January 2025

The devastating wildfires in California have left countless families and communities in dire need, with access to health care disrupted and vital medical resources scarce. 

The AMA Foundation is answering the call — just as it did for Colorado after the Marshall Fire devastated Boulder County in December 2021. Now, you can play a vital role in the recovery for California.

The AMA Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund provides critical, medically related aid to individuals and supports the rebuilding of physicians’ practices affected by FEMA-declared natural disasters. Every dollar donated to the AMA Foundation between now and Jan. 19 will directly impact California’s physicians and communities in desperate need.

Your generosity can bring hope and healing to those whose lives have been upended. Please act now to make a difference.

How are the changes in the practice environment affecting your practice? What does it mean for the profession of medicine in Colorado? How does that compare to other states? We need input from your physicians! 

CMS is partnering with the American Medical Association on a survey to help identify specific pressures faced by physicians—including commercial payer practices and other environmental/market factors—that may nudge physicians into alternate practice arrangements such as private equity (PE).

Looking at independent practice owners, employees, physicians in PE arrangements, and former practice owners-turned-employees or physicians in PE arrangements, the survey aims to gauge the impact of specific payer practices on physician practices, as well as to discover reasons why practice owners might enter alternate financing arrangements.

It also touches on the nature of the practice environment within such arrangements. Results will be used to inform how CMS can best support physicians across different practice arrangements in a time of increased consolidation in health care.

The Colorado Medical Society is the largest physician organization advocating for physicians and their practices at the state Capitol. The 2025 legislative session started Wednesday, Jan. 8, and for the next few months during session we will be advocating for you on bills that impact medicine. 

We want you to be engaged and strive to keep you informed! Watch for opportunities to respond to our legislative action alerts, share your expertise with lawmakers, or educate the community through the media.

Last month, sweeping new HIPAA Security Rule legislation proposals were announced. As we start the new year, it’s time to get compliant to ensure your practice is protected.

Get refreshed on what you need to know from Abyde's experts who assist practices like yours daily.  Join them Tuesday, Jan. 28, 12-1 p.m. for a live webinar as they review the top HIPAA and OSHA questions they receive. 

You will learn:

Do you have licensees, registrants or staff who struggle with issues like:

Join the Center for Personalized Education for Professionals (CPEP) on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. MT for a free, 1-hour webinar as they discuss the benefits of the Prescribing Controlled Drugs Course, presented by CPEP in conjunction with the Vanderbilt Center for Professional Health. They expect about 30 minutes of presentation and up to 30 minutes of Q&A.

SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has released a toolkit for the first Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, to be observed January 2025. Treatment Month raises awareness of the benefits and availability of evidence-based treatments for people with a substance use disorder; addresses barriers to treatment, including stigma; and normalizes seeking help. The toolkit includes information about weekly themes, social media graphics and messaging, a webinar background, and resources that public health organizations, treatment providers, professional associations, and others can use to spread awareness of Treatment Month.

Copic is pleased to announce that they will be offering two free, 1-hour CME presentations live via Zoom in February, March and April regarding opioids. Medical providers may use these presentations to meet the two hours of training requirements as stated by the Colorado Medical Board for licensure renewal in 2025. All Colorado physicians can attend these sessions and attest to the training even if you are not insured with Copic. View more information and accreditation through the link below.

CMS Immediate Past President Omar Mubarak, MD, MBA, gave an overview of the 2024 work plan before the CMS Board of Directors in December, calling the past year: "one of the most consequential and successful years on record advocating for Colorado physicians." Below are a few highlights from three primary focus areas.

Advocacy: CMS defeated four ballot initiatives to uncap liability and eliminate confidentiality in peer review, negotiated a deal to modernize non-economic damages caps, and protected peer review; plus, passed a comprehensive prior authorization reform bill; defeated naturopath expansion; reversed a RAC audit and much more.

Educate and engage: CMS exceeded all education and member engagement communication goals highlighted by a 32% increase in accredited CME activities, designing and launching a new CMS website, achieving meteoric growth in our social media campaigns and maintaining our high read rates with members on all CMS publications.

Create belonging and grow membership: CMS worked closely with our component medical societies to foster a local and state network of physicians, and advocate shared priorities with one strong voice.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we advance the collective goals of patients, physicians and practices in 2025.