CMS proposes interoperability rules to increase EHR access
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed policy changes supporting its MyHealthEData initiative to improve patient access and advance electronic data exchange and care coordination throughout the healthcare system. The Interoperability and Patient Access Proposed Rule outlines opportunities to make patient data more useful and transferable through open, secure, standardized, and machine-readable formats while reducing restrictive burdens on healthcare providers.
In addition to the policy proposals, CMS is releasing two Requests for Information (RFIs) to obtain feedback on interoperability and health information technology (health IT) adoption in Post-Acute Care (PAC) settings, and the role of patient matching in interoperability and improved patient care.
"For far too long, electronic health information has been stuck in silos and inaccessible for healthcare consumers," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. "Our proposals help break down existing barriers to important data exchange needed to empower patients by giving them access to their health data. Touching all aspects of healthcare, from patients to providers to payers and researchers, our work leverages identified technology and standards to spark new opportunities for industry and researchers while improving healthcare quality for all Americans. We ask that members of the healthcare system join forces to provide patients with safe, secure access to, and control over, their healthcare data."
CMS will accept comments on the major provisions in this proposed rule and the RFIs (CMS-9115-P) until early April (exact date will be updated upon posting at the Federal Register); it can be downloaded from the Federal Register at:
https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection
Links:
CMS Newsroom article
|
|
|
12th annual Global Outreach Peru Program Looking for doctors
The MSUCOM's 12th annual Peru Global Outreach Program will be arriving in Lima on August 10th for a host of activities including traveling up the Amazon. The program is looking for doctors who want to join in the this amazing experience. MSU will provide physicians, including residents, with health and liability insurance coverage during the Elective (August 10-24, 2019).
If you are interested, contact:
Gary L. Willyerd, D.O., FACOEP, FAODME,
Associate Dean Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Phone: 313.578.9600
E-mail: [email protected]
|
|
|
The Michigan Loan Reimbursement & Employment Solution (MiLES) offers $50,000 in tax-free loan repayment to physician residents during their residency in exchange for a 2-year post-residency service commitment in a medically underserved area of Michigan.
MiLES will be accepting applications until February 28 of 2019
The program will match employers with providers who would like to stay in the community beyond their 2-year service commitment.
Employers, there is no cost to post jobs or to participate in the program.
|
|
|
|
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have issued new and revised rules as part of the ongoing effort to fight Michigan's opioid crisis.
Bona Fide Prescriber-Patient Relationship
Bona Fide Relationship Requirement Law
.
Public Act 247 of 2017, MCL § 333.7303a(2), requires that except as provided in exceptions detailed in administrative rules, a prescriber must be in a bona fide prescriber-patient relationship with a patient before prescribing a schedule 2-5 controlled substance ("CS"). The Michigan legislature delayed the effective date of the bona fide prescriber-patient relationship requirement to the earlier of (a) March 31, 2019, or (b) the date administrative rules describing the exceptions to the requirement are promulgated. Public Act 247 also requires the prescriber to provider certain follow-up care to the patient to monitor the efficacy of the CS in treating the patient's medical condition. Failure to comply with the bona fide relationship requirement is considered professional misconduct and may subject the prescriber to professional discipline.
Effective Date
.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs ("LARA") has now published a rule, effective January 4, 2019, describing exceptions to the bona fide prescriber-patient relationship requirement. Promulgation of this rule means that the bona fide prescriber-patient relationship requirement of MCL § 333.7303a is in effect as of January 4, 2019, for all practitioners who prescribe schedule 2-5 CS.
Link: LARA Updates:
Bona Fide Prescriber-Patient Relationship
MDHHS emergency rules on opioid overdoses
The MDHHS emergency rules require hospitals to report opioid overdose statistics upon request. The rules are meant to inform the public health response to the substantial increase in cases of prescription and illicit drug overdoses. The MDHHS has released a set of Frequently Asked Questions relating to the emergency rules and the development of a permanent rule.
Gabapentin is a Schedule V controlled substance in Michigan
Effective January 4, 2019, the Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substances Rules were revised to include gabapentin under schedule V thereby limiting the prescribing and dispensing of gabapentin to those registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Link: LARA Gabapentin announcement and links
|
|
|
Blue Care Network no longer requires referrals for BCN Advantage
Blue Care Network no longer requires referrals for BCN Advantage members to see a provider in their health plan's network. There have been a few articles in the BCN Provider News about this:
Link: The Jan.-Feb. 2019 issue (PDF) Link: The Nov.-Dec. 2018 issue (PDF)
Another article will come out with the March-April 2019 issue at the end of February to let providers know that BCN will stop accepting referrals - either through MNOs e-referral system or a 278 electronic transaction - for BCN Advantage members in the second half of March.
Beginning on or about March 28, 2019, if a practice submits a referral for a BCN Advantage member through e-referral, they will receive the following message:
Referrals are not accepted or needed for BCN Advantage members seeing providers in their health plan's network, but authorizations and plan notifications are still required for certain services. For more information, go to:ereferrals.bcbsm.com
If a practice submits a referral through a 278 electronic transaction they will receive an error code 33 with the description "Input Errors."
BCN Medicare Advantage is making this change because they are now marketing BCN Advantage as a product that does not require referrals for a member to see an in-network provider. As such, BCN-MA wants to ensure that physicians are not telling their BCN Advantage patients that a referral is needed. By ceasing to accept unnecessary referrals, BCN also hopes to keep BCN operating efficiently, so physicians are not submitting unnecessary requests and BCN is not processing them.
|
|
|
OCOMA Hosts A Day of Physician Wellness
The
Oakland County Osteopathic Medical Association
invites Michigan physicians to "A Day of Physician Wellness." Spend a day discovering how to develop healthy strategies to maximize physician wellness in your personal and professional lives.
Date:
Friday, March 29, 2019 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
Registration begins at 8:30 AM with a breakfast.
Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48083 (
Map link)
|
|
|
DOs prepare to ask federal lawmakers for meaningful policy changes
Lowering administrative burdens for physicians and supporting DO workforce development top the list of advocacy asks in Washington.
Administrative burdens and uncertainty about the move to value-based care are two of the biggest pain points for today's physicians, report DOs serving on the AOA's public policy bureaus, who recently set the AOA's federal policy priorities for 2019. The new priorities reflect a strong desire to address these top-of-mind concerns.
Set by DOs serving on the AOA Bureau on Federal Health Programs in consultation with the Bureau of Socioeconomic Affairs, the priorities also center on increasing residency opportunities, student loan debt reduction and protecting patients' access to affordable, high-quality physician-led care.
AOA federal policy priorities:
- Regulatory reform
- Strengthening the physician workforce
- Funding priorities
- Entitlement reform
- Access and affordability
|
|
|
DO Day on Capitol Hill: Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Registration for the 2019 DO Day on Capitol Hill is still open! DO Day events will take place Monday and Tuesday, March 4-5. The AOA's biggest annual advocacy event helps DOs and osteopathic medical students get to Washington, D.C. where they can educate Members of Congress and staff about the osteopathic profession and the importance of osteopathic medicine. Participants will have the chance to engage with lawmakers and ask them to support legislation that is vital to the practice and principles of osteopathic medicine.
Link:
DO Day on Capitol Hill information and registration
|
|
|
Healthcare Leadership Program
Physicians, clinicians and others who wish to strengthen their leadership skills are encouraged to register for the Healthcare Leadership Academy: Business Strategy for a Changing Landscape.
This program is designed for department heads and emerging leaders with responsibility for managing people, processes and systems within healthcare organizations.
The February 22-23, 2019 module will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. A group block of rooms is available for those participating in the Healthcare Leadership Academy. Call (231) 534-6000 or (800) 748-0303 to reserve your room.
The March 18-20, 2019 module will be held at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. A group block is
reserved at the Candlewood Suites for the program (adjoining the Henry Center). Please call (517) 351-8181 to make your reservation.
|
|
|
|
|
Healthcare Leadership Academy: Business Strategy for a Changing Landscape
Developed by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business and College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Michigan Osteopathic Association, the
Healthcare Leadership Academy: Business Strategy for a Changing Landscape
is a leadership program for existing and emerging healthcare leaders, including physicians and clinicians.
Module 1: February 22-23, 2019 (Traverse City, Grand Traverse Resort)
Module 2: March 18-20, 2019 (MSU Campus, Henry Center for Executive Development)
|
|
|
November 1, 2018, saw the passing of Stephen Mihalich, DO
August 23, 2018, saw the passing of Spencer L. Ballard, DO
June 29, 2018 saw the passing of H. John Barkay, DO
June 9, 2018 saw the passing of Richard W. Adams, DO
|
|
|
|
The MOA Pulse connects our DO family with our partners, followers and the healthcare communities of Michigan. If you have any news or events you would like to us share, or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:
Todd Ross
Manager of Communications
Michigan Osteopathic Association
517/827-0615
|
|
|
|
