The MSMS Advocacy Division works to ensure the voice of Michigan physicians is at the forefront when legislators, regulators, and insurers are considering actions that impact the profession, the physician-patient relationship, and the ability to deliver high quality health care. Each month we will be highlighting some of the previous month’s activities that have kept MSMS staff working hard on your behalf. Below are highlights from October 2024.
1. Senate Bills 647-654, which are focused on tobacco cessation, were taken up by the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee. MSMS is a part of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance and submitted a card of support. Brittany Tayler, MD, Alliance Co-Chair and MSMS Board member testified in support.
2. Submitted a card of support in the Senate Health Policy Committee for House Bills 5077 and 5078. House Bill 5077 would amend the Administration of Opioid Antagonists Act to specify that an agency that purchased or otherwise obtained and possessed an opioid antagonist or an employee or agency of an agency who possessed an opioid antagonist distributed to that employee or agency could distribute that opioid antagonist directly or indirectly to any individual. House Bill 5078 would amend the Public Health Code to allow a prescriber to issue a prescription for and a dispensing prescriber or pharmacist to dispense an opioid antagonist to an agency authorized to obtain an opioid antagonist under the Administration of Opioid Antagonists Act. Cara Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM, Chair of the Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission, testified in support of the bills.
3. MSMS Director of Health Quality, Equity and Technology, Dara J. Barrera, is an active Board member of the Michigan Chapter of HIMSS (Health Information and Management Systems Society) and is involved in planning their Annual Conference. Attendees at this year’s October event explored topics ranging from cyber security and artificial intelligence, to using virtual reality to address behavioral health issues in patients at the Veterans Administration. Additionally, Ms. Barrera convened and moderated a panel of leaders to discuss Health IT with physician organizations and payers.
4. In response to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s (BCBSM’s) decision to eliminate coverage for weight loss drugs, Saxenda, Wegovy, and Zepbound, effective January 1, 2025, for fully insured large commercial members, shared MSMS policy and concerns at the most recent monthly meeting with BCBSM. MSMS policy states, “MSMS supports evidence based, medically necessary treatments for obesity as a benefit covered by health insurance plans without undue prerequisites on the part of the patient.”
5. Stacie Saylor, MSMS Reimbursement Advocated, represented MSMS at the most recent WPS Part B Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group (POE AG) meeting. The primary function of the POEAG is to assist the contractor in the creation, implementation, and review of provider education strategies and efforts. The Advisory Group provides input and feedback on training topics, provider education materials, and dates and locations of provider education workshops and events. This assures correct submission and processing of Medicare claims.