NCMB: Telephone Scams Targeting Licensees Still Active in NC

The North Carolina Medical Board continues to hear from licensees and healthcare employers that physicians and PAs are being targeted by scammers. The caller or callers may claim to be a medical board investigator and may even use technology to make it appear that they are calling you from the actual number of the North Carolina Medical Board. Licensees are told that their license will…

Trouble Getting Through to BCBS? Reminder of Numbers to Call

Members continue to report trouble getting through to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) to receive pre-certification or pre-authorization of services for their patients. Below are the numbers BCBS previously provided us to help our members speed the process with minimal time on the phone. For Utilization Management/PreCert/Authorizations – please use this number 800-672-7897.…

NC Medicaid Information for Providers Impacted by Change Healthcare Disruption

NC Medicaid continues to monitor the network interruption with Change Healthcare related to cybersecurity and the resulting decision to disconnect systems while the issue is resolved. It's focused on ensuring access to care for beneficiaries once electronic claims submission functionality resumes. To support providers during this transition, NCTracks will implement the following…

WARNING! Scammers Using QR Codes to Steal Your Personal Information.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially for scammers! The Federal Trade Commission is sounding an alarm on QR code scams. Scammers are using these convenient links to mislead unsuspecting individuals by covering up legitimate QR codes with their own. The fraudulent code leads to a spoof website designed to steal your information or install malware. These codes can also…

Wild Raccoons Rabies Vaccine Initiative Underway in Western NC. Find a Packet, Leave it!

RALEIGH -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help prevent the spread of rabies. Wildlife Services will be distributing oral rabies vaccine for wild raccoons in Western North Carolina. Beginning Oct. 4, 2023, baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be aerially distributed in Alleghany, Ashe, Buncombe,…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-29-21

Welcome to a new week of NCMS Morning Rounds. March 29, 2021 Tomorrow is the big day – Doctors’ Day! Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 30, is the annual observance of Doctors’ Day, a time to honor you and the amazing work you do. This year Doctors’ Day has special significance. Physicians – and PAs – have been front and center working tirelessly to continue to care for people during a global pandemic.…

Store-Based Health Clinics

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society opposes the existence of store-based health clinics unless they meet the following principles:PRINCIPLES: Store-based health clinics must have a well-defined and limited scope of clinical services, consistent with state scope of practice laws. Store-based health clinics must use standardized medical protocols derived from evidence-based practice…

988 Crisis Lifeline Answers 10 Million Contacts Since its Debut, NCDHHS Responds to Nearly 190,000

Editor's Note: If you are struggling with mental health issues, the North Carolina Medical Society has a Physician Support Line. Click here for help. After Two Years, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is Answering Millions of Calls, Chats, and Texts (Read to bottom for NCDHHS and NCMS efforts) (CNN) -- Two years after the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched, the service has…

Stay Alert! Medical Records Request Phishing Scam

CMS identified phishing scams for medical records. This may include scammers faxing fraudulent medical records requests to get you to send patient records in response; see example (PDF). When you review any requests, look for signs of a scam, including: Directing you to send records to an unfamiliar fax number or address Referencing Medicare.gov or @Medicare (.gov)…

Only a Few Days Left to Participate! NC Medicaid Needs to Hear from Enrolled Providers.

All primary care and ob/gyn providers enrolled in the Medicaid program are asked to respond to the request you should have received to complete a satisfaction survey. Below is a notice from NC Medicaid announcing that the survey will remain open through June 30, 2024. If you received the survey notice, please be sure to respond. If you have not received the notice or no longer have access to it,…

Stay Alert: Medical Records Request Phishing Scam

Time is Running Out! NC Medicaid Needs to Hear from Enrolled Providers.

NC Medicaid Needs to Hear from Enrolled Providers

Medicare’s Push to Improve Chronic Care Attracts Businesses, but Not Many Doctors

Medicare enrollees with two or more chronic conditions are eligible for Chronic Care Management, which pays doctors to check in with those patients monthly. The service hasn't caught on. (NPR, Phil Galewitz, Holly K. Hacker) -- Carrie Lester looks forward to the phone call every Thursday from her doctors' medical assistant, who asks how she's doing and if she needs prescription refills. The…

The Most Important Part of Super Bowl LVIII? The Commercials! Here Are All The Ones Already Released

Super Bowl LVIII will air on CBS this year, and stream live on Paramount+ Yes, we are all excited to see the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Yes, we are all excited to see Usher perform the halftime show, Yes, we are all wondering if Taylor Swift will be there. But, really aren't we all just watching for the ads? Well, the NCMS is here to help! Here is a…

Advancements in Medical Care Could be Saving Lives Amid Conflicts Around World

Medical advances, portable labs, and even social media may be helping humanitarian crises around the word. Innovations such as portable labs are helping save more lives, experts say (ABC News, Mary Kekatos) -- Performing medicine can be difficult in any setting but perhaps no more challenging than during a humanitarian crisis. Doctors, nurses, and other medical…

NC Officials: Teen Sexual Extortion Cases Rising Online

Overall, tips to the state about cyber child exploitation more than tripled from 2019 to 2022, and they are on track to grow this year, the State Bureau of Investigation said. (NC Health News - Jennifer Fernandez) -- As teens spend more time on social media, parents need to watch for signs that they are being exploited, North Carolina officials warn. Between 2021 and…

The Time is Now to Vaccinate Your Patients, FDA Greenlights Novavax Updated COVID Vaccine

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2023-2024 Formula) is now authorized and ACIP recommended The FDA granted emergency use authorization for Novavax's updated COVID vaccine Now that Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2023-2024 Formula) has received FDA authorization for emergency use in the US for individuals aged 12 and older, it is also included in ACIP’s recommendation…

NCDHHS to Livestream Fireside Chat and Tele-Town Hall TODAY!

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, November 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can access support to help quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco, as well as other ways they can care for their health and manage stress. Event participants include: Vickie Fowler, M.D., Family Medicine Specialist,…

As Hurricane Season Peaks, Is Your Practice Prepared?

Is Your Practice Ready to Face a Hurricane? North Carolina is in the middle of Hurricane Season and in a period of active tropics. Natural disasters can happen anywhere, at any time—and they can create widespread damage. A disaster can overwhelm an office practice, causing physical damage such as shattered windows, flood debris, power outages, disrupted telephone service, computer and…

As 988 Fields Millions of Calls, It Still Has A Long Way To Go.

Hotline Staff Push for Fixes to 988 System Since the national mental health hotline launched a year ago, it has fielded more than 5 million calls. The people behind the system, however, say they are still working out some kinks. Others, however, think the biggest issue 988 may have is getting Americans to use it. First, the problems with the system don't mean it is not working. There…

COVID-19 Scam that Could Affect Your Practice and Your Patients

Scammers are targeting patients over unpaid (many times nonexistent) medical bills and threatening to put them in jail if they don’t pay. The Better Business Bureau says it has received reports of fake medical bills and debt collectors attempting to join bank card information and personal information like Social Security numbers. The scammers make contact by phone and attempt to convince…

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Gabriel Cade

Meet some of your fellow NCMS members each month in our Member Spotlight! You can also take your turn in the spotlight. Look at the bottom of this story for more information. 1. What is a quote that has had a significant influence on your life, and why? “Be Here Now.” The quotation is from a 1971 yogi spiritualist, but I first saw it in 9th grade when my math teacher wrote it in…

988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Launches Saturday

RALEIGH -- Getting help during a mental health crisis will soon be as easy as dialing 9-8-8. North Carolina and the rest of the country are just days away from making mental health and suicide prevention easier to access. 988 replaces the longer 1-800 number tied to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline on Saturday. The change is coming just in time. A report from WRAL shows calls to the…

Cookie Policy

Last updated April 15, 2021 This Cookie Policy explains how the North Carolina Medical Society uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our websites at https://www.ncmedsoc.org, (“Websites“). It explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them. In some cases we may use cookies to collect personal…

COVID-19

Screening, Testing, Laboratory Guidance Latest COVID-19 updates from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (8/2/2021) With COVID-19 cases again on the rise due to the more contagious Delta variant of the virus, here is the latest guidance from the state and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You can keep up with all state COVID-19 updates at this…

Legislative Advocacy

The Issues The NCMS Government Affairs staff takes action on the most pressing issues facing the profession of medicine, both at the national and local levels. Below are some of the priority legislative issues on which the NCMS takes action. For a recap of all the recent action at the General Assembly, be sure to check out our Legislative Blog. We’re advocating for systemic changes that…

NCMS Morning Rounds 9-2-21

Happy Thursday! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds. September 2, 2021 TODAY, Thursday, Sept. 2 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. – there is an opportunity to speak directly to vaccine-hesitant North Carolinians to educate them, correct misinformation and encourage more people to get vaccinated. WRAL-TV and the NC Healthcare Association (NCHA) are seeking physician volunteers to help answer calls virtually –…

NCMS Morning Rounds 2-10-21

Already time for your Wednesday NCMS Morning Rounds! Feb. 10, 2021 NCMS Leaders Testify Before NC House Health Committee Yesterday, NCMS President Philip M. Brown, Jr., MD and NCMS Executive Vice President and CEO Chip Baggett, JD, testified before the NC House Health Committee to share with legislators physician and PA experiences around the state’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts. Dr. Brown stressed…

NCMS Morning Rounds 1-21-21

Welcome to your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds. Jan. 21, 2021 Additional CVMS Training THIS Morning + Webinar Tonight This morning at 9 a.m. an additional COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS) Train-the-Trainer – Surge Staff session will be held. For practices looking to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, this system is necessary to document and track vaccinations. The training will run until noon.……

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-5-20

Finally Friday! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds. June 5, 2020 NCMS Staff Delivers More PPE Over the past few days, NCMS staff members have been busy – safely -- delivering masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to practices in the eastern third of the state. The donated equipment is a result of a collaboration between the NCMS and various organizations including Centene, the NC…

Community Conversations: Karen Smith, MD – Is COVID-19 a ‘Set-Up’ or a ‘Set-Back’ for Vulnerable Populations?

Is COVID-19 a 'Set-Up' or a 'Set-Back' for Vulnerable Populations? This is the first in a periodic series of conversations with NCMS members who are on the frontlines in improving the health of North Carolinians and are now responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to share your perspective and experiences, please contact Elaine Ellis, [email protected] to discuss being part of…

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-6-20

Halfway through the week! Enjoy your Wednesday NCMS Morning Rounds. May 6, 2020 Today marks the start of National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. We recognize and celebrate our nurses as an important part of the health care team -- now more than ever. Thank you…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-16-20

Enjoy Your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds April 16, 2020 Reminder: See bottom of this newsletter for information about help sessions today to access the Presence telemedicine platform, which the NCMS is offering at no charge to practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. And don’t forget the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership’s ‘Power Hour’ tomorrow, Friday, April 17 from 1 to 2 p.m. for a…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-14-20

Enjoy your Tuesday NCMS Morning Rounds. April 14, 2020 NCMS Legislative Update Last Thursday, the NCMS Legislative Cabinet met virtually to set its priorities in anticipation of the upcoming Legislative Session, which is still slated to begin on April 28. These priorities will guide the NCMS’ advocacy efforts, and, for the moment, focus on the immediate needs of our members in dealing with the…

Covid-19 News and Updates

Keeping up with Covid-19: Latest Info for NC Health Care Professionals Remember: The most timely and credible information is available at the NC Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 website Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For immediate questions/concerns from members of the public, please have them call 866-462-3821. For your non-urgent…

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Summary

Congress Passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Congress passed emergency legislation to address the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) crisis gripping the nation. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“COVID-19 Response Act”) passed the House of Representatives on March 14, 2020, was amended on March 16, 2020, passed the Senate on March 18, 2020, and was signed by the President on the…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-18-20

Halfway through an historic week; here is your NCMS Morning Rounds! Want to get signed up to receive the Morning Rounds in your inbox? Create a web account with the NCMS' website (click on "register new user" below the login fields). Already have a web account and not receiving the newsletter? Contact [email protected] with your name and email address. March 18, 2020 Remember:…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-4-20

Welcome to Wednesday and your NCMS Morning Rounds. March 4, 2020 First Covid-19 Case Confirmed in NC Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday a North Carolina person has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and…

NCMS Morning Rounds 1-21-20

Here is your Tuesday NCMS Morning Rounds. Jan. 21, 2020 We hope you had a meaningful observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. day yesterday. NCMS Legislative Update The North Carolina General Assembly met briefly last Tuesday, but unfortunately were unable to break the budget stalemate. A number of NCMS priorities are included in the budget including a new building at the Brody School of…

Accidental Poisoning in Day Care Settings

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports regulations requiring all day care centers to develop and maintain a poison action plan that includes state and national poison control center and physician telephone numbers; and be it furtherRESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society supports having all day care employees be knowledgeable of the proper procedures to follow should…

Are You Eligible for a Quality Payment Program Hardship Exemption?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Payment Program (QPP) Hardship Exception Application for the 2017 transition year is now available on the Quality Payment Program website. If you are a Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinician you may qualify for a hardship exemption for one of the following specified reasons: Insufficient internet connectivity…

NCMS Takes Firm Stand on Federal Health Care Legislation

As the debate over the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aka Obamacare continues to unfold in Washington, DC, you can be assured that your medical society has been working diligently on Capitol Hill and with local and national stakeholder groups to make sure any legislation protects — and enhances— your patients’ access to affordable, high quality care. North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS)…

SHIIP – NC’s Medicare Assistance Program – Fears Federal Funding Cuts

The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), the division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance that assists people with Medicare, is concerned that the federal budget currently being debated in Congress will eliminate all federal funding for SHIIP making the future of this helpful program uncertain. They ask that you contact your US Representatives and Senators and…

Medicaid Reform Update Webinars, January 17th & 18th

Learn more about Medicaid reform developments, including the partnership to create Carolina Complete Health, a provider-led Medicaid health plan. Featured Speaker: Stephen W. Keene, General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, North Carolina Medical Society Please join us for an update on the state’s Medicaid reform progress as well as information on the recent announcement that the…

Update from NC HealthConnex

The North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority’s (NC HIEA) vision is to build a more robust health information exchange, now called NC HealthConnex, to link all health care providers across North Carolina enabling them to access information to support improved health care quality and outcomes. Here are several updates on progress toward that goal: Clinical Notifications – Participants…

Learning Opportunities

Tour the TED or “Telehealth Education Delivered” truck, which will be on display at The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Dr., Research Triangle Park, on Nov. 3 from 11 am - 3 pm. TED will showcase technologies that enable telehealth in many areas such as mental health, rural health, surgery, wound care, audiology, primary care, non-invasive cardio and dermatology, to name just a few. TED serves as both…

ICD-10 ‘Flexibilities’ to End October 1

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now expects that practices are “coding to the highest level of specificity” available under ICD-10, which adopted nearly one year ago. If your practice is not, CMS will no longer grant any ‘flexibility’ come Oct. 1, 2016. Thanks to lobbying efforts by the American Medical Association and other groups before the new ICD-10 codes were implemented…

Learning Opportunities

NCTracks will offer the following training courses in March. Register for these courses in SkillPort, the NCTracks Learning Management System. Refer to the Provider Training page of the public Provider Portal for specific instructions on how to use SkillPort. Wednesday, March 2 - 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Using the Provider Message Center Inbox (WebEx) will guide authorized users on how to use the…

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