|
April 22, 2016
|
|
|
|
The Massachusetts House may vote within the next week on the Commonwealth’s budget for Fiscal Year 2017, following the House Ways and Means Committee's release of its budget proposal this week.
Among the committee's many proposals is a bid to provide more funding for treatment beds and supportive case management services, in order to combat opioid overdoses.
In other sections of the budget, the MMS supports proposals that would delay implementation of the interoperable EHR mandate; to promote the expansion of the
Mass. Child Psychiatry Access Project into the substance use and mental health domains; and to increase loan repayment forgiveness for primary care physicians in community health centers.
In the area of health insurance and health care delivery policy, the MMS supports amendments that would prohibit certain “fail-first” insurance policies; to study medication swap policies; and to allow medical assistants to administer vaccinations.
The MMS opposes several budget amendments as well, including one to expand the scope of practice of optometrists; one to require electronic prescribing for all controlled substances; and one to allow insurers to access Prescription Monitoring Program data.
The MMS plans to send a letter to House leadership to advocate for these positions.
|
 |
|
|
The countdown is on for the MMS 2016 Annual Meeting! This year's Annual Meeting is scheduled to take place May 5-7, 2016 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston.
Online registration is currently available until Monday, May 2 at noon. Onsite registration will be available for those who miss the deadline. Onsite registration opens on Thursday, May 5 at 6:45 a.m. at the Seaport World Trade Center.
Members who do not pre-register for the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Dinner by Monday, May 2 must register at the onsite registration desk for this event no later than Thursday, May 5 at noon to allow time for meal planning and assigned seating for this event.
|
| |
|
|
|
CMS will tie 90 percent of all Medicare fee-for-services payments to quality by 2018, which has health care leaders contemplating various alternative payment models that maximize payment, while delivering better care for lower costs.
Join the MMS on Wednesday, April 27, from noon to 1:00 p.m., for a live webinar with an industry expert who will explain how to transition your practice to an alternative payment contract.
Learn more here.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at MMS headquarters, 860 Winter St., Waltham.
MMS Annual Meeting, Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, Boston, MA
MMS Annual Meeting, Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, Boston, MA or via webinar
MMS Annual Meeting, Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, Boston, MA
Featured Online CME Activities – Risk Management Credit
The above activities have been approved for
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
|
|
|
|
Mass. Insurer Lifts Restrictions on Hepatitis C Drugs
Hospital May Close Cardiac Surgery Program
Mass. Treasurer Supports Limits on Legal Marijuana Sales
Maine Could Be First State to OK Medical Marijuana to Treat Addicts
Nearly 30 medical marijuana caregivers and patients
told state regulators at a public hearing that marijuana eases the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and offers a healthier alternative to the prescription painkillers that can lead to addiction.
Nation’s Largest Health Insurer Leaving Most ACA Exchanges
U.S. Suicide Rate Reaches 30-Year High
Medicare Delays Plans for New Star Ratings On Hospitals
MassHealth Revises Home Health Regulations
MassHealth has revised several regulations regarding home health care. These include requirements for prior authorization, some types of referrals, and patient transfers to an alternate home health agency.
Register Now for Next Week’s 21st Annual Adult Immunization Conference
This year’s Annual Adult Immunization Conference will cover the most current adult immunization information and offer networking opportunities and strategies to expand immunization activities in facilities, businesses and communities. The conference will be held April 27 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Marlboro. It is sponsored by the Mass. Adult Immunization Coalition and the Mass. Department of Public Health.
Behavioral Health and Patient-Centered Medical Homes: NCQA Webinar Next Week
The Mass. Health Policy Commission and the National Committee for Quality Assurance are co-hosting a webinar on PCMH PRIME, the NCQA’s certification program for integrating behavioral health into patient-center medical home settings. The webinar will be held April 28 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
