A bi-weekly newsletter from your physician organization to keep you informed of today's healthcare news

Low back pain continues to be a common complaint among patients - the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) states that 75-85% of adults will experience this type of pain at some point. For many, low back pain can be uncomfortable to live with.

Low back pain is categorized by how long symptoms last:

• Acute low back pain lasts less than 4 weeks
• Subacute low back pain lasts 4 - 12 weeks
• Chronic low back pain continues more than 12 weeks

Patients should receive pain treatment that provides the greatest benefits relative to risks. The CDC recommendation:

• Use of nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies should be maximized as appropriate (they don’t carry same risks as opioids).

Since many patients will not require diagnostic imaging of the back (x-rays, CT, or MRI), those seeking medical care for uncomplicated low back pain should share health history and get a physical examination to ensure testing is appropriate.

HEDIS measure: Use of Imaging Studies for Low Back Pain (LBP)

The percentage of members 18–75 years of age with a principal diagnosis of low back pain who did not have an imaging study (plain X-ray, MRI, CT scan) within 28 days of the diagnosis. A higher score indicates appropriate treatment of low back pain (i.e., the proportion for whom imaging studies did not occur).

For exclusions to this HEDIS measure, refer to NCQA guidelines.

TPA practices have room for improvement in this measure treating patients with use of imaging for low back pain. The Physician Alliance created patient education materials to help practices engage patients in their care treatments:

Low back pain

• 6 tips for managing low back pain poster
• Rx ‘non-prescription pad’ (sudden low back pain) flyer
• Rx ‘non-prescription pad’ (chronic low back pain) flyer

The patient education materials may be downloaded from TPA’s website and printed for posting in exam rooms, waiting area and given as handouts when talking with patients.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched a new educational campaign to raise awareness about health concerns related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure. PFAS are a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals, widely used to reduce friction or resist oil, water, and stains. Nearly all Americans have had some exposure to PFAS.

MDHHS wants to alert clinical providers to this campaign as there may be more inquiries at primary care offices about patients’ exposures to PFAS.

Reducing exposure to PFAS can help prevent potential health effects from PFAS exposure such as:

• Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
• Thyroid disease.
• Decreased immune system response to vaccines in children.
• Reduced fertility.
• Liver damage.
• High cholesterol, especially total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
• Small decreases in infant birth weight.
• Development of certain types of cancer, particularly kidney and testicular cancers. 

Below you will find additional health education materials for your patients that can be printed or shared electronically.

• PFAS Exposure and Your Health.
• An Introduction to PFAS.
• PFAS Sources and Tips to Reduce Exposure fact sheet.
• How PFAS Enters Your Body fact sheet.

For questions about PFAS and health, reach out to the MDHHS Environmental Health Hotline at 800-648-6942. You may also contact the Health Care Provider Engagement Program at MDHHS-PHDetailing@Michigan.gov for more information or to book an information session for your practice.

Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), one of TPA's Affiliate Partners, is hosting the Private Practice Conference on May 3-5, 2026 in St. Louis, Mo. This event brings together practice managers, administrators, CEOs and physician owners committed to remaining independent, strengthening operations and building sustainable growth in their medical practice. 

MGMA's Private Practice Conference provides solution-oriented sessions that address the most significant challenges for independent practices today. View the agenda and register here.

**TPA members save $200 off the total registration fee with the code MARC26.

Don't miss TPA's MGMA consultant, Jessica Minesinger, during her session, Physician Leverage Playbook: Autonomy, Payer Strategy, and PSA Renewals, on Monday, May 4.

By attending live sessions, attendees can qualify for up to the following credit totals:

ACMPE: 11.5 ACHE: 11.5 CEU: 11.5 CME (AAPC*): 11.5 CPE: 13.2 PDC: 11.5

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is creating opportunities to support the learning needs of the provider community to help practices be more successful in their programs.

One such upcoming opportunity is an 'orientation' webinar intended to help new office staff learn about tools, training, and resources that are available to help them do business with Blue Cross and Blue Care Network. Topics will include billing and coding, eligibility and benefits, and prior authorization.

The first session is Thursday, May 7 from 11:30am - 1pm. This unique opportunity is best suited for new staff that have been with your office for 90 days or less from the webinar date. If you or someone from your office fits this description, please email ProviderTraining@bcbsm.com to secure your spot and ask any questions related to the webinar.

Trump budget calls for another sharp cut to NIH,

Axios

Parents are refusing routine preventative care for newborns at rising rates, study finds, CBS News

RSV is still spreading, prompting states to extend the immunization period, Kaiser Heath News

Trump administration announces new tariffs on drugmakers, Axios

Henry Ford Health acquires 25-office medical group amid expansion, Crain's Detroit Business

Can I Opt Out of Having My Doctor Take Notes With AI?, Kaiser Health News