FSP Business Meeting Saturday, July 17, 2021 Call to Order Qihui “Jim” Zhai, MD Approval of Minutes Oleksandr Kryvenko, MD Treasurer’s Report Vatsal Patel, MD LAST FISCAL YEAR: Year End: May 2020 – April 2021 Income: $199,000 Expenses: $247,000 Net Income*: -$48,000 The 2020-2021 fiscal year ended on April 30, 2021 with a loss due to the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Conference and the change to a virtual conference in February as a result of the pandemic. Financials as of July 12, 2021 Total Current Assets: $350,000 Total Liabilities and Equity: $350,000 Net Income*: $125,000 *Net income represents the current amount. The FSP fiscal year ends on April 30, 2022. Membership Report Jason Savell, MD Current Membership is 458 Members 15% 29% 8% 41% 3% 2% 2% Regular Members Group Members Corresponding Members New in Practice Members Honorary Members Retired Members Resident/Fellow in Training Members CAP Report Patrick E. Godbey, MD, CAP President CAP Advocacy Update Florida Society of Pathologists: 47th Annual Pathology Conference Patrick Godbey, MD, FACOG, FCAP July 17, 2021 President © College of American Pathologists. Cigna PC of CP Policy • On April 12, Cigna announced plans to deny claims for the professional component (modifier 26) of clinical pathology services. • Cigna had cited Medicare policy to support the change. • The CAP objected for several reasons; engaged with State Pathology Societies to review our concerns. © College of American Pathologists. 2 The CAP’s Response to Cigna • The CAP reiterated to Cigna that Medicare recognizes PC of CP. o Payment is included in Medicare Part A reimbursement to hospitals for each patient. • There are several clinical pathology procedures that Medicare pays under Part B. • Pathologists as laboratory directors spend a significant amount of time and effort fulfilling responsibilities that ensure quality laboratory services. © College of American Pathologists. 13 July 2021 3 Cigna Will Continue to Pay for PC of CP • Several state societies engaged on their own by opposing the change. • The CAP learned on June 7 that Cigna would pull back its policy. • This victory with Cigna demonstrates the success of advocacy by state societies with support from the CAP. © College of American Pathologists. 4 • In-person (Hyatt Chicago) & virtual participation options • 90+ courses covering anatomic and clinical pathology as well as practice management and personal development • 4 hours of networking events each day • Special advocacy and state pathology programming © College of American Pathologists. Mark your calendars and register now at www.cap.org/cap21 Questions? © College of American Pathologists. © College of American Pathologists. 6 © College of American Pathologists. FMA Report Ronald Giffler, MD, Immediate Past President, FMA FMA Legislative & Political Update Ron Giffler, M.D., FMA IPP, FMA PAC Treasurer BACKGROUND ON LEGISLATION PURSUED COVID-19: Unprecedented Impact on Physician Practices 99.6% of physician respondents experienced decline in practice revenue 94% have applied for loan or considered applying for loan 42% have laid off staff 26% shut down practice temporarily 4% closed practice indefinitely Uncertain when or if physicians will recover State Legislation - PASSED Ensures Availability of Personal Protective Equipment This bill requires the Division of Emergency Management to acquire and maintain a supply of PPE owned by the state for use by state agencies and to assist local government and the private sector during a declared emergency. Scope of Practice Issues – FMA KILLED The following scope of practice bills were being vigorously pushed and did NOT pass this session: PA Independent Practice: This bill mimicked the APRN bill that passed last year. It allowed PAs to practice independently without any supervision from a physician. (*A watered-down version did pass that the FMA did not oppose). APRN: The APRNs were seeking to gain independent practice in any medical specialty they see fit. Optometrists: This bill significantly increased scope of practice for optometrists and allowed laser surgery and more prescribing authority. Psychologist Prescribing Controlled Substance: This bill attempted to give psychologists the the ability to prescribe controlled substances. COVID Liability Bill - PASSED The House and Senate passed a bill and the Governor signed it into law regarding medical liability and covid. The bill enacts specific provisions for COVID-19 related claims against healthcare providers that arise from: . Diagnosis or treatment of or failure to diagnose or treat a person for COVID-19 . Provision of a novel or experimental COVID-19 treatment . Transmission of COVID-19 . Delay or cancellation of surgery or delay or cancellation of a medical procedure based on a healthcare provider’s interpretation of government-issued health standards specifically related to the COVID-19 emergency COVID Liability Bill - continued This bill also changes the stand of proof for a COVID related claim against a physician or health care provider. A plaintiff bringing such a claim must prove by the greater weight of the evidence that the health care providers was GROSSLY negligent or engaged in intentional misconduct. *This is a different standard than the simple negligence that must be proven in a medical malpractice case. COVID Liability Bill - continued This bill also establishes several new affirmative defenses that are available to a physician facing a COVID-19 related lawsuit. Physicians will not be held liable if they can establish any of the following: • (a) Substantial compliance with government-issued health standards specifically relating to COVID-19 or other relevant standards, including standards relating to the preservation or prioritization of supplies, materials, or equipment; • (b) Substantial compliance with government-issued health standards specific to infectious diseases in the absence of standards specifically applicable to COVID-19; • (c) Substantial compliance with government-issued health standards relating to COVID-19 or other relevant standards was not possible due to the widespread shortages of necessary supplies, materials, equipment, or personnel; • (d) Substantial compliance with any applicable government issued health standards relating to COVID-19 or other relevant standards if the applicable standards were in conflict; or • (e) Substantial compliance with government-issued health standards relating to COVID-19 or other relevant standards was not possible because there was insufficient time to implement the standards State Legislation – PASSED Consent for pelvic examinations . Last year a bill passed that wreaked havoc on the medical community regarding pelvic exams. This year’s glitch bill that passed clarifies this to only female patients and written informed consent is only necessary on an anesthetized or unconscious patient. It further clarifies this is not required when emergency services are being performed. State Legislation – Did not pass this session Telehealth Reforms • Fix 2019 Legislation • Audio Only Communications • Emergency Order 20-002 Changes • Payment Parity State Legislation – Did not pass this session Eliminate Insurance Company Barriers to Care . Selective application of prior authorization to “outliers” . Remove prior authorization for low value drugs/services . Require transparency of prior authorization requirements . Protections of patient continuity of care . Automation to improve prior authorization and process efficiency . Step therapy . Retroactive denial Federal Legislation Extend Federal Telehealth Flexibilities Federal Liability Protections Bolster Federal Provider Relief Fund Provide Additional Federal Aid To States And The Medicaid Program How much does the FMA PAC raise each election cycle: $2.60 $2.16 $2.20 $2.10 $1.80 2020 2018 2016 2014 2012 Millions How much do others raise? $14,000,000.00 $12,822,726 $12,000,000.00 $10,000,000.00 $8,000,000.00 $6,000,000.00 $4,321,444 $4,000,000.00 $1,917,681 $2,000,000.00 $1,558,625 $1,175,103.00 $1,357,073.00 $0.00 Pharmacy Optometry PAC PhRMA Trial Lawyers Hospitals Health Plans 2020 Election Results 98.2 % FMA PAC endorsed candidates won their 98.2% elections in 2020 114 out of 116 FMA PAC endorsed candidates won their elections Senate 2020 Endorsements/Results Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties SD 25 – Sen. Gayle Harrell (R) – Won (2019-2020 Chair of the Senate Health Care Committee) SD 29 – Tina Polsky (D) – Won SD 31 – Sen. Lori Berman (D) – Won SD 33 – Sen. Perry Thurston (D) – Won SD 35 – Shev Jones (D) – Won SD. 37 – Sen. JJ Rodriguez (D) – Loss (Currently losing by 21 votes) SD 39 – Ana Maria Rodriguez (R) – Won House 2020 Endorsements/Results Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties HD 81 – Kelly Skidmore (D) – Won HD 104 – Robin Bartleman (D) – Won HD 82 – John Snyder (R) – Won HD 105 – David Borrero (R) – Won HD 83 – Rep. Toby Overdorf (R) – Won HD 106 – Rep. Bob Rommel (R) – Won HD 85 – Rep. Rick Roth (R) – Won HD 107 – Christopher Benjamin (D) – Won HD 86 – Rep. Matt Willhite (D) – Won HD 108 – Rep. Dotie Joseph (D) – Won HD 87 – Rep. David Silvers (D) – Won HD 111 – Rep. Bryan Avila (R) – Won (Speaker Pro- HD 88 – Omari Hardy (D) – Won Temp 2021-2022) HD 89 – Rep. Mike Caruso (R) – Won HD 112 – Rep. Nick Duran (D) – Won HD 90 – Rep. Joe Casello (D) – Won HD 114 – Demi Cabrera (R) – Won HD 91 – Rep. Emily Slosberg (D) – Won HD 115 – Rep. Vance Aloupis (R) – Won HD 92 – Rep. Patricia Hawkins-Williams (D) – Won HD 116 – Rep. Danny Perez (R) – Won (Judiciary HD 93 – Rep. Chip LaMarca (R) – Won Chair 2021-2022, Slated to be Speaker of the HD 94 – Rep. Bobby Dubose (D) – Won House 2025-2026) HD 95 – Rep. Anika Omphroy (D) – Won HD 117 – Kevin Chambliss (D) – Won HD 96 – Christine Hunschofsky (D) – Won HD 118 – Rep. Anthony Rodriguez (R) – Won HD 101 – Marie Woodson (D) – Won HD 119 – Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin (R) – Won HD 102 – Felicia Robinson (D) – Won HD 120 – Jim Mooney (R) – Won Thank you! Without broad physician and medical staff support such as yours, we couldn’t do what we do.