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NEED TO KNOW
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Today, July 29th - Last Day for Health Care Providers for Blue Plan Patients to Claim Share of $2.8 Billion Settlement
As shared previously in the Rounds, a landmark $2.8 billion settlement was reached in late 2024 with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and participating Individual Blue Plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont. 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 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 Blue Plan.
Providers and facilities wanting to submit a claim for payment from the Net Settlement Fund must submit a claim form online or by mail no later than today, July 29, 2025.
For further details about the Settlement, deadlines, and eligibility, visit the settlement website: www.BCBSprovidersettlement.com or view law firm updates at https://whatleykallas.com/bcbs-settlement/. |
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National Physician Groups Deeply Concerned by Reported USPSTF Changes
The American Medical Association (AMA) on Sunday expressed “deep concern” directly to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy about news reports that he intends to remove all members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Read the AMA's letter to the administration. The American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association and American Psychiatric Association also released a statement today regarding the pending dismissals. |
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2026 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule and Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule Summary
As described in previous issues of the Rounds, on July 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (PFS) proposed rule and associated fact sheet. The proposed rule, published in the July 16, 2025, issue of the Federal Register, includes several proposals related to Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program (QPP). If finalized, these policies will take effect on January 1, 2026, unless otherwise noted. Interested parties have until September 12, 2025, to provide comments on the proposed rule. The American Medical Association (AMA) has released its full summary of the rule and is in the process of crafting comments. Please reach out to Jessa Barnard at jbarnard@vtmd.org with questions or to discuss impacts on Vermont practices. |
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Registration Open for 2025 Collaborative Meeting The 212th VMS Annual and Collaborative Meeting will be held on November 7th and 8th in-person with the option to join virtually for the Awards Ceremony. The weekend will be filled with educational content, time to spend with colleagues, policy-setting meetings, and the opportunity to honor physicians and other health care leaders across the state. VMS’ Annual Meeting, hosted in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and the Vermont Psychiatric Association, is a celebration of the unwavering commitment Vermont clinicians have to their practice and to the deep connection VMS members have with each other. Topics include: - Battling Misinformation
- AI Uses in Local Practices
- Medical Student and Resident Case Presentations
- Beyond Moral Injury - Reclaiming Agency, Belief, & Joy in Medicine
- Health Reform Panel Presentations with Discussions
Register today! |
MISC.
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Register Now for the Vermont ACP Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting
The Vermont ACP Chapter's Annual Scientific Meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025. This will be an in-person meeting at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT. We will again host a poster competition for resident and student members.
The ACP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American College of Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credits (s).
Successful completion of this CME Activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 5.25 medical knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credit claimed for the activity. It is the CMA activity providers responsibility to submit participant information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Visit the Meeting Hub for registration, agenda, and details of the meeting here. |
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Blueprint for Health Seeks Consumer Representative
The Blueprint for Health Executive Committee has an opening for a “consumer” representative. If there is a patient or patient family caregiver whom you believe might have the availability and interest to serve in this capacity, the requirement is for every other month one-hour virtual meetings with one two hour meeting per year in Waterbury, usually May. To maintain geographic diversity the preferred nominee would live in the southern half of the state. To participate most effectively the nominee will have attended or attend a primary care practice that is a patient-centered medical home participating in Blueprint programs. To review more details about what is discussed at Executive Committee, please click here. For any questions or to introduce a potential nominee please email Dr. John Saroyan, Blueprint’s Executive Director at john.m.saroyan@vermont.gov. |
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New VDH Infographic: Trends in Substances Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths
Anew infographic from the Division of Substance Use Programs at the Vermont Department of Health shows the trend in substances involved in drug overdose deaths. Frequently, more than one substance contributes to a person's death and this infographic includes all the substances that contributed. It is a new visualization of the data that is included in the larger Fatal Overdoses Among Vermonters data brief and clearly shows the change in involvement of fentanyl and cocaine. |
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Larner College of Medicine Literary and Visual Arts Magazine Seeks Submissions
UVM Larner College of Medicine’s literary and visual arts magazine, The Red Wheelbarrow, is looking for submissions in the literary and visual arts! We particularly welcome work in the medical humanities, an interdisciplinary field that aims to make sense of medical practice, education, and human health and disease; non-medical work is also welcomed. The literary arts include prose, poetry, reporting, and personal essays. The visual arts include photography, painting, graphic design, drawing, and 3-D art (e.g., sculpture, ceramics, fiber). For 3-D submissions, please provide a picture of your work. Submissions can be submitted to the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9spta6 The deadline for submissions is August 1st, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Please reach out to redwheelbarrowuvm@gmail.com if you have any questions! |
EVENTS
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CMIE, visit here. |
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