PHP and Addiction Resources
The MSDC Physician Health Program is a private, confidential, non-disciplinary program that works to advocate for the health and well-being of all physicians in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area and to safeguard the public.
The Program
is HIPAA compliant and protects the confidentiality of participant records as set forth under DC and Federal law. The program is administered by the Medical Society of DC and is separate from the DC Board of Medicine.
Learn more about this program at our Healthy Physician Foundation page
Support Your Colleagues
Do you want to help support your fellow physicians going through their own struggles? The Healthy Physician Foundation supports the PHP and our efforts to supports physicians in need. Your generous gift allows MSDC to continue this important program and extend our reach to all physicians.
Prior Auth Reforms for Medicare Advantage, Work to Be Done With Private Insurers
On April 5, CMS released a final rule on Medicare Parts C and D that, among other changes, reformed the program's prior authorization process.
This is a great win for physicians and practices who see Medicare patients, but does not impact the private insurance market. That is where B25-124 comes in, and what MSDC is working on before a May 24 hearing.
The final rule seems to incorporate provisions supported by the American Medical Association and MSDC, including:
- Only using prior auths to confirm diagnoses to ensure medical necessity of services.
- Establishing a Utilization Management Committee to review clinical coverage criteria
- Allowing prior auth approvals to be valid throughout duration of treatment
These changes plus announcements by some insurers to voluntarily reduce prior auth requests seem to suggest progress in prior auth reform. Physicians, however, must put in place permanent changes now for all patients to ensure this progress.
The Committee on Health is having a hearing on comprehensive reform legislation on May 24. Visit msdc.org/priorauth to learn how you can make a difference for your patients.