Established in 1844, our Journal is one of the oldest in the country. To learn more about the Journal and how to submit articles, please visit https://lsms.org/page/JLSMS.
Established 1878
MARCH 2024
WHAT’S INSIDE
2 TIMELINE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF LOUISIANA PROPOSED ACQUISITION 5 ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 6 GET INVOLVED! 7 CENTURY CLUB 8 PRIOR AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION MATCH DAY WAS MARCH 15TH! NATIONAL DOCTOR’S DAY IS MARCH 30TH! 10 GRAB YOUR COAT (WHITE COAT, THAT IS...) AND HEAD TO BATON ROUGE! WE NEED YOUR HELP! 12 NEW CAMS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM LAMPAC 2023 CONTRIBUTORS
LSMS took the lead in efforts to protect Louisiana physicians and patients MORE ON PAGES 2 AND 3 ⊲
TIMELINE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF LOUISIANA PROPOSED ACQUISITION Throughout the 18-month process, LSMS shared concerns with state regulators regarding the transition of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana from a non-profit, Louisiana based company to a for-profit, national corporation. LSMS leadership, along with physician members focused on patient care, had multiple issues related to increased premiums, reduced benefits, and limited access to treatment options. Our efforts, along with other stakeholders, led to the official withdrawal of the sale on February 14, 2024. We will continue to monitor the potential sale and the effects on Louisiana patients and physicians.
Scan to learn more or click here.
Joint Meeting of Senate Health and Welfare and Insurance Committees
BCBSLA Cancellation Hearing
Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Letter to Commissioner Tim Temple
LSMS Open Letter to Louisiana Patients
Second Filing of Plan of Reorganization
Original Filing of Plan or Reorganization
LSMS Letter to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon
FEB 5 2024
DEC 14 2023
FEB 13 2024
State Senate Oversight
Hearing Findings
JAN 23 2023
SEP 21 2023
JAN 25 2024
FEB 1 2023
FEB 14 2024
FEB 12 2024
FEB 8 2024
AUG 16 2023
FEB 14 2024
SEP 18 2023
JAN 30 2023
FEB 8 2024
Click on any date to see documents HAND-POINTER
Joint Meeting of Senate and House Committees on Insurance
Withdrawal of Filing
Withdrawal of Second Filing of Plan of Reorganization
State Senators Statement
LSMS Letter to Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple
Governor Jeff Landry Letter to LSMS
State Treasurer John Fleming, MD Statement
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ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS December 13, 2023 The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) Board of Governors met in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at the City Club. The bulleted points below highlight the actions taken by the board. Draft minutes are maintained in the office of the Executive Vice President until such time they are approved by the board, signed by the secretary/treasurer, and appended to the LSMS Website.
Approved the minutes of the September 13, 2023 board meeting.
revenue, and $1,535,085 in expenses.
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Why Attend
Leaving annual dues amounts unchanged from 2023 levels
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z Reviewed unaudited financial statements for the LSMS, and its subsidiaries, through October 31, 2023. Total assets for the LSMS and its subsidiaries totaled $4M.
We are thrilled to invite members and non-members to our revamped meeting. In 2024, we are introducing a new format with a strong focus on CME, alongside fun social gatherings. The 2024 Annual Meeting, hosted August 1 - 3 at Baytowne Conference Center, will include the traditional House of Delegates and Inauguration activities with a mix of CME presentations and family activities, all bundled at a fantastic resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. We are excited about the new programing and location. Plan your family vacation and earn CME credit - we can’t wait to see you at the beach! 2024 ANNUAL MEETING
Setting first and second year in practice dues at 50% and 75% of regular dues amounts, and
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• Acquire practical skills for your medical practice
Reviewed the quarterly membership report for September through December 2023.
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• Stay updated on healthcare policies • Expand your professional network • Relish the sun and sea in beautiful Sandestin • Create lasting memories with your family
Setting the non-deductible percentage of dues at 100%
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Received updates and/or formal reports on:
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Approved Blue Chip Wealth Advisors as the administrator for the LSMS multi- employer 401K retirement plan.
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The possible acquisition of BCBSLA by Elevance Health
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Pending 2024 cuts to physician Medicare reimbursement
Reviewed and made decisions on seven (7) proposals received via the Membership Virtual Engagement Portal (MVEP) to include:
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Book your room now!
Room sizes and rates vary. Suites, 1 BR and 2 BR are available on both the Bayside (Conference location) and Oceanside. First come, first available. LSMS rates are available 3 nights before and 3 nights after our event.
LAMPAC election results from October primary and November general elections.
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Voted not to support mandatory physician participation in the state’s Medicaid program.
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Katherine Williams, MD Hormone Replacement Therapy: Marketing vs. Science Confirmed Speakers
2024 annual meeting in San Destin, FL
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z Voted to seek an advisory opinion from the LSBME on whether use of Iovera cryoanalgesia and/or cryoablation should be limited to physicians only.
Approved a six-month contract with the Honey Creative Group to manage social media content and channels.
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Kenneth Rhea, MD Cyber Security and Your Medical Practice & A.I. in Medicine: Assistant or Adversary
Senator Thomas Pressley and Representative Jeremy Lacombe Grassroots Advocacy: How to talk to your local legislators
Voted not to support a total ban on the prior authorization process
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Stephen T. Jones, MD How to build a successful private practice
z Updated the interim code of conduct policy to include a review process prior to any action being taken.
Laura McCrary, Ed.D The future of Health Information Exchanges and your role
Conrad Meyer, JD Negligent Credentialing
Patricia M. Williams, PhD, DABT Forensic Toxicology in Clinical Practice
Voted to refer possible legislation on patient transfer of care and the licensing of anesthesia assistants to the LSMS Council on Legislation.
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Matthew Giglia, MD and Conrad Meyer, JD Physician Employment Contracts & Payment Models
Nominated Luis Alvarado, MD to continue serving in one of the seats dedicated to physicians on the Louisiana Patients Compensation (PCF) Oversight Board.
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“Beau” Haynes, Jr., JD, Matthew Harrell, JD, MPH, Courtney Hurtig, JD, MHSA 2024 Hot Topics in Healthcare Enforcement
Eric Williams, JD, Jack Saux, MD, and Katherine Williams, MD Environmental Cancers & Birth Defects in LA
Voted not to promote member hosted events to the entire membership.
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z Approved the 2024 recommendations of the LSMS Budget and Finance Committee, which included:
Voted not to support changes to the recommended vaccines list from the CDC.
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All meeting details will be placed on the official landing page. Scan the QR code to visit the site.
An operating budget of $1,536,500 in
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GET INVOLVED! THE LSMS IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS INTERESTED IN SERVING ON OUR BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND/ OR COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION IN THE FOLLOWING DISTRICTS:
CENTURY CLUB: WE ARE PLEASED TO WELCOME OUR NEW CENTURY CLUB MEMBERS.
Alexandria Women’s Center, LLC Mid- Louisiana Anesthesia Consultants Freedman Memorial Cardiology Clinic Vascular Specialty Center, LLC
DISTRICT II Jefferson & surrounding parishes
DISTRICT IV Caddo & surrounding parishes
DISTRICT VI East Baton Rouge & surrounding parishes
DISTRICT VIII Rapides & surrounding parishes
DISTRICT X St. Tammany & surrounding parishes
SCAN OR CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COUNCILS:
Board of Councilors Current Members
Council on Legislation Current Members
Thank you TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS FOR CONTINUING THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE LSMS IN 2024.
If you are interested in holding one of these positions, please complete the online form by April 17, 2024 or contact Terri Watson, terri@lsms.org for more information.
Gastroenterology Group AMC Access Radiology Associates - Lake Charles Acadiana Family Physicians Alexandria Neurosurgical Clinic Cardiovascular Institute of the South BR GENERAL – Capitol Club Baton Rouge Clinic
The LSMS is now offering members the opportunity to purchase logo shirts, hats, duffle bags, and cups. Our e-shop has a wide range of styles and sizes. Grab your shirt or hat today - https://stores.eretailing.com/shop/lsms LSMS STORE - NEW
If your practice employs five or more physicians, please contact Medical Group Engagement Manager, Kristen Broussard, kbroussard@lsms.org or 337.296.7878 to discuss your Century or Capitol Club membership today!
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PRIOR AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION The LSMS requested and successfully passed 2 key pieces of Prior Authorization/Utilization Management legislation in the 2023 Regular Legislative Session. This legislation went into effect on Jan 1, 2024. ACT 312 by Rep. Thomas Pressly (now Senator) focused specifically on utilization management standards, reasonable uniform time frames, an enhanced peer-to-peer review process and a guarantee of payment. ACT 333 by Sen. Jeremy Stine focused on transparency, requiring health plans to annually
report certain prior authorization metrics to the Department of Insurance. Please contact Maria Bowen at govaffairs@lsms.org if you continue to have existing and/or new issues related to prior authorization.
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Pay off your loans while providing much-needed health services! LOUISIANA PHYSICIAN LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM The Louisiana Physician Loan Repayment Program repays education loans to primary care MDs and DOs who practice in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). For a five-year initial commitment, physicians can receive up to $30,000 annually. Participants who complete their original five-year commitment in compliance, remain in an eligible site in a HPSA, and still have educational loans to repay may be able to extend their commitment with a two-year renewal and receive up to $15,000 annually. Well-Ahead Louisiana’s Primary Care Office provides eligibility information and assists with the application process. Learn more at wellaheadla.com/louisiana-physician-loan-repayment-program.
Scan this QR code with your smartphone camera to learn more.
REP THOMAS PRESSLY
SEN JEREMY STINE
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Scan to learn more about Prior Authorization Legislation or click here.
Physicians (allopathic or osteopathic) listed below are eligible to receive a Physician Loan Repayment Program award (to include those in the final year of their residency): • General practice • Family practice • Obstetrics/gynecology • Internal medicine • Pediatrics
SUSAN BANKSTON, MD
MATCH DAY WAS MARCH 15TH! Congratulations to our medical student members who participated in Match Day. What an exciting time for you as you continue your medical education and career path. Our Medical School Representative, Madison Thornton, extended a heartfelt congratulations to all medical school students celebrating Match Day! #matchday #medicalschool #louisianamedschool #tulaneschoolofmedicine #medicalschool
HAPPY DOCTOR’S DAY! On March 30, we celebrate the incredible dedication, hard work, and compassion of doctors around the world. Thank you for your tireless commitment to healing and caring for others. You truly make a difference every day! 💙 #DoctorsDay #Gratitude #LSMS
• Emergency medicine • General psychiatry
Scan to watch video or click here.
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Enroll in the 7-week online training series that begins on June 5. Live attendance is optional - session recordings, course manual, instructor support, and the proctored CMOM exam are included. ZIPPIA-ranked #5 Best Business Office Manager Certification of 2024* *https://www.zippia.com/business-office-manager-jobs/certifications Certified Medical Office Manager
GRAB YOUR COAT (WHITE COAT, THAT IS...) AND HEAD TO BATON ROUGE! The Physician Coalition of Louisiana is pleased to offer this opportunity to protect your profession. On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, we encourage you to join us for a Day of Advocacy at the Louisiana State Capitol. We are already monitoring a number of bills that will impact your patients, your practice, and your profession.
Curriculum Areas:
Practice Management Personnel Management Financial Management Compliance Requirements Managed Care Delivery System
Watch our new YouTube video: CMOM Beginnings & Journey: 25 Years in the Making
Scan to REGISTER TODAY or click here.
Featured Live and Self-Paced Training Online Training
Payer Denials and Appeals Management April 4 | 12 - 1 pm CT | Sharon Turner
Coding and Billing for Podiatry May 2 | 12 - 1 pm CT | Lynn Anderanin
WE NEED YOUR HELP! THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE HAS REQUESTED PHYSICIAN NOMINATIONS FROM THE LSMS FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE FOLLOWING BOARD:
Patient Collections and A/R Management April 11 | 11 am - 2 pm CT | Jan Hailey
Know Your Payer Reimbursement Guidelines May 7 | 12 - 1 pm CT | Taya Gordon
HIPAA Privacy & Security Guidance for the Practice May 21 | 11 am - 2 pm CT | Jan Hailey
Medicare Reimbursement Hot Topics April 17 | 12 - 1 pm CT | Jan Hailey
Louisiana Health Care Commission (LHCC). The LHCC is a 47-member advisory board which undertakes a comprehensive review of complex health care issues facing Louisiana, including but not limited to, availability and affordability of health care in Louisiana. Members of the LHCC serve two-year terms. Please click here for more information regarding meetings, rules, and past minutes. Louisiana Physical Therapy Board. This Board is legislatively mandated to license and regulate the physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who wish to work in Louisiana. The Board is mandated to interpret the scope of practice for physical therapy, write regulations, and discipline licensees who have violated the law. The most important function of the Board is to protect the citizens of Louisiana. Please click here for more information regarding meetings, rules, and past minutes.
Louisiana Traumatic Head & Spinal Cord Injury (THSCI) Advisory Board. The program provides services to Louisiana citizens who survive traumatic brain or traumatic spinal cord injuries. The THSCI Trust Fund program enables individuals to return to a reasonable level of functioning and independent living in their communities. The THSCI was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 1993 with Act 654. Act 654 imposes additional fees on motor vehicle violations in Louisiana for the offenses of driving under the influence, reckless operation, and speeding. These fees provide the funds for the operation of this program. Included in the Law are provisions for a Traumatic Head & Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Advisory Board. Please click here for more information regarding meetings, rules, and past minutes. We consider this a great honor as it confirms that our members are valuable contributors to the future of healthcare in Louisiana. To be considered for nomination, please forward your name, corresponding Board name, contact information, and CV to Terri Watson, terri@lsms.org .
Fracture Care Coding and Billing May 30 | 12 - 1 pm CT | Lynn Anderanin
Fatal Errors Managers Make April 26 | 12 - 1 pm CT | Dave Jakielo
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Looking for a way to lower your health benefits cost? APHT may be just the prescription.
NEW CAMS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM CAPITAL AREA MEDICAL SOCIETY (CAMS) IS PROMOTING A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM BETWEEN LSU PRE-MED COLLEGE OF SCIENCE (COS) STUDENTS AND CAMS MEMBERS. A NEW MEMBER, DR. TERREN KLEIN PARTICIPATES IN A SIMILAR PROGRAM IN EL PASO, TEXAS WITH UTEP.
Dr. Cynthia Peterson, Dean of the College of Science at LSU has suggested the development of a database of all interested local physicians willing to help the students. As a particular pre-med CoS student reaches out to the college for such opportunities, they can provide them a list of willing Baton Rouge/CAMS physicians. The amount of time (either a day or days or a week) and to what extent that the student engages with the particular doctor’s medical practice would be entirely up to each doctor participating in the program. Please consider submitting your name as a willing participant to the CAMS Mentorship Program by emailing Sara Sotile at Sara@capitalAMS.org .
Taking care of those who care for us Advantage Physicians Healthcare Trust (APHT) provides high-quality health and welfare benefits for Louisiana medical professionals at a lower cost with simpler administration. Lower health benefit costs for your employees APHT takes advantage of multiple employers working together to provide lower costs for healthcare services and insurance. Easy plan administration Benefits administration shouldn’t be a burden. We provide online tools to digitize and simplify the process – from quote to application, underwriting, and enrollment. A network you know and trust APHT plans are modeled on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana plans, providing familiar and dependable benefits and coverage options. Members can also continue to access their nationwide network. Trusted advocate APHT is one more way the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) serves thousands of physicians, residents, and physicians-in-training throughout the state. LSMS has been a trusted advocate for Louisiana’s medical community since 1878.
Thank you to the following physicians and supporters for their contributions. The Louisiana Medical PAC or LAMPAC is a non- partisan, state political action committee that compliments and supports the advancement of the LSMS’ advocacy efforts by engaging in the political process throughout the state. A strong PAC is critical to maintaining a legislative climate that is favorable to physicians, their teams, and patients. LAMPAC’s purpose is to protect you, your practice, and your patients. 2023 Contributors LOUISIANA MEDICAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE LAMPAC
Pelican Club 600 Club 300 Club
$50 Friend
DONATE TODAY
$1,200 ($100/MONTH)
$600 ($50/MONTH)
$300 ($20/MONTH)
Pelican Club
600 Club
500 Club
300 Club
Susan Bankston, MD Amberly Nunez, MD Lance Templeton, MD Allen Vander, MD Katherine Williams, MD
Rachel Gruner, MD Donald Higgins, MD
William Clark, MD Vincent Culotta, MD Ashley Ingolia, MD Christopher Rodrigue, MD
John Bruchhaus, MD Floyd Buras, MD Laura Chauvin, MD
Noah Higgins Maya Higgins
James Christopher, MD Robert Chugden, MD James Connolly, MD Paula Eapen, MD Christopher Fontenot, MD Matthew Fontenot, MD Matthew Giglia, MD Mark Hebert, MD Donald Higgins, MD Jamie Hymel, MD
Cynthia Higgins Jamie Kuo, MD Devan Szczepanski, MD John VanHoose, MD Jonathan Wise, MD
Get a quote today!
Contact us to learn more about our plans, network, and eligibility requirements. (985) 313-8532 sales@aphtrust.com aphtrust.com
Friend of Medicine Louis Bienvenu, MD
Richard Paddock, MD Nicole Prosperie, MD Albert Richert, MD
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You believe the practice of medicine is a profession , not just a job. LAMPAC reasons to contribute to
You are a patient who wants to ensure the right professional is providing the right care for your safety. You want to reduce red tape, regulations, and the hassle factor so you can get back to saving lives.
You are tired of other professions dictating what you can and can’t do.
You know medical school matters.
You want to make Louisiana a better place to practice medicine.
You want to simply practice medicine.
You want to send a message that your profession matters. You want your rights as a physician to be protected.
SCAN TO DONATE
Because in Louisiana, if you’re not at the table; you’re on the menu.
LOUISIANA MEDICAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE LAMPAC
LAMPAC needs your help to ensure that the LSMS advocacy efforts have the support they need at the capitol. Our friends in the legislature need to know that we appreciate the efforts they have made, and will continue to make, on behalf of the LSMS. Contributions start at $50. For more information, please visit www.Isms.org.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION @ LAMEDSOC
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