Fairways & Philanthropies: 2^nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble! 

FORE! A Good Cause! ~ Registration is open for the Center for a Healthy Maryland 2nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble! Join the Center for a day of Hole-In-Fun on FRIDAY, August 22nd, 2025, at The Timbers At Troy Golf Course in Elkridge, Maryland! Register Here: 2nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble Registration

Read About the New Library Acquisitions

Four books about Sir William Osler Added to MedChi’s Collection. View here.

MedChi Invites Readers to View the following AMA Message:

"July 11, 2025: Advocacy Update spotlight on budget reconciliation bill." Click here to read more.

MedChi Invites Readers to Read the following Maryland Matters Article:

"Health advocates warn budget reconciliation will strain the state health care system"

Click here to read more.

5 Types of Business Insurance Every Healthcare Practice Needs

Discover the 5 essential types of business insurance every medical practice should have to safeguard against risk and ensure long-term stability.

Physicians for a National Health Program : Survey

We invite you to take part in a survey addressing a critical issue: moral distress among healthcare professionals. Moral distress occurs when physicians cannot carry out what they believe to be ethically appropriate actions to care for their patient because of institutional or systemic constraints. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Physicians for a National Health Program is conducting this survey to better understand how moral distress impacts healthcare professionals and our patients. Please take a moment to fill out the survey at pnhp.org/Survey. The survey is IRB approved and adheres to rigorous human research protection standards set by AAHRPP, so your response is safe.  This will take only a few minutes of your time, but your contribution will have a lasting impact on research around moral injury and physician wellness. You can learn more about the project here: Understanding Physician Moral Injury - PNHP.

CMS Fraud Alert

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an alert about increasing fraud schemes targeting Medicare providers. Bad actors are impersonating CMS and sending fake fax requests for medical records and documentation, falsely claiming they’re related to audits. These phishing attempts are a form of social engineering aimed at tricking providers into sharing sensitive information. CMS has made it clear that it does not initiate audits by requesting medical records via fax. Physicians and practices should stay vigilant, protect their data, and confirm any suspicious requests with their Medical Review Contractor. Please see here for more details on fighting and reporting fraud: Crushing Fraud, Waste, & Abuse | CMS

MRCS would like to make you aware of a recent fraud scheme identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) targeting Medicare providers and suppliers.

What’s happening:

Scammers are impersonating CMS by sending fraudulent fax requests for medical records and documentation. These faxes falsely claim to be part of a Medicare audit.

Important to know:

• CMS does not initiate audits by requesting medical records via fax.
• If you receive a suspicious or unsolicited fax request, do not respond or provide any information.
• If you’re unsure whether a request is legitimate, please contact your designated Medical Review Contractor to verify its authenticity.

Protecting your practice and patient data is critical. Please remain vigilant and share this information with your staff.

Heat Stress: A Growing Public Safety Concern

Heat stress is an increasing public safety concern, particularly during periods of extreme heat or high humidity. It can cause serious health conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke—both of which require immediate medical attention. Certain groups are especially vulnerable, including older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions.

In response to this risk, the Maryland Department of Labor implemented new workplace standards in 2024 for environments where the heat index reaches 80°F or higher. These standards aim to protect workers from heat-related illnesses.

 As physicians, we play a vital role in educating our patients. We can remind them to stay well-hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat hours, and take proper precautions when exposed to hot working conditions.

Karen Dionestoes, M.D.

Chair, MedChi Public Health & Disaster Preparedness Committee

 Resources:

• MOSH Key Requirements: Maryland Heat Stress Standards
• MDH Fact Sheet: Working Outside in Hot Weather
• MDH Fact Sheet: Hot Weather Health Issues and Concerns