eProgress Notes / November 2019
For more information, contact Liz Fleenor
Renew Your Membership for 2020
Watch your mailboxes and email to ensure you don’t miss out on important member benefits, including legislative support, member advocacy, and communication services. Paying your MSMA dues on time saves your dues dollars for Association advocacy and programs. If you have questions about your membership invoice, contact the MSMA membership division at 800-869-6762 or email cwilliams@msma.org.
Opioid Prescriber Advisory Council
MO HealthNet convened the OPAC Nov. 20 to discuss recent policy changes. New Pharmacy Director, Joshua Moore, Pharm D, heard input from Drs. Naveed Razzaque, Bob Twillman, Daniel Millspaugh, Heidi Miller, Steve Halpin, Don James, and Bridget Early. The agenda included new edits placed on opioids and tapering MMEs. Visit https://dss.mo.gov/mhd/cs/pharmacy
MSMA Resolution Modifies AMA Policy
A resolution from the MSMA 2018 annual meeting has resulted in the AMA modifying Policy H-295.924 “Future Directions for Socioeconomic Education.” The resolution asks for AMA to encourage LCME to ensure accreditation includes socioeconomic subjects in the medical curriculum. More details can be found on the AMA’s Policy Finder website after it is updated for the actions from the recent AMA meeting.
CDC Public Health Incidents on EVALI and Legionella
CDC’s Health Alert Network (https://emergency.cdc.gov/han) is CDC’s primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents. Recent postings include EVALI and Legionella stemming from hot tubs.
MU School of Medicine Partners with MO Board of Healing Arts to Collect Physician Workforce Data
The Missouri Board of Healing Arts and the MU School of Medicine are collaborating to collect workforce data to better understand Missouri’s physician workforce. Physicians receive a link to the survey when completing their license renewal. The survey link is also available below. The portal to renew physician licenses is open until January 31, 2020.
The survey results will be used in conjunction with other health care workforce data to inform local and state policymakers, public and private health care providers, and health care workforce training programs to better meet Missourians’ health care needs and to ensure the best possible outcomes for Missouri’s population health.
Please use this link to access the survey: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50gEEUSPgnf48lL. Questions about the survey can be sent to Jill Lucht luchtj@health.missouri.edu.
MSMA Alliance Scholarship Fund Ceded to Foundation
The scholarship funds raised by the MSMA Alliance are now part of the Missouri State Medical Foundation. At a meeting earlier this year the MSMA Alliance voted to merge their scholarship fund totaling more than $74,000 with the funds of the Missouri State Medical Foundation which currently funds ten $4,000 MSMA Scholarships annually at each of the six medical schools.
New Medicare Card MBI: Get Paid January 1, 2020
Do not wait. Since CMS has removed the Social Security Number-based number update your patients' records and use Medicare Beneficiary identifiers (MBIs) now. If your patients do not bring their Medicare cards with them:
New QIO Designated for Missouri
CMS has funded Health Quality Innovators (HQI) to deliver no-cost assistance to physician practices in Missouri through the CMS Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) Program. This is the work that Primaris previously performed. Through the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), your practice can learn to use electronic health records as a tool for improving chronic care management and population health.
New participants also are welcome to join HQIN. Benefits include access to free performance data reports, quality coaching, improvement tools, peer-to-peer forums and educational programming. By improving performance on relevant quality measures, you also can increase your ability to qualify for a positive MIPS payment adjustment
To learn more, attend HQIN’s introductory webinar on Wednesday, December 4, at 12:00 p.m. CST or Thursday, December 5, at 9:00 a.m. CST. The same content will be presented at both webinars. Questions? Contact HQIN directly or visit www.hqin.org.
What’s New in Medicare in 2020 Webinar
MSMA and Kansas Medical Society will be hosting a What’s New in Medicare in 2020 webinar from 9-11:00 a.m. on January 29, 2020. Registration will be opening in December, and registration is required to attend. Mark your calendars and watch for more information coming soon.
Medicaid Preferred Drug List Edits
MO HealthNet recently released edits to their preferred drug list and pharmacy clinical edits for the following:
Looking to Install an HIE? Funding Available
Missouri is the recipient of the Physicians Foundation grant for getting interconnected through the Show Me Health Information Network (SHINE) Health Information Exchange. The grant assists with the interface costs for independent physician practices. There is still funding available. For more information, contact Jonathan Smith, MPH, at jsmith@kammco.com or call 785-232-2224.
Advocacy App - Connect with Your Legislators
When there’s an issue that impacts the medical profession and patient care, MSMA will notify you via text message. The message will contain a link that, when clicked, sends an email, Tweet or places a phone call to your state representative or senator.
Sign up to Start: Text MOMEDICAL to 52886 (message and data rates may apply)
Sign Up for Physician of the Day
This excellent program is warmly received by the General Assembly and participating physicians. One physician per day is needed every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between Jan. 8 and May 15, 2020. Plan to spend a day in Jefferson City as MSMA’s Physician of the Day in the Capitol. Arrive in the Capitol around 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., and stay until 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon (except Thursdays, when the House and Senate typically adjourn around noon). Sign up at www.msma.org/physician-of-the-day.
Legislative Report Moves to Email! Must Opt in for Print Copy
IMPORTANT: If you want to receive a paper copy of the Legislative Report, please email cwilliams@msma.org or call 800-869-6762.
Watch your mailboxes and email to ensure you don’t miss out on important member benefits, including legislative support, member advocacy, and communication services. Paying your MSMA dues on time saves your dues dollars for Association advocacy and programs. If you have questions about your membership invoice, contact the MSMA membership division at 800-869-6762 or email cwilliams@msma.org.
Opioid Prescriber Advisory Council
MO HealthNet convened the OPAC Nov. 20 to discuss recent policy changes. New Pharmacy Director, Joshua Moore, Pharm D, heard input from Drs. Naveed Razzaque, Bob Twillman, Daniel Millspaugh, Heidi Miller, Steve Halpin, Don James, and Bridget Early. The agenda included new edits placed on opioids and tapering MMEs. Visit https://dss.mo.gov/mhd/cs/pharmacy
MSMA Resolution Modifies AMA Policy
A resolution from the MSMA 2018 annual meeting has resulted in the AMA modifying Policy H-295.924 “Future Directions for Socioeconomic Education.” The resolution asks for AMA to encourage LCME to ensure accreditation includes socioeconomic subjects in the medical curriculum. More details can be found on the AMA’s Policy Finder website after it is updated for the actions from the recent AMA meeting.
CDC Public Health Incidents on EVALI and Legionella
CDC’s Health Alert Network (https://emergency.cdc.gov/han) is CDC’s primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents. Recent postings include EVALI and Legionella stemming from hot tubs.
MU School of Medicine Partners with MO Board of Healing Arts to Collect Physician Workforce Data
The Missouri Board of Healing Arts and the MU School of Medicine are collaborating to collect workforce data to better understand Missouri’s physician workforce. Physicians receive a link to the survey when completing their license renewal. The survey link is also available below. The portal to renew physician licenses is open until January 31, 2020.
The survey results will be used in conjunction with other health care workforce data to inform local and state policymakers, public and private health care providers, and health care workforce training programs to better meet Missourians’ health care needs and to ensure the best possible outcomes for Missouri’s population health.
Please use this link to access the survey: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_50gEEUSPgnf48lL. Questions about the survey can be sent to Jill Lucht luchtj@health.missouri.edu.
MSMA Alliance Scholarship Fund Ceded to Foundation
The scholarship funds raised by the MSMA Alliance are now part of the Missouri State Medical Foundation. At a meeting earlier this year the MSMA Alliance voted to merge their scholarship fund totaling more than $74,000 with the funds of the Missouri State Medical Foundation which currently funds ten $4,000 MSMA Scholarships annually at each of the six medical schools.
New Medicare Card MBI: Get Paid January 1, 2020
Do not wait. Since CMS has removed the Social Security Number-based number update your patients' records and use Medicare Beneficiary identifiers (MBIs) now. If your patients do not bring their Medicare cards with them:
- Give them the Get Your New Medicare Card flyer in English (or Spanish).
- Use WPS’ look-up tool. https://www.wpsgha.com/wps/portal/mac/site/login
- Check the remittance advice. Until December 2019, the MBI will be on the remittance advice for every claim with a valid and active Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN).
New QIO Designated for Missouri
CMS has funded Health Quality Innovators (HQI) to deliver no-cost assistance to physician practices in Missouri through the CMS Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) Program. This is the work that Primaris previously performed. Through the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), your practice can learn to use electronic health records as a tool for improving chronic care management and population health.
New participants also are welcome to join HQIN. Benefits include access to free performance data reports, quality coaching, improvement tools, peer-to-peer forums and educational programming. By improving performance on relevant quality measures, you also can increase your ability to qualify for a positive MIPS payment adjustment
To learn more, attend HQIN’s introductory webinar on Wednesday, December 4, at 12:00 p.m. CST or Thursday, December 5, at 9:00 a.m. CST. The same content will be presented at both webinars. Questions? Contact HQIN directly or visit www.hqin.org.
What’s New in Medicare in 2020 Webinar
MSMA and Kansas Medical Society will be hosting a What’s New in Medicare in 2020 webinar from 9-11:00 a.m. on January 29, 2020. Registration will be opening in December, and registration is required to attend. Mark your calendars and watch for more information coming soon.
Medicaid Preferred Drug List Edits
MO HealthNet recently released edits to their preferred drug list and pharmacy clinical edits for the following:
- ADHD Therapy
- Botulinum Toxin Clinical Edit
- Non-Oral Contraceptives Fiscal Edit
- Opioid Emergency Reversal Agents PDL
Looking to Install an HIE? Funding Available
Missouri is the recipient of the Physicians Foundation grant for getting interconnected through the Show Me Health Information Network (SHINE) Health Information Exchange. The grant assists with the interface costs for independent physician practices. There is still funding available. For more information, contact Jonathan Smith, MPH, at jsmith@kammco.com or call 785-232-2224.
Advocacy App - Connect with Your Legislators
When there’s an issue that impacts the medical profession and patient care, MSMA will notify you via text message. The message will contain a link that, when clicked, sends an email, Tweet or places a phone call to your state representative or senator.
Sign up to Start: Text MOMEDICAL to 52886 (message and data rates may apply)
- Watch for notifications on legislation or policy changes
- Act (click a link) to connect with your legislators
Sign Up for Physician of the Day
This excellent program is warmly received by the General Assembly and participating physicians. One physician per day is needed every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between Jan. 8 and May 15, 2020. Plan to spend a day in Jefferson City as MSMA’s Physician of the Day in the Capitol. Arrive in the Capitol around 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., and stay until 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon (except Thursdays, when the House and Senate typically adjourn around noon). Sign up at www.msma.org/physician-of-the-day.
Legislative Report Moves to Email! Must Opt in for Print Copy
IMPORTANT: If you want to receive a paper copy of the Legislative Report, please email cwilliams@msma.org or call 800-869-6762.
