Maine Medicine Weekly Update - August 6, 2018
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MMA Board Votes Opposition to Question One

While acknowledging the importance of Maine seniors having access to home care services, the MMA Board of Directors at its summer meeting on Friday (8/3) voted to oppose Question one on the Maine ballot this fall.

 

The vote took place at the Board's summer meeting at the Village Inn in Belgrade Lakes at the invitation of President Robert Schlager, M.D. While acknowledging the importance of Maine seniors having access to home care services, the MMA Board of Directors voted to oppose Question one on the Maine ballot this fall. The Board also discussed a potential collaborative effort between the Board and the Medical Professional Health Program to address professional burnout and stress.

The citizen initiated bill would establish a universal home care program "to provide in-home and community support services to individuals and families determined to be eligible...at no cost to those individuals and families."  The program would include (to the extent funds are available) formal care and informal care and ...access to in-home and community support services for eligible persons" regardless of income or assets. The program would be funded by a new 3.8% tax on individuals and families with Maine wage and adjusted gross income above the amount subject to Social Security taxes, which is $128,400 in 2018.

In doing its due diligence on the proposal, MMA staff met with both supporters and opponents of the ballot question and prepared a detailed analysis of the proposal for the Board. Board members were unanimously in favor of seniors having more access to home care but were concerned with the tax targeting only a segment of taxpayers and with the potential impact on recruitment of physicians into the state. There was also concern expressed about the details and structure of the private board that would administer the $300,000,000 raised by the tax annually. Finally, there was concern expressed that this type of proposal provides a piecemeal approach when what is needed is a comprehensive approach to health system reform.
 
The universal home care proposal will be the first question on the November 6 ballot. A vigorous campaign is expected from both proponents and opponents.
 

 
 

Watch for Next Issue of Maine Medicine

As has been previously noted in the Weekly Update, the current issue of Maine Medicine is focused solely on the current status of the opioid/heroin, fentanyl crisis in the state.  It will arrive on your desks by the end of this week.  Please watch for it.

 

As has been previously noted in the Weekly Update, the current issue of Maine Medicine is focused solely on the current status of the opioid/heroin, fentanyl crisis in the state.  It will arrive on your desks by the end of this week.  Please watch for it.

This edition of Maine Medicine contains a summary of a lot of the current initiatives in the state aimed at providing more treatment to those individual struggling with a substance use disorder.  Data is also presented demonstrating the substantial decrease in the prescribing for pain of opioids in the state.  While there is still a lot of work to be done, Maine has seen the greatest decrease of opioid prescribing in the nation when both scripts and dosages are considered. This is particularly notable given that six to eight years ago Maine had the most scripts in the nation for extended-release opioids on a per capita basis.

CMS Rule Changes Advance Price Transparency & EHR

Changes in the IPPS and LTCH PPS  final rule will advance price transparency and electronic health records. On August 2, CMS finalized a rule to empower patients and advance the White House MyHealthEData initiative and the CMS Patients Over Paperwork initiative.

 

[from CMS]

This final rule and others issued earlier this week will help improve access to hospital price information, give patients greater access to their health information and allow clinicians to spend more time with their patients.

The IPPS/LTCH PPS final rule also updates geographic payment adjustments for IPPS hospitals. CMS looks forward to continuing to work on geographic payment disparities, particularly for rural hospitals, to the extent permitted under current law and appreciates responses to our request for public input on this issue. By allowing the imputed wage index floor to expire for all-urban states, CMS has begun the process of making geographic payments more equitable for rural hospitals.

In addition, CMS is updating the LTCH PPS standard federal payment rate by 1.35 percent. Overall, under the changes included in the final rule, CMS projects that LTCH PPS payments will increase by approximately 0.9 percent, or $39 million in FY 2019. In addition, CMS is finalizing the proposal to eliminate the 25 percent threshold policy in a budget neutral manner.

(read the text of the entire press release at https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2018-Press-releases-items/2018-08-02.html )

 

Maine Reinsurance Program Gets 1332 Waiver

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week approved a Section 1332 waiver for Maine to implement a five-year reinsurance program for the individual health insurance market beginning in 2019.

 

[from Maine Hospital Association's Friday Report]

Maine had asked the federal government for permission to re-establish the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association (MGARA), a high-risk pool that helped tamp down insurance premiums before it was made obsolete by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  When the ACA was first enacted, it had provisions for high-risk pools but that portion of the law expired and Congress has not re-enacted them.

MHA submitted testimony in favor of the waiver.  While a regulatory hurdle has been eliminated by the waiver, the program still faces challenges.  Insurers are nervous about the program.  Meetings, which MHA plans to attend, will be held to hammer out the details of the program.  The MGARA board will have to vote to resume the program and, depending on the details of the new program, legislation may be required.

During the 18 months that the MGARA was operational, the average cost of health insurance on the individual market in Maine decreased.  Consumers don’t know that they’ve been assigned to the MGARA pool, which is funded by a $4 per member, per month payment. 

 

MaineGeneral Offers X-waiver Training

MaineGeneral is offering a “half and half” waiver training on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Augusta.

 

Please share the attached flyer with your provider networks. It is free and open to all medical staff. People can register (as well as get on the waitlist for the next training) by emailing Shane Gallagher at Shane.Gallagher@mainegeneral.org .

 

California Insurance Commissioner Opposes CVS-Aetna Merger

Barbara L. McAneny, M.D., President, American Medical Association, issued the following statement in response to the action by California's Insurance Commissioner.
 

 “The American Medical Association commends California Department of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones for taking a strong stand against the proposed merger between CVS Health Corporation and Aetna. We urge other state regulators to review the evidence and take similar action.

"The AMA agrees with Commissioner Jones that allowing this anticompetitive merger to proceed likely would harm consumers. If left unblocked, there is every indication that the merger would raise prices, reduce choice and stifle innovation in five poorly performing markets: Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan, pharmacy benefit management services, health insurance, retail pharmacy, and specialty pharmacy.

“Commissioner Jones extensively cited evidence presented by the AMA and prominent experts in antitrust law, economics and health policy demonstrating that there are no potential benefits of sufficient magnitude and certainty that would outweigh the anticompetitive effects of the proposed merger.”

CMS Releases Proposed 2019 Medicare Payment Rule

See important changes in Medicare physician payment policy and MIPS proposed by CMS.

 

On July 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a 1,500-page proposed regulation pertaining to the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program. CMS also issued Quality Payment Program (QPP) and Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) fact sheets on the proposed rule. An initial AMA summary of the proposal is available on the AMA website.

The proposed policies are open for public comment until Sept. 10. Key Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposals include:

  • A slight increase in the conversion factor from $35.99 to $36.05.
  • Collapsing payment rates for office and outpatient visits, such that new patient office visits (99202–99205) would be blended to a single rate of $135, and established patient office visits (99212–99215) would be blended to a single rate of $93.
  • Add-on payments would be made to office visits for specific specialties ($14) and primary care physicians ($5). 
  • Substantial changes to the documentation guidelines for office and outpatient visits intended to reduce administrative burdens and address "note bloat." For example, documentation for history and an exam will focus on interval history since last visit, and physicians will be allowed to review and verify certain information in the medical record entered by ancillary staff or the patient instead of re-entering the information.
  • A new multiple procedure reduction policy for visits and procedures reported on the same date.
  • Coverage and payment for new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes for remote monitoring and interprofessional consultations.

Highlights of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) proposals include:

  • Retaining the low-volume threshold and adding a third criteria of providing fewer than 200 covered professional services to Part B patients.  
  • Retaining bonus points for complex patients, end-to-end reporting and small practices.
  • Allowing eligible clinicians to opt-in if they meet one or two, but not all, of the low-volume threshold criteria.
  • Eliminating the base and performance categories and reducing the number of measures in the Promoting Interoperability (formerly advancing care information) category.
  • Requiring eligible clinicians to move to 2015 Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT).
  • Providing the option to use facility-based scoring for facility-based clinicians.
  • For the 2019 QPP performance year, the MIPS category weights are: Quality—45 percent; cost—15 percent; Promoting Interoperability—25 percent; Improvement Activities—15 percent.

The AMA Advocacy team will convene discussions with CMS representatives and other physician groups over the next few weeks to inform our formal comments on the proposed rule.

 

Licensing Boards Discuss Nursing Home Exception to Opioid Requirements

A subcommittee of the boards of Medicine, Osteopathy, and Nursing are considering a significant change to rule Chapter 21, governing the prescribing of opioids. It would ease the work of prescribers treating nursing home residents and other in-patient pain patients.

At issue are the significant and, some would say, burdensome rules governing opioid prescribing which require treatment agreements and extensive risk assessment and informed consent procedures. The rule modification, if approved by the three licensing boards, will exempt from all Chapter 21 requirements patients in in-patient facilities and residents of nursing homes, assisted living, and similar facilities if their medications are administered by a licensed, certified, or registered health care professional. The reasoning behind the proposed change is that there is no real risk of patient diversion or misuse of opioids when those drugs are not in the patient’s possession at any time and are administered by a nurse, medical technician, or similar professional.

MMA Board of Directors member Karen Saylor, M.D., was instrumental in bringing the licensing boards’ attention to the problem and in proposing a simple and effective solution.

Prescription Monitoring Program User Survey

Deadline to complete the survey is Friday, August 24, 2018. Survey conducted by Hornby Zeller Associates.

 

As you know, the misuse of prescription drugs in Maine has become a substantial problem in need of immediate attention. Public Law Chapter 488 and subsequent rules address one aspect of the problem through prescribing and dispensing regulations under the auspices of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).

In order to determine the strengths and weaknesses of regulations surround the PDMP, the Department of Health and Human Services' Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) has contracted with Hornby Zeller Associates, Inc., a Public Consulting Group Company (PCG) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Maine's PDMP. As part of the study, PCG is gathering and analyzing data related to utilization of the PDMP across the state.

Your responses will be crucial to recommendations aimed at improving the system. Please use the link below to access and complete the survey. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete and is confidential. Data from the survey will be reported in aggregate only.  In the event you are unable to complete the survey in one session, you can "save" and reopen the survey later. When the survey is complete, please click on the "submit" button.  

Survey Link:  https://surveys.hornbyzeller.com/Maine-PMP.aspx

If there are technical problems with the survey itself, please contact Matt Powers mpowers@pcgus.com or Tim Reed treed@pcgus.com. 

Thank you for your time and commitment to helping DHHS address Maine's opioid problem.

Sincerely,

Megan Hawkes, MPH

Research Supervisor, Hornby Zeller Associates, a Public Consulting Group company

773-9529  mhawkes@pcgus.com 

Time to Volunteer for an MMA Committee

The MMA Committee on Nominations is seeking nominations for the MMA Board of Directors and all MMA Committees. These nominations will be considered at the MMA's 165th Annual Session to be held this year at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor Sept. 7-9, 2018.

 

Vacancies are available to be filled on the 29 member MMA Board and all committees including the Committee on Legislation, the Physician Quality Commitee and the Public Health Committee.  A list of all the MMA Committees can be found on the Association's website at www.mainemed.com. The Committee on Nominations is chaired by Kenneth Christian, M.D. Any MMA member interested in serving should communicate with MMA EVP Gordon Smith, Esq. via e-mail to gsmith@mainemed.com.  

MMA Presentation on Healthcare Issues Considered by 128th Legislature Now Available

During the two sessions of the 128th Legislature, the Maine Medical Association advocacy team monitored well over 300 pieces of legislation involving some aspect of healthcare. With the session now nearly concluded, MMA attorneys are available to present a one hour CME talk on the new laws of which physicians need to be aware.

 

This is a one-hour, in-person presentation that will cover all bills that have become law related to health care over the last two years. Any last minute work the Legislature does this week will be added, so that a complete review will be available.

Medical practices, medical staffs or specialty societies interested in the presentation should contact MMA EVP Gordon Smith, Esq. via e-mail to gsmth@mainemed.com.

Maine Quality Counts Offers Project ECHO Medication Assisted Treatment Course

Through the generous support from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, this program (beginning August 16) seeks to improve the lives of patients and families living with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) by enhancing the capacity and quality of services available to patients in their communities through their primary care practices.  

 

The program will work to establish a primary care culture that understands addiction as a chronic disease and is prepared and capable to address the range of issues, including underlying trauma and mental health conditions that emerge during the process of treatment. Specifically, this program will focus on supporting primary care based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services provided by prescribing providers, behavioral health clinicians and teams. By offering this virtual learning community, the program will support enhanced access to MAT in local communities. By continuing to strengthen the role and functions of integrated behavioral health clinicians in delivering MAT with their primary care providers and teams, the program will improve the experience, quality, and safety of care for patients with this dangerous and often deadly disease through evidence-based treatment. This program is intended to engage primary care prescribers who are already x-waivered or will be x-waivered by September 20th.

Intended Audience: Primary care teams, including x-waivered primary care MAT prescribers, behavioral health clinicians, and other team members from practices located across Maine and New Hampshire, who seek support to develop, implement and sustain MAT care. Rural providers encouraged to apply.

 Learning objectives: 

  • Establish cultural changes to reduce stigma of mental health and SUDs;
  • Explore the importance of screening for mental health concerns with underlying SUDs, defining why behavioral health conditions are important to identify and address;
  • Build competencies to deliver trauma-informed care and integrated behavioral health treatment;
  • Implement medication assisted therapies and models of care for SUD;
  • Bolster skills to appropriately identify and treat SUDs ;
  • Develop models for team-based addiction treatment including developing relationships with experts and supportive entities in the medical neighborhood; and
  • Build individual and organizational resilience to support complex patient care and sustain MAT.

Commitment:

  • Attend Project ECHO orientation on August 16, 2018 from 11:30 to 1:00 PM.
  • Participate in 8 monthly case-based learning sessions, using a virtual meeting platform (Zoom), on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 to 1:00 PM, beginning September 20, 2018.
  • Each 90-minute virtual learning session will include 2 patient case presentations and a brief lecture with Q&A. Participants can receive 1.5 CME credits for each virtual learning session attended.
  • Commit to presenting at least one de-identified patient case presentation from each participating team. Provide any appropriate case follow-up to the network. 
  • Complete a pre- and post-assessment at beginning and end of program.
  • Provide requested data points for baseline, monthly and post-session measurement:
  • Number of patients being treated with MAT by participating provider, and by practice
  • Number of providers in clinic that are x-waivered
  • Complete CME evaluation surveys to help with on-going quality improvement efforts.

Project ECHO: Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidence-based method developed by researchers at the University of New Mexico. The ECHO model™ links teams of interdisciplinary specialists with primary care clinicians. During teleECHO™ sessions, experts mentor and share their expertise across a virtual network via case-based learning, enabling primary care practice teams to treat patients with complex conditions in their own communities.

Northern New England Network: A collaboration of Maine Quality Counts, New Hampshire Citizens Health Initiative at the University of New Hampshire Institute for Health Policy and Practice, the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center, and the Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Area Health Education Centers.

Program Schedule:

Date and Time

Session

August 16, 2018 from 11:30-1:00 PM

Project ECHO Orientation

September 20, 2018 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #1

October 18, 2018 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #2

November 15, 2018 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #3

December 20, 2018 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #4

January 17, 2019 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #5

February 21, 2019 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #6

March 21, 2019 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #7

April 18, 2019 from 11:30-1:00 PM

TeleECHO Session #8

For more information, please contact Lise Tancrede at ltancrede@mainequalitycounts.org.

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings.  Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings.  Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

UPCOMING SPECIALTY SOCIETY MEETINGS

September 8, 2018

The following meetings are taking place in conjunction with MMA’s Annual Meeting at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor, ME:

Maine Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians Meeting – 2:00pm
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

Maine Chapter, American College of Surgeons Meeting
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or maine@mainefacs.org   

Maine Radiological Society Meeting – 2:00pm
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com 

Maine Society of Anesthesiologists Meeting – 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Contact: Lisa Montagna at 207-620-4015 or mesahq@gmail.com

Maine Urological Association Meeting – 1:00pm
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

September 21, 2018

Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians Executive Council Meeting
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Maine Medical Center, Dana Center
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-622-7743 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

September 21, 2018

Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Fall Business Meeting
(Held in conjunction with the 17th Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium)
Harborside Hotel & Marina – Bar Harbor, ME from 10:30am – 11:45am
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

September 21-23, 2018

17th Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium
(Presented by the Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons)
Harborside Hotel & Marina – Bar Harbor, ME
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

October 18-19, 2018

Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians Fall Program
Meeting the Mental and Physical Health Needs of Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Maine
DoubleTree Hotel – South Portland, ME – Thursday – 5:00 p.m., Friday, 7:30-4:30 p.m.
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-622-7743f or dpoulin@mainemed.com

November 15, 2018

Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians Executive Council Meeting
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Maine Medical Center, Dana Center
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-622-7743 or dpoulin@mainemed.com  

December 12, 2018

Maine Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians Meeting
Portland Regency Hotel – Portland, ME – 5:00 pm
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

February 23-24, 2019

Maine Society of Anesthesiologists Winter Meeting – 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sugarloaf Hotel & Conference Center – Carrabassett Valley, ME
Contact: Lisa Montagna at 207-620-4015 or mesahq@gmail.com

May 10, 2019

Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Spring Educational Program & Business Meeting
Harraseeket Inn – Freeport, ME from 11:30am – 5:00pm
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

May 18-19, 2019

Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics 2019 Spring Conference
Point Lookout – Northport, ME
Contact: Dee Kerry at 207-480-4185 or dakerry@aap.net

 

MICIS 3-hour Opioid CME Presentations - registration open for August 21 in Brewer

All licensees of the Board of Licensure in Medicine must take 3 hours of CME on opioid prescribing every two years whether they prescribe opioids or not.

 

Improving Opioid Prescribing and Patient Safety

This 3-hour presentation is an updated version of the broad clinical and legal review of opioid prescribing in Maine first presented by MICIS in 2017.

The Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine has established a new CME rule which is currently effective. All its licensees, whether MDs or Physician Assistants, must take 3 hours of CME on opioid prescribing every two years whether they prescribe opioids or not. No BOLIM licensee is exempt from this requirement.  

MICIS, a program of the Maine Medical Association, is scheduling five 3-hour presentations on opioid prescribing in different regions of the state which are designed to fulfill this requirement.  

Registration open - BREWER: Tuesday, August 21 at Jeff's Catering  Register Here   

For registration information on upcoming dates, check the MMA Weekly Update or www.micismaine.org.

AUBURN: Wednesday, September 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch

AUGUSTA: Tuesday, October 16 at the Augusta Civic Center

Two additional sessions will be held this fall in York and Cumberland Counties.

Topics and Learning Objectives:

How Did We Get Here: (1) review 2016 CDC opioid prescribing guidelines, (2) understand morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), (3) Assess alternative treatments for acute and chronic pain

Transforming Our Practices & Our Communities: (1) review best practices in opioid prescribing practice transformation, including team-based care, (2) understand benefits of buprenorphine prescribing, anticipate prescribing naloxone for all patients and families at risk

    Recent Legal Changes Affecting Opioid Prescribing in Maine: learn about recent changes in (1) Maine statutes related to opioid prescribing and safety and Substance Use Disorder recovery, (2) rules from licensing boards related to opioid prescribing and safety and Substance Use Disorder recovery, (3) rules from Maine DHHS relating to opioid prescribing and safety and Substance Use Disorder recovery

    The Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS) is a program of the Maine Medical Association. 

    This MICIS activity qualifies for a maximum of 3 CME credits of the 3 CME credit requirement for opioid medication education found in P.L. 2015, Chapter 488, and the similar requirement in the recent amendments to Chapter 1 of the Rules of the Board of Licensure in Medicine. 

    The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS). The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    For more information, contact Susan Kring at 480-4190 or skring@mainemed.com. 

    17th Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium - September 21-23, 2018

    Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium taking place September 21-23, 2018 at the Harborside Hotel & Marina in Bar Harbor, Maine presented by the Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

     

    Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Downeast Ophthalmology Symposium taking place September 21-23, 2018 at the Harborside Hotel & Marina in Bar Harbor, Maine presented by the Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. The Symposium will offer 15 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits, 

    The Symposium is open to ophthalmologists across the country, so please feel free to share.

    Click here for more information.  You can also register online easily and securely.

    Hanley Center Offers New PELI Course Beginning in October

    The Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership is delighted to announce that enrollment is now underway for tits inaugural Provider Executive Leadership Institute (PELI) specifically for Advanced Practice Professionals.  

    Enrollment is OPEN

     Advance Practice Professional

    Provider Executive Leadership Institute (PELI)

    Course Begins Fall 2018 in Lewiston, ME

    Enrollment Limited to 20 APPs

    The role of Advanced Practice Professionals in the delivery of healthcare services has never been more important. APPs are a vital and precious resource in every corner of our state and their integral inclusion in care teams requires them to pull upon leadership and management skills often not covered in their training.

    The Hanley Center has heard loud and clear the desire and need for a leadership development course specifically for APPs across Maine.  We have tailored our well-respected physician PELI Foundational Course to suit the leadership development challenges that Advanced Practice Professionals face. Participants will gain knowledge, skills, and tools in the following core competency areas, empowering them to lead and transform our healthcare delivery system.

    ·        Systems awareness

    ·        Strategic focus

    ·        Management/business skills

    ·        Self-awareness

    ·        Interpersonal skills

    ·        Healthcare trends

    ·        Teamwork and collaboration

    The Course consists of six two-evening sessions and four 90-minute intersessions taking place over one year. The two-evening sessions take place on consecutive evenings once every other month, with the intersessions scheduled on the off-months.

    Location

    LePage Room, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

    93 Campus Avenue

    Lewiston, ME 04240

    Our thanks to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston for sharing their space for this important initiative. St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is a fantastic venue enabling easy access for participants coming from Portland and Southern Maine, the Midcoast area, Western Maine, and both the Augusta and Waterville areas.

    Course Calendar

    Sessions 1 – 6, Mondays and Tuesdays: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

    Intersession Learning Seminars (ILS), Wednesdays: 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

    Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm on each night.

    o  Session 1:           October 1-2, 2018

    o  ILS 1:                   November 19, 2018

    o  Session 2:           December 3-4, 2018

    o  ILS 2:                   January 7, 2019

    o  Session 3:           February 11-12, 2019

    o  Session 4:           April 8-9, 2019

    o  ILS 3:                   May 13, 2019

    o  Session 5:           June 10-11, 2019

    o  ILS 4:                   July 15, 2019

    o  Session 6:           September 9-10, 2019

    We anticipate awarding 40 hours of Category One CME for their participation in the full program.

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation through the partnership of Maine Medical Education Trust and Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership.  The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association to provide CME activities for physicians.

    Tuition: $4,500 (plus $300 shared cost of food)

    Enrollment Deadline: August 1, 2018

    To enroll, please visit: https://hanleycenter.wufoo.com/forms/zyw703w1tendio/

    To learn more, please contact Judiann Smith, Executive Director atjudiannsmith@hanleyleadership.org (207-615-6253) or Kathy Vezina, Associate Executive Director at kathrynvezina@hanleyleadership.org (207-553-9854).

    The Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  www.hanleyleadership.org

     

    Northern New England Society of Addiction Medicine 2018 Annual Conference & Meeting - Nov 2-3

    Save the date for the NNESAM 2018 Annual Conference taking place at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe Vermont November 2 & 3, 2018.

    SAVE THE DATE

    Northern New England Society

    of Addiction Medicine

    2018

    Annual Conference & Meeting

    November 2 & 3, 2018

    (Friday evening, all day Saturday)

    Conference registration forms will be available later

    Trapp Family Lodge

    Stowe, Vermont

    www.trappfamily.com – please contact the Lodge for reservations

    Conference rate:  $187, rate available for 11/4 and 11/5

    Please request conference rate for NNESAM

     

    Division of Disease Surveillance Annual Infectious Disease Conference - November 14th

    Since 1983, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Disease Surveillance, Department of Health and Human Services has organized an annual infectious disease conference targeting public health issues of emerging concern to medical practitioners throughout the state. Presentation topics will focus on a range of infectious diseases.

    Since 1983, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Disease Surveillance, Department of Health and Human Services has organized an annual infectious disease conference targeting public health issues of emerging concern to medical practitioners throughout the state. Presentation topics will focus on a range of infectious diseases.

    DATE: November 14, 2018

    LOCATION: Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME

    AGENDA:
      7:45 - Participant and Exhibitor Registration Poster Set-up
      8:15 - Welcome
      8:30 - Top 10 - Updates and Epidemiolog and STDs - Dr. Katherine Hsu, MD, MPH, FAAP
    10:45 - Break / Visit Exhibits & Posters
    11:00 - Antibiotic Stewardship - Minkey Wungwattana, PharmD, BCPS-AQ ID
    12:00 - Lunch & Pump Handle Awards, Visit Exhibitors & Posters
      1:15 - Infectious Disease Hazards of Occupational and Recreational Needle Use - Panel Discussion
      2:15 - Tuberculosis Diagnosis - Prevention and Treatment - Elizabeth A. Talbot, MD
      3:15 - Break / Visit Exhibits & Posters
      3:30 - What About Rabies? - Rachel Fiske, DVM
      4:30 - Adjourn
    Please check the event website for agenda updates and additional speaker information.

    Continuing Education:

    • Nurse Continuing Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • American Osteopathic Association
    • American Academy Family Physicians Continuing Education
    • Pharmacy Continuing Education
    • General Continuing Education

    Intended Audience:

    • Healthcare Providers - Immunization Program Staff, Clinicians, Hospital & Nursing Leaders, Health Policy Makers, Public Health Workers, Healthcare Administrators, Infection Control Practitioners, Pharmacists and Laboratorians.
    • Medical Office Staff - Practice Managers, Nurses, Case Managers, Medical Assistants, Health Educators, Pharmacy and Laboratory Staff.
    • Others interested in emerging infectious diseases of public health significance including public health educators, partners in public health, and students of public health, nursing or medicine.

    Questions should be directed to 207-626-3615 or adcare@adcareme.org.

    For more information and to register online visit:  http://www.cvent.com/d/4gqcxk

    Hanley Center Offers Next Level Leadership Seminar Series and Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Institute

    The Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership is offering a three-day seminar series that explores innovation-based strategies as a source of competitive advantage in an industry with strict regulation and limited financial resources.

     

    Have you Enrolled Yet?

    DEADLINE APPROACHING!

    Innovation & Strategy in Health Care:

    Leading Change

    NEXT LEVEL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR SERIES

    Carefully Created Exclusively for Hanley Alumni

    If you’re ready for more depth in your Leadership Development, we hope you’ll be as excited as we are that we are partnering with Jon Chilingerian, PhD, Academic Director of Hanley’s PELI Advanced Course, and a few of his hand-picked faculty from Brandeis University’s Heller School to Launch our First Ever Leadership Seminar Series

    Enrollment is limited to the first 45 ALUMNI.

    Enroll here:  https://hanleycenter.wufoo.com/forms/z1qv3tf40njjnvu/

    Seminar Dates:  Friday, September 21, 2018

                                    Friday, October 19, 2018

                                    Friday, November 9, 2018

    LOCATION:  The Daniel, Brunswick, Maine, 8:00-5:00 with lunch and networking time provided 12:00-1:00 each day.

    We anticipate awarding up to 24 Category One CME credits.

    Enrollment DEADLINE is Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

    • Of COURSE, you need to bring new and innovative ideas and strategies to your leadership
    • Of COURSE, you want to revitalize your ability to lead transformative change
    • Without A DOUBT, you’ve shared that you want a way to build and rekindle your Hanley Center network of colleagues

    In collaboration with Jon Chilingerian, Professor at Brandeis University and key academic partner in the Hanley Center’s Physician Executive Leadership Institute Advanced Course, the Hanley Center is offering a three-day seminar series that explores innovation-based strategies as a source of competitive advantage in an industry with strict regulation and limited financial resources.  Innovation is a vast subject that requires strategic thinking, reflective practice, experimentation, parallel organizations planning, and organizational learning.  We examine how to design and build organizations and teams that excel at innovation. 

    Participants will analyze the principles of leadership that they can apply both within and outside of established organizations, as well as develop an appreciation of the complex issues related to founding, launching, and financing new service ideas, process improvements, and entrepreneurial ventures.

    Session Content Includes:

    • The Courage to Listen:  Leading Innovative and Transformative Culture Change in Complex Health Care Organizations
    • Developing a Strategic Service Visions & Design Thinking
    • Stakeholder Alignment and Innovation Systems
    • Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation

    For more detailed curriculum information, go to:  https://www.hanleyleadership.org/news/69/122/Seminar-Series/

    Each learning sessions will enable participants to analyze principles of strategic thinking to innovative ideas in healthcare management; analyze how to move innovative ideas from concept to implementation; and develop skills for leading change.        

    COST:  $1600 for the SERIES with payment due upon receipt of invoice in early August 2018. 

    To enable a true cohort experience, enrollment must be for the full seminar series.  Thus, enrollment in individual sessions is not an option.

     

    Enrollment is OPEN

     Advance Practice Professional

    Provider Executive Leadership Institute (PELI)

    Course Begins Fall 2018 in Lewiston, ME

    Enrollment Limited to 20 APPs

    We are delighted to announce that enrollment is now underway for the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership's inaugural Provider Executive Leadership Institute (PELI) specifically for Advanced Practice Professionals.

    The role of Advanced Practice Professionals in the delivery of healthcare services has never been more important. APPs are a vital and precious resource in every corner of our state and their integral inclusion in care teams requires them to pull upon leadership and management skills often not covered in their training.

    The Hanley Center has heard loud and clear the desire and need for a leadership development course specifically for APPs across Maine.  We have tailored our well-respected physician PELI Foundational Course to suit the leadership development challenges that Advanced Practice Professionals face. Participants will gain knowledge, skills, and tools in the following core competency areas, empowering them to lead and transform our healthcare delivery system.

    ·         Systems awareness

    ·         Strategic focus

    ·         Management/business skills

    ·         Self-awareness

    ·         Interpersonal skills

    ·         Healthcare trends

    ·         Teamwork and collaboration

    The Course consists of six two-evening sessions and four 90-minute intersessions taking place over one year. The two-evening sessions take place on consecutive evenings once every other month, with the intersessions scheduled on the off-months.

     

    Any questions, contact:

    Judiann Smith, Executive Director

    judiannsmith@hanleyleadership.org

    207-615-6253

    Kathy Vezina, Associate Executive Director

    kathrynvezina@hanleyleadership.org

    207-553-9854

    Advanced Hanley Center Training Available for PELI and HLD Alumni

    The Hanley Center’s newest leadership development initiative, the Next Level Leadership Seminar Series, focused on Innovation in Leadership is filling up!  This is a fantastic opportunity to gain more depth in your leadership skills, reconnect with the Hanley alumni network and build new relationships.   

    ATTENTON McAFEE FELLOWS & PELI FOUNDATIONAL & HLD ALUMNI!

    EXCLUSIVE HANLEY ALUMNI OPPORTUNITY

    The Hanley Center is very excited to be partnering again with Jon Chilingerian, PhD, Academic Director of Hanley’s PELI Advanced Course, and a few of his hand-picked faculty from Brandeis University’s Heller School to Launch our First Ever Leadership Seminar Series. 

    FMI: https://www.hanleyleadership.org/news/69/122/Seminar-Series/ 

    Enrollment is limited to the first 45 ALUMNI, so enroll today to save your seat!

    Enroll here:  https://hanleycenter.wufoo.com/forms/z1qv3tf40njjnvu/

    Seminar Dates:            Friday, September 21, 2018

                                          Friday, October 19, 2018

                                          Friday, November 9, 2018

    LOCATION:  The Daniel, Brunswick, Maine, 8:00-5:00 with lunch and networking time provided 12:00-1:00 each day.

    We anticipate awarding up to 24 Category One CME credits.

    Enrollment DEADLINE is Friday, July 13, 2018.  Call (207-615-6253) or email Judiann Smith (judiannsmith@hanleyleadership.org), Executive Director, with any questions.

     

    Family Nurse Practitioner - Ellsworth

    Full time FNP position available in the Ellsworth location of the Bucksport Regional Health Center.

    Full time FNP position available in the Ellsworth location of the Bucksport Regional Health Center. Qualifications include a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience or clinical perioperative required.  Minimum of 2 years experience as a NP strongly preferred.  Graduate of an accredited NP program.  Current APRN licensure in the state of Maine.  Current PLS, ACLS and PALS required.  Qualified applicant may apply at www.brhcme.org or send CV to dadams@brhcme.org

    9/3/18

    Behavioral Health Consultant

    Sacopee Valley Health Center is seeking a full time LCSW/LCPC to join our Medical Team as a Behavioral Health Consultant.

    Sacopee Valley Health Center is seeking a full time LCSW/LCPC to join our Medical Team as a Behavioral Health Consultant. This position involves working with patients in a busy integrated primary care setting to more effectively manage the behavioral aspects of their physical/mental illnesses and/or chronic medical conditions. The individual holding this position needs to possess a high degree of flexibility and consultative/collaborative skills, while providing short, solution-focused assessments & intervention to a general patient population. 

    Applicant must possess a valid State of Maine licensed or be license eligible. Experience in a health care setting is preferred.

    Send resume to lwatson@svhc.org or mail to:

    Director of operations, Sacopee Valley Health Center, 70 Main Street, Porter, ME 04068

    Sacopee Valley Health Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer organization.

    8/27/18

    Clinical Cardiology Opportunity

    Maine Medical Partners MaineHealth Cardiology is seeking an invasive clinical cardiologist (non-interventional) for their practice located in their Augusta and Waterville, Maine locations

    Maine Medical Partners MaineHealth Cardiology is seeking an invasive clinical cardiologist (non-interventional) for their practice located in their Augusta and Waterville, Maine locations.  Selected candidates will join a growing team of over 50 cardiologists who provide inpatient, outpatient and consultative services. 

    Maine Medical Partners MaineHealth Cardiology is a growing practice, with office locations in Augusta, Waterville, Lewiston, Rockport, and Scarborough, and is affiliated with the nationally recognized cardiac services at Maine Medical Center and its parent organization MaineHealth. 

    This integrated practice includes Maine General Health, Maine’s third largest health care system.  The Alfond Center for Health, MaineGeneral Medical Center’s state-of-the art, 192-bed regional hospital, has a cardiac catheterization lab and full on site imaging, including echocardiography and nuclear testing.  The Augusta/Waterville practice consists of 9 cardiologists and 2 advanced practice providers.

    For more information please contact Alison C. Nathanson, Director, MaineHealth Physician Recruitment Center at (207) 661-7383 or nathaa@mainehealth.org.

    10/1/18

    Internal Medicine Outpatient Physician

    Maine Medical Partners Internal Medicine Westbrook is seeking a BC/BE Internal Medicine physician for their well-established outpatient practice located in the greater Portland, Maine area. 

    Maine Medical Partners Internal Medicine Westbrook is seeking a BC/BE Internal Medicine physician for their well-established outpatient practice located in the greater Portland, Maine area.  The selected candidate will join 4 internal medicine physicians, 4 family medicine physicians and a geriatrician.

    Maine Medical Center has 637 licensed beds and is the state’s leading tertiary care hospital and Level I Trauma Center, with a full complement of residencies and fellowships and an integral part of Tufts University Medical School.  The position involves teaching and mentoring residents and medical students from the Maine Medical Center-Tufts University School of Medicine Medical School Program.

    Situated on the Maine coast, Portland offers the best of urban sophistication combined with small-town friendliness.  Just two hours north of Boston, this is an exceptionally diverse and vibrant community. 

    For more information please contact Alison C. Nathanson, Director, MaineHealth Physician Recruitment Center at (207) 661-7383 or nathaa@mainehealth.org.

    9/17/18

    Nurse Practitioner - Nasson Health Care

    Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

    Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. 

    • Provides direct clinical services in accordance with the highest standards of medical and nursing practices and in full accordance with health center policies and protocols.
    • Fully embraces and carries out all applicable NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home standards and Federally Qualified Health Center requirements.

    Applicants must have a Master’s degree in nursing, an unrestricted Maine license to practice as an adult, family or pediatric nurse practitioner, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.  Qualifications include:

    • A minimum of three years’ experience in a primary care medical practice required.
    • A working knowledge of the core concepts of evidence-based practice, social and behavioral determinants of health, population-based care, integration of medical, behavioral health and dental care, and Meaningful Use of health information technology.

    Visit www.yccac.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until position is filled.

    York County Community Action Corp.
    6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
    Sanford, ME 04073
    (207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
    Fax (207)459-2811
    apply@yccac.org
    EOE

    9/17/18

    Medical Board Physician

    The Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS or Retirement System) seeks to engage a Psychiatrist with a keen interest in working collaboratively with other medical physicians for the Medical Board.

    The Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS or Retirement System) seeks to engage a Psychiatrist with a keen interest in working collaboratively with other medical physicians for the Medical Board. MainePERS administers a disability retirement program for eligible members of the Retirement System.   The Board of Trustees engages physicians as independent contractors to serve on a Medical Board.  That Board evaluates medical records and provides consultations to MainePERS and its hearing officers regarding the existence of diagnosable conditions and the presence and permanency of functional limitations in disability cases.

    This work is file review in conjunction with investigation and critical evaluation of detail, much of which can be done independently at home, with one meeting a month lasting 2-3 hours here at the Retirement System.   Physicians of the Medical Board must hold a Maine Physician’s license in good standing and be Board Certified in their area.  Medical Board physicians work under contract in an advisory capacity on an hourly fee basis.  Typical time commitment is approximately 25 hours per month with flexibility of scheduling.    This is a contract position and not eligible for benefits.

    To apply, please forward your Curriculum Vitae and introductory letter to HR@MainePERS.org or via mail to:

    Maine Public Employees Retirement System
    Human Resources Department
    P.O. Box 349
    Augusta, Maine  04333-0349

    8/6/18

    Medical Director/Family Practice Physician - Relocate to Beautiful Southwestern Maine

    Sacopee Valley Health Center has a position available for a Medical Director/Family Practice Physician for our multi-service, progressive, rural federally qualified community health center located in a medically underserved area.

    Sacopee Valley Health Center has a position available for a Medical Director/Family Practice Physician for our multi-service, progressive, rural federally qualified community health center located in a medically underserved area. This position allows for the medical director to apply leadership skills while partnering with health center staff and colleagues to provide optimal health care for our patients on a daily basis. Services on site include integrated primary care, dental services, family planning, mental health counseling, psychiatry, nutritionist, optometry, podiatry, social services support, sliding fee coverage, care management, radiology and lab services. NextGen EMR. Practice is outpatient only with no OB. On-call rotation is 4-5 times per month. NCQA Level III PCMH. Competitive salary and benefits package; physicians are eligible to apply for NHSC loan repayment. We are located in Porter, ME, between Portland and the White Mountains. Area is known for terrific four season recreational activities. Just two and one-half hours from Boston. Submit CV to: Linda Watson, Director of Operations or, (lwatson@svhc.org), Sacopee Valley Health Center, 70 Main Street, Porter, ME 04068. EOE. www.svhc.org Sacopee Valley Health Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

    10/8/18

    Outpatient Internal Medicine Physician – Bangor, Maine

    Eastern Maine Medical Center seeks a primary care physician, board-certified/board-eligible in internal medicine, to join our well-established, quality-driven, outpatient practice. Husson Internal Medicine is one of seven primary care practices operated by Eastern Maine Medical Center.

    Eastern Maine Medical Center seeks a primary care physician, board-certified/board-eligible in internal medicine, to join our well-established, quality-driven, outpatient practice. Husson Internal Medicine is one of seven primary care practices operated by Eastern Maine Medical Center. Our practice was the second in the nation to achieve “Patient-Centered Medical Home” status with NCQA. All physicians are NCQA-certified in diabetes and cardiac care. Our primary care network, largest in our area, has adopted a new practice model to include teams of one physician, one nurse practitioner, two registered nurses, and two medical assistants.

    Eastern Maine Medical Center is a 411-bed, regional, tertiary care and level II trauma center serving the more than 500,000 residents living in central, eastern, and northern Maine We offer a collegial atmosphere, cutting-edge EMR, generous vacation and CME benefit, flexible work schedule, and reasonable call schedule. No hospital call required. We also offer a relocation bonus and sign-on bonus in addition to our generous educational loan repayment program.

    Candidates in need of J-1 visa waivers welcome to apply.

    For confidential consideration, please contact:

    Amanda Klausing, AASPR, Physician Recruiter

    Eastern Maine Medical Center

    Phone: 207-973-5358

    ProviderJobs@emhs.org

     10/8/18


    Maine's Largest FQHC in need of Physician for Geriatric Program

    PCHC in Bangor, Maine is seeking Board-Eligible Internal Medicine or Family Med Physician to join our team of doctors and advanced practice providers in our Community Care and Geriatrics department!

    PCHC in Bangor, Maine is seeking Board-Eligible Internal Medicine or Family Med Physician to join our team of doctors and advanced practice providers in our Community Care and Geriatrics department!

    • Provide care to seniors in post-acute care settings and in area long-term care facilities and serve as Medical Director in those facilities.
    • No call, no holidays, no nights or weekends.
    • Opportunity to mentor PA, NP, and DO students through partnerships with multiple university programs.
    Penobscot Community Health Care is a nationally recognized FQHC that focuses on patient-centered care, innovation and collaboration. For you, for your family, for our community. For more information, please contact Vanessa Sanderson, Recruitment Coordinator at (207)404-8015 or vsanderson@pchc.com.

    9/17/18

    Multiple Family Med Opportunities in Beloved Community Health Centers

    PCHC is recruiting Family Medicine Physicians for locations in Belfast, Old Town, and Bangor. This is your chance to work for a nationally recognized FQHC that is a leader in integrated primary care!

    PCHC is recruiting Family Medicine Physicians for locations in Belfast, Old Town, and Bangor. This is your chance to work for a nationally recognized FQHC that is a leader in integrated primary care!

    • Come and join our team at Seaport Community Health Center and become a part of a vibrant and active coastal community!
    • Work and play minutes away from the flagship university of the University of Maine System by working at our Helen Hunt Health Center!
    • Become a part of the health center where it all began, Penobscot Community Health Center located in the heart of Bangor, Maine!

    We are the largest and most comprehensive FQHC in Maine and the 2nd largest in New England. PCHC offers family medicine, psychiatry, mental health, pediatrics, specialty services, physical therapy, pharmacy, social work, lab, x-ray, and a large public health dental center -- all within our organization. If your passion is in community health, there is no place else to be. Questions? Contact Vanessa Sanderson, Recruitment Coordinator at (207)404-8015 or vsanderson@pchc.com.

    9/17/18

    Opportunities at the VA for Volunteer Physicians

    Take advantage of this opportunity with the Veterans' Administration to thank our veterans in a concrete way for their service and their sacrifices.

    The Physician Ambassador Program was created by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a best practice recruitment and placement initiative seeking fully licensed physicians and clinicians to enhance health care services for Veterans.

    The Physician Ambassador Program is a without compensation program that provides civilian physicians and clinicians an opportunity to give back to the Veteran community by serving in a volunteer role to deliver health care services to Veterans. 

    If you are interested in participating in this program at VA Maine Healthcare System, please contact Jonathan Barczyk at (207) 621-4886.