MSSNY eNews: May 5, 2021- Health Republic Settlement: All Outstanding Physician Claims Will be Paid
Health Republic Settlement: All Outstanding Physician Claims Will be Paid
The New York State Superintendent of Financial Services announced yesterday that Health Republic Insurance of New York, Corp. in liquidation (“Health Republic”) has obtained a judgment to recover $220,838,583 from the United States. The judgment resolves a lawsuit commenced by the Superintendent as Liquidator of Health Republic against the Federal Government in the United States Court of Federal Claims in 2017.
Health Republic was a not-for-profit health insurer providing affordable health insurance to New Yorkers under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). The company participated in a number of ACA federal programs designed to help insurers address the uncertainty of underwriting in the initial years of the new health insurance marketplace. In the first three years of the ACA, however, the Federal Government failed to honor its obligation to pay full balances due under a significant program known as Risk Corridors. The Superintendent in her capacity as Liquidator commenced this lawsuit in 2017 demanding that the Federal Government pay the amounts it was mandated to pay under this program.
The $220.8 million settlement amount will allow the Liquidator to pay all policyholder level claims in full, including many New York hospital systems and other health care providers. In addition, the Liquidator anticipates that there will be sufficient assets to pay New York State and local government claims of approximately $19.1 million and a substantial portion of general creditor claims according to the priority scheme established under New York Insurance Law Article 74.
Check on the claims submitted to the liquidator at the Health Republic Insurance of New York Liquidation Website.
As noted below, MSSNY President Dr. Joseph Sellers issued a statement praising the DFS for their efforts given the significant impact this liquidation had on many physician practices, and the efforts taken by MSSNY and other organizations urging that physicians be reimbursed for these claims.
MSSNY Press Statement on Health Republic Settlement
The following statement was sent to the press on 5/4/21:
Statement Attributable to:
Joseph R. Sellers, MD, FAAP, FACP
President, Medical Society of the State of New York
“We thank the New York State Department of Financial Services for their tireless efforts over the last years to ensure that physicians, hospitals and other care providers with outstanding claims to Health Republic Insurance Company are reimbursed for the care they delivered to patients covered by Health Republic. We have confidence that DFS’s settlement announcement to provide funding for outstanding claims is the beginning of the final chapter of this story that had left countless physicians with tens of thousands, or in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars, in unpaid claims and devastated practices.
“We will continue to work with DFS to provide necessary information to impacted physicians regarding the time and manner by which such outstanding payments will be distributed to satisfy Health Republic’s financial obligations. We also continue to urge that, to prevent against similar occurrences in the future, that the New York State Legislature and Governor work to establish a ‘Health Guarantee Fund’ that protect patients and their health care providers against similar health insurer liquidations that could occur in the future.”
The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2018 To 2033
This study examines physician workforce supply and demand to evaluate the need to increase enrollment at the medical school level and push for changes federally for both funding and other support for medical schools. Demand for physicians continues to exceed workforce supply.
- The total projected physician shortfall range by 2033 is between 54,100 and 139,000 physicians, broken out as follows:
- shortage ranges are between 21,400 and 55,200 for primary care physicians;
- between 17,100 and 28,700 for surgical specialties;
- between 9,300 and 17,800 for non-surgical medical specialties (e.g., gastroenterology, neurology, etc.); and
- between 17,100 and 41,900 for other specialties (e.g., anesthesiology, radiology, psychiatry, etc.)
- These projections suggest a shortage across the non-primary care specialties of between 33,700 and 86,700.
- If the supply of hospitalists remains similar to its current trend, supply will reach between 3,800 and 8,000 higher than current demand scenarios expect.
- Click here to view the full report.
—Association of American Medical Colleges | June 2020
TONIGHT: MSSNY’s Social Media in Medicine Webinar is at 6 pm-Join Us!
MSSNY President-Elect Parag H. Mehta, MD and MSSNY YPS Immediate Past Chair Daniel E. Choi, MD present Social Media in Medicine: A Beginners Guide for Physicians.
Register now for Virtual Webinar
When: May 5, 2021 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Topics Include:
- Introduction to popular social media physician communities: #MedTwitter,
Instagram, YouTube, TikTok - How to establish a social media presence and grow your audience.
- Common terminology e.g., Twitter handle, hashtag
- Scheduling posts
- How social media can be harnessed for effective patient education, practice growth, and advocacy.
- Best ways to connect with patients and colleagues on social media.
- Pitfalls of social media as a physician
- What not to do on social media
- What not to do on social media
NYSDOH COVID-19 Policy for Predrawn Vaccine
Although standards for vaccine administration typically do not include predrawing (also known as “prefilling”) of syringes due to concerns over compromising or wasting vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has permitted predrawing for COVID-19 vaccines, subject to certain qualifications. Specifically, the CDC recommends transporting COVID-19 vaccines in vials but notes that if there are instances when the only option is to transport vaccine in a predrawn syringe, providers should follow U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) guidance for vaccine preparation and transport. Healthcare entities that have determined that it is appropriate to use predrawn syringes should develop policies and protocols to avoid compromising and wasting vaccine and to maintain the cold chain, consistent with the recommendations detailed herein. Read the DOH guidance in its entirety.
DOH Recommendations on Resuming Use of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
Following discussions with New York State’s Clinical Advisory Task Force, NYS Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker recommended on April 24, 2021 that New York State accept the federal recommendations and resume Johnson & Johnson vaccinations effective immediately. Read the DOH Health Advisory regarding recommendations to resume use of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Join MSSNY’s Member Perks Program!
Exclusive perks and over $4,500 in savings on everything from pizza and the zoo, to
movie tickets, oil changes, hotels, and car rentals!
POPULAR FEATURES INCLUDE:
- Nearby Offers: Use our show & save mobile coupons to quickly access savings on the go.
- eTickets On Demand: Save up to 40% with no hidden fees.
- Showtimes: Find movies, watch trailers, and save up to 40% at a theater near you.
- Monthly Giveaways: Win cash, movie tickets, electronics and more with our monthly contests.
And, with over 302,000 available discounts across 10,000 cities in the United States and Canada, you’ll never be far from savings!
Register at http://mssny.abenity.com
.
Mindfulness for Physicians
Join the Nassau County Medical Society and Northwell Health’s Center for Wellness and Integrative Medicine, an educational, wellness and retreat center dedicated to the evolution of mind, body and spirit, for a virtual meditation series. Mindfulness in the Medical Profession will be held virtually on May 13th, 19th & 27th at 6 pm.
As physicians have put their lives on the line to care for patients during COVID-19, these sessions aim to create a space where they can care for themselves and implement meditation as a mindfulness in their everyday lives. For further details or registration assistance, please email information@nassaucountymedicalsociety.org or call (516) 832-2300.
| Classifieds |
Classified Ads Available for:
Physicians’ search services • allied medical placements • locum tenens • practice valuation • practice brokerage • practice consulting • real estate
For help, information or to place your ad, call Roseann Raia at 516-488-6100 ext. 302 • fax 516-488-2188
For the MSSNY 2021 Ad Rate Sheet, please click here.
MSSNY Director of Membership and Marketing – Apply Now
Beautifully Renovated Modern Medical Office Sublet in Great Neck
-Separate reception area -Consultation room -1-3 exam rooms -Free Valet Parking -Designated physician parking spot. Contact Dr. Nir Somekh (516) 662-1232.
Professional Office Space For Sale – Albany, NY
319 S. Manning Blvd, Suite 308A. Albany NY. Located on the St. Peter’s Hospital Campus. 2000 SF. Bright, 3rd floor location. Office is in move in condition. Waiting room, front reception area for 3 staff, 2 consult rooms, 4 exam rooms, 1 large procedure room, eat in break room, storage room, walk in storage closet. 369K. Contents negotiable. Please contact 518-222-4956 / email perrotmi@yahoo.com
Office Rental 30 Central Park South
Two fully equipped exam, two certified operating, bathrooms and consultation room. Shared secretarial and waiting rooms. Elegantly decorated, central a/c, hardwood floors. Next to Park Lane and Plaza hotels. $1250 for four days a month. Available full or part-time. 212.371.0468 / drdese@gmail.com.
Ophthalmic Office to Sublet – NYC
340 E. 49TH St. (Ground Floor -Handicap Accessible) 1-3 Lanes Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun Full use of: VF / OCT /Pachymeter/ Autorefractor /Autolensometer / Argon / YAG Lasers
Please contact Scott Weissman MD. privacyssw@gmail.com. 914-772-5581
Two Offices Available for Rent in Established SoHo Primary Care PracticeNewly constructed loft space. Dedicated private waiting area available. This space is ideal for individual psychiatry, psychology, social work, physical therapy, or acupuncture services. Potential to work with existing Primary Care Practice as a referral source. Centrally located in the heart of SoHo, close to all subways. Available 7 days/week.
Contact: SpringPrimaryCare@gmail.com.
Medical Office and Medical Practice (Upper East Side)
79th St near Lexington / Park. 750 sq Ft beautiful, street entrance, medical office for sale with a 25 + yr internal medical practice for sale. Office is in move in condition. Physician retiring. Waiting room. Secretarial area for 3. 1 Consult room. 2 exam Rooms 2 Toilets. Please contact: 917-770-8700 / email drklein@att.net
Review Vacancy
Date Posted: 03/23/21 Applications Due: 04/06/21 Vacancy ID: 85272
Position Information
| Agency | Health, Department of |
| Title | Health Program Director 2 -TBD |
| Occupational Category | Other Professional Careers |
| Salary Grade | 665 |
| Bargaining Unit | M/C – Management / Confidential (Unrepresented) |
| Salary Range | From $122092 to $154253 Annually |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Jurisdictional Class | Non-competitive Class |
| Travel Percentage | 10% |
Schedule
| Workweek
Hours Per Week |
Mon-Fri
37.5 |
Workday
| From | 8:30 AM |
| To | 4:30 PM |
| Flextime allowed? | No |
| Mandatory overtime? | No |
| Compressed workweek allowed? | No |
| Telecommuting allowed? | No |
Location
| County | Albany |
| Street Address | CCH; Division of Family Health
Corning Tower, ESP |
| City | Albany |
| State | NY |
| Zip Code | 12237 |
Job Specifics
| Minimum Qualifications | Twelve years of professional level work experience, three of which must have included managerial, decision-making and/or oversight responsibilities for a major health-related program or in the direction of a major administrative function of a large health-related organization. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for four years of the general professional experience.
Twelve or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience in programs that improve perinatal health, child and/or adolescent health, early care, and learning, and/or sexual violence prevention, including four years of managerial, decision-making, and/or program direction. Seven years of this experience would also include fiscal management, policy making and oversight responsibilities, and statewide supervision of professional level staff. The preferred candidate would be familiar with representing departmental interests and serving as a spokesperson and liaison to Executive staff, and have experience working with other state and federal governmental programs. Experience with second-level professional supervision as well as strong oral and written communication skills is also desired. A master’s degree in an appropriate field may substitute an additional one year of the general professional experience, not to exceed a maximum of five years total allowable educational Please refer to full listing |
Review Vacancy
Date Posted: 04/09/21 Applications Due: 05/10/21 Vacancy ID: 85840
Position Information
| Agency | Health, Department of |
| Title | Director Public Health – 601 |
| Occupational Category | Administrative or General Management |
| Salary Grade | NS |
| Bargaining Unit | M/C – Management / Confidential (Unrepresented) |
| Salary Range | From $149004 to $149004 Annually |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
| Appointment Type | Temporary |
| Jurisdictional Class | Exempt Class |
| Travel Percentage | 20% |
Schedule
| Workweek
Hours Per Week |
Mon-Fri
40 |
Workday
| From | 9 AM |
| To | 5 PM |
| Flextime allowed? | No |
| Mandatory overtime? | No |
| Compressed workweek allowed? | No |
| Telecommuting allowed? | No |
Location
| County | Albany |
| Street Address | Office of Public Health
ESP, Corning Tower OR Metropolitan Area Regional Office (MARO) Church Street |
| City | Albany OR New York |
| State | NY |
| Zip Code | 12237 |
Job Specifics
| Minimum Qualifications | A Bachelor’s degree and eleven years* of professional level government or non-profit experience, five of which must have included managerial, decision-making and/or oversight responsibilities for a major public health-related program or in the direction of a major administative function of a large health-related organizaton. Substitution – JD or Master’s degree may substitute for one year of the general experience, a PhD may substitute for two years of the general experience.
Preferred Qualifications: Track record of strong analytical and organizational skills; excellent written and verbal communication; ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced and confidential environment under tight deadlines is essential; experience in a managerial role, interacting with state and federal government officials is preferred; |