The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the The American College of Surgeons are offering an annual scholarship to subsidize attendance and participation in the Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University. The course takes place June 14–20, 2020. 

The award is in the amount of $8,000, to be used toward the cost of tuition, travel, housing, and subsistence during the period of the course. Indirect costs are not paid to the recipient or to the recipient’s institution

Eligibility
The award is open to surgeons who are active members in good standing of both the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Applicants must be at least 30 years old, but under 60, on the date that the completed application is filed

Some of the requirements include sending in a cover letter, a one-page essay discussing why the applicant wishes to receive the scholarship, how the scholarship will fill a gap in the applicant's training/experience and the applicant's curriculum vitae.

Applications are currently being accepted with a deadline of February 3rd. Eligible members are encouraged to apply.  All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process by early April 2020.

Learn more: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/Health-Policy/ASPS-ACS-Health-Policy-Scholarship.pdf

In 2020, plastic surgeons from across the country will be heading to Washington, DC to advocate on behalf of the specialty during the two-day ASPS Regional Fly-In events. The Southeast & West Regional Fly-In will take place on February 4-5, 2020 and the Northeast & Midwest Regional Fly-In on June 10-11, 2020. ASPS members are encouraged to register for the Fly-In for their respective state, however, if they are unable to attend their region's designated Fly-In event they are welcome to register for the alternative Fly-In event.

The ASPS Regional Fly-Ins will be focused only on congressional meetings on Capitol Hill and will not feature the extra day of educational programming that's part of the ASPS Advocacy Summit. The ASPS Regional Fly-Ins will occur in even years – election years – going forward, while the ASPS Advocacy Summit will be held in odd years and is scheduled to return in 2021.

During the ASPS Regional Fly-Ins, ASPS members will:

• Meet with the members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill to educate them about critical healthcare policies
• Participate in an exclusive dinner discussion with a prominent member of Congress
• Influence and help shape ASPS's 2021 state and federal policy priorities to help determine the Society's advocacy agenda
• Network with their plastic surgery colleagues and ASPS leadership in the nation's capital

To register or learn more about the ASPS Regional Fly-Ins, please visit here. Please contact Darcy McLaughlin at dmclaughlin@plasticsurgery.org with any questions.

Resources

• Event Page: ASPS Regional Fly-Ins

As Congress moves to merge multiple pieces of out-of-network billing (OON) legislation into a final package, too much of what is gaining favor will reduce your reimbursements – for both out-of-network encounters and your contracted rates – and reduce your leverage in contract negotiations with carriers. Right now, bills that pay all OON emergency care at the median in-network rate ban elective out-of-network care in some situations, or contain no recourse for providers who receive an unfair payment all have a legitimate chance of becoming law.

ASPS continues to work on several fronts to improve the policies. As part of that effort, the Society is joining with other medical societies impacted by out-of-network billing to elevate the voices of our members who can least afford lost revenue – our solo and small practice owners – through a combined letter from them to congressional leadership.

By signing up to add your practice’s name to the letter, you will help amplify and emphasize the acute impact current proposals will have on small businesses like yours and the patients that rely on them. If you have not signed on already, please do so by noon on December 5, 2019.

> Learn more about this issue

Every member of the New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons has the opportunity to provide input regarding the development of policies and positions impacting plastic surgeons and we encourage you to get involved!

Working with our Executive Council, NYSSPS members have created and advocated for Resolutions that have covered a variety of issues including: 

• Insurance Coverage for Congenital Anomalies
• All Payer Database (APD) Not Appropriate as Reimbursement Standard
  
• Protection of Clinical Decision Making and Ownership of Medical Practices
• Percentage-Based Billing Services Arrangements
  

What is a Resolution?

Resolutions set forth background information and propose a course of action or statement of policy.  Resolutions begin with background information ("Whereas" clause/s) and conclude with a specific proposal ("Resolved" clause/s).

When Crafting a Resolution Keep in Mind the Following:

• What do I want to change?
• Is there existing policy, statute or regulation?
• Who can effect the desired change?
• Are there potential allies?
• What are the financial consequences?

If you would like to work directly with our Executive Council in crafting a resolution to submit at this year’s MSSNY House of Delegates Meeting, please email Babette Grey, Executive Director at nyssps@gmail.com

Draft Resolutions need to be submitted to NYSSPS for consideration by Friday, February 7, 2020

NYSSPS has worked together with MSSNY and other physician and patient advocacy groups in support of multiple pieces of legislation to reduce physicians’ administrative burden relating to ensuring their patients can receive the care and medications they need.

However, additional work and laws are still needed to reduce the need for unnecessary and repetitive prior authorizations that take time away from patient care delivery, as well as ensuring that current laws to reduce administrative burdens are being adhered to by health insurers. 

Please take just a few minutes to complete the below survey and identify the impact prior authorizations have on your practice. 

Take the survey

Join the growing number of New Yorkers who want to see full insurance coverage for all congenital anomalies such as cleft lip/cleft palate, Down Syndrome and heart defects.

Sign up as a supporter at www.1in38.org and click on “Join Our Campaign.” You’ll be kept up to date on how the campaign is going and next steps for you to take.

You can add your name to our petition right now! Click “Sign Our Petition” on 1in38.org’s main menu.

The gluteal fat grafting mortality rate is estimated to be the highest known for any cosmetic procedure.  Multi-society task force alerts have made suggestions to reduce the risk of mortality and the standard of care for this procedure is changing.

The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons is pleased to have Lisa M. McCorkle, MSN, MBA, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, CPHRM, LNCC, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager from The Doctors Company, Northeast Region address the membership at this year's dinner meeting on this topic on Monday, October 21, 2019.

Members will discern insightful knowledge through case review of adverse outcomes, identify best practice for rigorous and transparent informed consent discussion, and identify five strategies to integrate into your daily practice to reduce risks associated with gluteal fat grafting.

To register for this year's event, please visit: 2019 Annual Membership Dinner Meeting

DFS has released its "2019 New York Consumer Guide to Health Insurance."  Included is a listing complaint rankings of various insurers, external appeal rates and use of the IDR for out of network surprise bills. 

The stated purpose of this Guide is to:

• Inform consumers of the health insurance products offered in New York State and how they work.
• Help consumers choose a health insurance company based on quality of care and service.

Click here to view the complete guide

New York State Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker will conduct a webinar on Tuesday, August 13^th at 12 noon on the recent measles outbreak. The commissioner will also provide information pertaining to the new law regarding non-medical exemptions for vaccinations and existing requirements for authorizing medical exemption.  

During this presentation, New York State Department of Health staff will review the current status of New York’s measles outbreak, discuss current reporting requirements, the importance of case investigations and monitoring of exposed individuals and control strategies in healthcare facilities. 

This webinar is an opportunity to partner with the provider community to prepare for the upcoming school season and discuss activities underway to implement the new legislation.   

Webinar Information 

Topic: NYS Healthcare Professionals on Measles and Repeal of Non-Medical Exemptions
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 12:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Event number: 649 366 029
Event password: MeaslesHCP2019 

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To join the online meeting
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1. Go to
https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/onstage/g.php?MTID=e1d755b5a34cf42d59d291f0cba6dbfae
2. If requested, enter your name and email address. 
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: MeaslesHCP2019
4. Click "Join". 
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. 

Note:  If you are unable to join the webinar but would like to participate in the audio portion only:

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To join the audio conference only 
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Call the number below and enter the access code. 
US Toll Free: 1-844-633-8697

Local: 1-518-549-0500
Access code: 649 366 029

The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Doctors Company invite NYSSPS members to attend the Surviving Litigation Seminar, a complimentary workshop that provides constructive ways to deal with the stress of malpractice litigation.

The program will take place on October 3, 2019 in New York City.

Click here for full details