The Show-Me-State Update is your source for the latest news and information impacting the medical community. Time-sensitive information and requests related to healthcare, advocacy issues, and professional development opportunities from MAFP are included.

December 2024 – MAFP News & Events

Calling All MAFP Members: Register Now for Advocacy Training and Day at the Capitol!

February 24-25, 2025 | Courtyard Marriott, Jefferson City

The Missouri Academy of Family Physicians invites members to join these key events this February: Virtual Advocacy Prep Session on February 24 and the Day at the Capitol on February 25. Early registration is highly encouraged as space is limited for in-person participation at the State Capitol.  More information can be found here.

MAFP Advocacy Syllabus

With the Missouri legislative session beginning on January 8, 2025, now is the time to prepare your family medicine residents and students to become engage with elected leaders and to advocate on behalf of their patients.  The Missouri Academy of Family Physicians prepared a syllabus to outline how to get involved at your local, state, and national levels on issues that impact you, your practice, and your patients.  Click here for the syllabus.

Seeking Physician Delegates to National Leadership Conference

The Missouri Academy of Family Physicians is seeking physicians to serve as delegates to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL).  NCCL will be held April 23-26, 2025, in Kansas City, MO.

The MAFP is looking for physician members who can represent the following five recognized special constituencies:

• International Medical Graduate (IMG) (an active member of the AAFP who graduated from medical school outside the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico)
• LGBTQ+ Physician or Ally (an active AAFP member who self-identifies as LGBTQ+ or who is supportive of LGBTQ+ issues)
• Minority (an active AAFP member who is African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, ethnic Latino, or Other)
• New (an active AAFP member who has been in practice less than seven years)
• Women (an active AAFP member who self-identifies as a woman).

During NCCL you will meet family physicians from across the United States, discuss and develop resolutions that shape AAFP policies, and have the chance to be elected for various leadership positions for the next NCCL or as a delegate to the annual AAFP Congress of Delegates.  MAFP will reimburse travel expenses based on the MAFP budget and travel reimbursement policy.

If you are interested in serving as an NCCL delegate, please email your request and CV to bplank@mo-afp.org.

MAFP Presents This Year’s Academy Awards

Missouri is fortunate to have so many well-deserving family physicians who go above and beyond to support their patients and communities.  The following members were recognized at this year’s Awards and Installation Ceremony on November 8 in Kansas City:

• Family Physician of the Year Award – Brian Schultz, MD, Columbia
• Distinguished Service Award – David Campbell, MD, Fenton
• Exemplary Teaching Award – Shelby Hahn, MD, Springfield
• Outstanding Resident of the Year Award – Wesley Goodrich, DO, Kansas City
• Resident Stipend Award – Kelly Dougherty, MD, PGY3, Mercy Family Medicine Residency
• Resident Stipend Award – Emily Vahrenberg, MD (recent graduate from Research FMR), Lee’s Summit

The MAFP is thankful to those who took the time to nominate and uplift each nominee in this year’s awards program.  More information about each recipient will be included in the January-March 2025 issue of Missouri Family Physician, or press releases can be found here. 

Pabst Retires from MAFP

MAFP’s Executive Director, Kathy Pabst, is retiring at the end of this year.  Kathy served in this capacity for almost 11 years.  She was instrumental in elevating the Missouri chapter at the state and national levels through advocacy, professional development, and service on various boards and commissions.  Bill Plank, Assistant Executive Director, will assume the Executive Director position on January 1, 2025.  Best wishes to both as they embark on these new journeys!

Speak Out: Protect Family Medicine and Strengthen Health Care

As we approach the end of the 118th Congress, it’s crucial to advocate for family physicians and the communities that they serve. You can take action with a simple click on these issues:

• Protect Physician Payment
• Address Administrative Burden
• Strengthen the Family Physician Workforce
• Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program

Together, we can ensure a stronger health care system for all. Thank you for your commitment to protecting our physicians and improving patient care!

AAFP Reaction to 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released their 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program final rule. The AAFP released this statement with an initial reaction.   The Academy is deeply concerned that the finalized reduction of 2.8% to the Medicare conversion factor will result in untenable payment cuts for all physicians. This reiterates the urgent need for Congress to prioritize the advancement of much-needed, long-term reforms to Medicare’s outdated physician payment system.  The MAFP supported the AAFP’s effort and sent a letter to CMS addressing our concerns and how to address them.  Among some of the policies implemented include allowing the G2211 add-on code for outpatient office visits to be billed on the same day as an annual wellness visit, vaccine administration or any Medicare Part B preventive services.  The AAFP is also pleased CMS finalized the new Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) codes for 2025. These new codes are an important step toward achieving hybrid primary care payment within the framework of traditional Medicare.

FMAS Advocacy Scholarships Available

The Society of Teach of Family Medicine’s (STFM) Advocacy Scholarships for New Faculty are now available.  STFM supports five scholarships annually for new faculty to attend the AAFP Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS), June 22-24, 2025, Washington, DC. Scholarships cover the cost of registration, travel, hotel accommodations, and meals not provided by the conference up to $1,500. Applicants must be members of STFM and fulfill all eligibility requirements. More on that here.  Deadline to apply is February 28th.

The Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD) provides scholarships for at least 16 family medicine residents, 2 AFMRD members, and 2 current NIPDD fellows. AFMRD reimburses up to $2,500 for approved FMAS travel, lodging, meals, and registration expenses for the scholar. More on that here.  Deadline to apply is February 28th.

2025 Committee and Leadership Recruitment (In-Person Meetings with Virtual Options)

The MAFP is soliciting your interest in participating on one of the Missouri Academy’s committees for next year. We anticipate meeting in person and will continue to have virtual options for most meetings as well. We typically meet three times a year.  Complete this form to volunteer to serve on a committee or leadership role.