The Press Box

The Washington County Medical Society Meets on December 4

Join us at Café Del Sol East, 1130 Conrad Court, Hagerstown, MD, 21740 at 5:30 PM. Greet your colleagues and enjoy great food and drink! It’s happening in Hagerstown! RSVP to Cathy Peters @ cpeters@medchi.org.

BCMS Special Membership Zoom Meeting 12/17at 6pm

MDH is excited to share with you the published State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)

MDH has also posted state aggregate data for the SHIP metrics in a SHIP scorecard, which can be found here. Scorecards allow us to monitor progress and ensure accountability as we work towards achieving the goals and objectives detailed in the SHIP.

You likely heard that Maryland has signed an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in The States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. The SHIP will be an important consideration as Maryland plans to implement the AHEAD model. As planning progresses, the SHIP may evolve to align with population health and health equity planning under AHEAD.

 We look forward to keeping you updated and working together.

CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Now Published

The Final Rule includes updated payment rates, updated telehealth policies, and new coding for caregiver training and social determinants of health services. It expands access to preventive and behavioral health care, addresses health equity, and incorporates lessons from value-based care models to strengthen primary care and accountable care organizations (ACOs). The rule also advances drug price controls under the Inflation Reduction Act and modernizes reimbursement for preventive services, telehealth, and advanced care management. These policies will take effect on January 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted. For a more detailed summary, please see the AMA MPFS Final Rule Summary.

DEA & HHS extend Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications through Dec. 31, 2025

As the end of 2024 approaches, the DEA and HHS announced a further extension of certain Telemedicine flexibilities to allow health care practitioners to remotely prescribe Schedule II-V controlled medications via telemedicine to new and existing patients through Dec. 31, 2025. As a reminder and per MD Code, Health Occupations, § 1-1003, Maryland law prohibits the prescription of Schedule II substances unless certain conditions are met. For more details, visit the federal register here or the DEA website here.

AMA President-elect Bobby Mukkamala, MD, has a brain tumor

MedChi is wishing Dr. Mukkamala well during his treatment and is thinking of him, his family, and his friends. Read Dr. Mukkamala's personal message here.

Unity Insurance: Helping Maryland Businesses Choose the Right Employee Benefits!

If you’re a small business owner in Maryland, choosing the right group benefits for your employees can feel like navigating a sea of options. One common point of confusion for many is understanding the difference between a Health Spending Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). While both help employees save money on medical expenses, the way they work, their tax advantages, and the rules governing them are quite different. Read more

The Maryland Health Care Commission is Requesting Feedback

The Maryland Health Care Commission is requesting feedback from physicians on the important issue of acquisitions of health care organizations and health care market concentration in Maryland. Participants are welcome provide feedback on all or some of the ten questions.

For further information on this request click here.

To provide feedback via a fillable form click here.

The deadline to provide feedback is Tuesday, November 26, 2024. We encourage all physicians to consider providing feedback on this important matter.

If feasible, please send a copy of your responses to us at adelong@medchi.org.

Are You Following the Museum on Social Media?

The MedChi Museum and Archives is now on YouTube and Instagram. We hope you’ll take a look and give us a follow!

Uniting for Prosperity: The Benefits of a Family Financial Summit

With the Holidays coming up, isn’t it time to have a different kind of family conversation? Click HERE to learn more about why you need a Family Financial Summit to get your family on track for sharing your financial values and meeting your goals.

Tell your Representative to cosponsor the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 10073)

UPDATE: Now that the elections are over, Congress will be heading back to Washington, DC for the final "lame duck" session before the end of the year. This will be our last opportunity to pass H.R. 10073 before the 2.8% goes into effect on January 1, 2025. Physicians have sent 2,769 emails to Congress in support of H.R. 10073. Please add your voice if you have not already taken action. Take Action Here.

Helping one physician helps a thousand patients

Center for a Healthy Maryland Educate for the advancement of medicine and quality of medical care.  Promote the health of MD Citizens.  Preserve the history of Maryland medicine.

Seven Keys to Navigating Market Volatility

Market volatility can be unsettling, especially when you see your investments fluctuating wildly day by day.

However, staying calm and sticking to a well-thought-out strategy can help you navigate these turbulent times effectively.

Click here for key steps to consider when dealing with market volatility.

Is Your Practice Losing Up to 20% Of Its Revenue? 

An MGMA poll in 2022 found that 40% of medical practices did not reach their revenue goals. If you’re “going it alone” consider boosting your practice’s earning potential with a physician-led consulting service that understands the unique demands of healthcare. Consult CMF  knows firsthand the fundamental drivers to success, including digital technology, operations, and practice management. Our tailored solutions are customized to help your practice achieve sustainable growth. Our Revenue Cycle Screen uncovers revenue leakage and delivers actionable strategies to streamline operations and maximize profitability. Don’t leave your practice’s success to chance. Partner with Consult CMF  and let us help you transform your practice by increasing revenue and reducing operational inefficiency. To learn more, visit ConsultCMF.com or call (443) 472-6529.

J & J Innovative Medicine is Leading Where Medicine is Going

J&J releases their eighth U.S. Pricing Transparency Report  which provides key data, analysis and insights that will help advance solutions to create a more sustainable, equitable and innovative healthcare system. Included in this issue is Transparency at a Glance. Please stay tuned for Transparency Rebates and Discounts from Johnson & Johnson.

Protecting Your Medical License in Maryland: Key Do’s and Don’ts

Facing disciplinary action as a physician in Maryland can jeopardize your career. To protect your license, act decisively: understand the allegations, explore potential outcomes, and consult an experienced professional license defense lawyer immediately. Avoid costly mistakes like making assumptions or handling your case alone. Build a cohesive defense strategy and leverage every opportunity to safeguard your license. Don’t wait—take proactive steps today to secure your future. Call us at 410-210-4737.

Calling All Prescribers: Can You Help Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) With a Brief Survey? 

As part of an ongoing effort to understand the landscape of buprenorphine access, the Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS) is surveying prescribers across the state. We would greatly appreciate your assistance with this effort by taking a few moments to complete this voluntary survey. The survey can be accessed online by clicking this link or by using the QR Code. Instructions to return this survey via mail or fax can be found by accessing the survey link.