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MMS NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
MMS Members To Attend AMA National Advocacy Conference
Next week, 35 physicians, residents and medical students will represent the MMS at the American Medical Association's National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. An annual grassroots event, the conference will give physicians an opportunity to meet with newly elected Senator Elizabeth Warren and other members of Congress to discuss pressing issues such as payment reform, SGR and sequestration. Among the Massachusetts physicians being honored by the AMA Foundation include Francis Kim, a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, and Matthew Mandel, MD, of Stockbridge.
MMS Issues New Stroke Awareness Q&A
Following the release of new research indicating that more strokes occur during the winter months and that the public's knowledge of warnings signs is low and that people aren't calling for help soon enough when symptoms appear, the MMS has issued a basic Q&A on the topic, with information from the National Stroke Association, American Stroke Association, and the CDC.
MMS Seeks Responses to Proposed MassHealth Regulations
MMS is seeking input on proposed MassHealth regulations on several issues, including mandatory electronic submissions for those without waivers, on 90 day waivers, final deadline appeals and a provision requiring providers to notify MassHealth in writing of overpayments and repay such payments within 60 days of discovery. More details on the proposed regulations can be found here. Those who wish to help formulate MMS responses to these proposed regulations should contact Bill Ryder at wryder@mms.org
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.
March 8 is 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: Legal Advisory Plan Enrollment Deadline is Drawing Near
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 by February 28. Don't miss out on this exclusive member benefit for legal assistance regarding Board of Registration in Medicine matters. Full details of the Legal Advisory Plan are here.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Live CME Activities
How to Prepare for ACOs
Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Impact of Effective Communication on Patients, Colleagues, and Metrics (rescheduled from February 8, 2013)
Friday, March 1, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Call 800-843-6356 to register.
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., 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 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.. 7306 for more information.
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 Hotel, Boston. Call (800) 322-2302, ext.. 7306 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, 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
Insurers: Mass. Health Costs Heading Up in 2013
Despite a state push to hold down costs, health insurance executives say Massachusetts health spending is heading up in 2013.
State May Miss May 1 Deadline to Issue Medical Marijuana Rules
The November ballot referendum required that regulations be issued by May 1 to implement the law, but state health officials say they are unlikely to complete final rules by that deadline. Related news: New Mexico Marijuana Program a Possible Guide for Mass.
Medicare Windfall for Mass. Hospitals Targeted
Two federal legislators are seeking to reverse a provision inserted into the 2009 health care reform law that benefitted Massachusetts hospitals to the tune of more than $250 million in Medicare payments annually.
UMass Memorial Names New CEO
UMass Memorial Health Care has named Dr. Eric W. Dickson as its new president and CEO. The 46-year-old Dickson will succeed John O'Brien, who has been at the helm of Central Massachusetts' largest employer for the past decade.
Doctors Treating Elderly in Short Supply
Doctors who specialize in caring for seniors are in short supply, a problem fueled largely by financial concerns, but also by physician attitudes. Related news: UMass Boston gerontology program suspended
Only 4 of 37 Mass. Compounding Pharmacies Passed Surprise Inspections
All 37 are similar to the Framingham compounding pharmacy blamed for the fatal outbreak of fungal meningitis last year. Serious violations of state pharmacy regulations were found in 11 compounders,, while 21 others were cited for more minor violations.
Doctor Gets $7m in Gender Bias Suit
A Harvard doctor who said she endured years of sexist treatment at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center will collect $7 million - and will have the hospital's pain clinic named in her ¬honor.
