The topic of Blue Grass Medical Group Management Association’s (BGMGMA) August meeting was “Hearing the Patient: Listening Skills and Empathy.” The speaker was Laura Cooley, PhD, who serves as director of Education for The American Academy on Communication in Healthcare (AACH). Cooley interactively discussed the art of communication and presented data to support the practice that empathy enhances efficiency and presented examples of how providers can respond to patients more empathically.
BGMGMA has two more meetings scheduled in 2014. The topic for the October 16th meeting is “Contract Negotiations” and attorney Pam Basconi of Lexington is the speaker. Specific questions from membership will be solicited prior to the meeting to ensure the information provided is relevant to the audience.
The November 13th meeting will include the annual Vendor Fair along with a Payer Panel. The panel will consist of representatives from multiple insurance carriers. BGMGMA offers several different packages to vendors and applications for the Vendor Fair are available at BGMGMA website, bgmgma@gmail.com.
BGMGMA was formed in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1989, to provide an educational and networking forum for practice managers. BGMGMA has over 150 members representing nearly 125 local physician offices in Central Kentucky.
The BGMGMA is affiliated with the Kentucky Medical Group Management Association (KMGMA) and the National Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), but operates as an independent entity with its own by-laws and elected leaders.
To achieve its mission, BGMGMA provides 10 educational lunch meetings yearly featuring speakers on current medical management practice issues. The educational meetings are held in Lexington at various locations. The annual dues for Active and Associate Members are $50; student members $15; Business Partner $200.
LEXINGTON ATTORNEY PAM BASCONI WILL PRESENT “CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS” AT THE BGMGMA’S OCTOBER 16TH MEETING.