August 2024

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.

UnitedHealthcare launching Gold Card program Oct. 1; share your observations with us

UnitedHealthcare is launching a Gold Card program to allow qualified practices who have "demonstrated adherence to evidence-based guidelines" to bypass the prior authorization process for certain medical, behavioral and mental health services. The new program begins Oct. 1 and the services eligible for gold card will be published Sept. 1.

As this program gets going, the Colorado Medical Society wants to hear from you about whether or not the program actually makes a difference for your practice, how it is working, and other observations from practices that received a gold card status and those that did not (and perhaps appeal this designation). Share any comments or observations by replying to this email or contacting Chet Seward directly at chet_seward@cms.org.

Dues season is coming; thank you in advance for renewing your group membership!

Dues invoices for Colorado Medical Society members for practices who have opted into group billing will be sent to your practice's billing contact in September. All invoices are due Dec. 31, 2024 for the membership period ending Dec. 31, 2025. Pay early to ensure your practice's physicians have no disruption in benefits through the end of 2025 -- especially if your physicians are Copic insured and benefit from this significant discount in medical liability insurance! If you have new physicians to add to your group bill or physicians have retired or left your practice, please update your roster by calling 720-859-1001 or emailing membership@cms.org.

Last chance! 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 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.

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.

The Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Physician Health Program are proud to provide Doc2Doc Wellbeing Consulting, which brings peer support to physicians experiencing workplace stress. Any Colorado physician or medical student can call 720-810-9131 to access up to three free, one-hour, confidential, pre-clinical peer wellbeing consultation sessions. Help us spread the word!

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine, who support Colorado physicians and practices!

CMS 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!

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