Press Room

AMA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT MEDCHI, THE MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY’S, 2009 ANNUAL MEETING

Additional Information Contact: Gene M. Ransom, III, Chief Executive Officer, MedChi 410-539-0872, ext. 3305

BALTIMORE, August 25, 2009 – J. James Rohack, M.D., President of the American Medical Association (AMA) will address a session of MedChi’s annual meeting and House of Delegates Meeting on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Four Points Sheraton at BWI.

During the House of Delegates session beginning at 2:00 p.m., Dr. Rohack will speak about the AMA’s position on National Healthcare Reform.  Dr. Ron Sroka, MedChi President, stated "We look forward to welcoming the AMA president to Maryland.  It is important that MedChi members understand the AMA's logic and political philosophy behind having to take a constructive and positive position on HR 3200 in order to play a key position in the construction of the final bill".

The meeting’s morning programs will consist of two educational sessions.  The first session, presented by Jama Allers, MedChi’s Practice Consultant, will examine the Recovery Audit Contractors or RACs.  The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) is subcontracting with recovery audit contractors to detect and correct past improper payments to hospitals and physicians spanning a two-year period.  Any physician’s offices that bills fees for service to Medicare will be subject to RAC reviews.  This is a national program that will be starting its review in Maryland beginning in fall of 2009.

The second session will be a panel discussion lead by Frances B. Phillips, RN, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, Maryland DHMH.  The panel members will review what we know about the H1N1 virus, what we have seen in the flu season in the southern hemisphere and the possible implications for the fall flu season in our area.  Further discussion will address the priority populations involved in prevention and treatment and what physicians need to know, what approach the DHMH is taking regarding H1N1 and the coming flu season and what resources are they bringing to bear on this potentially critical healthcare issue.

Later in the afternoon, resolutions from the counties will be discussed on issues ranging from payment reforms to public health. 

The full agenda and business of the House of Delegates can be found on our website, www.medchi.org.

About MedChi

MEDCHI ALLOWED TO FILE AMICUS BRIEF IN THE SEMSKER CASE

Additional information Contact: Gene Ransom, Chief Executive Officer, MedChi: 410-539-0872 x 3305

Adverse Ruling Jeopardizes Access to Health Care for Marylanders

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND August 19, 2009 – The Court of Appeals of Maryland has granted MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, a motion to participate in the Semsker Case. MedChi is filing a brief on behalf of all physicians to keep the cap on non-economic damages in malpractice cases.  The brief is due by Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

In April 2009, Montgomery County Circuit Court ruled that the Maryland cap on non-economic damages did not apply in the majority of malpractice cases.  The Judge's contention was that the "cap" law applied only to cases that were fully arbitrated and then appealed to the Circuit Court and not to those cases where arbitration was skipped and the parties went directly to Circuit Court.  Almost all medical malpractice cases "skip" arbitration, and the law provides that either party can elect to "skip" arbitration.

“The ruling in April by the Circuit Court effectively makes Maryland an ’uncapped’ state.  It will destabilize the malpractice insurance market by increasing malpractice insurance rates in Maryland,” explained Gene Ransom III, MedChi’s Executive Director.  “This will only make the environment tougher for physicians to practice, and many may decide to leave the state and practice somewhere else.  We already have a physician shortage in the state – this will make access to health care even tougher for Marylanders.”

The Amicus Petition is being prepared by Mr. Jay Schwartz, of Schwarz, Metz & Wise, and MedChi General Counsel Stephen Johnson. 

About MedChi

TALBOT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY SELECTS NEW PRESIDENT

Additional Information Contact: Gene M. Ransom, III, Chief Executive Officer, MedChi 410-539-0872, ext. 3305

TALBOT COUNTY, MD, June 1, 2009 - The Talbot County Medical Society is pleased to announce that Adam Weinstein, M.D. was elected the new President at the June 1 meeting held at Mitchum's Steakhouse in Trappe, MD.  Timothy Schneider, M.D. and Paul Dyer, M.D. became the MedChi Delegates.  Dr. Dyer is the Immediate Past President.  Additionally, Brooke Buckley, M.D. was appointed to sit on the board of the MMPAC (The Maryland State Medical Society's Political Action Committee).  Congratulations to all.

Dr. Weinstein is a Nephrologist in Easton, Maryland and serves the five upper counties of Maryland's eastern shore.  He completed medical school, an internal medicine residency and a nephrology fellowship at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine.  Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Anish Hinduja opened The Kidney Health Center of Maryland, PA upon completing their nephrology fellowships in July 2006.  Dr. Weinstein is also active in the Renal Physicians Association and the medical staff of the Shore Health System.

About MedChi

Past MedChi President Now Sits on Important Committee

BALTIMORE, MD June 30, 2009 - The American Medical Association announced that Willarda V. Edwards, MD, MBA was elected to the Council of Constitution and By Laws at their annual House of Delegates meeting held in Chicago the week of June 14th.  The Baltimore Internist, who was past President of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society and President-Elect of the National Medical Association, will serve on the council for 4 years.

“I’m deeply gratified that my peers elected me to such an important position,” said Dr. Edwards.  “The health care delivery system and the practice of medicine will be undergoing dramatic changes in the next few years.  I look forward to providing my thoughts and insights that have been shaped by my practice in Baltimore and my role as MedChi president into the discussions,” she added.

The AMA Council of Constitution and Bylaws was established in 1950.  It serves as a fact-finding and advisory group on matters pertaining to the Constitution and Bylaws; recommends such changes to the Constitution and Bylaws as it deems appropriate for action by the House of Delegates, and serves as an advisory to the Board of Trustees on reviewing the rules, regulations and procedures of the AMA.

Dr. Edwards is past president and chief operating officer of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA).  Last summer, she was elected President-Elect of the National Medical Association and will be installed as president in July 2009 at the annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV.  She continues, since 1984, to provide medical services to the community as the managing partner and internist in a private practice partnership in Baltimore. Dr. Edwards received her medical degree from the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine and holds a Masters in Business Administration from Loyola College of Baltimore.

“Its great to see Maryland physicians in national leadership positions, especially as the health care agenda is being shaped on both a national and state level,” said Gene Ransom III, MedChi Executive Director.  “We will all be well represented by her presence on the Council.”

About MedChi

PHYSICIAN MARCHES TO SEA TO PROTEST DEPLORABLE WORKING CONDITIONS FOR MARYLAND PHYSICIANS

WHAT: A Protest March From Lutherville, MD to Ocean City, MD

Dr.Ted Houk will march in protest from his home in Lutherville to Ocean City in order to prompt the State government to take steps to help keep Maryland physicians from leaving the state.  Dr. Houk will stop at the steps of the Maryland State House to place a pair of shoes as a symbol of the Maryland Physicians who have “walked away” from their practices because of the toxic practice environment in Maryland.

WHO: Ted Houk, MD, Board Certified in Internal Medicine.   He has practiced medicine for 17 years and currently does so in Towson, MD

WHEN: Friday, June 25, 2009, 7:00 am – Sunday, June 28, 2009, 6:00 pm

WHERE: Roads, Trails and Highways from Lutherville through Annapolis and ending in Ocean City.  (See trail route details below).

WHY:  Dr. Houk hopes that the March will prompt Maryland state leaders to take action in improving reimbursement rates and pass more formidable tort reform to protect physicians from frivolous lawsuits.  The Baltimore DMA ranks dead last among 319 municipalities when measured for reimbursement rates to physicians.

Contact:

For additional information and to interview Dr. Houk on his march, contact him at 410 598 1145.

Dr. Ted Houks March Details

Day 1 – 35 miles from Dr.Houk’s Home to State House steps in Annapolis MD

Click here for directions.

Start address: 1712 Kurtz Ave Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 End address: Maryland State House 91 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401 Start at: 1712 Kurtz Ave Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 1. Head south on Kurtz Ave toward North Ave - 108 ft 2. Turn left at North Ave - 262 ft 3. Turn right at Francke Ave - 0.5 mi 4. Turn right at Lincoln Ave - 135 ft 5. Turn left at Clarke Ave - 0.1 mi 6. Turn right at Bellona Ave - 148 ft 7. Slight left to stay on Bellona Ave - 46 ft 8. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto N Charles St/MD-139 - 5.9 mi 9. Slight right to stay on N Charles St/MD-139 Continue to follow N Charles St - 2.8 mi 10. Continue on Washington Pl - 0.2 mi 11. Washington Pl turns slightly right and becomes N Charles St - 1.0 mi 12. Turn right at W Lee St/MD-2 - 331 ft 13. Turn left at S Hanover St/MD-2 - 0.9 mi 14. Slight right to stay on S Hanover St/MD-2 Continue to follow MD-2 - 4.6 mi 15. Slight left at MD-2/Ritchie Hwy - 10.4 mi 16. Continue straight to stay on MD-2/Ritchie Hwy - 1.7 mi 17. Slight left to stay on MD-2/Ritchie Hwy - 2.2 mi 18. Turn right at Arnold Rd - 0.1 mi 19. Continue on Severn Way - 390 ft 20. Slight left at Baltimore and Annapolis Trail - 1.0 mi 21. Turn left at Summers Run - 210 ft 22. Continue on Boulters Way - 0.6 mi 23. Turn right at MD-450/Ritchie Hwy Continue to follow MD-450 - 1.8 mi 24. Turn left at Longshaw Rd - 0.2 mi 25. Turn left at Pythian Rd - 335 ft 26. Turn right to stay on Pythian Rd - 0.1 mi 27. Turn left at Bowyer Rd - 0.2 mi 28. Continue on Decatur Rd - 0.2 mi 29. Turn right at Maryland Ave - 0.3 mi 30. Enter State Circle Destination will be on the right - 46 ft Arrive at: Maryland State House 91 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401

Day 2/Part One – 15.8 Miles to  Chester, MD

Click here for driving directions.

Start address: Maryland State House 91 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401 End address: Chester, MD Start at: Maryland State House 91 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401 1. Head west on State Circle toward Randall Ct - 164 ft 2. Turn right at North St - 318 ft 3. Turn left at College Ave/MD-436/MD-450 - 354 ft 4. Turn right at Bladen St/MD-70 Continue to follow MD-70 - 1.4 mi 5. Merge onto MD-2 N/US-301 N/US-50 E via the ramp to Bay Bridge Continue to follow US-301 N/US-50 E Partial toll road - 14.3 mi Arrive at: Chester, MD

Click here for driving directions.

Start address: Chester, MD End address: Ocean Gateway & Black Dog Alley Easton, MD 21601 Start at: Chester, MD 1. Head east on US-301 N/US-50 E - 7.0 mi 2. Take the US-50 exit toward Ocean City - 0.3 mi 3. Slight right at Ocean Gateway/US-50 - 15.4 mi Arrive at: Ocean Gateway & Black Dog Alley Easton, MD 21601

Day 3 -  37.9 miles to Mardella Springs, MD

Click here for driving directions. 

Start address: Ocean Gateway & Black Dog Alley Easton, MD 21601 End address: Mardela Springs, MD Start at: Ocean Gateway & Black Dog Alley Easton, MD 21601 1. Head south on Ocean Gateway/US-50 toward W Kennedy St Continue to follow US-50 - 37.9 mi Arrive at: Mardela Springs, MD

Day 4 to Ocean City

Click here for directions. 

RECORDS DEADLINE A CONCERN FOR MEDCHI

Additional Information Contact:  Danielle Ulman Business Writer, Daily Record  443-524-8158

JUNE 15, 2009 - Maryland’s medical society is hoping the federal government will delay or eliminate financial penalties levied on doctors’ offices that do not computerize their records by 2015.

The state’s doctors already suffer from some of the lowest insurance reimbursements for their services, and implementing expensive electronic medical record systems could prove too costly for them, said Gene Ransom III, executive director of the medical society, MedChi.

“In Maryland, if we put more pressure on our providers you’ll find fewer physicians offering Medicare and Medicaid to patients,” he said.

The American Medical Association is expected to hear MedChi’s concerns by Wednesday and decide whether to adopt a resolution offered by the organization as part of its legislative agenda, Ransom said Monday from Chicago, where he is attending the association’s meeting.

“We support the idea of health information technology and we appreciate that money is coming from the federal government, it’s just the matter of these penalties that are difficult,” he said.

In February, Congress passed President Barack Obama’s $787 billion federal stimulus package, which included about $19 billion to assist hospitals and physicians to move from paper to electronic medical records.

A hospital or medical practice could receive up to $44,000 per doctor over a five-year period for implementing “meaningful” electronic medical record systems through Medicare and Medicaid payments beginning in 2011, but the government has yet to define which programs will qualify.

Those that do not have computerized systems up and running by 2015 will have Medicare and Medicaid payments docked 1 percent; payments will drop an additional 1 percent each year that systems are not in place.

In May, Maryland became the first state to require private insurance companies to offer incentives to medical practices that adopt electronic medical record systems. Rex Cowdry, executive director of the Maryland Health Care Commission, said moving medical records to an electronic format is “essential” to the coordinated care Maryland wants for its citizens.

“There is a six-year period before any penalties start, so there’s time to reassess whether moving from incentives to penalties is the right move,” he said. “At this point having really substantial incentives available for adoption in 2011 followed by modest penalties in 2015 seems like a good way of getting people to adopt tools that we need.”

Cowdry said he thinks Maryland’s doctors are very concerned about reimbursement levels. He said the state is looking at ways to reform the system to allow for better payment for better patient outcomes, like fewer hospital visits.

“I think doctors are going to do the right thing, particularly now that there are substantial incentives available and really actively take up the best tools to do their job,” he said. “I understand why they don’t want to be penalized, but I think penalties help focus attention.”

Children First Pediatrics, a practice with offices in Rockville and Silver Spring, changed over to electronic medical records in May. Rachel Bakersmith, the administrator, said the practice was only able to make the switch because Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., got a group discount for offices that purchased the system through the hospital.

The entire package, including training, computers, software, licensing and getting connected cost about $200,000, she said.

The office will likely not see any stimulus money because it treats children, and they don’t see many Medicaid or Medicare patients. The practice could eventually see some higher reimbursements from private insurers.

If her office did not choose to move its records to computers, Bakersmith said it would be difficult to swallow the penalty because pediatricians have one of the lowest reimbursements of all the specialties.

TALBOT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY SELECTS NEW PRESIDENT

Additional Information Contact:  Gene M. Ransom, Executive Director, MedChi  410-539-0872 x 3305

TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND, JUNE 1, 2009 – The Talbot County Medical Society is pleased to announce that Adam Weinstein, M.D. became their new President at the June 1 meeting held at Mitchum’s Steakhouse in Trappe, MD. Timothy Schneider, M.D. and Paul Dyer, M.D. became the MedChi Delegates. Dr. Dyer is the Immediate Past President. Additionally, Brooke Buckley, M.D. was appointed to sit on the board of the MMPAC. Congratulations to all.

About MedChi

MEDCHI ASKS FOR ELIMINATION OR A DELAY IN THE PENALTIES ESTABLISHED BY HITECH ACT FOR NON-ADOPTION OF EHR AND E-PRESCRIBING 

Additional information Contact: Gene Ransom, Executive Director Office: 410-539-0872 x 3305

Lack of standards of current EHR and e-prescribing products on the market inadequate to meet Act’s goals.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND June 11, 2009  - MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, announced that it will be forwarding a resolution to the AMA at the House of Delegates meeting next week (June 13 – 17) in Chicago, IL that would ask for the elimination or a delay in the penalties which have been established in the HITECH Act (“Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act’” in the Stimulus Act of 2009) for non-adoption of EHR and e-prescribing within the mandated timelines.  “We all want to adopt technology that will streamline the health care process, improve patient care and save us all money,” said Gene Ransom  III, MedChi’s Executive Director.  “But, the desire to do so is way ahead of the reality of implementation.”

The HITECH Act will attempt to expand the use of health information technology (HIT) by appropriating funds for its implementation.   While medical and physician societies applaud the Act’s efforts to expand HIT (Health Information Technology), many, including MedChi, are calling for prudence in the rush to implement.  The biggest challenge, according to MedChi, is that there are no common standards for platforms or programs.  “The problem is that if physicians were to go out now and try to incorporate HIT into their practices, they would find themselves choosing from literally a hundred options.  In all likelihood, a practice will pick a system that doesn’t interconnect with others,” added Ransom.  “And then where are you?  Several years and tens of thousands of dollars wasted.”

In addition, the problem is further exacerbated for small practices (6 physicians or less).  The average estimated cost to implement an HIT into a small practice is estimated to be between $50,000 - $80,000 a practice.  According to the Act, the maximum incentive allowed for a practice is $44,000.  “Right now we are barely at breakeven, and we are looking down the twin barrels of both lower reimbursement rates and higher malpractice premium rates.  We can’t add another $50,000 - $80,000 cost to our business and survive.” said Dr. Ron Sroka, a family physician practicing in Crofton, MD and President of MedChi.   Nearly 90% of Maryland practices are defined as small practices.

About MedChi

MEDCHI SUPPORTS PHYSICIAN'S APPEAL OF JUDGE'S CONTROVERSIAL MALPRACTICE RULING: Decision Could Raise Insurance Costs for Doctors and Hospitals While Accelerating Maryland’s Growing Physician Shortage

MEDCHI SUPPORTS PHYSICIAN'S APPEAL OF JUDGE'S CONTROVERSIAL MALPRACTICE RULING 

Contact: Gene Ransom, Executive Director       Office: 410-539-0872 x 3305

Decision Could Raise Insurance Costs for Doctors and Hospitals While Accelerating Maryland’s Growing Physician Shortage

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (MAY 26, 2009) - MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, announced today that it strongly supports the appeal of a Silver Spring dermatologist of a Montgomery County judge’s ruling that essentially abolishes Maryland’s longstanding cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. “Winning this appeal is important to everyone who wants to maintain Maryland’s reputation for high quality health care,” said Gene Ransom  III, MedChi’s Executive Director.

The appeal, which was filed on Friday, was in response to an April 20th decision that found that the current non-economic damages cap on medical malpractice cases applies only to cases where plaintiffs and defendants have first gone through Maryland’s voluntary arbitration process.  As very few plaintiffs choose this option, the vast majority of medical liability cases would have no limits on non-economic damages. Currently, Maryland’s cap on non-economic damages in malpractice cases is $665,000 for one claimant and $831,500 for multiple claimants. 

“Maryland has had a cap on non-economic damages for over two decades and just over four years ago in the 2004 Special Session, the Maryland General Assembly very clearly indicated its intention to keep that limit in place,” said Ransom.  “The judge’s overly strict interpretation of statutory language could prove devastating for physicians, hospitals and ultimately for anyone seeking medical treatment in Maryland,” Ransom continued.

States without caps have experienced high claims payouts matched by high medical liability insurance costs due to the out-of-control legal environment.  This leads many doctors to retire early, close their practices, change to less costly specialties, avoid risky procedures or move to more physician-friendly states.

“We were very disappointed with the judge’s decision,” said Jeffrey M. Poole, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland, the state’s largest insurer of Maryland physicians. “This ruling, if allowed to stand, will have a very negative impact on our doctors.”

A comprehensive workforce study released last year by MedChi and the Maryland Hospital Association found a growing shortage of doctors in Maryland, especially in high-risk specialties and rural areas.  “I am concerned that the judge’s ruling could accelerate this trend,” Ransom said, “and continue to lead to reduced access to physicians in many parts of our State.” 

About MedChi

THE MARYLAND SKIN CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM CELEBRATES “MELANOMA MONDAY” AT THE MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER

Contact: Roberta Herbst, Center for a Healthy Maryland, 410-539-0872, ext. 3340  or rherbst@medchi.org

Awards Student Winners of  “SunGuard Your Skin” Poster Contest

BALTIMORE, MD (May 4. 2009) - The Maryland Skin Cancer Prevention Program, the state’s central resource for skin cancer prevention education and awareness, kicked off Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month (May) on “Melanoma Monday” today at the Maryland Science Center.   As part of the celebration, the 16 “SunGuard Your Skin” Poster Contest winners received their awards.

Joining in the Melanoma Monday festivities were Mr. Van R. Reiner, President & CEO of the Maryland Science Center, Norm Lewis, Meteorologist WMAR-TV and Brittany Leitz, Miss Maryland 2006.   The awards were handed out after a reception for the poster contest winners at the Maryland Science Center’s new exhibit, Cells: The Universe Inside Us.

“It is important that everyone, especially teens and young adults, be made aware of the dangers of overexposure to UV radiation,” said Mr. Reiner.  “Our new exhibit has a component that lets visitors check for skin damage due to harmful UV rays.  Most visitors who interact with that part of the exhibit are startled to see the extent of damage their skin has already undergone,” added Mr. Reiner.

The Oriole Bird and Program mascot, SunGuard Man, were there to announce and award the sixteen K-8th grade student winners of the 2009 “SunGuard Your Skin” Poster Contest.  The students received the honor for their ability to present the dangers of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds through their artwork.

A co-sponsor of the event was the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. Other sponsors included the Maryland Science Center and the Baltimore Blast.

For additional information on Melanoma Monday and the Maryland Skin Cancer Prevention Program, contact Roberta Herbst at 410-539-0872, ext. 3340 or rherbst@medchi.org.

About The Maryland Skin Cancer Prevention Program

The Maryland Skin Cancer Prevention Program operates under a contract between the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Cigarette Restitution Program and The Center for a Healthy Maryland, an affiliate of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society.

FOX 45 NEWS COVER STORY FROM TUESDAY JANUARY, 27TH FEATURING DR. SROKA

Maryland may soon face a severe shortage of doctors. Despite having top notch medical schools in the state, many physicians are leaving to practice elsewhere, and some are changing the way they charge for visits.  

MEDCHI SELECTS GENE M. RANSOM III AS ITS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Contact:  Gene M. Ransom, Executive Director, MedChi 410-539-0872, ext. 3305 or Michael Tinati, Kinetics Communications, 917-673-7136 

A long-standing advocate of protecting Maryland’s health care system seeks to reverse the negative trends in Maryland.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, January 26, 2009 - MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, has appointed Gene M. Ransom III as its new executive director. Mr. Ransom joined MedChi 12 years ago as a young lawyer and was quickly assigned to manage MedChi’s Annapolis office. In the fall of 2007, he transferred to MedChi’s Baltimore headquarters to oversee its Membership Department. He will start his new assignment with MedChi on January 26, 2009.

In addition to his responsibilities with MedChi, Mr. Ransom serves on the Queen Anne’s County Commission.

"Gene has been a tremendous asset to MedChi and all those who benefit from the health care system in Maryland. He has touched just about every part of our organization in 12 years and has proven both diligent in coming up with solutions and being a leader in our organization," said Dr. Ron Sroka the president of MedChi. "I look forward to working with one of the most enthusiastic members of our leadership staff. I expect big accomplishments from him in the future," added Dr. Sroka.

Mr. Ransom says he looks forward to leading MedChi by protecting patients’ and physicians’ rights and seeking new opportunities for the state’s medical profession.

"I’m honored to be asked to lead MedChi at this important moment for both its members and all Marylanders who need quality health care," said Mr. Ransom. "My goal is to make this state the best place to both practice and seek health care. For too long, we’ve seen physicians give up their practice out of frustration with the current system and Marylanders lose access to the care they need."

Mr. Ransom is a graduate of The University of Maryland and The University of Baltimore School of Law. He served as an attorney for MedChi since 1996.  Additional information about Mr. Ransom can be found at www.medchi.org.

About MedChi

STATE PHYSICIANS UPSET BY FEE CUTS UNILATERALLY LEVIED BY CAREFIRST

Contact:  Steve Johnson, Acting Executive Director, MedChi 410-539-0872, ext. 317 or Michael Tinati, Kinetics Communications, 917-673-7136 

Action comes in face mounting physician shortage putting State’s residents in increasing peril.

Baltimore, MD (October 28, 2008) Physicians across the state expressed anger over CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s fee reductions that will go in effect at the beginning of 2009.  In a letter distributed in early October, CareFirst indicated that it was cutting fees for a number of codes especially for specialty physicians.  “CareFirst already knows we are one of the lowest reimbursed physician communities in the country,” said Ron Sroka, M.D. current president of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society and a practicing primary care physician in Crofton, MD.  “And in the face of evidence that there is a physician shortage in our state,” said Dr. Sroka, “they go ahead and cut fees even more without consulting us or any physicians that we know of.  It is absolutely irresponsible since they are jeopardizing the health and well-being of millions of our citizens.”

According to the letter and fee schedules that CareFirst sent in October, the insurance giant is slashing fees for many procedures across the board, and offering token increases for some office fees to primary care physicians.  MedChi Interim Executive Director Steve Johnson argues that the action by CareFirst is further evidence of the insurance company’s callus disregard for maintaining an adequate network of physicians. “We’ve got solid evidence that we suffer from a physician shortage in this state and that even more physicians are thinking about leaving Maryland for more physician-friendly communities or opting out of their contracts with the insurance companies.  It makes you stop and wonder, how do they plan on providing the services they advertise, if the pool of physicians keeps shrinking?” added Mr. Johnson.

A study issued by the Maryland Hospital Association and MedChi earlier in the year revealed a shortage of primary care and critical specialty physicians in many parts of the state.  The shortage in roughly 50% of all fields is supposed to increase more dramatically by 2015 if nothing changes to make Maryland more attractive to new physicians.  The study posited that both the high cost of maintaining a practice in Maryland and the low reimbursement rates have created the physician shortage.  Currently, Maryland ranks in the bottom quartile for reimbursement according to a 2005 GAO report.  Baltimore (ranked 319 of 319 metro areas), Hagerstown (ranked 301 of 319 metro areas) and Washington DC (ranked 316 of 319 metro areas) rank towards the bottom in reimbursement rates among the top 319 metro areas in the same study.

The CareFirst fee schedule cuts come during the open enrollment season, too. “We’ve been hearing about premium increases and yet here they are slashing fees, again,” noted Stephen Rockower, MD an orthopedic surgeon in Rockville, MD.  “You have to ask yourself, where are the increased premiums going?  Certainly, they aren’t going to physicians. So, ultimately, Marylanders end up paying more and more for less and less care.”

About MedChi

NEW MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENT VOWS TO UNITE FACTIONS IN ORDER TO SAVE MARYLAND HEALTH CARE 

Contact:  Steve Johnson, Acting Executive Director, MedChi 410-539-0872, ext. 317 or Michael Tinati, Kinetics Communications, 917-673-7136

Dr. Ron Sroka, a Millersville Native, Sees Powerful Coalition as Solution to Healing Maryland Healthcare Delivery System

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, October 1, 2008—The new president of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, declared that he would lead a multi-audience coalition of consumers, the business community and physicians to reverse the erosion to the healthcare system.

Dr. Ron Sroka, a Crofton primary care physician, succeeds Dr. Bruce Smoller of Chevy Chase.  He becomes the 161^st president of the largest physician society in the state.  With over 7,000 members, Dr. Sroka assumes the leadership post as physicians fight for their right to provide quality healthcare to their patients.

“Everyone in Maryland is touched by our care.   And unfortunately, because of the monopolistic practices of insurance companies and avaricious behavior of tort lawyers, they have debilitated the healthcare delivery system so much that Marylanders are feeling the impact of deterioration in the quality of care.   If we don’t watch out, one day, we may find ourselves with no physicians left in the state to care for our citizens.”

 “To reverse this tide, we are going to enlist the support of patients and the business community, because they are affected as physicians are by the insurance companies and tort lawyers assault on the system,” said Dr. Sroka. “Businesses are beginning to realize that their premiums are not going directly to improving the quality of care.  And, they don’t like that.  Patients are frustrated, because they can’t find a physician to help them.  And, they don’t like that.  Physicians no longer can practice as they should, because insurance companies dictate treatment.  And, we won’t stand for that,” adds Dr. Sroka.

Former MedChi president, Dr. Bruce Smoller said, “Ron Sroka’s understanding of the issues and his ability to energize people is unparalleled.  He has been an advocate for physicians and patients from the day he opened his practice 30 years ago.  He will bring together patients and the business community with physicians into a coalition that will finally reverse the deterioration in the healthcare delivery system.”

Dr. Sroka is a life long resident of Maryland.  He grew up in Millersville.   He earned his B.S. Degree from University of Maryland in 1970 and his M.D degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1975. He completed his Residency in Family Medicine at the Franklin Square Hospital and was Chief Resident from 1977 – 1978. 

He has served five years as President of the Anne Arundel County Medical Society and 25 years on its Board of Trustees. He has served on the Board of Trustees of MedChi since 2001 and has served on the Finance Committee since  2005.  He is past chairman of the Primary Care Committee of MedChi. He is one of four physicians selected nationally to appear in a PBS special with C. Everett Koop, M.D. celebrating the 25^th year of family practice as medical specialty that aired in 1997.

Dr. Sroka’s complete biographical sketch may be seen at www.medchi.org

About MedChi

Contact: Nancy Fiedler or Jessica Ronan, MHA, 410-379-6200 or 443-878-7986                                   

Martin Wasserman, MedChi, 410-539-0872, ext. 312

MARYLAND HIT BY PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE
Silent Crisis Imperils Access to Many Medical Specialties

A new comprehensive study of Maryland’s physician workforce shows that the state has a growing shortage of doctors in clinical practice, which could become dire for patients, especially those in need of medical specialists.

“It is a silent crisis that grows in intensity every day,” Maryland Hospital Association President Cal Pierson said. “If this shortage is not addressed promptly, patient care and access to care will suffer.”

The study conducted for the Maryland Hospital Association, and cosponsored by MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, found that overall, Maryland is 16% below the national average for the number of physicians in clinical practice. The most severe problems occur in rural parts of the state and will worsen by 2015, based on the study’s findings.

The widest statewide gaps are in primary care, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, hematology/oncology, thoracic surgery and vascular surgery, psychiatry, and dermatology. The study also finds Maryland has only a borderline supply of orthopedic surgeons.

The situation in Southern Maryland, Western Maryland, and the Eastern Shore is the most alarming. All three regions fall significantly below national levels in currently practicing physicians. Southern Maryland at present has critical shortages in 25 of the 30 physician categories (83.3%); Western Maryland 20 of 30 (66.7%) and the Eastern Shore 18 of 30 (60%).

Hospitals throughout the state report difficulty in finding medical specialists to cover patient needs and support their Emergency Departments. Also, the study indicates there will be future shortages in all pediatric specialties, except Neonatology, and a projected statewide shortage in Diagnostic Radiology.

Unless state leaders take steps to address this situation, Pierson said, patients soon may not be able to find the physicians they need, particularly in regions where there are a dwindling number of medical specialists.

“More patients will have to rely on already crowded Emergency Departments, for even minor ailments,” according to the MHA president. Further, “ERs will need to divert patients to other — often more distant — hospitals in order to assure the patient is seen by the appropriate specialist — at a cost to the patient’s care.”

The study calls for a number of legislative remedies including a) higher physician fees so Maryland is competitive nationally, and b) a state loan forgiveness program that will draw young physicians to regions most in need.

“We must develop incentives to encourage physicians to see Maryland as ‘physician friendly’ and to encourage them to practice in the state’s rural areas and specialty areas with the greatest shortages,” said MedChi Executive Director Martin Wasserman, M.D. “We can’t afford to wait. We must retain our current physicians and residents in training and recruit new physicians to practice in our state.”

Robert Barish, M.D., Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who chaired the Steering Committee that supervised the study, pointed out that one of the reasons for these shortages is an aging physician workforce.

In Maryland, 9.9% of clinical physicians are 65 years or older and 33.4% of them are 55 years or older. (The largest concentration of older physicians occurs near Washington, D.C., in the Montgomery/Prince George’s Counties Capital Region.)

Retirements in specialty surgical categories are particularly alarming. One-quarter (25%) of the surgical workforce is 60 years or older. By 2015, 32% of the current workforce is expected to retire. The current supply of general surgeons statewide now only meets 90% of what is needed; by 2015, the supply of surgeons is expected to shrink even further to 80% of what is needed statewide. Also by 2015, the supply of thoracic surgeons will be only half of what is necessary to meet demand.

“The number of residents trained at Maryland’s hospitals who opt to practice in-state is insufficient to make up for this wave of retirements,” Dr. Barish said. Indeed, residency program directors indicate that the 52% of residents who now go on to practice in Maryland could fall to as low as 25% by 2015. Not nearly enough clinical practitioners will be moving into Maryland to offset these factors, the study concludes.

“We must act now, to educate more physicians, and concurrently to increase the number of funded residency positions,” said Dr. Barish. “It will take until 2022 to have a meaningful impact on increasing the supply of fully-qualified clinical physicians. We can’t afford to wait.”

“Maryland’s physician shortage impacts all of us,” MedChi’s Dr. Wasserman said. “For that reason our elected leaders need to take bold steps to change this situation before the state’s citizens find themselves without the appropriate services of a medical specialist when an emergency arises.”

About the Maryland Physician Workforce Study

Spurred by reports of projected national shortages in physician supply and specific concerns about the professional environment in Maryland, the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) invited MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, to join them in undertaking a comprehensive examination of the physician workforce. A steering committee was formed that included physician, hospital, and state agency representation.

The study specifically looks at the supply of physicians providing direct clinical services to patients in the state. The baseline picture looks at the current supply of clinical physicians along with projections for future supply through 2015, and compares this to projected requirements for physicians involved in direct clinical care in order to identify actual or potential shortages. In addition, the study projects supply at regional levels and by all key physician specialties.

The comprehensive study conducted by Boucher & Associates included a quantitative analysis of physician supply using physicians licensed in Maryland along with interviews with the medical directors of 52 Maryland hospitals, interviews with a sample of residency program directors, an on-line survey of residents and fellows participating in Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in the state, an on-line survey of primary care providers in the state, and a written survey of specialists distributed by MedChi specialty societies.

About the Maryland Hospital Association

MHA is the advocate for Maryland hospitals, health systems, and their patients before legislative and regulatory bodies. Its membership is comprised of community and teaching hospitals, health systems, specialty hospitals, veterans hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

About MedChi

MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, is a non-profit membership association of Maryland physicians. Its membership of over 7,000 represents nearly two-thirds of all practicing physicians in the state. Its mission is to serve as Maryland's foremost advocate and resource for physicians, their patients, and the public health.