POSITION STATEMENTS
200.000 MEMBERSHIP
200.000 MEMBERSHIP
200.977 Full Involvement of Women Physicians in MSSNY Leadership Roles
MSSNY will take immediate action to increase the number of women physicians at all levels of leadership.
MSSNY affirms its commitment to the full involvement of women in leadership roles throughout the organization, including, but not limited to, officers, councilors, trustees, NY Delegation to AMA, and committee chairs.
MSSNY encourages all component counties and districts to vigorously continue their efforts to recruit women members into organized medicine in New York State.
MSSNY shall develop an action plan for recruitment of women physicians to MSSNY, including process and outcome measures of improvement with a report back to MSSNY HOD 2024 and annually thereafter. (HOD 2023-205)
200.978 Increasing Diversity of Future MSSNY Leadership
MSSNY will support, sponsor, and seek funding for leadership opportunities for women and under-represented groups in MSNNY through the provision of mentoring programs, internships, and various educational formats. (HOD 2023-204)
200.979 Consolidating MSSNY Individual Membership Categories
The following individual membership category pilot projects within MSSNY will be sunset at the conclusion of the 2022 membership year:
- Full Active – Half Year Dues
- 1.5 Year Pilot Full
- 1.5 Year Pilot – 1st & 2nd Year
- 1.5 Year – Part Time Pilot Project
- NP1 – New Recruitment Member 1st Year
- NP2 – New Recruitment Member 2nd Year
- NP3 – New Recruitment Member 3rd Year
- 1.5 Year – Young Physician 1st Year
- 1.5 Year – Young Physician 2nd Year
- 1.5 Year – Young Physician 3rd Year
- Young Physician 1st Year
- Young Physician 2nd Year
- Young Physician 3rd Year
- 1.5 Year – Resident Members
- MLMIC 1st Year Members
- MLMIC 2nd Year Members
- MLMIC 3rd Year Members
- Retired Pilot Project B Members
Council reaffirmed the Part-Time pilot project (available to new and current members in participating counties who practice 20 hours or less a week) for an additional three years. (Adopted by Council, 3/9/22)
200.980 IMG Membership
The Medical Society of the State of New York, through a three-year pilot program, will revise the requirements for Post Medical Graduate (PMG) membership for IMGs by replacing the criterion of certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates with an attestation by the applicant to having passed Step 1 and Step 2CK of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or an equivalent pathway to licensure if there is a future change in ECFMG requirements. (HOD 2021-202, substitute resolution recommended and adopted by Council 1-13-22)
200.981 Institutional Membership
MSSNY will pursue institutional membership throughout New York State, offering it to every hospital and hospital system statewide. Further, MSSNY will work toward regional and ultimately state-wide uniform dues rates which will be based on analysis of fees for existing institutional members and which will be low enough to attract institutional members statewide. (HOD 2020-213)
200.982 Pilot Project for International Medical Students
MSSNY will conduct a pilot project in those counties wishing to participate which will offer member benefits and services free of charge to international medical students engaged locally in New York State-approved clinical rotations until such time as they are eligible for student or another membership category in these societies. Benefits would include invitations to county and state medical society meetings, without vote unless and until formal membership is obtained. (Council, May 10, 2018)
200.983 Talking Points for County Society Leaders
MSSNY, through the Membership Committee, will develop talking points for county medical society leaders which may be used to address queries about membership dues rates which can vary significantly from one member to another. (Council, May 10, 2018)
200.984 Creation of Standardized Group Membership Structure
The MSSNY Membership Committee, Council and BOT will continue their ongoing review and analysis of group membership policies and revise them as appropriate. (HOD 2018-209)
200.985 Life Member Administration Fee
A pilot project will be instituted providing for Life Members of the Medical Society of the State of New York to be charged a recommended voluntary administrative fee of $100 a year which is to be divided equally between MSSNY and the appropriate county medical society. (HOD 2018-205)
200.986 Free Membership to Medical Students and Residents
The Medical Society of the State of New York will collaborate with County Medical Societies to ensure medical students do not pay for memberships. (HOD 2018-204)
200.987 MSSNY Committees as a Member Benefit
MSSNY will more prominently place on its website all relevant committee information so that it may be used as a marketing tool to enhance the value of participation and membership throughout the State. (HOD 2018-203)
200.988 Supporting International Medical Graduates
The Medical Society of the State of New York opposes laws and regulations that would broadly deny entry or re-entry to the United States of persons who currently have legal visas, including permanent resident status (green card) and student visas, based on their country of origin and/or religion. MSSNY opposes policies that would broadly deny issuance of legal visas to persons based on their country of origin and/or religion.
200.989 MSSNY Union Affiliation
MSSNY will open talks with the National Guild for Medical Professionals, Office and Professional Employees Union to ascertain if membership in the union would further the interests of New York State Physicians. (HOD 2017-206)
200.990 Voluntary Contributions by Life Members
The Membership Committee of MSSNY recommends that MSSNY not impose dues for future Life Members, but instead make annual requests to all Life Members for Legacy Donations in the form of financial or service contributions. (Adopted Council September 17, 2015)
200.991 Special Requests for Life Membership
The appropriate place for determining the merits of special requests for Life Membership is the county medical society. The following criteria are essential for any special requests for Life Membership and are intended as guidelines for counties to follow in determining whether or not requests should be submitted to the Council:
-At least 10 years of membership in good standing
-Personal issues determined by the county society to warrant granting of free life membership locally and a recommendation that MSSNY do the same. (Adopted Council September 17, 2015)
200.992 MSSNY Minority Physician Mentor Database: SUNSET HOD 2021
200.993 MSSNY Privacy Policy:
MSSNY Privacy Statement;
MSSNY is committed to protecting and preserving the privacy interests of physicians, and is committed to using data about physicians in a secure and responsible manner. In order to more effectively serve physicians, MSSNY will collect, use and disclose physician data in ways that are determined to be appropriate and responsible. This Privacy Statement generally describes how data about physicians is collected, used or disclosed by MSSNY. This Privacy Statement also provides physicians the opportunity to opt-out and make changes to the data collected.
What Information Does MSSNY Collect?
Medical Directory of New York State
The Medical Directory of New York State (“Medical Directory”) is currently published online as a reference source of demographic and professional information accessible only by members of the Medical Society of the State of New York. Since its first publication in 1899, it has been a recognized and trusted source. The biographical data included in the Medical Directory are extracted from MSSNY’s master database and can be updated online by the physician. The Medical Society of the State of New York is not responsible for validating any information published by physicians. Additional sources of data in MSSNY master files include data obtained from county medical societies and other organizations/institutions.
Since the purpose of the Medical Directory is to provide information on physicians’ professional background and contact information MSSNY does not undertake to maintain the privacy of the professional data included in the Directory. Such data provided by the physician includes: name, office address, phone, fax, email, medical school, specialty, board certification, hospital affiliation, languages, insurance plans, practice website, and membership in other state and national medical societies.
Demographic, Professional and Contact Data
The MSSNY master file includes information obtained from physicians, county medical societies and other medical organizations/institutions. The physician master file includes member and non-members of MSSNY. Sample information in the master file includes:
Physician name (first, middle, last)
NY State medical license number
License date
Date of birth
Gender
Medical school
Year of medical school graduation
Resident year & place of residency
Specialty (primary specialty plus 2 sub-specialties)
Board certifications
Other state or national medical society membership
Preferred mailing address, phone, fax, email
Office address (up to 3 office addresses, phone, fax, email)
Languages spoken
Insurance carrier plans accepted by office
Hospital affiliation, title, department
Practice website
MSSNY may use the demographic data it stores to communicate with physicians and to enhance member services. MSSNY may use demographic data to conduct demographic studies. If a demographic study is published, the study will not provide data that will identify any individual physician or medical practice unless consented by the physician or medical practice, but, the data may be aggregated such as by specialty, county or locality.
MSSNY may share data with county medical societies in order to assure the highest possible level of accuracy in the MSSNY-county medical society list of physicians.
IMIS is MSSNY’s database that stores membership, demographic and contact data. MSSNY stores membership data pertaining to category and status of members and the preferred mailing address for all MSSNY correspondence. The membership related fields store dates relating to when a physician joined MSSNY, the date when a MSSNY member paid membership dues, and the county medical society the physician has joined. The IMIS data base includes the information listed above as well as the following
IMIS identification number
MSSNY membership category and type
Membership status
Physician’s full name
Preferred mailing address
Phone
Fax
E-mail address
Joined date
Dues payment date and amount
County Medical Society membership
MSSNY committees
Continuing Medical Education data
MSSNY uses the IMIS database for internal purposes, as a means to communicate with its member physicians and to enhance member services. MSSNY may provide pertinent membership information to the physician’s county medical society. In addition, MSSNY may provide to the AMA information regarding new student members who join AMA and MSSNY concurrently.
MSSNY will use e-mail addresses voluntarily provided by physicians to notify them about MSSNY’s services, products, activities or upcoming events. Physicians who do not wish to receive notifications by e-mail may opt-out of receiving such information at any time by contacting MSSNY Information Services Department at 516-488-6100 ext. 367 or 365.
Electoral Data Obtained from Outside Vendor
MSSNY has retained an outside consultant to search and compare NYS Board of Elections data with MSSNY’s database of physician members. This information will assist MSSNYPAC and county medical societies in soliciting potential MSSNYPAC donors and potential direct candidate supporters who are already members of MSSNY or have a past relationship with MSSNY. Preliminary results from matching the datasets produced 3,650 matches to persons who have not previously contributed to MSSNYPAC within the last 5 years. The data we will receive includes the committee to which the individual has contributed, the amount contributed and date of contribution dating back to 2010. In addition, we will receive similar information on physicians who have contributed to MSSNYPAC since 2010 whether or not they are currently members of MSSNYPAC.
The BOE Data is used by MSSNY to enhance political participation my MSSNY members in MSSNYPAC and thereby enhance MSSNYPAC’s finances and ability to make political contributions.
Third Parties
MSSNY does not release members’ email addresses except to the physician’s county medical society or by the physician’s permission, and generally does not rent or sell phone numbers, fax numbers, or personal identifying information to third parties. The only information that MSSNY sells is mailing lists/labels and other contact information as negotiated with the third party. The third party must demonstrate to MSSNY that the intended use of this information is in the interest of the physician. Third parties must agree that the mailing lists and contact information provided may not be duplicated, and must adhere to MSSNY Privacy policies.
Opt-Out and Making Changes to Demographic and Membership Information
As noted in the above sections, most of the demographic and membership data collected by MSSNY is provided by the physicians, their county medical societies, groups, associations or institutions. Physicians have the opportunity to view and modify their data by calling the MSSNY Information Services Department at 516-488-6100 ext 367 or 365. Physicians can also e-mail changes and corrections to the Information Services Department: [email protected]
Physicians can also request to opt-out of mailings, publications and e-mail by contacting the MSSNY Information Services Department.
If you have any questions or wish to have your name and contact information removed from specific mailing lists and/or electronic email communications, please contact our Information Services Department.
General Provisions
MSSNY will disclose personal information to third parties if MSSNY believes in good faith that the law requires MSSNY to do so.
MSSNY reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. Amendments will be posted on the MSSNY website. (Council 9/21/06, Amended HOD 2016)
200.994 Communications with Non-members and other Health Care Professionals:
When MSSNY believes it is necessary for legislators to be contacted on issues of importance to organized medicine or to address specific pending legislation either in Albany or Washington, that communication be forwarded to ALL physicians identified on the MSSNY data base, irrespective of membership status and that similar communications be forwarded to other health professionals who may share our same agenda, i.e., physician assistants, in an attempt to elicit their support in conveying organized medicine’s message to appropriate state and Congressional representatives. (HOD 2006-211; Reaffirmed HOD 2016)
200.995 Innovative Methods to Improve Membership via Periodic Credit Card
Membership Charges:
MSSNY will look at innovative ways to reduce the burden of membership dues and that urgent, innovative and aggressive measures to increase membership in MSSNY must be undertaken, including automatically charging membership payments to credit cards on a periodic basis subject to the agreement of the physician. (HOD 2006-206; Reaffirmed HOD 2016)
200.996 Credentials and Election of New Members:
MSSNY urges county medical societies to find ways of meeting existing credentialing requirements that do not place the burden of compliance on the applicant, and to use online resources for reviewing applicants’ credentials.
MSSNY urges county medical societies to review their credentialing requirements and to remove any that are unnecessary and, as such, may be a barrier to membership. It is recommended that requirements for membership be outlined in a general way in county society bylaws, but that processes for determining eligibility be contained in a “policies and procedures” document that is easier to amend.
MSSNY urges county medical societies to review any materials they send to applicants for language. (e.g. “Submit proof of Board Certification” implies that such certification is a requirement for membership) or requirements (e.g. photographs) that might serve as a serious barrier to completing the application.
MSSNY offers an on-line application for membership and encourages county medical societies to do the same. Applicants should not be required to submit any documents, physical signatures or other materials with their applications (other than dues payment), as this renders the on-line concept useless.
MSSNY encourages county medical societies to accept payment of dues by credit card.
County medical societies are reminded that Article XVIII, Section 2 of the MSSNY Bylaws provides as follows: “…all county medical societies shall utilize a universal membership application form which shall be approved by the Council. Component county medical societies shall act upon the receipt of a membership application in a timely manner not to exceed sixty days.”
MSSNY recommends that a new goal be established that allows for processing of new members within 60 days.
MSSNY will assist any county medical society in amending its bylaws or revising its credentialing and election procedures so as to remove any requirements which can act as a barrier to membership for qualified individuals or interfere with the speedy processing of new members.
White Paper:
Recommendations of Ad Hoc Subcommittee re Resolution 2002-203 – Improve Member Services by Streamlining Membership and Dues Processing Systems Throughout MSSNY and the County Medical Societies (HOD 2003; Modified and Reaffirmed HOD 2013; Modified and Reaffirmed HOD 2023)
200.997 International Medical Graduates (IMGs):
MSSNY continues to discourage any form of discrimination toward International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and is expanding its efforts to identify and address the issues of major concern to IMGs. In order to encourage IMGs to join the mainstream of organized medicine, MSSNY is sending a loud and clear message that it vigorously opposes discrimination, will work diligently to establish equity in all professional standards including, but not limited to, licensure, reciprocity, academic and medical staff appointment, jobs, promotions, and hospital privileges, and that it will afford IMGs the same opportunities as non-IMGs to become involved in the policy making processes at all levels of organized medicine. (HOD 1992-62; Reaffirmed HOD 2014)
200.998 CME Requirements for Membership: SUNSET HOD 2013
200.999 Discrimination:
MSSNY is unalterably opposed to the denial of membership in component county medical societies and the State Medical Society to any physician practicing or residing in the State of New York, because of race, color, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, ethnic affiliation, or national origin. The Judicial Council of MSSNY, pursuant to Section 2 of Article VII of the Bylaws, shall hear appeals from applicants for membership in a component county medical society who have been excluded from membership in such society for any reason, including discrimination. (Council 12/16/76; Modified and Reaffirmed HOD 2013; Reaffirmed HOD 2023)
Position Statements
