Accomplishments

As you are well aware emergency physicians face a number of challenges at the state level. MOCEP has been battling successfully on behalf of emergency physicians to address many issues and we want to share our wins and our ongoing efforts with you:

Wins and Accomplishments:

The MOCEP PEM Committee has developed a resource page for EDs in Missouri that may not have a Peds facility. The resources are available at your fingertips!
Developed a Rural EM committee for MOCEP members.
Developed a Pediatrics EM committee for MOCEP members.
Successfully defeated many attempts to push against scope of practice increases for non-physicians.
Lobbied successfully to maintain the existing TCD CME requirements for board certified physicians. This prevents additional uncompensated CME requirements from being placed on our members in trauma facilities. (2022)
Worked with medical organizations to find a solution to patient visitation requirements following the pandemic in Missouri hospitals. (2022)
Worked with the legislature to provide COVID liability protections for physicians in Missouri. (2021)
Developed a Health Policy Fellowship for residents and medical students. (2022)
Worked with other medical organizations on the passage of a statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. (2021)
Battled against efforts to reverse Medicaid downcoding/reduced payment in Missouri. (2020-ongoing)
Lobbied successfully for legislation that passed adding significant financial penalties to insurance companies that incorrectly downcode charts. (2020)
Successfully fought for changes to prompt credentialing bills requiring insurance carriers to pay you for care delivered while they complete their internal credentialing process. (2020)
Defeated legislation mandating additional annual training for EM physicians regarding evidence collection. (2020)
Defeated Assistant Physician and Nurse Practitioner attempts to practice independent of physicians. (2020 – ongoing)
Pushed for liability protections for Emergency Physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to work with the Governor on a special session to address this liability protection. (2020)
Addressed the needs for PPE and improved COVID testing with our US Senators and US Representatives while participating in ACEP’s first Virtual Hill Day. (2020)
Established a MOCEP member communication platform through the ACEP EngagED platform for members to discuss issues they are dealing with in their facilities. This included specific COVID-19 messaging and discussions to assist MOCEP members. (2019/2020)
Rapidly created a resource page for members to easily access important COVID-19 information specific to Missouri. (2020)
Creating the first Emergency Medicine Leadership Summit in Missouri. (2019)
Passed legislation to stop retroactive denials of emergency room visits deemed “non-emergent” by insurance companies and to reinforce the Prudent Layperson Standard in Missouri. (2018)
Removing the CME requirements for TCD (time critical diagnosis – stroke, STEMI and trauma) accreditation. (2017)
Supported the creation of the St. Louis County Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. We continue to fight for a statewide program in the legislature. (2017)
Worked with other medical organizations to release Opioid Prescribing Guidelines for physicians. (2015 & 2018)

Ongoing Efforts:

Continue work to reverse downcoding/reduced payments in Missouri.
Working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to improve the TCD program in Missouri.
Providing input to MO HealthNet on Missouri Medicaid, and the role of the emergency department in this program.
Working to improve EMTALA protection for emergency medicine through legislative efforts.
Provide funding on an annual basis to residents for research grants. In 2020 we initiated a spring application cycle in addition to the fall cycle.