The Louisiana State Medical Society was formed in 1878 with the sole purpose of advancing "healthcare in the state of Louisiana. Today our mission is to be the trusted advocate for patients and physicians in the State of Louisiana. Learn more about the history of LSMS here: https://lsms.org/page/History.
Established 1878
DECEMBER 2024
WHAT’S INSIDE
3 THIRD SPECIAL SESSION OF 2024: THE TAX DEBATE LEGAL UPDATE: LSMS SIGNS ON TO AMICUS BRIEF 4 HEALTHSYNC UPDATE LOUISIANA DELEGATION MEMBERS Q4 CENTURY CLUB 5 LSMS RETURNS TO VOTERVOICE FOR GRASSROOTS CALLS TO ACTION 6 WE NEED YOUR HELP! 7-8 LSMS CHRISTMAS PARTY
LSMS’s Continued Commitment to Louisiana Physicians and Excitement for a Thriving 2025!
2025 Updates for Your Reimbursement Team
THIRD SPECIAL SESSION OF 2024 The Tax Debate
Lower Corporate Taxes – A reduction from 7.5% to 5.5% in the corporate tax rate.
The 2024 Third Extraordinary Session convened on Wednesday, November 6th and adjourned on Friday, November 22nd. There were thirty-seven instruments filed. Once it was clear that the votes were not there to raise taxes by taxing a laundry list of currently exempt goods and services including software (EHRs), “body modification” and spa services, legislative leadership regrouped, and the following is where they landed.
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Medicare & Compliance Changes for 2025
CPT Code Updates for 2025
Increased Sales Taxes – An increase to 5% in sales taxes.
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This year’s code updates could impact your virtual visits. Review 420 updates, 270 new, 112 deleted and 38 revisions. Learn the latest on audio-only telemedicine visits , codes, guidelines, new/revised vaccine codes, descriptors, genetic screening and more to help you forecast the impact on your claims. PMI’s all-new online class on Dec. 12 features experts Kem Tolliver & Jan Hailey. Participants will receive expert analysis of the upcoming changes to payment rates, policies, and quality- related provisions for MD services in the Medicare Part B PFS.
How will the new conversion factor impact your revenue? Learn new payment guidelines for office/outpatient visits , along with Medicare coverage, and preventive service updates. This learning session includes details about the recently finalized key revisions and payment guidelines for office/outpatient visits, Medicare coverage, and more. All specialties will benefit from PMI’s all-new online class on Dec. 11 . Practice management experts Taya Gordon and Jan Hailey will help you forecast the impact to your practice, make informed decisions, and guide your practice in a positive direction in 2025.
The tax package included a significant rewrite to Article 7 of the Louisiana Constitution. The amendment, which removes large amounts of tax exemptions from constitutional protection aimed at granting lawmakers more latitude to end these exemptions in the future will go before voters on March 29.
Lower Income Taxes – A reduction of the individual income tax rate to a flat tax of 3%.
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Register
Register
Attend live for Q&A opportunity!
Certified Medical Coder Certified Medical Office Manager New Certification Classes Begin in March
LEGAL UPDATE LSMS Signs on to Amicus Brief
Current and aspiring medical office managers will complete a rigorous curriculum to master medical practice administration from the ground up: practice financial management, employment laws, revenue cycle management, staffing, and administration . New updates include risk sharing, patient experience, payment models, and quality reporting. New live online training series begins March 5 with Instructor Kem Tolliver. Participants will learn guidelines and examples designed to improve decision-making and tactical skills.
Experienced medical coders can acquire the advanced skills and competence needed to ensure that correct code assignments are submitted for complete payment for services rendered. Certified Medical Coders will learn how to communicate more confidently with providers, payers, patients, and business associates. New live online training series begins March 22 with Instructor Jan Hailey. Participants will have ongoing access to step-by-step video learning modules and instructor support.
The LSMS joined nine national medical, public health, and community organizations in an amicus brief in support of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to urge the Court to reverse the judgment of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit which would allow e-cigarette manufacturers to improperly steer their lawsuits challenging FDA denial orders for flavored e-cigarettes to the Fifth Circuit to obtain stays of FDA denial orders and continue marketing their unauthorized, addictive, and harmful flavored e-cigarettes to our youth. In the event the ruling stands it will restrict the Tobacco Control Act and inflict great harm to public health by undermining the FDA’s efforts to protect youth from the health harms of flavored e-cigarette products.
Learn More
Learn More Learn More
Upcoming Live Classes
Online Training Center
800-259-5562
@pmiMD.com
info@pmiMD.com
Click here to read the amicus brief.
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Membership IT’S TIME TO RENEW More than a
HEALTHSYNC UPDATE: HealthSYNC has recently signed on 12 new practices:
Pediatric Associates of Denham Springs, Denham Springs, LA
ABC Pediatrics, Minden, LA
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The support of our members plays an essential role in our work, and your investment in LSMS allows us to continue to focus on you, so you can focus on your patients.
Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, Bossier City, LA
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Shard V Gunda, MD, Franklin, LA
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Care Eleven Health, New Orleans, LA
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TKZ Pediatrics, Zachary, LA
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Great Beginnings Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Opelousas, LA
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Contact membership@lsms.org to discuss your status or click the button below to access our quick pay link.
HealthSYNC and the LSMS anticipate beginning a Value Based Contracting arrangement with LHCC in the first quarter of 2025. While HealthSYNC is actively seeking any medical practice to join our HIE, if you are an independent primary care physician please reach out to Jeremy Lapeyrouse jeremy@lsms.org .
Healthcare Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA
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Heart2Heart Care Clinic, Baton Rouge, LA
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PAY
Mendoza Medical Clinic, Kenner, LA
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Mitchells Pediatrics, Alexandria, LA
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Q4 CENTURY CLUB Renewals:
LSMS RETURNS TO VOTERVOICE FOR GRASSROOTS CALLS TO ACTION
Imperial Health Acadian ENT
Associates LENTS Lafayette Bone & Joint Clinic The Woman’s Clinic Azar Instruments Renal Associates of Baton Rouge Children’s Clinic of Southwest LA Jefferson Radiology Associates The Family Doctors Center for Women’s Health Colon & Rectal Associates Alexandria Women’s Center, LLC Baton Rouge Clinic New: Southern Urology, LLC
Diagnostic Imaging Associates Southern Orthopaedic Specialists Acadiana Renal Physicians Drs. Schwartzenburg, Lafranca, Guidry, & Chapman (SLGC) Baton Rouge Radiology Group/ Southern Radiology Consultants Orthopedic Specialists of LA Acadiana Women’s Health Group New Orleans Nephrology Associates Houma Radiology Dermatology Assoc of SWLA Metropolitan Gastroenterology
During the interim, LSMS staff conducted a review of the Society’s relationship with Capitol Canary (formerly Phone2Action). After comparing usage and available features, LSMS is excited to announce a return to VoterVoice! We believe that you will enjoy returning to a familiar, yet highly improved, interface. The company has invested in its texting capabilities and rolled out new and innovative tools to include social media posting. As staff, VoterVoice’s two address feature allowing
you to communicate with legislators for both your home and work addresses makes it a superior choice for state advocacy.
Louisiana Delegation members, William Freeman, MD - Chair, Clayton Runfalo, MD and Donald Batie, MD attended the Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in Orlando, Florida. The AMA has not yet updated the Interim Meeting landing page but you can find previous Proceedings by visiting - Archive of the House of Delegates Meetings | American Medical Association
In the near future, look for us to send you emails and text messages which will allow you to update your information and be ready for the 2025 legislative session! We encourage you to take action so you have continuous access to information and news!
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Stability, Strength and Service We’re here to help you navigate these changing times. With more than 40 years of experience, LAMMICO provides medical professional liability insurance coverage so that you can practice with confidence – confidence that your coverage is reliable and your reputation will be protected. Aggressive legal defense, personalized claim handling and accredited risk- management education are the bedrock of our business. Our dedication, financial strength and rock solid track record ensure that with LAMMICO as your partner, you can focus on what matters most: your patients .
WE NEED YOUR HELP! THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE HAS REQUESTED PHYSICIAN NOMINATIONS FROM THE LSMS FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE FOLLOWING BOARD: Emergency Medical Services Commission This commission has the responsibility to establish and publish standards of out-of-hospital practice; to regulate the scope of practice of Emergency Medical Services professionals, to discipline and regulate the practice of Emergency Medical Services professionals and to establish standards for educational programs preparing individuals for out of hospital practice.
Learn more about this Commission HERE .
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 .
BUILD YOUR CREDIT, BUILD YOUR FUTURE. CAMPUS PRESTIGE MASTERCARD ® THAN A MORE CARD
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SAVE
DATE!
the
2025 LSMS Annual Meeting:
July 31 – August 2, 2025
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort • Baytowne Conference Center
Details and agenda coming soon. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION @ LAMEDSOC
PO Box 14119 Baton Rouge, LA 70898
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