News

Monday Rx: H.R. 1667 Has Passed, 2022 Medicare Updates, Legislative Advocacy Day and Upcoming Events

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History Made

As shared in previous communications, LACMA has a unique partnership with the Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation, which has raised awareness for medical providers facing mental health challenges. Last week, President Joe Biden signed the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, (HR 1667) which aims to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.

Health care professionals have long experienced high levels of stress and burnout, and COVID-19 has only exacerbated the problem. While helping their patients fight for their lives, many health care professionals are coping with their own trauma of losing patients and colleagues and fear for their own health and safety. This bill helps promote mental and behavioral health among those working on the frontlines of the pandemic. It also supports suicide and burnout prevention training in health professional training programs and increases awareness and education about suicide and mental health concerns among health care professionals.

Click here for the full statement from the White House.

In 2021, LACMA unveiled the MD/DO Lifeline and one of the key components, in addition to the well-being assessment, free retreats, resources and staff support, is the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation three priorities which we can share with your organization any time.

Those priorities are:

  • Advising the health care industry to implement well-being initiatives.
  • Building awareness of these issues to reduce the stigma; and
  • Funding research and programs that will reduce health care professional burnout and improve provider well-being.

This past weekend, the LACMA Board of Directors Executive Committee convened at its annual planning retreat to discuss medical provider well-being. Our first guest was Corey Feist, CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation. Corey shared the exciting news relative to the legislation as well as funding and collaboration opportunities. We will continue to partner with LBHF to provide the tools, resources, and funding for local organizations so we can together, once and for all, fundamentally change the way we look at medical provider mental health, especially as we enter a new phase of the pandemic: Recovery.

I’ve heard from several members who feel that funding and mental health support isn’t enough and that we should focus on pre-authorizations and reimbursement help. I can assure you those conversations are going on. Yet, one area that the LBHF and LACMA are both addressing is the impact credentialing and licensing process may be having in stigmatizing mental health. LACMA president Dr. Jeffery Lee is committed to discussing with local hospitals, medical groups, and community health providers how to revise current language embedded in outdated and archaic credentialling and thus avoid stigmatizing mental health.

Register for Legislative Advocacy Day

Plan to join your physician, medical student and resident colleagues in educating legislative leaders about the top issues affecting the practice of medicine! The California Medical Association (CMA) is hosting this member-only event at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to discuss health care with their State Senators and Assemblymembers. These meetings are scheduled and coordinated by the county medical societies.

Grants are available for medical students to cover airfare and hotel expenses.

Register here.

Invite Your Practice Manager!

2022 Medicare Updates and Kick-Off Networking Event

The Southern California region of the California Medical Group Management Association (CAMGMA) and CAP celebrate the return of in-person events with a unique opportunity for your Practice Manager to network while learning about the most significant changes outlined in the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. Attendees will walk away with the resources to decrease denials and maximize reimbursement, and the session will be followed by a networking opportunity with hosted refreshments. Space is limited, so RSVP today!

 

Register Here

 

Southern California MGMA Program and Networking Event

Thursday, April 7th

Matador Cantina, 111 N Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832

 

Event Agenda

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Medicare Changes: 2022 and Beyond

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Networking

 

Free to MGMA Members, $25 for Non-MGMA Members

Non-Member Special Offer: $25 event registration fee will be credited toward your SoCal MGMA membership, if you join by May 1st

This program will cover:

  • Extending Telehealth Services
  • Evaluation and Management (E/M) Updates.
  • Quality Payment Program (MACRA) Year 6
  • Identifying potential compliance pitfalls (MAC)
  • Other Medicare Part B Policy Revisions

About the Presenter

Cheryl Bradley is an Associate Director in CMA’s Center for Economic Services. She has over 25 years’ experience in the Medicare Program and has held a variety of responsibilities including Education and Training Specialist, Medical Review Analyst, and has worked with providers in virtually all specialties across all the CA Medicare contractors. Cheryl is a known educator speaking at conferences, state associations, and for numerous organizations. She provides problem solving assistance to CMA member physicians on a number of Medicare issues. She is great at using humor to help providers navigate this difficult healthcare program

LACMA Town Hall on Expanding Coverage Continues April 11th

Join us for a deep dive into the healthcare changes in California as UC Berkley Professor, Dr. Stephen Shortall, Ph.D., MBA, MPH, talks about “The Future is Now: The Successful Medical Enterprise in Challenging Times”. Key areas to discuss include:

  1. Understanding the challenge and the opportunity.
  2. Listing the essential elements of integrated delivery models; including team-based care.
  3. Describing the role of value-based payment models in incenting continuous improvement in care.
  4. Highlighting the evidence to date.
  5. Defining and incorporating health equity under the capitation, integrated model.

Date: April 11, 2022

Time: 6:00pm 

Register here.

Join Us at the Young Physicians Mixer

Our live in-person event takes place on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 8 pm at Lucky Strike LA Live. LACMA is taking serious measures to ensure the safety and health of all of our guests. We ask that those in attendance provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to the event. Please note that this event is open to members and invited guests only. Each individual (including guests) must register separately.

Date: April 29, 2022

Time: 8:00pm 

Register here.

Webinar: Legislative Advocacy Day Training

Learn how to be an effective advocate. 

In preparation for the California Medical Association (CMA) Legislative Advocacy Day, CMA's Center for Government Relations will host a special webinar on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

This webinar will review CMA's list of legislative issues and bills to be lobbied, effective advocacy tips, and other relevant program information. 

Date: March 29, 2022

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00pm 

Register here.

#MondayMotivation

"Teamwork might make the dream work, but teammates make the team work."

Gustavo Friederichsen

Chief Executive Officer

Los Angeles County Medical Association

“If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”

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