ASAP e-newsletter: Aug. 7, 2024

Earn up to 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 2 COPIC Points at CMS Annual Meeting

Make plans to join us for the 154th Annual Meeting, Sept. 13-14 in Breckenridge and earn up to 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 2 COPIC Points; full accreditation on the event pag e.

Working Smarter with AI, with Alan Kimura, MD, and Sean Riley, MD, MBS
Health Care Availability Act Cap Increase – What does it mean and what to expect? with Janel Loud-Mahany, MBA, and Beverly Razon, MBA
All Hazards Approach; All Population Response with Brian Feist, BSN, RN
AI – The Double Edged Scalpel with David Whitling, MD

Reserve lodging here

August recess is here – tell Congress to Fix Medicare Now!

As Congress returns home for the annual August recess, physician advocates have unique opportunities to engage with their members of Congress "back home" in the district.

According to an AMA analysis of Medicare Trustees data, Medicare physician payment has been reduced 29% adjusted for inflation from 2001-2024. The Medicare physician payment system lacks an adequate annual physician payment update, unlike those that apply to other Medicare provider payments.

Unfortunately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' recent proposed rule has physicians slated for an additional 2.8 percent Medicare payment reduction on Jan. 1. This latest inexcusable cut looms despite the fact that the federal CMS also projects the increase to the MEI to be 3.6 percent in 2025.

Find out how you can take advantage of the August recess and tell Congress to Fix Medicare Now!

Cast your vote for CMS leaders by Aug. 31

Voting is open for 2024-2025 CMS president-elect and AMA Delegation. Did you receive your ballot? They were sent overnight on July 31/Aug. 1 from membership@cms.org. Get to know the candidates running for 2024-2025 CMS president-elect by reading their candidate statements on the CMS Election webpage. Voting will be open throughout the month of August. Questions? Contact membership@cms.org or call (720) 859-1001.

Dr. Brigitta Robinson, running for CMS president-elect

Dr. Darlene Tad-y, running for CMS president-elect

View the CMS election webpage

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.

CMS volunteer opportunities: AI task force, resident Board position or committees

Deadline: Aug. 16

NEW CMS Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI); meeting frequency and time commitment to be determined; 7-9 positions open
Resident or Fellow representative on the CMS Board of Directors; time commitment of approximately 20-25 hours per year; 1 spot determined by election by peers
CMS Committee on Professional Accreditation/CME; meets as needed; time commitment of approximately 35-40+ hours per year; 1-2 spots open
CMS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee; meets monthly; time commitment 15-20 hours per year

Complete this form to indicate your interest in these and other opportunities. For more information on getting involved, please reply to this email or reach out to membership@cms.org.

Volunteer to mentor high school students in Denver Metro

Denver Public Schools (DPS) is looking for local Denver Metro physicians interested in volunteering through the district's Coach Mentoring Program during the 2024-25 school year. View a flyer here. They are looking for groups of 5-10 mentors to get matched 1:1 with high school students at one of their participating high schools. Expected time commitment is 2.5 hours per month. Fill out this short interest form to receive more information from DPS! Or if you're ready to volunteer, complete this application by Aug. 31.

Nominate an exceptional physician for COPIC's Humanitarian Award

Nominations accepted through Aug. 15

The Colorado Medical Society is proud to support COPIC in their award of the COPIC Humanitarian Award, which is given to a physician who has shown outstanding volunteer medical services and contributions to their community. Nominations are accepted through Aug. 15. The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 dollar donation to a Colorado 501(c)(3) of their choice. The recipient is also invited to the CMS Annual Meeting, this year in Breckenridge Sept. 13-14. Find more information and the nomination form on COPIC's website.

Save the date for our next Partner Lunch and Learn: Sept. 26 - what you need to know about Medicare changes

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.

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine

View all Partners here

Job board

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!

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.

Committee on Professional Education and Accreditation/CME (virtual) - Thursday, Aug. 8, 4-5 p.m. Email kim_vadas@cms.org to register

Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (virtual) - Thursday, Aug. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. Email kate_alfano@cms.org to register

Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (virtual) - Tuesday, Aug. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org to register

Committee on Physician Wellbeing (virtual) - Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Email kate_alfano@cms.org to register

CMS Annual Meeting (in person) - Sept. 13-14, 2024 at the Village at Breckenridge; register today!

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? Contact membership@cms.org.

Let's connect!

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