Bill would expand Scope of Practice for CRNAs
The Michigan state legislature is considering a bill that attempts to expand the practice authority for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Michigan lawmakers need to hear from you about how letting CRNAs treat patients without the supervision of a physician is dangerous and could potentially exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic.
While CRNAs play a critical role in healthcare, granting CRNAs similar practice rights to physicians, without requiring similar education, training and testing, could create a two-tier health care system wherein only certain patients are able to access fully trained and licensed physicians.
The Michigan Osteopathic Association and the American Osteopathic Association have been actively fighting back against this bill and now we need your help reaching out to your state lawmakers. We are urging DO's to send their state lawmakers an email to let them know the negative impact this expansion in the scope of practice will have on healthcare.
Using the AOA advocacy action center, write your Michigan lawmakers and tell them that patient safety is in jeopardy and to oppose HB 4359 today!
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2021 Outstanding Graduating Senior
Rebecca Gorz, DO was chosen as the MOA Outstanding Graduating Senior. She has demonstrated her commitment to service by participating in three international trips to Guatemala, Peru, and Cuba where she provided necessary medical care to rural populations.
This experience gave her a strong comparative base of other nation’s healthcare systems and has created a passion for advocacy and equity regarding patient care to those who are underserved.
Dr. Gorz’s involvement with the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) allowed her to be an active participant in the political conversations and public policy resolution writing that is shaping the future of medicine.
She is the former student representative for Ingham County and present student representative for Macomb County.
She is the current Vice Chair and past Event Coordinator for the Council of Interns and Residents of the MOA. She has helped develop a monthly virtual lecture series reaching residents and students across Michigan.
Rebecca has also served as the research coordinator for both the International Osteopathic Medical Organization and Peru Trip. She helped coordinate a project to provide affordable, clean drinking water in the Amazon region of Peru and a project on pediatric oral health. For her research, she received two research grants and presented a poster at the 2018 MOA Autumn Convention.
The MOA wishes Dr. Rebecca Gorz the best of luck as she starts her residency in Emergency Medicine at Beaumont Royal Oak!
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2021 Resident of the Year
Congratulations to Nicole Jamieson, DO, for earning the title of 2021 MOA Resident of the Year! The MOA is pleased to present her with this well deserving award. Dr. Jamieson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2008 and obtained her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2016. Currently she is completing her residency in General Surgery at Garden City Hospital. She has been a member of the MOA since 2016 and continues to show her pride for the profession throughout training passing it down to interns and students. Dr. Jamieson’s superiors and colleagues have recognized her on numerous occasions for her work ethic, performance, and positive attitude in and out of surgery. It was noted that as the only surgery resident in her program this academic year, all resident teaching duties have been shouldered by Dr. Jamieson and she has been exemplary, in fact has had not one but two publications this academic year!
“What some residents would have looked at as a difficulty, she saw as an advantage. She knew she would have the rare opportunity to perform far more surgeries and benefit from one on one training than any other PGY 5 and she embraced it. She dealt with the sickest COVID patients, performing tracheostomy’s, chest tube insertions, central lines and dialysis catheters. She dealt with the stress and the isolation. All while away from her husband who has worked out of state throughout her entire residency. She never missed a day of work and I can’t recall her ever even being late. She is respected and admired by her peers.” – Richard Charles Spinale, DO, FACOS
The MOA wishes Dr. Nicole Jamieson the best of luck as she finishes her residency and transitions into active practice. We look forward to seeing where the future takes her!
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MOA mourns the passing of John Bodell, DO |
It is with a heavy heart the Michigan Osteopathic Association shares the news of the unexpected passing of John Bodell, DO, on May 19, 2021. Dr. Bodell was the quintessential leader, serving as president of the MOA (2006-07), leading the efforts on the Education Committee and spearheading the Scientific Research Exhibit (SRE) Competition. He had represented MOA at the AOA House of Delegates since 1987.
In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Bodell was a regional dean at Henry Ford Wyandotte (Michigan) Hospital and regional dean at Oakwood Hospital Southshore in Trenton, Michigan, both for A.T. Still University-Kirksville (Missouri) College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM).
Dr. Bodell has been the recipient of many honors and awards, including the American College of Surgeons Humanitarian Award and the Henry Ford Wyandotte General Hospital Humanitarian Award
The passing of Dr. Bodell leaves a tremendous void in the MOA Education Committee and the SRE events. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
To view a local obituary, click here. |
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Provider Experience transitioning to new provider training site June 1
In previous issues of BCBSM’s The Record, they let you know that Provider Experience will be launching a new provider training site, which will enhance the training experience for health care providers and staff. Beginning June 1, users will be able access recorded webinars, videos, e-Learning modules, and other training resources through this new site.
Active training courses and materials from 2019 to 2021 have moved from BCBSM Provider Training and BCN Learning Opportunities to the new site.
To request access, complete the following steps:
1. Click here to open the registration page. 2. Complete the registration. We recommend using the same email you use to communicate with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for provider-related needs. This will become your login ID.
3. Follow the link to log in.
To learn more about the provider training site, watch this video that guides you through the experience. |
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Lunch and learn webinars for physicians and coders focus on risk adjustment, coding
Blue Cross Blus Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is offering lunch and learn webinars for physicians and coders focusing on risk adjustment, coding. Starting in April, BCBSM began offering webinars that provide updated information on risk adjustment documentation and coding of common challenging diagnoses.
All sessions start at 12:15 p.m. Eastern time and run for 15 to 30 minutes. They also provide physicians and coders with an opportunity to ask questions.
Click on a link below to sign up for a webinar.
Physician led
Coder led
Wednesday, Nov. 17: Coding scenarios for primary care and specialty Register here
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Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Implements Important New Health Insurance Consumer Protections
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is informing Michiganders of important new health insurance consumer protections now in place under bipartisan “surprise billing” legislation signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer last year.
“Unexpected medical bills can cause patients significant stress and confusion,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “These new consumer protections can help prevent this problem when a patient, unbeknownst to them, receives a portion of their care from a provider outside their insurer’s network, allowing patients to focus on their own health and recovery without worrying about surprises medical bills.”
“Surprise billing” occurs when a person receives health care in a facility or from a provider that is covered by the person’s health plan, but a portion of their care is rendered by an out-of-network provider. In some instances, the person receives an unexpected bill for these out-of-network services. For example, a person who undergoes surgery may receive a bill from an anesthesiologist who was out-of-network even though the surgeon and hospital were in-network with the person’s health plan. These “surprise” bills are often for significant amounts of money that exceed charges that would be covered in-network and can cause confusion for patients who had assumed their health plan would cover their medical care at agreed to in-network rates.
Bipartisan legislation, signed by Governor Whitmer in 2020, requires health care providers to inform consumers of the possibility of surprise billing using a disclosure form sent at least 14 days before a scheduled medical service. The form must explain that the consumer’s insurance company may not cover all services and that the patient would be personally responsible for any uncovered costs. As part of the notice, patients must also be given a good faith estimate of the total cost of the care they will receive, enabling them to budget for these expenses in advance or choose alternative care. The legislation applies to most health plans.
Consumers who do not receive the required disclosure form or who receive a surprise medical bill after receiving care should contact their health insurer, and if they cannot resolve the issue, contact DIFS Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or visit the DIFS website to file a complaint.
In addition to establishing disclosure requirements, the new law states that payment for out-of-network emergency services must be negotiated between the provider and the patient's insurance company, and not with the patient directly. Beginning July 1, 2021, certain payment disagreements between out-of-network providers and insurers can go to binding arbitration under the law.
DIFS is currently seeking applications from arbitrators to assist in resolving these disagreements. Information on this program, including the application form, is available on the DIFS website.
“It is important that consumers understand their rights under this new law,” said Fox. “DIFS is first and foremost a consumer protection agency and we are always here to help answer questions or concerns that consumers might have related to their insurance.”
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Informed Consent: It’s Not Just a Form
By Solveig Dittmann, RN, BA, BSN, CPHRM, CPPS
Susan O’Hara, JD, Senior Claim Consultant
Informed consent in healthcare is based on the moral and legal premise of patient autonomy, which means patients fully participate in decisions about their treatment. Informed consent is a process, not just a form. This article will discuss the four components of informed consent and identify best practices for the informed consent process. It will also address a less common scenario, informed refusal. The following steps are essential in the informed consent process. (Continue to full article)
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Financial Planning Partner
My name is Mark Dickens and I’m a financial professional and insurance agent with New York Life. Helping clients understand their options and achieve their goals is what makes my job rewarding. New York Life takes a holistic approach in working with clients and families. Each person is unique, communication is vital and all aspects of the financial home need to be incorporated into any financial plan.
In addition, I bring the experience of having worked with Medical Associations for over 30 years. I’m very familiar with the Medical Profession and how much it has changed over the years. The financial planning side of being a physician is something that is often a set it and forget it plan, or worse yet, something that's put on the proverbial "I’ll get around to it pile." As long as things are going well my plan is a good one. This may or may not be true and that's where New York Life and its' team of financial professionals comes in.
Financial planning should never be a set it and forget it plan. We change jobs, get married, have children and life happens. There’s also the unexpected, some good…some bad, and some completely out of our control such as a pandemic. Planning for these events is important. This is particularly true in light of the current economic climate. Record low interest rates and taxes, combined with a lot of unknowns leads to speculation and uncertainty.
But, one thing is certain, change is on the way and New York Life has insight into this. As mentioned earlier, we consider ourselves to be holistic financial planners that look at the entire financial house from the foundation to the roof.
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2021 Woman of Excellence: Dr. Mary Jo Voepel
Congratulations to Mary Jo Voelpel, DO, FACOI, FACNM for earning the title of the 2021 Women of Excellence! The MOA is pleased to present her with this well deserving award. Dr. Voelpel obtained her medical degree from the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975. Dr. Voelpel has been actively involved with the MOA since 1981 including serving as the Parliamentarian for many years during the MOA House of Delegates. She also received Life Professional membership this year.
Dr. Voelpel continues to be a pillar of the community paving the way for female physicians.
The MOA wishes Dr. Voelpel the best of luck as she continues her career.
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MDHHS COVID-19 Vaccine information
This webpage will have valuable information to support COVID-19 Vaccine Providers in the successful implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. It will also be home to a live MDHHS COVID-19 Provider Toolkit. This toolkit is currently being worked on and as soon as it becomes available, we will get a message out. This webpage will be partnered with CDC to provide important and timely education as it is arriving.
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Newsletter highlights
- $2M Safety Grant Program for employers, child care centers
- New This Week: Michigan reaches 60% vaccinated
- COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Resources
- COVID-19 FAQ
- Communications Resources Toolkit
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The MOA has developed an online Learning Center to deliver CME in a virtual format. Our Spring and Autumn sessions as live events were a tremendous success with over 900 attendees. These sessions can still be accessed, along with other CME sessions, all qualifying for AOA Category 1-A CME credits.
These sessions can be accessed at any time by clicking the link below. Evaluations are within the system and can be taken after you have viewed the program.
Coming CME Opportunities
October 29-31, 2021
On Demand CME programs
Single session CME Credits
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Michigan Osteopathic Physicians CME Information
As a courtesy to MOA Members, this is a reminder that all Michigan licensed Osteopathic Physicians must complete 150 hours CME during the 3 years immediately preceding the application for renewal. Of the 150 hours, at least 60 hours must be earned in Category 1 programs.
To better serve our members, the MOA has developed an online CME platform to help you meet MI LARA CME requirements. For a current listing of MOA Learning Center On-Demand CME programs offered to members at a discounted rate, visit www.domoa.org/meded
Continuing Medical Education Requirements for Michigan Osteopathic Physicians
Requirements for Renewal
150 hours of CME per 3‐year cycle
60 hours must be Category 1
- 40 hours must be AOA Category 1-A
- 20 hours either AOA Category 1-A or AMA PRA Category 1
90 hours either Category 1 or Category 2
Osteopathic physicians must also meet the following requirements,
- 3 hours pain and symptom management education (per 3-year cycle) R 338.141
- Training on human trafficking (one-time requirement) R 338.120
- Training in opioids and controlled substances for all prescribers or dispensers of controlled substances (one-time requirement) R 338.3135
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Strategic Partner Career Opportunity Spotlight:
Beaumont Health
Want to truly make a difference in patient care? Join the Beaumont team. The Beaumont Career site offers a simple search for career opportunities at a variety of healthcare facilities.
TOP PLACES TO WORK IN HEALTH CARE
Beaumont Health has been recognized by Becker's Healthcare as one of the top 150 places to work in health care.
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May 19, 2021, saw the passing of John Bodell, DO
April 15, 2021, saw the passing of Bruno Borin, DO
January, 26, 2021, saw the passing of William Stettler, DO
January 16, 2021, saw the passing of Steven Schlabach, DO
December 14, 2020, saw the passing of Lewin Wyatt, DO
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