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News and announcements
The Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) recently approved revisions to the regulations governing physician licensure and the practice of medicine that took effect on August 9, 2019. For an official Board summary of the regulations, click here, or for a full version of the new regulations at 243 CMR 2.00, click here.
Despite our feedback, the changes passed by the Board include a requirement for the attending physician to obtain and record a patient’s written informed consent before any diagnostic, therapeutic, or invasive procedures, and
medical interventions or treatments when disclosure of significant medical information would assist the patient in making an informed decision whether to undergo the proposed procedure, intervention, or treatment.
Another change in the newly revised regulations is a ban on delegating medical services to individuals who are not licensed to perform those services. Additionally, new requirements entail listing everyone who will participate in a surgical procedure
and noting in the medical record when the attending was absent from the procedure, if at all. Further, there is now a requirement of new applicants for licensure to report to the Board all malpractice and criminal cases in which they were named
as a defendant.
The Medical Society opposed the language of the aforementioned provisions during the initial rulemaking process in 2017. MMS raised critical questions relative to many of the changes in the new regulations and continues today to advocate
for more practicable solutions to the underlying issues identified as prompting a need for change.
MMS values the experience and perspectives of our members and encourages members to submit feedback and questions relative to the newly adopted regulations. MMS will directly incorporate that feedback and share it with BORIM as part of MMS’ ongoing dialogue
with the Board. Please send all comments or questions to MMS government relations advisor Casey Rojas at crojas@mms.org. Alternatively, you may engage the Board directly by contacting BORIM at
borim.info@state.ma.us.
- Maryanne Bombaugh, MD, MSc, MBA, FACOG
President, Massachusetts Medical Society
Click the thumbnail below to watch Dr. Bombaugh's full BORIM update.
MMS hosts Build-A-Bed volunteer event
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MMS staff and their families assembled bed frames for underprivileged children in Massachusetts.
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AT WORK: Building, sanding, and finishing the bed frames.
This week, the MMS partnered with the organization #ABedForEveryChild to host an onsite volunteer event for the charity’s Build-A-Bed program. Working together in teams, twenty-two employees and their family members assembled, sanded, and painted twelve
twin-size bed frames to be delivered to children in need across Massachusetts, along with new mattresses and bed linens. #DreamBig #ShareTheBear #MMSGIVESBACK
Join our AMA delegation
The MMS Committee on Nominations is seeking candidates for nomination to the Massachusetts AMA Delegation. Visit www.massmed.org/amanoms to learn more about the qualifications and submit your application. The application deadline is Friday, August 30.
Interviews with the Committee on Nominations will be held at MMS Headquarters, Waltham, on Wednesday, October 2, 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Applicants should plan to be available on this date. Questions? Please contact Linda Healy at (781) 434-7008 or lhealy@mms.org, or Karen Harrison at (781) 434-7463 or kharrison@mms.org.
Proposed policy, payment, and quality provisions changes to the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
On July 29, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a draft rule that includes proposals to update payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on
or after January 1, 2020.
The calendar year (CY) 2020 PFS proposed rule is one of several proposed rules that reflect a broader administration-wide strategy to create a health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation.
Public comments on the proposed rules are due by September 27, 2019.
For a fact sheet on the CY 2020 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, please click the button below.
Read more
Payer watch
Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care sign definitive agreement to combine organizations
Two of the state's largest health insurers—Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care—announced plans to merge into a new, combined organization that would serve nearly 2.4 million members in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and
Rhode Island in employer-sponsored Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act individual plans.
“Through the combination of two strong organizations with a commitment to nonprofit healthcare in New England, we will be able to provide even greater value to consumers, as well as improve access to care throughout the region," said Joyce Murphy, chair
of the board for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
MMS will be monitoring the state and federal regulatory processes. In addition, MMS will maintain contact with the plans during the transition to ensure continued physician-patient relationships, access to care, and streamlined efficiencies for practices.
Click here to learn more about the merger.
For all your payer updates, please contact MMS Department of Practice Solutions and Medical Economics at 800-322-2302 ext. 7702 or email pprc@mms.org
Benefit buzz
Legal Advisory Plan - Why you should enroll
When you receive a Board of Registration in Medicine (Board) investigation or complaint, it is recommended that an attorney delivers a well-crafted response to the Board. If you have to attend an informal Board conference about your situation, it is advised
that an attorney represents you in person.
Your malpractice insurance may not cover these legal activities or perhaps only a portion. Your out-of-pocket expenses could cost you thousands of dollars.
Take advantage of the MMS Legal Advisory Plan, a members-only affordable legal service, for a nominal fee of $70/year – a fraction of typical legal fees. Enroll or renew for coverage through July 2020 now. Additional discounts for groups
of five or more. Questions? Email lap@massmed.org or call (781) 434-7311.
Member verdicts:
"The Plan is a bargain. Our practice has contacted the attorneys a few times and resolved the Board matters quickly."
"The LAP newsletters were very helpful in helping me be aware of situations to avoid that could impact my medical practice and license."
Learn more
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The PHYSICIAN PRACTICE RESOURCE CENTER (PPRC) serves individual physicians and group practices of all sizes by providing expert knowledge and resources, advocacy, timely and critical information, and ongoing practice support. Our goal is to ensure that
you have the information and resources you need to maintain a thriving practice of any size. In today’s challenging environment, practicing medicine is complicated. We make it easier. We provide physician practices a powerful support and resource
network so that you can operate successfully and focus on what matters most.
Feel free to contact us today at PPRC (781) 434-7702 or email us at pprc@mms.org.
MMS Individual Claims Consultation Days: Spaces are limited!
The Massachusetts Medical Society is hosting in-person Insurance Claims Consultation Days (ICC). ICC days are designed to allow MMS member physicians and/or their practice staff to schedule 30-minute appointments with health plans to focus on adjudication
of troublesome claims.
Available:
- Lakeville ICC Day September 19, 2019
Representatives from health plans will be on-site to review claims with you to facilitate claims processing. Schedule your appointment at massmed.org/ICC2019.
The following health plans are participating: Allways Health Partners, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallonhealth, Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare, Health New England, MassHealth, Medicare, Tufts Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, and Unicare.
Educational programs and events
CME education programs & events
Featured Online Physician Burnout CME Courses
More online CME
Upcoming events and trainings
September
7-8: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Providing Evidence-Based Care in
the Multidisciplinary Setting Course and Workshops (MMS Headquarters) Dedicated to addressing topics related to understanding all components of ERAS, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative Phases, the course and workshops
consider evidence-based best practices for each component according to the various levels of care across different medical specialties. Participants will learn the value and implications of ERAS as a relatively new holistic approach to patient care.
September 8-10: Schwartz Center’s Compassion in Action Healthcare Conference (Westin Boston Waterfront)
This unique conference brings together clinicians, health system leaders, and others who are committed to making compassion a priority in their organizations and communities. Through interactive experiential sessions with experts from diverse
care settings and communities, this conference will provide cutting-edge programs, strategies, and tools to help health care professionals across all roles and disciplines create and sustain cultures of compassion.
Quote of the week
"It's not up to us to try to jam a round peg into a square hole. We need to find what works for each individual person and then help them toward success in the long run. That's what our goal is."
— Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan on his jail’s move to dispense methadone to inmates suffering with opioid use disorder (WBUR)
Tweet of the week
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@CBSNews
Your source for original reporting and trusted news.
What’s new in health care
Check out the most clicked-on stories from this week's MMS Media Watch. Sign up for daily Massachusetts media roundups by email. Some publications are fully accessible only to their subscribers.
City pleads for state, regional help with homelessness, drug crisis in South End (Boston Globe)
City officials are saying the growing chaos near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard,
where a congregation of people struggling with homelessness and addiction have clashed with neighbors and police, is a regional crisis that demands swift action from the state and other municipalities. Of the 34 people arrested there in recent sweeps,
21 were residents of other cities and towns, including Attleboro, Lynn, Springfield, Fitchburg, New Bedford, and Manchester, N.H.
State hospital employee accused of beating mentally ill patient (WCVB)
An employee at Shattuck Hospital is accused of beating a mentally ill patient at the Jamaica Plain facility over the weekend, according to the Massachusetts State Police.5 Investigates has learned the 55-year-old patient was in the care of the Department
of Mental Health. State police said a trooper responded to the hospital at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday after a Shattuck Hospital police officer reported the alleged assault. The 30-year-old employee will be summoned to court, according to state
police. State police said he will not be identified until he is arraigned in court. 5 Investigates has learned that six staff members have been placed on leave while the Department of Mental Health investigates the incident. If the allegations are
substantiated, punishment could include termination of employment.
Mass. General announces data breach impacting nearly 10K (WHDH)
Massachusetts General Hospital is notifying approximately 9,900 individuals of a privacy incident involving MGH's Department of Neurology on Thursday after learning an unauthorized third party had access to some of its research programs. According to
the MGH, an unauthorized third party had access to databases related to two computer applications used by researchers in the Department of Neurology for specific Neurology research studies. An investigation revealed that between June 10 and June 16 the unauthorized third party had access to databases containing research data used by certain neurology researchers.
Thousands of eligible families might shy away from health, food programs (MassLive)
The rule, which doesn't take effect until Oct. 15, has already stirred confusion among people across the country about what benefits could affect someone's immigration status and who is targeted by the change. Attorneys, health providers and advocates
predict the rule will scare thousands in Massachusetts alone to withdraw from programs for which they or their U.S.-born children are entitled. In the case of the Everett mother, Davis explained that her immigration status wouldn't be affected by her 13-year-old daughter's benefits. Yet
for every person who calls MIRA or another organization, there are several more who may pull out of these programs without consulting an attorney or expert first.
