January 2, 2026

Congratulations IMA District One Trustee, Dr. Crystal Pyrak!

We are happy to announce that Crystal Pyrak, MD, was elected to serve as Trustee for District One to the IMA Board of Trustees.

Dr. Pyrak is a family physician practicing in Coeur d'Alene. She has particular interest in rural healthcare, full-spectrum family medicine, and educating the next generation of family physicians as a faculty member of the Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Pyrak serves on the IMA Legislative Advisory Committee and Reproductive Health Subcommittee, as well as serving as a Board member of the IMA Foundation.

Each IMA Board member is a liaison between component societies and the association, representing the needs of their local healthcare community and submitting a report to the IMA House of Delegates regarding his or her trustee district.

The IMA is looking forward to a productive partnership working with Dr. Pyrak. Congratulations!

IMA Hosts Legislative Update Events Around the State

Over the last two months, IMA members and local legislators gathered throughout the state to discuss IMA's 2026 legislative priorities.

IMA's legislative update events connect community physicians with their state senators and representatives. The events serve to educate our legislators on the issues facing the medical community, including real-life examples of the impact of particular health policies on their constituents. IMA advocacy team members traveled to Nampa, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and Coeur d'Alene. Discussions ranged from improving the physician workforce in Idaho, enacting a medical emergency exception to Idaho's abortion ban, amending Idaho's parental consent laws, and maintaining a strong and stable Medicaid program.

IMA looks forward to a productive and impactful year advocating for physicians and in the Legislature and other policy-making forums.

Prioritize Your Well Being in 2026 with the Physician Vitality Program

The Physician Vitality Program (PVP) offers confidential, affordable, and easily accessible mental health support tailored for Idaho's physicians. It is available to all medical licensed professionals (physicians, PAs, NPs) who are members of the IMA wherever they practice. PVP was created by ADA County Medical Society in 2016 to address the growing needs of those facing the epidemic of physician burnout, as well as other occupational and personal stressors.

The program provides five confidential appointments at no cost, with a strong emphasis on maintaining the privacy of individuals accessing the program. While many clinicians have access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) through their insurance plans, they may hesitate to use them due to genuine or perceived confidentiality concerns. ACMS created its own panel of clinically-licensed mental health professionals available throughout Idaho in-person or via telehealth, selecting those with a reputation for serving medical clinicians.

To find out more about the PVP program and to make an appointment, visit physicianvitality.org.

Mark your calendars now! IMA members and their staff have exclusive access to IMA's education webinar series, featuring expert guidance from industry leaders in coding and reimbursement, health law, and patient safety and risk management. Click here to view this year's offerings and download the registration form.

Update Your HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices by February 16, 2026

By Kim Stanger, Holland & Hart

Recent changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule require that healthcare providers update their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) by February 16, 2026. Most of the changes are intended to align HIPAA with the revised regulations governing substance use disorder records (see 42 CFR part 2), but other changes will apply to all covered entities. A redlined version of 45 CFR 164.520 showing the changes to the rule is available here.

Background. HIPAA requires covered entities to post and provide individuals with a copy of the provider's NPP no later than the first day services are delivered. The NPP must contain the elements, information and statements specified in 45 CFR 164.520. READ MORE

AMA Discounted 2026 Medical Coding Books: Order Yours Today!

The Idaho Medical Association is pleased to offer substantial discounts on resource materials for AMA and Optum360° books for your office. Order your CPT®, HCPCS, ICD-10, Code of Medical Ethics and other resource materials today! The discounted Coder's Bundle includes the 2026 CPT Professional Edition and the 2026 ICD-10-CM manual for one discounted price.

The 2026 Essential Reference Guide order form with the most popular choices is available HERE for your convenience.

Please note there is a $9.00 shipping and handling fee per book. We also offer a 20% shipping discount for orders of five or more books. Sales tax is calculated on merchandise only and prior to adding shipping fees.

Books will be shipped or hand delivered to you as soon as they are available. ICD-10 and CPT books are now on-hand and can be sent to your office today! Contact Rebecca (rebecca@idmed.org) at the IMA with any questions or call (208) 344-7888x101.

CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.