On Thursday, March 17, the Insurance and Real Estate Committee held a Public hearing. Take ACTION – Tell your legislators your story regarding difficulties getting prior authorization to treat your patient. Submit written testimony on prior authorization (HB 5447)—our TOP priority this session. We encourage you to submit written testimony on HB 5447: An Act Concerning Prior Authorization for Health Care Provider Services, and advocate for the strengthening of protections to ensure patients do not receive a disruption of care or service. Also communicate your experiences regarding your patients' high deductible health plans (HB 5410). We ask that you support your patients and colleagues by …

“The Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) is deeply disappointed that legislation allowing the recreational use of marijuana is being signed into law by Governor Lamont today. Physicians base our opinions on science, data from peer-reviewed writings, observation, and patient interaction—which is why we believe the recreational use of marijuana is bad science, bad policy, and dangerous to Connecticut’s public health. Throughout this debate, we have worked to inform Connecticut’s policymakers about the health and social ramifications of legalized marijuana, urging them not to ignore the harmful, even devastating effects that this measure will have—especially on our younger populations. The signing of …

CSMS President Dr. Gregory Shangold commemorates National Doctors Day (March 30, 2021) by thanking CSMS members, physicians and healthcare workers across Connecticut for their critical work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Shangold also highlights physicians' recent advocacy work on behalf of their patients and the practice of medicine. Visit csms.org/podcast to learn more about CSMS' legislative priorities.

Hosted by CSMS Executive Director Dr. Robert Russo, CSMS' new podcast initiative On Call with Connecticut Physicians provides a forum where Connecticut physicians share their positions and insights on various healthcare policies impacting their patients and the field of medicine in the state—particularly proposals that come before the state legislature.Episodes are available for viewing on the CSMS website at csms.org/podcast and on the CSMS YouTube Channel.The first six episodes of the series tackle the following healthcare topics: Surprise Billing - with guest Dr. Gregory Shangold, CSMS President High Deductible Health Plans - with guest Dr. Gregory Shangold, CSMS President Telemedicine …

A survey of independent physicians from the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI), conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, shows the challenges in patient care caused by high-deductible health plans.Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, patients’ large and growing share of out-of-pocket healthcare costs posed challenges for individuals, families, and independent physicians. When the epidemic became a pandemic, the federal government and certain insurance companies acted quickly to make coronavirus-related care widely accessible by ensuring it was affordable to everyone who needed it.Waiving patients’ deductibles during a time of crisis spotlighted the flaws inherent in high-deductible health plans …

"...During this unprecedented national health emergency, physicians and other health care professionals have been putting themselves at risk every day while facing shortages of medical supplies and safety equipment, and making critical medical decisions based on changing directives and guidance. These physicians and other health care professionals are now facing the threat of years of costly litigation due to the extraordinary circumstances. As the House and Senate continue to work on the next COVID-19 relief package, we strongly urge you to include the targeted and limited liability protections that are in the bipartisan bill, H.R. 7059, the 'Coronavirus Provider Protection …

Immediately after the formal announcement of a change in leadership at DPH, CSMS penned a letter to DPH Acting Commissioner, Dr. Deidre Gifford, congratulating her on her latest appointment, thanking her for her continued service to the state and providing an update on physicians’ contributions and areas of continued focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.A fellow physician who previously headed the Department of Social Services, Dr. Gifford, received our letter which voiced our enthusiasm for the ability to continue our work together, as well as our proactive support for removing all but the medical exemption for school-aged vaccinations. We additionally wrote …

We’re excited to share that we have a limited supply of 3-ply, disposable and protective face masks (not N95) that we would like to distribute to our members at no cost. These masks can be used by you and your staff for office use or by you and your family in the community. We’re allowing members to reserve up to 100 masks. If you’re interested, contact Barbara Levine at blevine@csms.org or at (203) 865-0587, and we will arrange delivery to you.

In a lengthy bulletin released on May 11, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) provided responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program's (CMAP’s) response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)To access the full bulletin, click here.

In a letter to Governor Lamont dated April 23, 2020, CSMS requested clarification of Section 6 of Executive Order 7V by indicating that physician immunity from liability extends equally to the treatment of non-COVID-19 patients through telehealth, audio-only interactions and in-person treatment, in the course of providing medical services in support of Connecticut’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. To read the letter, click here.

Through media and government, we are working on proper reimbursement for Telehealth services. For more information, click here.

We are trying to a develop a coalition and mobilize a unified front to address emerging health related issues, such as developing proactive crisis counseling models to focus on impending crises in physical, psychological and financial areas. To get involved or remain informed contact cwagner@csms.org

We continue to monitor and give feedback on Executive Orders from the Governor on issues that impact physician practices. To view all COVID-19 emergency orders, click here.

We are working with the AMA to tap into CARES Act package to make it available to physician practices. For more information, click here.

Open Payments: Review and Dispute Data by December 31On June 28, CMS published program year 2018 Open Payments data along with updated and newly submitted data from previous program years (2013-2017). This data is available for review and dispute through December 31.Physicians and teaching hospitals: Review of the data is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Use the Open Payments Search Tool to review publicly available data. If you believe any records attributed to you are inaccurate, you may initiate a dispute and work with the reporting entity to reach a resolution. Note: CMS does not mediate disputes.For More Information Review and …

Details on Surprise Billing Legislation from the American Medical Association: Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Greg Walden (R-OR), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have announced an agreement on legislation to end surprise medical bills, raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21, and extend funding for federal health programs, such as community health centers.The agreement is essentially a merging of the surprise billing legislation approved by both the House Energy and Commerce (H.R. 2328) and …

The CSMS Legislative Committee is currently working to develop our 2020 Legislative Agenda - one that is in the best interests of Connecticut physicians, physicians in training, and patients. Here's a sneak peek at the significant issues for the 2020 CT legislative session (February - May): High Deductible Health Plans Vaccines Vaping Red Flag Laws Liability Reform Drug pricing Physician recruitment and retention Recreational marijuanaHave questions, opinions, or would you like to get involved? Contact Ken Ferrucci, SVP of Government Affairs today: KFerrucci@csms.org!

This holiday season CSMS invites you to donate to one (or both) of our charitable funds. Thank you for your generosity and support!CSMS Charitable TrustFounded in 1989, the CSMS Charitable Trust enables CSMS physician members to contribute to organizations fighting illness, domestic violence, poverty, and homelessness in Connecticut. A 501(c)3, the Charitable Trust is funded exclusively by voluntary contributions from Connecticut physicians.Click here to donate today!CSMS Physicians’ Health and Education FundThe CSMS Physicians’ Health and Education Fund is a separate 501(c)(3) entity of the Connecticut State Medical Society, organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. Among its …

We are pleased to announce the kick-off of our sixth consecutive year of providing young physician leadership programs. Bridgeport Hospital is our newest partner to engage and train young physicians (less than 40 years of age or less than 8 years in practice) in healthcare leadership. The program kicked off with a cohort of 35 residents and hospitalists. We thank The Physicians Foundation and members from Bridgeport Hospital who are sponsoring this new program, as well as, Karen Hutchinson, MD, Chair of the CSMS CME Committee, and M. Natalie Achong, MD, CSMS Vice Speaker who are the Principal Advisors.The successful …

On October 3, 2019, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled, “Protecting and Improving Medicare for our Nation’s Seniors.” CSMS signed onto a letter with the AMA and many other medical and specialty societies to share our concerns with the broad, yet vague language in the Executive Order. Particularly the language related to the supervision and reimbursement of non-physician professionals. We are highly concerned this language requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to propose a regulation to eliminate or weaken current Medicare supervision requirements of nonphysician professionals, a critical safeguard to ensure the health and safety of Medicare …