Assignment of Benefits Notice
The regulation implementing the new assignment of benefits law has been promulgated in its final form and took effect September 19. An explanation of the regulation may be found here. The complete regulation may be found here.
Among other things, the regulation finalizes the format of the notice that is required to be provided to patients by physicians seeking assignment of benefits who are classified as non-preferred providers by the patient’s insurance company. A copy of the required notice is located HERE.
CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016
Durable Medical Equipment
The regional CMS contractor for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) has developed a physician educational link on our website, to help educate physicians on Medicare DME coverage requirements, in an attempt at reducing claim denials attributed to lack of physician documentation. The format (checklists) is ideal for a busy clinician. They are planning to continually update and enlarge our educational content.
Flyers
Below are flyers for use in your office. Some are to help your patients with issues and some are to help you and your staff with office related issues. Click on the links to print out the flyers. Check back often for more topics.
Help for Homeless Veterans
We can all do something to end Veteran homelessness. Spread the word to let Veterans know that a single call can connect them with the services they have earned. For more information, please click here.
How to Become a Physician in Maryland
A presentation by Gene M. Ransom, CEO of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society. Please click here to view the presentation.
Know Your Meds
The physicians’ choice for meeting insurance needs because the business of medicine is your business. For more information, please click here.
Letter from U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, on Opioid Epidemic
To view the letter Dr. Murthy sent as a call to action on safe prescribing education, access to treatment for opioid use disorder, and compassionate care without stigma, please click here.
MACRA
On April 27, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a Notice Executive of Proposed Rule making to implement key provisions of the Medicare Access and Summary CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), legislation that repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate formula and replaced it with the “Quality Payment Program." This proposed rule requires physicians to participate in either the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) or the Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs). For more information on this, please click here.
Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS)
MACS provides support to prescribers and their practices in addressing the needs of their patients with substance use disorders and chronic pain management. To learn more about our free services, call 1-855-337-MACS or visit www.marylandMACS.org.
Maryland’s Loan Assistance Repayment Program
Maryland’s Loan Assistance Repayment Program is a collaboration between state and federal entities that offers physicians an opportunity to practice their profession in a community that lacks adequate primary and/or mental health care services, while also paying off their educational loans. If you’re interested in bringing health care to underserved areas and getting your school loans paid off, please click here.
Preparedness Tips for Traumatic Events
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and local health departments are offering the following tips to help persons deal with traumatic events. Click here to view.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Overview of House Bill 437/Senate Bill 537 on Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Please click here to view the whole report.