Maine Medicine Weekly Update - February 25, 2019
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MMA Pursues Prior Authorization Reform in 129th Maine Legislature

In response to substantial complaints from the front lines of medicine in Maine about the burden of health insurance carrier prior authorization processes, the MMA is working with Senator Geoffrey Gratwick, M.D. as the prime sponsor of L.D. 705, An Act Regarding the Process for Obtaining Prior Authorization for Health Insurance Purposes in the current session of the legislature. Read more and see how you can help the effort!

The MMA members have spoken loudly about their frustration with the burden of commercial health insurance carriers' prior authorization processes. MMA board members and staff have heard these complaints at a MMA event at the Lucerne Inn in 2015 and at MMA events since.

The MMA tried to address this issue through legislation in the 128th Maine Legislature (L.D. 1032) and the bill passed the legislature but was vetoed by Governor LePage.  Senator Gratwick has been a strong advocate for physicians on this issue and his physician colleagues in the 129th Maine Legislature - Senators Linda Sanborn, M.D. and Ned Claxton, M.D., and Representatives Patricia Hymanson, M.D. and Heidi Brooks, M.D. - want to help address it. 

Senator Gratwick's bill before the current legislature is L.D. 705, An Act Regarding the Process for Obtaining Prior Authorization for Health Insurance Purposes, has now been printed and referred to the Health Coverage, Insurance & Financial Services Committee where a public hearing will be scheduled soon. This will be a great opportunity for you to be heard on this issue! If you are willing to share your experiences with prior authorization, either in live testimony at the public hearing on the bill or in writing, please contact Andrew MacLean, Interim CEO, at amaclean@mainemed.com or by cell phone at 215-7462.

The MMA surveyed the membership on this issue late last year and the results of that survey are posted on the MMA web site:  https://www.mainemed.com/sites/default/files/content/MMA%20Membership%20Survey%20Prior%20Authorization.pdf.  

If you would like to reach out directly to members of the HCIFS Committee, you can find the Committee members and their contact information on the legislature's web site:  http://www.legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/HCIFS.  

The AMA continues to place a high priority on prior authorization (PA) reform advocacy, as evidenced by activities at two recent conferences. At its National Advocacy Conference, the AMA unveiled "Prior Authorization Hurts Patients," a powerful new video that features patient and physician testimonials about PA heartaches and hardships. The video captures the patient harms, care disruptions and delays, and interference with clinical decision-making associated with PA and urges viewers to join the AMA's grassroots campaign by engaging through its online hub, FixPriorAuth.org. Site visitors can share their PA story, sign a petition to Congress for PA reform and access a variety of PA-related resources. To date, the FixPriorAuth campaign has gathered over 500 patient and physician stories, collected more than 89,000 petition signatures and generated over 8,100,000 social media impressions.

The AMA also shared its PA reform efforts at the 2019 Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Orlando, Florida. In a well-attended educational session titled, "Leveraging Technology to Improve Prior Authorization," the AMA presented newly released PA physician survey results that clearly establish the impact of PA on both patients and physicians, and explored how technology can support implementation and operationalization of the critical, wide-ranging PA reforms outlined in the Consensus Statement on Improving the Prior Authorization Process. The session also highlighted the AMA's efforts to inform physicians about the advantages of prescription drug electronic PA through a three-part educational video series.

HHS Releases Proposed Rule on Drug Rebates

As reported last week, US DHHS Secretary Azar recently discussed his agency's efforts to address prescription drug pricing with an audience of physicians at the AMA's National Advocacy Conference.  This article describes some of the current Administration's efforts in this regard.

On Jan. 31, HHS released its long-awaited proposed rule on prescription drug rebates. The proposal would make sweeping changes to the way drugs are priced and contracted for by manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) and health plans. In the proposed rule HHS calls for changes to the anti-kickback statute safe harbors for discounts and rebates given by pharmaceutical manufacturers to health plans and PBMs. The changes would eliminate the safe harbor protections for such discount arrangements, while creating a new safe harbor for discounts provided to beneficiaries at the point of sale. If finalized rebates would be passed on to patients directly, instead of to the health plan or PBM. The proposal also calls for increased transparency around flat fee arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers and PBMs.

The AMA agrees that patients should see the benefit of discounts, rebates and other price concessions on prescription drugs and is very supportive of the administration's calls for increased transparency of arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers and PBMs/health plans. However, there are many outstanding questions about the ultimate impact of the administration's proposal, and the AMA is carefully considering the potential effect on items such as Part D plan premiums, drug list prices and the availability and size of future discounts and rebates.

Legislation to Address Gun Violence Advances in the House

The MMA, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maine Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Maine Chapter of the American College of Physicians are working with the Maine Coalition Against Gun Violence and other stakeholders on state legislation to address the threat of gun violence to the public health.

On Feb. 13, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee favorably reported HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, by a vote of 23-15. The AMA-supported bill would implement near-universal background checks for the purchase of firearms, effectively closing loopholes that allow sales at gun shows or through online sales to evade the current requirement that applies to federally licensed firearms dealers.

Polling shows overwhelming public support for this requirement, including among gun owners. It is one step that can help keep firearms out of the hands of those who are not legally entitled to possess them. The bill is expected to be considered on the House floor in the coming weeks along with another measure, HR 1112, which would extend the time the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has to complete a background check before a dealer may deliver the firearm to the purchaser. While HR 8 is expected to pass in the House, its fate in the Senate is less certain.

The 129th Maine Legislature also will consider several bills on gun violence and the MMA is very much involved in this advocacy along with the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maine Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Maine Chapter of the American College of Physicians, and the Maine Coalition Against Gun Violence. The MMA membership passed a resolution at the 2018 Annual Session directing the MMA to step up its long-standing advocacy in favor of legislation to address gun violence.

Maine Seeks Federal Waiver to Assist Opioid Response

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services says it plans to ask the federal government for a Section 1115 waiver to allow the State to seek new ways to deliver and pay for health care services. The purpose of the waiver will be to give Maine more flexibility in spending Medicaid (MaineCare) dollars to address the opioid situation.

The Portland Press Herald, in an article on February 22nd, reported that the Department will seek to eliminate a 16 bed limit on substance use disorder treatment facilities.It quotes Commissioner Lambrew's statement: “With this waiver application, DHHS is committing to advancing a seamless system of community-based, residential, and institutional substance use disorder and behavioral health services, including prevention to promote the wellbeing of children in our state. That much-needed demonstration will yield critical information about how we can improve the delivery of these services.”

You can read the whole article here.

Medical Care a Bit Rough in 1860s Maine

Historian Annette Vance Dorey spoke at the Auburn Public Library last week on "Early Health Care Options in Auburn and Lewiston."

The Lewiston Sun Journal reported on Dorey's talk in an article that may be found here. The author of two books on early female physicians in Maine told the audience that back then Maine had no licensing regulations, and a person could claim to be a physician despite having little, poor, or even no training.

Of course there was also no health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, so often the doctor didn't get paid at all.

HHS Final Rule Seeks to Curb Title X Funding

The New York Times (2/22, Belluck) reported that the Trump Administration unveiled a rule “barring organizations that provide abortion referrals from receiving federal family planning money, a step that could cut millions of dollars in funding to Planned Parenthood.”

MMA Wants Your Feedback: Physician Wellness Survey

The Maine Medical Association is conducting a study of physician wellness. Please help by taking a 5 minute survey. Details after the link.

• The Maine Medical Association is interested in exploring issues related to member wellness and burnout. We are gathering information on the wellness climate of Maine’s physicians, your experience(s) with wellness and burnout, and any related resources that you are familiar with or have utilized (both in state and out of state). This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete - we appreciate your participation!

• Survey Link:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MMA_Well2019

MMA Legislative Call Tuesday, February 26th

The Maine Legislature is in full swing, with over 1,000 bills printed. All committees are holding public hearings and work sessions and voting on bills. That means there's lots of work to do on the MMA Legislative Calls. The next call will be Tuesday, February 26th, at 8 p.m.

MMA Legislative Committee Chairs Jay Mullen, M.D. and Lindsey Tweed, M.D. welcome you to participate in the weekly conference calls of the MMA Legislative Committee.

The last MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the First Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will take place Tuesday, February 26th, at 8:00 p.m.

Legislative Committee members and specialty society legislative liaisons are strongly encouraged to participate. Any physician, practice manager, or other staff member who is interested in the MMA's legislative advocacy also is welcome to participate. It is not necessary to RSVP for the calls.

Please use the following conference call number and passcode. These will remain the same for every weekly call during the session.

Conference call number: 1-603-766-5646

Participant ID - 699139#

The purpose of the weekly conference calls is to discuss the MMA's position on bills printed the previous week, to hear the views of specialty societies on the new bills or their concerns about any current health policy issues, and to discuss the highlights of legislative action of the week. The calls rarely last longer than an hour.

The following are bills of interest to the physician community printed last week. (For those not familiar with the term, a "concept draft" is a bill that contains only a title and a brief description of what it is intended to do. It does not contain the actual bill text.) We will discuss the priority bills marked with an asterisk (*) first. This will be important when the list grows in the next few weeks.

Following are the bills of the week: 

February 12, 2019

LD 926:  An Act To Protect Hospital Employees from Assault. Adds “hospital employee” to “emergency medical care provider” to expand definition of the crime.

LD 931:  An Act Concerning the Department of Health and Human Services. Concept draft.

LD 934:  Resolve, To Review the Implementation of the Maine Background Check Center Act. Establishes study group to assess effects of the Act’s implementation.

*LD 942:  An Act To Require Reimbursement for Medical Marijuana. Requires health insurers, accidental injury and disability insurers, and workers’ comp insurers to cover marijuana for medical use.

*LD 943:  An Act To Allow Laser Spine Surgery in the State. Allows physicians (DO and MD) to use a laser during spine surgery if documented and diagnosis based on “knowledge obtained through medical history and physical examination.”

*LD 949:  An Act To Prevent Overdose Deaths. Safe injection sites.

LD 964:  Resolve, To Study Housing Options for Persons with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorder. Establishes a commission to assess housing needs and options.

*LD 966:  An Act To Ensure Safer Childhood Vaccines. Concept draft, to require patient intake forms to include a question regarding date of patient’s most recent vaccine, to be provided to US DHHS.

LD 968:  An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Supplemental budget concept draft.

LD 969:  An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019. Supplemental budget concept draft.

LD 972:  Resolve, To Increase Access to Brain Injury Waiver Services. Rate increase for home support, care coordination, and telehealth for brain injury under MaineCare.

*LD 976:  An Act To Require Additional Lead Screening for Children. Adds additional test at age 6, removes primary care provider judgment exception.

LD 981:  An Act To Implement the State's Recently Approved Request for a Section 1115 Demonstration for MaineCare. Concept draft for waiver recently rejected by Mills administration.

*LD 984:  Resolve, To Increase Funding for Children's Behavioral Health Issues in Order To Return to the State Children Who Are Currently Housed in Residential Treatment Systems outside of the State and To Suspend Certain Contracts Related to Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities. As stated.

LD 986:  An Act To Expand Lead Inspections to Other Properties of the Owner of a Property Determined to Contain Lead. As stated for high density lead poisoning areas, requires detailed information about owner.

*LD 987:  An Act To Provide Autonomy for Health Care Providers To Practice Patient-centered Care by Amending the Laws Governing Medical Exemptions to Immunization Requirements. Expands to cover all providers authorized to immunize, expands definition of medical exemption to sole discretion of provider, limits authority of DoE or DHHS to make rules and of schools to make policies.

LD 993:  An Act To Expand Recovery Support Services Offered in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties and the Greater Bangor Region To Improve Access, Treatment and Recovery for Those Affected by Substance Use Disorder by Designating a Regional Peer-supported Recovery Center. As stated.

LD 995:  An Act To Establish a Student Loan Bill of Rights To License and Regulate Student Loan Servicers. Lengthy bill to create various protections for student borrowers.

LD 997:  An Act To Promote Social and Emotional Learning and Development for Young Children. Requires DoE to establish consultation program to help families, teachers and care providers work with children “experiencing challenging behaviors.”

LD 998:  Resolve, Requiring the Collection of Data on the Marriage of Minors. As stated, with report to Judiciary Committee.

LD 999:  An Act To Allow Medical and Adult Use Marijuana Stores To Share a Common Space. OK if a different cash register is used.

LD 1000:  An Act To Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government and To Change Certain Provisions of Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019. Supplemental budget for current fiscal year.

LD 1001:  An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds, and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Biennial budget, concept draft with link to Governor’s budget.

LD 1005:  Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project To Save Lives and Support People with Substance Use Disorder in Washington County. As stated, requires DHHS to work with Healthy Acadia and include community coordinating council.

LD 1006:  Resolve, To Require the Development of Strategies for Reducing Health Disparities Based on Social Determinants. DHHS to create action plan to reduce health disparities.

LD 1007:  An Act To Expand and Enhance Maine's Behavioral Health Direct Care Workforce. Concept draft, to expand work force with mental health rehab techs, direct support professionals, and behavioral health professionals.

*LD 1009:  An Act To Provide Protections for Maine Patients Facing Step Therapy. Requires health insurers to have a process for prescription drug step therapy exceptions; detailed.

LD 1017:  An Act Regarding the Elimination of Highly Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace. Concept draft, will require substitution for or elimination of highly toxic & hazardous chemicals in a variety of industries, including shipbuilding, paper, automotive, and medical equipment.

State House Highlights of the Week: A Packed House in HHS for Hearings on Banning Liquid Nicotine, Requiring Vitamin K Injections

Click through for news on the past week's developments in the Legislature and from the Governor's office.

LD 443, relating to Vitamin K injections and antibiotic eye drops for newborn children, brought many mothers with young children to the committee room to oppose the bill. The opposition centered on two issues: first, the "personal liberty" argument that parents should have total control over what is put into their children's bodies, and second, the argument that this is a dangerous substance which can cause terrible harm to newborns. This latter argument was supported by the witnesses' reading of the package insert, including especially the "black box warning", to the Committee. 

The other bill heard the same day which drew much comment was a bill to ban liquid nicotine. Many witnesses testified that only with "vaping" were they able to stop smoking and, over time, reduce their nicotine intake.

HHS also held work sessions on LD 152 to ban the use and possession of "vaping" devices on school grounds. It  was approved unanimously by the Committee. LD 343 (allow food and beverages in tobacco specialty stores) and LD 416 (allow smoking in outdoor sections of restaurants) were defeated on essentially party lines.

On Thursday afternoon HHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew held a meeting with around 40 people on the topic of public health nursing. Many public health nurses, past and present, were in attendance, along with representatives of the major health systems, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the MMA. It was an excellent, robust discussion, at the end of which the Commissioner impressed those in attendance with her excellent summary of the significant points raised.

Monday afternoon the MMA testified in support of two bills to sustain and expand the school based health centers throughout the state.

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

March 8, 2019
Maine Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Meeting
Sugarloaf – Carrabassett Valley, ME
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

March 23, 2019
Maine Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
Maine Medical Association – Manchester, ME
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

April 3-6, 2019
27^th Annual Family Medicine Update & Annual Meeting
Atlantic Oceanside – Bar Harbor, ME
Full brochure & registration available after Jan 15, 2019 at www.maineafp.org
Contact: Deborah Halbach at 207-938-5005 or maineafp@tdstelme.net

April 25-26, 2019
Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians Annual Spring Program
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY:  An Update and a Look Ahead
Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park Street, Freeport, ME 04032
Contact:  Dianna Poulin 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.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 17-19, 2019
Maine Chapter, American College of Surgeons
Harborside Hotel and Marina – Bar Harbor, ME
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@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

June 27, 2019
Maine Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians Chapter Meeting
Cabbage Island Clam Bake – Boothbay Harbor, ME
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

September 7, 2019
Maine Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians Chapter Meeting
Harborside Hotel & Marina – Bar Harbor, ME
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

September 20, 2019
Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Fall Business Meeting
(Held in conjunction with the 17^th 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 20-22, 2019
18^th 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

December 11, 2019
Maine Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians Chapter Meeting
Portland Regency Hotel – Portland, ME
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@mainemed.com

MaineGeneral Offering X Waiver Training March 9th in Waterville

MaineGeneral is offering a “half and half” waiver training on March 9 in Waterville. It's free and open to all medical staff.

Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence Course

FOR: All physicians, NPs, PAs, MAs, other medical office staff

DATE: Saturday, March 9, 2019

LOCATION: MaineGeneral Thayer Center for Health
149 North Street, Waterville, ME

AAAP’s “Half and Half” Course
with Dr. Richard Fein (8am-12:30pm)
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AAAP’s “Half and Half” course with Dr. Richard Fein is a free American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry program that combines 4.25 hours of face-to-face/in-class instruction and 3.75 hours of online training. Those wishing to qualify for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex) must complete both components of this program.

Training will focus on clinical vignettes to help participants think through “real life” experiences in opioid dependence treatment. The online modules provide a background on the treatment of opioid dependence and substance use disorders. This program has been approved for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs. Note that NPs/PAs can take this 8 hour waiver training and it will count towards their waiver application.
To register or for more information email shane.gallagher@mainegeneral.org

The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is the Data Sponsor for this activity. Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by Providers’ Clinical Support System for Medication Assisted Treatment (1U79TI026556) from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.  

Identifying Substance Use Early Saves Lives! - SBIRT with Motivational Interviewing Training - 1-day Sessions Offered on March 2 and April 6

Maine continues to see deaths from opiate use increase. Rates of opiate use are highest in the 18-25 year old group and data from those entering treatment suggest that the majority begin using before the age of 17. Maine AAP is committed to helping practitioners identify youth on this path earlier and intervening earlier! SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) is one evidence based approach to doing this.

Maine continues to see deaths from opiate use increase. Rates of opiate use are highest in the 18-25 year old group and data from those entering treatment suggest that the majority begin using before the age of 17. Maine AAP is committed to helping practitioners identify youth on this path earlier and intervening earlier! Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment is one evidence based approach to doing this. Maine AAP will be offering several trainings throughout the state over the next 6 months. Please consider joining us to enhance your skills in identifying and offering brief interventions in the primary care settings for youth on the path to substance use disorders.

The Maine AAP will be offering one day Saturday sessions in several regions of Maine, providing training and coaching to Pediatricians and Pediatric Specialists in SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) and effective conversational skills in Motivational Interviewing.

Confirmed Dates for all sessions:

Instructor: Stephen R. Andrew LCSW, LADC, CCS, CGP is a storyteller, consultant, trainer, co-author of Game Plan: A Man's Guide to Achieving Emotional Fitness, and Chief Energizing Officer of Health Education & Training Institute. He maintains a compassion-focused private practice in Portland, Maine (USA) where he also facilitates a variety of men's, co-ed, couples, and caregiver groups. Stephen has been a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2003 as well as a MIA-STEP (Motivational Interviewing Assessment; Supervisor Tools for Enhancing Proficiency) trainer for the New England ATTC. Stephen has been MITI trained and has over 100 hours of training in Motivational Interviewing. He provides coaching and training domestically and internationally for social service agencies, health care providers, substance abuse counselors, criminal justice, and other groups.

Maine Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting March 23, 2019

The Maine Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (MSOS) is hosting its Annual Meeting on March 23, 2019 at the Maine Medical Association. The meeting will focus on current issues facing Orthopaedic Surgeons in Maine and initiatives of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

The Maine Orthopaedic Association (MSOS) is hosting its Annual Meeting on March 23, 2019 at the Maine Medical Association. The meeting will focus on current issues facing Orthopaedic Surgeons in Maine and initiatives of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). We are pleased to announce that Graham Newson, the Director of Government Relations at the AAOS will be joining us. Please mark your calendars and register for the MSOS meeting on Saturday, March 23, 2019!

Date: March 23, 2019

Location: Maine Medical Association (and electronic conferencing)

Address: 30 Association Drive, Manchester, Maine 04351

Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Registration: MSOS Registration  (https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg3nsb4k9cc3e066&oseq=&c=&ch=)

NAMI Maine’s Beyond the Basics in Suicide Prevention Conference - Friday, April 12, 2019

NAMI Maine is excited to announce that Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas is our keynote speaker.

Dr. Sally wears many hats: clinical psychologist, mental health advocate, faculty member, researcher, and suicide loss survivor. She has diligently earned her reputation in social change by helping to establish many mental health efforts, including Man Therapy and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

The theme for this year’s conference is Building Resiliency Through Effective Interventions. Several breakout sessions will focus on different methods of intervention. We are pleased to announce that the conference offers both a clinical and a non-clinical track. Several sessions will include CME credits and CEUs for professionals who attend.

In the late afternoon, there will be mini breakout sessions focusing on building your self-resiliency, supporting self-care, and preventing burn out.

NAMI Maine is excited to announce that early bird registration for the Beyond the Basics in Suicide Prevention Conference 2019 is available at a reduced cost of $65 until March 1^st. For more information, click here.

Board Certified Family Physician

East Bay Community Action Program, a Federally Qualified Health Center, has a full-time opportunity for a RI-licensed, board-certified Family Physician to join our location at 6 John H. Chafee Boulevard in Newport, RI.  

East Bay Community Action Program, a Federally Qualified Health Center, has a full-time opportunity for a RI-licensed, board-certified Family Physician to join our location at 6 John H. Chafee Boulevard in Newport, RI.   He/She will provide patient education and direct medical services for all ages including health promotion, disease prevention, routine health maintenance visits, and acute care, while providing supervision to a multidisciplinary team.    

The position requires an MD or DO degree, completion of an accredited residency in Family Medicine, current licensure through the RI Department of Health, current DEA registration/RI Controlled Substance Licensure, completion of all privileging and credentialing requirements, and Board Certification in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Interested candidates may log onto our website at www.ebcap.org, and apply to the position through our Careers page link.  For additional questions, candidates may contact Debbie Scott, Senior Staffing Specialist either at dscott@ebcap.org, or 401-431-9870 x 124.  

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 Partners is a division of Maine Medical Center and is Maine's largest multi-specialty medical group serving the healthcare needs of patients locally and throughout northern New England.  This high quality team of more than 500 physicians and 200 advanced practice professionals provides a wide range of hospital based, primary, specialty, and sub-specialty adult and pediatric care delivered throughout a network of 30 locations across the State and acts as a regional referral network.

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 successful candidate will have an academic appointment at Tufts University School of Medicine, and 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.  The area provides four season recreational opportunities, such as skiing, hiking, sailing, and miles of beautiful beaches.  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.

3/25/19

BC/BE Family Medicine Physician

Strong Area Health Center seeks aBC/BE Family Medicine Physician to provide medical care to people of all ages.

Strong Area Health Center seeks aBC/BE Family Medicine Physician to provide medical care to people of all ages. As a NCQA-Patient-Centered Medical Home, the health center offers accessible, high quality healthcare with integrated behavioral health services focused on the patient’s care experience. We also provide on-site general dentistry.

Over 2,000 people from Strong, Phillips, New Vineyard, as well as Farmington and other surrounding communities access family health care at the health center. The practice has been a vital part of the community since 1986 and is part of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a group of eleven Federally Qualified Health Centers in Central and Western Maine serving 28,000 residents in 80 Maine towns.

The selected candidate will receive competitive salary and benefits, malpractice coverage, pension plan with employer match, and eligibility for loan repayment. EOE. Contact: Recruiter, HRCHC, 10 Water Street, Suite 305, Waterville, ME  04901 ~ 207.660.9913 ~ Fax 207.660.9901 ~ Communications@HealthReach.org ~ www.StrongCHC.org

Part-time Physician for Academic Year Contract Position

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) seeks physician for a part-time, academic year contract position.

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) seeks physician for a part-time, academic year contract position.  MMA is a four-year state supported college in Castine, Maine, is seeking proposals for the contracted services of a State of Maine licensed physician to assist in providing general and acute care for its students. These services include, but are not limited to: Acute medical care, both urgent and routine; Reviewing physicals for qualification for MMA programs of study; Performing United States Coast Guard physical examinations for students in the license program; Performing as the Medical Review Officer for MMA’s Coast Guard certified Drug Testing Program; Provide standing orders and medical oversight for MMA’s certified Athletic Training staff for all intercollegiate athletic programs at MMA; Performing physicals for MMA’s intercollegiate student-athletes as needed; Coordinating with MMA’s athletic training staff for treatment of athletes. For more information, please contact Hildy Lowell at hildy.lowell@mma.edu or 207-326-2447.

Psychiatric Mental Health NP - Leeds

DFD Russell Medical Centers (DFDRMC) operates three community health centers in central Maine.  We are seeking a full time PMHNP, for our Leeds location.

DFD Russell Medical Centers (DFDRMC) operates three community health centers in central Maine.  We are seeking a full time PMHNP, for our Leeds location.

Our three health centers serve a multicultural, rural population and have a family practice focus serving pediatrics to geriatrics.

Responsibilities: Assessment of mental health needs for children or adults; Diagnosing mental health/psychiatric conditions; Developing and executing treatment plans; Providing primary health care; Prescribing medication (Suboxone waiver, required); It is a full-time 4 days per week.

This position combines making a difference in patients' lives with a family-friendly work life, please e-mail your resume to Laurie Kane-Lewis, CEO. (Laurie.Kane-Lewis@DFDRussell.org) EEO

Requirements
Current Maine License. Proficiency with electronic medical records.

Benefits
Excellent benefit package: medical, dental, life, 401(k), flexible spending accounts and a generous paid time-off plan. Salary is commensurate with experience; there is also an incentive plan and a CME reimbursement.

3/4/19

PCHC in need of Pediatrician at Multiple Locations!

Penobscot Community Health Care is seeking a Pediatrician for our Seaport Community Health Center in Belfast as well as in our Penobscot Pediatrics in Bangor. Come and join our team at Seaport Community Health Center and become a part of a vibrant and active coastal community. Become a part of the legendary Penobscot Pediatrics that has been a staple amongst the Bangor community for over 30 years! We are the largest and most comprehensive FQHC in Maine and the 2^nd largest in New England. Seaport and Penobscot Pediatrics are both NHSC loan repayment eligible sites! PCHC offers loan repayment to those that are not awarded or eligible for NHSC. Competitive benefits package, 403(b) retirement, signing and retention bonuses, relocation assistance and more! Questions? Contact Vanessa Sanderson, PCHC Recruiter at (207)404-8015 or at recruitment@pchc.com.

2/11/19

Outpatient Internal Medicine Physician – Bangor, Maine

Northern Light 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.

Northern Light 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. Our practice is one of seven primary care practices operated by Northern Light 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.

Northern Light 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
Northern Light Health
Phone: 207-973-5358
ProviderJobs@NorthernLight.org

3/11/19

Outpatient Family Medicine - Brunswick, Maine

Mid Coast Medical Group is seeking a full-time BC/BE Family Medicine Physician to join a well-established practice located at Brunswick Station.

Mid Coast Medical Group is seeking a full-time BC/BE Family Medicine Physician to join a well-established practice located at Brunswick Station.  Admitting is through the hospitalist service. New graduates and experienced candidates are encouraged to apply.

A department of Mid Coast Hospital, Mid Coast Medical Group provides high quality primary and specialty care with more than 100 providers. All MCMG primary care practices are NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home certified.

Part of the Mid Coast–Parkview health family of services, Mid Coast Medical Group offers competitive benefits and compensation package, along with an excellent work environment. Please send CV to Melanie Crowe, Physician Recruiter, at mcrowe@midcoasthealth.com or call (207) 406-7872, for more information.

3/4/19

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.

Volunteer Opportunity with Partners for World Health

Partners for World Health has a great need for advice from certain medical professionals on how to sort and package the vast amount of supplies received, for shipping and use in destination countries.

Volunteer Opportunity with Partners for World Health - Portland, ME

Partners for World Health (PWH) is a non-profit 501(c)3 based in Portland, Maine committed to reducing medical waste, improving the quality of healthcare in underserved countries, and educating our local community about global healthcare issues.

Our mission is to collect unused/discarded medical supplies from local medical facilities and to distribute those medical supplies to international communities in need. This work limits the negative impact we have on the environment and provides much-needed resources to the developing world. To support our work in improving health conditions around the world, we send local medical personnel on medical missions to developing countries, and we educate our local Maine community about global health issues. 

PWH has a great need for advice from certain medical professionals on how to sort and package the vast amount of supplies received, for shipping and use in destination countries, specifically, in the areas of:

• Surgery: all aspects of OR medical supplies and equipment
• Respiratory: any and all aspects
• Anesthesia
• Laparoscopic surgery: advice on the proper components of a “tower”
• Cardiology

Please note: this request is not for ongoing time commitment but rather for a few hours of a professional’s time to help organize certain supplies appropriately.

While PWH receives tens of thousands of pounds of equipment/supplies from hospitals and clinics, there are certain critical items always in short supply.

For more information, contact volunteer Rita Zanichkowsky at rznct@maine.rr.com or 207-232-3264, or contact Partners directly at 774-5555.  Thank you! 
https://www.partnersforworldhealth.org/