November 7 , 2017 Issue 44 
“A Friend of Medicine,” Rep. Kim Moser Seeks to Tackle Addiction Issues; Eliminate Barriers to Physicians
 Rep. Kim Moser is known as and calls herself a “friend of medicine.” However, one could say that she and medicine are more than just friends. They’re family.

The Tayl o r Mill, Kentucky native comes from a long line of healthcare workers. This includes her family practice physician father and nurse mother, internist father-in-law and nurse mother-in-law, and her pulmonologist husband and Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) 8th District trustee, Neal Moser, M.D. 

Photo: Rep. Kim Moser was awarded AMA’s prestigious Belle Chenault Award for Political Participation in 2015

Avoid the Medicare Penalty – Take Action now

Physicians must take action now to avoid the four percent payment reduction under the Medicare Quality Payment Program, which includes the Merit Based Incentive Payment System or MIPS.

KMA Statement Regarding Medical Review Panel Law Declared Unconstitutional
On Oct. 30, Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd issued an opinion declaring Kentucky’s medical review panel law unconstitutional. The Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) filed a brief with the court supporting the constitutionality of the law, as did many other organizations that share a desire to implement meaningful tort reform in Kentucky. While KMA certainly hoped for a different outcome at this stage of the court process, it should be stressed that opinions and appeals at more than one level were always contemplated and expected.

Kentucky Supreme Court Decision in Negligent Credentialing Case
On the heels of the Franklin Circuit Court’s decision in the medical review panel case, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an opinion Nov. 2 in another case involving KMA. In the case of Lake Cumberland Regional Medical Center v. Adams, the Supreme Court overturned the Kentucky Court of Appeals and refused to recognize “negligent credentialing” as a cause of action. 

This is a victory for the health care community. While at first blush the case appears to impact only hospitals, it could have had a very negative impact on physicians as well since hospitals, health plans and others could have adopted much more stringent criteria to credential physicians, making the credentialing process another significant barrier. It would have also expanded liability in the state, something that KMA has opposed.

SB 89 Webinar Now Available;
KMA Joins Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow
KMA continues to work toward reducing smoking rates across the state.

In 2017, KMA advocated for the passage of Senate Bill 89, which removes barriers to tobacco cessation treatments recommended by doctors for smokers who want to quit. The bill took effect on June 29, and KMA has made it a priority to ensure that physicians understand the billing and coding requirements associated with this legislation. KMA’s Medical Business and Advocacy Manager, Lindy Lady, gave a webinar presentation on this topic, which is now available here . The presentation slides and a fact sheet on ICD-10 billing are available for download as well at https://kyma.org/your-health/kma-health-priorities/smoking/ .

KMA also joined a statewide effort aimed at supporting state and local policy changes to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke . The group, Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow , was organized by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, and KMA joined dozens of other organizations as a partner member. More information about the Coalition and its specific policy initiatives is available by visiting https://www.smokefreetomorrow.org/ .  
MEMBER NEWS
Tobin Named Ephraim McDowell Physician of the Year

Congratulations to KMA former president Gordon Tobin, M.D., who was named the Ephraim McDowell Physician of the Year at the KentuckyOne Doctors’ Ball Oct. 21.
Kaelin Named President of National Organization

KMA member Darryl Kaelin, M.D., recently assumed the role of president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Kaelin is the University of Louisville Endowed Chair for Stroke and Brain Injury Rehabilitation.
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