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September 2024

Didn't get a Gold Card? Dispute status with UnitedHealthcare by Sept. 30


UnitedHealthcare (UHC) recently announced the CPT codes that are eligible for its new Gold Card Program, which launches on Oct. 1, 2024. The program will exempt qualified practices from certain prior authorization requirements, but will still require “advance notification.” Practices can look up their Gold Card status for the upcoming year and must dispute by Sept. 30 if you were left off the list.


According to UHC, practices granted Gold Card status will be required to adhere to the payor’s advance notification process for Gold Card services, despite the prior authorization exemption under the Gold Card Program. UHC said it may also require medical records as part of the monitoring and continuing evaluation of practices qualified for the Gold Card status.


Currently, approximately 500 current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for medical services are included in the program, and United Healthcare has indicated that eligible codes may be added or eliminated in the future based on the latest clinical evidence.


Gold Card statuses will be updated and published annually on Sept. 1. Practices who wish to dispute their status can request a review within 30 calendar days of publication. UHC has published an interactive guide that will walk practices through the process of looking up their Gold Card status. Practices are encouraged to look up their Gold Card status as soon as possible, so you will have time to dispute your status if needed for the upcoming year. Disputes must be filed by Sept. 30, 2024.


Share your observations with us: As this program gets going, the Colorado Medical Society wants to hear from you about whether or not the program actually makes a difference for your practice, how it is working, and other observations from practices that received a gold card status and those that did not (and perhaps those who dispute this designation). Share any comments or observations by replying to this email or contacting Chet Seward directly at chet_seward@cms.org.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month


For Physicians: Physicians are at a higher risk of suicide and suicidal ideation than the general population. This toolkit from the American Medical Association outlines how to identify and support at-risk physicians.


For Patients: This toolkit can provide insight into how your practice or system can effectively identify and treat patients at risk of suicide, including specific guidance on child and adolescent care.

The Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Physician Health Program are proud to provide Doc2Doc Wellbeing Consulting, which brings peer support to physicians experiencing workplace stress. Any Colorado physician or medical student can call 720-810-9131 to access up to three free, one-hour, confidential, pre-clinical peer wellbeing consultation sessions. Help us spread the word!

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DEA National Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 26


Let your patients and community know: National Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 26. Visit DEATakeBack.com for a collection site near you.


For routine disposals, Colorado has a safe disposal program with permanent collection sites. Visit TakeMedsBack.org for sites near you.

Dues season is here; thank you in advance for renewing your group membership!


Dues invoices for Colorado Medical Society members for practices who have opted into group billing (as well as individual physician members) have gone out. All invoices are due Dec. 31, 2024 for the membership period ending Dec. 31, 2025. Pay early to ensure your practice's physicians have no disruption in benefits through the end of 2025 -- especially if your physicians are Copic insured and benefit from this significant discount in medical liability insurance! If you have new physicians to add to your group bill or physicians have retired or left your practice, please update your roster by calling 720-859-1001 or emailing membership@cms.org.

The Colorado Pain Society invites you to our 7th Annual Chronic Pain Conference, Oct. 11-13, 2024, in Vail, Colo., at The Hythe


Live-streaming; Live or virtual attendance; No-cost virtual option for Colorado PCPs.


This will be a CME event (up to 16 CME credits), including 5 MATE credits towards DEA license renewal requirements, for physicians of all specialties, advanced practice providers (APPs), psychologists and others interested in pain management. The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention is sponsoring a virtual primary care attendance opportunity (16 CME credits) at no cost (for PCPs only), working in conjunction with Medical Education Resources and Colorado Pain Society. Virtual streaming will be available for live and virtual attendees including lecture access for 7 days post-conference.


Register hereBook lodging here.

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Thanks to our Partners in Medicine, who support Colorado physicians and practices!

Register for next week's Lunch and Learn: What you need to know about Medicare changes - Sept. 26


The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has some major provisions that will affect all Medicare Beneficiaries in 2025, specifically when it comes to their Part D prescription Drug coverage. During this CMS Partner in Medicine Lunch and Learn, Pepple Insurance will review what those changes are and how it will impact your patients – what you can do to help them understand their options and what resources they have to make sure they have the best plan for next year. It's normal to see about 14% of the Medicare population change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7); Pepple Insurance anticipates 60% will need to change plans as a result of this new legislation set to take effect.

Register here

CMS Job Board

James Regan Office Space urgent need

Reaching out to medical community in Denver area and anyone in real estate – office suite available in medical building – take over the lease – great location in Littleton on Broadway one mile north of Littleton Hospital at a great price – beautiful office space ready to move in and begin practicing. Can be physician, massage therapy, pharmacy, psychiatry, acupuncture or similar. Available immediately. 1500 square feet of lease space, $3260 per month. More information. View a PDF flyer here.


Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a job board or classified ad with CMS! CMS members receive the first month free. Contact debra_will@cms.org for more information!

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