eProgress Notes / May 2019
Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Repealed
Late in the legislative session, language that repeals the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet requirement was inserted into a large transportation omnibus bill (SB 147). We were unable to stop this language from making it to the Governor’s desk because the remainder of the bill was deemed necessary by our Senate allies on this issue. In other words, no one was willing to sacrifice the entire bill simply because it contained the helmet repeal provision.
The new language still requires helmets for riders under 18 years of age and those who are operating a motorcycle on an instructional permit. The bill also contains vague language that requires helmetless riders to possess proof of health insurance coverage. It goes without saying that repealing the helmet requirement will lead to increased severity of motorcycle injuries and deaths, as is shown in studies from other states that have passed similar legislation.
MSMA has fought helmet repeal every year the bill has been introduced. Repeal language also passed the General Assembly in 2009. Then Governor Jay Nixon vetoed it. MSMA has already submitted a veto letter to Governor Mike Parson asking him to veto the bill. The Governor does not have line-item veto power on policy legislation, so he must either veto the entire bill or none at all.
Substance Abuse Prevention at the State Capitol
The state legislature took a hard look at the epidemic of substance abuse in Missouri during this year’s legislative session. Our elected officials proposed and discussed a variety of bills on the topic, some great and some not-so-great. One of the greats was the waiver for prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) drugs for patients with substance abuse disorders. After the passage of SB 514, MAT drugs can no longer be subject to prior authorization or step therapy and must be on the insurer’s lowest cost-sharing tier. This MSMA-supported legislation will help physicians get patients on the road to substance abuse recovery in a much more efficient manner. Finally, while the legislature once again did not pass a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), the St. Louis County PDMP continues to cover a huge percentage of Missouri’s prescribers and patients. We’ll be back with PDMP legislation next year, but until then we’re thankful to have the St. Louis County program as a resource for our physicians.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Jefferson City and Cole County were hit by multiple tornadoes May 22. The office and MSMA staff were spared, but it was a close call. We all recall Joplin eight years ago and have been planning for an emergency where medical personnel may be needed. If there is a disaster where physicians are needed, check our MSMA website and your email for a message about volunteer protocol. MSMA follows the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services lead during emergencies.
Documentation Lost Due to Weather
MO HealthNet requests any provider who believes documentation in support of servicing Missouri Medicaid participants is no longer available due to recent weather events, complete the Attestation of Medical Record Loss or Destruction Form which can be found at https://mmac.mo.gov/providers/provider-enrollment/new-providers/provider-enrollment-forms.
MSMA Joins Fund to Improve Health Information Exchange
Your MSMA, in association with five other state medical societies and The Physicians Foundation, announced the formation of the first of its kind $500,000 interoperability fund, known as The Physicians Foundation Interoperability Fund, which will assist medical practices in effectively sharing clinical information with other physicians and hospitals through health information exchanges (HIE). Funding is available for physicians in participating states with an electronic health record system (EHR), and will be allocated to practices on a first-come basis.
Sharing timely clinical patient information among physicians and hospitals with disparate EHRs relies upon a connection to an HIE. Through The Physicians Foundation Interoperability Fund, HIE participants can access patient data regardless of where the patient received care. For more information, contact Patrick Mills at pmills@msma.org or 800-869-6762.
MSMA & MSMA Insurance Agency Create New Insurance Partnership
We are excited to announce that MSMA is partnering with Mylo (My Lockton) to provide MSMA members with a digital one-stop shop for home and auto insurance that may be able to save you time and money. Mylo is part of Kansas City based Lockton Companies, launched in 1966 and now the world’s largest independent insurance broker.
Mylo offers:
Comment Period Open for Pneumococcal Vaccine
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet June 26 and consider whether to continue recommending the pneumococcal vaccine for those 65 and older. Keeping the ACIP vaccination recommendation in place is important as the recommendation increases the likelihood that physicians will talk to patients about immunization, and it may even affect whether health plans cover immunizations. In addition to people with chronic health conditions, children younger than 2 years of age are at high risk and can be exposed when older adults, such as grandparents, have the illness.
You can submit a public comment to ACIP, identified by Docket No. CDC-2019-0028, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal:https://www.regulations.gov/searchResults?rpp=25&po=0&s=CDC-2019-0028&fp=true&ns=true
Pain Management and Opioid Resources
The New England Journal of Medicine’s Knowledge+ has recently launched a free CME course on Pain Management and Opioids. This course was developed through an educational grant awarded by the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) Program Companies. Here is a link to more info: https://knowledgeplus.nejm.org/pain-opioids. The AMA has its own website: End the Opioid Epidemic (https://www.end-opioid-epidemic.org) which includes numerous links to opioid resources.
Medical Marijuana Regulations Published
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services very recently issued rules relating to the state’s medical marijuana program. MSMA staff is currently reviewing the new regulations and will provide an update soon.You can find a number of medical marijuana resources on the MSMA website.
Missouri Medicine Online / www.msma.org/missouri-medicine-library
Missouri Physicians Health Program
MSMA Represents YOU!
Watch Your MSMA Colleagues on YouTube
MSMA’s YouTube channel has more than two dozen videos featuring MSMA members from around Missouri. Watching these video testimonials, you discover how your colleagues chose careers in medicine, hear about the challenges they face every day, and learn why they find MSMA membership so valuable. Click here to get started watching and email stephen@msma.org if you’d be interested in being the subject of our next MSMA Member Spotlight video!
Thank you May Volunteers – Physician of the Day
Please share this important MSMA news with your colleagues, by email or print. Ask them to take action and join MSMA as a member at www.msma.org/engage.
MSMA Communications / 800-869-6762 / Unsubscribe
Late in the legislative session, language that repeals the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet requirement was inserted into a large transportation omnibus bill (SB 147). We were unable to stop this language from making it to the Governor’s desk because the remainder of the bill was deemed necessary by our Senate allies on this issue. In other words, no one was willing to sacrifice the entire bill simply because it contained the helmet repeal provision.
The new language still requires helmets for riders under 18 years of age and those who are operating a motorcycle on an instructional permit. The bill also contains vague language that requires helmetless riders to possess proof of health insurance coverage. It goes without saying that repealing the helmet requirement will lead to increased severity of motorcycle injuries and deaths, as is shown in studies from other states that have passed similar legislation.
MSMA has fought helmet repeal every year the bill has been introduced. Repeal language also passed the General Assembly in 2009. Then Governor Jay Nixon vetoed it. MSMA has already submitted a veto letter to Governor Mike Parson asking him to veto the bill. The Governor does not have line-item veto power on policy legislation, so he must either veto the entire bill or none at all.
Substance Abuse Prevention at the State Capitol
The state legislature took a hard look at the epidemic of substance abuse in Missouri during this year’s legislative session. Our elected officials proposed and discussed a variety of bills on the topic, some great and some not-so-great. One of the greats was the waiver for prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) drugs for patients with substance abuse disorders. After the passage of SB 514, MAT drugs can no longer be subject to prior authorization or step therapy and must be on the insurer’s lowest cost-sharing tier. This MSMA-supported legislation will help physicians get patients on the road to substance abuse recovery in a much more efficient manner. Finally, while the legislature once again did not pass a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), the St. Louis County PDMP continues to cover a huge percentage of Missouri’s prescribers and patients. We’ll be back with PDMP legislation next year, but until then we’re thankful to have the St. Louis County program as a resource for our physicians.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Jefferson City and Cole County were hit by multiple tornadoes May 22. The office and MSMA staff were spared, but it was a close call. We all recall Joplin eight years ago and have been planning for an emergency where medical personnel may be needed. If there is a disaster where physicians are needed, check our MSMA website and your email for a message about volunteer protocol. MSMA follows the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services lead during emergencies.
Documentation Lost Due to Weather
MO HealthNet requests any provider who believes documentation in support of servicing Missouri Medicaid participants is no longer available due to recent weather events, complete the Attestation of Medical Record Loss or Destruction Form which can be found at https://mmac.mo.gov/providers/provider-enrollment/new-providers/provider-enrollment-forms.
MSMA Joins Fund to Improve Health Information Exchange
Your MSMA, in association with five other state medical societies and The Physicians Foundation, announced the formation of the first of its kind $500,000 interoperability fund, known as The Physicians Foundation Interoperability Fund, which will assist medical practices in effectively sharing clinical information with other physicians and hospitals through health information exchanges (HIE). Funding is available for physicians in participating states with an electronic health record system (EHR), and will be allocated to practices on a first-come basis.
Sharing timely clinical patient information among physicians and hospitals with disparate EHRs relies upon a connection to an HIE. Through The Physicians Foundation Interoperability Fund, HIE participants can access patient data regardless of where the patient received care. For more information, contact Patrick Mills at pmills@msma.org or 800-869-6762.
MSMA & MSMA Insurance Agency Create New Insurance Partnership
We are excited to announce that MSMA is partnering with Mylo (My Lockton) to provide MSMA members with a digital one-stop shop for home and auto insurance that may be able to save you time and money. Mylo is part of Kansas City based Lockton Companies, launched in 1966 and now the world’s largest independent insurance broker.
Mylo offers:
- An exclusive MSMA group discount
- Convenient shopping from multiple top-rated carriers
- A customized recommendation for your home or vehicle
- Visit choosemylo.com/MSMA or call 844-208-4544 to learn more!
Comment Period Open for Pneumococcal Vaccine
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet June 26 and consider whether to continue recommending the pneumococcal vaccine for those 65 and older. Keeping the ACIP vaccination recommendation in place is important as the recommendation increases the likelihood that physicians will talk to patients about immunization, and it may even affect whether health plans cover immunizations. In addition to people with chronic health conditions, children younger than 2 years of age are at high risk and can be exposed when older adults, such as grandparents, have the illness.
You can submit a public comment to ACIP, identified by Docket No. CDC-2019-0028, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal:https://www.regulations.gov/searchResults?rpp=25&po=0&s=CDC-2019-0028&fp=true&ns=true
Pain Management and Opioid Resources
The New England Journal of Medicine’s Knowledge+ has recently launched a free CME course on Pain Management and Opioids. This course was developed through an educational grant awarded by the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) Program Companies. Here is a link to more info: https://knowledgeplus.nejm.org/pain-opioids. The AMA has its own website: End the Opioid Epidemic (https://www.end-opioid-epidemic.org) which includes numerous links to opioid resources.
Medical Marijuana Regulations Published
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services very recently issued rules relating to the state’s medical marijuana program. MSMA staff is currently reviewing the new regulations and will provide an update soon.You can find a number of medical marijuana resources on the MSMA website.
Missouri Medicine Online / www.msma.org/missouri-medicine-library
- Bashing Big Pharma
- Ovarian Cancer and Tainted Talc
- Non-Opioid Solutions for Acute Pain Management
- Cardiovascular Toxic Effects of Marijuana
- Feature Series: Innovations in Pediatric Medicine
Missouri Physicians Health Program
MSMA Represents YOU!
- Physicians, medical students, and Alliance members of Buchanan County Medical Society met on May 1 and heard from Assistant US Attorney Catherine Connelly on human trafficking, as well as an update from MSMA about advocacy and membership.
- Boone County Medical Society members heard a presentation and participated in a discussion about drug prices in the U.S. on May 7. The presentation was given by Steve Miller, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Cigna Corporation. Dr. Miller, an MSMA member since 2011, included information about how much Americans spend on medications annually, prescription drugs that are in development, and emerging technologies.
- David Barbe, MD, addressed the Physician 2030 Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 13 at an event sponsored by the World Medical Association. Dr. Barbe, an MSMA member since 1985, Past MSMA President, and the Immediate Past President of AMA, focused on the ways the AMA is shaping the future physician practice environment and patient care as it relates to Augmented Intelligence and health information technology.
- Members of the Northeast Missouri Medical Society heard a presentation on asthma and COPD research from Humam Farah, MD, on May 21 in Hannibal. Dr. Farah, a pulmonologist, is a member of the society and an MSMA member since 2014. He has a leading role in the research.
- MSMA’s advocacy team of Jeff Howell and Heidi Geisbuhler will participate in a Pints & Policy discussion at the Boone County Medical Society meeting June 4 in Columbia. Howell and Geisbuhler will give an overview of the recently completed Missouri legislative session and will take questions about issues that impact physicians and patient care.
- Ten medical students from Kansas City University’s Joplin campus and Kansas City campus were each awarded $3,000 MSMA Scholarships from the Missouri State Medical Foundation.
- The following medical students recently graduated from a school of medicine in Missouri, and received the MSMA Honor Graduate Award at the
- A.T. Still University: Andrew Perry
- Kansas City University: Alex Emory Cook and Kyra Leigh McCarty
- Saint Louis University: Alexandria Gregory, Alice Marie Martino and Cathy R. Zhang
- University of Missouri-Columbia: Meghna Srinath and Sonia Boodram
- University of Missouri – Kansas City: Luke He, Jonah Graves and Haley Mayenkar
- Washington University: Brian Cusworth
Watch Your MSMA Colleagues on YouTube
MSMA’s YouTube channel has more than two dozen videos featuring MSMA members from around Missouri. Watching these video testimonials, you discover how your colleagues chose careers in medicine, hear about the challenges they face every day, and learn why they find MSMA membership so valuable. Click here to get started watching and email stephen@msma.org if you’d be interested in being the subject of our next MSMA Member Spotlight video!
Thank you May Volunteers – Physician of the Day
- May 1 / David Barbe, MD - Mountain Grove
- May 2 / Alex Hover, MD - Springfield
- May 7 / James Weiss, MD - Jefferson City
- May 8 / Brette Harding, MD - Columbia
- May 9 / Wayne Morton, MD - Osceola
- May 14 / Marc Taormina, MD - Lee’s Summit
- May 15 / Edmond Cabbabe, MD - St. Louis
- May 16 / Dan Jackson, MD - Columbia
- May 17 / Jerry Kennett, MD - Columbia
Please share this important MSMA news with your colleagues, by email or print. Ask them to take action and join MSMA as a member at www.msma.org/engage.
MSMA Communications / 800-869-6762 / Unsubscribe
