MINNEAPOLIS, November 20, 2008—Two MMA physician representatives (primary care and non-primary care) are needed to serve on the 14-member state Baskets of Care Steering Committee.

The group is expected to hold 10 meetings, with possible additional subcommittee meetings. Service time will run from mid-December (first meeting is set for December 11, 1-4 p.m.) through September 2009, with fairly intense scheduling between January and April.

Under the 2008 health care reform act, the commissioner of health must establish uniform definitions for a minimum of seven baskets of care by July 1, 2009. The baskets of care provision, which is voluntary, is intended to test whether alternatives to current fee-for-service payment methods will yield flexibility and innovation among providers, as well as more transparent and simplified pricing for patients.

Physicians who are interested should send their name along with a description of why they want to serve to Janet Silversmith, MMA director of health policy, at JSilversmith@mnmed.org no later than the close of business Monday, December 1.