Maine Medicine Weekly Update - October 21, 2019
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Celebrating 65 Years of MMA Leadership Gala Headlines Week of Activities at MMA

Today begins a busy week of activities at MMA. The Senior Section meets at the MMA headquarters in Manchester on Wednesday, October 23rd. The Board of Directors is hosting a "Listening Session" for members on Friday, October 25th at the Portland Regency Hotel. The Celebrating 65 Years of MMA Leadership Gala will take place on Saturday evening, October 26th at Brick South at Thompson's Point in Portland. Finally, the MMA Board of Directors will conduct its annual President's Retreat in the mornings of Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th at the Portland Regency Hotel. Please see more about these events in the article below and in related articles in this issue.

 

The first event in a busy week of activities at the MMA is a meeting of the Senior Section on Wednesday, October 23rd from 11:30 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m. The event takes place at the Frank O. Stred Building in Manchester. Lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. Maine Family Planning CEO George Hill will present a talk entitled, "The Reagan-Bush-Trump Gag Rule:  Wrong-Headed and Unethical Then and Now." If you would like to attend, please contact Lisa Martin at lmartin@mainemed.com or 207-480-4201.  Chair Buell Miller, M.D. and Co-Chair Peter Shaw, M.D. serve in leadership roles for the Association.

On Friday, October 25th, the Board of Directors will host a "Listening Session" at the Portland Regency Hotel. We encourage members to drop by after work to have a drink and some hors d'oeuvres and to meet members of the MMA's volunteer leadership. These "Listening Sessions" are designed to give members an informal opportunity to share any thoughts about the practice of medicine in Maine today and how the MMA can assist. Please see the related article in this issue on the event.

On Saturday, October 26th, we will be "Celebrating 65 Years of MMA Leadership" at Brick South, Thompson's Point in Portland. We very much appreciate the many sponsors and those who have purchased tickets. We are expecting nearly 400 attendees for this event which promises to be a fun evening of celebration and camaraderie. Please see the related article in this issue on this event. Tickets are still available, but please act soon because the registration page on the MMA web site will close at the end of the business day on Thursday, October 24th.

Finally, MMA President Amy Madden, M.D. will be leading her colleagues on the Board of Directors in the annual President's Retreat at the Portland Regency Hotel during the mornings of Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th. This will be the Board's first strategic planning discussion with its new CEO, Andrew MacLean. We will inform you of the results of the Retreat.

Vaccine "Skeptics" Qualify for March 3rd Ballot

Supporters of a bid to overturn Maine's recent vaccine exemption law turned in over 79,000 valid signatures, well over the 63,067 needed to get the initiative on the ballot in the next statewide election after November, slated to take place on March 3, 2020. The MMA strongly urges its members to oppose the referendum by voting "No."

  

Supporters of a bid to overturn Maine's recent vaccine exemption law turned in over 79,000 valid signatures, well over the 63,067 needed to get the initiative on the ballot in the next statewide election after November, slated to take place on March 3, 2020. The MMA strongly urges its members to oppose the referendum by voting "No."

Many MMA members and others supported the passage of LD 798, which eliminates non-medical exemptions from school and healthcare employment vaccine requirements. The MMA membership passed a resolution at the September 2019 Annual Session decrying this attempt to roll back medical science and public health.

The opposition is being spearheaded by Maine Families for Vaccines PAC, a multidisciplinary group that includes parents, healthcare professionals, and public health experts. Donations may be submitted by going to mainefamiliesforvaccines.com. The group expects that over $1 million will be raised and spent by those who believe vaccines should not be required for school attendance or healthcare employment.

Questions about the referendum may be directed to MMA General Counsel Peter Michaud at pmichaud@mainemed.com .

Meanwhile, the national picture is not pretty. Here's the latest from the AMA publication, Morning Rounds:

Vaccine exemption rates continue to increase, CDC report says

CNN (10/17, Howard) reports on its website that “there has been a small increase in vaccine exemption rates among kindergarteners in the United States, according to” the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report “shows that rates of young children not receiving vaccinations against certain diseases, including measles, continued to climb in recent years.” The CDC found that “for the 2018-2019 school year, the national percentage of kindergartners with an exemption from one or more required vaccines was 2.5%, which was a slight increase from 2.3% during the previous school year and 2.1% in the 2016-2017 school year.”

(Maine exemption rates are over 5%.)

Surprise Medical Bills: Physicians Want Market-Based Fixes

See a summary of efforts by the AMA, MMA, and many other physician organizations around the country to inform the U.S. Congressional debate on "surprise medical billing."

 

The AMA and 110 other organizations representing hundreds of thousands of American physicians have signed onto a letter urging Congress to refine surprise billing legislation to ensure the final version targeting unanticipated out-of-network care "represents a fair, market-based approach that treats all stakeholders equally while protecting patient access to care."

There are instances when unanticipated coverage gaps happen "and patients unknowingly or without a choice receive care from an out-of-network physician or other provider."

In those cases, the physicians' letter says, "patients should be held harmless for any costs above their in-network cost-sharing, and their cost-sharing should count toward deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Patients should be completely removed from any subsequent payment disputes between their health insurance company and an out-of-network provider when they experience an unanticipated coverage gap," says the letter, sent Oct. 15 to Congressional leaders and broadly shared with members of the U.S. House and Senate.

However, "rate-setting provisions in current bills further shift marketplace leverage to health insurers at the expense of providers." That "will likely lead to access problems for patients seeking hospital-based care from on-call specialists, as well as precipitate staffing shortages in rural areas and other underserved communities."

More than 80% of the budgetary impact of the rate-setting mechanism in the "Lower Health Care Costs Act" (S. 1895) "would arise from changes to in-network payment rates," according to the analysis conducted by the Congressional Budget Office, which reached a similar conclusion regarding another bill, the "No Surprises Act" (H.R. 2328).

The end result? "In-network providers who have not contributed to the problem will bear the impact of the rate-setting scheme," says the letter sent by the AMA and the other physician organizations.

Physicians point to the success that New York state has had with a law mandating an independent dispute-resolution (IDR) process to deal with medical bills arising from unanticipated out-of-network care. New York patients have saved $400 million-plus on emergency care alone and out-of-network billing has fallen 34% since 2015, according to New York State Department of Financial Services Supervisor Linda Lacewell.

The AMA and the other physician organizations signing onto the letter recommend specific fixes to the "No Surprises Act" to:

  • Lower the $1,250 threshold to trigger an appeals process.
  • Allow for IDR batching of claims involving identical plans and providers, and the same or similar procedures that happen within a reasonable time frame.
  • Change the initial payment to reflect a commercially reasonable rate based on actual local charges determined through an independent claims database.
  • Establish measurable and enforceable network adequacy requirements.

Congress is expected to act in the coming months.

 

This Week's Public Health Updates from the AMA

Click through for a brief update on recent public health issues, provided by the American Medical Association's electronic publication, Morning Rounds. [This article is updated weekly.]

 

 

Early menopause may be associated with heart attack, stroke before age 60, study suggests

Reuters (10/18, Rapaport) reported, “Women who go through menopause earlier in life may be more likely to have a heart attack or stroke before they reach age 60 than their counterparts who go through menopause later on,” investigators concluded after examining “data from 15 observational studies with a total of more than 300,000 women, including almost 13,000 women who survived events like a heart attack or stroke after menopause.” The findings were published online in The Lancet Public Health.

Young people are having less sex, contracting greater number of STDs, research suggests

The Wall Street Journal (10/18, McGinty, Subscription Publication) reported that young people are reportedly having less sex compared to older generations at the same age, while contracting a higher number of sexually transmitted diseases. A CDC report found that cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis rose to an all-time high, and half of the reported cases occurred in those ages 15 to 24.

Rates of crash fatalities involving kids on bikes or on foot continue to decline each year, researchers say

Reuters (10/18, Crist) reported, “Although motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for U.S. children, rates of crash fatalities involving kids on bikes or on foot continue to decline each year,” research indicated. After reviewing data from 2000 to 2014 “from 26 states,” investigators found that “crashes declined by 40% for child pedestrians and 53% for child cyclists.” The findings were published online in the journal Injury Prevention.

Study: People exposed to more sources of stress in utero and early childhood may be more sensitive to pain by early adulthood

Reuters (10/18, Rapaport) reported, “People who were exposed to more sources of stress in the womb and early childhood may be more sensitive to pain by early adulthood than their counterparts with little or no exposure to stress early on,” research indicated. The findings of the 1,065-participant study were published online in the journal PAIN.

Physical fitness may lower lung cancer risk among current and former male smokers, study indicates

Reuters (10/18, Rapaport) reported researchers found that “men who are current or former smokers may be less likely to develop or die from lung cancer when they’re more physically fit.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

 

News From The Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine

The Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine (HPA) has partnered with Sapphire Digital to implement their SmartShopper® tool for Alliance members.

 

News From The Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine

The Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine (HPA) has partnered with Sapphire Digital to implement their SmartShopper® tool for Alliance members. On October 1, the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust became the first HPA member to launch this program for their 58,500 covered lives, and HPA anticipates that additional members will be implementing SmartShopper® in the near future.  

Like LD 445, the "Right to Shop" bill, the SmartShopper® tool provides patients with information on the price of healthcare services at provider sites of care around the country and rewards those who use the tool to "shop" for a range of healthcare services with incentive payments.  HPA and its members believe that providing patients with this kind of transparent price information, and the incentive to use it, helps to drive consumerism and avoid added expense, which is particularly important as more and more of the cost of healthcare is borne by individuals.  It also helps to control purchasers' healthcare costs, which continue to escalate and consume other budgetary priorities, like wage increases and infrastructure investment.

Some large insurers in the State of Maine, including Anthem, have implemented the SmartShopper® program for some of their insured clients.  The provider cost data and analytics used in the SmartShopper® program for HPA will be similar to, if not the same as, the provider data used for the program implemented by the insurers.  To learn more about how the SmartShopper® tool works, visit their website https://www.sapphite-digital.com/smartshopper/.  If you would like to better understand how your costs compare to your peers in the Maine market, HPA encourages you to visit the Maine Health Data Organization's CompareMaine website or reach out to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine.

The Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine is a non-profit collaborative of private employers and public trusts dedicated to lowering healthcare costs and improving quality.  Through collective action and innovative strategies, Alliance members drive the change they want to see in Maine's healthcare market.

For information about HPA, contact:
Trevor Putnoky, Membership and Communications Director
TPutnoky@purchaseralliance.org
(207) 400-2078

MMA Gala October 26th - Tickets Still Available

Time is getting short: MMA's Gala recognizing the contributions of former Executive Vice Presidents Gordon Smith, Frank Stred, and Daniel Hanley, M.D. is just 19 days from now!  Please plan to join friends and colleagues at the incomparable Brick South venue at Thompson's Point in Portland on Saturday, October 26, 2019 for a fun evening of networking, dining, dancing, and celebration.  A link to the event page on the MMA web site is below.

 

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate 65 Years of MMA Leadership!

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate 65 years of leadership and a tasteful roast of our own Gordon Smith

Saturday October 26th is not that far away so NOW is the time to order your tickets for this exceptional evening of dining, dancing, and socializing with all your friends! Just click here and place your order:  65years.mainemed.com

 

 

 

 

 

MaineCare Adds Buprenorphine/Naloxone Tablets to Preferred List

MaineCare, Maine's Medicaid system, has added generic buprenorphine/naloxone tablets to its list of preferred medications on its Preferred Drug List.

 

[Thanks to the Maine Hospital Association]

MaineCare, Maine's Medicaid system, has added generic buprenorphine/naloxone tablets to its list of preferred medications on its Preferred Drug List. They join Suboxone film, which remains on the list.

Other forms of buprenorphine, including probuphine, sublocade, and zubsolve, remain subject to prior authorization requirements. Criteria may be found on MaineCare's Preferred Drug list, at http://mainecarepdl.org/pdl .

Still Time to Register for MICIS/Qualidigm Opioid Webinars

Join Qualidigm for this webinar series, offered as part of the MMA's Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS), an innovative educational outreach program designed to provide independent clinical information to Maine physicians and other prescribers of medications. 

 

 

MICIS-Qualidigm

Two More Opioid-Related Webinars

 

 

Time & Dates:

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Noon to 1 p.m. EST

 

*Each webinar qualifies for a maximum of 1 CME credit.

 

 

Join Qualidigm for this webinar series, offered as part of the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS), an innovative educational outreach program designed to provide independent clinical information to Maine physicians and other prescribers of medications. The primary goal of this series is to have a better understanding of and impact of Chapter 488 in Maine, improve patient outcomes, maintain a compassionate approach to chronic pain management, and improve the safety of opioid co-prescribing. MICIS is a program of the Maine Medical Association.

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 12pm - REGISTER HERE

Co-Prescribing Benzodiazepines and Opioids: The Black Box of Increased Overdose Risk*

Presenter: Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, MPH

Learning Objectives:

·    Review the trends in benzodiazepine prescribing

·    Evaluate risks of co-prescribing benzodiazepines and opioids

·    Consider taper plans

·    Recall importance of risk reduction

*This topic was previously presented by MICIS in a December 2018 Quality Counts webinar.

 

 

*AMA Designation Statement

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



CCMEA Accreditation Statement

Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association’s Committee on Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) to practicing physicians. 

 

Joint Sponsorship

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.

Funding Statement

These webinars are funded through a contract from the Maine Department of Health & Human Services.

 

Qualidigm

(207) 620-8526, Ext 1036

jtiner@qualidigm.org

Qualidigm.org

 

Quality Counts has merged with Qualidigm, a national healthcare consulting organization who has a strong presence in New England. As one unified organization with over 50 years of combined experience delivering healthcare quality improvement services, we are committed to transforming the quality, safety, and value of healthcare by leading, collaborating, and aligning improvement efforts. We look forward to working with you to make New England the healthiest region in the United States.

 

See what's happening on our social sites:

 

MMA "Listening Session" in Portland on Friday, October 25

Join the MMA on Friday, October 25 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Portland Regency Hotel for an information Listening Session with MMA board members and senior staff.

 

MMA Listening Session
Friday, October 25, 2019
5:30 - 7:30pm
RSVP to Sarah Lepoff at slepoff@mainemed.com

Portland Regency Hotel, 20 Milk Street, Portland ME

MMA members are invited to a "Listening Session" hosted by the MMA at the Portland Regency Hotel on Friday, October 25, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

This is an informal opportunity for you to join us for a hosted reception with MMA board members and senior staff so that we can hear your concerns and thoughts about how the MMA can help you in your daily practice of medicine.  It's also a chance for you to network with colleagues outside of your work setting.

We hope that you can join us in Portland on Friday, October 25th.

Please RSVP to Sarah Lepoff at slepoff@mainemed.com.

Celebration for Our Healthy Future Thursday, October 17th Honors Lani Graham, M.D.

Celebration for Our Healthy Future Thursday, October 17, 6-8 p.m.

This year the celebration will honor Lani Graham, M.D., for her crucial role in the passage of first-in-the-nation legislation to phase out toxic chemicals in food packaging.

 

Please join us on Thursday, October 17 for our annual Celebration for Our Healthy Future! You can purchase a ticket—or join us as a Host and receive FREE tickets.

Celebration for Our Healthy Future

Thursday, October 17

6-8 p.m.

Beautiful venue, with free parking

Congregation Bet Ha'am

81 Westbrook Street

South Portland, Maine

RSVP

We'll kick off with food, drink, and music, then move to our annual leadership awards and the inspiring stories behind them.

You'll honor award winners like Dr. Lani Graham, recipient of this year's Bettie Kettel Award for an Outstanding Health Professional.

Dr. Graham is renowned for her leadership for environmental health as a medical doctor and public health official here in Maine, and across the nation. This year, Dr. Graham's testimony as a member of the medical community played a crucial role in the passage of first-in-the-nation legislation to phase out toxic chemicals in food packaging.

Read all about Dr. Graham's inspiring career here, and stay tuned for our other award winners to be announced!

Will we see you there on the 17th? Click below to register for tickets!

RSVP

Our Celebration is attended by lawmakers, advocates, health and law professionals, and leaders in the nonprofit and environmental world in Maine and across the nation. 

Interested in bringing friends? Join our Host Committee, and you'll receive 2-4 FREE tickets. Act soon, before our free tickets run out!


From The Alzheimer's Association: Diagnosing Patients with Dementia

The Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) jointly issued four criteria and guidelines to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, including recommendations for clinical office settings.

 

Diagnosing Patients with Dementia

The Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) jointly issued four criteria and guidelines to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, including recommendations for clinical office settings. These four recommendations are:

  • Diagnostic criteria - Introduction
  • Diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease
  • Diagnostic criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment
  • Recommendations for defining preclinical Alzheimer's disease

Visit this link to explore more on each topic:
https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians/dementia-diagnosis

Diagnosis, Treatment an Management of Dementia:
https://www.alzmassnh.org/hospital/physician-cme-course/

For more information, contact:
Peter Baker, LCSW, Program Director
Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter
207-772-0115 x9691  1-800-272-3900   pbaker@alz.org

MMA Legislative Calls Finished for the Session

Now that the Maine Legislature has adjourned sine die, our MMA legislative calls are on hold. Watch this space in late autumn for information about an in-person meeting to prepare for the Second Regular Session (2020) of the 129th Maine Legislature.

 

MMA Legislative Committee Chairs Jay Mullen, M.D. and Lindsey Tweed, M.D. thank you for participating in the weekly conference calls of the MMA Legislative Committee. It was a busy session for health care and health legislation, and the legislative calls were essential in giving MMA advocacy staff the guidance we needed to support or oppose significant legislation.

Preparation for the 2020 Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature will begin with an in-person meeting sometime in late fall, and regular legislative calls will resume the first week of January. In the meantime, enjoy your summer and fall, and don't forget to cultivate your relationships with your representative and senator. They appreciate hearing from you, not just on health issues but on any matters in which you have an interest.

Maine Legislature's List of Bill Titles Proposed for 2020 Session

The Maine Legislature has published the list of bill requests for the 2020 session.

 

The Maine Legislature has published the list of bill requests for the 2020 session. These are bill titles, with sponsor names, for any bills requested to be considered by the Legislature. Since this will be the second regular session of the 129th Legislature, bills must be of an emergency nature (although that term is often construed rather loosely), and they must be approved by the Legislative Council in order to be taken up by the Legislative committees and voted on.

The list is here: http://legislature.maine.gov/news/403/second-regular-session-preliminary-title-lists .

Among the proposals of significance to medicine are bills relating to surprise billing, firearms, prior authorization, health insurance coverage, drug costs, Lyme disease, informed consent for pelvic exams, vaccines (including a bill to allow naturopaths to write medical exemptions), telehealth, behavioral health, vaping, abortion, and scope of practice. The Weekly Update will publish links to the bills which have been allowed and to the text contents of those bills when they become available.

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

October 24, 2019
Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, Fall Members Meeting/Program
Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME
Contact Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

November 9, 2019
Maine Neurological Society
  9:00am - 12:00pm - Maine Medical Association – Manchester, ME
REGISTER TODAY
Contact: Cathy Stratton at 207-592-5725 or cstratton@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

February 1-2, 2020
Maine Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting
Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel & Conference Center – Carrabassett Valley, ME
Contact: Lisa Montagna at 207-620-4015 or mesahq@gmail.com

February 7-9, 2020
Maine Urological Association & Rhode Island Urological Society’s 2020 Winter Program
Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel & Conference Center – Carrabassett Valley, ME
Contact: Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

March 25, 2020
Richard Engel, MD, FACP 2nd Annual Primary Care Symposium
Maine Chapter, American College of Physicians and MMC Department of Medicine
Maine Medical Center – Portland, ME – 8:00am – 12:00pm
Contact: Warene Eldridge at 207-215-7118 or mainechapteracp@gmail.com

April 1-4, 2020
28th Annual MAFP Family Medicine Update & Annual Meeting
DoubleTree by Hilton Portland, Portland, ME
Full brochure and registration available after January 15, 2020 at www.maineafp.org
Contact Deborah Halbach at 207-938-5005 or maineafp@tdstelme.net

April 16-17, 2020
Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, 14th Annual Spring Program
Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME
Contact Dianna Poulin at 207-480-4194 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

May 1, 2020
Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Spring Meeting
Harraseeket Inn – Freeport, ME 11:30am - 5:00pm
Contact:  Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

May 1-3, 2020
American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Chapter Annual Meeting and Spring Conference
Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center – Freeport, ME
Contact:  Dee Kerry 207-480-4185 or dakerry@aapnet

 

 

 

 

  


 

CDC to offer webinar on new law requiring Lead Testing for all 1 & 2 year olds - October 21

DHHS and the Maine CDC will be hosting a webinar and Q & A on the new state law, LD 976 that requires Universal Lead Testing for all children in Maine at ages 1 and 2 featuring Karyn Butts, MPH, Manager, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Unit, and Andy Smith, SM, ScD, the CDC’s State Toxicologist. 

The webinar will be on Monday, October 21st from 12 noon- 1 pm via via zoom: https://zoom.us/j/8061423002 or phone +19292056099,,,8061423002#.  They are interested in hearing your questions, challenges, and opportunities around implementation of the law. The CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Unit sent a statement to providers a few weeks ago with information and they are developing a FAQ document.

DHHS and the Maine CDC will be hosting a webinar and Q & A on the new state law, LD 976 that requires Universal Lead Testing for all children in Maine at ages 1 and 2 featuring Karyn Butts, MPH, Manager, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Unit, and Andy Smith, SM, ScD, the CDC’s State Toxicologist. 

The webinar will be on Monday, October 21st from 12 noon- 1 pm via via zoom: https://zoom.us/j/8061423002 or phone +19292056099,,,8061423002#.  They are interested in hearing your questions, challenges, and opportunities around implementation of the law. The CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Unit sent a statement to providers a few weeks ago with information and they are developing a FAQ document.

MICIS: 2019 Clinical & Legal Opioid Update 10/24 Dedham, 10/30 Portland, 3 November Dates

Registration is open for Fall 2019 presentations of 2019 Clinical & Legal Opioid Update.  Presented by the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS).

2019 Clinical & Legal Opioid Update
Presented by the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS)
Free - Advanced registration is required
5:00-8:30 pm

The topics and learning objectives for this session will be:
    2019 Clinical Opioid Update
    • Review latest research relating to opioid + pain prescribing practices
    • Constantly consider harm reduction
    • Discuss opioid use disorder and treatments
    2019 Legal Opioid Update
    • Review impact of Chapter 488 in Maine
    • Discuss opioid laws, rules and initiatives of the new administration
    • Study Chapter 21 requirements and logical implementation
    • Investigate methods to further transform local and regional prescribing
    Co-Prescribing Benzodiazepines & Opioids: The Black Box of Increased Overdose Risk
    • Review the trends in benzodiazepine prescribing
    • Evaluate risks of co-prescribing benzodiazepines and opioids
    • Consider taper plans
    • Recall importance of risk reduction
    Presenters: Elisabeth Fowlie Mock, MD, MPH; Peter Michaud, JD, RN
    Light snacks will be provided.

    The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1Credit(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 to physicians.

    This activity qualifies for a maximum of 3 credits of the 3 CME credit requirement for opioid medication education found in P.L. 2015, Chapter 488, Maine's legislation to address opioid drug use.

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

    Qualidigm Rapid Induction Starting in the ED (RISE) Training

    Qualidigm is hosting an education program for hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) with training and technical assistance on initiating buprenorphine in the ED.

     

    Qualidigm: Rapid Induction Starting in the ED (RISE) Training

    Qualidigm, in collaboration with BlueWater Emergency Partners and several other partners (MMA and ACEP) is working under a contract with the state of Maine to host an education program for interested hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) focusing on how to initiate buprenorphine in the ED. 

    During the Rapid Induction Starting in the ED (RISE) project, Qualidigm is offering education and assistance on best practices for initiating buprenorphine in hospital EDs for individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) who are willing to engage in treatment during an ED visit. 

    If your ED is interested in receiving training or technical assistance on initiating buprenorphine in the ED from peer coaches in the field please contact Kayla Cole at kcole@qualidigm.org or tel. 207-620-8526 ext. 1027.

    Celebrate 65 Years of MMA Executive Leadership on Oct. 26. Tickets Available Now

    Please join us this fall as the Maine Medical Association celebrates the past 65 years of consecutive leadership and accomplishments! Brick South, the event center at Thompson's Point in South Portland, will be the site of an MMA Gala Celebration on Saturday evening, Oct. 26. We will celebrate the executive leadership of Dan Hanley, M.D., Frank Stred and Gordon Smith who sequentially led MMA for sixty-five years from 1955 into 2019.

     

    Please join us this fall as the Maine Medical Association celebrates the past 65 years of consecutive leadership and accomplishments!

    Brick South, the event center at Thompson's Point in South Portland, will be the site of an MMA Gala Celebration on Saturday evening, Oct. 26. We will celebrate the executive leadership of Dan Hanley, M.D., Frank Stred and Gordon Smith who sequentially led MMA for sixty-five years from 1955 into 2019. An elegant evening of wonderful memories is planned, including dinner and dancing to the band Plush.

    The Oct. 26 event will begin with a reception from 5:00 to 6:30pm. The program will include a video tribute and a roast with invited roasters including Senator Angus King, Governor Janet Mills, MHA President Steven Michaud, MMA's Andy MacLean, and former Ohio State Medical Association Executive Director D. Brent Mulgrew.  

    Sponsorships are available and anyone wishing to sponsor or purchase an ad in the program should contact Andy MacLean at MMA (amaclean@mainemed.com) or Sam Surprise (sam@surpriseadvertising.com).

    Online registration is now open at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-65-years-of-mma-leadership-tickets-66193569749

     

    Obesity Medicine: There is no 'one size fits all' - Monthly Lecture Series Beginning November 13th

    Obesity continues to skyrocket and most patients are not getting the help they desperately need.  Join us for one lecture or all 12 lectures (monthly) and learn the science behind obesity and current clinical guidelines in treating it. 

    What: Monthly Lecture Series (1.25 AMA PRA category one CME credits per lecture for 12 months for a total of 15 CME credits) 

    When: Lecture #1- Wednesday, November 13 from  6:00pm - 7:15pm

    Where: 66 Leighton Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

    Who: Catherine Krouse, DO 

    Why: Obesity continues to skyrocket and most patients are not getting the help they desperately need.  Join us and learn the science behind obesity and current clinical guidelines in treating it.  Understanding the physiology of weight regulation will help open lines of communication with your patients in unexpected ways, and help guide patients towards treatment options with the best evidence for long term success.

    COST: $40 per lecture OR $360 for the entire series (15 CME)

    RSVP: info@empoweredmaine.com


    MMA partners with the Maine Suicide Prevention Program and the Maine CDC/Sweetser to offer training for clinicians.

    MMA continues to partner with the Maine Suicide Prevention Program to offer training for clinicians.

    The Maine Suicide Prevention Program, administered by NAMI-Maine, is excited to announce their Fall schedule.   The following suicide prevention, assessment and management trainings are open for registration.  MMA works closely with NAMI-Maine to provide educational opportunities for Maine physicians and other clinical providers. CMEs and contact hours for licensure are offered as appropriate. 

    Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

    Suicide Prevention Training of the Trainers

    Suicide Assessment for Clinicians Training

    Non-Suicidal Self Injury Training

    Suicide Prevention Protocol Development Training

    Suicide Prevention Curriculum Training

    If you have needs not identified in the above list, please contact Nicole, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, to discuss the possibility of a customized training program.  

     

    The Maine CDC and Sweetser are offering free online Suicide Prevention Training Modules!

    Enrolling is easy. There are 12+ courses available at no charge. Download the flyer with enrollment info here.

    Sample modules:

    · Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    · Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents

    · Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)

    · Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS)

    · Safety Planning Intervention for Suicide Prevention

    · Suicide Risk Factors, Screening and Assessment

    Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital seeks a BC/BE General Surgeon

    Bread and butter surgery, with high volume elective surgery and low volume emergency surgery. Upper and lower endoscopy ability required. Breast surgery preferred, but not required.

    Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital seeks a BC/BE General Surgeon. Bread and butter surgery, with high volume elective surgery and low volume emergency surgery. Upper and lower endoscopy ability required. Breast surgery preferred, but not required.

    Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is a progressive, Joint Commission accredited, 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Pittsfield, Maine that serves an area encompassing 40,000 people throughout the central region. Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is a member of Northern Light Health, an integrated statewide health delivery system that is raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state.

    Why Northern Light Health?

    • Robust compensation and benefits package  
    • Student Loan Reimbursement Programs 
    • Relocation Bonus  
    • Sign on Bonus  
    • Flexible schedules and exceptional work/life balance  
    • Generous PTO benefits   

    For confidential consideration, please submit CV to: Providerjobs@northernlight.org

    01/13/20


    Family Medicine Opportunity in Beautiful Western Maine

    Western Maine Primary Care, a department of Stephens Memorial Hospital, is currently seeking a BC/BE family medicine physician to join our exceptional team of providers.

    Western Maine Primary Care, a department of Stephens Memorial Hospital, is currently seeking a BC/BE family medicine physician to join our exceptional team of providers. Western Maine Primary Care is committed to providing high quality care. Now is a great time to join our team as we recently relocated our practice to our brand new, state-of-the-art medical office building.

    Stephens Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, is a part of the MaineHealth family, the premier healthcare system in Maine, and is nationally renowned for its innovative programs in rural healthcare. This position offers teaching opportunities of medical students, as Stephens Memorial Hospital is one of the teaching sites for the Maine Medical Center – Tufts University Medical School program. Come be a part of our dynamic team of providers and exceptional support staff and experience the warmth of a small town combined with a medical community working closely with colleagues throughout the MaineHealth system.

    Competitive salary and benefits, including student loan repayment and relocation assistance. FMI please contact Abbie Graiver, Director of Physician Recruitment at (207) 744-6049 or graiverab@wmhcc.org.

    12/30/19

    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

    11/18/19

    BC/BE Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician

    Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has an exciting leadership opportunity for a BC/BE Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of five well-established, quality-driven, outpatient practices serving the greater Bangor community.

    Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has an exciting leadership opportunity for a BC/BE Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of five well-established, quality-driven, outpatient practices serving the greater Bangor community.

    The Physician Director, Primary Care will collaborate with the Practice Director, Primary Care to form a dyad partnership in leading our primary care team, as well as provide peripheral oversight for our Walk In Care and university health center locations. The Physician Director of Primary Care will have clinical, operational, financial and strategic duties. This role is 80% administrative and 20% clinical practice.

    Why Northern Light Health? We offer a robust compensation and benefits package, generous PTO benefits, loan repayment program, and an exceptional work/life balance.

    For confidential consideration, please contact:
    Amanda Klausing, FASPR, Physician Recruiter
    ProviderJobs@NorthernLight.org
    207.973.5358

    10/28/19

    Physician

    Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified clinical leader 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 clinical leader 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.  The Physician provides direct clinical services and works in partnership with members of the practice team to manage the care of patients, assuring a high standard of medical care.   

    Applicants must have a degree from an accredited medical school in the U.S., Board certification in Family or Internal Medicine, an unrestricted Maine license to practice medicine, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.  Qualifications include:

    • A minimum of three years’ experience in a primary care medical practice;
    • Demonstrated respect for cultural diversity in serving patients and families;
    • 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;

    Springvale is an iconic New England village located in western York County, Maine, less than an hour’s drive from Portland, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

    Visitwww.nassonhealthcare.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until November 22, 2019.

    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

    11/4/19

    Nurse Practitioner

    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 November 22, 2019.

    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

    11/4/19

    Physician Director of Primary Care

    Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Health has an exciting physician leadership opportunity for a Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of three family medicine practices.

    Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Health has an exciting physician leadership opportunity for a Board Certified/Board Eligible MD/DO Family Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician to lead our primary care network of three family medicine practices. This is an excellent opportunity to lead a group of well established, quality driven, outpatient practices serving the greater Pittsfield community. Our team of physicians and NP/MHNP providers are committed to providing excellent medical care, exceptional service and a satisfying relationship between patient and provider. We do this by blending the latest technology with old-fashioned care and customer service. Our skilled office staff and providers work as integrated care teams to provide our patients with a full spectrum of family care. This role will be 20% administrative and 80% clinical practice.
     
    For confidential consideration, please contact: providerjobs@northernlight.org
     
    12/2/19

    Full-time, Part-time and Leadership Opportunities for Physicians

    TeamHealth is now partnering with Northern Light Health to provide integrated emergency medicine and hospital medicine services in Northern Light Health Hospitals throughout Downeast Maine.

    TeamHealth is now partnering with Northern Light Health to provide integrated emergency medicine and hospital medicine services in Northern Light Health Hospitals throughout Downeast Maine. We have full-time, part-time and leadership opportunities for physicians to join our teams at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Inland Hospital, Blue Hill Hospital, AR Gould Hospital and Maine Coast Hospital. TeamHealth offers free CME, a great work-life balance that gives you quality time with family and friends, and the potential to realize your career by growing into local, regional and national leadership positions. Northern Light Health is the most expansive integrated healthcare system in Maine offering care in locations across beautiful Downeast and inland Maine, an area known for its breathtaking vistas and seaside living. TeamHealth will be working with clinical teams at Northern Light Health to optimize operational efficiency and continue providing compassionate, high-quality care in an environment that prioritizes integration between emergency medicine and hospital medicine teams. For more information and to apply, click here.

    12/2/19

    Medical Director - Bucksport, ME

    Come join a FQHC located in the small community of Bucksport, Maine. 

    Position:  Medical Director

    Location:  Bucksport Regional Health Center in Bucksport, Maine

    Come join a FQHC located in the small community of Bucksport, Maine.  Services provided for medical, dental, Behavioral Health, Lab and Radiology.  Enjoy the beauty and central location.  We are unique in that we are Just minutes from  Bangor, Maine and the beautiful Acadia National Park. 

    Expressed interest can be sent to dadams@brhcme.org

    10/28/19

    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/