Dear Membership,
Last year, the Health-Finance Committee, along with the College at large, continued our commitment to fighting for fair pay and reimbursement for emergency medicine services provided by our members. That is why we focused on successfully lobbying the State for an increase to our Medicaid base pay rate.
Late summer, the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians(MCEP) and Muchmore Harrington Smalley & Associates (MHSA) met with Meghan Groen, State Medicaid Director, and explained the unique challenges that emergency medicine physicians face in reimbursement, along with the value that we provide to the patients and communities we serve. Our message was heard, and we received a significant increase of 7% to our Medicaid base pay rate, which was well above the rate of inflation of 3.1%. Although we are pleased with this increase, we know there is more work to be done. We must continue to fight for true payor parity between the rates paid for Medicaid to Medicare. We must continue to fight for a change to the Michigan No Surprises Act, which allows for private insurers to have unfair leverage in contract renegotiations.
The value that our members provide to their patients and communities must be recognized. MCEP will continue this fight until these goals are met.
Sincerely,
Michael Gratson, MD, MHSA, FACEP
Chair, MCEP Health-Finance Committee
Treasurer, MCEP Board of Directors