The extension of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, was posted February 6 on the House Rules Committee website.The continuing resolution (CR) would extend government funding through March 23, 2018.Click to view:Press ReleaseFull Text

On February 5, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a table displaying the Alternative Payment Models (APMs) that CMS operates. In the table CMS identifies which of those APMs CMS has determined to be MIPS APMs or Advanced APMs. This list will be modified based on changes in the designs of APMs or the announcement of new APMs.See the table here: https://csms.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Comprehensive-List-of-APMs.pdf

On January 17, the American Hospital Association (AHA), America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), American Medical Association (AMA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) announced a Consensus Statement outlining their shared commitment to industry-wide improvements to prior authorization processes and patient-centered care.To read the press release and consensus statement, click here.

On January 11, a coalition of concerned individuals and groups sent a letter to Department of Social Services Commissioner Roderick Bremby requesting the reinstatement of the NEMT Quality Assurance Committee. To read the full letter, click here:QAC Termination Opposition Letter

On January 11, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the federal government, for the first time, will allow states to test work or community engagement requirements as a condition of eligibility for some Medicaid enrollees. Click to read the full summary from the AMA:Summary of CMS Policy on Work Requirements

Physicians are a critical component of the health care system, providing care to patients across a variety of settings and within a multitude of specialties and subspecialties. Through the care provided to their patients, physicians can have a positive and lasting impact on the health of their patients and the community as a whole. However, the breadth of a physician’s impact reaches far beyond just the provision of patient care. Physicians also play a vital role in the state and local economies by creating jobs, purchasing goods and services, and supporting state and community public programs through generated tax revenues. …

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CSMS has been a strong proponent of network adequacy laws and regulations in Connecticut, and has provided the following comments to the Connecticut Insurance Department regarding the proposed Insurance Department Regulations Concerning Network Adequacy.CSMS Comments on Network Adequacy Regulations

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NGS Claims System to be Corrected Starting in April, 2018.According to National Government Services, the Medicare carrier for Connecticut, most of the claims and physicians impacted were in private, non-hospital based settings. CMS has updated several NCDs, but these updates will not be effective within the FISS or the MCS until April, 2018. This alert applies to NCD 220.4 for Diagnostic Mammograms and also NCD 220.13 for Percutaneous Image-Guided Biopsy of the Breast, but other NCDs may be potentially impacted by coding updates. Currently, CMS has issued instructions for A/B MACs to temporarily deactivate the shared system edits associated with …

CSMS has received the following update from Richard B. Spencer, Director of Provider Engagement Services for the Community Health Network of Connecticut (CHNCT). CHNCT serves as the state’s medical Administrative Services Organization for the HUSKY Health Program. Families of children covered by Connecticut’s Connecticut’s CHIP Program, known locally as HUSKY B, will be receiving notices of the possible end of the program. The information provided to our members is now posted on the HUSKY Health front page at www.ct.gov/husky (please see bulletin box under photos) and HUSKY B information link also referenced in yellow bulletin box throughout www.ct.gov/dss. Please share …

Are you prepared to use data in actionable ways and succeed in the new data-driven healthcare atmosphere?Physicians and applicable practice staff can learn more about transforming healthcare delivery through the effective use of data analytics with CSMS, CTHealthLink, and KaMMCO Health Solutions.Offered at two convenient dates and locations, this free CME* program will help you move forward in this new data-driven world. RegisterTuesday, January 16, 2018 - 5:30 - 8 pm RegisterArtisan Restaurant (at Delamar Southport Hotel), 275 Old Post Road, Southport, CTWednesday, January 17, 2018 11:30 am - 1:30 pm RegisterOn the Waterfront Restaurant, 250 Pequot Avenue, New London, …

At the AMA Interim Meeting, CSMS and the New England delegation were strong proponents of a resolution to address the issue of reduced payment when Modifier 25 is used with an E&M code:In addition, CSMS sent letters this week to the offices of the Connecticut Attorney General, Comptroller, Healthcare Advocate, and Insurance Commissioner to express concerns about reduced payments and their potential effect on patient access to care. View the letter here.Stronger Together: CSMS has been working on the Modifier 25 issue with the CT ENT Society, the CT Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, the CT Urology Society, and …

(North Haven, CT) – The Connecticut State Medical Society Charitable Trust is pleased to announce its 2018 donations to the following organizations: BHcare, Ansonia, Branford Children in Placement, New Haven CRIS Radio, Windsor HAVEN, Southington Interval House, Hartford Project Access-New Haven Prudence Crandall Center, New Britain Reach Out and Read, New Haven Safe Futures, New LondonPhotos- 2018 Charitable Trust Donation RecipientsCSMS Charitable Trust Chair Michael Carius, MD presented the donations at the CSMS office in New Haven. “The Charitable Trust is funded through physician donations, private donations, and proceeds from the annual Biondino Golf Classic,” noted Dr. Carius. “Their generous …

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CTDCP) has information about the new e-prescribing requirement for controlled substances, which takes effect January 1, 2018.In addition to improving efficiency, the Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) will help stop prescription fraud with fewer opportunities to duplicate or modify paper prescriptions.Click here for CT DCP information about EPCS, including exemption information and Frequently Asked Questions.

On October 15, CTHealthLink launched the first Connecticut statewide personal health record for patients called myCTHealtheRecords.myCTHealtheRecords offers features that other personal health records do not have available, including access to all of a patient's medical records in one location. Records are available for practices participating in CTHealthLink. myCTHealtheRecords also provides patient education materials in a variety of languages, health document storage, secure email, and the ability to track and monitor key health outcomes such as weight and blood pressure. Follow the link to myCTHealtheRecords to set up your own account.myCTHealtheRecords is certified by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) …

CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory: Advice for Health Care Providers Treating Patients in or Recently Returned from Hurricane-Affected Areas, Including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin IslandsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent this bulletin at 10/24/2017 02:49 PM EDTSummaryThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with federal, state, territorial, and local agencies and global health partners in response to recent hurricanes. CDC is aware of media reports and anecdotal accounts of various infectious diseases in hurricane-affected areas, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Because of compromised drinking water and decreased …

CSMS signed onto a MACRA recommendation letter to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce from the American Medical Association.CSMS was joined by over 70 national specialty societies, and the medical societies of all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.All of the signatories share a common interest in ensuring successful implementation of MACRA. Since its enactment, these organizations have worked closely with policymakers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure that implementation of the law reflects Congress' intent to focus payment on improving quality and value and that physician practices are able to successfully participate.View …

September 27, 2017 (North Haven, CT) – At the 225th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut State Medical Society, Steven C. Thornquist, MD was sworn in as the 179th CSMS President.In his inaugural address, Dr. Thornquist spoke of the unique role of the physician:The practice of medicine allows us great insight into humanity. We get to be present for incredibly intimate moments in our patients’ lives, and to influence them in powerful ways. We see them when they are vulnerable, and help them to rise again. What we do is far more than a job, it is a profession. Dr. Thornquist …

CSMS recently joined with more than 40 state medical societies and 33 national specialty societies in a letter to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) regarding the Maintenance of Certification (MOC).Acknowledging that physicians and certifying boards share the goal of patients receiving the right care, at the right time, in the right place, by well-trained physicians, the letter shared the issues and potential unintended consequences of the current MOC program. The letter also suggests a December 2017 meeting with ABMS, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), and state medical societies to directly share views and seek agreement on …