August 3, 2023
A Message for the Tufts Medicine Integrated Network physicians, Network leaders (Presidents, Administrators, and Medical Directors) and Network staff:
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Elevate Population Health Care Management Initiative |
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A message for all Primary Care Physicians and Practices
We have made great strides towards implementing improvements and efficiencies across the care continuum since launching Elevate Population Health, and are excited to announce our next initiative being led by our Care Management team.
Over the past several months, the team has worked on redesigning care management to improve patients’ access, experience, outcomes and overall health. This will result in increased cost savings, decreased expense and improved performance.
The redesign will also promote a team-based model of care by entrusting the Care Management team with services and care that help manage the population’s health care needs, benefitting each patient and clinician seen or working at our practices.
Click here to learn more about care management and how this highly innovative initiative will help achieve these goals.
We look forward to integrating the reformed Care Management team across the entire TMIN network.
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TMIN Physician and APC Profile Photo Days |
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All physicians and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) who see patients and are affiliated with Tufts Medicine through the Tufts Medicine Integrated Network are eligible to have a searchable profile on the new Tufts Medicine website, scheduled for launch in September. In preparation for the launch, we are scheduling dates for eligible clinicians to have free professional headshots taken on each of our campuses in August and September. The August schedule is now available, and those meeting the criteria can attend the session that works best for their schedules. More dates, times and locations are being scheduled for September, and more information about profiles will be shared later this month.
Lowell General Hospital
Clark Auditorium
Monday, August 7, 2023
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Tufts Medical Center
Ziskind 6002
Tuesday, August 8, 2023, and Monday, August 28, 2023
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
MelroseWakefield Hospital
Perkins Lecture Hall
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Those who do not reserve a spot in advance are welcome to stop by on the day of the photoshoot, and we will do our best to accommodate you. We are also working to establish a new schedule of regular photo days at each of our Tufts Medicine hospitals to support our ongoing photo needs throughout the year. So, if you miss one of these dates, you’ll have more opportunities to attend a future session. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact Tom O’Rourke. For questions or problems with scheduling, please contact Miranda Fell.
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New TMIN Boilerplate Now Available |
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We recently revised the boilerplate we use to describe our network. You’ll see it is shorter, more current and purpose-oriented. It moves away from earlier versions that focused on contracting and included legacy names that are no longer in use. If you are currently using older versions of this description in any of your materials, please update them immediately. This is the only approved version of our boilerplate/company description. Thank you.
About Tufts Medicine Integrated Network
The Tufts Medicine Integrated Network is a distinctively different population health enterprise, including 2,300 primary care and specialist physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Working as Tufts Medicine employees or in private practice, we deliver exceptional coordinated care in community and hospital settings with a sharp focus on value-based care and health equity. Our purpose is to build healthier communities and create healthy, rewarding experiences for our patients and care teams.
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Last Chance to Complete APC Survey |
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A Message for Tufts Medicine Advanced Practice Clinicians
Tufts Medicine would like to hear from our Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) regarding system-wide APC recognition and engagement activities, potentially in alignment with the third observance of National APP Week – September 25-29, 2023, and in the future.
Just as we celebrate our doctors and nurses during key national observance days or weeks each year, we want to understand the best way to honor and recognize our valued APCs. At Tufts Medicine, we are moving away from use of the word ‘provider’ in favor of a more inclusive ‘clinician’ label for medical professionals including Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, etc. While we have not entered into a partnership with National APP Week, we are interested in your thoughts about recognition and engagement activities you would find meaningful and rewarding.
If you haven't already, please take just a few minutes today to give us some feedback by completing this very short survey.
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In Case You Missed It: Practice Optimization Program (POP) Town Hall |
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For those unable to attend our July Town Hall Meetings to learn about the Elevate Population Health Practice Optimization Program and how the program will support your practices, you can view the video and presentation.
Topics covered include:
- What is Elevate Population Health?
- What is a “POM” (Practice Optimization Manager) and how will this role support my practice?
- What is a “CCS” (Care Coordination Specialist) and how will this role support my practice?
- How will the Population Optimization Program (“POP”) assist in improving TMIN Value Based Contract performance?
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Pharmacy Update: Criteria for Weight Loss Medications |
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Criteria for Weight Loss Medications (as of July 2023)
Medicare:
- Current guidelines exclude all medications for weight loss
Medicaid (i.e. MassHealth Unified Formulary):
- Excludes all medications for weight loss
Commercial Plans:
Ozempic, Trulicity, Mounjaro: FDA approved ONLY for confirmed diagnosis of Type II Diabetes Mellitus
- This medication is subject to step therapy criteria which is:
- Step 1 medication (injectable insulins, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors, Biguanide, Generics in Diabetic Combination Class (excluding pioglitazone combinations), D-Phenylalanines, Meglitinide, Sulfonylurea, or Thiazolidinedione.
Wegovy, Saxenda, Contrave ER, Phentermine: FDA approved for weight loss
- Criteria for initial approval documentation:
- Documentation BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above for diagnosis of obesity OR
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BMI of 27-29 kg/m2 for diagnosis of obesity with at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type II diabetes mellitus) AND
- Documentation of patient’s response to lifestyle modifications including if patient failed to lose 3% from starting weight with diet/exercise programs AND
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Documentation of current enrollment in diet and exercise programs that will continue during use of medication therapy. Note, most initial approvals are for 3-month periods
- Criteria for continuation of therapy:
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Documentation of 3-5% weight loss from starting weight. Note, currently weight and BMI are needed for renewal.
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for news about upcoming and previously recorded webinars.
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About Tufts Medicine Integrated Network
The Tufts Medicine Integrated Network is a distinctively different population health enterprise, including 2,300 primary care and specialist physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Working as Tufts Medicine employees or in private practice, we deliver exceptional coordinated care in community and hospital settings with a sharp focus on value-based care and health equity. Our purpose is to build healthier communities and create healthy, rewarding experiences for our patients and care teams.
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