MAG Model Medical Staff Bylaws
A benefit of MAG membership, the first edition of the MAG Model Medical Staff Bylaws is available. Several years in development - at the cost of thousands of dollars - this comprehensive template offers the most up-to-date language protecting physician autonomy in hospitals. The template is in accordance with existing state and federal law.
The project was conceived with the realization that certain Georgia hospital systems utilize expert legal advice to recommend that organized hospital medical staffs adopt seemingly innocuous amendments. These may weaken protections for individual medical staff members and may not be in the best interests of physician-directed patient care.
The MAG Model Medical Staff Bylaws are available to interested members in several ways.
- MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE DIGITAL COPY OF THE BYLAWS
- A spiral-bound edition can be purchased at a cost of $50 per copy to members. To request a hard copy, please call 678.303.9271 or e-mail contact information to Liz Bullock. Members, please include your MAG ID number.
- Each component medical society and individual who donated or will make a donation toward its development will receive hard copies at no charge.
MAG would like to gratefully acknowledge the foresight and enabling contributions of the following medical societies and individuals who contributed to the preparation of the Model Bylaws:
| Contribution Amount | Contributor |
|---|---|
| $1,001-$2,500 | First District Medical Society Baldwin County Medical Society Bibb County Medical Society DeKalb County Medical Society Medical Association of Atlanta |
| $501-$1,000 | Third District Medical Society Eighth District Medical Society Ninth District Medical Society Cherokee-Pickens County Medical Society Glynn County Medical Society Laurens County Medical Society Okefenokee Medical Society Tift County Medical Society Sixth District Medical Society Thomas-Area Medical Society |
| $0-500 | Georgia Medical Society Gwinnett-Forsyth County Medical Society Peachbelt Medical Society Walker-Catoosa-Dade County Medical Society Toccoa Medical Clinic Roland S. Summers, M.D. Troup County Medical Society |
MEMBERS DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE DIGITAL COPY OF THE BYLAWS
Bylaws Update Regarding Joint Commission Standard MS 1.20 (08.13.07)
Read letter from MAG President S. William Clark III, M.D., regarding the bylaws
MAG Model Medical Staff Bylaws Updates
08.31.09 Covenant Medical Center to pay U.S. $4.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations.
Click here to read DOJ press release
07.27.09 The Joint Commission has announced that the MS.1.20 Task Force has reached consensus. The AMA representatives on the MS.1.20 Task Force are Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) Governing Council members Jay A. Gregory, M.D., James Goodyear, M.D., and Brian D. Johnston, M.D. A former member of the OMSS Governing Council Stephen T. House, M.D., previously served on the MS.1.20 Task Force.
The Joint Commission will work with the AMA and organizations including the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Dental Association, the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, and the National Association of Medical Staff Services, to garner feedback from the field regarding the MS.1.20 Task Force recommendations. The results of this feedback will be communicated to the Joint Commission by October 15.
Click here for latest Joint Commission news
08.13.08 Effective January 1, 2009, the Joint Commission will implement a new Leadership Standard (LD.03.01.01) addressing disruptive and inappropriate behaviors in two of its elements of performance. This standard requires that hospitals have a code of conduct defining acceptable and disruptive and inappropriate behaviors. In addition, hospital leadership shall create and implement a process for managing disruptive and inappropriate behaviors.
Click here for more information on this new standard
10.24.07 In Advisory Opinion 07-10, the Office of Inspector General approved a tax-exempt hospital's program for paying staff physicians across a wide range of specialties for providing Emergency Department call coverage.
Download the OIG Advisory Opinion
09.05.07 Physicians and medical staff members who have concerns about the safety and quality of care at their hospital may report those concerns with the understanding that retaliatory disciplinary action is prohibited, according to explicit new rules announced by The Joint Commission. The accreditation participation requirement previously referred generally to hospital staff, although it has always been intended that physicians and medical staff be included as part of 'Good Faith Participation' in the accreditation policy.
The revised requirement, which will become effective January 1, 2008, means that accredited hospitals must educate staff and medical staff that any employee or any physician who has concerns about the safety or quality of care provided in the hospital may report these concerns to The Joint Commission. Hospitals also are expected to inform staff and medical staff that no disciplinary action will be taken if concerns are shared with The Joint Commission, and hospitals should demonstrate this commitment by refraining from taking action against employees or physicians who report their concerns to The Joint Commission.
Read The Joint Commission News Release
08.13.07 The Joint Commission recently approved revisions to Standard MS 1.20, which addresses medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, and policies. The revised Joint Commission Standard MS 1.20 has minimal effect on the text of the Model Medical Staff Bylaws, but has a few noted changes to the bylaws' footnotes. The Office of the General Counsel provides this update reflecting the changes due to the revised Standard MS 1.20 as a supplement to the Bylaws. Of particular importance, the revised Standard MS 1.20 does not have an effective date until July 1, 2009. As such, the current standard is in effect until that time.