October 3, 2023

NEED TO KNOW

Register Now for the 210th Annual and Collaborative Meeting

The 210th VMS Annual Meeting will be held on November 3rd and 4th in person at Topnotch Resort, Stowe, VT, with virtual options. The weekend will be filled with educational content, time spent with colleagues, policy-setting meetings, and the opportunity to honor physicians and other health care leaders across the state.

Learn more about the agenda and register here!

To secure the discounted room block, book prior to October 4th and use one of the methods below to reserve:

• Phone - Call (800) 451-8686 extension 2 and mention the "Vermont Medical Society Annual Meeting in November" to secure the discounted rate.
• Online - Visit here for the discounted rate or use the group code VMED23 when booking. 

Learn More About AHEAD Payment Reform Model Open to Vermont

Vermont is considering joining CMMI’s latest payment reform model open to the State, the AHEAD Model or States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. 

CMMI has provided a recording of a September 26 webinar for Vermont providers, which can be accessed here:

• https://cms.zoomgov.com/rec/share/eRzGBxl_wEFFD-UJeXnhv6yUciXWhPAWwzJl5FzEZn_UaHGhlne3K432iLAMyknv.VcZc0-NuQfnjqyPS
• Passcode: JG7EMS.F

Recordings and resources from a CMMI national overview webinar held September 18th are available here:

• Recording (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), slides, and transcript of the webinar
• The Model webpage includes an AHEAD Model infographic and other resources.

CMMI has announce two additional opportunities to learn more about the AHEAD Model and existing state efforts aligned with model goals. These webinars will be geared towards state policymakers as the primary audience but will be open to the public.  

• Considering the AHEAD Model: Lessons from States with Health Care Cost Growth and Primary Care Investment Targets
• Webinar Host: Peterson-Milbank Program for Sustainable Health Care Costs
• Date and Time: October 17, 2023 — 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT
• Registration: Please visit this link.

• Considering the AHEAD Model: Lessons from States on Hospital Global Budgets and Investing in Primary Care
• Webinar Host: The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP)
• Data and Time: October 26, 2023 — 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT
• Registration: Please visit this link.

Input Needed on Emerging MIPS Situation

On Aug. 10, CMS made available 2022 MIPS performance feedback, which determines whether physicians will receive a positive, neutral or negative payment adjustment on Medicare services furnished in 2024. The AMA has heard alarming reports of physicians facing MIPS penalties in 2024 for the first time since the program started. We strongly encourage you to view your MIPS information as soon as possible for two reasons:

1. If there are any errors, you should consider submitting an appeal, also called a targeted review. For more information about how to request a targeted review, please refer to the 2022 Targeted Review User Guide (PDF). The deadline to submit a targeted review is 8 pm ET Oct. 9, 2023.
2. You can help us advocate against Medicare physician payment cuts in 2024 by sharing this information. If you feel comfortable, you can share de-identified score and corresponding payment adjustment information. This will inform the AMA’s understanding of the impact of MIPS on physician payment in 2024 and can help us in our conversations with the administration and Congress about ensuring physician payment supports high-quality care to Medicare patients. Please share your information by emailing the AMA Advocacy staff at ama.advocacy@ama-assn.org.

Physicians can view their 2022 MIPS Performance Feedback information on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website using their HCQIS Access Role and Profile (HARP) credentials. The CMS Payment Adjustment User Guide (PDF) walks through the process of accessing and downloading performance feedback.

What Congress’ Funding Deal Means for Health Care

POLITICO’s Robert King reports on what the Congressional funding deal means for health care. The package sustains funding for community health centers, temporarily averts significant cuts that would impact safety-net hospitals, and keeps funding flowing for the National Health Service Corps and the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program. Read more here. 

October Immunization Updates 

The October Vermont Immunization Program Update newsletter is now available here.

The Update includes important information about the fall RSV and COVID-19 immunization season, including outreach to OBGYN clinics looking to offer RSV vaccine to their patients. 

The update also reminds practices that EMS agencies no longer have funding to provide community clinics for COVID-19 (and flu) vaccination. Instead, COVID-19 vaccination is now considered a routine immunization and Vermonters are encouraged to be vaccinated where they would be for other routine immunizations – primarily in provider offices and pharmacies. As the Immunization Program and VDH District Offices receive inquiries from the public and provider offices about accessing vaccine or community clinics, they are reiterating this message. Widespread public messaging about the end of these state-funded community clinics was shared last winter when the clinics ended.

Providers are encouraged to offer community clinics as appropriate and when staffing allows within their community. The State is partnering with AAP VT again this year to offer grants for expanded access to flu and COVID clinics within PCP offices.  Look for an announcement soon. 

In case you missed the Provider Update Call on 9/28/23, the full video is now available for review. Many of the slides in the presentation weren’t shown in the interest of time but the slide deck in its entirety is also now available to view.

MISC.

Commissioner of Health Public Health Notes from Update and Next Call Thursday, October 5th

The Commissioner of Health, Mark Levine, MD, joined the VMS for a public health update on September 7th. You can find the notes here.

The next Public Health Update will be Thursday, October 5th at 12:30 pm. Hear about the the most pressing public health information affecting the state and nation and have the opportunity to submit questions to Dr. Levine who will answer them, time-permitting.

You can join the zoom meetings here.

Now Accepting Applications for 2024 VMS ERF Clinician Leadership Course

The Vermont Medical Society Education & Research Foundation is pleased to open applications for a 5th statewide Executive Leadership Course beginning in January 2024.

This course is offered in partnership with the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Lumunos Wellbeing and is supported by funding from the Physicians Foundation.  Perhaps more than ever before physicians and PAs are being asked to step up and skillfully lead rapid change. Every clinician is being called upon to bring their management styles and skills to the forefront to ensure the best outcomes for Vermont patients. VMSERF is pleased to continue to offer an experiential learning opportunity that will enhance and fine-tune leadership skills and concepts for a statewide cohort of Vermont physicians and PAs.

The course will run from January through November 2024.  It is aimed at individuals with 5 or more years of clinical experience but minimal formal leadership training, with a goal of enrolling 15-20 physicians and PAs from across Vermont.  To apply, submit a CV and brief description of interest to swinters@vtmd.org by November 1^st. View the full 2024 brochure, schedule and application information here.

Submit a Resolution to VMS – Help Direct the Work of YOUR Society

VMS welcomes members to submit resolution ideas.  Resolutions set the policy positions of VMS and often drive VMS advocacy work at the state and federal levels.

Resolutions can be submitted on a year-round basis, any time by any VMS member or group of members, including student members. Resolutions are intended to express composite positions of the VMS and are to suggest a significant course of action to be taken by the Society. To see adopted VMS resolutions, click here.

Once a resolution idea is submitted by a member, the resolution will be reviewed by VMS staff, who may assist with further drafting or clarification.  Resolutions are then distributed for comment and non-binding survey to all membership. At a Board meeting after gathering member feedback, the VMS Board will review the resolution and feedback of membership.  All resolutions presented to the Board then require a majority vote of the Board for action, including adoption, amendment or referral.

To submit a resolution idea, please fill out the form, available here or contact jbarnard@vtmd.org for further assistance.

You Are Invited to the 2024 Vermont Voices of Medicine Advocacy Breakfasts

Please join us in January to meet your lawmakers and to advocate for health care policies over coffee and a light breakfast. These breakfasts, which will be held in the cafeteria at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier, are an informal opportunity to educate lawmakers on ways to improve Vermont's practice environment. Each breakfast starts on specific Thursdays and runs from 7:30-9 AM. 

The Vermont Medical Society (VMS) will be hosting several of the breakfasts with others hosted by the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, the Vermont Ophthalmological Society, the Vermont Psychiatric Association, the OB/GYN residency program, and Larner College of Medicine medical students. Please RSVP to attend the breakfasts being hosted by the specialty society of which you are a member. The VMS advocacy breakfasts are open to all specialties to attend. Please reach out to Jill Sudhoff-Guerin at jsudhoffguerin@vtmd.org if you have any questions. 

Click here for the list of dates & to register. 

Click here for more information. 

EVENTS

October 10, 2023, 2pm to 3:30pm ET

Livestream

Healthcare and equity experts will discuss using quantitative and qualitative data to advance health equity and identify the unique needs of historically excluded populations.  

Featured speakers include: 

1. Linda Villarosa – The New York Times Magazine 
2. Ryan J. Petteway, DrPH, MPH – OHSU-PSU School of Public Health 
3. Elena Mendez-Escobar, PhD, MBA – Boston Medical Center 
4. Vikas Saini, MD – Lown Institute 
5. Fernando De Maio, PhD –  American Medical Association (moderator)
6. Emily Cleveland Manchanda, MD, MPH – American Medical Association and Boston Medical Center (opening remarks)

Health care professionals may receive no-cost continuing medical education (CME) credit* by attending.

Register here.

Primary Care Sports Medicine and

The 2023 Primary Care Sports Medicine and Wilderness Medicine is designed to update knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of common sports medicine and wilderness medicine problems. Topics will include discussions of medical and orthopedic issues. There will be ample opportunity for participants to ask questions and interact with faculty, who hail from the University of Vermont Health Network and local community. The teaching program includes lectures and workshops.

Registration information, full agenda and accreditation details can be found here.

Learn more here. Register here.

October 20th - 21st, 2023

Killington Grand Hotel and Resort, Killington, VT

The 2023 NNENS Annual Meeting will take place at the Killington Grand Hotel and Resort and offer updates on the latest treatments and therapeutic options available across the neurology field. This event is open to physicians, past and present neurology residents, nurses and nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other neuroscience professionals. You do not need to be a NNENS member to participate.

Registration information, full agenda, and accreditation details can be found here.

October 20, 2023

Killington Grand Hotel and Resort, Killington, VT

The Neurology for the Non-Neurologist conference offers the most up-to-date information regarding the treatment of neurologic problems in the primary care setting. This conference focuses on how to diagnose and treat common neurological disorders, order and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies, and provides a guide for therapy and patient care. Primary care physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other medical professionals with an interest in neurology are encouraged to attend.

Registration information, full agenda, and accreditation details can be found here.

Osteoporosis Update for Primary Care November 2, 2023

Hampton Inn Conference Center, Colchester, VT

This conference is designed to improve the skills of the primary healthcare team, as they are often the first to encounter patients who have (or are at risk of developing) osteoporosis. A wide spectrum of diagnostic, management and treatment options will be presented. Topics will include: osteoporosis treatment and fractures, physical therapy and bone health, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and risks, evaluation and treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Registration information, full agenda, and accreditation details can be found here.

New England Rural Health Association's Annual Fall Conference

"New Horizons in Rural Health Equity"

November 8-9, 2023

Killington Grand Resort Hotel, Killington VT

This conference is an opportunity for rural healthcare professionals, hospital administrators, educators, students and community leaders to learn from experts in rural topics, and to network with each other. Designed to involve all sectors that impact the health of people in rural New England, this multidisciplinary event gives attendees the opportunity to delve into specific areas of interest or participate in sessions spanning a variety of topic areas.

Register today for NERHA's Fall 2023 Conference and learn more here.

CPT & RBRVS 2024 Annual Symposium

November 15-17, 2023

CPT & RBRVS 2024 Annual Symposium is the world's only medical coding conference where attendees learn about the upcoming changes to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set and payment policies directly from members of the AMA-convened CPT Editorial Panel, AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC), and CPT and RUC Advisors.

Join virtually to get the first look at the 2024 CPT code set with guidance from the experts, earn continuing education credits, and join over a thousand of your peers for premier coding education at the CPT & RBRVS Symposium!

Register with early bird discounted rates through September 30th here.

For more information about offerings from UVM CMIE, visit here.

Vermont Medical Society

134 Main Street

Montpelier, VT 05602

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