MSSNY eNews: January 26, 2022

 

MSSNY President Dr. Sellers Named to City & State’s Health Care Power 100 List Highlighting Influential Figures That Have Shaped New York’s Pandemic Response
The City & State (NY) reports, “New York – along with the rest of the world – is about to enter its third year dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.” Despite the recent Omicron surge, “there has been real progress over the past year or so.” The article adds, “City & State’s Health Care Power 100…highlights the public health officials, hospital executives, labor leaders, activists and other influential figures that have shaped New York’s response to the pandemic – and other pressing health care matters – over the past year.” The article highlights Joseph R. Sellers, MD, FAAP, FACP, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, adding that “with Dr. Joseph Sellers now at the helm, the organization has pushed for legislative proposals that improve patient care, such as expanded telehealth coverage and smooth COVID-19 vaccine distribution.”


MSSNY Member Dr. William Valenti Recipient of 2021 Excellence in Medicine Award
Dr. Valenti PortraitThe AMA Foundation Board of Directors announced this week that Dr. William Valenti is the 2021 recipient of the Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award.

This annual Excellence in Medicine awards program honor physicians who represent the highest values of altruism, compassion and dedication to patient care. The Board noted that the caliber of nominees was awe-inspiring, and that Dr. Valenti’s selection from such an impressive group speaks volumes in recognizing his dedication to the profession of medicine. He will be honored during an awards ceremony hosted by the AMA Foundation in 2022 (date TBD).

An internist/infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Valenti is a co-founder of Community Health Network (now Trillium Health), a federally-qualified health center caring for 5,000 patients. A graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, he did his infectious diseases training at the University of Rochester. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.

Dr. Valenti has been involved in HIV treatment, research and policy in the United States since the early 1980’s and is chair of MSSNY’s Infectious Diseases Committee. He is also a member of the MSSNY’s Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster/Terrorism Response. Dr. Valenti serves as faculty for the Medical Society’s various educational programs and has authored numerous programs.

Dr. Valenti is a member of the Governor’s Task Force to End the HIV Epidemic by 2020 and in 2017 published his memoir, “AIDS: A Matter of Urgency,” about his early experiences during the AIDS epidemic. All proceeds go toward the New York State initiative to End the Epidemic through Trillium Health.


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Join Garfunkel Wild for “Federal No Surprises Act – One Month In: What Have We Learned? What Questions Remain?”
One month into the January 1 effective date for the Federal No Surprises Act, physicians still have many unanswered questions.  The Garfunkel Wild Working Group is advising clients in the trenches and studying all guidance and developments released regarding the Act’s implementation during the Act’s first 30 days. In this Webinar, GW will report back and update everyone on what the first month of living with the Federal No Surprises Act has taught us. The Webinar will provide answers where questions have been resolved and will address continuing areas of uncertainty, all with the same expert insight and analysis that Garfunkel Wild has always furnished to their Health Care clients.

Join GW on Tuesday, February 1 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EST) for this complimentary webinar.

Click Here To Register. 

Physicians should also be aware of a new page on the New York Department of Financial Services website detailing many of the new patient protections under the No Surprises Act, as well as health care provider and health insurer requirements under this law.


MSSNY’s Physician Payment and Practice Division Resolves Insurance Company Payment Issues for Members
MSSNY’s Physician Payment and Practice Division regularly intervenes with insurance companies on behalf of our members, saving the physician and the practice both time and money.

Following is an excerpt from a letter received from a MSSNY member this week:

“Heather has been invaluable to me on several occasions in resolving payment issues with insurance companies. She has a vast knowledge of how to deal with problem issues. Recently, I received over $6,000 in payments via a credit card format from Blue Cross Blue Shield that could not be processed. Through her contacts Heather was able to remedy the situation and Blue Cross Blue Shield mailed me checks for all the missing payments within a week.”

If you have questions about this or any other insurance concern, contact MSSNY’s Director of Physician Payment and Practice, Heather Lopez, at 518.465.8085 X332 | hlopez@mssny.org.


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HHS Disbursing Additional $2 Billion in Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 Payments this Week
HHS announced yesterday that it is disbursing an additional $2 billion in Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 payments this week. Like the payments allocated in December, these payments will be based on lost revenues and increased expenses due to COVID-19 and will be made to physicians who previously applied for relief funds. HHS will reimburse a larger share of losses and increased expenses for smaller providers and a portion of the payments will be based on the amount and type of services provided to Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP patients. To mitigate disparities due to varying Medicaid reimbursement rates, HHS is using Medicare reimbursement rates in calculating these payments. Physician practices that receive more than $10,000 in payments will be required to report on their use of the funds. More information is available here.


Black Men in White Coats Documentary Screening

In honor of February’s Black History Month, Nassau County Medical Society is hosting two documentary screenings of Black Men in White Coats. Visit their website to RSVP for the screenings on February 3rd or February 17th at 6 PM.  The above video provides an introduction to Dr. Dale Okorodudu’s mission. Click the button below to learn more about Black Men in White Coats and how you can contribute to their cause.

Read More Here


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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 Rate Sheet, please click here.


Healthcare Tech Investment Opportunity
Kalypsys (www.heykaly.com) is a healthcare tech startup that integrates patient appointment booking, telemedicine, and practice growth, with additional leveraged, validated, and lucrative revenue sources available downstream. We are a 100% physician-owned and operated company seeking $2.5MM in seed investment via SAFE agreement from the physician community.  This is a rare and unique opportunity to invest on the ground floor in a ready-to-launch tech startup in an industry that is ripe for disruption. If you are frustrated with the $35-$110 per booking fee of our competitors, please contact us immediately to review our investor deck!  We are also looking for board-certified physicians to add to our growing medical advisory board.  Great opportunity to break into the healthcare tech space.  Please inquire at invest@kalypsys.com!


Office Space for Lease – Great Neck, NY
Large, fully equipped space available for lease up to 7 days per week. Includes onsite parking and is close to mass transit. Call 516-972-2986 for info.


Rheumatology Practice Opportunity – Great Neck, NY
Opportunity available at an established rheumatology practice in Great Neck, NY. Looking for a dedicated physician to join, share or merge practices. Fully equipped office with onsite parking and proximity to mass transit. Contact 516-972-2986 for more info.