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.
Fed's Prior Auth Reforms Mirror DC Law
CMS's announcement yesterday of new reforms to the Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act plans' prior authorization rules are a huge step in reducing physician paperwork burden. They also mirror legislation passed by DC and supported by MSDC last year.
Among other changes, the new rules would require coverage for urgent treatments within 72 hours and seven day for non-urgent treatments. Insurers will also need to publicize prior authorization denial rates and justifications for denials. Changes will mostly be in place by 2026. However, the changes do not apply to all drug prescriptions.
These reforms were similar to those included in then-B25-124, the Prior Authorization Reform Amendment Act. That legislation applied to the private insurance market and (as of February) implements shorter turnaround times, more insurer disclosures and reporting, and more protections for patients' treatments from process abuse. The DC law did require funding in the District budget to apply to Medicaid and Alliance programs, although it is unclear how the new CMS requirements change this calculus.