MMA Testifies on Proposed House HHS Bill

On April 11, the MMA testified its support and disappointment regarding different aspects of the House Health and Human Services omnibus finance bill released earlier in the week.

MMA Discusses Asthma Meds and Other Topics with the Blues

Several members from the MMA's executive committee and staff met with leadership from Blue Cross Blue Shield on April 8 to review asthma medications and other topics.  

Time to Prepare for New Medicare Claims Contractor

Effective Sept. 7, 2013, National Government Services will assume administrative responsibility for all Minnesota Medicare Part B (physician) claims as part of its Jurisdiction 6 Medicare Administrative Contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Value Survey Complete - Winners Announced

Thanks to the more than 500 members and 166 nonmembers who told us how they feel about MMA programs, services and direction by completing the recent value/satisfaction survey. We received some good and some not so good comments. We want to hear it all and each comment is being read. Winners of the three $100 gift cards include a resident from Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, a student from the University of Minnesota Medical School and a physician from the Minneapolis Veteran's Health Care System. Results are being tabulated. Watch for a summary in an upcoming edition of MMA News Now.

Twin Cities Residents/Fellows - What's on Your mind?

An MMA listening session specifically for Twin Cities area residents and fellows will be offered April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at CRAVE Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. Listening sessions give physicians the opportunity to provide feedback on MMA activities and share their ideas to help shape the future of MMA and of health care in Minnesota. For more information or to register, click here.

Financial planning for Residents and Fellows

A free, two-hour seminar, "Financial Planning and Debt Strategies for Young Physicians," will be offered on May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MMA offices, 1300 Godward St. N.E., Minneapolis. The seminar will help young physicians understand how to rein in student loan debt and begin a disciplined financial planning program. Spouses/guests are welcome and a light dinner will offered. For more information or to register, click here.

MMA to Display at MAFP Spring Conference

Be sure to stop by the MMA booth at the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Spring Refresher on April 18-19 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. We'll be in Booth 24 of the exhibit hall. And congratulations to the finalists for the 2013 Minnesota Family Physician of the Year. All four finalists are MMA members. The winner will be chosen as part of the conference.

Attention: Creative Physicians! 

Fancy yourself a budding Hemingway or Ansel Adams? Then Minnesota Medicine is looking for you. Enter your essay, poem or short story in the 10th annual Medical Musings writing contest by May 3. Or enter your best photo in the annual photography contest by May 10. Winners will be featured in the July issue of the magazine. For more information and to enter, visit the Minnesota Medicine contest website.

Young Physicians: What Do You Wish You Had Learned?

Minnesota Medicine would like to know what you've experienced as you've made the transition from resident to practicing physician. In what ways did you feel unprepared for practice? What do you wish you had known? What would you tell those who will soon be in your shoes? If you are a physician who has been in practice fewer than five years, please click here to answer a couple of questions and share your insights. One of the editors may be in touch with you to learn more for an article in our June issue.

 

Learn more about MMA's Listening Sessions by tuning into the MMA Podcast with guest Terry Ruane, director of membership, marketing and communications.

 

Pricing problem

Hospitals and clinics struggle to tell patients what things cost.