Your Champion. Your Cheerleader. Your Voice.

Sunday, July 09, 2023

In This Issue: Share Your Prior Auth Stories, Join MCM on The Lawn, DEA CME Solutions

The Fight Against Prior Authorization Has No Off Season: Share Your Patient Stories with MCMS!

Rising temps with summer heat. Some might be taking time off to enjoy the summer season, but we know your patients rely on you every single day to receive appropriate and timely medical care. Prior Authorization is unnecessary red tape causing you and your staff stress, and it can delay and have devastating effects on patients. The Maryland Legislature agreed to study the impact of prior authorization over the summer, so we are continuing to collect stories from our physician members.

Stories are powerful. Share your prior authorization nightmares and join MCMS and MedChi in the fight against prior authorization. Together, we are stronger. Your voice must be heard. Share your prior authorization stories here.

Join MCMS On the Lawn: Summer Concert Series at Strathmore!

Wednesday, August 2nd, 7 pm

The Strathmore

The first 25 active/associate members in attendance will be given a $10 credit for onsite food and beverage purchases.

Leading In a Burned-Out World

Center for a Healthy Maryland

Thursday, July 20th, 6:30 P.M.

Learning Objectives:

• Define how toxic stress and burnout relates to working environments.
• Define how toxic stress and burnout change physiology and behavior or people.
• Define how a stable work environment is a patient safety indicator.
• Give a framework for redefining work to improve the health of workers.

Register here

Johns Hopkins Medicine Joins National Move to Charge Patients for Messaging Their Doctor

What do you think of this idea? Should the patient ever be charged? Take the poll.

Patients in the Johns Hopkins medical offices may soon have to decide if every question they send to their physicians through the patient portal are worth the potential costs.

Johns Hopkins Medicine is joining a national trend this month when it begins charging a fee to patients to send some messages through its online patient portal, MyChart, much like it does for in-person or telehealth visits, according to a memo to staff obtained by The Baltimore Banner (continue reading).

POP Topic:

Charging for Patient Portal Communications

We want to hear from you!

Take the poll here

DEA CME Requirement: Additional Resources and Information

The AMA Ed Hub has multiple offerings on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, which are included in the Opioid Therapy and Pain Management CME course. These courses will help physicians satisfy the one-time, eight-hour training requirement.

MedChi is offering a full eight-hour live and on demand training course.

Live Webinar: Saturday, July 22nd at 9 AM 

Developed in collaboration with leading experts, this comprehensive webinar covers key topics such as DEA regulations, opioid, alcohol, tobacco, and other substance abuse disorders, pain management, and much more.   By attending this webinar, you will gain a deep understanding of best practices and evidence-based approaches to improve the quality of care you provide.

Enter code MEDCHIWEB100 to get the Member benefit --- a $100 discount.

Takin' a road trip this summer? Or traveling the globe for your summer vacation? We'd love to see your pictures! Send in your photos to sdantoni@montgomerymedicine.org. We will share your pictures in our summer issues of eNews.

Making time for a vacation is an important part of your self care. Whether it is getting out of town or a long staycation, we hope that you are able to enjoy some time off this summer.

Tell Us: What are your plans? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SummerPlans

Implicit Bias CME Reminder: Required by First Licensure Renewal

On April 1, 2022, a new law went into effect requiring all health care practitioners applying for renewal of their license to complete an implicit bias training program course. This is a one-time requirement. Licensees must attest to completion of a course the first time they renew their license after April 1, 2022. Learn more here.

MDPCP Request for Applications Now Open



The Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) is now accepting new participant applications for Primary care practices, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Care Transformation Organizations. The deadline to apply is July 17th at 11:59 p.m. It is critical to strengthen primary care and to promote health and reduce healthcare cost in Maryland. Interested applicants are encouraged to register for an upcoming webinar. For more information read more here.

Please note:

• This is the last year practices will be eligible to apply.
• Applying does not obligate to your practice to participate in MDPCP. Your practice will have to sign a Participation Agreement in the fall to actually participate in the program.
• MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, is willing to help any practice with the application, regardless of whether you choose MedChi as your practice’s CTO (Care Transition Organization).
• Your practice is strongly encouraged as a first-time participant to join a CTO to help you navigate the first year of the program.

Register for the June 29th 5pm webinar to have your questions answered.

Questions? Colleen George, Executive Director MedChi CTO

Office 410-539-0872 x3360 Cell 410-652-5808

cto@medchi.org / medchi.org/MedChiCTO

The 'Psychological Warfare' of Prior Authorization, MedScape, July 6, 2023

New Tuition Program Will Help Drive Physician Workforce Diversity,AMA Online, July 3, 2023

23 Medical Boards Make Changes to Support Physician Well-being, AMA Online, July 3, 2023

The 9 Physician Specialties That Saw Pay Jumps, Becker's ASC Review, June 30, 2023

Hiring Full Time Position for Primary Care Physician with Established Practice in Gaithersburg, MD.

Raman Tuli, MD, PC is seeking a primary care physician to join our well-established family and geriatric practice with a path to partnership. The ideal candidate will have medical experience in a patient-facing environment and demonstrate superior professionalism and communication skills. This position is in a high-demand location with existing patient panels and opportunity for future growth for both office and outpatient care. We’re looking for someone who is driven by a passion to make patients’ healthcare experiences as comfortable, efficient, and positive as possible, and who is committed to continuing our tradition of excellent patient-centered care. Physician must be board certified in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine or Geriatrics. Competitive compensation package. For more information, contact Reena Shanahan at ramantulimdpc@gmail.com.

Montgomery County Medical Society’s Physician Connect partnership program provides physicians with valuable personal and professional resources that help them thrive, while offering businesses opportunities to develop quality leads and strategic connections with practice decision-makers.

This edition of Enews is brought to you by Physician Business Connect Partner Hand Craft Healthcare Linen & Uniform Specialist. HandCraft Services offers the highest-quality medical linen and apparel products, along with highly efficient services. HandCraft services and products can minimize your costs, enhance your facility’s image and improve overall patient and staff satisfaction.

For more information, contact Tony Acquaviva: 

antonioacquaviva@handcraftservices.com #410.618.8510

Missed Last Week's Edition?

MCMS Enews - 07-02-23

MEDCHI News- 06.19.23

www.montgomerymedicine.org - sdantoni@montgomerymedicine.org - p.301.921.4300 -