Several primary care hot-button issues were discussed at a scheduled quarterly meeting with Medicaid officials on November 15.

The MAFP, along with the American College of Physicians, MS Chapter met on November 15 to discuss issues from our membership. The MAFP thanked Director Drew Snyder for Medicaid's assistance with revising the GME policy to supplement hospitals based on a more equitable per-resident rate and to allow the inclusion of new residency training programs.   

Other discussions included future incentives and innovations, patients over paperwork,  and mental health.  Specific suggestions from the group included: 

• Access for direct buy for rural pharmacies on birth control devices
• Send all communication on Medicaid changes directly to the physician so everyone on the team is aware
• Recommend a workgroup to see what could be deleted from prior authorizations
• Review guidelines of EPSDT to ensure immunization component and parent education is included
• Streamline form for durable medical equipment
• Encourage MCOs to utilize physicians licensed in Mississippi

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid is introducing a new Provider Satisfaction Survey. Each survey will cover a different topic and they will share the results once each survey is closed and the answers are compiled. This survey is open for 60 days. Medicaid Survey

The Mississippi Rural Health Association elected two family physicians to its board of directors at its Annual Conference this week in Jackson. 

MAFP members Dr. Luke Lampton of Magnolia and Dr. Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg were elected to serve. Lampton is a past president of MAFP and a past Family Physician of the Year. Latorre currently serves as MAFP vice president.

"The board consists of 13 members from around the state that have a heart for the health care of rural citizens," said Ryan Kelly, MRHA Executive Director. "They will serve a 3-year term, from 2020-2022."

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid has joined forces with the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce (OMPW) to strengthen its support for physician residency training programs, a move that could create dozens of new training slots around the state in the next two years. Read more in this Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal story and in this Division of Medicaid story.

A rule proposed by CMS on November 12 would enable greater transparency and oversight of Medicaid supplemental payments to providers, which have proliferated in the last couple of years. The Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule aims to crack down on impermissible Medicaid payment and financing arrangements that do not support the improvement of patient health or outcomes. Read more here.

Here is the full schedule for the year as well as a link to EVERY archived session, on topics including mindfulness, resiliency, exercise and nutrition, precepting, advocacy and combating administrative burdens.