April 8, 2025

NEED TO KNOW

Vermont Medical Society 2025 Mid-Session Legislative Bulletin

The Vermont Legislature has passed the mid-way point of the 2025 session and as we move closer towards Spring, they are more focused on bringing bills to completion. With potentially devastating federal funding cuts looming, lawmakers are reigning in legislation with costly concepts and lofty ideals, instead focusing on a commonsense State Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Currently, the Legislature and the Administration are more divided than united on education finance and housing assistance so there are still many unknowns in how the session will come to a conclusion.

The Legislature wants answers on why Vermont's health system costs continue to soar and is focused on advancing several health reform bills aimed at providing the Green Mountain Care Board more authority over hospital finances. A Senate bill aims to create a Statewide Health Care Delivery Plan, establish hospital global budgets, and begin reference-based pricing pinned to Medicare for hospitals. This year's "shield law" aims to further protect clinicians who provide reproductive and gender-affirming care and allow for more access to these services. 

The VMS policy team continues to message the need to prioritize investment in primary care and due to the targeted advocacy from VMS members we have successfully added funding to cover a portion of the loss of OneCare programs in the House-passed FY26 Budget. We are incredibly grateful for the VMS members who have come to the Statehouse, testified and reached out to your lawmakers. We welcome your voice and as always thank you for your incredible commitment and dedication to your patients and the practice of medicine in Vermont. We will continue to advocate for the full primary care gap funding as the Senate begins their work on the FY26 Budget.

VMS is pleased to release this mid-session Legislative Bulletin, which will provide summaries and the status of legislation that VMS has actively tracked this session, grouped into five categories: 

• Health Financing/Health Reform, 
• Practice of Medicine 
• Insurance Regulation 
• Professional Regulation / Scope of Practice 
• Public Health 

Click here for the 2025 VMS Mid-Session Legislative Bulletin

MISC.

Mental Health Data Sharing - Reasons and Regulations
VITL and Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer invite you to a webinar
Wednesday, April 16 at noon

Mental health is health, but can mental health data be shared in the same ways as lab tests and radiology reports? The VITL team routinely fields questions about the regulations governing mental health data sharing. In this webinar, VITL is partnering with John Wallace of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer to answer your questions. Clinicians, administrators, health information professionals, and other community members attending this webinar will:

• Receive an overview of the legal issues associated with documenting and disclosing mental health records,
• Learn about the most common misunderstandings that lead to noncompliance with requirements associated with medical records, and
• Understand an individual’s rights to an interoperable medical record, and how the information blocking rule expands upon providers' responsibilities associated with sharing patient information.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory framework that supports whole-person care through the exchange of health information and the importance of facilitating informed decision-making.
 
If you are interested in this topic, but cannot attend at this time, consider registering anyway to automatically receive a recording of the session.
 

Register Today!

Reminder: Health Care Providers for Blue Plan Patients Eligible for Share of $2.8 Billion Settlement

As shared in the Rounds this winter, a landmark $2.8 billion settlement was reached in December with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (“BCBSA”) and participating Individual Blue Plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (“Settling Defendants”). The settlement resolves claims brought by healthcare providers alleging anti-competitive practices, including agreements to divide geographic service areas and price-fixing for healthcare services. The Settling Defendants deny these allegations but have agreed to the settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.

Who Is Included in the Settlement Class?

The Settlement Class includes healthcare providers across the United States who, between July 24, 2008, and October 4, 2024, provided services, equipment, or supplies to patients insured by, or beneficiaries of, any plan administered by a Settling Individual Blue Plan. Certain providers are excluded; details on exclusions are available at the website below.

Settlement Highlights

• $2.8 Billion Settlement Fund: A fund will be established, with $100 million allocated for notice and administration costs.
• Business Practice Reforms: The settlement includes commitments to changes that will:
• • Increase competition in the healthcare marketplace.
  • Transform the BlueCard program.
  • Improve provider interactions with Settling Individual Blue Plans.

Important Deadlines for Eligible Providers

• Claim Submission Deadline: Submit a claim form online or by mail no later than July 29, 2025.
• Fairness Hearing: The Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement at a hearing on July 29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The hearing will also address attorneys’ fees (up to 25% of the Settlement Fund) and expense reimbursements of approximately $100 million.

Where to Get More Information

For further details about the Settlement, deadlines, and eligibility, visit the settlement website: www.BCBSprovidersettlement.com and law firm updates at https://whatleykallas.com/bcbs-settlement/

Mildred Reardon Medical Student Scholarship Open for Applications

Do you dream of becoming a Vermont doctor? 

The Vermont Medical Society’s Education and Research Foundation (VMSERF) is now accepting applications for the Mildred Reardon scholarship, which awards $10,000 to a University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine third year student committed to practicing medicine in Vermont.

The scholarship is made to a student interested in any specialty, with a preference for specialties in high need in Vermont.  The scholarship is tuition-linked and is paid directly to the College of Medicine towards tuition. Applications are due April 25, 2025.  Click here for more information and details on applying for the scholarship.

EVENTS

8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Lake Morey Resort
82 Clubhouse Road
Fairlee, VT

Register Here

The New England MGMA 2025 Annual Conference

April 24-25, 2025

Join the New England MGMA 2025 Annual Conference Tools for Today, Vision for Tomorrow: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Po, an essential event for medical society professionals seeking to gain valuable insights, network with industry leaders, and stay ahead in the evolving healthcare landscape. This conference is hosted by Massachusetts/Rhode Island MGMA, New Hampshire/Vermont MGMA, and Maine MGMA.

The conference is offering an exciting mix of speakers and topics! Explore innovative approaches and practical tools designed to enhance patient care, streamline operations and drive business growth. Take part in interactive sessions and build your network with professionals dedicated to integrating innovation with healthcare priorities, ensuring a healthier future for all.

View the full schedule and register for the conference here.

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

Vermont Medical Society

134 Main Street

Montpelier, VT 05602

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