Correction: Yesterday's enewsletter included incorrect information on the Mile High Medical Society's upcoming obesity event. It has been corrected below. |
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National Doctors' Day is March 30; we're here to support you |
How are you caring for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your peers? |
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March 30 is National Doctors' Day, an annual observance to honor the dedication, skill and unwavering commitment of physicians in providing high-quality health care to individuals and communities worldwide.
While you focus on the wellbeing of your patients, the Colorado Medical Society focuses on the wellbeing of Colorado physicians. |
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As an individual: All Colorado physicians and medical students can access the Doc2Doc Wellbeing Consulting program and call 720-810-9131 to schedule a free "wellbeing consult" when a situational concern arises. The Colorado Physician Health Program supports the infrastructure of the program, carrying the same strict rules of confidentiality that apply to their clinical services.
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Also for individuals: CMS member Dr. Erika Sidney provides peer wellbeing coaching, as well as new advertisers Jimena Yantorno and Surgeon Masters**. Reply to this email if you would like more information on these coaches, or if you provide a similar service and want to be added to CMS's resource list.
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For the system: It is well established that overly invasive mental health questions on licensing applications can have a chilling effect on physicians seeking mental health care. CMS strongly supports HB25-1176, which seeks to revise this language. If physician wellbeing is an area of expertise for you and you may want to testify on this or future legislation, fill out our advocacy survey and indicate this in the "other" option.
- Something fun: The American Medical Association (AMA) is offering a free limited-edition National Doctors' Day pin to AMA members as an expression of gratitude; get yours here.
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CMS is honored to serve Colorado physicians. If you have any questions about member benefits, reach out to our membership team at [email protected]. |
**CMS has not vetted these coaching services; we list them as a resource for you and not necessarily as an endorsement. |
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Congratulations to William Wright, MD, Copic Humanitarian Award winner |
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Left photo, from right: Dr. Wright, Rep. Gretchen Rydin, and CPHP Executive Director Sarah Early, Psy.D. Right photo, from right: CMS CEO Dean Holzkamp, Copic Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Beverly Razon, CPHP Director of Public Affairs Amanda Kimmel, Sarah Early, and Copic's Sarah Meirose. |
William Wright, MD, the 2024 Copic Humanitarian Award winner, was honored on the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives last week. Dr. Wright is a family medicine physician recognized for his dedication to physician peer support and commitment to the needs of others.
Every year Copic names a Humanitarian Award winner and generously gives $10,000 to the nonprofit of their choice. Dr. Wright chose to gift his award to the Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP), an organization for whom he has served on the board and in other various volunteer leadership roles. In addition to his time with CPHP, he has served as a board member for the Colorado Medical Board, Colorado Institute for Value in Healthcare, and the Colorado Trust. Congratulations, Dr. Wright!
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Survey still open: We need physicians to share your experience on marketplace pressures |
How are the changes in the practice environment affecting your practice? What does it mean for the profession of medicine in Colorado? How will we compare to other states? We need your input!
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).
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. |
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Beyond the Numbers: Tackling Obesity and Embracing Holistic Health in the Black Community |
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The Mile High Medical Society will host a community wellness event on Saturday, March 29, 9-11:30 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Denver, "Beyond the Numbers: Tackling Obesity and Embracing Holistic Health in the Black Community."
All interested physicians are welcome to join this event and encourage patients to attend, too! The event features a decorated panel of expert physicians and providers speaking about the impact of obesity and strategies for optimal health. |
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Register for the 2025 Chronic Liver Disease Seminars |
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The 10th Annual Chronic Liver Disease Seminars, jointly provided by the Colorado Medical Society and SC Liver Research Consortium, offer a comprehensive educational series on liver diseases. The program includes nine live events nationwide plus an enduring material course. Remaining live events will be held in Philadelphia April 5, Costa Mesa April 26, New Orleans May 17, Miami May 31, Cincinnati Sept. 27, Pasadena Oct. 4 and Houston Oct. 11. Each event offers up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. The curriculum covers: |
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- Latest diagnostic and treatment approaches for viral hepatitis
- Advancements in liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cholestatic liver disease
- Updates on MASLD/MASH and other hepatic conditions
- Cirrhosis complications and hepatorenal syndrome
- Liver health in special populations
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Access registration links for the enduring material course or the live seminars through the buttons below. |
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Attention medical students: Apply for CMS Education Foundation scholarships by April 1! |
The Colorado Medical Society Education Foundation is pleased to offer two annual medical student scholarships, with multiple awards given per scholarship. Act quickly! Applications are due April 1. Submit through the Google forms linked below.
The Alfred D. Gilchrist Student Leader Scholarship is open to third- and fourth-year Colorado medical students who have demonstrated a significant leadership contribution to organized medicine. Read more here. Apply here.
The Rural Track Scholarship is open to Colorado medical students finishing their first or second year of a rural medicine track or program. Read more here. Apply here.
Questions? Contact [email protected]. |
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Upcoming changes to Colorado Medicaid Provider Services Call Center |
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has announced that OptumInsight (Optum) will be the new vendor for the Provider Services Call Center, effective May 1, 2025. Most notably, this means that the phone number will change.
The Provider Services Call Center answers questions about enrollment, billing, payment, member eligibility verification, the provider web portal and more from providers who serve Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plans Plus (CHP+) members.
Because the vendor will not change for the Colorado interChange or the Provider Web portal, those services will not be affected. For a complete list of assistance resources, visit the Provider Contacts web page.
News updates will continue to be shared in the Provider Bulletin. Not subscribed to the Provider Bulletin? Sign up here! |
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Plan ahead: Take advantage of a life insurance + long term care policy before your next birthday |
Take advantage of a unique opportunity to secure your financial future with the Transamerica Universal Life Insurance policy with Long Term Care Rider before your next birthday. This policy offering is an exclusive benefit for actively practicing CMS members, offered in partnership with Copic Financial and BuddyIns. View more information on CMS's website.
Why act now? Age is a factor in determining the cost of this important benefit. The sooner you purchase your policy, the more you save. Lock in lower premium rates and gain peace of mind knowing you and your loved ones are protected. Visit the enrollment page and use the calculator to determine a benefit amount that works for you. Secure your Transamerica Universal Life Insurance policy with Long Term Care Rider today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your future is protected.
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Becoming a partner: What you need to know
Collaborating with like-minded doctors to establish and run a practice can provide a range of benefits and rewards. Panacea Financial has helped countless doctors take the next step in their careers, including through partner buy-in. They share five questions you should ask before pursuing a buy-in. Read all five here.
Find member-exclusive discounts on practice loans, personal loans, and student loan refinancing from Panacea Financial. |
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Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a job board or classified ad with CMS! Members receive the first month free. Contact [email protected] for more information! |
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Upcoming CMS meetings and events |
All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings and events are open to all CMS members and you are welcome to attend! All are held via Zoom unless otherwise noted. Find a full list of events here: cms.org/events. Questions? Contact [email protected].
Council on Legislation (virtual) - Wednesday, March 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Email [email protected] to register
Council on Legislation (virtual) - Wednesday, March 26, 6-7:30 p.m. Email [email protected] to register -
Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Committee (virtual) - Wednesday, April 2, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Email [email protected] to register
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Registration is open for the 2025 CMS Annual Meeting, Sept. 12-13 in Keystone
Registration is required for most meetings; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of virtual meetings may be removed. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Contact [email protected]. |
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