The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) will be holding a virtual, open meeting to discuss the potential establishment of a health insurance advisory board to provide input on key issues relating to health insurance and health coverage on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, 10-11:30 a.m.

The advisory board would potentially consist of carriers, hospitals and other health care providers, consumers, employers, and other key stakeholders. The Commissioner is seeking input from industry, consumers, and other interested parties regarding the need and feasibility of an advisory board/committee, its logistical aspects and functions, and effective practices for payer transparency and public engagement.

This meeting is virtual through the Zoom platform.

Climate Change and the Environmental Impact on Mental Health

The Maryland Psychiatric Society will be hosting a CME on Sept. 11, 2025 from 6:30-8:30PM via Zoom. The program will explore what factors affect climate change and health around the world and how to mitigate those risks for our patients in the clinical setting, how fossil fuel pollutants and other man-made changes affect mental health and how to address and mitigate those risks for our patients in the clinical setting, and the fossil fuel industry’s role in causing and covering up the climate crisis and pollution related morbidity and mortality. Presenters include Dr. Cheryl Holder, Dr. Lise Van Susteren, and Dr. Gwen DuBois. 

Reserve your spot here.

How Do You Improve Maryland’s Private Payer Payments?

Baltimore County Medical Association and Maryland Academy of Family Physicians invite MedChi members to a hybrid CME meeting, Summit on Maryland Physician Compensation: Solutions to its Impact on Patient Access. Part two of this series, our panel will explore and examine solutions to Maryland’s lowest in the nation private payer payments. Join us for a reception and dinner at GBMC’s Civiletti Conference Center on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. with panel discussion at 7 p.m.or stream on Webex. Register here.

Oct. 17th, 2025-MDS Annual Fall Clinical Conference hosted by the University of Maryland School of Medicine-Department of Dermatology, 12PM-5PM Davidge Hall

Registration is now open for the annual Maryland Dermatologic Society Fall Clinical Conference, with guest speaker Dr. Adam Rubin, NYU Lagone Health, with Resident patient case studies to follow and the announcement of this year's Resident Grant Award recipient. To register, email mds@medchi.org.

Advance Directive Issues/Implementation

The House Health and Government Operations Committee of the Maryland General Assembly is seeking comments on Maryland’s Advance Directive law and whether legislative changes are necessary. Rather than specific questions, the Committee is requesting general feedback from key stakeholders. As a reminder, an advance directive is a legal document prepared by and signed by an individual (over the age of 18). An advance directive designates an agent to speak on behalf of the individual and provides for the individual's wishes regarding future medical care if they are unable to communicate those wishes due to illness or injury. It can be written or electronic. An advance directive is different than a Medical Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST), which is a medical order prepared by licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants and contains specific medical orders for the patient’s current condition. MOLST contains orders about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other life-sustaining treatments. More information on both can be found at Pages - Maryland Advance Directive Program.

By Sept. 12th, please share any issues that you may have encountered in your practice regarding advance directives or the MOLST to Danna Kauffman at dkauffman@smwpa.com. As always, we appreciate your membership and your involvement in advocacy efforts.

CMS Publishes 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

The CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule includes updates to payment rates, geographic cost indices, malpractice RVUs, and telehealth services. It outlines a 3.8% payment increase for qualifying APM participants and 3.6% for others, incorporating statutory and RVU adjustments. The rule also proposes changes to quality reporting and other Medicare Part B policies. Public comments are open through September 12, 2025.

See rule here.

A Message From CMS:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit public feedback on potential changes to Medicare regulations, with the goal of reducing the costly private healthcare expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations. CMS is seeking the public’s input on approaches and opportunities to streamline regulations and reduce administrative burdens on providers, suppliers, beneficiaries, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and other stakeholders participating in the Medicare program.

The Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule (CMS-1832-P) Fact Sheet can be found here.

Please follow the link below to submit comments by 11:59 pm Eastern on September 15, 2025.

Medicare Regulatory Relief | CMS

Health IT & AI Part I Course : Wednesdays Sept. 3 – Oct. 15  6:45 – 9 PM

This course provides existing healthcare professionals and those wishing to enter the growing Healthcare technology field with the foundation skills to enhance their careers in a health technology position. Topics include healthcare technology applications, Healthcare Cybersecurity, Health IT Change Management, AI use in healthcare, and HIT trends. Hands-on workshops using Gemini AI to enhance workflow, and Cybersecurity Vulnerability and Penetration Test solutions are included. The course prepares individuals to utilize cybersecurity and AI to enhance organization operational effectiveness, risk management and revenue enhancement. Obtain the CAHIMS and CPHIMS certificates offered by HIMSS. All materials included. This hybrid course meets in person and on Zoom. Register Here.

Opthalmalogy Practice for Sale in Frederick County  

Well-established Ophthalmology practice for sale in Frederick, Maryland. Very busy and profitable practice specializing in cataract surgery and lens implants.  This practice has a large patient base and is in an area that is growing rapidly and where surgical ophthalmology is in high demand. Looking for someone who places an emphasis on excellence in patient care and desires growth. For more information, contact: drbrucehodges@gmail.com.

Mental Health Care-For Everyone at Gladstone Psychiatry & Wellness

Gladstone Psychiatry & Wellness provides accessible, in-network mental health care to individuals across the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. regions. Their team of psychiatrists, therapists, and specialized care providers is committed to compassionate, evidence-based treatment for patients of all ages. To refer a patient, please contact new.patient@gladstonepsych.com or call at 443-708-5856. Learn more and view their services here.

Allergy and Immunology Practice in Maryland and Virginia Seeks Nurse Practitioner

Are you a dedicated Nurse Practitioner seeking a fulfilling role with a dynamic and patient-focused specialty group? Join this well-established and growing practice, serving communities across Maryland and Northern Virginia. They are looking for a compassionate and skilled NP to enhance their team of professionals committed to excellence in patient care. (Full-Time or Part-Time). Please email nevans@allergyasthma.us for additional details.

"How to Evaluate AI Tools for Your Practice" Webinar on September 24 at 11:30 AM

Join PEAKE Technology Partners CEO Chris Knotts for "How to Evaluate AI Tools for Your Practice" – a 30-minute educational webinar that cuts through AI vendor marketing to give you a systematic evaluation framework. In this session, you'll learn the FIVE essential questions to ask before any demo, the red flags that predict AI tool failure, and how to structure your evaluation process to reveal which tools will actually work in your clinical environment. Perfect for: Practice administrators, physicians, and anyone involved in technology decisions for medical practices. There is no charge to attend but you must pre-register in advance. 

Use this Link to register: https://hubs.li/Q03DHgPN0