The Washington County Medical Society Meets on Wednesday, Sept. 10

Join members of the Washington County Medical Society on Wednesday, September 10th, at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and collegiality at at Café del Sol, East, 1120 Conrad Court, Hagerstown, MD. RSVP to Cathy Peters by September 8th.

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.

Maryland Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Alert

Dispensers are required to begin reporting Non-CDS prescriptions to CRISP by September 1, 2025, in accordance with COMAR 10.25.18.13. Questions about Non-CDS reporting may be directed to MHCC.noncds@maryland.gov. A list of frequently asked questions compiled by the MHCC is available here.

Maryland Matters: Maryland market threatens to push more Medicare Advantage plans out of the state

“Given the uniqueness of the Maryland system, there is pressure on Medicare advantage,” said Gene Ransom, CEO for MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society. Read more here.

From the Maryland Department of Health: SUDORS Trend Report

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released a State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) 2018–2024 Trend Report analyzing key circumstances surrounding unintentional fatal overdoses. View the summary with key messages, access the report, or learn more about Maryland SUDORS, including state and county data on circumstances of opioid overdose deaths. Read more here.

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

How Cyber Liability Insurance Can Protect You and Your Business from Data Breaches

Discover how Cyber Liability Insurance can be your business’s safety net against costly data breaches and digital threats. Click here.

The Physicians Foundations Survey Findings

New Survey: Effect of Misinformation and Disinformation on Physicians’ Ability to Provide Quality Care. View here.

MedChi CEO Gene Ransom Discusses Deadline in Johns Hopkins–UnitedHealthcare Dispute on WBAL

MedChi CEO Gene Ransom was featured on WBAL discussing the looming deadline in the Johns Hopkins–UnitedHealthcare dispute. This fight is not just about a contract—it highlights the systemic abuses of national insurers that undermine physicians, patients, and public health. United’s tactics—excessive prior authorizations, routine denials, and delayed payments—are barriers to care that hurt Maryland families. Johns Hopkins and its physicians are standing up against these practices, and MedChi proudly supports them. This is about protecting access to care and pushing back against insurance policies that put profits over patients.

Watch the WBAL segment 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 

The Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council (MORAC) is now accepting applications for community members to serve on its Citizen Advisory Committee!

About the Citizen Advisory Committee

Direct input from community members who have been impacted by substance use and overdose is an essential component of Maryland’s overdose response strategy. To help facilitate public input, Lt. Governor Aruna Miller is impaneling a Citizen Advisory Committee to provide recommendations to the MORAC from the perspective of individuals in Maryland who currently or have previously provided and/or utilized substance use disorder services in Maryland.

If you are a provider or person with lived experience with substance use who is interested in participating in the MORAC’s Citizen Advisory Committee, please complete the form below by October 1st, 2025.

Citizen Advisory Committee Application Form

About the MORAC

The Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council (MORAC) is chaired by Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and includes representatives from 18 state agencies working to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality in Maryland. The advisory council shares data related to the overdose crisis across agencies and provides strategic guidance for increasing access to substance use care and addressing disparities in overdose outcomes.

Please contact StopOverdose@maryland.gov with any questions.