Jan. 7, 2026

Join nationally renowned obesity expert Carolynn Francavilla Brown, MD, MFOMA, DOBOM, for a presentation examining obesity as a chronic, complex disease and the latest evidence-based approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management.

This session will explore current clinical guidelines, emerging therapies, and practical considerations for caring for patients with obesity in today’s health care environment. 

ACCME Accreditation Statement: The Colorado Medical Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

AMA Credit Designation Statement: The Colorado Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

As you may be aware, several health plans have implemented automatic downcoding programs that reduce physician reimbursement for services without prior review of medical records. Health plan automatic downcoding represents a clear violation of Colorado Division of Insurance Regulation 4-2-17 and a fundamental breach of the physician-payer relationship. These practices threaten physician practice viability, undermine patient access to care, and establish a "guilty until proven innocent" approach to claims adjudication that violates basic due process principles.

The Colorado Medical Society has a duty to its members and to patients to vigorously oppose these illegal practices through all available means. As a first step, CMS has formally notified the Colorado Division of Insurance and sent letters to the health plans (Aetna, Anthem, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare) engaging in automatic downcoding.

As this issue continues to develop, CMS has and will post updates, resources, and next steps on the Colorado Medical Society members-only resource page. Login is required; username is your email address or CMS member number. Password can be reset here. We're here to help! Contact [email protected] if you have issues accessing members-only content.

State laws governing prior authorization will change beginning in 2026, bringing new reforms to support patients and physician practices. This CME Lunch and Learn webinar will feature attorney John Conklin, who will lead you through a session to:

This virtual event will be held Thursday, Jan. 15, 12-1 p.m. It is ideal for physicians, practice administrators, and billing or compliance staff who want to be prepared for the 2026 implementation. It will be recorded, so even if you can't make it at the time, we encourage you to register to receive the recording.

ACCME Accreditation Statement: The Colorado Medical Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

AMA Credit Designation Statement: The Colorado Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The American Medical Association and Colorado Medical Society have long advocated for physicians' rights with health plans, ensuring an appropriate balance between those who provide care and those who pay for it.

The AMA maintains a critical resource of state and federal statutes and regulations won over the years in the National Managed Care Legal Database, and recently has opened it to the public, making it accessible without a login. This resource catalogs how statutes and regulations address issues that may occur between private payers and physicians, such as prior authorization, credentialing, network adequacy, out-of-network payment, and contract termination, that can help you when interacting with insurers. The database also contains relevant AMA policy and a state laws map, categorizing 1,300 state and federal statutes and regulations under 52 topics in a way that is intended to help you navigate your rights with payers on a broad range of issues.

The Colorado Medical Society is also here to help you know your legal rights. Reach out to [email protected] if you have a pain point to share.

The American Medical Association (AMA’s) latest Competition in Health Insurance report shows that while most U.S. markets remain highly concentrated, Colorado sits in the middle—not among the states with the least competition, but far from the most competitive. Nationally, 97% of metro areas are considered highly concentrated under federal guidelines, meaning limited insurer competition often drives higher costs and fewer choices for patients. The AMA continues to advocate for stronger competition to protect both patients and physicians from anticompetitive harm.

Your Care is at our Core: With a new year comes new goals, new challenges, and new opportunities. Throughout it all, physicians are there to help their patients navigate and achieve their health goals, lending their years of experience and schooling to guide patients to the tailored health care experience they need to be healthy this year and beyond. Together, physicians and patients are partners in health. Learn more and share your story to be used in CMS publications.

Denver Gazette: Vaccines work and Colorado needs them for disease prevention 

CMS President Brigitta Robinson, MD, penned an opinion-editorial article in support of vaccines.

"We are already seeing warning signs. Flu cases are rising. At the same time, flu immunization rates remain stubbornly low. Influenza vaccines are not perfect—no medical intervention is—but they are far better than no protection at all. They reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. That matters, especially for children, older adults, and people with chronic conditions. And when we get vaccinated, we protect loved ones who may be more vulnerable."

Colorado Sun: On the rural Colorado plains, cancer patients with no local options rely on this traveling oncologist

Access to cancer care shouldn’t depend on geography. This Colorado Sun story spotlights the challenges rural patients face—and a CMS member working to ensure patients on the plains receive high-quality oncology care.

Registration for the 2026 American Medical Association (AMA) National Advocacy Conference is open. Join hundreds of physician advocates from across the country  Feb. 23-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. This event brings the power of organized medicine to our nation’s capital for advocacy on crucial federal health care issues affecting physicians and patients. 

View highlights from last year’s meeting and see the preliminary agenda for this year’s meeting. Don’t forget to book your hotel room early, as the room block often sells out quickly. 

Please contact [email protected] with any questions about the event. Colorado sends a delegation of physicians who volunteer through their local component society. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in coordinating travel or Hill visits with peers from our state.

The Colorado Medical Society is planning the 2026 CMS Annual Meeting in Vail, and we are looking for continuing medical education topics and speakers. Do you have a suggestion or do you speak on CME topics? Reply to this email with your thoughts! Topics must meet a current educational need of Colorado physicians, and be applicable to a multi-specialty audience.

Long‑term care can arrive without warning, and the financial impact is real: the national average cost for an in‑home health aide is about $6,292 per month, and typical health insurance, disability insurance, Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover these expenses. That gap leaves families scrambling for solutions at the worst possible moment. Starting with a minimal plan gives you immediate protection and peace of mind—enough to cover some essential care, preserve savings, and buy time to make thoughtful decisions.

CMS is proud to provide an exclusive members-only benefit, the Transamerica Universal Life policy with a Long Term Care rider. It makes starting simple: simplified issue underwriting with no physical or bloodwork; portability if you move; spousal coverage option; and affordable, entry‑level rates that keep future options open. Begin with something—any coverage is better than none.

For more information and to enroll, visit the Copic | CMS Enrollment webpage. This offering is exclusive to CMS members who work full time. Questions? Contact Copic Financial's Jeff Feakes at [email protected] or 720-858-6285.

The nomination period for the 2026 Colorado Medical Society all-member election is open through Friday, Jan. 31, 2026. The 2026 election will occur in August and CMS members will elect the next CMS president elect and half of the AMA Delegation. More information about the responsibilities of these positions are available in the election manual linked on the elections webpage.

The Colorado Medical Society is committed to promoting diversity in every facet of organized medicine and encourages all members to consider nominating a colleague or self-nominating for a leadership position this year or in the future.

The Colorado Medical Society Foundation is pleased to offer two annual medical student scholarships, with multiple awards given per scholarship. 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. More information and application.

The Rural Track Scholarship is open to Colorado medical students finishing their first or second year of a rural medicine track or program. More information and application.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Thank you to the thousands of CMS members who have renewed your membership for 2026—we truly appreciate your continued commitment to Colorado’s physician community. Your support strengthens our collective voice for advocacy, education, and connection.

As we look ahead to an exciting and impactful year in 2026, we invite you to consider reaching out to a colleague, partner, or new physician in your practice who would benefit from being part of CMS. A personal invitation from a trusted peer is one of the most powerful ways to grow and strengthen our profession. Together, we’re building a vibrant, engaged medical community ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead.

Your employment contract shapes everything from compensation to career stability, but many physicians sign without fully understanding the terms. For a limited time, get 80% off a Panacea Legal standard contract review with promo code FALL80. Protect your financial future and build a strong career.  

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Attorney Advertising: Prior results don't guarantee similar outcomes. Information provided is not legal advice and doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.

Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a CMS Community Marketplace ad! CMS members receive the first month free. Contact [email protected] for more information!