Top Stories
Prior Auth on Life-Support; Needs Your Help
Eighteen days remain in the 2016 legislative session and the MMA's push for medication prior authorization remains in play. Read more here.
MMA Comments on Cosmetologist Board Rules
The MMA submitted comments on April 27 to the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners (BCE) following the release of the BCE's drafted rules that will affect cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians and salon licensure. Read more here.
Provider Tax Scare Gone For Now
The threat of re-instatement of the 2 percent provider (sick) tax appears to be gone this session. It has not been, nor is expected to be, included in any omnibus bills. Read more here. 
National Expert to Address Payment Reform - Registration Open
Registration is now open for the MMA's payment reform discussion featuring Harold Miller on June 1 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the University of Minnesota's Continuing Education and Conference Center in St. Paul. Miller, president and CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, works at the local, state and national levels on initiatives to improve the quality of health care services and change the structure of health care payment in order to support improved value. He is also an adjunct professor of public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University.  
Additional MACRA Information Now Available
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service released its proposed rule last week to implement the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Although the new MACRA payment models take effect in 2019, physicians will need to comply with the new reporting requirements effective January 2017, which is the performance year upon which 2019 payments will be based. Final details for January 2017 reporting, however, will not be known until the final rule is published, likely in October. Read more here. 
MMA Offers Opioid Education with 14 Webinars
Whether prescription opioids played a role in Prince's death remains to be determined, but the fact is the nation is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. In an effort to educate medical students, residents and practicing doctors on these medications, the MMA teamed up with the Steve Rummler Hope Foundation (SRHF) and the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2014 to create a series of helpful lectures. Fourteen are now available for CME on the MMA website, with underwriting by the SRHF.
Survey Asks: What's the State of the Medical Profession
Physicians are asked to share their thoughts on the state of the medical profession as part of the Physicians Foundation's fourth survey of physicians in the United States. The survey, which takes about 12 minutes to complete, will allow you to share your opinions on health reform, electronic medical records, reimbursement, ICD-10 and many other key topics. The survey will remain open until June 15. For more information, click here.
Innovative Health Care Idea? Win Cash
Have a solution for improving the health of the nation? Physicians, residents and medical students are asked to take the AMA Healthier Nation Innovation Challenge. Three finalists will receive a total of $50,000 and access to help turning their ideas into reality. Submission deadline: May 16, 10:59 p.m. (central time).
RSVP Now for Social Events in Twin Cities and Rochester
The MMA will hold free networking events for physicians and physicians-in-training in Minneapolis and Rochester this spring. The metro event will take place May 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Surly Brewery, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE in Minneapolis. The Rochester event will take place June 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cambria Gallery, 400 S. Broadway in Rochester. The events are a celebration of medicine, a thank you to members, and a welcome to new and prospective members. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served. 
Minnesota Medicine
May-June 2016 Can Brooks Jackson, MD, help the University of Minnesota Medical School become one of the nation's top institutions? A look at the dean's progress so far.
 
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