On 4/2/2018, CMS started mailing new Medicare cards with the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to all people with Medicare and will continue to mail

On 4/2/2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started mailing new Medicare cards with the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to all people with Medicare and will continue to mail new Medicare cards in phases by geographic location. This means that some of your patients may have already received their new Medicare card containing the MBI.

If you are currently registered with NGSConnex, our free, secure internet portal you will be able to login and use the MBI Lookup Tool to obtain your patient's MBI, if CMS has mailed them their new Medicare card. To use this new self-service tool in NGSConnex, you will be required to validate using reCaptcha software and also you will need to enter the following search criteria:

• Patient Last Name
• Patient First Name
• Patient Date of Birth
• Patient Social Security Number
• NPI

We encourage you to watch this three-minute video, to learn more about the MBI Lookup Tool available in NGSConnex.

If you are not already a registered NGSConnex user, we strongly encourage you to register now and take advantage of all the time money and time saving features NGSConnex has to offer.

This is a reminder that health care providers are invited to sign up for one of the Schedule Loss of Use Informational Webinars taking place this Wednesday, May 23.

The Board's Medical Director and Senior Policy Advisor, Elain Sobol Berger, MD, JD will provide training on the 2018 Impairment Guidelines' approach to assessing SLU permanent impairment. Case studies will demonstrate how to apply the SLU principles and objective criteria in making an SLU determination.

There will be two webinars, so you can register for the time that works best for you. Each webinar will last approximately one hour and will include time for questions and answers. When you click ‘register here’, you will be taken to a general information page. You must click ‘Register’ on the bottom of that page to sign up.

Register

Wednesday, May 23, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Register here

Wednesday, May 23, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Register here

More information

We will be sending an announcement on May 24 when the recorded version of this webinar is available on the Board's website at http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/hcpp/ImpairmentGuidelines/ImpGuideOverview.jsp.

As part of the 2017 executive budget, Workers’ Compensation law §15(3)(x) required the Workers' Compensation Board to implement new Permanency Impairment Guidelines for Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) evaluations. The new 2018 SLU Guidelines took effect January 1, 2018.

For more information on the Schedule Loss of Use Guidelines, please see Subject No. 046-1011. The enabling regulation is set forth at 12 NYCRR 325-1.6, and is also available at the Board's website.

On Wednesday, May 23, the Campaign for New York Health invites the community to a Town Hall to learn about and discuss The New York Health Act, a bill before the state legislature that would provide comprehensive, universal health coverage for every New Yorker, paid for on the basis of income.

Our community forum will include a panel of stakeholders and experts including Assemblyman Harry Bronson, Family medicine physicians Dr. Alicia Bell, Dr. Amy Potter, and Dr. Scott Hartman, and for-profit insurance system survivor Kristi Reisch.

 Join us to discuss next steps toward implementing healthcare reform that ensures quality care for all. Find out what you can do to help now and in the future to establish health care as a human right. 

When: Wednesday, May 23, 6 pm 

Where: First Universalist Church, 150 South Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY

RSVP: https://www.nyhcampaign.org/mikeaschneider/rochester_for_new_york_health_town_hall 

Achieving health equity in NYS requires direct political pressure on our elected representatives. Thus, the Campaign for New York Health will have buses leaving for Albany on Tuesday, 6/5 to rally and lobby for healthcare as a human right at the state capitol. Transportation to Albany, breakfast, and training will be provided. Please RSVP at https://www.nyhcampaign.org/lobbyday2018.

The Medical Society of the State of New York is pleased to announce its free Continuing Medical Education (CME) webinars for May and June.  Participation in the webinars will earn physicians one CME credit free of charge.   The webinar schedule for May and June is as follows: 

May 16^th at 7:30 am – Medical Matters: Physically & Biologically Derived Chemical Agents: An Overview

Register for this webinar here.
Faculty: Arthur Cooper, MD, MS

Educational Objectives:

• Acquire a basic understanding of physically and biologically derived chemical agents
• Identify types of physically and biologically derived chemical agents used as chemical weapons
• Understand the indicators of each type of chemical agent
• Describe the treatment of each type of chemical agent
• Identify local and state resources 

May 24^th at 7:30 am - Current Concepts in Concussion for Pediatric and Adult Patients

Register for this webinar here.
Faculty: Deborah Light, MD & John Pugh, MD, PhD

Educational Objectives:

• Identify signs and symptoms indicative of concussion as well as red flags that indicate alternate or more severe pathology;
• Outline an appropriate management plan for a patient presenting with concussion including a return to “normal life" protocol;
• Describe methods for the primary and secondary prevention of concussion;
• Identify patients who would benefit from referral to a concussion specialist 

June 20^th at 12:30 pm – Medical Matters: Children’s Mental Health After Disaster

Register for this webinar here.
Faculty: Linda Chokroverty, MD

Educational Objectives:

• Enhance physician’s understanding of the impact of disaster on children’s and family mental health
• Improve physician skills to address potential psychiatric problems in children and families following a disaster 

To view all of MSSNY’s scheduled programs, click here and select “Training Center” and “Upcoming”. 

The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The Medical Society of the State of New York designates each of these live activities for a maximum of 1.0 AMA/PRA Category 1 credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Additional information or assistance with registration may be obtained by contacting Melissa Hoffman at mhoffman@mssny.org.

As part of the 2017 executive budget, Workers’ Compensation law §15(3)(x) required the Workers' Compensation Board to implement new Permanency Impairment Guidelines for Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) evaluations. The new 2018 SLU Guidelines took effect January 1, 2018.

The Board's Medical Director and Senior Policy Advisor, Elain Sobol Berger, MD, JD will provide training in the 2018 Guidelines' approach to assessing SLU permanent impairment. Case studies will demonstrate how to apply the SLU principles and objective criteria in making an SLU determination.

There will be four webinars, so you can register for the time that works best for you. Each webinar will last approximately one hour and will include time for questions and answers. Space is limited, so please register early. When you click ‘register here’, you will be taken to a general information page. You must click ‘Register’ on the bottom of that page to sign up.

Register

Wednesday, May 16, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Register here

Wednesday, May 16, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Register here

Wednesday, May 23, 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Register here

Wednesday, May 23, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Register here

More information

For more information on the Schedule Loss of Use Guidelines, please see Subject No. 046-1011. The enabling regulation is set forth at 12 NYCRR 325-1.6, and is also available at the Board's website.

Monroe County Medical Society (MCMS) welcomed its newly elected 2018-2019 officers at the Society’s 197th annual meeting on May 2, 2018.

Surinder Devgun, MD, was elected as the 2018-2019 MCMS President. Dr. Devgun has been a private practice physician at Rochester Gastroenterology Associates since 2005. In addition, he is an attending Gastroenterologist at both Unity Hospital and Rochester General Hospital of Rochester Regional Health. Dr. Devgun volunteers as teaching faculty at Unity Health System's Medicine Residency program and is an author of numerous abstracts and posters with his residents. Dr. Devgun has been a member of Monroe County Medical Society since 2005. 

Members of the Executive Committee are:

• President: Surinder Devgun, MD, a gastroenterologist at Rochester Gastroenterology Associates, LLP;
  
• President-Elect: Lisa Smith, MD, an internist/pediatrician at Ridgewood Med-Peds;
  
• Secretary: Edith Grannum, MD, a family practice physician in solo practice at The Family Medicine Practice of Edith Grannum MD;
  
• Treasurer, Susan Danahy, MD, a board certified diagnostic radiologist at Borg & Ide Imaging;
  
•  Member-at-Large: J. Chad Teeters, MD, Executive Medical Director of Accountable Health Partners and a practicing cardiologist and Chief of Cardiology at Highland Hospital;
  
•  Member-at-Large: Balazs Zsenits, MD, an internist who also serves as Chief Medical Information Officer at Rochester Regional Health; and
  
• Immediate Past President: Peter Ronchetti, MD, a hand surgeon at Hand Surgery Associates, LLP 

2018 - 2019 Board of Censors:

•       Wade Hedegard, MD
•       Shylasree Krishnan, MD
•       Christine Stewart, MD
•       Jerry Svoboda, MD
•       Matthew Witmer, MD
•       Rachael Wojtovich, MD

2018 - 2019 Delegates to the Medical Society of the State of New York

•       Ahmed Ghazi, MD
•       Allison Giordano, MD
•       Tarun Kothari, MD
•       Raymond Lanzafame, MD 

2018 - 2019 Hospital Representatives

•       James Haley, MD, Unity
•       Jennifer Muniak, MD - Highland 
•       Robert M. Kerper, MD, Strong Memorial
•       Derek J. tenHoopen, MD, Rochester General

Monroe County Medical Society has recognized Patricia A. Bomba, MD, MACP and Ann Marie Cook with its 2018 Edward Mott Moore Physician and Layperson Awards. This award recognizes individuals whose dedication to the community goes above and beyond the usual call of duty.

2018 Edward Mott Moore Physician Award
PATRICIA A. BOMBA, MD, MACP
Vice President and Medical Director, Geriatrics, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield 

Dr. Patricia Bomba has been working on end-of-life issues from a population health perspective for well over two decades, earning local, state, national, and international recognition as a passionate advocate for the elderly and their families.

Dr. Bomba credits her drive to her mother. As a young girl, she helped her mom take care of several ill family members with patience, compassion, and humanism. Dr. Bomba uses many of those lessons she learned in her work today in assisting patients in their final stages of life. Inspired by her mother’s conversations about her own final wishes and personal stories from her patients and the community, Dr. Bomba developed the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment form and program, known as MOLST, which honors patient requests as a critical element in providing quality end-of-life care in every health care setting. MOLST became a New York statewide law in 2008 and today, virtually every state has adopted a similar form and program. In 2011 eMOLST was introduced as the electronic version of the paper form and process to ensure a standardized clinical protocol is followed and there are no medical errors in completion. eMOLST is now being implemented across the state. Dr. Bomba’s input on the statewide adoption no doubt benefits countless numbers of patients’ quality of life.

Since taking on her role as Vice President and Medical Director of Geriatrics at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in 2000, she has had a far-reaching impact on the care of patients beyond the Rochester community. Her work in developing best practices in end of life care led to the development of training courses and as well as two websites devoted to education, services and best practices, www.compassionandsupport.org and www.molst.org. 

Dr. Bomba spent 17 years in private practice in the Rochester community and has the reputation as a competent, kind and effective physician. She is one of the first physicians in our community to embrace geriatrics and her standing in the community helped to further the field. 

2018 Edward Mott Moore Layperson Award
ANN MARIE COOK
President and CEO, Lifespan of Greater Rochester 

Ann Marie Cook’s passion for older adults and the issues that envelop them began 22 years ago when she joined Lifespan as a department director. From there she moved into the Chief Operating Officer role, and in 2004 she was appointed President/CEO. 

Known throughout the nonprofit and health care communities for her honesty, integrity and expertise, Ann Marie has spent the last 20 years forging partnerships that lead to service enhancements while always keeping what is best for older adults and caregivers as her primary focus.

Ann Marie Cook has demonstrated decades of sustained and effective service for countless elders, their caregivers, physicians and medical providers across the area and New York State. Her leadership has contributed to Rochester being one of the best places to be a geriatrician or a geriatric patient.

About the Edward Mott Moore Award
Each year the Monroe County Medical Society presents the Edward Mott Moore award to a physician and a layperson whose lives reflect the qualities exemplified by the career and service of Edward Mott Moore, M.D., - a physician, teacher, investigator, professional leader, and contributor to the Rochester community.  Dr. Moore was Surgeon-in-Chief at St. Mary’s Hospital from its opening in 1857 until his death, at the age of 88, in 1908.

Learn more and register at www.warner.rochester.edu/go/unrest

The CMS wants to launch a new model that will allow Medicare enrollees to contract directly with physicians. Advocates warn the approach could undermine access to care for the sickest patients.  READ MORE

If you can’t open the article, that’s OK.  The article is addressed by the following:

 CMS is looking for your comments of the following RFI.  Please review the following links:

https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/direct-provider-contracting/

https://innovation.cms.gov/Files/x/dpc-rfi.pdf