contents Mar/Apr 2014, Volume 111, Number 2
Features. . . 10
Strategic plan update–The CMS Board of Directors began the process of revising the strategic plan at a retreat in January.
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Legislative update–Halfway through the legislative session, Colorado Medicine checks in on the top bills being followed by the Council on Legislation.
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AMA National Advocacy Conference–CMS physicians lobbied Capitol Hill in early March and made great gains for medicine on SGR repeal and the Clean Claims Task Force.
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Health care exchange update–The 90-day grace period allowed under the health care law could cause a billing headache for physicians starting in March.
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Prescription drug abuse–A new CMS committee starts work guiding society policy and action surrounding the effort to reduce prescription drug abuse.
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Medical marijuana–Larry Wolk, MD, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, discusses medical marijuana and physician responsibilities.
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Be aware or beware–Physician contracts with hospitals need to be carefully negotiated. CMS members have access to discounted and flat-fee negotiaton/review services.
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Final Word–Alan Kimura, MD, MPH, discusses how physicians can impact costs while still making sound clinical decisions, and how incentives could encourage this practice.
Cover story
Colorado Medicine sat down for an exclusive interview with journalist Stephen Brill, whose special report in the March 2013 issue of TIME magazine, “Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us,” investigated hospital billing practices and why U.S. health care spending is out of control. Our Q & A with Brill is a continuation of our series on health care costs in Colorado. Read more on page 6.
Inside CMS 5 28 31 34 36 38 39
Executive Office Update Dimensions of Wellness Survey Results Spring Conference ICD-10 Update Clean Claims Task Force COPIC Comment AMA Ambassador Program
Departments 40 45
Medical News Classified Advertising
Colorado Medicine for March/April 2014
Editor’s note: Articles appearing in Colorado Medicine without a byline represent the collaborative work of CMS leadership and staff.
COVER CREDIT: From TIME Magazine, March 4, © 2013 Time Inc. Used under license.
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