Top Stories

Bi-Partisan Legislation on Prior Authorization Introduced

Legislation aimed at improving medication prior authorization processes was introduced Feb. 19 by Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina) and Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) at an MMA-organized press conference at the State Office Building in St. Paul. Read more here.

Interstate Licensure Passes Another Senate Committee

Legislation (SF 253) that supports the creation of a new system to expedite the process for physicians who want to be licensed in multiple states passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Feb. 16. MMA member Jon Thomas, MD, and MMA staffer Teresa Knoedler, JD, appeared before the committee with the author to support the bill. It now moves on to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Conference to Examine Physician-Patient Relationship

The relationship between physicians and patients will be examined in-depth at an all-day conference hosted by the MMA's Policy Council on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington - Minneapolis South. Read more here.

APRN Law Causing Confusion in Home Care

The new law regarding advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is causing confusion about who can sign home health care orders. The Minnesota HomeCare Association, a trade association representing home health providers in Minnesota, reports an increase in questions over whether APRNs can sign home health care orders or if, as in the past, a physician must sign the orders. Read more here.

Luncheon Speaker Added to Day at the Capitol

Sen. Melisa Franzen will be the noontime speaker at this year's Day at the Capitol event on March 11 from noon to 6 p.m. Franzen is chief author of legislation aimed at improving the current medication prior authorization processes. Because of renovations taking place at the Capitol, this year's event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Paul Downtown, 411 Minnesota Street. For more information and to register, visit the Day at the Capitol webpage.

Registration Opens for ICSI's Annual Colloquium

Registration is now open for the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement's annual Colloquium on Health Care Transformation, May 4-6 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Keynote speakers include Kevin Kling, Minnesota's renowned storyteller, and David Katz, MD, director and co-founder of the Yale Prevention Research Center, and a medical consultant for ABC News. National and local experts will deliver more than 25 presentations relating to the theme "Better Health, Better Care, Better Costs: Are We There Yet?" on building leadership skills for clinicians. ICSI also will host a half-day pre-Colloquium workshop on May 4. Discounted prices to attend the Colloquium are available to qualified "emerging leaders."

Member Joins Stratis Health's Board of Directors

MMA Member Mike Wilcox, MD, is one of three new members of Stratis Health's board of directors. Wilcox is a family physician who has spent most of his career practicing in New Prague and Faribault.

Here's "How to be Heard" for MMA Members

A new infographic illustrating how MMA members can get involved with the association is now online. The PDF is interactive so all you need to do is click on a box to get additional information.

Take the Choosing Wisely Pledge, Part 7

During the first quarter of 2015, MMA News Now will highlight one test or procedure that physicians in a particular specialty should consider cutting back on. This week's focus is clinical oncology:

One Choosing Wisely recommendation for clinical oncologists is to not perform PSA testing for prostate cancer screening in men with no symptoms of the disease when they are expected to live less than 10 years. See the other nine recommendations and join your colleagues in taking the pledge to Choose Wisely.

All physicians are asked to take the Choosing Wisely pledge. Click here to see the pledge, who has taken it and then add your name.

New or Returning Members

Welcome 22 More New, Returning Members

We are pleased to welcome 22 new or returning members to the MMA. This week we say hello to physicians from St. Louis Park, Sartell, Rochester, Mankato, Plymouth, Aitkin and Minneapolis. Each week we will recognize new members who are helping the MMA work on important activities such as fixing the prior authorization process for medications. Thank you for your support. See our new and returning members. If you want to renew your membership, or join MMA, call 612-372-3728 or email us.

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