Despite a preponderance of evidence that illnesses of the mind and body are inextricably linked, behavioral and medical health care too often run on parallel tracks, according to a cover story in the September issue of MMS’ monthly member publication Vital Signs.

 

The story follows a report on behavioral health released recently by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey looking at health care cost trends and drivers in the state. The AG’s study found that behavioral health care in Massachusetts is poorly coordinated with medical care, underfunded, opaque about issues of cost and capacity and unable to measure quality because of a paucity of “robust” metrics.   Read the full story.

 

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Are your physicians are ready for the Oct. 1 ICD-10 implementation deadline? Join experts from the MMS’ Physician Practice Resource Center on Sept. 9 from noon to 1:00 p.m. for a live webinar on how to best position your practice for ICD-10. Learn strategic methods for optimizing your operational preparedness, handling post-implementation challenges, and more.  More information and webinar registration is here. 

The MMS Committee on Nominations is currently considering candidates for nomination as AMA Delegate and Alternate Delegate on the Massachusetts AMA Delegation. The deadline for submission of nomination applications is today  Friday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m. Please visit  www.massmed.org/AMAnom to learn more about qualifications and submit your application online.

 

Early career physicians are invited to enjoy an evening after work with colleagues from the MMS and meet members from the Massachusetts Bar Association Young Lawyers and Health Law Division at the Living Room in Boston on August 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free for MMS members.  RSVP here.