During the 2016 legislative session, CSMS strongly supported HB 5233, which would require health insurance coverage for screening mammograms provided by breast tomosynthesis (also called 3D mammography).CSMS Immediate Past President Robert Russo, MD submitted testimony on behalf of the Medical Society to the Insurance Committee during the 2016 session. CSMS member Liane Philpotts, MD also submitted testimony as an individual. The bill passed the House 139-3, and had unanimous support in the Senate (36-0).Since the bill’s passage, there has been some confusion about whether the bill would constitute a new state health mandate in excess of essential health benefits (EHB), …

CMS creates Mid-Year Quality and Resource Use Reports (MYQRUR) to provide physicians with cost and quality measure data for their Medicare patients.Join us for a free CSMS webinar and learn how to use MYQRUR data to help 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)There will also be an opportunity for live Q&A – bring your questions and get real-time answers.Wednesday, May 25 at 12:15 pmThursday, June 2 at 4 pm

Summer will be here before you know it, and that means getting ready for the 2016 Robert J. Biondino, Jr., MD Golf Classic on July 25 at the Wallingford Country Club.As always, 100% of the proceeds from the Biondino Classic go to support the CSMS Charitable Trust.It’s shaping up to be another great Golf Classic, jam-packed with a kickoff luncheon, raffle prizes, cocktail reception, silent auction, and dinner.So work on those approach shots, round up your foursome, and complete your registration form today.Not a golfer? No problem! You can still support the Charitable Trust by sponsoring a hole, donating a …

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 …

Last night, the Connecticut Campaign for Consumer Choice presented Insurance Mergers: What You Need to Know, a public forum on the proposed Anthem-Cigna mergers. CSMS is a founding member of the Connecticut Campaign for Consumer Choice, along with the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut and the Connecticut Citizens' Action Group.Hosted by State Rep. Greg Haddad, State Rep. Linda Orange, State Rep. Susan Johnson, and State Sen.Mae Flexner, the forum was held at the Mansfield Public Library. CSMS EVP/CEO Matthew Katz was a panelist at the forum. See below for a brief video with highlights from Katz and other speakers.Look …

In honor of Opening Day, here's a rundown of upcoming CSMS programs.Interdisciplinary Approaches to Opioid Prescribing April 27 @4:30 – 8:30 pm Middlesex HospitalOnline registration Download form  Featuring keynote speaker Seddon Savage, MD, MS 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ $40.00 (includes dinner) Presented by CSMS, CT Pain Society, CT Chapter ASAM, and Middlesex Hospital The ABCs of Contract Review for Medical Services May 11 @4:30 – 6 pm CSMS Offices, North HavenOnline registration Download form  Learn the basics of office service contracts, including key clauses for review and negotiation FREE for CSMS members and their office staff, but registration is …

As a practicing physician, you have a unique perspective on the many challenges facing healthcare today. Share your experiences and concerns with a national audience by taking a few minutes to complete these surveys:The Physicians Foundation has launched its 4th national Survey of America’s Physicians, one of the largest physician surveys ever undertaken in the United States.The survey will take approximately 10-12 minutes to complete. Participants will receive a full copy of the final survey report, and be entered to win one of five $500 Amazon gift cards and one $5,000 Amazon gift card.Physicians Foundation Survey LinkNational Insurance Mergers: Putting …

Amid growing concern over the effects of a proposed Anthem/Cigna merger, CSMS has joined the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut and the Connecticut Citizen Action Group to form the Connecticut Campaign for Consumer Choice.The coalition delivered a letter to CT Insurance Commissioner Katherine Wade, requesting the following actions to ensure that consumer voices are heard during the merger review process: Require that the public hearing be held at a venue and time that allows for maximum public participation. Grant interested parties’ intervenor status to allow for an adequate review of the proposed merger. Commission a study that will analyze …

This year's day of physician advocacy was a busy - and successful - one for CSMS physicians and their CT ACS colleagues:The day kicked off with breakfast and networking. State Sen. Kevin Witkos and State Rep. J.P. Sredzinski stopped by to say hello, and stayed to talk with physicians about a range of healthcare issues.After breakfast, physicians had time to visit with their state legislators. Many chose to visit the elected officials from the district where they practice, as well as from their home districts. In between meetings, CSMS invited State Healthcare Advocate Victoria Veltri to provide an update on …

Don't get hit with negative payment adjustments in 2017 - report your 2015 PQRS data before the deadlines: EHR Direct or Data Submission Vendor (QRDA I or III) - 3/11/16 Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QRDA III) - 3/11/16 Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) Web Interface - 3/11/16 Qualified Registries (Registry XML) - 3/31/16 QCDRs (QCDR XML) - 3/31/16The deadline is 8 pm Eastern on each of the end dates shown above. An Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM) account is required for these data submission methods. There is still time for providers to begin and submit via registry. PQRSwizard, a CSMS Affinity …

The first of a new AMA educational series on physician burnout and resiliency made its debut today, with a webinar led by led by nationally-known speaker Bruce Bagley, MD.Dr. Bagley provided a overview of the rapidly-changing practice environment, and the ways these changes can stress physicians and practice staff. He then introduced the STEPS Forward program and office practice transformation. Click to view the webinar.Registration is open for the next program in the series, Provider Worklife and Wellness. This live CME event will be held at Hartford Hospital on May 24.The series wraps up with Physician Resiliency Assessment and Response, …

Earlier today, CSMS was honored to host a special meeting on opioid prescribing and addiction issues with Michael Botticelli, Director of the White House White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and a multidisciplinary group of practicing Connecticut physicians. Director Botticelli was joined by US Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) for an opportunity to hear directly from front-line physicians about their challenges, and their recommendations for federal support.Director Botticelli noted that Connecticut has been at the forefront of opioid efforts, and applauded our state's efforts on issues like prescriber education and the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). Rep. DeLauro spoke about …

The deadlines to submit your 2015 PQRS data are coming up fast, so CSMS is offering two encore presentations of PQRS: What You Need to Know in 2016.Wednesday, 2/17 at 4 pm & Thursday, 2/18 at 12:15 pm Get the information you need, and take advantage of the opportunity for live Q&A.

This page content has been transferred to csms.org/zika (click to view updates)With Zika virus in the news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) have the information that you -- and your patients -- need:For Physicians Practice Advisory: Updated Interim Guidance for Care of Women of Reproductive Age During a Zika Virus Outbreak American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 3/31/16 Webinar - From Ebola to Zika: What Do Providers Need to Know? (3/29 @3 pm Central - hosted by Modern Healthcare) MMWR Interim Guidelines for Health Care Providers Caring for …

CSMS and HCMA are pleased to introduce a new educational series from the American Medical Association, focusing on the growing issues of physician burnout and resiliency.The three-part series begins with Improving Physician Resiliency on March 2, a webinar led by nationally-known speaker Bruce Bagley, MD.Dr. Bagley will also lead Provider Work Life and Wellness, a live CME event at Hartford Hospital on May 24. Register online for the 5/24 event. Click here to download a printable registration form for the 5/24 event.The series culminates with Physician Resiliency Assessment and Response, a webinar led by Christine Sinsky, MD on July 20. …

The Connecticut State Medical Society recently sent a letter to the Connecticut Department of Social Services in support of SPA 16-003: HIPAA Billing Code and Reimbursement Update - Physician Fee Schedule.The SPA would add breast tomosynthesis codes to the Medicaid program. CSMS supports that decision, and has been very vocal regarding the benefits of tomosynthesis relative to other imaging devices.Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), tomosynthesis uses multiple images from multiple angles to create a three-dimensional, high-resolution picture of the breast. A mammogram usually takes only a two-dimensional image of each breast, from top to bottom and side …

Following up on earlier guidance regarding pneumococcal vaccination in adults, the Connecticut Immunization Coalition has developed a new handout with the algorithm for the two pneumococcal vaccines in circulation (13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine).Click to downloadThe Connecticut Immunization Coalition has additional information here: https://www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_pneumococcal_vaccines.asp

From the Connecticut Department of Public Health Genomics Office:With the rise of personalized medicine, and rapid advances in genomic sequencing technology and diagnostic testing, healthcare providers and consumers have an increased need for accurate information about genetic testing, genomics, and heritable conditions. In response to these information needs, the Connecticut Department of Public Health Genomics Office has published a new version of Cancer Genomics Best Practices for Connecticut Healthcare Providers. In a concise format, the booklet provides information and resources for healthcare providers, patients, and patient family members about Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Syndrome and Lynch Syndrome (LS, …

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comment/feedback on several items, including: Certification of health information technology (IT), including EHR products used for reporting to PQRS How often to require recertification The number of clinical quality measures (CQMs) a certified Health IT Module should be required to certify Testing of certified Health IT Module(s)The CMS Request for Information (RFI) was issued on 12/31/15, and the comment period is open through 5 pm on February 1, 2016. Comments may be submitted via email, mail, express/overnight mail, or by hand. Details available here.CSMS urges practicing physicians to take …

CSMS had another great year in 2015, with legislative successes, nationally-published research on readmission disparities, strong physician advocacy on a range of public health issues, programs for residents and fellows, and more.Here's a video review of these and other highlights from 2015:You can view this and other CSMS videos on our YouTube channel