Register for wellbeing event - Wednesday, May 24, 6:30-8 p.m.

The Denver Medical Society Foundation Physician Wellbeing Education Series presents "Running on Empty: Physician Stress and Wellbeing," Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 6:30-8 p.m., at the COPIC Building, 7351 E Lowry Blvd, Denver CO 80230. The event is free and open to the health care community. Dinner will be provided.

• Learn about physician workstress syndromes of burnout and malpractice stress
• Understand several methods for managing physician work stress
• Be aware of the scope and type of Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP) services available

CMS joins AMA in urging Cigna to rescind updated Modifier 25 policy

Cigna recently updated its Modifier 25 – Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service policy to require submission of office notes with all claims including evaluation and management (E/M) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes 99212, 99213, 99214, and 99215 and modifier 25 when a minor procedure is billed. Cigna will deny payment for E/M services reported with modifier 25 if records documenting a significant and separately identifiable service are not submitted with the claim beginning 5/25/23 or 6/11/23, depending on the state.

Reducing administrative burdens for Colorado physicians and their patients is a top priority for the Colorado Medical Society. Like many other organizations across the country, CMS has strong concerns with this policy and the associated administrative waste and burdens. We signed on with the AMA to urge Cigna to rescind this policy and to instead work with organizations to develop training and education surrounding the correct use of the modifier. View the letter here.

Thank you for helping Keep Coloradans Covered

Thank you to the hundreds of physicians and practices who have joined the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and other providers and community organizations to share information on renewing Medicaid and CHP+ coverage as the public health emergency comes to an end. Because of this collective, collaborative, united approach, HCPF has seen a 34 percent increase in individuals who have signed up for emails and texts so the agency can reach them with important Medicaid and CHP+ renewal messages. Please continue to help educate patients who are covered by Medicaid and CHP+ by: 

• Posting these flyers in your reception and public areas 
• Attending HCPF's April 26 webinar 
• Visiting KeepCOCovered.com to keep informed of and leverage available tools 
• Watching the recording of a panel of experts on this topic 

Learn more about COPIC, a CMS Partner in Medicine and our endorsed partner for medical liability insurance

The Colorado Medical Society focuses on providing the best support for its members, and an important aspect of this is the partners we choose to work with. COPIC is CMS’s endorsed medical liability insurance provider. Their dedication to improving health care in Colorado extends beyond just offering trusted coverage. That’s why we are proud to share the COPIC 2022 Annual Report. It highlights a company that is driven by a mission to “improve medicine in the communities it serves.”

Registration open - 2023 Colorado Regional Immunization Summit, June 8

The Colorado Regional Immunization Summit is back! Immunize Colorado will host the 2023 Summit on June 8 in Glenwood Springs (with a pre-Summit screening of the film Virulent on the evening of June 7). This unique educational opportunity will provide those involved in immunization delivery, education and advocacy the chance to learn from world-renowned experts about strategies to promote immunization and enhance vaccine delivery in Colorado. The theme of this year’s event is “Creating Vaccine Communication, Confidence, and Community for All,” and it will feature experts in vaccine communication, immunology, vaccine equity, and community engagement.

Opioid education opportunities to meet new requirements from DEA, Colorado Medical Board

The American Medical Association has a new landing page on AMA Ed Hub™ to help physicians and other practitioners complete the new, one-time eight-hour training requirement issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. The landing page will lists available Continuing Medical Education (CME), which can be taken in any combination to fulfill the eight-hour requirement and does not have to occur in one session. Access these educational opportunities here.

Additionally, there are two COPIC virtual presentations remaining to meet meet the two hours of training requirements as stated by the Colorado Medical Board for licensure renewal in 2023. There is no cost to attend and one COPIC point will be awarded per session for eligible insureds. Join them April 26 for "Opioid Management: A Practical Approach to a National Crisis," 5:30-6:30 p.m., or "Opioid Crisis: Strategies for Reducing the Burden," 6:30-7:30 p.m. Access registration for these programs here.

Third- and fourth-year medical students: Apply for Gilchrist scholarship by April 28

The Colorado Medical Society Education Foundation is accepting applications for the Alfred D. Gilchrist Student Leader Scholarship.

• Third- and fourth-year Colorado medical students who have demonstrated a significant leadership contribution to organized medicine
• Deadline: April 28, 2023

Questions? Contact kate_alfano@cms.org.