MINNEAPOLIS, July 17, 2008 - Physicians at Hennepin Faculty Associates got the inside story about the health care reform bill that passed this session at the MMA’s launch of its new Advocacy Rounds program Thursday.

The event was hosted by MMA Board Trustee Donald Jacobs, M.D., at Hennepin County Medical Center to brief members about the recently passed health care reform bill and to hear their ideas, concerns, and hopes for the future.

The MMA plans to hold more than a dozen Advocacy Rounds hosted by MMA board trustees in various locations across the state. Stay tuned for details about an Advocacy Rounds to be held near you or for more information contact Kathy Messerli, MMA director member relations, at kmesserli@mnmed.org or 800/342-5662.

MMA CEO Robert Meiches, M.D., spoke at the hour-long session, which included a Power Point presentation, food, and questions from the physician audience.

Most of the physician questions focused on the provisions in the bill regarding health care homes, otherwise known as medical homes.

Pathologist, Brad Lindsey, M.D., questioned whether the reform bill actually provided enough financial incentives for physicians to be more attracted to primary care.

Meiches said it’s unclear whether the bill offers enough of a financial incentive, but the additional payment at least moves the state in the right direction. The actual payment amount hasn't been determined yet, but the general assumption is that it will average out to about $50 per patient per month. The law says the payments should vary based on the complexity of the patient's care. So on a patient-by-patient basis the fees could be substantially lower or higher than $50.

Others questioned whether the state would mandate those on public programs to choose a medical home. Meiches said the state plans to encourage public program enrollees to choose a medical home but there is nothing in the law mandating participation.

The law calls for the commissioners of health and human services to develop standards for certifying medical homes by July of 2009. Then in 2010, state programs will start reimbursing qualified clinics for providing health care homes.

“It is going to start with the state and mandate that the commercial market will at least have to offer an option,” Meiches said.

 Meiches also said that the medical homes will not act as gatekeepers.

“This is not a gatekeeper model and there is no primary care capitation. There are no financial incentives for the people delivering primary care to either withhold care or provide more care,” he said.