In this issue
TPA Leadership Team
Michael R. Madden President & CEO
Cynthia Beilmann Director, Finance
Heather Hall Vice President, Corporate Communications
John Luzier Director, Data Analytics
Michele Nichols
Executive Vice President, Administrative Services
Carolyn Rada, MSN, RN
Executive Vice President, Population Health Management
Oleg Savka Vice President, Information Technology
Ashley Shreve Director, Practice Transformation
Karen Swanson, MD Chief Medical Officer
April Whitaker
Executive Advisor to the President & CEO and CMO
Board of Directors
Dennis Ramus, MD Chairperson
Daniel Megler, MD Vice Chairperson
Trpko Dimovski, MD Treasurer
William Oppat, MD Secretary
Eugene Agnone, MD
Mazen Alsaqa, MD
Bruce Benderoff, DO
Paul Benson, DO
Dennis Bojrab, MD
Marcus DeGraw, MD
Sidney Simonian, DO
Richard Stober, MD
Robert Takla, MD
Robert Zaid, DO
Adam Hull, DO Ex officio
Jason Betcher, DO Ex officio
President’s MESSAGE
Dear members,
Even though the healthcare universe in southeast Michigan is being influenced by numerous disruptive changes, I am excited about the opportunities available to The Physician Alliance (TPA). As a group, over 2,300 physician members, spanning more than 2,000 square miles, are performing high in cost and quality. These key variables make our physician organization highly valuable to health systems, payers, and other entities that have entered the healthcare market.
The Physician Alliance’s leadership team and I continue to work with our Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) partner to progress our mutual interests in improving healthcare in southeast Michigan. We will be back at the table soon to identify opportunities to work together to lower healthcare costs while improving patient quality of care and physician quality metrics and revenue, among other things. I am optimistic this partnership will benefit our members, HFHS, TPA and the communities we serve.
Our team is staying informed of many changes in healthcare, such as local and national payer losses due to underfunding, the cost of pharmaceutical drugs and higher than projected utilization, potential cuts to Medicaid, hospital and physician reimbursement, research funding, and vaccine education. We too are concerned about the potential impact these changes could have on our physician members and your patients.
Despite disruptive changes occurring in the marketplace, TPA members remain focused on providing excellent patient care. We see it in the closed gaps in care, the number of patient-centered medical home designations and improved specialty VBR performance. This year, there are also additional opportunities to improve practice revenue in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Physician Group Incentive Program that many of you participate in through TPA, which will help support the high-quality care provided to patients [see the article on page 6].
All this reminds us that healthcare continues to be a turbulent and disruptive industry. I’m proud to see that our members and our team are committed to rising above the challenges to embrace the opportunities.
Make sure you stay aware of information like this and more by ensuring you’re receiving our bi-weekly newsletter, The Pulse, in your email inbox. Please be sure to open it for important updates, education programs, coding resources and more. If you’re not receiving it, please contact info@TPAdocs.com to get subscribed.
We appreciate those of you that advocate for your profession via TPA action alert emails that allow you to write to your state and federal legislators with a few clicks. We believe that our efforts to simplify this process have resulted in legislative outcomes that were favorable to our physicians.
TPA looks forward to supporting the continued success of our physicians and their practices in 2025 and beyond.
In good health,
Michael R. Madden President & CEO
Strategies for navigating
burnoutphysician
Physician burnout is an increasingly common concern in the healthcare field. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, lack of interest, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. Over time burnout in healthcare professionals can lead to decreased job satisfaction, lower quality of care, and even a higher rate of medical errors, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Understanding the causes of burnout and taking steps to mitigate it are essential for the well-being of physicians and the quality of care they provide.
While a 2024 survey by the American Medical Association reported that physician burnout fell below 50 percent for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, many doctors still report feeling at least one symptom of burnout. Different factors play into the feeling, such as specialty, gender or years in practice.
Causes of physician burnout
Excessive Workload
Long hours, high patient volumes, and constant demands for efficiency can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Many physicians report spending significant time on administrative tasks, which detracts from patient care and adds to stress and frustration (of being taken away from practicing medicine).
Lack of Control in Caring for Patients
Physicians may feel a lack of autonomy in decisionmaking, particularly when dealing with insurance companies or institutional policies that hinder their ability to provide the best care for their patients. This sense of helplessness can contribute to frustration and burnout.
Emotional Strain
Caring for patients, especially those with chronic or terminal conditions, can take an emotional toll. Constantly being in “caregiver mode” without adequate emotional support can lead to burnout.
Work-Life Imbalance
The demanding nature of the profession often leaves little time for personal or family life, leading to feelings of isolation and neglect. The absence of personal time and relaxation can amplify feelings of burnout.
Lack of Support
In some settings, especially in overburdened practices or hospitals, physicians may not have enough support from colleagues or leadership to navigate the stress they face. This lack of a strong support network can exacerbate burnout.
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Tips for reducing physician burnout and practicing self-care
While the pressures of the medical profession may never entirely disappear, there are several steps physicians can take to reduce burnout and protect their mental and emotional health.
Set Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. This might mean setting a limit on how much overtime you are willing to work or ensuring you leave the office on time to spend quality time with family and friends, or participating in an activity you enjoy. Protecting personal time is crucial for maintaining energy and avoiding burnout.
Delegate and Seek Support
Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks or ask for help when necessary. This might involve working with nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or administrative staff to share responsibilities. Also, seek support from colleagues, mentors, or a professional therapist to discuss the emotional toll of your work.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
Adding mindfulness, meditation, or other relaxation techniques into your daily routine can significantly reduce stress. Even a few minutes of deep breathing or mindful reflection can help reset your emotional state, providing relief from the constant pressures of the job.
Engage in Physical Activity
Regular exercise is a proven stress-reliever. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s walking, yoga, or a more intense workout. Physical activity can boost endorphin levels, improve mood, and help manage the physical stress associated with long hours of being at work.
Take Breaks and Use Vacation Time
It’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day, as well as utilize vacation time. Taking time away from work allows you to recharge and return to your practice with a fresh perspective and renewed energy. If possible, ensure that you can disconnect from work while on vacation – have a colleague cover your patients so you’re not contacted while away.
Focus on Your Why
Reflect on what you enjoy about being a physician and the positive impact you have on patients’ lives. Reconnecting with the reasons you entered the field can reignite a sense of purpose and motivation.
Seek Professional Help
If you begin to experience significant emotional distress, reach out to a counselor or therapist who specializes in physician well-being. Talking through your challenges with an objective professional can help you navigate difficult emotions and develop effective coping strategies.
Prioritize improving work-life balance
Physician burnout is a serious issue that can affect both personal well-being and patient care. By recognizing the causes of burnout and taking proactive steps to practice self-care, physicians can reduce the risk of burnout and enhance their quality of life. Prioritizing personal wellbeing, seeking support, and setting boundaries can help physicians maintain a passion for their work and continue providing the high-quality care their patients deserve.
Quality programs provide new opportunities to increase revenue
The Physician Alliance continues to facilitate Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s (BCBSM) Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP), providing opportunities for members to improve quality metrics, patient quality of care and practice revenue. This program provides a myriad of opportunities for primary care and specialty providers.
The following information highlights several of these opportunities, as well as new ones launched in 2025. Practices should contact their practice resource team member for additional information or questions on these programs.
Opportunities for Primary Care Physicians
BCBSM determines patient-centered medical home (PCMH) designation based on PCMH capability implementation, utilization, and quality metrics. Practices earning this designation can receive an increased evaluation & management (E&M) value-based reimbursement (VBR) up to 87%. The Physician Alliance PCMH designated practices receive a 10% E&M VBR because TPA is recognized as a Cost Trend Benchmark Performer by BCBSM.
There are currently 381 primary care physicians designated as patient-centered medical home (PCMH) practices by BCBSM. PCMH designation is announced every two years.
NEW! Additional PCMH Capabilities Available
Primary care physicians can earn three new PCMH capabilities:
• 4.30 – Practice or physician organization (PO) ensures that certified community health worker is trained, onboarded, and integrated into the practice unit effectively.
• 10.9 - Practice utilizes data to identify patients with the greatest social needs (ex. ADI +8) and outreach where disparities in health outcomes and care exist.
• 14.12 - Practice unit actively promotes highperforming specialty referrals and reviews BCBSM provided data. High-performing specialty providers are identified based on their performance metrics and outcomes, ensuring patients receive the most effective care.
These added capabilities bring the total possible opportunities to 180.
At Risk 5% Value-Based Reimbursement Opportunity
Primary care physicians are eligible to earn an additional value-based reimbursement (VBR) that focuses on implementing patient-centered medical home (PCMH) capabilities for vulnerable populations. Some of the target populations include LGBQT+ and senior populations, behavioral health care needs, and others. TPA PGIP practices that put at-risk capabilities in place can earn an additional 5% VBR in 2025.
NEW! Advanced Primary Care 5% Value-Based Reimbursement
BCBSM is offering a new 5% VBR opportunity called Advanced Primary Care. Available to primary care physicians, this VBR recognizes providers who offer high value care to the most vulnerable populations. To qualify for this opportunity, PCPs must meet the following criteria:
• PCMH designation
• Provider Delivered Care Management (PDCM) participation
• Population Management VBR (4% outreach, 2 claims)
• Collaborative Care (CoCM) designation
• Implementation of 2024 At-Risk VBR PCMH capabilities (NEW FOR 2025)
In 2026, practices will be required to implement PCMH capability 12.6 Virtual Care Visits to maintain the Advanced Primary Care 5% VBR. Practices interested in implementing these capabilities should contact their practice resource team member for more information.
NEW! Social Determinants of Health Value-Based Reimbursement Requirements
While BCBSM will continue to offer a 5% Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) value-based reimbursement (VBR), there are new requirements for primary care practices. BCBSM will be adopting NCQA’s Social Needs Screening and Intervention Measure (SNS-E) with the goal of identifying patients with food, housing, and transportation needs and then link them to appropriate resources.
Primary care physicians will need to use a qualified SDOH screening tool and provide evidence (via coding) of the patient receiving an appropriate intervention within 30 days of the identified need. To receive the VBR, at least 20 BCBSM patients with a SNS-E record(s) per practice unit must be submitted electronically via QMI. TPA’s information technology department is available to assist practices with these submissions. Practices should contact their practice resource team member to be connected to TPA’s IT staff.
Opportunities for Specialty Physicians
NEW! BCBSM Value-Based Reimbursement
Specialty practices earning a population-based valuebased reimbursement (VBR) from BCBSM will see an increase in possible reimbursement as the range moves from 5-10% to 6-12% in additional relative value unit (RVU) billing. VBR recognition requires practices to improve and optimize cost and quality performance for patient populations. There are also clinical quality initiatives (CQIs) that offer various VBR based on reaching performance targets within their CQI specialty.
Specialists earn top value-based reimbursement
The Physician Alliance is pleased to share that 95.1% of TPA specialists are receiving a 12% valuebased reimbursement (VBR) through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP).
The 12% VBR is earned by being in the top 1/3 of the practice peer group. The middle third tier earns 6% and lower than that earns 0%. These amounts increased from 10% and 5% last year.
The specialist VBR differs from the primary care VBR because it is not based on individual performance. It is instead peer to peer within specialty type.
All specialties were evaluated on four ‘core metrics,’ according to BCBSM:
1. Total cost of care PMPM
2. Cost difference
3. Global Quality Index (GPI)
4. Global Utilization Index (GUI) - NEW
Specialists are evaluated against peers in similar specialty types. Practices were automatically nominated if they met the criteria. This VBR is effective March 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 for measurement year 2024.
From challenges to triumphs A year of growth and achievement for medicine
The ringing of a new year and turning of a calendar page often moves our focus forward to the next project, challenge, opportunity.
But there are benefits to pausing to reflect on challenges overcome and achievements made.
This reflection in the workplace can often serve as learning opportunities, improved morale and pride in work, strengthened teamwork and new creative ideas.
The past year certainly provided ups and downs in local healthcare. Early in the year, physician practices and Ascension hospitals felt significant impact from the cyberattack on the health system. From the inability to access patient records through electronic medical records to the challenges of billing and coding, practices and hospitals felt the pressure for months. And yet, these healthcare professionals unsurprisingly stepped up to ensure patient quality of care remained a high priority and reinforced the importance of teamwork and flexibility in this industry.
Despite the challenges of billing and coding during this time, The Physician Alliance member practices still demonstrated high quality metrics by the end of 2024. Top quality metrics, such as cancer screenings, reached the 75th or 90th percentile.
The joint venture between Ascension Southeast Michigan and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) was completed in October. A project of this size ripples across numerous areas, impacting employed and private practices, thousands of associates, hospitals and care areas, and more. The Physician Alliance leadership team began conversations with HFHS leadership, introducing our physician organization, practices, achievements, and more. The goal is to ensure a continued successful partnership with the health system, as built with Ascension Southeast Michigan for over a decade.
The following are just a few highlights of the many achievements occurring in 2024:
• 381 primary care practices are designated patient-centered medical home by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
• Over 800 specialty physicians received a value-based reimbursement from BCBSM.
• TPA continues to receive recognition as a low-cost benchmark performer by BCBSM, enabling members to receive an additional 10% E&M uplift.
• The Physician Alliance continued its partnership with Health Focus for supplemental data transmissions to payers and added new health information exchange capabilities related to ADT, lab results and medication reconciliation use cases.
• TPA reported quality data that helps with Medicare Star ratings and clinical quality measures:
• Over 1,425,000 quality data points representing 24 services to Blue Cross (Commercial and MA)
• Over 520,000 data points representing 26 services to Blue Care Network (Commercial and MA) and Blue Care Complete (Medicaid)
• Over 150,000 data points representing 33 services to Health Alliance Plan
• TPA hosted six live virtual education webinars with over 180 members participating. The on-demand recordings continue to be a well-received benefit to members who are unable to attend or want to review the information (recordings are available on TPA’s member portal).
• A Gap App was launched in TPA’s member portal that lets staff members (with approved protected health information level access) view their practice’s patient gaps in care for BCBSM commercial and MA. This helps reduce sending patient health information in emails, eliminates redundancy of worked lists, increases efficiency and staff collaboration, provides real-time removal of gaps that are closed via other methods (ex. supplemental data), and more. The patient lists will be expanded to other payers in 2025.
• A robust program was developed to assist TPA member practices with providing social determinants of health (SDOH) support to patients. TPA’s community health worker can contact patients in need of nonmedical assistance relating to SDOH. A comprehensive marketing toolkit was also created with patient flyers, social media graphics, coding tips and more to further help practices. (Log into TPA’s member portal to request outreach to patients needing SDOH assistance.)
Quality toolkits
The Physician Alliance created health toolkits to provide a variety of resources focused on specific health conditions. The materials and outreach tools can help initiate conversations with patients to increase knowledge and skills for managing their health. Coding and other documents can assist with practice performance and improved quality metrics. The Physician Alliance members can access the toolkit materials in the member portal at TPAdocs.com.
Community Health Services Toolkit
Health disparities and social determinants of health (SDOH), such as socioeconomic status, environment, and social support systems, are factors that can impact patient health outcomes. The Physician Alliance Community Health Services toolkit offers resources to member practices to assist patients with SDOH. The resources were created to help promote the non-medical support available through TPA’s community health worker (this service is complimentary to TPA’s PGIP practices).
Resources for patient education:
• Flyers to promote non-medical community health services to patients (with phone number to call TPA’s community health worker). These flyers are also available with tear-off phone number tabs
• Social media graphics promoting non-medical community health services for practices to utilize on their websites, patient portal, et.
Practice staff resources:
• Flyer that informs staff of available patient support TPA’s community health worker can assist with
• Brief video showing how to submit a community health assistance referral form in TPA’s member portal
• Social determinants of health Z codes tip sheet
Diabetes Management Toolkit
Practices can educate patients to engage them in managing their disease and reduce risks for diabetes complications. Examples of materials in the diabetes toolkit include:
• Patient education flyers on diabetes management, the importance of eye exams, lowering risk of diabetes and more
• Understanding diabetic retinopathy infographic
• Social media graphics promoting diabetes management and retinal eye exams
• Coding tip sheets and more
Gaps in Care Toolkit
Patient outreach and ongoing communication efforts help practice staff better coordinate needed care. Examples of materials in the gaps in care toolkit include:
• Patient posters, checklists and more
• Patient action plans
• Letter template to remind patients about lapsed health appointments, screenings, etc.
• Social media graphics
Where to Get Care Toolkit
This toolkit focuses on educating patients on where to seek care. An unnecessary emergency department visit may lead to unneeded tests and higher out-of-pocket costs for patients. Examples of materials in the emergency department toolkit include:
• Customizable urgent care handout (to include urgent care facilities the practice partners with)
• Social media graphics
• Where to seek care infographic
• Sample script for after-hours care
• Telemedicine tips and more!
Managing patients with diabetes: What is needed every year?
Diabetes is a common health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization states that the number of adults living with diabetes quadrupled in the past decade to over 800 million. In the United States, more than 38 million people have diabetes, roughly 11.6% of the US population. However, almost 8 million more American adults don’t know they have diabetes. The disease is also rising in children and teens as obesity and sedentary lifestyles become the norm for much of society.
With the rise in this disease, it’s more important than ever for physicians to be proactive in caring for diabetic patients. Diabetes, whether it is type 1 or type 2, can have microvascular and macrovascular complications develop. Diabetes also can put patients at high risk for heart disease and vascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. As physicians, we want to prevent or limit these complications for our patients.
The U.S. Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 in adults ages 35-70 who are overweight or obese. Physicians should also screen those patients who may have symptoms related to diabetes, such as polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
PHYSICIAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth Bankstahl, MD, MBA, FACP
Primary care physician, St. John Internal Medicine
The Physician Alliance regional medical director
St. John Medical Group medical director
What tests or procedures are needed every year?
Diabetic eye exams should be completed yearly. Newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients should have the first eye exam five years after diagnosis. However, the eye exam is recommended at time of diagnosis for type 2 diabetes.
For diabetic nephropathy, you need BOTH blood and urine tests. This includes measuring albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with creatinine. As a reminder, urinalysis doesn’t count.
Diabetic monofilament exam
Lipid panel with goal LDL<100. Statin Therapy is indicated for those >40 years old.
A1c should be checked every 3 months for uncontrolled diabetes (A1c>7.0) and every 6 months for controlled A1c.
Flu vaccine (pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended)
Helpful coding resources
(Coding tip sheets can be accessed in TPA’s member portal. Log in from TPAdocs.com)
• Diabetes CPT II coding updates sheet
• TPA Adult HEDIS measures tip sheet
The Physician Alliance created many resources to help educate patients on diabetes management.
Diabetes Management Toolkit
Practices can engage and educate patients in managing their disease and reduce risks for diabetes complications.
• Patient education flyers
• 6 ways to manage your diabetes poster
• 6 tips for lowering diabetes risk poster
• Diabetic eye exam poster
• Diabetic eye exam prescription form
• Patient diabetes self-management form
• Patient diabetes action plan form
• Understanding diabetic retinopathy infographic poster
• Patient healthy lifestyle self-management form (17 years and under)
• Social media graphics promoting diabetes management and retinal eye exams
• Coding tip sheets and more!
The Power of Advocacy
Why physicians should use their voice for positive change
As healthcare professionals, physicians are on the front lines of patient care. And they are also uniquely positioned to influence the broader healthcare landscape. Engaging in advocacy allows physicians to shape policies, promote positive change, and contribute to a system that benefits both their patients and their careers. Using their voice to advocate for better policies can improve patient care, enhance physician job satisfaction, and even increase revenue opportunities.
A Physician's Opportunity
Physicians have an excellent understanding of the intricacies of providing patient care, navigating payer guidelines, working with health systems and the challenges of providing quality healthcare. This expertise positions them as essential advocates for change. Whether it’s advocating for healthcare reform, addressing disparities in care, or pushing for improvements in working conditions, physicians are uniquely qualified to highlight critical issues and offer informed solutions.
Advocacy can take many forms:
• Contacting legislators to support/oppose certain legislation
• Speaking at policy hearings
• Helping professional associations advance issues related to their profession and/or specialty
• Engaging with hospital leadership to improve patient care and workplace situations for employees
• Raising awareness of issues and priorities through social media, meetings and more
• Participating in grassroots campaigns with professional organizations
• Working with legislators to craft legislation that prioritizes patient well-being and physician interests
• Educating patients on important health issues, helping them become their own advocates
By becoming involved, physicians can ensure that their voices are heard, and that policies are shaped by those with direct experience in patient care.
How Advocacy Improves Patient Care
When physicians advocate for healthcare reforms, they are ultimately fighting for better care for their patients. This might include advocating for access to new and innovative treatments, lowering prescription and copay costs, or pushing for more equitable care across diverse patient populations. For example, by advocating for improved
insurance prior authorization and reimbursement policies, physicians can reduce administrative hassles and spend more time with patients—leading to better outcomes.
Advocacy efforts can also address systemic issues that lead to healthcare disparities, such as limited access to care in underserved communities. By pushing for changes that promote equity, physicians can improve healthcare delivery on a larger scale, benefiting their patient population in a more meaningful way.
Advocacy and Physician Job Satisfaction
Advocacy is not only beneficial for patients, but it can also increase job satisfaction for physicians. Feeling like an active participant in shaping the policies that impact their practice fosters a sense of empowerment and fulfillment. When physicians have the opportunity to influence decisionmaking at higher levels, they experience greater control over their work environment, which can help alleviate burnout and frustration.
Additionally, advocacy helps physicians feel more connected to the larger purpose of their profession— caring for others. It provides a meaningful outlet for their passion, reinforcing why they chose medicine in the first place. Advocacy is a way for physicians to align their daily work with their values and contribute to improving the healthcare system for future generations.
Advocacy and Physician Revenue
Physician advocacy can also lead to tangible benefits, including better reimbursement rates and improved compensation. Participating in advocacy efforts aimed at addressing issues like reimbursement cuts or insurance payment structures can help physicians shape a more favorable financial environment for their practices. Advocacy can also lead to changes in policies that promote physician wellness, which in turn can reduce turnover and enhance the long-term viability of a practice.
Moreover, advocacy can boost a physician's professional profile, opening doors to speaking engagements, leadership opportunities, and partnerships with organizations that align with their interests. These opportunities can lead to
financial growth and career advancement, in addition to the sense of purpose that comes from making a difference.
The Power of Engaging in Advocacy
Physician advocacy is a powerful tool for positive change in healthcare. By speaking out on behalf of their patients and profession, physicians can drive meaningful reforms that enhance patient care, improve job satisfaction, and even increase revenue potential. Now, more than ever, physicians are in a position to lead the way toward a healthier, more equitable healthcare system.
Legislative
The following legislative issues are shared as a courtesy to keep TPA members in the loop on proposed legislation impacting healthcare.
Helpful tip
When you contact your representative, consider sharing that you are a physician or healthcare provider/professional and why you support or oppose the proposed legislation. Sharing a personal story about a patient (no PHI) or yourself reminds legislators that their actions impact real people and businesses.
If you don’t know your state and federal elected officials, click the links below to search for your representative. Most legislator websites list email or phone numbers to contact their office with your comment. Or, several state and national organizations created templates that allow you to input your contact information and personalize a pre-written email to your representative (your representative will automatically populate after you input your personal information). The links are included after the legislation information below.
Michigan House of Representatives search
Michigan Senate search
U.S. Senator Gary Peters website
U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin website
LOOP
H.R. 879, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (federal)
For the fifth consecutive year, physicians received another Medicare payment cut on Jan. 1, 2025. Bi-partisan support re-introduced H.R. 879 that would cancel the 2.83% payment cut that went into effect on January 1 and provide a 2.0% payment update for physician practices.
Where it stands: Despite significant bi-partisan support and being introduced in the House, the bill has failed to make it to a vote.
Use this American Medical Association template to send a quick email to your representatives.
American Medical Association template
Protect Medicaid (Federal)
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill in February that threatens to cut up to $800 billion from Medicaid. Michigan could lose as much as $2 billion. This program provides healthcare and services to over 70 million of the country’s most vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, seniors, people fighting diseases and low-income families. Millions of Michigan residents rely on Medicaid for healthcare and economic security. Numerous organizations oppose cuts to the Medicaid programs, including Michigan State Medical Society, American Medical Association, physician specialty groups, patient advocacy groups, and more. The U.S. Senate is set to vote on this funding – please contact Michigan’s senators to tell them to protect Medicaid!
Where it stands: Congress is working on a budget reconciliation that will include funding limits and other requirements for Medicaid.
Use this pre-written template to contact Michigan U.S. Senators Peters and Slotkin.
MSMS template
Save with exclusive discounts and benefits to members
The Physician Alliance’s Affiliate Partners program is designed to enhance practice efficiency and savings. Through this program, members can access exclusive discounts on a range of products and services that can reduce overhead costs, improve workflow, and elevate patient care and practice management. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to optimize your practice while enjoying significant savings.
Highlights of current partner products and services are listed below. Additional information on each Affiliate Partner can be found on The Physician Alliance website or by contacting the companies.
Legal Services
Rickard & Associates
Practices can receive a preferred rate on comprehensive legal services and assistance ranging from general counsel services to employee issues, contract negotiations, compliance review, and more. Estate planning services are also available. Inquire about a free consultation.
Contact: Lori-Ann Rickard info@larlegal.com, (586) 498-0600
Medical and Office Supplies
ODP Business Solutions (formerly Office Depot)
Members receive exclusive savings at Office Depot/Office Max through a discount program featuring low pricing on many business categories and medical supplies, plus a low order minimum for free shipping.
Contact: Business customer service BSDCustomerCare@odpbusiness.com, (888) 263-3423
Medical Answering Service
Ambs Call Center
A full range of quality HIPAA-compliant medical answering services, including web on-call portal, daytime call management, secure text messaging and customization options. Enjoy these exclusive TPA discounts:
• Additional 8% discount applied to all plans and usage
• Free 1st month
• Set-up fee waived with annual agreement
Contact: Aaron Boatin or Ryan Ambs sales@ambscallcenter.com, (586) 693-3800
Medical Debt Collection
Transworld Systems (TSI), Inc.
TPA members get exclusive pricing on past-due accounts and debt collection services that help improve cash flow and reduce slow pay concerns. Core services for TPA members include profit recovery, phone collections, and insurance resolutions.
Contact: Michael Glass michaelglasstsi.com, (248) 914-0346
Medical Waste and Secured Document Removal
Superior Medical Waste Disposal
Superior Medical Waste Disposal specializes in the safe and compliant handling of regulated healthcare waste. TPA members save 30% on current medical waste, document destruction and recycling. Services include:
• Sharps & biohazard disposal
• Pharmaceutical disposal
• Secure document shredding
• OSHA training and compliance auditing
Contact: Gerald Belanger gerald@superiorwastedisposal.com, (734) 656-8843
Vaccine Purchasing Program
Atlantic Health Partners
Atlantic Health Partners (AHP) is the leading vaccine purchasing program in the nation and offers favorable pricing for top vaccines. TPA members also receive great benefits, including:
• Annual rebate eligibility for all vaccine purchases
• Same favorable vaccine pricing regardless of size or specialty
• Free, easy enrollment in AHP’s program
Contact: Kimberly Thompson kthompson@atlantichealthpartners.com, (800) 741-2044
Beat
of issues impacting physicians