The MSA congratulates Yuan-Chi Lin, MD, FASA, Director, Acupuncture Services, Senior Associate in Perioperative Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; Associate Professor of Anesthesia (Pediatrics), Harvard Medical School! His application to become a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (FASA®) was approved in April 2022. Thank you for your support and participation in this valuable member program.

The latest issue of the MSA Anesthesia Record is now available for viewing online. This issue includes reflections and updates from the MSA advocacy efforts, legislation, and much more!  

Click here to read.

The MSA congratulates Mamatha Kadiyala, MD, FASA, Director of Thoracic Anesthesia at University of Massachusetts Medical School! Her application to become a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (FASA®) was approved in March 2022. Thank you for your support and participation in this valuable member program.

Governor Baker released his long awaited health care bill. This closely mirrors the bill he filed last session.

The Governor’s office has said the bill is divided up into three major parts..

1. Prioritizing Primary Care and Behavioral Health
2. Managing Health Care Cost Drivers
3. Improving Access to High-Quality Coordinated Care

Attached is a fact sheet on the bill. We did want to highlight that the bill establishes a default payment rate of reimbursement that carriers must pay to out-of-network providers for unforeseen OON services, effectively removing the patient from the payment dispute. The proposed default rate is consistent with EOHHS’ 2021 Out-Of-Network Recommended Rate Report and the “Qualifying Payment Amount” in the federal No Surprises Act.

The Governor said that there has been "a lot of back and forth" between his administration and top legislative leaders on the issues addressed in his bill, which makes him hopeful that something can get done before the end of the formal legislative session on July 31. We will closely monitor this and keep MSA members updated.

On Saturday, Gov. Baker approved much of the COVID-19 spending bill including:

• The provision that reinstates liability immunity protections for health care providers and entities where a patient’s care has been impacted by COVID-19 and its variants from Nov. 22, 2021 to February 28, 2022; and
• Delays implementation of the state’s notice and disclosure law that was issued as a DPH bulletin “Health Care Provider Obligations”, which outlines the patient notification provisions of Chapter 260. Implementation is delayed until July 31, 2022.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts today officially declared Jan. 30-Feb. 5 Physician Anesthesiologist Week through a proclamation put forward by Gov. Charles D. Baker.

Physician anesthesiologists are recognized leaders who are committed to high quality and safe patient care, educating patients on anesthesia safety, and reducing risks of complications before, during, and after surgery.

Physician Anesthesiologist Week, celebrated every year by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, recognizes the profession and its contributions to health care. Throughout the week, members will meet with policymakers highlighting key issues, including the importance of patient-centered, physician-led anesthesia care, connect with local media, and share members’ accomplishments and objectives around patient care and patient advocacy on social media platforms.

The Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiology (MSA) is a statewide organization invested in advancing progress, seeking the betterment of physicians, and to uphold and promote the principles and purposes of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Throughout the week, anesthesiologists will participate in various activities and work to raise awareness of the profession. 

Bulletin released by the Department of Public Health on January 3rd - implements Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020 Notice and Disclosure Requirements for Health Care Providers.

https://www.mass.gov/news/pricing-transparency-provisions-of-an-act-promoting-a-resilient-health-care-system-that-puts-patients-first-patients-first

Specifically, the Bulletin details new requirements for health care providers and health care facilities to notify patients about charges and payments for proposed admissions, procedures, services, and referrals that are specific to the patient’s insurance carrier. These requirements take effect on January 1, 2022, and also authorize the Department of Public Health, consistent with its authority to regulate health care providers, to penalize providers who fail to comply with a penalty up to $2,500 for each instance of non-compliance. These penalties will take effect July 1, 2022.

Documentation

·      PROVIDERS: Healthcare Provider Disclosure Obligations related to Scheduling Admissions, Procedures or Services, or Making Referrals to Another Provider.

·       PATIENTS: Learn More About “Patients First” – a new law which requires your health care provider to give you more information about charges for hospital stays, medical procedures, healthcare services, or referrals.

Congratulations to Dr. Joseph Thomas Coyne, MD from Springfield Anesthesia Services in Springfield, MA!  His application to become a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (FASA®) was approved. Thank you for your support and participation in this valuable member program.