Bowtie Briefing for May 13, 2016
Get your weekly legislative update with Chip Baggett, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations! This week, Chip sums up budget developments and forward movement on the opioid antagonist bill.
Bowtie Briefing for May 6, 2016
Director of Legislative Relations Chip Baggett sums up a relatively quiet week at the General Assembly, with some movement forward on a bill that would address one aspect of the opioid epidemic. He also extends a friendly reminder to vote in the upcoming primaries for local congressional and judicial seats.
View Senate Bill 734: Statewide Standing Order/Opioid Antagonist.
NC State Board of Elections Voter Lookup: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/voter_search_public/
Bowtie Briefing for April 29, 2016
Chip Baggett, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, summarizes a busy opening week at the legislature, covering five topics including the Governor's proposed budget, Medicaid Reform, addressing the opioid epidemic, occupational licensing boards, and federal rule changes.
Bowtie Briefing for April 22, 2016
With the 2016 short session of the General Assembly beginning on Monday, April 25, Chip Baggett outlines the legislative priorities for the NCMS.
For more information on your legislators, visit www.ncleg.net and go to "Who Represents Me".
Bowtie Briefing for April 15, 2016
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, Chip Baggett, focuses on five important developments in this week's legislative briefing: Medicaid audit results, LME-MCO consolidation, Medicaid reform public hearings, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse recommendations at the General Assembly, and grassroots communication with legislators. Watch below!
For more information on the Medicaid Reform public hearings, visit http://www.ncdhhs.gov/nc-medicaid-reform/public-hearings.
To submit an online comment about the proposed plan, visit http://www.ncdhhs.gov/nc-medicaid-reform/medicaid-reform-comment-submission-form
Interested in White Coat Wednesdays? Check out some additional details here: www.ncmedsoc.org/wcw
Bowtie Briefing for April 8, 2016
Chip Baggett provides an update on the DHHS Listening Sessions on Medicaid Reform and also highlights upcoming committee meetings at the General Assembly that occur before the short session begins on April 25.
For more information on the Medicaid Reform public hearings, visit http://www.ncdhhs.gov/nc-medicaid-reform/public-hearings.
To submit an online comment about the proposed plan, visit http://www.ncdhhs.gov/nc-medicaid-reform/medicaid-reform-comment-submission-form
Bowtie Briefing for April 1, 2016
Chip Baggett shares his advice on how to best communicate with your legislator regarding issues such as the Medicaid Reform draft waiver. Below are some helpful links.
- Review the NCMS Medicaid draft waiver talking points here
- Dates and locations of upcoming public hearings reagarding the draft waiver
2016 NC Doctor of the Year Named
As part of the NC Doctors’ Day celebration, Jason Stopyra, MD, has been named 2016 NC Doctor of the Year. Dr. Stopyra is an emergency physician, and is Medical Director of Emergency Services in Randolph and Surry counties and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. He received the most online votes of the 10 NC Doctor of the Year Award finalists making him the winner.
The award comes with a $5,000 prize to be used to further a professional or community project of the winner’s choosing. Dr. Stopyra has decided to split the check to benefit five families struggling with serious illness.
NC Doctors’ Day is the homegrown celebration of National Doctors’ Day spearheaded by the NCMS. Starting in February, patients, colleagues, family and friends nominated doctors who exemplify the best qualities of caring, compassion, clinical expertise and community involvement. This year over 300 doctors were nominated through the NC Doctors’ Day website (www.ncdoctorsday.org). In mid-March 10 finalists were selected to participate in an online voting contest. These extraordinary physicians represent various specialties and are from across North Carolina. See their profiles here.
The nomination for Dr. Stopyra caught the finalist selection committee’s attention, singing his praises as a clinician, mentor and a compassionate community leader: “His compassion and care toward all patients is outstanding. He is a great emergency department physician and a great mentor to anyone interested in any part of the medical field,” one nominator wrote.
Approximately 11,400 online votes were cast during the voting phase with Dr. Stopyra receiving nearly 3,300.
Bowtie Briefing for March 24, 2016
No bowtie and a day early -- Chip Baggett, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, throws us some curve balls in this week's legislative briefing, where he focuses on the NCMS talking points regarding the Medicaid Reform draft waiver. Share your thoughts below on this reform plan, or visit this week's Bulletin article on the topic for more details and to comment there.
To vote on your favorite NC Doctor of the Year finalist, visit www.ncdoctorsday.org.
Bowtie Briefing for March 18, 2016
Check out this week's legislative update with NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Chip Baggett.
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NC Doctor of the Year: The 10 finalists have been named! To vote for your favorite physician, visit www.ncdoctorsday.org.
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NCMS Board Meetings: Want more details on tonight's March Madness Mixer? Visit www.ncmedsoc.org/mixermadness.
Bowtie Briefing for March 11, 2016
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Chip Baggett shares developments regarding the Medicaid reform draft waiver and recent scope of practice testimony provided at the General Assembly.
Want to sign up to get the Bowtie Briefing emailed to you every Friday? Email [email protected], put "Bowtie Briefing" in the subject line, and we'll add you to the list.
Bowtie Briefing for March 4, 2016 - Weekly Legislative Update
Chip Baggett focuses on four new developments in this week's legislative update: election reminders, NC HIE Authority news, Medicaid reform updates, and an upcoming issue that will be addressed next Tuesday at the General Assembly.
Bowtie Briefing for February 19, 2016 - NC HIEA Update
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, Chip Baggett, provides an update on the transition to the new NC Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA).
Bowtie Briefing for February 12, 2016 - Election Update
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Chip Baggett shares his latest "Bowtie Briefing," focusing on the upcoming primary elections and on two races where physicians are running for seats in the NC House and Senate.
The Bowtie Is Back: Chip Baggett Hosts the First "Bowtie Briefing" for 2016
Primary elections are right around the corner, and Chip Baggett, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, offers some advice before you head out to the polls.
The New Year Is Here!
Have you renewed your membership for 2016? If yes, thank you! If you're not sure about your membership status, please give NCMS Member Services a call at 1-800-722-1350, and we'll be happy to help answer your questions. You may also log into the NCMS website and review your membership status on your personal homepage.
Renew online for your free gift!
Renew your membership online now and receive the 2016 NCMS Member Calendar, which is filled with award-winning photographs taken by your fellow physician, physician assistant and medical student members of the Medical Society.
Want to know what's ahead for the NCMS in 2016?
Read: What's Ahead for your medical society in 2016?
View: A Video Message from NCMS CEO Bob Seligson
Audit of ACA Enhanced Payments for Primary Care Coming this Week
In the coming days NC Medicaid will perform an audit of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who attested and received enhanced payments under the ACA for certain primary care services provided in 2013 and 2014. The audit is required by federal law and is meant to confirm that those who attested and received the enhanced payment rates were eligible to receive them.
We have received advance details from the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) and want to share those with you now. Please review the following carefully.
Physicians
A sample of 100 physicians who attested that they qualified to receive the enhanced payments will be randomly selected for audit. For those selected, DMA will independently confirm that the physician was EITHER board certified in one of the applicable specialties/subspecialties OR that at least 60 percent of his/her Medicaid paid CPT codes were the ACA eligible codes for E&M and vaccine/toxoid codes. No work will be required on the part of those selected. In fact, if the audit confirms that an individual physician was eligible, the physician will likely never know he/she was audited.
However, if DMA believes that the physician was ineligible, DMA will contact the physician with a mailed notice that the supplemental portion of his her 2013-2014 Medicaid payments (not the entire claim payment) will be recouped. Furthermore, if a physician is deemed ineligible and also supervises a PA or NP that attested, the supplemental payments to that PA or NP could be recouped as well. DMA's notice will describe how a physician may dispute the findings and pursue an appeal.
PAs and NPs
Because CMS requires a "paper trail" for the attested PAs and NPs, the process DMA has created for these providers is different. This week DMA will mail certified letters to every PA and NP who self-attested for the enhanced payments. The letter will be sent to the address tied to the person's record in NCTracks.
The letter directs the PA or NP to complete and return the enclosed Midlevel Provider Confirmation form within 30 days. The short form requests the name of the PA's or NP's supervising physician, the physician's NPI, and a signed statement that the physician accepts professional responsibility for the services rendered. Completed forms can be mailed (we suggest certified) or faxed (as a last resort – and please call to confirm receipt) to DMA. Review a draft of the DMA letter and Confirmation form.
DMA stresses that the form is only meant to generate documentation for each attested PA and NP. We understand that a PA's or NP's eligibility will only be scrutinized in this audit if DMA finds the supervising physician ineligible in the sample of 100 physicians outlined above.
But it is still essential that PAs and NPs return the requested paperwork within the 30-day timeframe. Please watch for this letter from DMA and handle immediately upon receipt.
Our goal is to inform you as early as possible when issues like this arise. Please continue to watch the NCMS Bulletin and website for updates.
NCMS Accepting Nominations for NCPHP Board of Directors
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) appoints five physicians to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Physicians Health Program (PHP). To learn more about the important work of this organization, visit the PHP website.
View the PHP Director Responsibilities (PDF).
There currently is one vacancy on the PHP Board to be filled by an appointee of the NCMS. Through December 31, 2015, the NCMS will be accepting applications from physicians interested in serving on the PHP Board of Directors. Interested physicians should complete the application form and return it to Abbey Ruggiero, [email protected] (preferred), or by US Mail to PHP Board Applications, North Carolina Medical Society, Post Office Box 27167, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27611 by December 31, 2015.
Dr. Israel, NCMS Calendar Cover Photographer, Claims His Prize
NCMS staff members ventured to Wake Internal Medicine Consultants in Raleigh to present first-time Photo Contest participant Rodger Israel, MD, with his winnings. His striking landscape photograph, "Old Faithful Star Trails," took the grand prize in this year's contest and is now featured on the cover of the 2016 NCMS Member Calendar.
Dr. Israel's work is not only displayed on the calendar cover but also featured on the walls of his practice, where many of his photographs are exhibited. A lover of wildlife and landscape photography, Dr. Israel now travels the world seeking new images to add to his growing collection, with many of his stunning works achieved after long hours spent setting up the perfect shot. As he shares, "Landscape photography is all about getting up early, staying out late and patience." Patience indeed paid off in the case of his winning NCMS Photo Contest picture; its unique effect of the swirl of stars was achieved through a one-hour exposure while his camera was aimed at the North Star.
Congratulations to Dr. Israel on his win! We look forward to seeing what he and all of our other talented photographers submit in next year's contest.
Want a copy of your own 2016 calendar? All NCMS membership online renewals will automatically receive a copy, as will all NCMS Life members. Look for it in your mailbox soon!
Make a Difference with the Seasons Greetings Program
As the holiday season is upon us, the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation (NCMSF) again offers you a way to give the meaningful gift of health and access to a primary care provider to people across the state through purchase of our Season’s Greetings cards. For a tax-deductible contribution of $35 per card, the Foundation will send each person on your holiday list a personalized greeting card informing them of your gift in their honor.
This year, Season’s Greetings has teamed with the NCMS Service Team to support Wreaths Across AmericaTM, so $15 of every card will be used to purchase wreaths that will be laid at the gravesites of our fallen veterans at national cemeteries in Fort Bragg, New Bern, Salisbury, Raleigh and in Historic Oakwood Cemetery Field of Honor. Every fallen hero deserves a wreath.
Your gift will help ensure that thousands of underserved North Carolinians have access to the health care they need, and will show our veterans and their families that we will never forget!
Order your Season's Greetings cards at www.ncmedsoc.org/greetings.
We also invite you to join the NCMS staff on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 am at Raleigh National Cemetery to place the donated wreaths. For more information contact Belinda McKoy at [email protected].
More information about Wreaths Across America. If you choose to give directly on this site, please choose “support a local fundraising group” and search for the North Carolina Medical Society!
For more information on the Season's Greetings program, please contact Pam Highsmith or 800-722-1350.
Medicaid Reform Work Begins in Earnest
Following three years of discussion, the North Carolina General Assembly took the initial steps this year to begin reforming the Medicaid program. The North Carolina Medical Society has been engaged on this issue since the beginning of the discussion. We continue to advocate for provider-led models of care and are working to make sure doctors and their patients are not negatively affected by reform strategies that have proven bad for patients and ineffective at saving scarce Medicaid resources.
Since the 2015 session of the General Assembly adjourned in September, the NCMS has been meeting with officials from the McCrory administration to focus attention on your key issues in the Medicaid reform debate. Among them, physician leadership, access to the clinical and claims data necessary to organize efficient health care delivery and proper protections for you and your patients as a precaution against inappropriate pressure from corporations or institutions with ulterior motives.
The NCMS supports the Triple Aim, in which payers and providers share simultaneous goals of cost control, population health improvement and patient experience of care improvement (which includes quality). Within such systems, NCMS supports opportunities for specialty specific alternative payment models, such as prospective bundles. The NCMS is working to identify physician-formulated alternatives that are consistent with these principles. All of these issues will be among our priorities as we make progress toward reform.
The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, (DHHS) is required to report to the NC General Assembly on this issue in March 2016. We are working hard in preparation for that deadline. The General Assembly has allowed 18 months after federal approval of North Carolina’s reform plans to select the provider led entities and managed care organizations that will be responsible for the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries, and to begin enrollment. It is impossible to know how long the federal approval process will take, but many observers expect enrollment to begin as early as January 2018.
We want to hear from you about your needs and priorities with respect to Medicaid reform. Please comment on this blog or contact us directly at [email protected] or 800-722-1350.
ICD-10 is here!
The big day has finally arrived – for better or worse, ICD-10 is here! While the impact of the changeover may not be fully felt for a week or two, we want you to know that the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is here to help provide you with the resources you need to make a successful transition to this new code set.Please visit our ICD-10 resource page at www.ncmedsoc.org/icd10 for a list of contacts who will be able to help you troubleshoot any problems you experience. If you still need help, contact our Solution Center at 919-833-3836 x142. Quick contacts:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
NCTracks:
Private payers:
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Final Bowtie Briefing for 2015
Chip wraps up his inaugural series of legislative briefings and has a guest to share in his send off. Check it out below!
Don't forget to register today for the North Carolina Medical Society Annual Meeting!
What's Your Annual Meeting Personality Type?
Find the right Annual Meeting events to suit your personality:
· The Advocate
· The Over-Achiever
· The Fun Seeker
Advocate Personality Traits
Advocates have a desire to affect change and a keen interest in all things legislative and regulatory. Many tend to sport a bow tie or appreciate the fashion statement thereof and regularly watch Chip Baggett's "Bowtie Briefings" videos just to see what color tie he's wearing that week; frustration often ensues when Chip does not wear a bow tie in said videos. They enjoy C-SPAN, emailing their legislators and White Coat Wednesdays.
Good Annual Meeting events for Advocates to attend:
NCMS PAC Breakfast, Saturday, October 24, 8:30-9:30am - If you fit the Advocate profile and you like a hearty breakfast, this event is for you! The session will bring together experts to talk about the latest legislative news and how it will impact health care. Bow ties are not required but NCMS PAC membership is (membership payable at the door).
Legislative Summit, Saturday, October 24, 2:00-4:00pm - This is the place to be if you're interested in hearing the perspectives from several health care leaders about what they feel are the greatest challenges facing the profession of medicine. See if you agree with them and share your opinions. Advocates like sharing opinions.
Recreational suggestions at the Grandover Resort: Make some strategic connections on the golf course and follow it up with martinis at the Colony Bar on site.
Over-Achiever Personality Traits
In school, were you always the first one to raise your hand and volunteer, whether it was to offer the correct answer or to take on more extracurricular activities? Did you think you doomed your future when you received your first "B" on a test? Do you now work such long hours that you barely recognize your family members? You fall into the Over-Achiever category; not surprisingly most attendees of the NCMS Annual Meeting have these traits.
Good Annual Meeting events for Over-Achievers to attend:
With over-achieving often comes difficulty in finding a balance between work and life at home. These two CME sessions at the Annual Meeting can help you achieve the best "you" possible by addressing issues that lead to burnout.
Keys to Resilience: Thriving Through Change, Friday, October 23, 10:30am-12:30pm. Join well-known author and speaker Wayne Sotile, PhD, as he shares practical tools to improve resilience during times of crisis.
Mastering the Art of Behavior Change, Friday, October 23, 1:00pm-2:00pm. Speaker Laura Putnam, MA, will guide attendees on how to master the challenge of behavior change.
Recreational suggestions at the Grandover Resort: Visit the on-site spa and get that massage and facial! Later experience a leisurely meal at the Di Valletta Restaurant. (Please note: in an effort to assist this personality type in better achieving balance, competitive activities such as tennis or frustrating games such as golf are not recommended.)
The Fun Seeker
This individual has mastered the art of work-life balance and easily demonstrates the ability to leave their worries behind and let their hair down. Their Facebook pages, featuring numerous photos of their latest parties or travel adventures, make those who fall into the Over-Achiever category (see above) feel twinges of jealousy due to their own over-worked lives. Fun Seekers can typically find enjoyment in any environment, including Annual Meetings.
Good Annual Meeting events for Fun Seekers to attend:
The NCMS believes that anyone can be a Fun Seeker, and we have a couple of opportunities to bring out this side of your personality.
Cocktail Reception, Friday, October 23, 5:30pm-7:30pm. The event name says it all. We look forward to seeing you there!
Inaugural Reception, Friday October 23, 7:45pm-11:00pm. Come celebrate the inauguration of Docia Hickey, MD, as president of the NCMS. Dancing, additional cocktails (see above), mingling, and more dancing are on the agenda.
Recreational suggestions at the Grandover Resort: If you're a Fun Seeker but receptions aren't up your alley or dancing just not in your repertoire, play a game of tennis or challenge your friends to a game of pool at the Cafe Espresso East.
No matter your personality type, we hope to see you at the 2015 NCMS Annual Meeting, October 23-24, Grandover Resort, Greensboro.
Register now online or download a registration brochure (PDF) for more details.
Chip Baggett's Bowtie Briefing for September 25, 2015
As Chip relates, "the end is near" for the legislative session. Watch the video for this week's developments in government affairs and share your thoughts below.
As mentioned in the video, the NCMS Annual Meeting is only a month away. Interested in attending the NCMS PAC breakfast and Legislative Summit at the NCMS Annual Meeting? Register online today or download a registration brochure (PDF).
2016 Leadership College Class Named
Congratulations to the 15 physicians, physician assistants and students who will be participating in the 2016 Leadership College Class!
Daniel Barzana, DO - General Surgery, Wilmington Health Access, Wilmington
Yun Boylston, MD - Pediatrics, Burlington Pediatrics, Burlington
Predrag V. Gligorovic, MD - Psychiatry, Wake Forest Baptist University, Winston-Salem
Folashade Jose, MD - Pediatrics, ECU Brody School of Medicine, Greenville
Scott W. Lisson, MD, FACS - Urology, WakeMed Department of Urology, Cary
Christen MacKorell - Physician Assistant Student, Garner Webb University, Boiling Springs
Christopher McCracken, MD - Psychiatry, Appalachian Regional Adult and Family Medicine, Boone
Angela Meredith, PA-C - Student, Georgetown University, Fayetteville
Cassandra N. Moore, MD - Oncology, Duke Cancer Network, Durham
Christopher Norman, PA-C - Hospitalist, Vidant Medical Group, Greenville
Bhavik N. Patel, MD, MBA - Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham
Zoe A. Stallings, MD - Family Medicine, Duke Primary Care, Wake Forest
Rupashree Varadarajan, MD - Internal Medicine, Bethany Medical Center, High Point
Kim Vuong - Student, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
Elyse Watkins, MS, PA-C - Professor, High Point University School of Physician Assistants, High Point
NCMS Photo Contest Finalists Named
This was the most competitve year yet in the NCMS Photo Contest with a record number of photographers taking part, many of whom were first-time participants. Congratulations to the finalists who will have their photos featured in the upcoming 2016 NCMS Member Calendar:
| Rodger D. Israel, MD, MPH Winner - Overall "Old Faithful Star Trails" |
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| Karl S. Chiang, MD Winner - NC Category & Viewers' Choice "Under the Stars" |
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| Philip W. Ponder, MD Winner - Travel Category "La Tour Eiffel" |
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| Kathryn M. Greven, MD, FASTRO Winner - Nature Category "Morning Glory" |
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| Deborah L. Albert, MD Winner - Wildlife Category "After Dinner Drink" |
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| Stephen R. Bonney, MD Finalist - Nature Category "Teton Reflections" |
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| Dan Chaksupa, MD Finalist- Wildlife Category "Rise and Shine" |
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| Bora Chang Finalist - Travel Category "Shadow Caravan" |
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| Brandon C. Drafts, MD, MBS Finalist - NC Category "Road to Pilot Mountain" |
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| Mark W. McClure, MD, FACS Finalist - Nature Category "Moraine Lake" |
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| Lourdes A. Pereda, MD, FAAP Finalist - Travel Category "Machu Picchu: City of the Inca Empire; proud of my roots" |
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| Bob Peterson, MD Finalist - NC Category "Sunrise in the Pisgah Forest" © |
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| Brian E. Smith, MD Finalist - Wildlife Category "Leopard, Tanzania" |
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The NCMS Annual Meeting is One Month Away; Have You Registered Yet?
The NCMS Annual Meeting is just a few weeks away, and we would love to see you there! At the 2015 meeting, you can:
- Learn how you can overcome workplace burnout and achieve a better work-life balance;
- Network/socialize with the over 200 physicians, PAs and medical students in attendance;
- Get the latest legislative news straight from the source during the NCMS PAC breakfast and the Legislative Summit...and more!
Download the registration brochure (PDF) for more details or register online now!
Learning Opportunities
A video recording of the "PQRS/Value-Based Provider Modifier: What Medicare Professionals Need to Know in 2015" presentation has been posted to the CMS MLN Connects® page on YouTube. This presenation is the same as the webinars that were delivered on March 31, 2015 and April 7, 2015 by the Philadelphia Regional Office. View the video.
Thursday, September 24, from 2-3PM, the CDC is sponsoring a free CME webinar titled, "The Role of Clinicians in Addressing the Opioid Overdose Epidemic." During this webinar, participants will learn about the drivers of the increases in opioid-related morbidity and mortality and steps clinicians can take to help reverse concerning trends. This webinar is hosted by the CDC Emergency Communication System's Clinical Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Call. Registration is not needed. Call in at 888-469-1370. The passcode is 3791890. Join by webinar. If you have questions or trouble accessing this COCA Call, please e-mail [email protected]. Call materials (slides, audio, and transcript) will be posted to the webpage a few days after the live call.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) will hold a town hall meeting on EHRs and EHR regulations on September 29 from 6:30pm-8:30pm in Waltham, MA. This event will also be streamed online starting at 7:00pm. Register today! Participants will share expreriences and challenges related to EHRs and hear from national and local physician leaders, including AMA President Steven J. Stack, MD. Even if you can't participate in this event, you can still make your voice heard on this critical issue. Visit BreaktheRedTape.org to share your thoughts about EHR problems and solutions.
The Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina, along with MAHEC, will be holding a CME program in Asheville on Saturday, October 3, on Advanced Laboratory Testing Across Tumor Types. Dr. Jared Weiss from UCN Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Course Director. Download a brochure. More information and a link to register is available here.
Free ICD-10 Implementation Training by CMS at the NCMS Center for Leadership in Medicine, Thursday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more and register.
All health care professionals interested in neuromuscular disorders are invited to attend the Neuromuscular Review Course 2015 sponsored by the University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Neurology, on October 3, at the Renaissance Hotel North Hills in Raleigh. Learn more and register.
The North Carolina Industrial Commission will hold its 20th Annual North Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Conference on October 14-16, 2015 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The conference provides a valuable opportunity for professionals to share information on current issues impacting the workers' compensation arena. View the conference brochure, which includes the conference agenda and registration information. For more information, please contact Jeanne Bush or Eric Oxfeld at the International Workers' Compensation Foundation office by telephone at (386) 677-0041, fax at (386) 677-0155, or e-mail at [email protected].
Carolinas Trauma Related Issues and Critical Knowledge Symposium (TRICKS) of Fracture Management, November 14, 2015, 8 am – 2 pm, Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel, 222 E. 3rd St., Charlotte, NC 28202. For more information, call 704.512.6534 or visit the website for further information.
The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) fall course schedule is out. Find out what is being offered July through December 2015 and register today.
Bowtie Briefing for September 18, 2015: Budget passes and Medicaid reform bill moves forward
Late last night, the General Assembly passed the budget, and NCMS Legislative Director Chip Baggett summarizes how its passage will impact the profession of medicine and North Carolina's patients. In addition, he shares how the Medicaid reform bill is progressing and how reform may unfold in the future.
New Hanover-Pender CMS Hosts Meeting to Discuss Proposed NCMS Bylaws Changes
On September 9, 2015, the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society (NHPCMS) held their membership meeting where they invited guest speakers Jeffrey Runge, MD, chair of the Bylaws Modernization Task Force and a member of the NCMS Board of Directors, and Steve Keene, NCMS General Counsel, to discuss the proposed changes to the NCMS Bylaws that will impact the Annual Meeting and House of Delegates. The NHPCMS videotaped the event so that members unable to attend could get an overview of how these proposed bylaws updates will impact them.
Bowtie Briefing for September 11, 2015
NCMS Legislative Relations Director Chip Baggett shares his thoughts on this 14th anniversary of 9/11 and urges action on two important items currently missing from the state budget in regard to Medicaid reform.
Want to sign up to receive Chip's Bowtie Briefings on a weekly basis? Send [email protected] your name, practice/business name and preferred email address.
It's Viewers' Choice! Vote for Your Favorite Photo from This Year's Contest
The thirteen finalists have been named in this year's photo contest and now it's time for you to help select the "Viewers' Choice" award winner! Take a look at the images and then vote for your favorite. Voting ends Friday, September 18 at 5PM.
View the pictures and vote!
Chip Baggett's Bowtie Briefing for September 4, 2015
Chip shares his assessment of this legislative session and his thoughts on what he feels are the true successes this year.
Want to sign up to receive these video updates weekly? Email [email protected] with your name, organization/practice name, and your preferred email address.
Bowtie Briefing for August 28, 2015
This week's briefing is a quick one, focusing on some new developments in Medicaid reform and updating the status of the Medical Board bill.
For information on contacting your legislator regarding Medicaid reform, click here.
NCMS Member Feedback Sought on Bylaws Updates
The Bylaws Modernization Task Force was appointed to revise the current NCMS bylaws to reflect a policymaking process within the NCMS that is more accessible and efficient. The revisions propose that component medical societies and NCMS members be able to bring issues to the Board of Directors for discussion and action on a timely basis, rather than waiting for the House of Delegates to meet annually. At the HOD’s direction, the Annual Meeting for the NCMS will be preserved, but policy decisions would be made by the Board, and the HOD would be dissolved.
With the goal of transparency, we are posting this proposal ahead of other HOD business in order to allow as much time as possible for our members to review the revisions and provide us with valuable feedback.
The files above are draft documents and subject to change. Check the NCMS Bulletin and website frequently for updates, prior to the October 23-24 Annual Meeting.
Your feedback may be posted in the comments section below and will immediately be routed to members of the Task Force and Constitution and Bylaws Committee. With your input, a final document will come before the HOD as a report from the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
Help us get it right for our Society. Watch the NCMS website and the Bulletin for progress reports. We look forward to hearing from you.
Residents & Students: It's Your Time to Shine at the 2015 NCMS Scientific Poster Session; Deadline Approaching
Take Part in the North Carolina Medical Society's Scientific Poster Session at This Year's Annual Meeting
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is sponsoring a Scientific Poster Session at its upcoming Annual Meeting. The competition will be held at the Grandover Resort, Greensboro, NC on October 23-24, 2015. The NCMS’s objective for the poster presentations is to offer students, residents and fellows an opportunity to share significant research and clinical work of interest with other fellow clinicians.
Download the details and application. (PDF) The deadline for submission is September 15!
The Poster Session will be divided into two categories:
- Clinical Research
- Clinical Vignette
Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded to the top three students, residents and fellows (first authors) in both categories.
- 1st prize=$200 per student/resident/fellow author in both categories, for a total of six awards
- 2nd prize=$100 per student/resident/fellow author in both categories, for a total of six awards
- 3rd prize=$50 per student/resident/fellow author in both categories, for a total of six awards
This is a great way to collect credit for your program and to interact with your colleagues statewide.
Sponsored by MagMutual Insurance Company.
Bowtie Briefing for August 21, 2015
It's Friday, which means it's time for another Bowtie Briefing. Chip Baggett shares this week's legislative update, where there were dramatic developments in the Medicaid Reform plan.
You can share your thoughts with the legislators mentioned in this video. Download the list of requests that the NCMS would like to see in Medicaid Reform to help you with your conversations with your elected officials.
2015 NCMS Annual Meeting: "Resilience in Challenging Times"
The 161st NCMS Annual Meeting & House of Delegates Meets This Friday!
October 23-24, 2015 at the Grandover Resort, Greensboro, NC
Pre-registration for this meeting has now closed; if you are interested in attending any meeting events, you may register on-site at the NCMS Meeting Registration Desk at the Grandover Resort.
If you are a delegate and need to download the HOD packet materials, please visit www.ncmedsoc.org/hod. This section is password-protected; if you did not receive the email that provided this password, please contact Kristen Shipherd, [email protected].
For all other meeting details, please visit www.ncmedsoc.org/annualmeeting.
For questions regarding this meeting, please contact Nancy Lowe, [email protected].
Download the Meeting Schedule 
Download the On-Site Brochure
Bowtie Briefing for July 24, 2015
Get the latest update on two bills, one impacting physician assistants and the other on how you talk to your patients about guns in the home.
To sign up to receive this video briefing by email, please contact [email protected] and provide your name and email address, placing "Bowtie Briefing" in the subject line.
Interested in attending a White Coat Wednesday? Get more details or contact Chip Baggett.
Get your weekly advocacy "Bowtie Briefing" from NCMS Legislative Director Chip Baggett
To help you stay informed about what is going on at the North Carolina General Assembly and how it may affect your practice, Chip Baggett, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, offers this 6-minute video update. Our intention is to offer these “Bowtie Briefings” each Friday for the remainder of the legislative session.
Please email us if you would like to continue to receive these videos each week, and we’ll add you to our Bowtie Briefing mailing list. Leave us your comments below.
2015 NCMS Photo Contest Now Underway
2015 NCMS Photo Contest Now Open
Deadline: July 31, 2015
Now in its seventh year, the NCMS Photo Contest is an annual tradition that has gained national recognition, and we want you to be a part of it! Submissions are currently being accepted for the 2015 contest. Think you have the perfect picture to send in? Check out the rules below (please note: some of the rules have changed from previous years!).
The rules:
- Contest participants are limited to current NCMS members (member physicians, PAs, residents, and medical students) only; the NCMS member must be the photographer of the image submitted.
- Submit one image by Friday, July 31, 2015. If you need ideas on what appeals to the judges, review the work of last year's finalists.
- There will be three categories in the contest this year. Please submit images that fall into one of these three and be sure to tell us under which category you are submitting your image:
- Nature (animals, plants, landscapes)
- North Carolina (images should be of locations within the state)
- Travel (send in your best vacation shots)
- Shots should be of landscapes, animals, or abstracts, preferably horizontal in layout; images of people/portraits are generally discouraged, as photo permissions are hard to acquire;
- Please state the title of your photo, where the photo was taken, and any other information you would like to include about the image;
- Photos may be in color or black-and-white;
- Please limit photo manipulation (i.e. Photoshop). Acceptable photo manipulations include minimal dodging/burning or color correction as well as cropping of the original image. The contest is based on photographic skills and highly altered images are not currently accepted.
- NCMS staff members will pick the 13 finalists whose work will be on display in the 2016 Member Calendar.
- The grand-prize winner and category winners will be chosen by a panel of NCMS staff and affiliated jury members;
- The contest finalists will also have their images voted on by the public, with a "Viewer's Choice" award going to the winner of online voting.
Prizes:
- Grand prize winner: $200 giftcard and placement on the cover of the 2016 NCMS Member Calendar
- Nature category winner: $100 giftcard
- North Carolina category winner: $100 giftcard
- Travel category winner: $100 giftcard
- Other finalists: $25 giftcard and NCMS gift pack
- All contest participants will receive an NCMS gift pack
How to Enter:
Send your high-resolution images (jpg, tif, eps, or png at least 300 dpi) sized at least to 8" x 10" by any method below:
- Email your file to [email protected]
- Upload your digital file
- Mail a CD/flash drive with your images to NCMS, PO Box 27167, Raleigh, NC 27611 Attn: Kristen Shipherd.
The top 13 photographs will be decided by August 17, when voting opens to the public to determine the "Viewer's Choice" winner.
Medical Mutual to Assume Policies from Healthcare Providers Insurance Exchange
Medical Mutual Insurance Company (MMIC) announced today that it will acquire the rights, title, interests in, and the policies of Healthcare Providers Insurance Exchange (HPIX). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Joining Medical Mutual advances HPIX as the leading brand for medical professional liability insurance in the Mid-Atlantic and preserves the physician owned, customer centricity of HPIX’s insurance platform,” said Tom Gaudiosi, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HPIX. “With so much insurance M&A focused on cost, this transaction is unique because it is precipitated by a strategy to build worth and unlock value for our current and future members. Through an intense and diligent search, we found Medical Mutual to be the most symbiotic and synergistic partner. There is an obvious fit between HPIX and Medical Mutual that will be apparent to our policyholders as we deliver tangible benefits that will ensure their long-term success.”
“The addition of HPIX policyholders to Medical Mutual will provide benefits to both sides,” said Dale Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Mutual. “The partnership expands Medical Mutual’s geographic footprint into the Mid-Atlantic States and continues the HPIX legacy of providing outstanding service, products, and resources to policyholders. Medical Mutual and HPIX share a culture and philosophy focused on serving physician members.”
Upon completion of the transaction, Medical Mutual will offer employment to a majority of current HPIX employees who are integral to the future growth and success of the organization. “We are delighted to welcome a very experienced and talented team of HPIX professionals, in addition to their clients, agents, and brokers, to Medical Mutual,” said Jenkins. “As we continue to witness the expansion and growth of regional physician practices throughout the country, we are excited to work with their agents and brokers to build upon the HPIX franchise and expand the reach of Medical Mutual into the Mid-Atlantic.”
The closing of the acquisition is subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and North Carolina Department of Insurance, as well as other customary closing conditions. Pending those approvals, the acquisition is expected to close later this year.
Learning Opportunities
June 12, 2015, for Go SIMple, an opportunity to learn about the hottest trends in simulation education from experts. The training session will be held at Campbell University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lillington, NC.
Thursday, June 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a National Provider Call in which subject matter experts will present strategies and resources to help you prepare for ICD-10. Registration is open.
Thursday, June 18 - 9 to 11 a.m. – NCTracks Recipient Eligibility Verification training. Learn to use the Eligibility Verification System (EVS), which provides information regarding a recipient's eligibility for services in real time. At the end of training, providers will be able to submit an Individual Recipient Eligibility Inquiry, submit a Batch Eligibility Inquiry, and view an Eligibility Response. This course will be taught at the CSC facility in Raleigh. The course includes hands-on training and will be limited to 45 participants.
Register for these courses in SkillPort, the NCTracks Learning Management System. Log on to the secure NCTracks Provider Portal and click Provider Training to access SkillPort. Open the folder labeled Provider Computer-Based Training (CBT) and Instructor Led Training (ILT). The courses can be found in the sub-folder labeled ILTs: On-site, listed by topic.
Move to Value Summit, the ultimate primer on value-based health care will be held at Biotech Place in Winston-Salem Aug. 27-28. Hosted by CHESS Health Enablement Solutions and sponsored by Wake Forest Baptist Health and LabCorp, the Move to Value Summit is designed to provide you with a broad and deep understanding of what it takes to transform your fee-for-service-dependent organization to one rooted in pay-for-value. Learn more and register.
Registration is now open for NCHICA’s 21st Annual Conference & Exhibition with this year’s theme Transforming Healthcare from Volume to Value, is scheduled for September 13-16, 2015 at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest developments and best practices in health IT and network with your peers. For further details, click here. The registration fee is $475 NCHICA members/$675 non-members. For further details, click here. Fees will increase after August 13, so please register early! NCHICA has a special group rate at the Pinehurst Resort of $205/night, which is good until August 13, 2015. For further details on how to register at the special rate, click here.
Practice in the Triangle? Come to the May 15 NCMS Mixer!
May 15, 2015 - DuBose House, Rizzo Center, Chapel Hill
Open House from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Physicians, PAs, and students in and around the Triangle area are invited to attend this informal mixer, where attendees can meet with NCMS Board members and mingle with peers.
Invite your spouse to come along to this free event and make it a date night! Dress is casual; drinks and hors d'oeuvres are on us.
Register today or learn more at www.ncmedsoc.org/mixer.
For questions regarding this event, please contact Will Barnett, (919) 833-3836 x 130, [email protected]. Future mixers are planned in other areas of the state; stay tuned!