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ASAP e-newsletter: June 5, 2024

Prior authorization reform bill signed into law

This week, HB24-1149 Prior Authorization Alternatives Requirements was signed by Gov. Jared Polis. This crucial piece of legislation will place more health care decisions in the hands of patients and physicians.

This three-year effort in collaboration with the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians and other state specialty societies will make great changes for Colorado health care. These changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Read a detailed analysis here.

Learn more about outcomes of the 2024 legislative session at a virtual townhall next Tuesday, June 11

Join CMS and Council on Legislation Chair Darlene Tad-y, MD, MBA, and Vice Chair Ricky Dhaliwal, MD, JD, to learn how this legislative session will impact you and your practice. This webinar will discuss new laws, when they will be enacted, and how you can best take advantage of them. Plus, panelists will answer your questions.

When: Tuesday, June 11, 6-7 p.m.

Where: Zoom; click here to register

Submit your questions in advance by emailing membership@cms.org.

Click here to register!

Gov. Polis signs HB24-1472 Raise Damage Limit Tort Actions into law. From left, DOI Commissioner Michael Conway, Gov. Polis, Rep. Kyle Brown and Sen. Kyle Mullica.

Change Healthcare must notify patients of data breach; burden is not on physicians

The U.S. Department of Human Services has announced that UnitedHealth Group must alert patients their data has been exposed -- not individual physicians, practices or hospitals, STAT reports. Many physicians were worried that they would have to track down the patients whose data may have been stolen, as is required by federal law. Access more news and resources on the AMA's Change Healthcare webpage.

June is Pride Month

This Pride Month, expand your education on health care needs and challenges of the LGBTQ+ community to better care for your patients. GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality is an organization that advances LGBTQ+ health equity through research, advocacy and education. They offer on-demand CME to their members through their Violet library (members only).

Join GLMA here; the $25 Equity membership is designed for those for whom cost is prohibitive.
Once a member, access free CME that is tailored to LGBTQ+ health care needs here.
Physicians who complete cultural competency education through Violet have these courses noted on their profile in the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory.
Register for GLMA's 42nd Annual Conference on LGBTQ+ Health in Charlotte, N.C. Sept. 30-Oct. 1. GLMA has generously offered CMS members a 20 percent discount on registration with the code AC24comed20.

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.

Reminder for independent physicians: Complete a survey on hospital facility fees

Last legislative session, Colorado lawmakers passed House Bill 23-1215 Limits On Hospital Facility Fees, prohibiting hospitals and health systems from charging a facility fee for off-main campus outpatient facilities and telehealth care starting July 1, 2024. The law also created the Hospital Facility Fee Steering Committee that is currently studying health care billing and payment policy. They have specifically requested input from independent health care providers that are not affiliated with or owned by a hospital or health system. Please complete the survey here; the stated deadline is March 15, but the Steering Committee will accept responses through early June.

Visit the Hospital Facility Fee Steering Committee website for more information on the Steering Committee and the resulting report of this data request. If you have questions about this survey, email hcpf_facilityfee@state.co.us.

Register for a CMS Lunch and Learn webinar featuring Abyde - July 24

Register today for the Colorado Medical Society's next Lunch and Learn webinar, Wednesday, July 24, 12-1 p.m. Matt Leatherman, Abyde Lead Compliance Consultant, will present "5 HIPAA Compliance Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make." Register here!

Abyde, a CMS Partner in Medicine, is a technology company specializing in HIPAA & OSHA compliance education and solutions for independent medical practices. Abyde’s unique approach to simplify government requirements allows practices to implement an action plan to ensure compliance and focus on what they do best - patient care. Colorado Medical Society members receive complementary educational consultations, HIPAA/OSHA resources and preferred member pricing on your Abyde subscription. Join us July 24!

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine

View all Partners here

Job board

Job Listing: Full-Time Optometrist

Are you an optometrist looking for a welcoming and fulfilling work environment? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our dynamic team at a multi-level eye care practice in beautiful Longmont, Colorado. We are a busy medical/surgical MD/OD practice dedicated to providing exceptional eye care to patients of all ages. Our team is like family, and we take pride in maintaining a supportive and collaborative work environment. With our well-established practice, you’ll have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients. Read more about this opportunity 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!

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.

Legislative Town Hall (virtual) - Tuesday, June 11, 6-7 p.m. Register

CMS Board of Directors meeting (hybrid in-person at the CMS office in Denver or via Zoom) - Friday, June 14, 1-5 p.m. Register

Committee on Physician Wellbeing (virtual) - Tuesday, June 25, 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; save the date!

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.

Let's connect!