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Special Edition: It's Time to Fix PA Now!
On Feb. 19, the MMA along with representatives from nearly a dozen health care advocacy groups and Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina) and Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) introduced legislation (SF 934 and HF 1060) aimed at improving medication prior authorization. MMA members are urged to do the following to help make sure this happens:
- Send an Action Alert to your state senator and representative.
- Have your patients and co-workers write their legislators and tell them how prior authorization makes their lives more difficult. Click here to find a senator and representative based on home addresses.
- Attend MMA's Day at the Capitol on March 11 and talk to your legislators face to face.
- Review some of these prior authorization "horror stories," then share your own, or use the hashtag: #fixPAnow.
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Interstate Compact Legislation Continues to Move Ahead
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 through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 24 on a unanimous voice vote. It now moves on to the Senate Finance Committee.
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More than 1,300 Minnesotans Want Access to Medical Cannabis
More than 1,300 Minnesotans have expressed interest in participating in Minnesota's medical cannabis program, according to results of a Minnesota Department of Health online survey released Feb. 23. Read more here.
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MMA Discusses SGR with Lawmakers in Washington
MMA leaders and staff held a series of meetings in Washington this week to urge Minnesota lawmakers to repeal and replace the flawed Medicare sustainable growth rate payment system. Read more here.
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Workgroup Discusses Opioids in Central Minnesota
The Stearns Benton Medical Society convened a meeting of the Central Minnesota Prescribing Coalition on Feb. 24 to further define the principles for its community prescribing guidelines. Nearly 30 physicians, pharmacists and nurses attended to discuss the program specifics, offer recommendations, and form sub-groups to tackle various issues. The group will reconvene in March to review a final version of the policy.
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Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System Opens Clinic HIT Survey
MN Community Measurement's annual clinic health information technology survey must be completed by March 17. A link to this web-based survey was sent to registered clinics. If your clinic did not receive this communication or if you have questions about the survey, please contact MN Community Measurement at 612-746-4522 or email: surveysupport@mncm.org.
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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.
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Take the Choosing Wisely Pledge, Part 8
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 on ovarian cancer screening:
Ovarian cancer prevalence is low in population studies, and evidence for detection at early stages is only fair. Not screening women who are asymptomatic and at average risk is a Choosing Wisely recommendation for obstetrical and gynecological physicians. See the other four 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.
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Welcome 25 More New, Returning Members
We are pleased to welcome 25 new or returning members to MMA. This week we say hello to physicians from St. Cloud, Glenwood, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Paul, Edina and Maple Grove. Each week, we will recognize several new members who are helping MMA work on important activities such as fixing prior authorization 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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Digital Rounds - The MMA Blog
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A psychiatry resident at the U of M shares his frustration with medication prior authorization. Read about it here.
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George Schoephoerster, MD, was quoted in a Minneapolis Star Tribune article and on KMSP-TV's website about the introduction of medication prior authorization legislation.
Members Michele Thieman, MD, and Andrea Westby, MD, were featured in a Minneapolis Star Tribune article on loan forgiveness for physicians practicing in underserved areas of the state.
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Noteworthy addition
Some physicians find using scribes improves their interactions with patients.
On the go? Get the latest edition of Minnesota Medicine in one place in its Digital Edition.
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