Male physicians more likely than female peers to be sued
[MMA News Now, August 12, 2010] A new report from the American Medical Association (AMA) based on data from the AMA’s 2007-2008 Physician Practice Information (PPI) survey indicates that male physicians are more likely to be sued than their female peers. The study found that 47.5 percent of male physicians had been sued at some point in their career, with 26.3 percent having been sued twice; while only 23.9 percent of female doctors had ever been sued with just 9.4 percent having been sued twice.
MMA opposes proposed worker’s comp change
[MMA News Now, July 15, 2010] The MMA submitted comments to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) regarding proposed amendments to workers’ compensation rules governing medical services and fees, penalties, and certified managed care. Of particular concern is an amendment that would allow certified managed care plans to negotiate health care provider reimbursement rates. The MMA is strongly discouraging the DLI from adopting them.
MMA completes Blue Cross contract review
[MMA News Now, June 24, 2010] The Minnesota Medical Association, in partnership with the Twin Cities Medical Society (TCMS) and the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association (MMGMA), has completed its annual review and summary of the 2010 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS) Aware Provider Service Agreement. As part of that review process, the MMA indentified a concerning provision that we want to bring to your attention.
Enforcement of “Red Flags Rule” delayed to December 2010
[MMA News Now, May 27, 2010] The Federal Trade Commission has, for the fifth time, agreed to delay enforcement of the “Red Flags” Rule through December 31, 2010. During that time, Congress may consider legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the Rule. The Rule became effective on January 1, 2008, with full compliance for all covered entities originally required by November 1, 2008.
Patients want to know about conflicts of interest
[MinnPost, April 28, 2010] The new health care legislation signed by President Obama in March contains a little-known section called the Physician Payments Sunshine provision. It requires drug and medical-device companies to record, starting in 2012, any physician payments that exceed $10 in a searchable public database. That database must be up and running on Sept. 30, 2013.
Minnesota launches POLST effort
MINNEAPOLIS, April 12, 2010 – The MMA has finalized and endorsed the state’s end-of-life medical form known as POLST, Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. This form is more specific than an advance directive and is signed by a patient’s provider, making it a medical order to follow a person’s wishes for their final days.
Board of Medical Practice members named
MINNEAPOLIS, April 8, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty has announced the appointment of Debbie Boe; V. John Ella; Kelli Johnson, and Jon V. Thomas, M.D.; and the reappointment of Gregory B. Snyder, M.D. to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
Reform law calls for docs to notify patients about imaging options
MINNEAPOLIS, April 7, 2010 - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 contains a provision effective immediately that requires some physicians who provide certain imaging services within their offices to give written notice to patients that they may receive the needed imaging services elsewhere.
MMA updates gift and conflict of interest policy
MINNEAPOLIS, January 28, 2010 - The MMA Board of Trustees Saturday updated the MMA's policy stance regarding gifts and conflicts of interest between providers and pharmaceutical, medical device, or medical equipment manufacturers.
MMA releases statewide form for life-sustaining orders
MINNEAPOLIS, January 21, 2010 - The MMA has been instrumental in developing a standardized Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form that can be used for patients diagnosed with serious illnesses throughout Minnesota.