History - 1991

Goals and Accomplishments:

MMGA History – William Costello graciously accepted the commission of researching and compiling forty years of MMGMA history.

Membership – We begin the year with 478 members and a goal to grow to 500 members.  By the end of the year, we had a membership of 570 managers representing over 7,000 physicians and 40,000 support staff.

Increase Participation in the State and National Legislative Process – Jim Wilkus led a concentrated effort to increase both our participation in the legislative process and our recognition as resource for our legislators.  A group headed by Jim Wilkus, Dave Rothschiller, and Joe Mytling met with Senators Durenberger and Wellstone as well as Representatives Sabo and Peterson in Washington, D.C.  The key issues discussed with each of the legislators and the Physician Payment Review Commission were physicians' payment reform (RBRVS) and guaranteed access to care.

Expand Awareness and Participation in the American College of Medical Group Administrators (ACMGA) – Mark Fisher chaired this effort and the by-product of his leadership included the development of a mentor list, the birth of the College Leadership Education series, and the presentation of Fellowship papers at the winter and summer meetings.

Education – Pam Moniza developed a needs-based education program that led to the implementation of a new breakout format for our winter and summer meetings, as well as two "hot topic" educational programs.  The first "hot topic" focused on Employment Law and over 130 members attended.  The second program focused on RBRVS and CLIA with approximately 80 members attending.

MMGA Scholarship – The first two scholarships were awarded.  The first recipients were Selene Swanson and Carol Smith; both are individuals pursing graduate degrees at St. Mary's.

Other Highlights Included:

• The development of a new photo directory
• Marge Canning was the MMGMA Service Award Recipient.
• Val Johnson received MMGMA Life Membership Recognition.
• MMGMA assets at end of year were approximately $68,000
• MMGMA again hosted the development of a salary survey, and the Board of Directors made a decision to gift a copy of the survey software to the national organization (MGMA).
  
• Midwest Section Volleyball Champions!
  
  

Current Issues Impacting Medical Group Practice:

A number of issues either surfaced or continued to affect medical group practice during the year including:

• UPIN numbers – Medicare continued to debate the necessity of mandating that all claims have both the ordering and referring physician UPIN numbers on them.  There was an effort to create a publication identifying all physicians and their respective UPIN numbers.
  
• Balance Billing Issues – This issue remained at the forefront along with an ongoing debate whether Medicare caps should be at 125% versus a 150% prevailing charges.
  
• Clinical Lab Improvement Amendment (CLIA) Regulations – This 1988 Act was implemented this year and discussion ensued regarding which laboratories and services were included or excluded. 
  
• Statue of Limitations on Professional Liability – The debate continued as to whether the statue of limitations begins at the time of the alleged injury or at the time the plaintiff should have reasonably discovered the injury.
  
• MMA/MMGMA Relationship – The Board committed to more closely aligning ourselves with our counterpart that represents the physicians for whom we work.  As a part of that effort, Terry Tone joined Drs. Richard Tompkins and Dr. Paul Sanders as a part of a delegation to Washington, D.C.  This represented the first time that MMGMA and MMA jointly addressed healthcare issues with our Minnesota congressional delegation.
  
• Ethics and Patient Referral Act (STARK) – STARK debate became commonplace – discussions regarding how it was going to impact the development of new partnerships and care delivery relationships came to the forefront.
  
• Resource-Based Relative Value System (RBRVS) – The concepts of RBRVS were already well established, however, the opportunity was created for Minnesota to establish itself as a single payment locality.  In April of 1991, the Minnesota Medical Association unanimously approved moving to a single payment locality, and in May of 1991, the Hennepin and Ramsey County Medical Societies also voted to support this legislative activity.  The entities developed a joint recommendation to Senator Durenberger and ultimately, a single payment locality was established for Minnesota.

1991 Winter Meeting:

The winter meeting was held from February 27 – March 1st at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis.  The co-chairs for the meeting were Jim Tierney (Suburban Radiology) and Bonnie Sauerer (Summit Orthopedics).  Their program, "Windows of Opportunity" incorporated a new format that allowed each participant the opportunity to select from a number of breakout sessions that included the mini MBA, Nuts and Bolts sessions, operational issues and/or financial issues.  In addition, Tom Holets and Marge Canning presented their Fellowship papers.

Registration included 320 members and 50 exhibitors.  The meeting highlights included an inspirational presentation by Jackie Pflug.  Jackie, a airline hijacking victim,  shared her message and thoughts from the time she lay wounded on a tarmac in Malta through her arduous road to a recovery.  Her theme, "If you dream it, want it, and persevere, you will achieve" rings true for all of us.

The capstone of the meeting was a presentation by Senator David Durenberger.  The Senator was scheduled to visit with us about the implications of RBRVS and guaranteed access to care, but, owing to the fact that the United States declared victory in the Persian Gulf the evening before his presentation, the Senator was afforded the opportunity to speak to what impact this victory would have on America, both today and long into the future.

1991 Summer Meeting:

The summer meeting was held August 22-23rd at the Sheraton Park Place.  Co-chairs for this meeting were Zac Myers (Minneapolis Cardiology Associates) and Tom Lorentzen (St. Paul Lung Clinic).  Their program, "Chaos in Perspective", was attended by 280 members and 44 exhibitors.  Joel Koemptgen  presented his Fellowship paper and Ms. Bernie Melbey led off the Leadership Education Series with her presentation titled "Building a Team that Builds a Practice."  Dan Buettner, Minnesota's own explorer, regaled us with his presentation entitled SOVIETREK: Across the Soviet Union on Bicycle.  Finally, the summer meeting concluded with a new slate of officers being presented and approved for 1991-1992.  This slate was:

President – Bill Amery
Vice President – Bonnie Porte
Secretary – Jim Tierney
Treasure – Gerry Truscott
Past President – Dave Rothschiller