courses. Don’t miss out on this exclusive member benefit for legal assistance regarding Board of Registration in Medicine matters. Questions? Call Carolyn Maher at (781) 434-7311 or email lap@massmed.org.
Education Programs and Events
Live CME Activities
Women’s Leadership Forum: Women in Medicine – Competition, Collaboration, and Team Leadership
Thursday, September 26, 2013, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Principles of Palliative Care and Persistent Pain Management: Tools to Integrate Into Your Practice
Friday, September 27, 2013m 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.
Caring for the Caregivers IX: How do we Reduce Physician Stress and Burnout?
Thursday, October 3, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CME Accreditation Orientation
Tuesday, October 15, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Call for more information (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
Managing Workplace Conflict
Thursday, October 17, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, October 18, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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.
This Week in Health Care
Tenet-Vanguard Deal Could Shake Up State’s Health Networks
The $4.3 billion purchase of for-profit Vanguard Health Systems by Tenet Healthcare Corp. has the potential to shake up the state’s rapidly consolidating hospitals and doctors networks.
Surgical Errors Rise in Mass. Despite New Controls
Massachusetts hospitals are reporting more errors during surgery and invasive procedures, even after an intensive, decade-long campaign to reduce these mistakes.
Sedative Use Drops at Nursing Homes
A pilot program to reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs in 11 Massachusetts nursing homes lowered rates by 21 percent in the first year, according to a nursing home trade association.
Barre Clinic Joins Medical Home Movement
It's a process taking place at practices large and small across the country in an effort to improve patients' health and make the health care system more efficient.
Mass. Panel Approves Compounding Pharmacy Bill
Beacon Hill lawmakers have unveiled a bill to tighten regulations on the state's compounding pharmacies in the wake of a fatal nationwide meningitis outbreak. Related news: Critics say adding druggists to state board will compound problems.
Report: 'Pay-to-delay' Drug Agreements Cost Consumers $98B
Consumers have paid 10 times more on average for certain drugs because courts have allowed brand- name drug companies to pay generic drug makers to keep low-cost versions off the market, a new study said.
State Revises Concussion Reporting After Weak School Response
Less than a third of schools statewide have complied with a new law that required them to report sports concussions and other head injuries by last August.
Schools May End Student Obesity Letters
Controversial letters that Massachusetts public schools send parents about their children's weight may be scrapped because of concerns about bullying and cost.
