It’s Monday! Enjoy your Morning Rounds

March 28, 2022

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In the News
 

1. Hearing In No Surprises Act Lawsuit

Last week, a hearing took place in the American Medical Association’s legal challenge to the narrow provision of the No Surprises Act Interim Final Rule (IFR) that implemented the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process for resolving payment disputes between health plans and physicians/facilities. Two NC physicians, Dr. Stuart Squires and Dr. Victor Kubit, are also named as individual plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

As previously reported, the lawsuit challenges a narrow but impactful provision of a rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other agencies related to the dispute resolution process described in the NSA. The provision being challenged ignores congressional intent and will harm access to care if implemented.

The AMA lawsuit is substantively similar to the lawsuit brought by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Earlier this year, that Court found in favor of TMA and vacated the provisions in the IFR that weighted the IDR process in favor of health plans. The government has not yet indicated whether it plans to appeal that decision.

For more information, click here for a copy of the hearing transcript.

We will continue to share updates as this matter proceeds.

2. NC Medicaid Prepaid Health Plans Launch ‘Known Issues Log’

The five Medicaid Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) have each created (or are in the process of creating) a log that highlights the known issues they are actively working to resolve.  Each PHP’s log will be accessible through their website and updated weekly.

A list of the available logs is accessible below and on the NCMS Medicaid Transformation webpage. The logs that are not available yet will be added to the webpage once they are live.

3. AMA Releases Revised Physician Guide For Keeping Your Practice Open

The American Medical Association (AMA) has released one of its most valuable private practice resources, the revised Physician Guide for Keeping Your Practice Open. This new publication includes updated information to help physicians implement policies and procedures around staff and patient vaccines, as well as advice to address staff burnout and workforce shortages spurred by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Download the guide now and share this timely and relevant resource with your colleagues, peers, and physician members.

As an additional resource, click here to review a webinar on Navigating the Current Healthcare Landscape: COVID-19, Staffing Crisis, and Administrative Burden – YouTube

 

  

COVID-19 Updates
 

1.    CDC updates mask guidance for N95s in hospitals

2.    CDC to create hospital worker vaccination dashboard

3.    Mayo projects 12% rise in COVID-19 cases in next 2 weeks

4.    NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard

 

Learning Opportunities

Intimate Partner Violence Webinar (Live) Sessions

April 12, 2022, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM-Intimate Partner Violence Foundations and Screening (Session 1)

April 19, 2022, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM-Intimate Partner Violence – Best Practices in Intimate Partner Response (Session 2)

April 26, 2022, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM-Intimate Partner Violence – Creating a Culture of Care for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (Session 3)

The NC Medical Board has partnered with Wake AHEC, UNC Beacon Program and NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence to develop a three-part series on recognizing and responding to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Victims of IPV have unique healthcare needs, and physicians and PAs play a critical role as a trusted resource for their patients. These sessions go beyond identifying screenings and red flags of IPV to share resources and appropriate responses to a disclosure, and also how to incorporate this critical information into a busy clinic. Join on April 12, April 19, and April 26 for this robust live webinar series on IPV for outpatient and urgent care providers. View the Intimate Partner Violence For Outpatient and Urgent Care Providers PDF here.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER NOW

    
 

Upcoming Events
     
Registration is now open for these events:

·       2022 NC Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Annual Meeting (April 8-10, 2022)

·       2022 NC Society of Pathologists Annual Meeting (April 22-23, 2022)

·       2022 NC Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Society Annual Meeting (May 20-22, 2022)