Suffolk County Medical Society

Suffolk Academy of Medicine

Regulated Marijuana Listening Sessions

The Department of Health, under the direction of Governor Cuomo, is leading a multi- agency study to understand the impact of legislation for regulated Marijuana in New York State.

By October 9, 2018 companies will also be required to create or update and distribute written sexual harassment policies and institute annual sexual harassment training programs consistent with the requirements of the law. This training requirement provides a proactive opportunity for employers to educate their workforce and to address any issues that may be lurking before a problem arises. Beginning on April 1, 2019, employers in New York City with at least 15 employees have additional annual training requirements, including for supervisors and managers. [MORE INFORMATION]

Employment  Opportunities:

CME Administrative Coordinator

MEMBERSHIP GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE SURVEY:

Cost Effective Health Plan for Medical Society members, your family and employees.

Are you interested? 

Please let us know by answering these ten survey questions. (complete it in less than 30sec)

Your feedback will help determine if we can add this as a Member Benefit!

Full URL: www.surveymonkey.com/r/GroupHealthIns

There are still spaces available for tomorrow's Paid Family Leave webinar for health care providers. We are also offering another session next week.

As a health care provider, you play a critical role in certifying medical documentation in a timely manner and raising awareness of Paid Family Leave among your patients and their families.

This presentation will provide an overview of Paid Family Leave and health care providers' role in the process, and point you to some helpful resources. There will be time at the end for questions and answers as well.

Tuesday, July 31, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Register here

Tuesday, August 7, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Register here

When you click 'Register here', you will be taken to a general information page. You must click 'Register' on the bottom of that page to sign up.

LOW DOSE CT (LDCT) LUNG CANCER SCREENING

 Due to the highly effective nature of LDCT for lung cancer screening in current or prior chronic smokers, MSSNY supports screening patients meeting five established criteria.  These include:

1. Age 55-77 years of age
2. No signs or symptoms of lung cancer
3. A 30-pack years or greater history of tobacco smoking
4. Current smokers or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
5. A written order for LDCT from a qualified health professional following a lung cancer screening counseling that attests to shared decision-making having taken place before their first screening CT

CMS has waived Medicare coinsurance and Part B deductible for this preventive service and has reduced its hospital reimbursement (https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/lung-cancer-screening.html). It is covered by NYS Medicaid and by some Medicare Advantage plans. The US Preventive Services Task Force requires coverage by private insure carriers. Additional information is available at the Lung Association’s CT page on Medicare (http://www.lung.org/assets/documents/lung-cancer/interactive-library/lung-cancer-insurance-chart.pdf).

 PLEASE HELP TO GET THESE PATIENTS REFERRED FOR SCREENING

case review

CASE STUD Y   #1

The Importance of Protocols for Dealing with Noncompliant Patients

 Mark Collins

Claims Unit Manager, MLMIC
         

Legislation: 

Allowing Enhanced Religious Exemptions for School Based Immunizations Passed in Senate Education Committee

Senate Bill 6141D, sponsored by Senator Martin Golden, which would allow the admission of certain unvaccinated students to public schools, has passed out of the NYS Senate’s Education Committee and is reported to the Senate Finance Committee.

To Oppose this bill for Unvaccinated Students in Public Schools 

The passage of this bill is the first time that this bill has been voted on by members of any Senate committee.  S. 6141-D amends the Education Law to provide the procedure for religious exemptions from vaccination requirements.  Under the bill, a parent or guardian would complete a religious beliefs vaccination exemption form to ensure a public school district does not deny admission to their unvaccinated child.  A religious exemption is currently allowable under NY State law, but the exemption allows the school institution to make a decision on whether the student should be exempt from vaccination.  

This bill, if passed by the Legislature, would force schools to accept the form and allow unvaccinated students to enter the school. Its companion measure, A. 8123B, sponsored by Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, chair of the Assembly Health Committee, is also pending before the Assembly’s Education Committee. 

Voting against the bill in the Senate Education Committee were: Senators Serrano, Mayer, and Brooks.  Voting Yes, without recommendation were: Senators Peralta, Serino, Lavalle, Little, Stavisky and voting Yes were: Senators Marcellino, Gallivan, Avella, Hamiliton, Lanza, Ranzenhofer, Robach, Seward, Addabbo, Breslin.  Senator Croci was listed as excused and Senator Montgomery was absent. 

Physicians are urged to write to the members of the NYS Legislature and urge that this bill not be enacted.