The Colorado Medical Society is proud to deliver exclusive news to the inbox of CMS members, practice managers and strategic partners. Update your subscription preferences by contacting [email protected] |
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CMS supports coverage of COVID-19 vaccines |
The Colorado Medical Society (CMS) joined nine state-level organizations representing patients, physicians and hospitals in a letter in support of the proposed emergency regulation ensuring COVID-19 vaccines are covered as a preventive service. “Clear guidance, dependable coverage, and equitable access to immunizations are critical,” the organizations wrote in the letter, sent Sept. 10, 2025, to Colorado’s Division of Insurance.
“Access to vaccines is a nonpartisan and longstanding public health priority. It is foundational to keeping children, families, and communities healthy and resilient. Yet, recent federal actions have created unnecessary confusion and restricted access, without scientific justification for such changes. These actions threaten to leave too many Coloradans unprotected, including young children and pregnant people. This is especially troubling as these populations remain at increased risk for serious illness from COVID-19. Therefore, it is imperative that the state take action.”
CMS commends the Division of Insurance for taking proactive steps to reduce delays and protect access to COVID-19 vaccines. The proposed regulation will help ensure that these vaccines remain available to Coloradans who want them, free from financial barriers. |
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Colorado ensures access to updated COVID-19 vaccines |
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and CDPHE are taking action to help ensure Coloradans can access the updated COVID-19 vaccine. CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan, MPH, issued Public Health Order 25-01 and CDPHE Chief Medical Officer Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, issued a complementary statewide standing order to make COVID-19 vaccines available to Coloradans aged 6 months and older this fall without the need to first obtain a prescription.
CDPHE knows how important Colorado physicians' work is in connecting communities to vaccines and care. If you or your organization encounter any barriers in making vaccines available, please don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected]. CDPHE wants to be your partners in removing obstacles and making sure all Coloradans have a healthy fall and winter season.
Thank you for your continued commitment to protecting the health and well-being of Coloradans. Visit CDPHE's immunization webpage here.
The Colorado Medical Society is advocating for CMS-member physicians and their practices. Reach out to [email protected] to share your feedback or concerns about providing vaccinations in your practice during the upcoming flu season and beyond. |
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CMS signs onto statewide vaccine coalition |
Clear, reliable vaccine information helps families make confident decisions about their health. That’s why the Colorado Chooses Vaccines Coalition brings together health organizations across the state -- including the Colorado Medical Society -- to share accurate education and ensure access to recommended vaccines. Together, we’re working to reduce confusion, prevent illness, and keep Colorado communities healthy. |
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AMA Releases CPT 2026 Code Set |
Defining codes for medical services updated with latest advances in patient care |
The American Medical Association (AMA) announced the release of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) 2026 code set, adding 288 new codes designating the latest advances in medical, surgical, and diagnostic services available to patients. The CPT code set is trusted as the backbone of health data interoperability in the U.S. and provides the means for the nation’s data-driven health care system to easily exchange medical service information.
As the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States, the AMA is uniquely positioned to convene the editorial process to change and develop CPT codes, bringing unmatched scale, expertise, and legitimacy to the task of standardizing medical service definitions. The open and rigorous process maintained by the independent CPT Editorial Panel with broad input from the health care community, government, and industry produced 418 total changes reflected in CPT 2026 code set, including 84 deletions and 46 revisions in addition to the 288 new codes. The CPT code set continues to expand in new areas of medicine with proprietary laboratory analyses accounting for the largest proportion of new codes (27%). Category III CPT codes for emerging medical services accounted for more than a quarter of new codes (27%), supporting further innovation in health care.
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Method II Billing – Recent changes from federal CMS, action steps from Cred2Bill |
As you are aware, credentialing and billing are deeply interdependent, and recent updates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS) effective July 1, 2025, have introduced changes that impact this relationship particularly with respect to billing types and Facility Setup. Your Credentialing Team must be knowledgeable about this setup to avoid denials.
All Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics and any independent groups that have privilege only providers providing patient care at any of these entities should ask their Credentialing teams to review their affiliations and reassignments. Even though these changes impact revenue cycle, it’s your credentialing team that has to ensure all classifications and reassignments are accurately documented and where gaps are identified, remedy that situation. |
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Important information on service area reductions and an opportunity to get a Medicare supplement |
In Mary Jo Heins' 15 years of navigating Medicare, she sees these times as unprecedented. Insurance companies are reeling and terminating/discontinuing Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans have a service area based on the county in which a patient lives. Patients are now receiving Service Area Reductions (SAR) letters from three insurers that are terminating plans in Colorado, including Denver Metro. Yes – unprecedented! She recommends your Medicare patients should evaluate their new options for Open Enrollment that begins Oct. 15. |
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Virtual Free CME/CE on GLP-1RAs | Earn credit and an Amazon Gift Card!
Enhance your practice with evidence-based strategies for GLP-1RA implementation in patients with type 2 diabetes. This complimentary virtual CME will deliver practical, real-world approaches to cardiovascular risk reduction and guidance on integrating therapy into routine care at the intersection of cardiology and diabetes.
Learn from leading experts: Ian J. Neeland, MD, FAHA, FACC; Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD, MPH; and Darren K. McGuire, MD, MHSc.
The first 25 participants to register will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. To claim this voucher, please email a screenshot showing proof of registration (e.g., confirmation email or registration page) to [email protected]. Participants can earn an additional $15 Amazon gift card by logging in to the live session and submitting a screenshot as proof of login (e.g., webcast interface with your name and a visible timestamp) to the same email address within 5 days of the event.
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Exclusive benefit for your practice: Start a small group long-term care + life insurance plan |
Seventy percent of individuals 65 and older will need long-term care. The best time to prepare financially for your own long-term care is now. Why? Because your health insurance does not cover long-term care nor does Medicare.
The Colorado Medical Society, in partnership with Copic Financial, has worked with BuddyIns to develop a special offer: long-term care with a life insurance benefit. If you are an employer, this benefit is one to add to a great package to increase employee retention. Contact Copic Financial's Jeff Feakes at [email protected] or 720-858-6285 for more information on setting up a small group.
Enrollment is available on a rolling monthly basis. Purchase coverage during an enrollment period with guaranteed approval and affordable premiums. This is a policy that you can keep for the rest of your life and use anywhere in the U.S.
Read more about the offering in this article: "Consider the future: Why you need to start your long-term care plan." |
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Dues renewal season is happening now; thank you in advance for your continued membership! |
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Dues invoices for Colorado Medical Society members for practices that have opted into group billing have been sent. All invoices are due Dec. 31, 2025 for the membership period ending Dec. 31, 2026. Pay early to ensure your physicians have no disruption in benefits through the end of 2025 -- especially if you are Copic insured and benefit from the significant discount in medical liability insurance! If you have updates to your contact information or billing contact, please contact our membership department at 720-859-1001 or [email protected]. It is strict CMS policy that your personal information is never sold or shared. |
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Mary Jo Heins is a former medical practice manager. As an independent Medicare insurance agent, she now helps people with all facets of Medicare – objectively and fee free. |
- Enrollment in Medicare Parts A & B
- Supplement v Medicare Advantage
- Rx plans – mapping medication regiments to the best formulary
- Dental/Vision plans
- Patient education sessions at your practice
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Medicare Insurance Help – Be Medicare CONFIDENT |
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CMS Community Marketplace |
Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a marketplace classified ad with CMS! Members receive the first month free. Contact [email protected] for more information! |
Is your practice on social media? Follow us or reply to this email with your handles so we can follow you back, share content and tag you in posts to promote your practice! |
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