Events, Announcements, and Publications

Each week the Wyoming Medical Society receives a number of webinar, CME, and other conference opportunities which we share with our members without endorsement. This week’s list includes:

Announcements

Perhaps the biggest news in healthcare this week came when a US Judge blocked the $34 billion merger between Humana and Aetna. According to a letter from Terri Marchiori of the AMA, The judge found that the merger would have substantially lessened competition in Medicare Advantage and commercial health insurance markets. This is an extraordinarily well documented, comprehensive, fact-based ruling by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, which acknowledges that meaningful action was needed to preserve competition and protect high-quality medical care from unprecedented market power that Aetna would acquire from the merger deal.

The decision is a historic, stunning affirmation of the position urged by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the 17-state medical association antitrust coalition members. The court’s ruling sets a notable legal precedent by recognizing Medicare Advantage as a separate and distinct market that does not compete with traditional Medicare. This was a view advocated by the AMA, as well as leading economists.

Publications

HITECH Answers and CareCloud released a post this week called, Is Your Practice Ready for The New Medical Economy? In the post, they claim to share what you need to know about The 5 Trends Shaping the Business of Medicine. “The New Medical Economy” puts the spotlight on those areas where the country’s most innovative and successful practices are using technology to transform their operations and position themselves for success in this changing environment.

On October 21, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published the newest version of Chapter 5 of the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Manual. In this revised chapter are changes to the Quality of Care review process effective February 1, 2017:

  • Providers will now have 14 calendar days (they’re currently allowed 30 days) to send in the medical record once a medical record request is received. Because of these tightened time frames, KEPRO encourages providers to fax medical records rather than sending them via mail. The Quality of Care department at KEPRO has its own dedicated fax number, which will be listed on the medical record request.
  • After the medical records are received, KEPRO has 30 days to complete the review. Providers that wish to provide a response when they receive an inquiry from KEPRO will also have a shortened time frame, which will be noted on the inquiry letter.
  • Medicare beneficiaries, or their representatives, will have the opportunity to request a second review if they disagree with the original findings, similar to the current process in place for providers.

For further information, please visit www.keproqio.com.

Physician Family Magazine has shared its Winter 2017 magazine.The issue is focused on the years of active practice, featuring articles about balancing personal and professional life, reducing stress, financial tips and lots more, including great advice from physician family members.

Webinars

CMS offers a webinar called, “Getting Started with the Quality Payment Program: An Overview of MIPS for Small, Rural, and Underserved Practices,” on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. This webinar will help small, rural, and underserved practices participate in the MIPS portion of the Quality Payment Program. The presentation will cover eligibility, participation options for 2017, and an overview of the four performance categories.

Providers Clinical Support for Opioid Therapies offers a webinar called “Opiate Prescription Abuse:  Facts and Figures,” on Monday, Jan. 30 from 10 a.m -noon. Dr. William Lorman will offer facts and figures on opiate prescription epidemic, including information on misuse and overdose problems.

CMS experts will offer a webinar called, “Understanding the Promoting the Value of Chronic Care Management, on Feb. 21 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. In the webinar, CMS will discuss the benefits of providing Chronic Care Management (CCM) services and changes for CCM in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. This new outreach and education campaign from the CMS Office of Minority Health increases awareness about the value of CCM, encourages adoption, and provides an opportunity for health care professionals to ask questions.