History - 2007

MMGMA Administrative Year

The administrative year for the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association (MMGMA) is October through September. This administrative year began with a new management company, The Harrington Group. Through this new relationship we will provide excellent service and professional support to our members.

State, National and World News

The year 2007 put the country into the throws of a new national presidential campaign, with health care continuing on the agenda. Politicians continue to toss around the term national healthcare system, but it takes on different meanings depending on the audience. The threat of 10.1% reduction in Medicare reimbursement continues to loom forcing emails and calls to legislators trying to bring reason to the situation.

In Minnesota, October 1, 2007 was the start date for the Freedom to Breathe Act, a new law that was signed in May of 2007 to further reduce secondhand smoke. This was a combined effort of many organizations, with significant support from the MMA. Hot in the market are convenience care clinic, offering medical services in grocery stores and pharmacy chains.

In the world, military action continues in Iraq and is a major platform for the presidential candidates. Troops' tours of duty have been extended creating concern on how to cope and expanding the residual effects of mental stress and possibility of physical injury. As the soldiers and civilian workers return they are turning to the health care system to help meet their needs and the ability to respond is deficient.

MMGMA Highlights

Conferences

• Shari Ohland chaired the 2007 MMGMA Winter Conference; March 5 through 7, 2007 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The theme was "Change Ahead, No Waiting!" The committee did an outstanding job and the membership included Sandy Kamin, Dorothy Walden-Woodworth, Bronagh MacCafferty, Dan Meyer, Bill Palmer, Sandy Rutherford, and Lisa Spann. A pre-conference event was held on Leadership Success, facilitated by Mark Fisher. This was well attended. The iR Factori performed at the evening social event and kept everyone on the dance floor. At the end of the conference an afternoon at the capitol gave participants a chance to visit their legislators and learn more about working through legislative processes.
• Shari Ohland also chaired the 2007 MMGMA Summer Conference, August 1 through 3, 2007 at the Arrowood Resort and Conference Center in Alexandria Minnesota. The committee included Sandy Kamin, Dorothy Walden-Woodworth, Dan Grosskopf, Christine Abell, Mark Fisher, Jennifer Miller, Bronagh MacCafferty, Dan Meyer, Bill Palmer, Steve Rapatz-Harr, Sandy Rutherford, and Lisa Spann. The theme was "It's a Jungle Out There!" The theme brought out a lot of creative booth designs and fit well with the warm summer weather. We held another pre-conference event, along with a golf outing to kick off the day. The first key-note speaker was William Jessee, President and CEO of MGMA. The conference was well attended by members and exhibitors.

Committees

• Working with The Harrington Group, the communications committee lead by Karen Boyle, moved forward a new website and professional association management software. Planning and hard work completed the process within the original timeframe. This has eased registration and membership data management. It has also created a framework for reporting.
• The Governmental Affairs Committee led by Candy Simerson, continued to work hard on issues important to the membership. Once again we attempted to get help in managing the cost of translator services, but it did not succeed. Other top legislative issues included collecting estimated payments from patients with high-deductible accounts, better reimbursement from MinnesotaCare and M.A., and a clarification in the law requiring providers to disclose allowable payments. Phil Riveness continues to help the committee and provide valuable advice and guidance.
• Payer Relations lead by Jim Reimann put together meetings with the key health plans and facilitated communication on issues and contract language changes.
• ACMPE chair, Mark Fisher, facilitated the first ACMPE certification test in the Twin Cities. With sponsorship from the Solbrekk, Inc. six members took their tests and advanced to the next level of professional development.
• Membership has continued to remain steady under the leadership of Dawn Lunde. A strategic planning meeting helped define our constituents and give direction for further growth.
• Bill Evans was chair of the MMA Liaison committee, attending their meetings and conferences to help us work better together.
• The Exhibitor & Sponsorship committee, under the leadership of Doug Hanson, did an outstanding job. At both conference there were more companies looking to exhibit than space allowed. Sponsorship was high. The committee renamed the exhibit hall to the Resource Center to better reflect the supportive and collaborative relationship between members and the vendors who work with us.