MMS NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 27: New England Conference on Global and Community Health for Trainees
This
full-day conference includes lectures and workshops on global and
domestic health topics, and opportunities to network with others
involved in global and community health work. The keynote speech —
Towards a Global Public Health — will be delivered by Sandro Galea, MD,
DrPH, dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of
Public Health. The conference, sponsored by the MMS and its Committee on
Global Health, will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. at the MMS Headquarters, Waltham; information and registration. Entries to the "Service in Global Health" photo contest for medical students and residents are due by January 9.
April 10: Massachusetts Adult Immunization Conference
Save the date! The conference, organized by MDPH and the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition,
will be held on April 10, 2018, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in Worcester. It
will address updates on new vaccines and adult immunization schedules,
vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and management, an overview of the
Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), long-term
infection control and vaccine guidance, and strategies for hard-to-reach
populations. Registration will begin in mid-February. Questions?
Contact alexandra_burke@jsi.com or (617) 482-9485.
Massachusetts providers lead in childhood immunization
Massachusetts has some of the highest child vaccination rates in the country, according to data
collected by the CDC. For children ages 19-35 months, Massachusetts
ranks first in the nation in immunization coverage rates for MMR, DTaP,
polio, varicella, and pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) vaccines, as well as
for the series of seven vaccines recommended for children before they
turn two years old. However, school immunization data highlight
pockets of higher exemption rates, including in the west and southeast,
which may be more susceptible to disease outbreaks. MDPH is
collaborating with partners to address the “exemption hot spots;" to
participate, email rebecca.vanucci@state.ma.us or cmcreynolds@mms.org.
MDPH: How to manage the IV fluid shortage
MDPH
is sharing resources to address the intravenous (IV) fluid shortage.
The intravenous (IV) fluid products manufacturing industry has a
significant presence in Puerto Rico, which has been disrupted by
hurricane damage. IV fluids — specifically small-volume parenteral
solutions intended for intermittent intravenous administration — are at a
critical shortage. MDPH recommends that providers:
- Check the FDA’s most recent update;
- Review the American Society of Health System Pharmacists' action steps for conservation of small volume parenteral solution bags and operational strategies for managing the shortage.
Questions? Email dph.emergencypreparedness@state.ma.us.
Handwritten CMS paper claims not accepted after February
Effective
February 2018 in Massachusetts, National Government Services (NGS) will
no longer accept handwritten paper claims, in accordance with CMS IOM
100-4, Chapter 26, Sec. 30. Going forward, paper claims must be
submitted using standard type font.
What's up at the State House
Lowering barriers to long-acting birth control
The MMS provided testimony
in support of a bill that would require public and private insurance
coverage for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) separate, or
“unbundled,” from other services. The bill would also direct the MDPH to
develop a program to expand the number of health care providers that
offer LARC. LARC methods (IUDs and implants) save money over time but
often have higher upfront costs than other contraceptives. Barriers to
the broader use of LARC include administrative and reimbursement issues
and payment policies. Reimbursement for postpartum insertion is
especially complicated. This bill would standardize reimbursement and
ensure fair coverage across all carriers.
Reminders: Stuff you should click on
How and why to get involved in an MMS committee
If you're looking to revitalize your network and support your professional community, getting
more involved with the MMS accomplishes both at once. Consider
participating on a committee (we're bound to have at least one that
aligns with your interests) or the Member Interest Network Executive
Council. Committee appointments are for specific terms. We have put in
place resources for distance participation, including conference calls
and online meetings. Applications are due March 2; more info and applications.
New CME requirements for licensing in 2018
In
2018, the Board of Registration in Medicine is piloting a new program
to help physicians focus their continuing education on their patients’
needs. The program cuts biennial CME requirements from 100 to 50. Learn more about pending changes
to licensing requirements, and the guidelines and frequently asked
questions relating to CME in Massachusetts. Additional information,
including licensing forms, is available from the Board of Registration in Medicine.
Take action by 12/31 to avoid a 2018 Medicare penalty
The
AMA is reminding physicians that the Medicare reimbursement system has
changed. If you have not done so already, you have until December 31 to
take a few simple steps to avoid a Medicare payment penalty in 2019. The
changes are part of the government’s implementation of MACRA, the new
Medicare law that will affect physicians and practices of all sizes. Find out more from the AMA. The AMA's resources include a MACRA resource center, a step-by-step guide to the process, and a MACRA podcast series on ReachMD, with tips for small practices.
What you need to learn about MassHealth Payment and Care Delivery Innovation (PCDI) — and how to learn it
Effective
March 18, MassHealth will be offering an expanded selection of health
plan options to managed care eligible members. These new options are
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and a key part of MassHealth PCDI
as managed care plan options.
MassHealth
is rolling this out in three phases, and offering educational sessions
for each phase. Phase One educational opportunities (including a guide,
webinars, and live classes) are available through December 28; information.
Benefit Buzz: Peace of mind when addressing a Board issue
Notification
of a complaint and proceedings from the Board of Registration in
Medicine (BORIM) can be time-consuming, challenging, and costly. The MMS
Legal Advisory Plan (LAP), a member-only, low-cost legal service, is
designed to provide expert advice from the plan’s attorneys to
effectively respond to Board issues. For peace of mind, enroll or renew
for the January 2018 LAP. You must be a LAP member at the initiation of a
BORIM-related investigation to avail yourself of plan services; learn more. Questions? Email lap@massmed.org or call (781) 434-7311.
Environmental health conference: Natural gas and public health
This unique conference explores the health impacts of gas infrastructure in our local communities. Natural Gas Infrastructure and Public Health: From Local to Global
will be held at the Boston University Photonics Center on January 30,
10:00-5:00 p.m. Conference co-sponsors include the MMS, BU School of
Public Health, Mass. Association of Health Boards, Greater Boston
Physicians for Social Responsibility, and more. The conference will
address the impact of natural gas infrastructure (NGI) on air pollution
and respiratory disease, and climate change and its health consequences,
as well as the roles of Comprehensive Health Impact Assessments and
municipal Boards of Health in NGI planning; information and registration.
Educational programs and events
View our full calendar of upcoming live CME activities.
Featured online CME courses – Risk Management credit
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Find additional risk management online CME activities.
This week in health care
Sign up for daily roundups of health news affecting Massachusetts.
Mass. hospitals post staffing plans
Consumers can view staffing plans
for departments at specific hospitals. The budgeted plans also show
descriptions of the type of care provided on the various units, the
types of clinical staff providing care, and any changes in the types of
patient care units from year to year.
Growing ENT practice signs long-term lease in downtown Worcester
Associates in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery PC has moved from its former Elm Street location. The group was growing quickly and needed more space.
Nearly one in five Mass. residents experienced a medical error
Nearly one in five Massachusetts adults experienced a medical error
in the last five years that affected them, a household member, or an
extended family member, according to survey data released by the
independent Center for Health Information and Analysis.
The 'man flu' may be real. But many women don't want to believe it
In Boston, Jason Feldman, the founder of Unwind Social, a social networking platform, has fully embraced his gendered illness. "The 'man flu' got me really bad this year," he said.
Provincetown doctor enters retirement with goal of fixing health care
A proponent for decades of a single-payer system
— think "Medicare for all" — O'Malley is on the advisory board of
MassCare, a Massachusetts organization campaigning for such a system in
the Bay State.
Harvard researchers: The rain has no effect on pain
After
comparing huge databases on doctor's appointments and daily rainfall
totals from weather stations across the US, a team of researchers at
Harvard University has found no correlation between rain and joint or back pain.
Group fighting Beth Israel-Lahey merger has ties to rival hospitals
A
self-described grass-roots coalition opposed to the proposed merger of
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Health is backed by a
high-profile Beacon Hill lobbying and consulting firm with ties to a competing hospital system. The Make Healthcare Affordable Coalition argues that the combined system would have too much power to dictate prices and shift patients away from community hospitals.
Littleton medical firm pays $2.4M over deceptive marketing
Medtronic,
a surgical device maker with an office in Littleton, will pay $2.4
million to settle allegations from the Massachusetts Attorney General's
Office saying the company unlawfully promoted a device used in surgeries.
Markey & Boston Children's implore Congress to restore CHIP funding
Flanked by patients and executives from Boston Children's Hospital, US Sen. Ed Markey implored Congress to restore federal funding for children's health insurance.
