Supreme Court remains silent

Again this week, the Kansas Supreme Court did not release its expected opinion in Miller v. Johnson, the legal case testing the state’s limit on pain and suffering awards in personal injury lawsuits; oral arguments in the case were heard by the Court in late October 2009. KMS is currently evaluating its remaining options and will update the membership as soon as a plan is more fomalized. (More here and here)

KMS announces HIE collaboration

Today, in partnership with the Kansas Hospital Association, the  Wichita Health Information Exchange and the Kansas City Bi-State Health Information Exchange, KMS announced its intention to collaborate toward the development of a statewide health information exchange. (See attached media release and news article.)

The four partners, over the past year, have all been active participants in the process led by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment which has focused on creating an over-arching framework for approval, operation and oversight of health information exchanges in our state. Governor Parkinson recently issued an Executive Order creating a formal structure for the KDHE-led organization and directed it to continue working toward the development of the platform physicians, hospitals and other providers will need to participate in HIE and demonstrate meaningful use.

The collaboration in which KMS is participating will build upon the significant work already begun by exploratory groups in Wichita and Kansas City. Additionally, it will focus efforts on the partners' primary goals: protection of patient privacy and the improvement of care coordination.

Over the next several months, work among the partners will be ongoing with the hope of having the initial phases of the HIE operational by the end of 2010. The collaborating groups intend to continue working with the state to ensure that the HIE plans and developments are closely aligned.

Medicare adopts new accounting system

Effective August 9, 2010 Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) will be transitioning to a new standardized accounting system, Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting system (HIGLAS). This system will replace the accounting portion of the current system, Medicare Carrier System (MCS). WPS will continue to use the MCS system for all claims processing functions. Once the MCS system approves a claim, HIGLAS will perform payment calculation, formatting and accounting functions. (More)

Medicare petition drive continues; make your voice heard

KMS has joined the other 49 state medical societies and many speciality societies in an organized effort to convince Congress to fix the flawed Medicare payment system.

• Click here to sign the petition and voice your support for a fair, balanced funding formula

• Click here to download a flyer which you can post in your office, provide to your patients or share with others interested in preserving the integrity of the Medicare program

Delegates at KMS Annual Meeting adopt policies, elect new officers

The KMS Annual Meeting was held April 30-May 1 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita. On April 30, more than 200 physicians attended the KaMMCO-sponsored education program which focused on health information technology and the emergence of a health information exchange in Kansas. That evening, Craig Concannon, MD (Internal Medicine-Beloit) was installed as the KMS President for 2010-2011. On Saturday, May 1, the KMS House of Delegates convened for its annual policy-making session. (More)