August 1, 2023

NEED TO KNOW

Recording Available from Meet and Greet with Vermont’s New Medicaid Director

On July 27th, VMS Members were invited to a Zoom meeting with the Vermont Agency of Human Services new State Medicaid Director, Monica Ogelby.

Each state has a Medicaid Director to oversee Medicaid and CHIP programs. This position oversees not only the Medicaid health care program administered by the Department of Vermont Health Access but elements of Medicaid that are administered by other Departments such as Aging and Disabilities and Corrections.

This call gave VMS members an opportunity to hear updates on AHS projects and to ask questions regarding Vermont’s Medicaid programs. 

You can view the recording here.

Commissioner of Health Public Health Update on Thursday, August 3rd

The next Public Health Update call with Commissioner of Health Mark Levine, MD will be Thursday, August 3rd 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.

Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program Available for Flood Damage

The Department of Economic Development has created the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). This $20 million grant program is for businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damage from flooding dating back to July 7, 2023. Applicants must intend on restoring, reopening, and bringing their employees back to work as soon as possible and will utilize these grant funds for that purpose.  

Incomplete applications will be returned to applicants for revision and will take more time to process. Applications will be approved on a rolling basis until all funds are expended.  The application portal is expected to open on Thursday, August 3. 

An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, 8/2 at 10:00 a.m.

You can find out more information about the program HERE.  For more information about small business recovery, see https://accd.vermont.gov/flood

2024 Medicare Payment Schedule Proposed Rule Summary

On July 13, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (MFS) proposed rule including key proposals that impact Medicare physician payment and the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Key proposals include a predicted 3.36 percent reduction in the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, implementation of the Evaluation and Management (E/M) add-on code with a modified utilization assumption, a delay in implementing updated Medicare Economic Index (MEI) weights, an increased performance threshold in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), and a delay in mandatory eCQM adoption for MSSP participants.

Additional resources from the AMA include:

1. A detailed summary of the MFS (PDF) which discusses these crucial provisions in depth as well as many other provisions in the proposal and will provide further understanding of the potential impacts of these changes.
2. A specialty impact analysis (PDF) developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) illustrating the combined effect of the budget neutrality proposals in the rule and the reduction to the conversion factor under current law.

AMA staff will continue analyzing the rule and develop comments during the 60-day comment period to address potential impacts and advocate for improvements.

MISC.

Seeking a Medicare Beneficiary for the OneCare Board of Managers

OneCare Vermont is seeking a Medicare consumer representative to serve on the OneCare Board of Managers. Due to the complexity of OneCare’s work in healthcare reform, this might be an ideal opportunity for a physician/NP/PA or other healthcare professional that has retired but is looking to be involved in the future of health reform.  The OneCare Board of Managers has ultimate authority and responsibility for the oversight and strategic direction of the ACO. The individual should be consistently available for board meetings occurring from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month on Zoom and have the ability to periodically meet in person.  A $150 stipend is available for all meetings attended. OneCare is committed to representing the diversity of consumers served by the ACO.  We are asking that anyone interested submit a resume or bio and a letter of interest to public@onecarevt.org by September 1. Their materials will be reviewed by a nominating committee of the board and a recommendation will be forwarded to the full board for a vote later in September.

To learn more about OneCare’s current work, visit www.onecarevt.org

Vermont Vaccine Program Update July/August 2023

The July/August Edition of the Vermont Vaccine Program (VVP) Update is now available here.  This edition covers topics including new ACIP recommendations regarding RSV for older adults, influenza vaccine for the 2023-2024 season, and updates to COVID-19 vaccines for this fall.  All past editions of the are on the Immunization Program Website. Please subscribe to receive messages directly. 

Free State Park Passes for Your Patients

In our 10th Year for this program, the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation proudly offer free day use State Park Passes for your patients.

The prescriptions are distributed to physician offices. The purpose is to give physicians and their colleagues a meaningful way to discuss with their patients the importance of outdoor exercise and the obvious connection between exercise and good health. This year we hope to reach as many diverse groups as we can. 

If you have questions or if you are interested in participating this year, please let us know at dbutsch@gmail.com. Please let us know how many prescription pads of 50 each you think you will be able to use when you reach out and if you are interested in posters that we may be able to send you.

The prescriptions are numbered and we hope to be able to tell which of your prescriptions were turned in at a State Park if you ask in the fall.

Mildred Reardon Medical Student Scholarship Open for Applications

Do you dream of becoming a Vermont doctor? See below to apply for a $10,000 scholarship by August 25th for a rising 3rd year student committed to practicing medicine in Vermont.

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. This year the award will be made at the VMS Annual Meeting, being held at Topnotch in Stowe and virtually on November 3, 2023. 

Click here for more information and details on applying for the scholarship.

EVENTS

Save the Date: Vermont ACP Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting

September 29, 2023 at Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT

The Vermont ACP Chapter's Annual Scientific Meeting will occur on Friday, September 29, 2023. We are planning for an in person meeting. We will again host a poster competition for resident and student members.

Update your medical knowledge, engage with colleagues, and receive 5 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits and 5 MOC points.

Meeting details, agenda and registration information will be forthcoming.

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.

For more information, go to the website here.

Save the Date: 210th Annual and Collaborative Meeting Taking Place from November 3-4, 2023

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.

Stay up to date on details here and nominate Vermont leaders who have provided outstanding contributions to the medical profession, to health organizations and to the welfare of the public for a VMS Leadership Award 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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