CAFP Weekly Newsletter for Jan. 30, 2025
CAFP Weekly Newsletter
Family Medicine Resources
Patient Resource: Protected Areas Factsheet
This factsheet from the National Immigration Law Center was shared with chapters through AAFP and describes the changes made by the Trump administration to the Protected Areas Policy, including what laws apply to those areas now and what steps advocates and communities can take to support immigrants in continuing to access critical community spaces and services, such as healthcare.
Prescriber Tool Alternative Payment Model (APM) Update
The Prescriber Tool Alternative Payment Model (APM) is an upside-risk-only program designed to incentivize increased and consistent use of the Prescriber Tool by Health First Colorado providers receiving fee-for-service payments for outpatient pharmaceutical claims. This includes use of the Real-Time Benefits Inquiry (RTBI) module and prescription of preferred medications where clinically appropriate.
What’s New?
- The Prescriber Tool Alternative Payment Model webpage has been updated for Program Year 2.
- A searchable list of eligible practices by Practice Business Name or National Provider Identifier (NPI) is now available.
- Slides and a recording from October 2024’s webinar on Year 2 updates are also available.
Program Timeline:
- Program Year 2 began in October 2024.
- The activity window starts January 2025.
- Eligible providers will receive an email in mid-January 2025 with a link to complete the required activities to qualify for payment.
Academy Happenings
Letter to Members: CAFP is Committed to Supporting You Amid Federal Developments
Read the statement from CAFP President, Abbie Urish, MD, FAAFP.
Health Equity Champions Program: Join the Spring Cohort
The next cohort begins March 2025
Join a cohort of peers for this three-month, self-paced journey to deepen your equity knowledge and earn CME. Receive hand-selected materials delivered to your inbox weekly and participate in virtual monthly cohort discussions. Learn more.
Read about one Family Physician’s ongoing health equity journey.
Colorado physician and CAFP Health Equity Champion, Dr. Chris Linares, shares her experience participating in and then facilitating the program. Read about her experience and see a preview of the curriculum to learn if this opportunity is right for you.
CAFP’s Bill Prohibiting Non-Compete Clauses Introduced at the Capitol
CAFP’s priority legislation, SB25-083: Limitations on Restrictive Employment Agreements, was officially introduced last week in the Colorado legislature. This bill concerns critical reforms to non-compete and non-solicitation agreements that impact physicians and other healthcare providers, ensuring greater flexibility and fairness in employment contracts. CAFP would like to thank our sponsors, Senators Lindsey Daugherty and Lisa Frizell, and Representatives Kyle Brown and Lori Garcia-Sander.
What’s in the bill?
- Exempts healthcare providers, including physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and dentists, from restrictive covenants that limit their ability to practice or communicate with patients.
- Allows healthcare providers to inform patients about their continued medical practice, their new contact information, and the patient’s right to choose their provider.
- Maintains limited allowances for non-compete agreements involving the sale of a practice.
The bill has already received endorsements from a number of partners. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities for you to support SB25-083 as it progresses through the legislature.
CAFP Joins Letter to Congressional Delegation Advocating for Collective Healthcare Reforms
In collaboration with the Colorado Health Policy Coalition (CHPC), the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) has joined a collective letter addressed to Colorado’s Congressional delegation. Read the letter and learn more.
Member Spotlight: Linda Montgomery, MD, MA, FAAFP
Dr. Montgomery is a longtime family medicine educator and current Vice Chair of Education for the University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine. As a former program director, she has been on the leading edge of education building a nationally recognized program and graduated over a hundred family medicine residents (many practicing here in Colorado). There are so many things that make Dr. Montgomery special, but one of particular note is how she is so quick to lift up others whether a student, resident, colleague, or patient.
It’s no surprise that she is a past recipient of the Department of Family Medicine’s Mentor Award and has been recognized in 5280 as one of the best family physicians in Denver. Recently, her work in helping family medicine residencies across the country transition to competency-based medical education has led to her (along with some colleagues) to receive the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine’s prestigious 2025 President’s Award. She will be recognized formally in a ceremony this May. Congratulations and thanks for all you do!
Have a member spotlight you’d like to share? Submit it here!