Join Your Fellow Pediatricians for Peds Day at the Capitol:

February 13, 2013

There are no children in the legislature and no pediatricians elected at the state Capitol. Legislators need to hear from you on issues important to you and your patients! Join us for meetings with key legislators to discuss access to quality care, newborn screening, pediatric obesity, immunizations and other important issues. No experience necessary. Join us as your schedule allows, any time between 12:30 and 5 p.m.

Click here to register. Contact cairns@mnaap.org with questions.     

Want to Receive Legislative Updates? 

The 2013-2014 session began yesterday. Stay current on discussions at the Capitol! As a member of MNAAP, you can receive free bi-weekly updates from MNAAP's lobbyist on pediatrics-related legislation being discussed at the Capitol. Email debilzan@mnaap.org to be added to the list.   

Update on Medicaid Fee Increase in Minnesota

Pediatricians have been watching the progress of a long-awaited Medicaid payment increase for preventive health services that will affect primary care pediatricians and some specialists statewide. The rule, which was authorized by the Affordable Care Act, increases Medicaid payments for primary care services in 2013-14 to no less than the applicable Medicare rates, fully paid for by the federal government. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services will have until March 30, 2013 to submit a plan to the federal CMS on how the implementation would occur. Once approved by CMS, the higher payments to pediatricians would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2013 for their charges at or above the Medicare rates.

According to Carol Backstrom, MN DHS Medicaid Director, "We plan on having a state plan submitted and approved by March 31st and retroactively reprocess claims. Additional details are underway, such as the creation/publishing of self-attestation form, loading electronic board certification data onto MMIS, and updating the fee schedule (which will be published)." 

Watch for more details on this issue from MN-AAP in the coming weeks. 

Save the Date: May 31 Hot Topics in Pediatrics Conference

On Friday, May 31 MN-AAP will be hosting educational conferences on motivational interviewing and pediatric obesity followed by MN-AAP's annual meeting. Mark it on your calendar now and plan to join us for all or part of the day! Stay tuned for additional details and registration in the coming weeks.