Monday Rx - February 26, 2018 February 26, 2018 Monday RX 944 With less than six days before our biggest event in support of independent physicians, I hope that our leaders, our members and nonmembers who need help, attend this worthwhile event. March 3rd is more than discounts at the Grand Wailea. As I've been sharing since early 2017, the Saving Private Practice Consortium 2.0 is about providing real-time help for our solo and small physician practices. From accounting and banking to reimbursement and regulatory relief, to malpractice coverage and so much more. It's free and it's for every doctor who could use some expertise. In fact, as Dr. Hector Flores states: "This conference is a nice supplement to usual CME programs in that the event is infrastructure-related. That is, it covers practice transformation, informatics apps, secure telecommunications, EMR and meaningful use resources, financial management and personal financial planning. In 2017, more than 100 physicians attended, and the program received outstanding evaluations, especially because it facilitated free on-the-spot consultations for physicians, many of whom are worried about MACRA, Meaningful Use, and Medi-Cal and all-payer Value-Based Pay-for-Performance (VBP4P)." In other words, LACMA membership is no longer one dimensional. Physicians designed the topics, the program, the panel discussion and breakouts. Let's Get to 200! It's not too late to register! Our goal is to have 200+ attendees and we are close to reaching that with over 150 physicians and practice administrators registered so far! I also wanted to personally thank all preferred partners who will provide solutions, insights and products for attendees. Our sponsors include Comerica Bank,1st Century Bank, Mercer and CAP. I'm also using this opportunity to share the flyer we are distributing this week as part of our final push to reach 200 attendees. Please share with your colleagues. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Deadline The much anticipated, new voluntary episode payment model from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) deadline to participate is March 12, 2018 and many group providers are wrestling with how to respond to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center (CMMI) requirements. The announcement of the new voluntary bundled payment model called Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) means under traditional fee-for-service payment, Medicare pays providers for each individual service they perform. Under this bundled payment model, participants can earn additional payment if all expenditures for a beneficiary's episode of care are under a spending target that factors in quality. Bundled payment—a lump sum payment for a defined episode of care—offers post-acute providers an opportunity to proactively jump on the continuing wave of care delivery reform and demonstrate their ability to deliver cost-effective, high-quality patient care outside of the costly inpatient setting. Both private payers and CMMI are bullish on the bundling concept, viewing it as a narrower and more manageable approach to value-based payment than accountable care organizations (ACOs), which require effective management of an entire patient population. In contrast, bundled payment allows providers to identify a discrete group of patients—such as joint replacements, heart failure or strokes—and develop an evidence-based, standardized care protocol with a set price for care delivery. Providers then take on risk if the actual costs are greater than that price and have the opportunity to share in savings if actual costs are lower than that price. For hospital executives oriented to acute care delivery, adapting to and understanding the nuances within the various non-acute settings and how they can actively participate in accountable care delivery can be a daunting task. Welcoming a New Partner . LACMA is in exciting discussions with Health Dimensions Group, a Minneapolis based leader in assisting healthcare organizations provide a great patient experience (including quality), while reducing cost, and improving the health of patient populations. HDG is transforming the way providers are paid by government and commercial payors alike and in turn, that payment model is changing the way providers deliver care. Soon, HDG will able to assist healthcare leaders who are LACMA members navigate the complexities of value-based payment and care transformation. HDG can assist payors and providers in designing cutting edge alternative payment models. This process involves assessing client's needs and carefully working through the creation of aligned payment and operational incentives designed to achieve and promote beneficial outcomes. As always, let me know if you would like to learn more about the Consortium and Health Dimensions Group. Another partnership to help our members! 2018 LACMA Elections Time to Nominate! Know an aspiring physician leader who would like to take an active role in the formation of healthcare policy and help influence the direction of organized medicine? The Los Angeles County Medical Association is holding its 147th Annual Election this coming June. Active members of LACMA and CMA have the privilege of voting for their preferred candidates. At the end of May, you can expect to receive a voting ballot via email and you will be able to cast your vote online. Please be sure to keep an eye out for your ballot and submit your vote. See the list of open positions here. If you would like to submit a nomination, please email lisa@lacmanet.org. March 1st Membership Drop Date! If you have not already renewed your dues, your membership will be dropped on March 1st, 2018. Renew NOW! The CDU PA Program Presents Healing Circle Hosted by Assemblymember Mike Gipson Thursday, March 1st, 2018 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM The event is a safe space to heal, share and express. This circle welcomes all immigrant families, allies and community members who are seeking to uplift spirits and support our dreamers. Learn More Save the Date Los Angeles County Medical Association's Annual Installation of Officers June 21, 2018 Hotel Casa del Mar 1910 Ocean Way Santa Monica, CA 90405 R.S.V.P lisa@lacmanet.org CME Opportunity City of Hope Presents How the Experts Treat Hematologic Malignancies March 15-17 Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, NV Download Information and Registration Form City of Hope designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits