CSMS President Robert Russo, MD and CSMS EVP/CEO Matthew Katz recently wrote this op-ed for the Hartford Business Journal on the importance of organized medicine:With apologies to Mark Twain, reports of the death of organized medicine have been greatly exaggerated.In a recent HBJ article ("Healthcare consolidation means waning influence for medical societies") two Hartford-area physicians shared their opinions and perspectives about organized medicine and the role of the medical society in today's practice environment.Connecticut is not the only state facing membership challenges in a rapidly-evolving healthcare environment. Medical societies across the country — states, counties, locals, specialties — are all …

With the October 1 implementation date for ICD-10 just weeks away, physicians recently got some good news: the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released additional guidance that allows some flexibility in the claims auditing and quality reporting process during the ICD-10 transition. The Connecticut State Medical Society had signed onto the AMA's national letter supporting these changes.The AMA and CMS will help physicians and other health care providers learn about the updated codes and prepare for the transition through webinars, on-site training, educational articles and national provider calls. AMA President Steven Stack, MD …

A few am sprinkles didn't dampen the fun at the 2015 Biondino Golf Classic, and by the 12:15 shotgun start 24 eager foursomes were ready to roll through the course at Wallingford Country Club.There was plenty of competition (scroll down to view the list of winners), but the real winner was the CSMS Charitable Trust. 100% of the Biondino Classic proceeds benefit the Trust, which supports organizations providing food, shelter and services to Connecticut residents in need.Click the image below to see more from this year's Biondino Golf Classic And now, on to the 2015 winners:Low Gross Winners OBGYN & …

Join CMS experts for an eHealth webinar on participating in the 2015 PQRS program via the group practice reporting option (GPRO) using an EHR-based reporting mechanism.The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2015 from 11 am - noon. Click here to register.The following items will be discussed during this webinar: Background of the PQRS GPRO Electronic Reporting Overview Information for EHR Vendors Information for PQRS Group Practices Resources and Where to Call for Help Q&AFor more informationThis webinar presentation and recording will be available on the Events page of the CMS eHealth website.

In recognition of National UV Safety Month, the Connecticut State Medical Society and US Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) hosted a press conference today supporting Rep. DeLauro's call for a nationwide ban on the use of tanning beds by minors.CSMS President Robert Russo, MD welcomed Rep. DeLauro, and noted the importance of her support on this and other public health issues. CT Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery President Donna Aiudi, MD spoke about the rising incidence of melanoma and other skin cancers, particularly in younger people. Dr. Aiudi, a CSMS member, discussed the use of UV-A radiation in tanning booths, …

CMS creates Mid-Year Quality and Resource Use Reports (MYQRUR) to provide physicians and practitioners with cost and quality measure data for Medicare patients.Join the Connecticut State Medical Society to learn how MYQRUR data can help you evaluate the quality of care you provide.Webinar topics will include: MYQRUR in Context Obtaining Your MYQRUR Decoding MYQRUR What to Do With Your Data MYQRUR and the Value Modifier (VM) Q&A7/16/15 @ 12:15 - registration link7/22/15 @ 4:15 - registration link

June 30 is the last day to register for the Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) for 2015 PQRS reporting.To register for GPRO, your group must have an approved Individuals Authorized Access to the CMS Computer Services (IACS) account. You will also need to indicate your reporting mechanism for the 12-month period. The GPRO Registration Quick Reference Guide is a good resource.July 1 is the last day to apply for a 2016 EHR Hardship Exception. The Hardship Exception is for those who did not successfully participate in the 2014 Medicare EHR Incentive Program and want to avoid the 2016 payment adjustment.Overview …

(North Haven, CT) – On behalf of the more than 6,000 physicians and physicians in training of the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS), we thank Governor Dannell Malloy for signing into law PA 15-88 (Senate Bill 467), An Act Concerning the Facilitation of Telehealth.The Governor’s signature on PA 15-88 establishes several important requirements for the appropriate use of telehealth and ensures that such services will be integrated into the patient’s medical records. PA 15-88 supports an important initiative for the future of health care in Connecticut, and allows patients to have another option to access quality health care without having …

Join CSMS for an overview of the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS).Webinar topics will include: How to participate in PQRS Individual and group reporting options Measure selection Key reporting dates Calculating payment adjustments Q&ACSMS will offer the webinar on two dates: Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 25. Both webinars will run from 12:15 - 1 pm. Click here to register for the June 17 webinar. Click here to register for the June 25 webinar.

CSMS Councilor Theodore Zanker, MD gave a presentation today as part of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates meeting in Chicago.A featured speaker at the AMA Litigation Center meeting, Dr. Zanker discussed the lawsuit filed against Anthem by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in which he is a named plaintiff. CSMS and the AMA filed amicus briefs supporting the APA suit, which relates to mental health parity.Click here to view the joint letter from CSMS, APA and the Connecticut Psychiatric Society to Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield (March 2013). (Photo courtesy of the American Medical Association) 

CSMS member physicians play active leadership roles in many areas of medicine. Here are a few CSMS members in the recent news: Congratulations to CSMS Councilor Joseph Feuerstein, MD (L) for being awarded the 2015 Doctors of Distinction Award for Excellence in Medical Research. In addition to his family medicine practice, Dr. Feuerstein is the Director of Integrative Medicine at Stamford Hospital.Also winning a Doctors of Distinction award was CSMS Life Member Albert Burke, MD (Leadership in Medical Advocacy Award). Dr. Burke planned and developed the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, and currently serves as a volunteer physician for the …

For Immediate Release(North Haven, CT) Today, the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) issued a strong endorsement for the “Fair Medical Audits Act of 2015,” introduced today by U.S. Representative George Holding of North Carolina. The legislation addresses many concerns that physicians have with regard to the extraordinary lack of transparency and expensive, time-consuming and often unfair processes that plague the current Medicare audit program.Representative Holding declared it time to fix the broken audit program: “Put simply, patients achieve the best health outcomes when practicing physicians do just that - practice medicine. My bill will bring transparency and fairness to the …

The Frank Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University is in need of additional preceptors for its required third year Pediatric Clerkship.The clerkship is 6 weeks in duration, two weeks will be inpatient based at CCMC while 4 weeks will be outpatient/office-based in community practices. Thus, a given physician or group practice will have a student for only 4 weeks of the six week clerkship. The clerkship will repeat itself six times per year (see the 2015-2016 schedule below). We hope that each week of the outpatient experience will include: Approximately 32-36 hours of office-based experience Approximately 4 hours per …

The full newsletter Painful Diabetic Neuropathy, prescribing information and CME self-assessment are free for both AMA members and nonmembers.Peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) develops in more than 50% of patients who have diabetes. Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 79 million (or nearly 1 in 3) Americans have pre-diabetes based on testing of fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations, and in U.S. adults aged 65 years and older, the prevalence is even higher at approximately 50%. It is generally agreed that the prevalence of diabetes will increase if current lifestyles and population trends in obesity do not change.Diabetic sensorimotor …

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the annual Biondino Memorial Golf Classic go to support the CSMS Charitable Trust.We're hard at work preparing for the 2015 Classic (coming up on July 27) - but we want to take a moment and say THANK YOU to the organizations and businesses whose generous sponsorship makes the 2015 Biondino Classic possible: Biondino Golf Classic - Gold SponsorHealthyCTBiondino Golf Classic - SponsorsCandid GroupComprehensive OrthopaedicsConnectiCareConnecticut Orthopaedic SocietyCSMS Insurance AgencyCSMS-IPAHartford County Medical AssociationHenry Schein MedicalMetro TaxiMidState Medical CenterMurtha CullinaNeubert, Pepe & MonteithPension ServiceProHealth PhysiciansQuest DiagnosticsTeplitzky & CompanyTown Fair TireWebster BankYale-New Haven Hospital

CSMS and the coalition to oppose SB 1028 were joined by other healthcare stakeholders this week, and sent a joint letter to the Connecticut Senate expressing serious concerns about the bill.SB 1028 would extend the statute of limitations for an injured minor to bring a negligence action to one year after the minor attains the age of majority. The bill would drive up the cost of healthcare without improving quality or access to care. In addition, the bill's proponents have been unable to provide any evidence to show a need for this legislation.Read the letter here Learn more here American …

Nominations are now open for the Maloney Distinguished Service Award and the Healthcare Leader and Innovator (HLI) Award. All CSMS members are welcome to nominate their colleagues for recognition of outstanding work. The Paul K. Maloney, Jr., MD Distinguished Service Award was established to honor the life and work of Dr. Maloney, an eminent physician known for his exemplary service, active engagement, and dedication to the community. The Maloney Award is the highest honor CSMS can confer upon a member. Each year, CSMS donates $1,000 to the charity of the Maloney Award winner’s choice. The Connecticut Medicine Healthcare Leader and …

This guest post is written by William J. Kassler, MD, MPH. Dr. Kassler is the Chief Medical Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Region I.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Open Payments program collects data from drug and device manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) about payments they make to physicians and teaching hospitals. The program also reports information about ownership interests in drug and device manufacturers and GPOs held by physicians and their immediate family members. It’s important that physicians and teaching hospitals confirm the accuracy of the financial relationships reported about them.CMS encourages all physicians, …

CONNECTICUT STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION AGAINST UNITED HEALTHCARE(North Haven, CT) – In a settlement announced today by the Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS), UnitedHealthcare Group has agreed to spend $11.5 million to resolve actions brought by four medical societies and individual physicians challenging United’s provider claims payment practices. Under the settlement, which resolves actions pending for over a decade, United will spend a minimum of $9 million in extensive enhancements to United’s provider self service website, with the objective of increasing efficiencies and reducing delays in the areas of claims management and claims resolution. The settlement also …

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy was at St. Francis Hospital today to talk with physicians, other health professionals, and patient advocates about his support for the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), which finally repealed the flawed SGR formula.Sen. Murphy was joined by CSMS President Bob Russo, MD, who spoke about the Society's advocacy efforts to repeal and replace SGR. Dr. Russo thanked Sen. Murphy. along with the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation, for supporting this historic bill. Click here to view Sen. Murphy's statement, which includes a quote from Dr. Russo.Dr. Bob Russo & Sen. Chris MurphyL-R: CSMS member John …