MSSNY Pulse: October 21, 2022
Message from MSSNY President Parag Mehta, MD:
Keep Your Finger on the Pulse of New York Medicine
Colleagues:
MSSNY Pulse App: Keep your finger on the pulse of New York medicine and get the latest news on demand with our new MSSNY Pulse app. When you download the app, you’ll be able to read MSSNY Pulse on your phone and filter, save, bookmark, forward it to social media and contact us all in one place. Use the QR code below or download here: Pulse Google Play Pulse App Store.
Advocacy and Voting: I encourage you to get involved in advocacy. Elections are right around the corner and it’s more essential now than ever to cast your ballot.
Every election is determined by the people who show up. —Political Analyst Larry J. Sabato
MSSNY’s highest priority is a veto of the Wrongful Death Bill. Please urge Governor to Veto Wrongful Death Liability Expansion.
Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them again and again and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls. —Columnist Peggy Noonan
Please go to vote.org to confirm that you are registered to vote and encourage colleagues, friends, and family to register to vote. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. —Cultural Anthropologist Margaret Mead
Happy Diwali: As I prepare to celebrate Diwali next week, I hope the festival of lights brings your way bright sparkles of peace, contentment, joy, and happiness.
When Diwali or Deepawali—known as the “festival of lights”—is celebrated on Monday, October 24, it will bring the promise of a better tomorrow. The holiday is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. Observed by more than a billion people across faiths, the five-day festival of lights includes prayer, feasts, and fireworks and is a time to celebrate light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Regardless of the events or religion surrounding it, Diwali brings with it happy tidings and a promise of a better tomorrow. People celebrate by lighting lamps in their homes and hosting parties for family and friends to celebrate happiness, good times, and good fortune.
Parag Mehta, MD
MSSNY President
3 Things Physician Practices Should Do to Prepare for a Potential Railroad Strike
A nationwide railroad strike might be on the horizon. Railroad workers rejected new labor agreements last week, inspiring fear that they could begin striking in mid-November. There are three key considerations that healthcare providers should take note of while they anticipate the possibility of a railroad strike.
- Have proactive conversations with suppliers
- Identify alternatives for products
- Leverage data to form next steps
A strike could have a damaging impact on the healthcare supply chain, creating shortages of drugs and medical equipment needed to provide care. Learn more about how to prepare for this possibility.
3 things providers should do to prepare for a potential railroad strike (Adams, Medcity, 10/14).
Need Help Planning a Flu Clinic?
Flu vaccination clinics are a great way to vaccinate your patients and families quickly and efficiently before the start of the flu season. They can occur during regular or extended office hours and begin as soon as the vaccine is received. This year, co-administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is also an important consideration. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently created a toolkit that will help guide your practice to having a successful flu vaccine clinic.
Lifelong Learning: A Look in the Review Mirror and a Peek Ahead Webinar on Tuesday, October 25
On October 25 at 7:00 pm, MSSNY’s IMG and Ethnic Medical Association Sections will host Harvard Medical School Professor Sanjiv Chopra, M.D., MACP, FRCP London. Please join us for stories about major discoveries in the last few decades, and predictions about the stories emerging that will change medicine in a revolutionary way—leading to enhanced wellness and longevity. Register now.
This webinar is part of the David B.L. Meza, III, MD Lecture series and is proudly sponsored by the Medical, Educational & Scientific Foundation of New York, with a grant from the Empire State Medical, Scientific & Educational Foundation.
We Need Your Input on the New MSSNY Website
Have you taken our website survey yet? We are building a brand new MSSNY website and want it to meet your needs.
Your input is critical. Our goal is to create a website that helps you to easily find the information that you—and your physician colleagues throughout New York State—are looking for.
To help us make the new website the best it can be, please take our MSSNY website survey before October 15. It will take less than two minutes of your time.
PrEP Can Prevent HIV
PrEP Aware Week begins Monday, October 24th. Every health care provider, health care facility, local health department, community-based organization, social service agency, school or individual concerned about HIV is being asked to join us in working together so that people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and abilities are aware of PrEP. Check out the PrEP Aware Week website, https://campaigns.health.ny.gov/PrepResources for materials available for download, including a social media toolkit, the PrEP Aware Week graphic and Email signature.
DOH Extends Deadline for Completing Cultural Competence CME Required for Medicaid Managed Care Network Participation Until November 1
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has extended the deadline for physicians and other network providers of Medicaid Managed Care plans to complete cultural competency CME required in the state’s Medicaid Managed Care contract until November 1, 2022.
Specifically, the Model contract section 15.10(c,) states that a plan must “ensure the cultural competence of its provider network by requiring Participating Providers to certify, on an annual basis, completion of State-approved cultural competence training curriculum, including training on the use of interpreters, for all Participating Providers’ staff who have regular and substantial contact with Enrollees.”
NYSDOH has indicated that this requirement can be met through coursework offered by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Minority Health, Think Cultural Health. The training is online, free and offers several provider specific programs: Education – Think Cultural Health (hhs.gov), including courses specifically for physicians. According to NYS DOH, only 1 of the 3 courses needs to be completed to meet the requirement.
Because MSSNY has heard from some physicians otherwise required to complete the coursework who were unaware of the requirement, we have asked NYSDOH to consider a further extension of time to complete the required coursework
MSSNY and Several Other Physician Associations Support Updated Litigation Challenging Flawed Implementation of the No Surprises Act
The Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) announced this week that it had filed an amicus brief supporting the Texas Medical Association (TMA)’s lawsuit challenging portions of the HHS final rule implementing the No Surprises Act’s independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. Fourteen state medical associations including MSSNY and 16 medical specialty associations joined the brief.
The brief supports TMA’s Sept. 2022 filing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging federal regulators’ final rule violates the No Surprises Act by giving preference to the qualifying payment amount (QPA) during an IDR for a surprise medical bill, which unfairly favors insurers. This flawed approach was struck down by the Eastern District of Texas earlier this year before federal regulators adopted a revised regulation that appears to have sidestepped the Court’s decision in the final rule. If allowed to stand, there is great concern that federal regulators’ approach will encourage even more health care consolidation and give insurers an unfair advantage contracting with physicians. This will further constrict already narrow, insurer-built networks of health care providers, raising serious concerns about patients’ ability to access affordable, quality specialty care.
Reminder: Please Urge Governor Hochul to Veto Drastic Liability Expansion Bill
Physicians are again urged to go to MSSNY’s Grassroots Action site to contact Governor Hochul to veto harmful legislation (A.6770/S.74-A) that would drastically increase liability insurance costs by expanding damages that are awardable in wrongful death actions. Actuarial studies show that New York’s already grossly excessive liability premiums would need to be increased by 40%, which could drive more physicians out of New York State and significantly exacerbate New York’s access to care problems.
Recently, the New York Post issued an editorial urging Governor Hochul to veto the Wrongful Death damages expansion bill, which included a quote from MSSNY President Dr. Parag Mehta and other industries impacted by this bill): NY Post: Moreover, recently, the following op-eds from MSSNY/County Medical Society Leaders appeared in papers across the State:
- Gannett/USA Today op-ed today from the leadership of Westchester County Medical Society Journal News/Lohud:
- Syracuse Post-Standard op-ed from the leadership of the Onondaga County Medical Society Syracuse.com
The Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York has also placed ads on Twitter in various papers across the State calling upon Governor Hochul to veto this bill, including in the Albany Times-Union, Buffalo News, Long Island Newsday and the New York Daily News
Reminder: MSSNYPAC Releases Legislator Scorecard
With the elections just a few weeks away, physicians are reminded to review MSSNYPAC’s legislator scorecard. The scorecard is a valuable tool for physicians that contains the voting and co-sponsorship records of each state legislator on issues important to New York physicians, their patients, and our health care system. This year, the scorecard encompasses seven bills supported by MSSNY and four bills opposed by MSSNY.
MSSNYPAC has also released specialized, county by county versions of its scorecard. This way, you will be able to see how the legislators that represent your county are voting on issues important to you and your patients. There are currently 20 county scorecards available. To request a scorecard from a county not listed, please contact mssnypac@mssny.org or call 518-465-8085.
Please Contact Your Members of Congress to Prevent Steep Cuts for 2023
Physicians are again urged to contact their Respective Congressional representative and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand (Stop Cuts to Medicare Payments (p2a.co) to urge that they act to prevent an 8.5% cut to their Medicare payments in 2023.
Late last year, MSSNY worked together with the AMA and state and specialty societies across the country to successfully persuade Congress to delay a “perfect storm” of Medicare payment cuts totaling 10% that, if permitted to be implemented, would have severely impeded patient access to care. However, these provisions expire at the end of 2022.
MSSNY is again working with the federation of medicine as part of a group effort to prevent the cut. Before the end of the year, we are asking Congress to:
- Extend the Congressionally enacted 3% temporary increase in the Medicare physician fee schedule
- Provide relief for an additional 1.5% budget neutrality cut that is planned for 2023
- End the statutory annual freeze and provide an inflation-based update for the coming year
- Waive the 4% PAYGO sequester necessitated by passage of legislation unrelated to Medicare
If these changes were not going cause enough damage to community physician practices, MSSNY is raising the alarm to CMS regarding a provision in the 2023 Medicare payment rule that would further reduce Medicare payments to New York physicians by decreasing the regional adjustments to Medicare payments arising from New York’s excessively high rents costs and liability insurance costs. MSSNY has been working with the AMA and the Physicians’ Advocacy Institute to ensure that this concern is reflected in their comments to CMS about the Medicare payment rule. MSSNY will also be submitting its own comments to CMS protesting these proposed cuts.
Again, you can send a letter to your members of Congress from here: Stop Cuts to Medicare Payments (p2a.co)
MSSNY in the News
Interview with MSSNY President Dr. Mehta on statewide radio program regarding scope of practice issues and steps needed to address NY’s physician shortage; Evolving medical responsibilities amid doctor shortage – The Capitol Pressroom
NY Post editorial urging Governor Hochul to veto the Wrongful Death damages expansion bill (including a quote of Dr. Mehta): NY Post: Hochul needs to block NY Legislature’s ‘everybody sue’ lunacy
Gannett/USA Today op-ed today from leaders of Westchester County Medical Society (Dr. Bruce Molinelli, Dr. Dan Gold and Dr. Tom Lee) urging a veto: Journal News/LoHud: Pending liability legislation will jeopardize New York’s strained health care system
Syracuse Post-Standard op-ed from Onondaga County Medical Society leaders Medical society leaders: NY’s new liability law threatens access to care (Your Letters) – syracuse.com
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Partners with Amerigroup to Host Provider Educational Webinars
Access all provider webinars for Highmark BCBSWNY using one convenient link: Highmark BCBSWNY 2022 provider webinars. Enjoy informative webinars designed specifically for network providers, coders, billers, and office staff. A variety of helpful and educational topics relating to coding and documentation, claims and billing issues, member care, HEDIS®/Quality Assurance Reporting Requirements (QARR) quality measures, and more are available.
Does Your Office Struggle with E/M Downcoding?
Health plans are increasingly implementing E/M downcoding programs that inappropriately reduce payment for claims billed. The AMA has created the following educational resource to support physician practices in navigating payer E/M downcoding programs, sample template downcoding dispute letters, and a Physician survey to help the AMA track downcoding and support practices issues.
- Payer evaluation and management (E/M) downcoding programs—what you need to know (PDF)
- E/M downcoding letter (DOC)
- Procedure downcoding letter (DOC)
- Physician Survey: Experience with Private Payer Downcoding
Diabetes Education and Support: Keys to Living Well on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 9:00 am – 10:00 am ET
Please register and join Public Health Live! Webcast on November 2nd at 9:00 a.m. Two featured self-management programs include Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support, a clinical intervention, and the Diabetes Self-Management Program, a peer support program.
MSSNY Advocacy Update Podcast: Tools to Help Physicians Evaluate Legislators Running for Re-Election
Listen to MSSNY’s October 21 podcast as Senior Vice-President & Chief Legislative Counsel Moe Auster discusses tools to help physicians evaluate legislators running for re-election.
Need More Student Loan Relief?
MSSNY, together with SoFi, is bringing members and their families an opportunity to learn about student loan debt and refinancing. Members and family members receive a $400 welcome bonus when refinancing student or Parent PLUS loans. If you have questions about SoFi student loan refinancing, please visit SoFi.com/MSSNY or contact customer service by calling 855.456.7634 or emailing ask@sofi.com.
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.