PAMED News

Stay out of harm’s way when it comes to risk adjustment compliance. Granite GRC Consulting presents a series of monthly articles for the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s DOSE newsletter. This is the fourth article in the series.

On July 16, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) offered a proposed rule concerning the physician fee schedule and other Medicare payment policies. The rule, if adopted, will take effect January 1, 2026.

On September 5, 2025, the Trump Administration abandoned the defense of the federal noncompete ban, thereby killing the rule. The rule, if implemented, would have banned most noncompete agreements from employment contracts.

Recently, the Joint Underwriting Association (JUA), Pennsylvania’s medical liability insurer of last resort, generously shared with PAMED requested premium increased from select insurance providers. It is important to remember that these are requested increases, not approved increases. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has yet to respond to any of these requested increases.

Recently, in a three-to-two vote, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved a final rule that will ban noncompete clauses for workers nationwide except in limited circumstances. This rule will take effect 120 days following its publication in the Federal Register. The date of publication in the Federal Register is not known at this time.

Stay out of harm’s way when it comes to risk adjustment compliance. Granite GRC Consulting presents a series of monthly articles for the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s DOSE newsletter. This is the last article in the series.

On January 3rd, 2024, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing Final Rule which is commonly referred to as HTI-1 (ONC, 2024b)

In 2023, the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) passed a resolution aimed at removing barriers for health care professionals who wish to wear religious headgear, such as hijabs, in the operating room (OR). This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote inclusivity and diversity within the medical field.

Sexual Assault Victim Emergency Services Regulation Listing of Hospitals That May Not Provide Emergency Contraception and Hospitals That May Not Provide Any Sexual Assault Emergency Services

In accordance with Executive Order 1996-1, all agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction publish semi-annual agendas of regulations under development or consideration. The most recent agenda, current as of July 1, 2025, was published on Aug. 9, 2025.

The Patient Safety Authority (Authority), established by the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act, will have a virtual Board meeting at 1 PM on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Edward P. Balaban, DO, FACP, FASCO, FCPP, a Montgomery County physician specializing in hematology and oncology, was elected vice president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society by a statewide group of physicians.

Pennsylvania Poison Centers are seeing increased call volume related to both kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) consumption. These products lack clinical safety data and put consumers at risk of significant harm, including toxicity and developing dependence.

Spotted fever rickettsioses (SFR), including Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), are tickborne diseases commonly seen in PA in May through August.

On March 1st, 2024, according to the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, more than 276,000 households, businesses, schools, and libraries do not have access to broadband internet (PBDA, 2024a).

The Statewide HIV Planning Group, will hold a public meeting in Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PAMED has partnered with the American Medical Association (AMA) on an issue brief to support expanded access to naloxone, a medication proven to reverse opioid overdoses when administered in time. The collaboration comes amid ongoing efforts to reduce overdose deaths nationwide.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry has continued to adopt different functionalities of Artificial Intelligence. As telemedicine and virtual care have been at the forefront of technology during the pandemic, Artificial Intelligence’s utilization in healthcare has exploded as well.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) is proud to announce Ada-Nkem Emuwa, MD, MPH as the recipient of its 2025 Community Voluntary Service Award, honoring her unwavering dedication to advancing health care, promoting diversity, and supporting underserved communities through advocacy and service.

The Patient Safety Authority (Authority) announces a meeting of the Authority's Board to be held virtually by means of the Authority's webinar platform Zoom on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 1 p.m. and is open to the general public.