Giant Lifelike Gummy HeartMake a cardiologist laugh... (or make an endocrinologist cry, since it weighs in at 1.5 pounds.) Click for details.The Quickest Way to My Heart..."... is through my mediastinum with a #11 blade." This and other downloadable clinical expressions of love can be found at Medicine: A Love Story Happy 86th BirthdayOn February 14, 1929, Alexander Fleming introduced his mold by-product called penicillin to cure bacterial infections.Valentines by the Numbers There was more than one St. Valentine (but at least one of them was a physician) Necco produces ~100,000 pounds of candy hearts every day throughout the year …

The Connecticut State Medical Society hosted a well-attended symposium yesterday highlighting its multi-year research into racial and ethnic disparities in readmissions.The symposium, funded by a generous grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation, brought together physicians, nurses, patients, and other stakeholders from across the state. The stakeholders had an opportunity to review and discuss the CSMS research data, and also provided insight and interpretations of the disparities. This stakeholder feedback will be integrated into clinical recommendations for care delivery models that may help to reduce the level of disparity in hospital readmission rates.CSMS was pleased to have American Medical Association (AMA) …

CSMS member and ACOG President-elect Mark DeFrancesco, MD was a recent guest on WTIC's Healthy Rounds program, hosted by CSMS member Anthony Alessi, MD.Dr. DeFrancesco discussed readmission disparities in Connecticut, noting that CSMS has been active in research and physician education on this issue for many years. He also talked about the upcoming CSMS symposium, Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Readmission Rates in Connecticut Acute-Care Hospitals, scheduled for February 4, 2015.Click here to listen to the interview (segment begins at 09:49).

Part 2 of the CT Mirror series on childhood trauma, adversity and health.Science suggests that having a secure relationship with a caregiver can help protect a child’s brain and body from the effects of adversity. A Connecticut program for very young children who have experienced trauma or other challenges has gotten results by focusing on that relationship – and the things that can interfere, including depression, family violence and a parent’s own history of trauma.Click here to view Changing Course: Intervention.

The CT Mirror is featuring a series of reports on childhood trauma, adversity and health. A growing body of research is links between childhood abuse and neglect, and a wide range of mental and physical illnesses.A key way to target adult diseases, reduce health care costs and address a host of problems throughout life is to start early, focusing not on symptoms of illness but childhood adversity and the factors that can protect against its effects. That includes identifying and treating trauma early, to stem deeper problems from developing.Click here to view the first of the four-part series.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently hosted a Medicare Learning Network (MLN) National Provider Call on PQRS data submission.The call covered a number of important topics, including: Submission Information Qualified Registry Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) Electronic Health Record (EHR)-based Reporting Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and PQRS Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) Web Interface Maintenance of Certification Program (MOCP) Resources & Who to Call for HelpThe complete presentation is available here as a PDF: 2014 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Submission ProcessLinks will be provided for the audio and written transcripts as soon as they are available.

CDC HEALTH UPDATE / Distributed via the CDC Health Alert NetworkJanuary 9, 2015, 11:00 ETCDCHAN-00375CDC Health Update Regarding Treatment of Patients with Influenza with Antiviral MedicationsAs a follow-up to HAN 00374 (http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00374.asp, Dec. 3, 2014), CDC is providing 1) a summary of influenza antiviral drug treatment recommendations, 2) an update about approved treatment drugs and supply this season, and 3) background information for patients regarding anti-influenza treatment.SummaryWidespread influenza activity is being reported in most U.S. states, with influenza A (H3N2) viruses most common. H3N2-predominant flu seasons have been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in older people and young children …

The January MLN Connects™ National Provider Call will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 1:30 – 3 pm.The presentation will provide an overview of the 2014 quality data submission process for Medicare Quality Reporting Programs, including the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), Value-Based Payment Modifier, and the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The information being presented will apply to eligible professionals (EPs) and group practices submitting 2014 quality measure data. This session will provide guidance on how EPs and PQRS group practices can earn the 2014 PQRS incentive and avoid the 2016 negative PQRS payment adjustment …

2014 was a busy year for CSMS - we'd like to share some of the highlights with you!

The CSMS CME Committee is pleased to announce that Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) of Middletown has been Accredited with Commendation as a CME provider. CVH was the only Connecticut hospital to receive re-accreditation with this designation in 2014.In addition, the CVH Medical Library received Special Recognition for its CME efforts.L-R: Karen Hutchinson, MD, CSMS CME Committee Chair; Kandace Yuen, MLS, AHIP, CVH Medical Librarian; Thomas Pisano, MD, CVH Director of Medical Staff; Helene Vartelas, MSN, RN, CVH CEO; John D’Eramo, RN, BSN, CVH COO. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the 2014 PQRS data submission timeframes. A number of these are starting soon, so please take a moment to review if you are reporting PQRS data for 2014.Please note: 2014 PQRS data is used to determine 2016 payment adjustments. Be sure to submit your data by the deadline and avoid the 2016 payment adjustment.The 2014 data submission timeframes vary, based on reporting method. All submission deadlines are at 8 pm Eastern Time on the last day of the submission period.Reporting MethodSubmission PeriodEHR Direct or Data Submission Vendor that is certified …

The Presidents of the Connecticut State Medical Society, the Hartford County Medical Association, the New Haven County Medical Association, the Tolland County Medical Association, and the Waterbury Medical Association have released a joint statement expressing their concern about the recent decision by Tenet Healthcare to withdraw its application to purchase Waterbury Hospital and four other Connecticut hospitals: Saint Mary’s Hospital, Bristol Hospital, and Eastern Connecticut Health Network’s Rockville General Hospital and Manchester Memorial.The physician leaders noted that the decision could seriously affect patient access to care. They urged state regulators and legislators to immediately review OHCA’s actions, and determine how …

The CSMS Legislative Committee has released the final Legislative Agenda for the 2015 General Assembly Session, which will begin on January 7.The Agenda focuses on four primary topics: Professional Liability Insurance and Reform Contracting, Transparency and Fairness Physician Workforce Issues Proactive Public Health InitiativesClick here for details of these agenda items, as well as ways to become involved in physician advocacy.Questions or comments? Please email advocacy@csms.org.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (CT DSS) has issued a new provider bulletin (PB 2014-86) detailing pharmacy changes for 2015.These changes include: January 1, 2015 Changes to the Connecticut Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) - modifications to the list of preferred prescription products Reminder About the 5-Day Emergency Supply - DSS allows a 5-day emergency supply of a medication requiring PA for non-PDL/Brand Medically Necessary (BMN), in addition to the one-time 14 day temporary supply Billing Clarification for Brand Name Medications on the Preferred Drug List (PDL) - clarifies pharmacy billing requirements when dispensing a preferred product on the …

Hardship Exception Applications to Avoid the 2015 Medicare Payment Adjustment Due November 30, 2014CMS reopened the submission period for hardship exception applications for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to avoid the 2015 Medicare payment adjustments for not demonstrating meaningful use of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT).The deadline is 11:59 PM EST November 30, 2014.Eligible professionals and eligible hospitals that have never met meaningful use before may apply during this reopened hardship exception application submission period if they meet both of the following: The provider was unable to attest by July 1, 2014 (for eligible hospitals) or October 1, 2014 …

The AMA has identified the "top 10" policy changes in the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. Below is a quick summary; the full document is available here.1. The sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula calls for a 21.2% cut to physician payments, effective April 1.2. Continuing medical education (CME) will not be reported under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act.3. Proposed penalties under the value-based payment modifier (VBM) will be scaled back.4. The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) becomes a penalty-only program next year.5. The Physician Compare website will continue to expand - but not as much as planned.6. Chronic …

In response to the recent cases of Ebola in the US, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released an updated bulletin with guidance on HIPAA privacy in emergency situations.The bulletin addresses sharing and safeguarding patient information, waivers, and other resources.Although the protections of the HIPAA Privacy Rule are not set aside during emergencies, the bulletin is meant to ensure that HIPAA covered entities are aware of the ways in which patient information may be shared under the Privacy Rule in an emergency situation.Additional OCR HIPAA privacy resources include an interactive decision tool and other materials for advance planning …

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) late Friday issued a final rule for physician reimbursement under Medicare in 2015. The final rule is similar to the proposed rule that CMS issued in July, with a few modifications. For example, CMS had proposed a payment rate of $41.92 for its chronic care management code, but the rate was changed to $40.39 in the final rule.In terms of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for physician reimbursement, the agency notes that the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 "provides for a 0% PFS [physician fee schedule] update for services …

After nearly three decades in private practice, Texas physician Michael Burgess, MD now represents Texas' 26th District in the US House. Dr. Burgess has sponsored H.R. 5539, which would clarify that certain applicable manufacturer transfers of value to support independent certified/accredited medical educational programs and materials (including medical textbooks, peer-reviewed medical reprints, and journals) are exempt from reporting under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (Sunshine Act).Dr. Burgess' bill will ensure that efforts to promote transparency do not undermine efforts to provide the most up-to-date independent medical knowledge, and CSMS was proud to join other state medical societies and national specialty …

National Government Services has identified an issue with additional documentation request (ADR) letters for Medicare Part B claims were not sent in a timely manner. This impacted Part B providers from Connecticut and New York only.For the period of 9/17-10/20/2014, letters for claims requiring additional documentation to make a payment determination were not mailed.The cause of the issue has been corrected. Providers whose claims were affected by this issue were sent letters on 10/21/2014; however, the letter has the original issue date. The letters include the following statement:10/21/2014Supplemental NoticeDue to a technical systems issue, the date of the enclosed letter …