Election Day for Colorado physicians: Work sets a strong foundation for session

The 2024 general election will bring new developments in the Colorado Capitol in 2025. With some close races still not called as of publication, a high majority of COMPAC-endorsed candidates won their bids for election or re-election. This strong showing is set to influence health care policy in practical and collaborative ways during the 2025 legislative session. The COMPAC endorsement process connected incoming legislators with physicians so that they understand what medicine’s priorities are and have relationships with local physicians to consult when questions arise. With a significant number of freshmen legislators joining both chambers, our advocacy team anticipates these new members will bring fresh perspectives, opening the door for greater cooperation on health-related issues. More analysis will be available in the next issue of Colorado Medicine.

AMA analysis: Final 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule 

On Friday, Nov. 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS) released the final rule for the Calendar Year 2025 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule.

Top lines from the American Medical Association: The 2025 Medicare conversion factor will decrease for the fifth straight year by approximately 2.83 percent from $33.2875 to $32.3465. Similarly, the anesthesia conversion factor will be reduced from $20.7739 to $20.3178. This cut is largely the result of the expiration of a 2.93 percent temporary update to the conversion factor at the end of 2024 and a 0 percent baseline update for 2025 under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Unfortunately, these cuts coincide with ongoing growth in the cost to practice medicine as the agency projects the increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for 2025 will be 3.5 percent. 

The AMA and other partners in organized medicine are strongly supporting the bipartisan H.R. 10073, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024, which would stop the cut, increase physician payment by one-half of the MEI, and result in a 12-month payment update of 4.73 percent. Read more and contact our Colorado congressional delegation here.

CO Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) accepting presentation proposals for 2025 Annual Summit 

CAFP invites physicians and partners across Colorado to submit a CME proposal for their upcoming Annual Summit in Fort Collins April 3-6, 2025. These presentations will serve to continue the medical education of practicing family physicians, residents, and medical students. Interested? Submit your proposal by Nov. 12.

The Pulmonary and Allergy Update highlights insights and recent advances in pulmonary medicine, asthma, allergy and immunology, presented by faculty from the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Colorado Medical Society members receive discounted registration fees at: nationaljewish.org/PAU2025CMS

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Nomination period open for 2025 CMS leadership election

Have you thought about a leadership role in the Colorado Medical Society? We encourage members of all walks of life, perspectives, backgrounds, practice settings, career stages and geographic locations to consider a leadership position now or in the future. The nomination period for the 2025 election -- during which CMS members elect the president-elect and members of the Colorado delegation to the American Medical Association -- is open through Jan. 31, 2025. The election takes place in August. Read more here.

Partner webinar - Navigating Physician Contracts: Tips, Risks, and Red Flags

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, 6 p.m. MST

Just as no two jobs are exactly the same, no two contracts are the same either. Understanding a new role and employer while ensuring you are compensated well and treated fairly can be challenging.

This event, brought to you by CMS Partner in Medicine Panacea Financial, will cover:

• Types of engagement contracts for doctors.
• Details, compensation, and benefit nuances that require review.
• Risk factors.
• Red flags to watch out for.
• How a contract attorney can help doctors.

Partner webinar - How to Pass an Audit: Navigating the HIPAA Audit Process

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 10-11 a.m. MST

HIPAA fines are soaring, totaling almost $150 million dollars levied by the Office for Civil Rights. Are you prepared to navigate a HIPAA audit and protect your practice from costly consequences? Join Abyde for a live webinar on Nov. 13 to learn how you can pass a HIPAA audit for your practice. Learn tips and insights from HIPAA experts and discover how to get support while navigating the HIPAA audit process.

This event will cover:

• A real audit letter: Understand the structure, content, and common questions asked in a HIPAA audit letter.
• The government's audit focus: Learn what specific areas of compliance the government prioritizes during audits.
• The audit process step-by-step: Understand the audit stages, from initial contact to final findings.
• Essential resources: Discover valuable tools and support to assist you throughout the audit process.
• The consequences of unpreparedness: Explore the potential financial penalties, patient communication costs, and reputation damage that can result from an audit

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