MCMS News
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Guest Column: The View from Annapolis in 2026
Delegate Ryan SpiegelDistrict 17 – Gaithersburg and Rockville The 2026 legislative session was defined by some difficult fiscal realities, but also by a clear commitment to protecting Maryland families and maintaining the essential services people rely on every day. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I had the opportunity to work closely on…
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The Heat is On: Resources for Patients to Stay Safe This Summer
The Independence Day heat wave was not just uncomfortable. It was a mass casualty event in slow motion. More than 470 heat-related emergency room visits were recorded during the week of June 28 through July 4 – more ER visits in that single week than in the entire heat period since May. Statewide, there had…
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The Quiet Crisis Affecting LGBTQ+ Physicians and Their Patients
We’re closing MCMS Pride Month coverage for June 2026 with the research that sits underneath everything else we’ve shared this month. Two studies published in the past year document what’s happening to LGBTQ+ people in medicine right now, on both sides of the exam room. The picture isn’t good, and it has practical implications for…
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Maryland Insurance Administration Clean Claims Regulations Public Meetings
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) will be holding two virtual, open meetings to gather feedback from industry stakeholders and others about the regulations governing the submission and processing of clean claims. The MIA is reviewing the procedures and documentation necessary to file a clean claim to ensure these requirements accurately meet the needs of interested…
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Take the Next Steps with EQIP
Thank you to everyone who joined MCMS and the MedChi EQIP Team for our recent webinar, “Take the Next Step with EQIP.” The session provided an overview of Maryland’s Episode Quality Improvement Program, a voluntary Medicare Advanced Alternative Payment Model (AAPM) that offers participating practices an opportunity to engage in value-based care while qualifying for…
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Population Health and Readmission Prevention
Isha Misra, M.D. MCMS Public Health Committee Co-Chair Hospital readmissions pose a significant challenge for the US healthcare system. Each year, about 3.8 million patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, generating over $50 billion in hospital costs. Research demonstrates that about 27% of readmissions are potentially preventable. Preventable readmissions are indicative of gaps…
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Help Expand Access to Specialty Care in Montgomery County
Farhana Arastu, MPP Programs and Public Policy Director, MCMS Thousands of Montgomery County residents face barriers to accessing specialty care due to limited insurance coverage, financial challenges, or lack of access to specialists. Physicians can make a meaningful difference by participating in one of several programs designed to connect patients with needed specialty services. Project…
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Environmental and Public Health Update: Navigating PFAS, Global Pathogens, and Local Action
Kisha N. Davis, MD, MPH, FAAFP Health Officer, Montgomery County, Maryland First, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Medical Society for honoring me with the Public Health Advocacy Award at the annual meeting. This recognition truly reflects our shared commitment to safeguarding the health of all Montgomery County residents, and I am…
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Maryland’s Chronic Disease Benchmarks: Where the Gaps Are and What Physicians Can Do
Maryland’s 2026 State Health Improvement Plan sets specific, measurable targets for five priority health areas through 2029. The chronic disease section is the most directly relevant to day-to-day clinical practice, and the numbers reveal some significant gaps worth knowing. Cancer Screening Is Lagging Only 49.3% of Maryland adults ages 45-75 have received a recommended colorectal…
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Women in Medicine Interest Survey
MCMS is planning ahead for our Women in Medicine programming, and before we lock anything in, we want to hear from you. The Women in Medicine Interest Survey asks about the real challenges you’re navigating as a woman physician in Montgomery County, and which kinds of support and programming would be worth your limited time.…
