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NEED TO KNOW
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99% of Vermont Clinicians: Prior Authorization Increases Burnout
Thank you to the 241 clinicians and 65 health care administrators who completed the 2024 prior authorization survey circulated in December. VMS has now complied the results. Highlights include:
PAs are time consuming:
- Clinicians report they complete 21.4 authorizations per week and spend 15.13 hours on these authorizations
- Administrators report 52.66 hours of ordering provider time and 27.21 FTEs of additional staff time spent on PAs each week in their practice
PAs are increasing:
- 77% of clinicians/94% of administrators say the number of PAs for medications have increased in the last year; 64% of clinicians/77% of administrators report PAs for medical services have increased
PAs harm patients and clinicians
- 95% of clinicians report that PAs lead to higher utilization of health care resources such as additional office visits or ED visits and 81% that it delays access to necessary care; 32% report that it has led to a serious adverse event such as hospitalization or death
- 99% of clinicians and 100% of administrators report that PAs increase burnout
See the full results of the survey here. This survey was requested by the legislature in Act 111 to measure the impact of prior authorizations before and after the implementation of Act 111’s changes. The survey is considered the baseline data before Act 111 goes into effect and will be distributed to lawmakers this week. For more information contact jbarnard@vtmd.org.
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VMS Kicks off 2025 Legislative Breakfast Series This Wednesday
The 2025 Legislative session started last week and after a dramatic start, both the House and Senate named their new Committees, which include several new Chairs and new leadership. The VMS Policy Team works in all Committees, but we spend most of our time in the House Health Care Committee and the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Both of these Committees look very different this year, and the House Health Care Committee has a new Chair, Rep Alyssa Black (D-Essex), who was instrumental in the passage of Act 111, last year's prior authorization bill.
These Committees are currently working to educate new lawmakers on all aspects of Vermont's health care system and on Wednesday morning, Jessa Barnard, Executive Director of the VMS, will provide the House Health Care Committee with an introduction to the Society and on Friday morning to the Senate Health & Welfare Committee. Wednesday’s testimony will come directly after the first 2025 VMS Advocacy Breakfast this Wednesday, January 15th at 8am. These breakfasts, which will be held in the cafeteria at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier on specific Wednesdays from 8-9 am are an informal opportunity to educate lawmakers on ways to improve Vermont's practice environment and health care system. You don’t need any prior advocacy experience to join! See all dates and register here.
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GMCB Meeting January 15th to Decide on AHEAD Model
As previously reported in the Rounds, if Vermont is going to enter the AHEAD payment reform model with Medicare, an agreement must be signed by the Governor, AHS and the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB). Vermont is aiming to make a decision before the change in the federal administration and the GMCB has scheduled a meeting to discuss and potentially vote regarding joining the agreement tomorrow, January 15th, at 1pm. Meeting information can be found here. The GMCB previously cancelled a meeting scheduled for January 8th to discuss AHEAD. The Green Mountain Care Board was seeking public comments on joining the model by January 3rd. Comments submitted by VMS and other organizations can be found here. A summary regarding what the AHEAD model would mean for primary care and others in the health care system can be found in the January 7th Rounds here.
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Department of Mental Health Quarterly Legislative Update
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) has submitted a quarterly update to lawmakers. It covers initiatives such as Certified Community Based integrated Health Centers (CCBHCs); certifying peer support specialists; creating a new youth residential treatment facility and the six Alternative to Emergency Department centers. Click here to read the update.
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MISC.
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Vermont Health Connect Open Enrollment Ends Tomorrow, January 15
Vermonters can still sign up for a 2025 health plan via Vermont Health Connect or make changes by January 15 to get a health plan starting on February 1.
Most Vermonters who have been getting financial help will get more in 2025. The additional financial help can be applied to a plan at any metal level. The changes for 2025 health plans mean many Vermonters have more buying power to get a more valuable plan for less money.
To better serve Vermonters though the January 15 deadline, the VHC Customer Support Center will extend its hours through January 15th from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. Call 1-855-899-9600.
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Dementia Diagnosis, Treatment, & Management for Primary Care Teams
The Vermont Department of Health is offering a free online course to assist primary care teams and others with the diagnosis, treatment, care and management of Alzheimer's Disease and other types of dementia. It covers topics including general approach to cognitive complaints, dementia differential diagnosis, retirement from driving, caregiver support resources, prevention and management of dementia. This course is available until June 2025 and is accredited for 6 hours of CME. Learn more about the course here and register here.
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Next Commissioner Call, February 6, 2025
The Commissioner of Health, Mark Levine, MD, will hold his next Public Health Update with VMS Members this Thursday, February 6th at 12:30 pm. You can join the zoom meetings here.
He held his most recent VMS member call on January 2nd. Notes from the call are here.
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EVENTS
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Contemporary Issues in Health Care Ethics: A 4 Part Series
January 2025, 12pm - 1:15pm
Critical Issues in the Care of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment January 21st - Register here
Incapacitated Refusals & Vermont's Ulysses Clause January 30th - Register here
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42nd PAAV Annual Winter CME Conference
January 30th - February 2nd, 2025
The annual winter PA Academy of Vermont Conference is at Stoweflake in Stowe, VT 1/30/25 -2/2/25
Please come join the fun and get CME too!
VMS President, Dr. Katie Marvin speaking on Saturday!
The early bird rate is extended through 12/13/24. (save $100)
Learn more and register here.
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Learning Collaboratives on In-Basket Reduction and Reducing Regulatory Burden
October 2024 – March 2025
AMA STEPS Forward® Innovation Academy is launching two new, six-month learning collaboratives on optimizing the in-basket to reduce work burden and rethinking how organizations apply regulatory rules to clinical practice. Each collaborative will convene dyads or triads of leadership representatives from multiple organizations to engage in a longitudinal shared learning experience. Limited space available. Learn more.
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For more information about offerings from UVM
CMIE, visit here.
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Vermont Medical Society 134 Main Street Montpelier, VT 05602 -- Unsubscribe --
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