jump to navigation

MHQP 2009/2010 Perinatal Care Recommendations December 29, 2009

Posted by admin in : HNE/Industry News and Information , add a comment
MHQP Logo

 

MHQP 2009/2010 Perinatal Care Recommendations 

available online at mhqp.org

 

Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) and representatives from health care organizations across Massachusetts are coming together again to collectively endorse the 2009/10 Routine Perinatal Care Recommendations.Click here to access the guidelines and list of endorsing organizations.

In 2007, MHQP first made its guidelines available online in both desk-reference and brochure formats. Updates for 2009/2010 have been integrated into the online version of our guidelines, which includes links to additional clinical tools and patient handouts that you may find useful.

The Recommendations were compiled by a collaborative working group of clinicians using evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other national organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. There are also additional materials compiled by the clinician working group offered as resources for your practice.

 

Our goal in coming together to endorse a single set of perinatal care recommendations is to support your efforts to provide high-quality, evidence-based care and eliminate inconsistent guidelines. It is well documented that high-quality prenatal care is the single most important factor in improving maternal and infant health.

  • The Healthy People 2010 goal is that over 90% of pregnant women will receive early and adequate prenatal care.
  • In Massachusetts, 82.8% of pregnant women received adequate prenatal care in 2007. Among Black and Latina women, the rates are significantly lower, with only 76.1% and 75.3%, respectively, having received adequate prenatal care. (1)

We hope that you will find the 2009/2010 Perinatal Care Recommendations useful. Please distribute these to OB/GYN practitioners in your practice or medical group.

If you have any questions, please email them to info@mhqp.org.

 

 

(1) Massachusetts Births 2007. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, February 2009

 

These recommendations are consistent with those published by ACOG with little substantive change.

 

Click here to learn more about MHQP.

A Message from the Board of Medicine December 21, 2009

Posted by admin in : HNE/Industry News and Information , add a comment

Greetings from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.  On behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we hope you find the attached information helpful in your practice.

 

Double your patients’ chances of quitting smoking!

When you refer them to QuitWorks using the attached enrollment form, your patients will receive a FREE two-week supply of nicotine patches—and FREE phone-based counseling!

Smokers who use medications and counseling are more than twice as likely to quit permanently. Those whose doctors also talk with them about quitting are even more successful.

QuitWorks is a free service from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for all Massachusetts residents, regardless of health insurance status. The nicotine patch offer runs through June 30, 2010, or while supplies last. Some medical restrictions apply.

Start using QuitWorks today by visiting www.QuitWorks.org.

 

qwenrollmentformnewsletter-v1-1

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER REGARDING MEDICARE REQUIRED FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE TRAINING December 1, 2009

Posted by admin in : Policy/Administative Reminders , add a comment

Please be advised if you are a practice that does see Medicare patients you must complete this training by 12/31/09.  Please read the attached.  2nd-notice-medicare-fwa-provider-communication

2010 Formularies now available. Please see below: December 1, 2009

Posted by admin in : Pharmacy Updates , add a comment

Dear Provider,

 

The 2010 Health New England (HNE) formularies are is now available on line at hne.com. Formularies available include:

 

 

The formulary also lists of medications with

 

We have forms available for your use when prescribing these medications. Completing the form can avoid delays in our review process by ensuring that we have all the information we need to make a decision. You can obtain forms on the HNE website, hne.com, or by contacting HNE Member Services at 1-800-310-2835. You also may request prior authorization by calling our designated Prior Authorization line at 1-888-806-4998.

 

The HNE online formulary is updated throughout the year as changes are made to the formulary.

 

Please consider the cost differential between each tier when prescribing. For example, under the HNE Formulary, copayments vary by plan; however, in general, the copayment differential between Tier II and Tier III is at least $15.00/month, The difference between Tier I and III is at least $35.00/month.  By using generic drugs or prescribing therapeutic equivalents at a lower tier level, you can significantly reduce costs to your patients. Lower costs often translate to enhanced medication compliance. HNE covers at least one therapeutic agent for each disease state at the Tier I and Tier II levels.

 

We appreciate your continued partnership in providing access to high-quality, affordable care to our community here in Western Massachusetts. If you have any questions, please call your Provider Relations representative at 413-787-4000.

 

Sincerely,

 

Donna L. O’Shea, M.D.

Associate Medical Director