UnitedHealthcare and HCSC Accept NBPAS Certification
One week until Conference and Legislative Day
The team discusses their upcoming meeting on April 30th at the Citizen Hotel
CNS Reviews Bills and Votes on Measures of Support or Opposition
Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes Here is a summary of the meeting: Steve C: Set up a May 1 meeting with the governor’s office Health staffer. Start a template letter for staffers to present. Start a template letter to write to the DOJ regarding MOC, to co-author with Bob and Stella. Selim: Contact offices of representatives to request 15-minute meetings on May 1. Sign the organization onto CapitolTrack, with Jeff and Stella covering the monthly charge until Robyn Treasurer takes over. Organize Capitol visits to member offices with Johanna. Jeff K: Contact the CMA chief lobbyist to discuss closer cooperation on health bills on May 1. Contact Rebekah about resurrecting the youth tackle bill. Contact Ramos of Appropriations to discuss the $2M budget and also reach out to the Surgeon General. Find a speaker for an update on neuromuscular disease for the program meeting on Tuesday. Stella: Send a letter invitation to Ravindra Chandrashekh to speak on May 1 about MOC and its negative impact on patient care. Work with Johanna on the May 1 agenda, tentatively including: 8:00 -8:15 AM: "Making the Sausage" with Garrett Jansen 8:15 to 8:30 AM: "Working Together" with a CMA lobbyist 8:30 -9:00 AM: presentations about each BIll Concussion Epilepsy Prior auth and UR 10:00 AM: Questions part of the team visits offices, anyone else can stay for AAN and General neurologist MOC 11:30 AM: Lunch break 1:00 pm - 2:30 PM: Capitol tour 3:00 PM: Break 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM: CNS Reception Request an AAN speaker to discuss the need for general neurologist training emphasis while at Neurology on the Hill. Johanna: Add the need for general neurologist training emphasis to the survey. Add other items to the survey. Prepare meeting minutes with Dorian.
ABMS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a proprietary continuing education product that to date has no high-quality evidence that it improves patient care. The cost and burden associated with MOC remains a significant factor driving physicians out of medicine. Key Takeaways • ABMS's MOC program is criticized for lacking evidence of improving patient care and contributing to physician burnout and exit from practice. • MOC is effectively mandatory due to its integration into national credentialing systems, despite being labeled as voluntary. • Surveys show most physicians view MOC as unnecessary and financially motivated, with little clinical value beyond existing CME requirements. • The MOC program exacerbates physician shortages, impacting patient care access, especially in Healthcare Professional Shortage Areas. Editor's note: 2024 has been a year of innovation in primary care, from advancements in artificial intelligence to the growing role of value-based care. As we close out the calendar year, our "Best of 2024" series highlights Medical Economics' coverage of the past year's health care trends that have paved the way towards better patient care. The largest board certification organization in the United States, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), recently announced a record-breaking number of ABMS-certified physicians in the United States – 988,737 out of 989,323 physicians to be exact – easily cementing its monopoly status for its physician certification enterprise. Amidst their highly profitable business model is a significant, but little known, driver that is exacerbating burnout and hastening the exit of physicians from clinical practice. ABMS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a proprietary continuing education product that to date has no high-quality evidence that it improves patient care. The cost and burden associated with MOC remains a significant factor driving physicians out of medicine. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes Here is a summary of the meeting: The UAPD, celebrating 52 years in business and present in six states, primarily consists of MDs, NPs, mid-levels, and some dentists. George Osborne, hired by Dr. Weinmann over 20 years ago, attended the meeting. Two UAPD-sponsored bills were signed by the governor, but SB636, despite multiple attempts over 20 years, remains vetoed. Private sector doctors can join UAPD for an annual fee of $477. The governor signed AB310, addressing data collection disparities between private and public sector services. LA County doctors, with about 1,200 members, considered a strike last year. UAPD successfully introduced AB2889 to remove punitive sanctions for unlawful strikes. The state is hiring private doctors over civil service ones, leading to a disparity in pay. Current bills include one from Assemblywoman Baines and another from Dr. Joaquin Arrambula, an ER doctor. Dr. Weber, a pediatrician from San Diego, is also involved. The supervision of NPs has been a long-standing issue, with full autonomy at the county level but not at the state level. The UAPD is concerned about scope creep and the increasing roles of mid-levels. Psychiatry needs more doctors, and there is a high turnover due to term limits. The Medical Board, now more political, is seen as disciplining doctors rather than supporting them. Dr. Klingman discussed the need for supervision of NPs. Johanna raised concerns about Medicare privatization and lack of oversight. Dr. Klingman suggested a union for private doctors. Specialists face billing challenges, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield are accused of defrauding Medicare. Hospitals are losing money and closing. The Workers Compensation doctors are exempt from duty of care. The UAPD is considering a lawsuit for discrimination and working with the California Chamber of Commerce. The idea is to involve Public Employees in Workers Compensation cases. Newsom, seen as healthcare-friendly, will be replaced in 2026. The UAPD's agenda includes engaging neurologists in the legislature and addressing issues like drug expenses and transportation for epilepsy patients. Prior authorization for neurology should involve independent neurologists, and there are concerns about the cost and effectiveness of prior authorizations. The UAPD is considering a referendum on concussions.
The September 19, 2024, LEDGE meeting focused on addressing challenges in physician board certification and advocating for increased choice among certification boards. The discussion, led by Paul Matthews, centered on empowering physicians to select from multiple recertification options, emphasizing the need for competition to improve the healthcare system. Summary of LEDGE Meeting Minutes (September 19, 2024) The September 19, 2024, LEDGE meeting focused on addressing challenges in physician board certification and advocating for increased choice among certification boards. The discussion, led by Paul Matthews, centered on empowering physicians to select from multiple recertification options, emphasizing the need for competition to improve the healthcare system. 1. Main Topic: Physician Choice in Certification ◦ Discussion led by Paul Matthews emphasized advocating for physician options among certification boards (AOA, ABPN, NBPS). ◦ The goal is to address the lack of competition in the certification space, arguing that physicians deserve multiple recertification choices. ◦ Highlighted the existing precedent: AAN endorses multiple boards (e.g., UCNS and ABPN for Neurocritical Care). 2. Action Plan and Contributors: ◦ Letter Drafting: A key strategy is to draft a letter co-signed by state neurological societies, spearheaded by Dorian , Stella , and Johanna . ◦ The letter will articulate unified support for board certification options, targeting the AAN and CMA. ◦ Paul Matthews suggested leveraging media outlets like Practical Neurology and Neurology Reviews, with potential support from Allan Rapaport, to publicize efforts. 3. Next Steps: ◦ Initial focus on collaboration with the Massachusetts Neurology Society and California Neurology Society . ◦ October 2024 is a target to engage with the California Medical Association (CMA) to build broader support. ◦ Use CMA’s House of Delegates to push for rule changes, as most delegates are reportedly sympathetic. 4. Challenges: ◦ Steve Holtz pointed out that the CMA's historical focus on surgeons and generalists limits their attention to neurology issues. ◦ Holtz emphasized prioritizing state society endorsements to "build the armory" before approaching broader entities like the AAN. 5. Key Recommendations: ◦ Garner letters of support from additional state neurology societies to create national momentum. ◦ Engage with organizations like the United Council of Neurological Subspecialties (UCNS) , already endorsed by AAN, as potential allies. ◦ Address independent boards such as the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology and Neurodiagnostic Medicine as part of broader coalition-building efforts. 6. Conclusion: ◦ The consensus is that a coordinated, state-led initiative is crucial for influencing national organizations like the AAN. ◦ Paul Matthews stressed the importance of making the letter widely known to generate visibility and pressure that cannot be ignored.
California Senate Bill 636 (SB-636) focuses on workers' compensation and the utilization review (UR) process. Introduced by Senator Cortese, the bill amends Section 4610 of the California Labor Code. Here are some key points: • Medical Professional Licensing: SB-636 requires that medical professionals performing UR for California workers' compensation claims be licensed in California • Fairness and Transparency: The bill aims to enhance fairness, transparency, and accountability within the UR process by ensuring that evaluations of medical necessity and appropriateness of treatments are conducted by qualified professionals • Governor's Veto: The bill was vetoed by Governor Newsom, citing concerns about its implementation Click here to read the Governor's letter regarding Senate Bill 636
Supporting the Epilepsy Transportation Accessibility Act is indeed crucial. This legislation aims to provide free transportation to young adults living with epilepsy, a group that faces social stigma, isolation, and underemployment despite their talents and achievements. By offering accessible transportation, we can empower them to succeed in various aspects of life. Download these resources to understand and send to your local representative: - Epilepsy Transportation Accessibility Act - Read the act definitions. - Position Statement - Learn about why we believe this legislation is imperative. - Support Letter - Download an editable support letter to send to your legislator or assembly member.