Monday Rx | October 1, 2018 | October Deadlines and Celebrations October 4, 2018 Tag 1133 MIPS Scores Deadline Looming Normally I don't begin the Monday Message with critical dates to remember. That said, I'm breaking from tradition since October is both important and historic. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance scores and payment adjustment information for the 2019 payment year. Physicians have until October 15, 2018 to request a targeted review if they believe an error was made in the calculation of their performance score. This deadline has been pushed back two weeks to allow additional time for providers to access and review their performance feedback. Targeted reviews can be requested via your EIDM account on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website. MIPS final scores and performance feedback are available on the QPP website. The payment adjustment you will receive in 2019 is based on this final score. A positive, negative or neutral payment adjustment will be applied to the Medicare paid amount for covered professional services furnished under the Medicare physician fee schedule in 2019. Physicians, physician groups and accountable care organizations (and their authorized representatives) can access their performance feedback by logging into qpp.cms.gov with the same EIDM credentials used to submit and view their data during the submission period. CMS has posted the 2017 Performance Feedback User Guide on CMS.gov to help eligible clinicians and groups understand their 2017 MIPS performance feedback. Celebrating New Leadership at the 2018 House of Delegates The House of Delegates convenes annually to debate and act on reports on selected 'Major Issues' addressing the practice of medicine in California. Policies adopted by the House are implemented by the Board of Trustees, which also deals with the many policy issues that arise between annual sessions. The 2018 CMA House of Delegates will take place October 13-14 in Sacramento. The House of Delegates consists of more than 400 delegates elected by members of component medical societies, specialty societies, CMA sections (Organized Medical Staff Section, Young Physicians Section, Ethnic Medical Organization Section, Medical Student Section, the Resident and Fellows Section) and CMA mode of practice forums. Contact us for more information and to get involved! So, why is "HOD" so important? Policy (good and bad) needs to be shared; good policy addressed and bad policy eliminated. That's the power of organized medicine. In addition, regulations that impede a physician's ability to care for his/her patients are discussed and when there is a gross overreach legislatively, we collectively talk about the most prudent solution. So get involved and continue to share what is adversely affecting your passion and purpose and we will help. Each year, the California Medical Association (CMA) honors the extraordinary leadership of individuals and organizations making a difference in the health of Californians. The incoming CMA president, Dr. David Aizuss, will be recognized at the Presidential Gala, which includes a cocktail reception, dinner and exciting entertainment. Dr. Aizuss is a leader in medicine, his specialty (ophthalmology) and nationally. He's also a former LACMA president and inspiration to all. To learn more about Dr. Aizuss, check out this month's Los Angeles Medicine magazine. Join me in celebrating Dr. Aizuss' presidency! Stop Struggling with Payor Issues More often than not, we receive inquiries from members when it comes to disputes with health plans. You should never, ever feel alone if your dealing with any health plan. LACMA and CMA are always here to help. The California Medical Association's (CMA) Center for Economic Services is publishing updated profiles on each of the major payors in California including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, HealthNet, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare/Noridian and Medi-Cal. Each profile includes key information on health plan market penetration; a description of the plan's dispute resolution process; and the name and contact numbers for medical directors, provider relations, and other key contacts. Don't waste your time searching the internet for this information – members can download CMA's Payor Profiles free of charge in the CMA Resource Library. Physician Wellness Update Physician wellness continues to be a priority issue for us at LACMA. In the coming weeks we will establish a physician wellness committee as we embark on a thorough program to support physicians across the region. Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association "If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me." EVENTS AND COMMUNITY REGISTER NOW SAVE THE DATE CME Programs 5TH ANNUAL GAYLE BRINKENHOFF BREAST CANCER SYPOSIUM WHEN: October 23, 2018 WHERE: Argyros Auditorium, City of Hope 1500 E. Duarte Road Duarte, CA 91010 TIME: 8:00 AM -4:00 PM Click here for more information and click here to register This program will bridge the gap of current practice to include recent developments in disease classification, molecular biology, diagnostic algorithms, testing modalities and therapeutic advances. NEOPLASTIC HEMATOPATHOLOGY UPDATE WHEN: November 8 to 10, 2018 WHERE: The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel 21100 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Click here for more information. Join experts for this exclusive interactive conference. This is a unique opportunity for up-close learning and discussion with experts in the treatment of neoplastic hematopathology. HOW THE EXPERTS TREAT HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES WHEN: March 21 to 23, 2019 WHERE: Waldorf Astoria, Las Vegas 3752 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Click here for more information. This two-and-a-half-day symposium has been designed by experts in the field of hematologic malignancies and affords the conference attendee specialized educational tracks for both physicians and nurses, providing an opportunity to learn about the most recent advances in the treatment of bone marrow transplant, multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia. For questions contact: cme@coh.org or 626-218-5622.