November 3, 2017 – The Word “Meaningful” & CMS?

Charles Rothberg, MD - MSSNY President
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Charles Rothberg, MD
November 3, 2017
Volume 17
Number 42


Dear Colleagues:

For quite some time, physicians have been rightfully complaining that they are being forced to concentrate and focus on bureaucratic paperwork and trying to fit square pegs in round holes rather than practicing medicine. Regrettably, patients, too, have noted the lack of direct interaction with their physicians during their visits. During office visits, this bureaucratic nonsense has turned face-to-face time into patients looking at their physician’s back while fields on a computer screen are being completed.

Seema Verma, CMS Administrator, said in a speech this week, “We are moving the agency to focus on patients first. To do this, one of our top priorities is to ease regulatory burden that is destroying the doctor-patient relationship. We want doctors to be able to deliver the best quality care to their patients.” She announced that that CMS is “revising current quality measures across all programs to ensure that measure sets are streamlined, outcomes-based and meaningful to doctors and patients.” She then announced the “new” comprehensive initiative named “Meaningful Measures.”

New York physicians welcome the announcement by CMS Administrator Verma of her intention to work to reduce regulatory burdens on physicians including streamlining quality reporting requirements. The time required of physicians to spend on administrative tasks instead of providing patient care is unconscionable. Recent studies show that, for every hour a physician spends delivering patient care, two more hours are spent on administrative tasks.  Much of this overwhelming minutiae is the result of well-intentioned but misguided quality reporting requirements and electronic medical record “meaningful use” standards (including the new MIPS value based payment system) that often disrupt, rather than improve, care delivery.

We look forward to working with CMS on efforts to reduce regulatory burden so that physicians can focus on taking care of their patients, instead of updating their computer systems.

I really want to learn the difference between “Meaningful Use” and “Meaningful Measures.”

Sincerely,

Charles Rothberg, MD
MSSNY President

Please send your comments to comments@mssny.org



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Want to Learn More about New York’s New Step Therapy Override Law?
Please click here to view a webinar discussing New York’s new law that gives physicians a stronger ability to override a health insurer’s step therapy protocol when seeking to assure their patients can receive coverage for necessary prescription medications.  Among the faculty for the program are MSSNY President-elect Dr. Thomas Madejski and MSSNY Senior Vice President Moe Auster. The webinar, sponsored by the National Psoriasis Foundation, will provide physicians with 0.5 hours of CME credit.

MSSNY, together with many other patient advocacy organizations and specialty societies, supported the enactment of this law.  It requires all NY-regulated health insurers to grant an override of that insurer’s step therapy protocol upon receipt of information from the physician “that includes supporting rationale and documentation” which demonstrates that the drug(s) being required by the health insurer:

  • Is contraindicated or will likely cause an adverse reaction by physical or mental harm to the patient;
  • Is expected to be ineffective based on the known clinical history and conditions of the patient and his/her drug regimen;
  • Has been tried by the patient or another prescription drug(s) in the same pharmacologic class or with the same mechanism for action and such drug(s) was discontinued due to a lack of efficacy or effectiveness, diminished effect or an adverse event;
  • Should not be required because the patient is stable on a drug other than the drug being required by the insurer; or
  • Is not in the best interest of the patient because it will likely cause a significant barrier to a patient’s adherence with his/her plan of care, will likely worsen a comorbid condition of a the patient, or will likely decrease the patient’s ability to achieve or maintain reasonable functional ability in performing daily activities.

Health insurers must respond to a step therapy override request within 72 hours of the request.  A health insurer is required to respond within 24 hours if the request is for a patient with a medical condition that places the health of the patient in serious jeopardy without the prescription drug or drugs prescribed by the patient’s physician.  If the health insurer fails to act within these 72 or 24-hour time periods, the request will be granted in favor of the patient.

The new law also requires that health insurers’ step therapy protocols be based upon evidence-based and peer-reviewed clinical criteria that also take into account the needs of atypical patients.  These criteria must be made available to physicians upon request.

The new law will be applicable to all NY-regulated health plans as of January 1, 2018.  However, since the law applies to health insurance plans “delivered, issued for delivery issued or renewed” after January 1, 2017, many group health insurance plans across the State are already required to follow the new law.

MSSNY has created a template for physicians and their support staff to use in requesting a step therapy protocol override, available here.

Enforcement is the key to assuring that the law is working as intended.  Therefore, please let us know if you see instances where health insurers are not following the law.  Moreover, you can file a complaint with the State here.

Council Notes: November 2, 2017

  • Patricia Gagliano, MD, VP of Health Care Quality Improvement for IPRO, provided an overview of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Her presentation focused on helping physicians maximize success in the QPP/MIPS programs. Dr. Gagliano noted that there is still time to collect data from 10/2/17-12/31/17 and avoid the negative payment adjustment in 2019. To view the entire presentation, which includes IPRO contact information and links to additional helpful information, click here.
  • MLMIC’s Donald Fager, Esq. reported that the MLMIC/Berkshire deal is still in a holding pattern, and that it will likely happen in early 2018.
  • Council approved the following:
  • MSSNY 2018 Legislative Program
  • Resolution 111 (referred by the 2017 House of Delegates): MSSNY affirms Policy 130.941 and will seek, through legislation and/or regulation, requirements for insurer to accept and reimburse, at in-network level, out-of-network providers willing to provide elective services to patients with no out-of-network benefits as long as the provider meets nationally recognized credentialing criteria.
  • In lieu of Resolutions 62 and 63 (referred by the 2017 House of Delegates), MSSNY re-affirms Policy 130.996 (Single Payor Reimbursement System-Opposition to) and will continue to consider the feasibility of other payment methodology including single payor and continue to work collaboratively with physicians who both support and oppose such proposals to assess the strengths and weaknesses of any such proposals. MSSNY will continue to advocate to assure that physicians have direct input and ongoing involvement on all aspects of any single payer system or other system that may be considered by the NYS Legislature or US Congress.
  • MSSNY Speaker Dr. Geraci announced that Andrew W. Gurman, MD, Immediate Past President of the AMA, will address MSSNY’s 2018 House of Delegates.

Workers’ Comp Board: Physicians Must Register by Dec.29
The Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) has initiated a registration process to update and maintain a current list of medical providers who are authorized to treat injured workers. The goal of this process is to enable an injured worker to easily and accurately identify Board-authorized medical providers.

Registering
You will be notified in November when registration opens for Board-authorized medical providers. Authorized providers are asked to register with the Board and update their office address (es) and contact information by December 29, 2017. This registration process will be an ongoing initiative every two to three years.

Medical providers who have not registered by December 29, 2017 will:

  • be removed from the public directory of Board authorized providers,        and
  • become ineligible for the Board’s disputed bill process.

30 Days Left to Submit an Informal Review Request – Review Your 2016 PQRS Feedback Report and 2016 Annual Quality and Resource Use Report Now


Promo Code: MSSNY


DOH Releases Updated DSRIP Spending Report; Still Very Little Goes to Physicians
The New York Department of Health (DOH) announced this week that New York’s DSRIP Performing Provider Systems (PPS) have substantially increased the amount of funds flowing down to its network partners including physicians.  The announcement noted that “PPS funds distributed to network partners increased by 112% or double the amount of cumulative distributions prior to the DSRIP mid-point.”

It was also noted that, of the $885 million that had been distributed through June 30, 2017, over $38 million had been distributed to primary care providers, of which over $22 million had been distributed since September 30, 2016.  The report also noted that $5 million had been distributed to non-primary care providers, of which $2.3 million had been distributed since September 30, 2016.

However, even with this increase, the funding distribution to health care practitioners is barely more than 5% of the PPS spending, and as such is still woefully insufficient.  MSSNY continues to raise concerns to state officials that funds allocated to many of these PPS across the State are not ultimately being distributed to PPS participating physicians to support their efforts in helping to bring about reductions in potentially preventable readmissions and ER visits.


Your membership yields results and will continue to do so. When your 2018 invoice arrives, please renew. KEEP MSSNY STRONG!


Creating an Account in the New York State Health Commerce System (HCS)The Board will use the existing New York State Health Commerce System (HCS) for this registration process. For the initial registration and for future updates to your practice information, you will need to have an HCS account. If you don’t already have one, you can view directions to create an account on the New York State Department of Health website.

Need Help?
If you are not sure if you already have an HCS account, contact the Commerce Account Management unit (CAMU) at (866) 529-1890 and select option 1. For general questions about health care provider registration, please contact the Board’s Customer Support at (844) 337-6305.

Worker Comp Questions? Email us or call Customer Service at (877) 632-4996

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

Please Urge Governor Cuomo to Veto Disastrous Liability Expansion Bill and Work for Comprehensive Reform Instead
Physicians are urged to continue to contact Governor Cuomo to request that he veto legislation (S.6800/A.8516) that would significantly expand the time to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit, in circumstances based upon an “alleged negligent failure to diagnose a malignant tumor or cancer”.   If signed into law it would likely prompt a double digit increase in physician and hospital malpractice premiums.   You can send a letter here and call 518-474-8390.

While many physicians have made these contacts, we need an overwhelming demonstration from physicians regarding how this bill will harm access to care in their communities if this bill is not paired with needed tort reforms to bring down the exorbitant costs of medical liability insurance in New York.

Physicians have been active in warning the public about the patient care access problems this bill will exacerbate if it is signed into law.  Recently Albany radiologist and MSSNY member and Albany radiologist Dr. Robert Rapaport had a commentary published in the Albany Times-Union urging that the Governor veto this bill and instead work for comprehensive reform.  Moreover, a letter to the Editor from MSSNY’s Dr. Rothberg urging a veto was also recently published in the Albany Times-Union (letter).   Similar letters from regional and statewide physician leaders have also appeared in:

There was also a recent lengthy article in the New York Law Journal highlighting the problems with this bill that included a quote from MSSNY’s Dr. Rothberg.

MSSNY’s CME Provider Conference a Success
On Friday, September 15, 2017, MSSNY held a CME Provider Conference at the Courtyard by Marriott in Westbury, Long Island.  The program was designed to help keep MSSN-accredited CME providers up to date with the latest developments and requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Medical Association (AMA).  Speakers included Steve Singer, PhD, ACCME Vice President of Education and Outreach, and Mary Kelly, Project Administrator, AMA PRA Standards and Policy.  Also featured was a panel discussion by James Braun, DO, President, Physicians’ Research Network (PRN); Dorothy Lane, MD, Chair, CME Committee, Suffolk Academy of Medicine; and

Jeffrey Rothman, MD, Director, Department of CME, Staten Island University Hospital.

The panel topic was improving compliance with ACCME accreditation criteria.  In addition, attendees participated in an interactive session on identifying compliance examples for the ACCME’s new criteria for accreditation with commendation.

As an ACCME-Recognized Accreditor, MSSNY is the state/regional accreditor of 34 CME providers in New York State.  Attendees traveled from as far north as Plattsburgh and as far west as Rochester to attend the conference.  MSSNY President Charles Rothberg, MD set the tone for the day with opening remarks that emphasized the importance of continuing medical education. CME professionals shared their strategies and approaches to physician education. The positive feedback of attendees stressed the value of conducting live, in-person conferences.

MSSNY Official: MAT Effective, But Underutilized Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
On page 16 of the Fall 2017 issue of Behavioral Health News (10/26), Dr. Frank Dowling, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at SUNY-Stony Brook and the Secretary of the Medical Society of the State of New York, writes that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective, but underutilized treatment for opioid use disorder. Dowling says that “there is a shortage of access to MAT,” and that many patients and clinicians remain opposed to MAT, because of “well intended but misguided perceptions” that “are often reinforced by drug treatment program staff and by peers in 12-step programs.”

Open Enrollment Opened November 1
Open enrollment for Obamacare plans began November 1 and the Cuomo administration, in an ongoing effort to ignore the negative vibes emanating from the Trump administration, announced Monday that it has expanded its outreach campaign to additional pharmacies. Rite Aid will advertise New York State of Health, the online insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, joining CVS Pharmacy, Kinney Drugs, ShopRite Supermarkets and TOPS Pharmacies.

NY Physician Accused of Accepting Cash from Patients for Opioid Scrips
Ernesto Lopez, 74, a New York-licensed doctor who operates medical clinics in Manhattan, Flushing, and Franklin Square, is accused, along with his assistant, 49-year-old Audra Baker, of accepting cash payments in exchange for the prescriptions, court papers say.

Dr. Lopez typically charged $200 to $300 in cash for patient visits during which he allegedly performed perfunctory examinations and then prescribed large quantities of oxycodone and fentanyl patches. Since 2015, Dr. Lopez wrote more than 8,000 prescriptions and collected $2 million in fees, prosecutors said.

Dr. Lopez’s assistant at two of his clinics, allegedly steered patients to an individual who could buy the prescriptions and resell the drugs on the street, court papers say.

“As alleged, these defendants acted like drug dealers in lab coats, directly contributing to the glut of highly-addictive opioids flooding the streets of New York City and its surrounding communities,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said in a statement. The investigation and practitioner-among-three-defendants-charged-manhattan-federal-court”>arrests were conducted by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad comprised of investigators from the DEA, NYPD, and NYC Department of Investigation.

US House Passes IPAB Repeal Legislation
By a 307-111 vote, the US House of Representatives passed legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).  The statutory authority to create the IPAB was established under the ACA, but the Board has never been formally created.  Its purpose is to make recommendations to reduce Medicare spending if it exceeds a certain threshold, which would go into effect if Congress fails to achieve a supermajority vote to override its recommendations.  MSSNY and the AMA support repeal of the IPAB given its potential to significantly and arbitrarily cut physician payments for care to seniors, at a time when overwhelming and rising practice costs require increases, not cuts. It is unclear at this time whether there will be sufficient votes in the US Senate to also pass the bill.

Of New York’s House Delegation, 16 voted “Yes” and 11 voted “no”.   Those voting “Yes” included Rep. Clarke (D-Brooklyn); Rep. Collins (R-Erie County); Rep. Donovan (R-Staten Island); Rep. Engel (D-Bronx/Westchester); Rep. Faso (R-Columbia County); Rep. Higgins (D-Erie County); Rep. Katko (R-Onondaga County); Rep. King (R-Nassau County); Rep. Sean Maloney (D-Westchester); Rep. Meeks (D-Queens County); Rep. Meng (D-Queens); Rep. Reed (R-Southern Tier); Rep. Stefanik (R-North Country); Rep. Suozzi (D-Nassau County); Rep. Tenney (R-Oneida County) and Rep. Zeldin (R-Suffolk County).

Those voting “No” included Rep. Crowley (D-Bronx/Queens); Rep. Espaillat (D-Manhattan); Rep. Jeffries (D-Brooklyn); Rep. Lowey (D-Westchester); Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan); Rep. Nadler (D-Manhattan); Rep. Rice (D-Nassau County); Rep. Serrano (D-Bronx); Rep. Slaughter (D-Monroe County); and Rep. Tonko (D-Albany/Schenectady); and Rep. Velasquez (D-Brooklyn)


WEBINARS/SEMINARS

An Unusual and Highly Resistant Fungus in NYS: An Update on Candida auris for the Practicing Physician

CME Webinar on December 6; Registration Now Open

Upcoming in MSSNY’s Medical Matters continuing medical education (CME) webinar series is: An Unusual and Highly Resistant Fungus in NYS: An Update on Candida auris for the Practicing Physician.  This webinar will take place on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at 7:30 a.m.  Emily Lutterloh, MD, MPH, Director, Bureau of Healthcare Associated Infections, from the New York State Department of Health will conduct this presentation.  Register for this webinar here.

Additional information or assistance with registration may be obtained by contacting Melissa Hoffman at mhoffman@mssny.org.

Educational objectives are:

  • Provide an update on the emerging multi-drug resistant yeast, Candida auris ( auris), globally and in New York State
  • Describe the risk factors for auris infection and the recommended diagnostic approach
  • Review the recommendations for auris, including infection prevention and control measures 

The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Medical Society of the State of New York designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA/PRA Category 1 credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Preventing Diabetes in Patients: NYS Physicians Encouraged to Attend AMA Webinar
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) has partnered to provide educational information to New York State physicians on how to initiate clinical practice change and prevent diabetes in patient population.  Physicians can participate in a webinar on November 15 from 1-2 p.m.  Click here to register.

The session will review the evidence base for clinical approaches to diabetes prevention and describe how physicians and care teams can implement a diabetes prevention initiative within their practice. Kate Kirley, MD, MS, Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Janet Williams, MA, Senior Program Manager will be presenters.

Dr. Kirley is director of Chronic Disease Prevention at the American Medical Association.  Prior to joining the AMA, she was a practicing family physician and health services researcher at NorthShore University Health System, and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago.  Janet Williams is senior manager of physician and health system engagement at the American Medical Association.  She has more than 30 years public health program and policy development experience.   She manages the AMA’s prediabetes initiative to develop and test clinical tools and resources for engaging health systems, clinicians and health departments in diabetes prevention.

MEDICARE/MEDICAID INFORMATION

2018 MIPS Quality Payment Rule Released by CMS
CMS this week released its final rule implementing the MIPS quality reporting rules for 2018 which will impact Medicare physician payment in 2020.  According to the MACRA statute, Medicare physician payment could be increased or decreased by up to 5% in 2020 based upon physician “performance” in 2018.

To read a comprehensive summary of these changes for 2018, click here.

To read the entire rule, click here.

Among the rule’s highlights:

  • Decreasing the number of physicians required to participate by excluding individual MIPS eligible clinicians or groups with ≤$90,000 in Part B allowed charges or ≤200 Medicare Part B beneficiaries.
  • Permitting the use of 2014 Edition and/or 2015 Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) in Year 2 for the Advancing Care Information (ACI) performance category, and giving a bonus for using only 2015 CEHRT.
  • Adding 5 bonus points to the MIPS final scores of small practices.
  • Adding “Virtual Groups” as a participation option for MIPS for solo or small practice physicians.
  • Awarding up to 5 bonus points on the MIPS final score for treatment of complex patients.
  • 50% of the score will be based on quality reporting; 25% based on ACI reporting (the new “meaningful use”); 15% based on clinical improvement activity reporting; and 10% based on the “cost category”

Review of the 1,653 page rule is ongoing by many across organized medicine.  Physicians can receive free technical assistance in complying with the MIPS program through IPRO, which has a contract with the federal government to provide this assistance.  Please click here more information.  Additional information from the Physicians Advocacy Institute, of which MSSNY is a Board member, is available here.

2018 Medicare Payment Rule Announced – Review Ongoing
This week CMS announced the Medicare Part B payment rule for 2018.  To review a fact sheet about the new rule, click here.

The fact sheet notes the final 2018 conversion factor will be $35.99, a 0.41% increase from the 2017 PFS conversion factor of $35.89.

A specialty by specialty breakdown of the impact of 2018 payment rule for allowed charges is available on p. 1152 of the entire rule.  The chart notes that the 2018 payment rule will have 0% impact for many specialties.  However, it is estimated that there will be 1% increases for cardiology, dermatology, infectious disease, plastic surgery, psychiatry, radiation oncology and rheumatology.  There will be a 1% decrease for anesthesiology, pathology, urology and vascular surgery, a 2% decrease for otolaryngology; and a 3% decrease for allergy/immunology.

MSSNY together with the AMA and the federation of medicine is reviewing the 1,250 page rule and will follow up with a more comprehensive summary.

CMS Unveils MACRA Rule Changes
Modern Healthcare (11/2) reports CMS finalized a proposed rule which would exempt 134,000 providers from complying with MACRA. The rule finalized on Tuesday will exclude “Physician practices with less than $90,000 in Medicare revenue or fewer than 200 unique Medicare patients per year.” As a result of the change, a total of 934,000 providers will be exempt from MACRA’s Merit-based Incentive Payment System, leaving only 39 percent of the 1.5 million clinicians billing under Medicare required to comply with MIPS.

2016 PQRS Feedback Reports Are Ready for Viewing
2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) feedback reports and 2016 Annual Quality and Resource Use Reports (QRURs) were released on September 18, 2017. The PQRS feedback reports show your program year 2016 PQRS reporting results, including if you are subject to the 2018 PQRS downward payment adjustment. The 2016 Annual QRURs show how physicians, physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in groups and solo practitioners performed in 2016 on the quality and cost measures used to calculate the 2018 Value Modifier as well as their practice’s 2018 Value Modifier payment adjustment.

The payment adjustments shown in the reports are based on proposals that were included in the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. If the policies are not finalized as proposed, CMS will provide an update to report recipients.

Access and review your 2016 PQRS feedback report and 2016 Annual QRUR now to determine whether you are subject to the 2018 PQRS downward payment adjustment and your practice’s 2018 Value Modifier payment adjustment.

If you believe your payment adjustment status was made in error, you may request an informal review of your 2016 PQRS results and/or 2018 Value Modifier calculation during the informal review period from now until 8:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) on December 1, 2017. 

An Enterprise Identify Management (EIDM) account with the appropriate role is required for participants to obtain their 2016 PQRS Feedback Reports and 2016 Annual QRURs. Both reports can be accessed on the CMS Enterprise Portal using the same EIDM account. Visit the How to Obtain a QRUR webpage for instructions on accessing both reports.

To find out which reports are available for your practice and your current and past PQRS and Value Modifier payment adjustments, you can use the new Payment Adjustments and Reports Lookup feature on the CMS Enterprise Portal. An EIDM account is not needed to use this feature. Instructions for using this feature are located in the “Guide for Accessing the Payment Adjustment and Reports Lookup Feature”.

For more information on your PQRS feedback report:

For more information on your Annual QRUR:

For the 2016 reporting period, the majority of eligible professionals (EPs) successfully reported to PQRS and avoided the downward payment adjustment. CMS anticipates that successful trend to continue under the new Quality Payment Program. The Quality Payment Program began January 2017 and replaces PQRS, the Value Modifier program, as well as the separate payment adjustments under the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program for EPs. The Quality Payment Program streamlines these legacy programs, reduces quality reporting requirements and offers many flexibilities that allow eligible clinicians to pick their pace for participating in the first year. To prepare for success in the Quality Payment Program, we encourage EPs to review their PQRS feedback report, Annual QRUR, and visit qpp.cms.gov to learn about the Quality Payment Program.

Questions?

  • For assistance with Enterprise Identity Management or PQRS feedback reports, contact the QualityNet Help Desk at 866-288-8912 (TTY 877-715- 6222) or qnetsupport@hcqis.org.
  • For assistance with the QRURs or Value Modifier, contact the Physician Value Help Desk at pvhelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov or 888-734-6433 (select option 3).

CMS: Wants More Flexibility with “Providers” and Increase Competition
CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced the agency’s efforts to streamline quality measures and reduce regulatory burden with a new approach to quality measurement called “Meaningful Measures.”

In addition to focusing on quality measurement, CMS announced in September that it would be moving the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) in a new direction to give providers more flexibility with new payment models and to increase healthcare competition.

In September, the agency issued a “request for information” to collect ideas on the best path forward.  On the CMS Innovation Center website, CMS said the Innovation Center’s new direction will promote patient-centered care and test market-driven reforms that empower beneficiaries as consumers, provide price transparency, increase choices and competition to drive quality, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.

In particular, CMS says the Innovation Center is interested in testing models in the following eight focus areas—increased participation in Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs); consumer-directed care and market-based innovation models; physician specialty models; prescription drug models; Medicare Advantage (MA) innovation models; state-based and local innovation, including Medicaid-focused models; mental and behavioral health models; and program integrity.

New Medicare Card Project Special Open Door Forum — Nov. 9 from 2 to 3pm ET
This call will educate State Medicaid Agencies, Medicaid providers, Managed Care Organizations, Medicaid partners, and other Medicaid stakeholders about the change from Social Security Number-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers to new Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs). A question and answer session follows the presentation.

CMS discusses:

  • Background and implementation
  • MBI format
  • Timeline and milestones, including the transition period
  • Beneficiary outreach and education
  • How to get ready for the new number

To participate:

  • Dial-In Number: 800-837-1935; conference ID #: 49255212

For more information, visit the New Medicare Project website and Transcripts webpage.

MSSNY CME Provider Conference

CMS Opened 30 Day Preview for 2016 Performance
On October 18, CMS opened the 30-Day Preview Period for the 2016 performance information targeted to be publicly reported on Physician Compare starting in December 2017. The preview was scheduled to end on November 17 at 8pm ET. Due to a technical issue preventing the data from properly displaying in the preview portal, the Provider Quality Information Portal (PQIP), all data were not viewable for the first week of preview. This display issue has now been resolved. We are extending preview through Friday, December 1 at 8pm ET to provide more time for clinicians and groups to preview their performance data as a result of this technical issue.

Additionally, the Physician Compare team is currently outreaching to all clinicians and groups that have already accessed PQIP to preview their data to share the information above.  We would appreciate the AMA helping us disseminate the Physician Compare preview extension information to stakeholders.  The Physician Compare team will also be disseminating this information via our listserv.

For more information about preview and the measures available for preview, visit the Physician Compare Initiative page.

For assistance with accessing PQIP, or obtaining your EIDM user role, contact the QualityNet Help Desk at 866-288-8912 or qnetsupport@hcqis.org.

If you have any questions about Physician Compare, public reporting, or the preview period, please contact us at PhysicianCompare@Westat.com.


CLASSIFIEDS


MEDICAL EQUIPMENT


Retiring from pediatrics. I have medical equipment to donate: examining table, pediatric examining table with a scale, medical scale, examining instruments and miscellaneous office items. Forest Hills. Call 718 275-5858 or email mkolak59@gmail.com


RENTAL/LEASING SPACE


Upper East Side Plastic Surgery Office Available for Rent or Share
Beautifully equipped Plastic Surgery office available for part-time share along with Quad A-certified OR available for rent. Located in a lovely carriage house on the Upper East Side in close proximity to Lenox Hill Hospital and MEETH and conveniently located near all NYC mass transit. 1 exam room/OR and Recovery room along with large administrative space. Free WIFI. Available for full or half-days. Suits Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeons/ DERM/ ENT/or other Medical MDs. Please contact Kim at Kim@madisonps.com (212) 628-7600.


Saratoga Springs, NY – Professional Office Space for Lease
Medically oriented building currently occupied by five parties.  The Suite, Suite 700, has 2904 sq. ft., second floor (elevator), excellent off-road parking with drive-thru patient portico in a well maintained and attractive building close to the local hospital.
The lease area has a large waiting room, administrative rooms, lunch room, four examining rooms, one procedure room and one for storage.  Separate staff entrance.  Attractively priced without triple net obligations.  $4,500/month + heat + utilities.  Call Lauren regarding Suite 700 at (518) 587-2020.


Riverdale Medical Office for Sale – Prime Location
Co-op with private entrance features 2 exam rooms, lab, office & bathroom. Must see! Call 718-230-7069


For Rent or Share – Woodbury, Long Island
Beautiful recently renovated Plastic Surgery office available for part-time share and AAAA-certified (by end of summer). OR available for rent. Centrally located
on Long Island.Close to expressways. 3 exam rooms, 1 procedure room /OR.
Waiting room, break room and personal office. Free WIFI. Available for full or half-days. Suits Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeons/Derm/ENT/
ObGyn/Podiatry or other Medical MDs.
Contact Patricia at info@cosmetichg.com
or 631-318-4008

PHYSICIAN OPPORTUNITIES


Medical Director – AIDS Institute
Minimum Qualifications:
Current license and registration to practice medicine in New York State and board certification AND either a Master’s Degree in Public Health or two years of experience in an HIV program or public health program.Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Public Health.  Five years of experience including clinical service in an HIV program or clinical fellowship program (infectious diseases/HIV medicine).  Experience in quality management/quality improvement.  Knowledge of the HIV health care delivery system in New York State. Experience in/knowledge of the New York State Ending the Epidemic initiative.  Experience in STD prevention and care, drug user health, and/or LGBT health.  Experience in health policy development, analysis and evaluation.  Experience with evolving health information technologies.  Experience in health program management and administration.
Responsibilities: The Medical Director, AIDS Institute, plays a significant role in shaping HIV, hepatitis C, and STD care and services, drug user health, and LGBT health care throughout New York State.Please click the link below for more information pertaining to this position and to apply: “https://careers-healthresearch.icims.com/jobs/3742/medical-director—aids-institute/job” Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Qualified Individuals with Disabilities/Qualified Protected Veterans

Multiple Physician Positions with DOHMH Office of School Health
Office of School Health is the largest program of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). This bureau is responsible for managing the health issues and promoting the well-being of the over 1.3 million children and adolescents enrolled in New York City’s 1700 school buildings.

Positions with the Office of School Health (OSH) combine clinical skills and public health training.

Adolescent School Health Physician
This position offers to the interested physician the opportunity to help address the clinical and public health needs of adolescents in NYC high schools. The physician will work with the innovative Connecting Adolescents to Comprehensive Health Care (CATCH) Program, which provides select reproductive health services to adolescents in select NYC high schools. In addition, the physician will provide medical care and public health services through additional programs offered to adolescents by the Office of School Health.

Under the supervision of the High School Supervising Physician, the Adolescent School Health Physician’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Provide CATCH reproductive health services in select high schools.
  • Perform mandated physical examinations (New Admission Exams, Sports Physicals, and Working Paper Physicals).
  • Function as a liaison for students with community health providers to resolve medical issues that affect school performance.
  • Support the development and implementation of initiatives that promote positive health behaviors and reduce high risk behaviors in the adolescent population.
  • Serve as a consultant to the school nurse and administration on school related health concerns.
  • Provide clinical assistance in the event of an environmental or communicable disease occurrence.
  • Function as a liaison for students with community health providers to resolve medical issues that affect school performance.
  • Support all medical initiatives established by the Office of School Health, e.g. programs and protocols in asthma, reproductive health, obesity and diabetes.
  • Maintain good public relations and communicate effectively within the school community and community-based organizations.
  • Keep abreast of health management policy statements and emerging clinical research related to school health.
  • Participate in OSH research activities.
  • Work within the mandates, policies and protocols of the Office of School Health.
  • Attend all mandated DOHMH and OSH trainings.

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Dr. Caroline Volel: osh@health.nyc.gov OR  Apply online at https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov/.  In the Job ID search bar, enter: job ID number # 277208. 

School Health Field Physician
Under the direction of the Supervising Physician, the School Health Physician’s will:

  • Improve the health of school children through case management of chronic disease, preventive health screening and counseling, health education, and referrals.
  • Perform mandated physical examination (new entrant, sport physical, working paper physicals.
  • Develop relationships with community health providers in order to optimize medical management of students with health issues.
  • Attend to the health needs of your assigned school community.
  • Utilize the Automated Student Health Record (ASHR) to maintain adequate student health records.
  • Serve as a consultant to the school nurse and administration on school related health concerns.
  • Support the development of school educational and prevention programs promoting the health and wellness of all students.
  • Provide clinical assistance in the event of an environmental or communicable disease occurrence.
  • Develop and maintain professional relationships within the school community.
  • Support all medical initiatives put forth by the Office of School Health, e.g. Asthma, Reproductive health, Obesity and Diabetes initiatives.
  • Provide trainings/presentations to school staff, community organizations, or parents.
  • Stay abreast of health management policy statements and emerging research within the health community related to school health.
  • Participate in School Health research and quality improvement activities.
  • Participate in all mandated DOHMH and Office of School Health trainings and professional development sessions.
  • Attend all program meetings and Continuing Medical Education classes provided by the Office of School Health.

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Dr. Caroline Volel:osh@health.nyc.gov OR Apply online at https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov/.  In the Job ID search bar, enter: job ID number # 279844. 

Supervising School Health Physician 
Job Description
Under the supervision of the Deputy Medical Director, the Supervising Medical Doctor’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

  • Supervise School Health Physicians.
  • Work within the mandates, policies and protocols of the Office of School Health (OSH).
  • Attend to the health needs of a designated school community.
  • Utilize the Automated Student Health Record (ASHR) to maintain accurate student health records.
  • Serve as a consultant to the school nurse and school administrative staff regarding school related health concerns.
  • Support the development of school educational and prevention programs promoting the health and wellness of students.
  • Participate in policy development and revisions as indicated.
  • Provide clinical assistance in the event of an environmental or communicable disease occurrence.
  • Function as a liaison for students with community health providers to resolve health issues that affect school functioning.
  • Develop and maintain professional relationships within the school community and the community at large.
  • Support all medical initiatives put forth by the Office of School Health, e.g. Asthma, Reproductive health, Obesity and Diabetes Initiatives.
  • Keep abreast of health management policy statements and emerging research within the health community affecting school health.
  • Assist with or provide trainings/presentations to school health physicians, nurses, school staff, community organizations or parents
  • Participate in School Health research and quality improvement activities
  • Participate in all mandated DOHMH and Office of School Health trainings and professional development sessions
  • Attend all program meetings and Continuing Medical Education classes provided by the Office of School Health.


To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to Dr. Caroline Volel: osh@health.nyc.gov  OR  Apply online at https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov/.  In the Job ID search bar, enter: job ID number # 277026


CALL FOR RATES & INFO. CHRISTINA SOUTHARD: 516-488-6100 ext. 355