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MMS Opposes New Prescription Monitoring Regulations
The MMS this week told Gov. Deval Patrick that it is opposed to proposed new regulations for the state Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) because it would require all physicians to log onto the prescription monitoring program and to review data on any patient who hasn't been seen in 12 months prior to a visit.
In a letter sent Gov. Patrick, MMS President Richard V. Aghababian, M.D., said the PMP "is a valuable tool when considering prescribing powerful narcotics to an unknown patient. It has no value whatsoever in the majority of clinical visits." Read the MMS letter to Gov. Patrick.
The proposed regulation would require physicians to use the PMP before seeing new patients, regardless of specialty, the purpose of the visit, or the age and circumstances of the patient. Violations would put the physician's state drug registration at risk. Read the DPH PMP draft regulations and meeting notice.
The MMS issued a Call to Action this week, asking members to register opposition to the proposed regulations. We're heard from our sources on Beacon Hill that many physicians responded. We're grateful for all who took action.
Medical Marijuana Draft Regulations to Be Unveiled March 29
The state Department of Public Health announced this week that its draft medical marijuana regulations will be issued March 29. They will be formally presented to the Public Health Council on April 10 and if approved, implemented by late May.
The regulations were formulated after three public "listening sessions," and following input from MMS and the Board of Registration in Medicine on the nature of a "bona fide" patient-physician relationship. Late last week, the MMS called on the medical and research communities to conduct large-scale clinical trials on the efficacy and safety on the medical use of marijuana, after receiving word from the DEA that marijuana's classification as a Schedule I drug is not necessarily an impediment to medical research.
More medical marijuana news: State AG Strikes Down Local Ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (Boston.com)
Share Annual Meeting Resolutions with Colleagues on the MMS HOD e-Community
Members seeking feedback on their draft resolutions for the 2013 Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates May 9-11, 2013 can post their draft to the online community prior to the March 25 resolution deadline. You must log in to the MMS website to see the content.
Final resolutions must be submitted by Monday, March 25 either online or by e-mail, resolutions@mms.org. Sponsors are strongly encouraged to share their draft resolution with an MMS committee and/or district for feedback prior the deadline. Don't forget, the MMS hotel deadline is Monday, April 1, click here to make reservations today. Register for the MMS Annual Meeting here.
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, click here, or email dph@mms.org.
Celebrate National Doctors Day with MMS on March 30
Join the MMS Alliance at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 to celebrate National Doctors Day with lunch and a tour of the historic Otis House in Boston. RSVP by March 15 to Jill Cricones at jcricones@mms.org
Benefit Buzz: Special Anniversary Discount for MMS Members
I.C. System, the MMS preferred provider collection agency, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2013. In addition to the 20% discount MMS members already receive on their services, I.C. System is offering a special Anniversary Discount on select plans. For details and pricing, contact a representative at (800) 279-3511 or info@icsystem.com or www.icmemberbenefits.com
Benefit Buzz: Free Dinner Seminar March 19
Join athenahealth for a private dinner seminar, Finding the Dollars: Thriving Through Health Care Payment Reform, at The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester on March 19, and discover a steady path to financial health during this turbulent, rapidly changing time in health care.
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
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.
Finance 101 for Physicians and Practice Administrators
Thursday, April 11, 2013, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., via live webinar
New Frontiers in the Diagnosis and Management of Stroke
Saturday, April 27, 2013, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7314 for more information.
MMS Ethics Forum - Conflicts of Interest in Medical Publishing
Thursday, May 9, 2013, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston
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 World Trade Center, Boston
MMS Shattuck Lecture - Chronic Infectious Disease and the Future of Health Care Delivery,
Friday, May 10, 2013, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston
2013 MMS and RIMS Directors of Medical Education Conference
Thursday, May 16, 2013, 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306 for more information.
A Roadmap to Bring an End to HIV and STDs in Massachusetts: What All Health Care Providers Need to Know
Friday, June 7, 2013, 8:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2303, 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., live conference or via streaming webinar
11th Annual Symposium on Men's Health: Topical Issues in Men's Health
Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (800) 322-2303, 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™
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
Hospital Charges Bring Backlash, State Scrutiny
State officer said they will begin examining patient complaints about surprise surcharges hospitals sometimes tack on bills for doctor visits when patients are treated in offices miles away from the medical centers.
New Scrutiny Of Hospitals by State Health Commission
The state's Health Policy Commission adopted guidelines for providers with revenue of at least $25 million a year requiring that they notify the commission when they propose a merger, affiliation or acquisition that would increase their revenue by $10 million or more.
Report: NECC made tainted drugs for fake scripts
A Framingham compounding pharmacy under investigation for fungal meningitis-tainted steroids that have killed dozens across the country turned a blind eye to fraudulent prescriptions, according to a new "60 Minutes" interview.
HPC's Seltz Enlists Many Health Leaders for Advice
A long list of health industry leaders have been enlisted by David Seltz, executive director of the state Health Policy Commission, to serve on an advisory council that will guide the commission's implementation of the new health care cost control law.
Nurses, Quincy Hospital Officials Dispute Closure of Inpatient Unit
While nurses are sounding alarms about Quincy Medical Center's ability to handle patient volume after the hospital's 40-bed inpatient surgery unit was closed, city and hospital officials said the public will not notice a difference.
Report: Mass. with Lowest Rate of Nation's Uninsured
Just 3.9 percent of Massachusetts residents are uninsured, according to a new Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation report, the lowest uninsured rate in the nation. More coverage: Residents of Barnstable aretwice as likely to be uninsured as the average Massachusetts resident.
Language Barrier An Obstacle for Immigrants Accessing Health Care
Language barriers, cultural differences, and complicated health care forms are a few of the challenges keeping recent immigrants from getting adequate health care.
Psych ER at Cape Hospital Offers Solution
Opened in June 2011 at a cost of nearly $1.2 million, the purple zone is Cape Cod Hospital's answer to the local and nationwide problem of psychiatric patients languishing in emergency rooms for hours, even days.
Important Medicare Enrollment Date
CMS announced that, starting May 1, physicians who refer or order services for Medicare patients will be required to be enrolled in Medicare. Claims submitted on or after May 1 that include the name and National Provider Identifier (NPI) of a physician who referred or ordered services for a Medicare patient but who is not enrolled in Medicare will be denied. CMS also has a special, shorter enrollment form for use by physicians and other health professionals who just refer and order services but do not bill Medicare directly, known as the 855-0. More information on the new edits can be found in this CMS article as well as its website. For more information on Medicare enrollment in general, please visit the AMA's Medicare enrollment website.
