MSSNY Pulse: September 23, 2022

Message from MSSNY President Parag Mehta, MD:
MSSNY Celebrates Women in Medicine

Colleagues:
During Women in Medicine month in September each year, we celebrate and recognize all the women physicians, residents, and medical students who inspire those around them every day and work to make health care more equitable.

I’d like to honor and thank MSSNY’s thousands of superb women members who work tirelessly to care for New York’s patients—and direct a special spotlight on MSSNY Past President Dr Bonnie Litvack and MSSNY Vice Speaker Dr Maria Basile, who work to make MSSNY a better organization for their colleagues. We also benefit from the time, effort, and leadership of the many women physicians who lead our county medical societies.

MSSNY Vice Speaker Dr Maria Basile

MSSNY Past President Dr Bonnie Litvack

​MSSNY is also fortunate to benefit from the skilled leadership of many women on our staff, including Pat Clancy, Laurie Mayer, Julie Vecchione, Valerie Cammiso,  Zina Cary, Heather Lopez, Brenda Van Nest, Sandra Bennett, Caroline Hunt, and Fran Nunez.  Additionally, we are grateful to the many women county executives, including Lucia Acosta-Castillejo, Christa Castelli, Lorraine M. Clement, Shirley Cosgriff, Aimana Elbahtity, Jeanne Hummel, Kim Jones, Joselin Lajara, Brenda Lynch, Cheryl Malone, Janine Miller, Julie Panna, Annette Rickey, Dr. Myrna Angiolinna Sanchez, Stavroula Savelidis, and Amelia M. Soto.

MSSNY’s Women Physicians Committee addresses women physician’s issues and concerns, including women’s health issues, work/life balance, pay disparities, sexual harassment, representation in leadership roles, and family-friendly employment policies. Please encourage your women colleagues to join and get more involved in MSSNY. Our organization represents physicians across the state, and we are always looking for the best and the brightest women physicians to lead the organization into the future.

Parag Mehta, MD
MSSNY President


Health Advisory: Increase in Severe Respiratory Illnesses Associated with Rhinoviruses and/or Enteroviruses
Health Update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Severe Respiratory Illnesses Associated with Rhinoviruses and/or Enteroviruses. An increase in pediatric hospitalizations in patients with severe respiratory illness who also tested positive for rhinovirus (RV) and/or enterovirus (EV) has been reported in several regions of the US; healthcare facilities in New York State and New York City are seeing such pediatric hospitalizations.

  • RVs and EVs can have clinically similar presentations and are indistinguishable from one another on multiplex assays often used in clinical settings.
  • Upon further typing, some specimens have been positive for enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). Concurrently, pediatric acute respiratory illness sentinel surveillance sites are reporting a higher proportion of EV-D68 positivity in children who are RV/EV positive compared to previous years.
  • Although it primarily causes acute respiratory illness, EV-D68 has been associated with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare but serious neurologic complication involving limb weakness. AFM and paralytic polio can have similar clinical presentations; specimens tested at Wadsworth Center for pathogens that can cause AFM will also be tested for poliovirus.
  • Historically, a rise in AFM cases is typically seen about a month after EV-D68-associated respiratory disease is detected in a geographic area.


MLMIC Ad


STI Computer Services Announces Strategic Alliance with the Medical Society of the State of New York to Offer Members the ChartMaker® Revenue Cycle Optimization Service, an enhanced Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Program
STI Computer Services announced a strategic alliance this week with the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to offer MSSNY members the STI Revenue Cycle Optimization Program for Medical Practices. Revenue Cycle Optimization (RCO) is an enhanced form of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) that includes more than just assistance in electronic billing, posting, handling insurance denials, and collecting fees.

STI RCO also includes personal assistance for EMR Software implementation and training, MIPS Assistance, training, and other consultative services required by medical practices to maintain federal compliancy, but not readily available from one source as a complete and affordable package. The alliance also provides discounted prices for MSSNY members on the Revenue Cycle Optimization Program, Insurance Credentialing, and Computer Equipment Managed Services.

The objective is to increase physician owners’ profits by increasing collections, reducing costs, and managing the complete revenue cycle. Practices are different, and one standard Revenue Cycle Management program will not work for everyone, so the programs are customizable.

For more information, call Matt Ross: 1-800-487-9135 extension 1169 or by email at mross@sticomputer.com.


Join Us on October 9, 2022, and Learn How to Ace Your Residency Interview
Our newest seminar series hosted by MSSNY’s IMG and Ethnic Medical Association Sections continues Sunday, October 9 at 9:30 am. Please join us to learn how to ace your next interview for your residency application. Leaders in the medical field will teach you how to ensure your statement stands out. Register now.



Media Relations 101 for Medical Professionals on October 5, 2022 –10:00 AM
Onondaga County Medical Society Executive Director Julie Panna has over 20 years of strategic communications and media experience. She will discuss tips on preparing for and successfully delivering your message during television interviews. This webinar is geared toward physicians and medical society staff. The session will provide an overview of tips on addressing public policy issues during a media interview.

Please RSVP to oncms@oncms.org by September 25th, and you will receive confirmation of registration and the zoom link.


Save the Date for Joint Section Virtual Programming Saturday, October 1, 2022 – 10:00 AM
The Residents/Fellows Section, the Young Physicians Section, and the Medical Students Section will host a virtual information session on Saturday, October 1.

We look forward to having you join us!
Learn more To register

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with krohrer@mssny.org


Sellers Insurance for MSSNY Members


Join the Young Physicians/Residents Social Meet Up Tonight!


Monroe County Medical Society Celebrates 201st Anniversary Gala
On Friday, September 16, 2022, the Monroe County Medical Society celebrated its 201st Anniversary Gala at the Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, NY after a 2-year hiatus. With over 200 guests in attendance, members enjoyed a cocktail hour with colleagues and friends, a delicious sit-down dinner with delectable desserts, followed by dancing.

Annually, the Monroe County Medical Society (MCMS) presents its distinguished Edward Mott Moore Award to both a physician and a layperson whose lives reflect the qualities exemplified by Dr. Edward Mott Moore as a physician, teacher, investigator, leader and contributor to the community. This is the highest honor bestowed by MCMS, in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service to the medical profession and the community.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we devoted time to recognize the recipients of the annual Edward Mott Moore Award from 2020 to 2022. We also recognized and honored those MCMS members celebrating their 50th, 25th and 10th year anniversaries of practicing medicine.

The evening had several speakers including Dr. Parag Mehta, MSSNY President, who gave an engaging presentation on “How to Change the World”. Dr. Mehta guided all on creating a brighter future through advocacy, learning, empathy, gratitude, forgiveness, mindfulness, equity and improving social determinants of health. This presentation was very well-received with multiple attendees commenting on how inspiring it was.

Congressman Joe Morelle, of the 25th District of NY, also joined the celebration and presented the MCMS with a Congressional award. Finally, Dr. John Lombardo, Chief Medical Officer, MLMIC Insurance touched on “Medical Professional Liability Updates and Current Threats to the Practice of Medicineincluding the importance of opposing the Grieving Families Act: Senate Bill S74A.

This bill is an extreme, drastic overhaul of current law. If enacted, it would:

  • expand without limitation the universe of individuals who may recover damages under wrongful death actions to include the undefined term “Close Family Members”
  • create a new category of non-economic damages for grief and anguish and allow recovering individuals to obtain damages for their own “disorders caused by such grief or anguish”
  • nearly double the statute of limitations for wrongful death actions from 2 years to 3.5 years

Dr Susan Danahy Receiving 2021-2022 President Service Award

Dr. Mathew Devine, New MCMS President Accepting His Gavel


Val Renewal Banner


Discover Life in the Field!
You are cordially invited to attend the upcoming Doctors Without Borders Recruitment New York Info Sessions in Brooklyn and Harlem. Join their efforts to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.

Information Session: September 27, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Harlem, NY 180 W 135th St New York, NY 10030 Register Here

A Field Recruiter will be on hand to discuss requirements and the recruitment process, and a Doctors Without Borders aid worker from the local area will share their stories of life in the fieldLearn more about working for MSF.

Doctors Without Borders provides emergency medical aid to people in crisis in more than 60 countries worldwide. Learn more


AMA, AHA Support Lawsuit to Challenge Flawed Revised Surprise Bill Rule
In response to the Texas Medical Association filing a new suit against the federal government alleging that the revised surprise bill dispute resolution regulation suffers from defects similar to the regulation they attempted to implement last year, the AMA and AHA issued the following statement supporting the action:

“Hospitals and doctors strongly believe that no patient should fear receiving a surprise medical bill and that patients should be kept out of the middle of any billing disputes between providers and commercial health insurance companies. The AHA and AMA fully support the lawsuit just filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, which challenges the government’s August 2022 final rule regarding the No Surprises Act’s independent dispute resolution process. We intend to make our voice heard in this case by filing an amicus brief that explains how the final rule departs from Congressional intent just as the September 2021 interim final rule did. The Texas court previously held that the interim final rule impermissibly rewrote clear statutory terms by placing a thumb on the scale in favor of commercial insurers. The final rule suffers from the same problems. As was the case with the previous suit, the AHA and AMA want to see the law’s core patient protections move forward and seek only to bring the regulations in line with the law. We look forward to supporting the Texas Medical Association’s efforts to restore the balanced, patient-friendly approach that Congress passed and the AHA and AMA supported.”


Rx Banner


Tell Congress to Stop the Cuts
Stop us if you’ve heard this before – physicians are facing another round of Medicare payment cuts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Unless Congress acts by the end of the year, physician Medicare payments are planned to be cut by 8.42 percent in 2023 which would severely impede patient access to care due to the forced closure of physician practices and put further strain on those that remained open during the pandemic.
Tell Congress to protect America’s Medicare patients and stop the cuts!

These scheduled cuts will come in three forms:

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS has proposed a 4.42% cut for all physician services in 2023 to offset payment policy improvements in office and facility-based visits.
  • No inflationary update.  Physicians are the only providers whose Medicare payments do not automatically receive an annual inflationary update; during this time of record inflation on the heels of a highly disruptive pandemic, this statutory flaw amplifies the impact of proposed payment cuts.
  • PAYGO. Congressional Pay-As-You-Go (PAGO) rules have been triggered requiring an automatic 4% cut as a result of new federal spending having nothing to do with physicians. These cuts will kick in in 2023 unless waived by Congress.

Physicians simply cannot afford to operate under the current payment system. Congress must reform the Medicare physician payment system to make it simpler, more reflective of real-world physician practice costs and more predictable for both physicians and CMS before it’s too late!

Recently, Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) introduced H.R. 8800 the “Supporting Medicare Providers Act” to help address the flawed payment system and provide relief from the devastating cuts.

This is a great first step, but with only a handful of legislative days left it is critical that Congress act to pass it or any other legislation that will prevent these devastating cuts from going into effect. Please take a moment and contact your Senators and Representative to tell them to cancel the cuts!


The Center Square – 09/16/22
Ad campaign launched on New York’s wrongful death lawsuits reform bill
(MSSNY President Dr. Parag Mehta quoted)


Syracuse Post Standard – 09/16/22
Medical society leaders: NY’s new liability law threatens access to care (Your Letters)
(Joint letter from Onondaga County Medical Society President Robert Dracker, MD, MHA, MBA, CPI; President-elect Digant Nanavati, MD; Vice President Lynn Cleary, MD; Past President David Page, MD; and Treasurer Michael Sheehan, MD)


MSSNY Announces New Podcast on Polio
On September 9th, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency in response to a case of paralytic polio discovered in Rockland County on July 21, 2022.  Subsequent wastewater testing has discovered polio in five counties in New York State.  To learn more about polio, be sure to check out MSSNY’s newest podcast: Polio 2022: A Discussion with Dr. William Valenti.


MSSNY Advocacy Update Podcast: Grassroots Needed on the Myriad of Healthcare Bills to be Considered by Governor Hochul.

Listen to MSSNY’s September 23rd podcast as Senior Vice-President & Chief Legislative Counsel Moe Auster discusses upcoming healthcare bills to be considered by Governor Hochul.


MSSNY & CMS Discuss Changes to Coverages
MSSNY members and our Director of Physician Payment and Practice, Heather Lopez, met with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Shari Ling, and her team to discuss the reevaluation of national coverage determination (NCD) regarding the non-coverage of screening breast ultrasounds for women with dense breasts.

Currently, this is a non-covered service by Medicare. The best practices based on the guidelines set forth by multiple organizations/associations are that when a woman is diagnosed with dense breasts based on mammography, supplemental screening, most commonly with breast ultrasound, is recommended in addition to annual mammograms.

Based on the meeting, we are very optimistic that the following steps will move in the right direction for women across the country with the appropriate coverage, particularly regarding breast health. MSSNY thanks our members, Dr. D’Alessio, Dr. Eng, and a few ProHealth Physicians for participating in the meeting and providing critical information and valuable feedback.


Workers’ Comp Board’s New Fact Sheet Available for Health Care Providers
As you are aware, the mandatory use of the CMS-1500 form and accompanying medical narrative went into effect on July 1, 2022. As mentioned in a GovDelivery dated July 8, 2022, health care providers must use either the medical report template or alternately, must include the following in the medical narrative attachment, either at the top of or prominently displayed on, the medical narrative that accompanies the CMS-1500 form:

  • injured worker’s temporary impairment percentage,
  • work status, and
  • the causal relationship of the injury

To serve as an additional reference for health care providers, the Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) has created a fact sheet called Treating Workers’ Comp Patients: Three Musts for Medical Reports, which outlines this requirement in further detail and provides additional information and resources.


New Webinar on Biosimilar Medications
Want to learn more about “Biosimilar” medications & the potential impact for patients battling chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes & more? Join MSSNY for an educational webinar on Wednesday, October 5th at 7:30am! Click to register! Additional information or assistance with registration may be obtained by contacting Melissa Hoffman at mhoffman@mssny.org.


Discounted Long-Term Care Insurance
Members and their spouses can now obtain a 5% discount on long-term care insurance from Mutual of Omaha, through Charles J. Sellers & Co.  Mutual of Omaha’s MutualCare Custom Solution policy allows you to get the care you need in the setting that’s right for you, whether that’s at home or in a care facility, while helping to protect the assets you’ve worked so hard for.  Contact Sellers & Co. at 800-333-5440 or insurance@sellersinsurance.com for more information and a customized proposal.



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

For the MSSNY 2022 Ad RateSheet, please click here.


Concierge Practice for Sale  Boca Raton Florida
FOR SALE: Established Independent Concierge Internal Medicine Practice in Boca Raton, Florida. Stable turnkey operation in a pleasant work environment. Ideal for someone with the desire to transition to a better approach to medical practice. Financing available.
Contact planahead2023@gmail.com.


Hollywood Beach, FL 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo Direct Ocean View
One of a kind two-bedroom two bath condo directly on Hollywood Beach and boardwalk.  Terrace overlooking the ocean is cruise ship-like, with unobstructed views of the ocean and intercostal. Penthouse unit without neighbors above or adjacent. Features white 24-inch tile floors, two bedrooms with queen beds, two marble tiled bathrooms, central air conditioning and building just upgraded. Edgewaters Beach Towers, 400 North Surf Rd., Hollywood Beach. $779,000. Call 917-861-8273 / CenedeseLuis@gmail.com


30 Central Park South Office for Lease or Sale 
Prime ground floor office, two  AAAHC accredited operatories plus four exam rooms lab, large reception and secretarial areas and two full bathrooms. Four rooms with external windows. Will help with building to suit. Lease $16500/month with option to buy $3.3mil. Contact CenedeseLuis@gmail.com  or 917-861-8273


Rheumatology Practice Sublet – Great Neck, NY
Sublet opportunity available at an established medical office in Great Neck, NY. Prime location near LIJ, Northshore University and St. Francis Hospitals. Fully equipped office with onsite parking and proximity to mass transit. Contact 516-972-2986/susanrita1@msny.com for more info.


Medical Office with Ample Patient Parking + 1 Family For Sale in the Most Desired Area of Hollis Hills. Priced to Sell!
One of a kind medical office investment opportunity and growth in the most desirable areas of Hollis Hills! This property is an S1 zoning that allows a medical practice, located within proximity of LIJ and Manhasset hospital, Lake Success Pro Health Medical offices with ample patient parking and much more, this unique property features a residential space split level style with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths living room, dining room with a wood burning fireplace, kitchen, oversized sunroom/den, 1 car garage and laundry room.

The Lower level has a separate entrance, 4 exam rooms, a doctor’s private office, filling rooms and endless closet storage.
Conveniently located near schools, worship houses, transportation, GCP, LIE, Cross Island & Clearview Expressway, restaurants, shopping centers and much more! To inquire, please call Claudia (917-554-4158) or Bella at (718-344-2153).


Recruiting for Full or Part time (20 hours per week Chief of Medical Services).  Salary is negotiable.
Oversees and directs the planning, implementation, and supervision of health and medical services for residents at the NYS Veterans Home at St Albans. Develops, implements, and evaluates medical treatment standards and procedures; and provides technical and operational guidance and direction to medical and health care staff. Serves as a medical consultant and liaison; and develops recommendations for medical assessments, treatments, and care. Implements and monitors contract agreements and the provision of contracted medical and health related services. Participates in program audits and reviews. Supervises the credentialing and privileging process to ensure that medical staff possess appropriate credentials and maintain appropriate levels of continuing education; and participates in the development of recruitment programs and hiring and selection processes. Provides clinical and administrative supervision and guidance to physicians and other health care professionals.  Possession of a license and current registration to practice medicine in New York State and six years of post-licensure medical practice experience, two years of which must have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity. Must be fully COVID 19 vaccinated.

Send CV to: RecruitmentStAlbans@nysvets.org


Office Space To Share / Financial District NYC.
LOCATION:
111 John St., Ste 1460, NYC 10038 (between Cliff & Pearl St.)
A block away from the South Street Seaport. Easy access to office Central hub for all subway lines (A, C, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z, E), a quick walk from NJ path train.

Beautifully renovated, 1,300 sq ft. modern space. Available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and weekends.

Private rooms with pocket doors. Access to building 24/7, security/door man in the lobby, very safe. Daily rate $450. Contact (917) 514-1299 text/call.


Medical Office for Share in Medical Park with Free Big Parking Lot in Westchester County
Medical office for sublet in Medical Park with free big parking lot, located at West Harrison, border of White Plains in Westchester County. Office includes a big waiting room with a kitchen, doctors office, exam room, and reception area. All rooms are available for whole days of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Thursday (Thursday full day on every 1st and 3rd week and Thursday morning on every 2nd and 4th week each month, or we can discuss more options). Monthly rent $600 for once a week usage, $1100 for twice a week usage, $1500 for three-day a week usage. Newly renovated and fully furnished. Text May if you are interested 646-338-4803


Board Certified Internal or Family Medicine Physician
Join our caring team and our mission to provide the highest standard of healthcare to each of our patients. Medical office in Eastern Nassau County looking a for a hard-working, responsible Physician to join our team.

Responsibilities include care for, diagnosing and managing patients.

Please send Curriculum Vitae to drg2555@yahoo.com.



Rendr – Transforming Healthcare – Leadership Opportunity: Associate Chief Medical Office, SVP of Population Health, Bilingual English and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) preferred
Job Position: Associate Chief Medical Office, SVP of Population Health in this role, you will lead and provide a wide range of support through population health, quality measures, practice transformation, Rendr360 department, House Calls, and other projects. Please send resumes careers@rendrcare.com. We are offering leadership opportunities to Physicians who are interested in providing high-quality clinical care to our patients in the diverse communities that we serve. As a rapidly growing network, we provide a supportive environment for our physicians to practice medicine under the guidance of dedicated medical leadership. www.rendrcare.com.