ASAP e-newsletter: May 25, 2023

Free naloxone for rural health clinics and high-volume clinics - respond by June 16

The Colorado Naloxone Project has earmarked 3,000 free naloxone kits for rural health clinics and high-volume clinics for distribution to patients at risk of opioid overdose. Practices must answer these application questions by June 16 (deadline extended from May 31). More information is available here.

Member spotlight: Loveland physician shares wisdom from a long medical career

CMS continues our monthly member spotlight series with a Q&A with Thomas Allen, MD, a retired internal medicine physician living in Loveland who has been a member of the Colorado Medical Society and Northern Colorado Medical Society for 45 years.

What advice do you have for physicians in training?

"Most important, know what you know for sure, and ask for assistance from your peers when in doubt. Seek to work in a situation where you are shoulder to shoulder with colleagues and can freely interact and learn while providing high-quality care."

Read the full Q&A with Dr. Allen here

Update on Cigna's modifier 25 policy

Cigna has announced a delay in implementing the required submission of documentation to support the use of modifier 25 when billed with E/M CPT codes 99212 – 99215 and a minor procedure. This comes after the American Medical Association and other state and national medical and specialty associations sent a letter in April expressing concerns with the policy. Though the AMA has not yet received a formal response to this letter, they have received the following information:

Cigna is delaying the implementation of the modifier 25 policy.
Cigna is currently reevaluating this reimbursement policy update, which will delay implementation.
Cigna will look to implement this policy later, when it can optimize the provider experience and perform additional provider education in partnership with key national medical associations.
Cigna will communicate a new implementation date and additional details later.
Cigna appreciates [medical associations'] partnership and patience and look forward to working more collaboratively with provider partners, medical associations, and their membership to ensure that modifier 25 is used appropriately and in alignment with national guidelines and industry standards.

Mesa County Medical Society invites physicians and their families to BBQ and Family Night at Bananas Fun Park

Tuesday, June 6, 2022, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Mesa County Medical Society is hosting a BBQ and Family Night at Bananas Fun Park in Grand Junction on Tuesday, June 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. There is not cost to attend for local physicians (member or nonmember) and their families including children or grandchildren. Enjoy a BBQ dinner with vegetarian options available by request and all of the park’s attractions, including the water feature. RSVP by Friday, June 2 by emailing Dolores at mesacountymedicalsociety@gmail.com or calling 970-243-2808.

Thanks to all for a successful "Running on Empty" event

Thanks to all who were able to join us in person and virtually for "Running on Empty: Physician Stress and Wellbeing." Speaker Michael H. Gendel, MD, medical director emeritus for the Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP), shared his extensive knowledge of physician work stress syndromes of burnout and malpractice stress, how to manage physician work stress, and CPHP services. We hope to see you at another CMS or component society event soon!

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine

View all Partners here

Job board

Looking for a physician to share office space in the Midtown Medical Building, Located in Denver; Ideal for Concierge/DPC; 2 exam rooms, 2 offices; could share expenses and provide some cross coverage; Available immediately; please contact Dr. Michael Keller at 720-600-0802.

Place a job board advertisement by contacting debra_will@cms.org

Upcoming CMS meetings and events

All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings and events are open to all CMS members and you are welcome to attend! All are held via Zoom unless otherwise noted. Find a full list of events here: cms.org/events. Questions? Contact membership@cms.org.

CMS office closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day

Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Committee (WCPIC) (virtual) - Wednesday, June 7, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org to register

2023 CMS Board of Directors meeting: Friday, June 16, 1-5 p.m. at CMS headquarters/virtual via Zoom. Register

2023 CMS Annual Meeting and Board of Directors meeting: Sept. 22-23 in Vail; more information

Registration is required for most meetings; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of virtual meetings may be removed. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Verify your membership here.

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