January 11, 2019 | View as Webpage
Shanty Creek Resort--a popular Michigan summer get-away--is accepting room reservations for the 2019 Michigan Family Medicine Conference & Expo,
August 1-4. Availability is limited and offered on a first-come first-served basis. Reserve your room early at the special discounted rate! Conference registration will open in March at mafp.com/events .
FEATURE NEWS
Maintenance of Certification, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, HIV Bills Signed Into Law
Before finishing his term of office, former Governor Rick Snyder considered hundreds of bills during the final days of lame duck. Some he signed into law, including those surrounding maintenance of certification, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, and HIV testing and disclosure. Others he vetoed, including a bill that called for banning medical abortions through telemedicine. Others, such as a bill that would have licensed naturopathic providers, saw no movement and died at the close of the 2017-2018 session.
Controlled Substance Prescribing Rule Changes Effective Jan. 4
In its continued effort to combat Michigan’s opioid epidemic, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently modified the Pharmacy Controlled Substance rules. Three significant changes went into effect on January 4, when the rules were filed with the Office of the Great Seal. Most significant of those is identification of five exceptions to the bona fide prescriber-patient relationship requirement. The revised rules also categorize gabapentin as a Schedule 5 drug and require all controlled substance licensees and their delegates to complete a one-time training in opioids and controlled substances awareness.
MAFP NEWS
MAFP Conducting Executive Search as CEO Debra McGuire Accepts New Position
It is with mixed emotions and best wishes that we announce MAFP Chief Executive Officer Debra McGuire, MBA, IOM, CAE is relocating to Dallas to serve as President and CEO of the American Fire Sprinkler Association, an international association focused on saving lives around the globe. Her last day at MAFP Headquarters will be Friday, January 18. LETTER FROM DEBRA TO THE MEMBERSHIP

"We shall deeply miss Debra and her unwavering support and guidance for the members, staff, and associates of MAFP. She will always be a part of our Michigan Family Medicine family. We are very proud of her as she begins such an exciting opportunity as the first female President and CEO of the American Fire Sprinkler Association. Congratulations, Debra!" said MAFP President Mary Marshall, MD, RN.

MAFP is seeking a forward-thinking individual with seven-plus years of senior level management experience to build on the growth the Academy and its Foundation have experienced under Debra's tenure. Applications are being accepted until January 18. Until the new CEO is announced, Director of Business Development & Operations Michael Macias will oversee MAFP Headquarters while working with the rest of the MAFP staff to carry out daily activities and goals.
Accepting 2019 'Academy' Award Nominations
As the new year gets underway, now is the perfect time to reflect on the contributions of MAFP members who exemplify the Academy's mission, vision, and values. Nominations for the "Archie" Award of Excellence, Michigan Family Physician of the Year, Michigan Family Medicine Educator of the Year, Michigan Family Medicine Resident of the Year, and the Michigan Family Medicine Volunteer Leadership Award are being accepted until March 1.
Call for Board, Committee Applications
Physician, resident, and student members who volunteer their time and talent to serve on a Board or committee are vital to the success of MAFP, Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan (FMFM), and the Family Medicine Political Action Committee (FMPAC). If you are interested in working alongside colleagues on an issue of interest while providing valuable guidance that will help shape the work of MAFP, FMFM, and/or FMPAC, you are invited to apply for an appointment. Appointments will begin August 1. Board applications are due by March 1. Committee applications are due by April 1.
MAFP Mourns the Loss of a Northville FP and her Family
It was with great sadness that MAFP learned of the passing of Rima Abbas, MD, her husband, and their three children. They were killed in an accident over the weekend while traveling home from vacation in Florida. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with their family, friends, and co-workers. Dr. Abbas, a 2006 graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, practiced Family Medicine at Beaumont Medical Center in Garden City.
Over 90 advocates have already registered to advocate for their profession and patients at the 2019 Michigan Family Medicine Advocacy Day on Tuesday, February 26, in downtown Lansing. Reserve your spot today to help reach our goal of 100+ advocates--the greater the number, the louder the collective Family Medicine voice! There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required.
STATE & NATIONAL NEWS
Michigan Legislature Convenes for 100th Legislative Session
State legislators met in Lansing at noon on Wednesday, January 9, to begin Michigan’s 100th legislative session. In what was mostly ceremonial and procedural, Senate and House leaders outlined their priorities and set forth rules for their respective chamber. As the new legislature—comprised of many new faces—gets underway, now is a crucial time to educate legislators about the value of Family Medicine and advocate for policies and legislation important to Family Physicians and patients. The upcoming Michigan Family Medicine Advocacy DayFebruary 26 in downtown Lansing—is a prime opportunity for you to do just that. Your voice is essential!
Reminder: Mandatory CHAMPS Enrollment
If you care for Medicaid beneficiaries, be aware that f or dates of service on or after January 1, 2019, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will prohibit contracted Medicaid Health Plans and Dental Health Plans from making payments to typical providers not actively enrolled in the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System (CHAMPS). For dates of service on or after July 1, 2019, MDHHS Fee-for-Service and Medicaid Health Plans will prohibit payment for prescription drug claims written by a prescriber who is not enrolled. More details on prescriber enrollment will be released in early 2019.
NHSC Accepting Applications for Loan Repayment Programs
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is accepting applications for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (offers up to $50,000 in loan repayment in exchange for serving at least two years at an NHSC-approved site in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area) and the new Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program (offers up to $75,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a three-year commitment to provide substance use disorder treatment services at an NHSC-approved site). The deadline to apply for each program is February 21 at 7:30 pm ET. NHSC is hosting an application webinar on January 10 at 2:30-3:30 pm ET.
AAFP Issues E/M Payment Recommendations in Letter to CMS
In a letter sent to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on December 28, AAFP recommended avenues for the agency to explore that would support fair payment to primary care physicians who provide healthcare services to Medicare patients. Focused on CMS changes to documentation and payment related to evaluation and management (E/M) services, the letter also included recommendations related to documentation relief for physicians, the collapsing of E/M codes 99212-99214, and the implementation of add-on codes.
2018 MIPS Data Submission Period Open through April 2
Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who participated in Year 2 (2018) of the Quality Payment Program may submit and update data anytime before April 2. There are two exceptions to this deadline. CMS Web Interface Users need to report their Quality performance category data between January 22 and March 22. If you reported Quality measures via Medicare Part B claims throughout the 2018 performance year, CMS will receive your quality data from claims processed by your Medicare Administrative Contractor; claims for services furnished during 2018 must be processed within 60 days after the end of the 2018 performance period.
STUDENT & RESIDENT NEWS
Application Period Open: MiLES Offers $50,000 in Loan Repayment to Qualified Residents
Are you a Family Medicine (MD or DO) resident in your last year or two of residency with unpaid loans? You may qualify for the new state-funded Michigan Loan Reimbursement and Employment Solution (MiLES) program that offers $50,000 in loan reimbursement in exchange for committing to practice in a medically underserved area of Michigan for two years following residency. Applications are being accepted January 2-February 28.
Represent Michigan at National Conference
& Earn a Scholarship
Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan is accepting applications from MAFP resident and student members interested in serving as a Michigan Delegate to the National Congress of Family Medicine Residents or National Congress of Student Members, which will convene during the 2019 AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents & Medical Students, July 25-27, in Kansas City, Missouri. The selected delegates will receive a FMFM scholarship of up to $1,000 to help cover conference-related costs. Applications are due by April 1.
Call for Applications: Medical Student Externship
Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan's Medical Student Externship offers the opportunity to experience the practice of Family Medicine first-hand through a four- to six-week clinical and/or research externship. Interested student members of MAFP are encouraged to work with their medical school to apply by April 1. This requires identifying a Family Physician mentor and outlining the externship plan based on the student's interests. In addition to gaining valuable experience, the selected extern will receive a $2,000 stipend and the physician mentor will receive a $500 stipend. This program is funded jointly by FMFM and AAFP Foundation.
Michigan Family Medicine Research Day May 23
Mark your calendar to attend Michigan Family Medicine Research Day on Thursday, May 23, at Cleary University in Howell. This annual event--now in its 42nd year--educates physicians, residents, and medical students on the state of Family Medicine research in Michigan. Studies are presented in both lecture and poster formats, and a keynote speaker will deliver an update on future research innovations. A call for abstracts will be issued in February--stay tuned for more information!
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Medical Director , Ionia, MI

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

February 26
Downtown Lansing

Save the Date
Beyond Clinical & Curriculum
2019 Family Medicine Resident Conference
May 10
Cleary University
Howell, MI

August 1-4
Shanty Creek Resort
Bellaire, MI

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OTHER EVENTS

April 16, 8 am-12:30 pm
Western Michigan University
Grand Rapids
Host: Western Regional Center Michigan Area Health Education Center

May 1-4
Las Vegas, NV
Host: AAFP

May 20-21
Washington, DC
Host: AAFP

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