News
NHCMA News Highlights - March 2023
American Medical Association
March 13 EHR Gender Gap Widens as Women Physicians Spend More Time on Task
March 16 Medicare Physician Pay Must Track Inflation—Every Year
March 17 Over 40,000 Land Spots on Match Day. What Are This Year’s Trends?
CNN
March 16 US Maternal Death Rate Rose Sharply in 2021
March 22 New Drug Shortages in the US Increased Nearly 30% in 2022
CT Mirror
March 7 Report Shows Pandemic, Inflation Left CT Hospitals Finance Reeling
March 13 Legislator’s Question Lamont’s Approach to Cutting Health Costs
March 13 Feds Move to Curb Health Care Delays Caused by Prior Authorization
USA Today
March 16 3 Major Insulin Makers Have Slashed the Price of the Life-Saving Drug. Here’s Why.
Washington Post
March 17 Working in the ER used to be a Cool Job. Now Medical Students Shun It
March 22 Troubled US Organ Transplant System Targeted for Overhaul
Millions of children are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage starting in April
CNN, Wed. February 15, 2023 - The majority of American children now receive their health insurance through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to a new report published Wednesday by the Georgetown Center for Children and Families. But that could change starting this spring. As many as 6.7 million children are at risk of losing that coverage once states restart their reviews of recipients’ eligibility, according to Georgetown. Read Full Article
Legislative News
This week in Hartford, the Public Health Committee held its first public hearing of the year. Senate Bill 899 seeks to limit the use of the word “physician” only to MDs and ODs in an effort to be more transparent to Connecticut’s patients. Dr. David Emmel, CSMS Legislative Chairperson, testified in support of this legislation.
Last week, we mentioned an upcoming hearing on physician Medicaid payment rates. This hearing, originally scheduled for February 7th, has been postponed to date uncertain. We will send out notice as when this important hearing will be taking place.
Tune In! On February 3rd, the Insurance Department, Office of Health Care Strategy and Office of Healthcare Advocate, in conjunction with the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, held its second forum on healthcare cost drivers in Connecticut. CSMS Past-President Greg Shangold, MD, represented CSMS at this forum. The forum can be viewed on ct-n.com
Hartford Happenings
The third week of the legislative session has brought numerous committee meetings. In the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, concept bills were raised on prior authorization and step therapy, top priorities for CSMS this legislative session (click here to read more about CSMS 2023 legislative priorities). In the Human Services Committee, a concept bill was raised on Medicaid payment rates, yet another priority for CSMS. These are important first steps in the legislative process. CSMS continues to meet with leadership of key committees as we pursue our legislative priorities. In the coming weeks, public testimony will begin on many issues that impact the physician community and there will be several opportunities for CSMS members to advocate for important and needed reforms.
Your Voice is Needed - Advocate for Increased Medical Payment Rates
Calling all physicians! One of CSMS’ top priorities this legislative session is increasing Medicaid payment rates for physicians. A public hearing on this issue is scheduled for February 7th. It is vitally important that physicians from all specialties submit written testimony or present oral testimony (either in person or by zoom) on this topic. This date is subject to change so please continue to check Enews for updates. As soon as the date for this hearing is finalized, we will send out a special news bulletin with information on how to submit written testimony and/or present oral testimony. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard. The time is now for an across-the-board increase in Medicaid payments to physicians!
Prior Authorization Reform Handout is Now Available in English and Spanish
Calling all medical practices! Encourage your patients to share their experiences about how prior authorizations have delayed access to medical care – it is critically important that legislators understand the impact prior authorizations have on physicians and their patients.
To that end, we have developed a one-page handout that you can print out in English and in Spanish to put in your office to encourage patients to share how prior authorizations have delayed access to medical care. Please feel free to copy and distribute the document in your office.
If you would like to have your logo added to the document, please email Patrice Dumond (pdumond@csms.org) to receive a co-branded pdf.
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