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New Tools to Combat
Burdensome MOC Requirements
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It's Time for a Change
Physicians across Mississippi are seeking relief from MOC, citing high cost and testing woes. Some are also angry at hospitals and insurance companies that require board certification for privileges or network inclusion. If you're ready to make real change, start with MSMA's MOC Playbook. The Playbook is a thoughtful set of communication tools that empower physicians to engage their national specialty boards and local hospitals on MOC reform. This promotes self-regulation of the medical profession, keeping the decision-making power with those directly affected.
MSMA believes there are better options than the current environment. Our policy supports one-time board certification at the completion of post graduate medical education and strongly discourages the use of board certification as credentialing criteria.
Ongoing Developments
MSMA joined with 74 other state medical associations and national specialty societies to request a formal meeting in December with the American Board of Medical Specialties, the group that sets standards for national board certification for 24 recognized specialties. Physician representatives will convey the frustrations with current requirements and insist on developing new approaches to board certification and recertification.
View the Playbook Online
Check out the
MOC Playbook HERE. Contact us if you have questions or need assistance in making a change.
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Sen. Wicker Talks Time-consuming Regulations
During MSMA Visit
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Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Claude Brunson, Dr. Hugh Gamble, Sen. Roger Wicker, Dr. Tom Joiner, Dr. William Grantham, Dr. William Ashford, Dr. John Mitchell and Dr. Joseph Austin.
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MSMA was thrilled to welcome Sen. Roger Wicker last week to the association's offices in Ridgeland.
Sen. Wicker discussed the political climate in Washington, D.C. and the work load awaiting Congress after the August break. MSMA members mentioned some of the issues important to Mississippi physicians, such as expanding telemedicine and keeping its standards high. More photos from the meeting can be found on our
Facebook
page.
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MSMA Members Discuss Insurance Reimbursement Rates with Rep. Palazzo
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Pictured (l-r) are Dr. David McClendon, Rep. Steven Palazzo, Dr. Gregory Patino and Dr. John Pappas.
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MSMA members met at Rep. Steven Pallazo's office in Biloxi last week to discuss policy and public health.
Rep. Palazzo discussed the status of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and heard doctors' concerns about physician burnout and the overly complex insurance forms required by the billing cycle. He also discussed the active role the state is playing in the field of responsible, physician-led telemedicine. More photos from the meeting can be found on our
Facebook
page.
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Important Town Hall Meeting on Opioids!
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Governors Reach Agreement on Bipartisan Plan to Stabilize ACA Markets
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Kasich and Hickenlooper
Release Agreement
With uncertainty and indecision driving the health care conversation in Washington, D.C., two governors have released an idea they say will help stabilize the Obamacare marketplace. Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) and Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado)
released the plan earlier today. The plan urges Congress to keep the insurance mandate in the Affordable Care Act while working to stabilize the insurance marketplace. The governors say this will remove uncertainty while lawmakers work on a repeal and replace law.
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Who Dat Talkin' 'bout CME!
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CME with the Saints
Kicks Off Soon!
With school starting back and fall on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about football. And it's always time to think about CME. Which is why we're taking a lucky bus of physicians and guests to watch the New Orleans Saints host Tom Brady and the world champion New England Patriots on Sept. 17. On the way you
can earn
5 CME hours in prescribing controlled substances, meeting the new prescribing CME requirements.
Registration plus CME is $300. Guests who would like to attend without CME credits are welcome for $150. Registration deadline is September 8. Seating is limited and tickets are selling fast! Purchase Saints tickets here.
For more information, contact Kim Mathis at 601-853-6733, ext. 302.
We'll see you at the Super Dome!
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Click the Image Below to Register!
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CME with Mickey Mouse in November!
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Up to Nine CME Hours Available!
Join MSMA this November for four days at Walt Disney World® for CME with Mickey Mouse! You can earn up to nine hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. This event is a great way to learn about new advances in medicine and to network and socialize with colleagues while having fun with your family at the happiest place on earth.
Register here or email Becky Wells. We'll see you in Orlando this November!
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DrKnow Brings It All Together!
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MSMA members are always looking for solutions, which is why DrKnow was developed. DrKnow, our latest communications tool, is a secure, proprietary website ONLY for MSMA members. It's a place to exchange information, share ideas and start discussions.
In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to MSMA members and asking you to activate your DrKnow account and start conversations there that are of particular interest to you. It will be a great way to help us test this exciting new website and discover its many uses.
If you're ready to join the DrKnow community, email our Director of Communications,
Sid Scott. He'll get you set up, then you can join a conversation or start your own. For a quick video explanation of how DrKnow works, just go
here.
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Do Your Part to Stop
Child Abuse and Neglect
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Notify MDCPS
Child abuse and neglect are a blight on civilized society. And very often, physicians are the first to see signs of children being hurt. The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services has released a
memo to health care providers on when to notify the Department about possible child abuse or neglect. MSMA members are pleased to play a part in stamping out child abuse in the state.
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FREE Webinar on Navigating MACRA and MIPS
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When it comes to navigating MIPS, there is no substitute for being prepared. This FREE webinar on September 13 will help you get up to date on the changes coming in 2018. Failure to act today could impact your future Medicare reimbursement.
During the webinar, industry expert and author Nancy Babbitt will provide an action plan to improve your Medicare reimbursement, including:
- An overview of the 2018 MACRA/MIPS regulation changes
- Steps to successfully navigate MACRA/MIPS in 2018
- How to position your organization to optimize Medicare revenue opportunities
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Our Online CME Catalog Has Never Been Bigger!
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Most of our members know that MSMA is your best source for CME. But did you know our online CME catalog is available 24/7?
Think of the options this gives you:
- You set the schedule for the CME that works for you
- You pick from a variety of options
- You stay up to date on the CME you need
- You access the catalog anywhere you have a computer and internet
We're proud to bring these options to you, our members. Start your online CME
here
.
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Help Your Patients with A FREE
Drug Discount Card
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Many of your most vulnerable patients have trouble affording medication. The Mississippi Drug Card can help with those prescription costs and is a free program available to all Mississippi residents. There are no eligibility requirements or forms to fill out. Tell your patients to simply take the card into the pharmacy to get savings of up to 75% on prescription medications for their whole family. Mississippi Drug Card is a proud supporter of Children's Miracle Network. A donation will be made to your local CMN hospital each time a prescription is processed through the Mississippi Drug Card. Your patients can find and print their FREE card here!
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STATE NEEDS DOCTORS; PRESTON PHYSICIAN MAY HAVE SOLUTION
At a time when rural hospitals around the state are struggling to stay open amid financial and regulatory burdens, Mississippi's rural physicians scholarship program is trying to put more doctors to work in underserved parts of the state by targeting students from rural communities willing to return home to practice.
PHYSICIANS CONTINUE FIGHT TO PROMOTE VACCINATIONS
August is a good time of year to promote immunizations because schools and daycare centers require them. But any time of year is a good time for physicians, like pediatrician Dr. Andrea Logan, to make the case for vaccination as a disease control method.
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