History - 2005

2004/2005 President's Summary

Greg Maurer, President

Introduction

During the 2004/2005 year, MMGMA continued its financial success by ending the year with approximately one year of working capital (one years budgeted expenses) in cash investments and continued to provide value to its over 700 members through various venues such as the two annual educational conferences, timely email and website communications with respect to "hot" legislative and industry issues, and networking opportunities.

Winter Conference

This event was held at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, March 9 - 11, 2005. The theme was "Is Your Practice Evolving or Facing Extinction?" Retail and marketing were hot topics. More than ever, group practices were marketing their services to consumers, referral sources, employers, legislative representatives and health plans. The event started with the first ever MMGMA sponsored "Legislative Day." Attendees were bussed to the Capitol from the RiverCentre to hear from key policymakers, receive updates on MMGMA's legislative initiatives and meet with legislators individually to discuss current legislative issues facing medical group practices before returning to the RiverCentre for the opening reception. The second day of the conference began with a new member breakfast at which time new members were welcomed and greeted by current board members and business partners. The first general session speaker, Christine Clifford, a breast cancer survivor, opened with her presentation, "Laughter, It's Good Marketing Practice." The second general session was moderated by Paul Louiselle and Phil Riveness from the MMGMA Government Affairs Committee. They provided not only a legislative update but also presented case studies to demystify how MMGMA members do make a difference by communicating MMGMA's position to their local representatives via telephone, email, in person and/or through testifying before a legislative committee at the capitol. The afternoon provided opportunities for members to select from breakout sessions which covered topics on managing human resources with respect to outsourcing and telecommuting, medical real estate and retail strategies, managing patient financial responsibility with the advent of high deductible plans and information about implementing electronic health records. The evening event was held at the Science Museum. A competitive game of "Family Feude" and karaoke provided entertainment. The third day of the conference focused on the hot topics of "retail and marketing". Mindy Thompson talked on "Simply Retail" followed by Chris Bevolo and Pam Lux who presented "Creating Market Leverage by Delivering the Ultimate Patient Experience – Is Health Care Really Ready?" This was a very successful event which was planned by a great committee of volunteers including Brad Montgomery (chair), Colleen Chamberlin, Randee Lyons and John Whisney.

Summer Conference

The summer conference was held August 3 - 5, 2005 at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd. The theme was "Strategic Lures for Practice Success." Pay for performance was the hot topic. Performance measurement continued to be a strategic concept for group practices to embrace. The conference teed off with a sold out golf tournament at the famous Legacy Golf Course. This event raised over $2,000 for the MMGMA scholarship fund. The educational portion of the conference again began with a new member breakfast. The opening keynote speaker was Kit Welchin who presented on "Change: Are You Surviving or Thriving." Based upon feedback from MMGMA members, an effort was made to have MMGMA members present on topics selected for the conference. Following the break with the exhibitors, Dave Knutson, Dan McLaughlin and Mark Fisher gave a tri-focused presentation on "Increasing the Use of Pay for Performance by Payers", "MMGMA Survey Results on Organizational Responses to Pay for Performance" and "Strategic Positioning: What can You Do to Survive in the Pay for Performance Market?". The Annual Meeting was held over the lunch hour during which the new board members and officers were announced and the MMGMA Secretary and Treasurers reports were presented. The afternoon breakout session topics included a presentation by Dennis Wipperling on "One Clinic's Experience with The DOQ-IT (Doctors Office Quality – Information Technology) Pilot Project to Implement an Electronic Health Record" program. There were also presentations by Paul Louiselle on implementing a web-based human resource performance evaluation system and by Davis Fansler and Perry Hanson on "Strategies for Managing Decreased Physician Reimbursement through Hospital/Physician Relationships." This was followed by an evening of great food, children's games, a hula hoop contest and dancing with music provided by a local band consisting of teachers called SKATYRS (Still Kids After All These Years). The final day of the conference provided attendees with a legislative update followed by a presentation on career transitions by George Dow who then moderated a panel discussion consisting of MMGMA members John Whisney, Sue Haugen and Tom Spiczka. Again this was a very successful event which was planned by a great committee of volunteers including Brad Montgomery (chair), Michael Dunn, Bill Palmer, Troy Roovers, Tom Spiczka and Dorothy Walden-Woodworth.

Legislative

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) identified the following legislative priorities for the year: Translator Services Bill , HSA's/High deductible plans, Workers Compensation and No-Fault Auto insurance, and MN Care Tax Legislation. The committee made efforts to connect with key legislators on issues throughout the year. The MMGMA PAC (political action committee) was developed last year to help support MMGMA's legislative efforts.

MMGMA Management Services

As MMGMA has grown, so have the management needs of the organization. It was very critical to MMGMA's continued success that it re-evaluate its management needs since the contract with Nonprofit Solutions was up for renewal. Nonprofit Solutions was the first association management services firm utilized by MMGMA beginning in February of 1998 and has been the only firm utilized by MMGMA. As part of the due diligence process, the executive committee obtained and reviewed proposals from other local association management firms. Upon completion of the review, the board approved to renew MMGMA's contract with Nonprofit Solutions for the 2005/2006 year. Nonprofit Solutions has grown with MMGMA and we look forward to the continued relationship.

Closing

I wish to thank all those who have contributed their time and resources to make MMGMA the successful organization that it has become. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as its President during 2004/2005. It is without question that the organization will be in good hands under the new leadership of Dan Grosskopf and the Board of Directors for 2005/2006.

Gregory Maurer