ASAP e-newsletter: Jan. 17, 2024

CMS needs feedback from Colorado physicians!

Calling all physician members: The Colorado Medical Society needs your feedback via an online survey to help set the future direction of our organization.

You should have received an email with your personalized survey link on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 3:30 p.m. Those who haven't yet completed it will receive a reminder tomorrow, on Thursday, Jan. 18. Any member who has not received a link should contact us so we can send it to you.

Your feedback is priceless and CMS leadership will carefully analyze and act upon this information to improve the work we do on your behalf and in service to your patients. Please take five minutes to complete this very brief online survey.

New year, new opportunity

Join the March cohort of CAFP's Health Equity Champions Program

Join a cohort of peers for a three-month journey to deepen your equity knowledge and skills. In partnership with the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, this opportunity has been opened to all CMS members as well as CAFP members. Receive hand-selected materials delivered to your inbox weekly plus participate in monthly cohort debrief sessions to receive a certificate and 16.5 CME credits. The next cohort begins March 11 and registration is open. The cost for non-CAFP members is $500. Take the next step.

View more information, CME accreditation and register here

Physicians are in your corner, Colorado!

In this new year, we’re calling attention to a new campaign that has been launched to highlight the good things happening in Colorado health care. You may recognize the featured physicians: CMS past president Michael Pramenko, MD, of Grand Junction; member of the Colorado delegation to the AMA Carolynn Francavilla Brown, MD, of Lakewood; and Boulder County Medical Society Board of Directors member Daniel Moon, MD, of Boulder.

Op-ed: Remove barriers to timely care between Colorado doctors, patients

CMS President Omar Mubarak, MD, MBA, wrote an op-ed that was published in Colorado Politics on Dec. 27. In the article, Dr. Mubarak lays out the facts about prior authorization:

Nine out of 10 patients surveyed nationally believe medical decisions should be made between a patient and their provider — not by an insurance carrier.
Unfortunately, however, 94% of physicians report delays in patient care due to prior authorization challenges, and 80% have stated it can even result in patients abandoning treatment.
Even more disturbing, 25% of doctors reported a delay in care due to a prior authorization issue leading to patient hospitalization, 19% reported a life-threatening event, and 9% reported an event leading to disability, permanent damage or death.

Does this resonate with you? Health can't wait, Colorado: As the Colorado Medical Society leads the fight for prior authorization reform in the 2024 legislative session, it is going to take a lot of work. Stay tuned to action alerts and share your stories and those from your patients about when prior authorization has prevented a critical, life-saving procedure or prescription for medication.

PDMP integration funding opportunity, with no cost to providers: Deadline extended to Feb. 1, 2024

Colorado Medical Society would like to make physicians and practices aware of two related opportunities to make it easier to do PDMP checks as Colorado law requires, at no cost to the practice. Find out more about this electronic health record integration through Opisafe. You must contact Opisafe by Feb. 1, 2024 (deadline extended). Read more here.

Empowering Colorado parents: Medication disposal for safer homes

As health care providers, you're not just treating symptoms; you're safeguarding lives. Encourage patients to participate in the Medication Takeback Program for a safer, healthier community. Find your nearest dropbox at TakeMedsSeriously.org/safe-disposal.

More information here, or click the poster to enlarge.

The Pulmonary and Allergy Update highlights insights and recent advances in pulmonary medicine, asthma, allergy and immunology, presented by faculty from the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Network with colleagues and nationally recognized experts, and learn the latest updates on management and treatment options for your patients. Workshops and small-group sessions provide great opportunities to discuss key issues and interesting cases with colleagues and National Jewish Health faculty. More information.

Nomination period open for 2024 CMS leadership election

Have you thought about a leadership role in the Colorado Medical Society? We encourage members of all walks of life, perspectives, backgrounds, practice settings, career stages and geographic locations to consider a leadership position now or in the future. The nomination period for the 2024 election -- during which CMS members elect the president-elect and members of the Colorado delegation to the American Medical Association -- is open through Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. The election takes place in August. Read more here.

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine

View all Partners here

Webinar: Avoiding Financial Pitfalls and Investing for the Future

Jan. 23, 2024, 9 a.m. MT.

Speaker: Panacea President and Co-founder Michael Jerkins, MD, MEd

Find more information and register here.

There is still time to make Medicare changes during 1/1-3/31

Advent Health will not be in Humana’s Medicare Advantage network for 2024. If your patients find themselves in a situation when they need to switch to continue care with a certain physician or facility, they can use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period that runs every year from Jan. 1 to March 31. Read more here from CMS sponsor Mary Jo Heins.

Job board

Telluride Regional Medical Center seeks to hire an experienced Primary Care Physician. Telluride Regional Medical Center (TRMC) is seeking a full-time Family Medicine or Med-Peds Physician to be part of our primary care team serving our community of local residents and visitors and members of our neighboring communities. Read more here or apply at https://jobs.tellmed.org

We have the perfect practice opportunity in Colorado! The Healing Gardens Health Center is a well-established and well-respected primary care and integrative medicine center in beautiful Fort Collins, Colo. This is an opportunity to not only build your dream practice, but also to create and benefit from ownership, all while working with a great team of like-minded providers. We are looking for an experienced board-certified Primary care and integrative/functional medicine provider. We are open to MD, DO, NP or NDs. Read more here or contact jcwhitefields@aol.com.

Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a job board or classified ad with CMS! CMS members receive the first month free. Contact debra_will@cms.org for more information!

Upcoming CMS meetings and events

All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings and events are open to all CMS members and you are welcome to attend! All are held via Zoom unless otherwise noted. Find a full list of events here: cms.org/events. Questions? Contact membership@cms.org.

Council on Legislation (virtual) - Wednesday, Jan. 17, 6-7 p.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org for more information

Council on Legislation (virtual) - Wednesday, Jan. 24, 6-7 p.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org for more information

Council on Legislation (virtual) - Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6-7 p.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org for more information

Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Committee (hybrid) - Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org to register

Registration is required for most meetings; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of virtual meetings may be removed. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Verify your membership here.

Let's connect!