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…

NC House Health Committee To Vote on Medicaid Reform Bill

Today the North Carolina House Committee on Health will likely vote on HB 372, 2015 Medicaid Modernization. HB 372 includes many of the provisions the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) has been advocating for alongside other key stakeholders. Since the start of the Medicaid reform debate two years ago, we have been building support for a provider-led Medicaid reform solution, and this bill…

ACO Final Rule Released

On June 4, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule detailing program changes for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in response to feedback and aimed at making the program more viable to current and potential participants. CMS made significant changes to the program requirements, including allowing for an additional 3-year contract term with no…

CMS Releases Physician Medicare Payment Data

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its second annual physician Medicare payment data. This information is intended to offer the public more transparency to foster innovation in the health care system and better informed and more engaged health care consumers, according to CMS. The data released consists of information on services and procedures provided to…

NCMS’ Osbahr Re-Elected to AMA Board of Trustees

Albert J. Osbahr, MD The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) proudly announces Albert J. Osbahr, MD, has been reelected to a second term on the AMA Board of Trustees at the AMA’s Annual Meeting currently underway in Chicago. Since 2004, Dr. Osbahr has been Medical Director of Occupational Health Services at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Before this, he served 14 years as Occupational…

NCMS Works To Modernize Policy Development and Governance

In the months following the 2014 North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) House of Delegates (HOD), the Bylaws Modernization Task Force appointed by NCMS President Robert Schaaf, MD has worked to revise the current 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…

ICD-10 – It's Going To Happen This Time So Get Ready

All indicators are there will NOT be further delays in implementation of ICD-10 coding set to take effect on Oct. 1, 2015. Both state and local agencies are working to educate medical practices about the change to be ready on Oct. 1. NCTracks, the state’s Medicaid claims system, is offering regional seminars throughout the state in June to educate new billing staff and providers, and serve as a…

AMA Calls for Two-Year ICD-10 Grace Period

While being prepared for the transition to ICD-10 is encouraged, the American Medical Association (AMA) at its Annual Meeting this week in Chicago has called for a two-year grace period for implementation. The AMA continues to have significant concerns with the readiness of many providers, payers and other participants in the billing chain to implement ICD-10 by the October 1, 2015 deadline.…

Potential Benefits In the SGR Repeal Law — MACRA

When the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law in April, it didn't just repeal the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that had been plaguing physicians for nearly two decades. The bill contained other provisions that will impact how physicians deliver care now and in the future. Here are several provisions that should be beneficial for…

Reminder: Register for PQRS Group Practice Reporting Option by June 30 Deadline

Groups have until June 30 to register to participate in the 2015 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) via the Physician Value - Physician Quality Reporting System (PV-PQRS) Registration System. PQRS GPRO is an option available to groups with two or more eligible professionals (EPs). Groups must meet the satisfactory reporting criteria through the PQRS…

Free Support if You Report PQRS through Your EHR

Alliant Quality, the Quality Innovation Network – Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Georgia and North Carolina is providing free support to practices reporting to PQRS via the EHR or Data Submission Vendor (DSV). They would like to identify 35 practices in North Carolina to participate in this initiative. Ideal practices would need to report clinical quality measures (CQMs) for…

Register Now for Multi-Payer Expo in Hickory on June 25

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), UnitedHealthcare, MedCost and Humana are collaborating to provide a venue for providers to meet with multiple payers and third-party vendors on June 25 in Hickory, N.C. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry peers, as well as speak with payers and representatives, during an open forum from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also,…

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…

Nominate an Outstanding Physician Leader for the 2015 Harris Award!

The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence (CCME) currently is accepting nominations for the 2015 Harris Memorial Award in honor of the life and memory of one of its founding members, T. Reginald Harris, MD. Presented each year at the Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Medical Society in October, the award honors a North Carolina physician for outstanding achievements in the areas of health…

Reach Your Leadership Potential — Apply to the Leadership College

Applications for Leadership College 2016 are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2015. The NCMS Foundation Leadership College, part of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership, was developed for physicians from across the state who want to develop their leadership skills, and who are interested in attending a professional leadership development program. Since its inception…

Anderson Award Open for Nominations

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is accepting nominations for the John Huske Anderson Award, given annually to a layperson whose contributions have had a positive impact on the medical profession and public health. The award honors Mr. Anderson's service to medicine and the Society, having served as NCMS legal counsel from 1937 until his retirement in 1983. Nominations must be made by an…

Nominations for NCMS Leadership Positions Open

The Nominating and Leadership Development Committee is seeking nominations from physician members for NCMS leadership positions that will become vacant in 2015. The deadline for receiving all nominations is July 1. If you are interested in serving in the following positions, please submit your nomination form to Devdutta G. Sangvai, MD, Chair of the Nominating and Leadership Development…

High Point University Enrolls First PA Class

High Point University’s newest graduate school program, Physician Assistant Studies, enrolled its first class of 20 students on Sunday, June 7. The program doesn’t yet have a permanent home, but gave white coats to the incoming students at a special ceremony. More than 800 applicants applied for this master’s degree program. High Point is the ninth North Carolina college to offer a physician…

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…

NCMS Update: June 4, 2015

Dr. Karen Cannon with Senator Joyce Krawiec at the General Assembly building. NCMS Leadership College at the Legislature: The NCMS Leadership College Class of 2015 spent yesterday meeting with lawmakers and observing what goes on at the North Carolina General Assembly as part of White Coat Wednesday. Leadership College scholar Karen Cannon, MD, Chief Medical Operations Officer for CHESS, a…

Another Step Toward RAC Reform in the US Senate

The Senate Finance Committee today passed the Audit & Appeal Fairness, Integrity, and Reforms in Medicare (AFIRM) Act of 2015, an original bill to improve the Medicare audit and appeals process. “Today, the Committee took an important bipartisan step toward streamlining the Medicare audit and appeals process to help healthcare providers better serve millions of patients across the nation,”…

NCMS Update: June 2, 2015

If you’re an ‘early adopter’ Apparently the new Apple Watch has several apps just for physicians and PAs. Check them out. The reviews of the apps were written by Iltifat Husain, MD, Founder, Editor-in-Chief of iMedicalApps.com, and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of Mobile App curriculum at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Are you on Doximity? The NCMS would like…

NCMS Update: June 1, 2015

Acronym du jour: Here's a fun one -- PECOS. That stands for Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System. For pages of more acronyms explaining the PECOS system and provider enrollment process, visit the PECOS FAQ page. Beware the Lassa Fever: It's not as deadly as Ebola, but, like Ebola, Lassa fever is a hemorrhaggic fever and is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. A…

Update on House Budget Provisions Affecting Physicians

The North Carolina House adopted its update to the Governor’s budget proposal last week. We expect the Senate budget released in the coming weeks. Below are some provisions in the House version that could have an impact on physicians and physician assistants. The bill includes modest teacher and state employee pay raises, increased transportation funding and a number of health care related…

CMS Proposes New Rules for Medicaid MCOs

Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposal that would bring the rules governing Medicaid managed care plans into alignment with those for other private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans. The proposed rule would also “implement statutory provisions; strengthen actuarial soundness payment provisions to promote the accountability of Medicaid managed…

Hard-Won RAC Reform Legislation Introduced

In case you missed the announcement, on the Friday afternoon before the long Memorial Day weekend, Rep. George Holding (R-NC) filed legislation to reform the RAC audit process – something the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) has long been advocating for in Washington, D.C. The legislation entitled “The Fair Medical Audits Act of 2015.” reflects years of effort by the NCMS working with…

No More Excuses: Improvements to CSRS Make It Easier to Use

To help tackle a growing epidemic of opioid abuse, the state’s Drug Control Unit launched its redesigned Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS) on March 17, 2015. The new web-interface is intended to provide prescribers and pharmacists with more intuitive control of the site. It also provides new convenient features like password reset, profile update, and prescribing history. In addition,…

Prepare for ICD-10 With This Free Software

The Physicians Foundation’s recent national physician survey showed 50 percent of respondents thought the transition to ICD-10 would create a severe administrative problem, while 75 percent agreed it will unnecessarily complicate the coding process. With that in mind, The Physicians Foundation, which was founded in 2003 by a group of medical societies including the North Carolina Medical Society…

CMS, NCTracks Gearing Up for ICD-10 — And Want You To Join Them

The date for ICD-10 implementation is October 1, 2015, which is just around the corner. All indications are that implementation will not be delayed yet again, so please – get ready to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. If you want some help counting down to ICD-10, there are timers you can download to your computer desktop. For instance both Free Countdown Timer and Time Left are free, and can…

Take Action by July 1 to Avoid 2016 Medicare Payment Adjustment

Payment adjustments for eligible professionals who did not successfully participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in 2014 will begin on January 1, 2016. Medicare eligible professionals can avoid the 2016 payment adjustment by taking action by July 1 and applying for a 2016 hardship exception. The hardship exception applications and instructions for an individual and for multiple Medicare…

PQRS Reporting System Streamlined

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that an important system update for Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) participants is scheduled to be in place on July 13, 2015. It is hoped that the new process will streamline the password process to access CMS data systems. The Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) system will be retired, but…

NCMS Supports Exemption of CME From Sunshine Act

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) has joined other state medical and medical specialty societies in support of Congressman Michael C. Burgess’ (R-Texas) legislation ensuring that certain educational programs and materials are excluded from Open Payments reporting. Rep. Burgess’ bill (HR 293) would make the current regulatory exemption for independent Continuing Medical Education (CME)…

Develop Your Leadership Skills; Apply to the NCMS Leadership College Today

NCMS Member Benefits for Retirees

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) offers its members health coverage and other benefits through the NCMS Employee Benefit Plan (NCMS Plan), a partnership with the MMIC Agency, LLC. The NCMS Plan provides our members with a value-added plan that is customized to meet your practice and employees’ needs. One of the benefits of the NCMS Plan that stands out in the health insurance market is…

Save the Date: NCMS Annual Meeting Oct. 23-24

Fall foliage and cool breezes may seem far away, but October will be here before you know it. Be sure to mark your calendar for the NCMS Annual Meeting, Oct. 23-24 at the Grandover Resort, Greensboro. In addition to the opportunity to reconnect with your colleagues, we will have interesting speakers on topics like how to stay resilient in the face of the many pressures facing physicians and…

Anderson Award Open For Nominations

NCMS and AMA Leadership Positions Open

Nancy Lowe Honored By Meeting Professionals International Chapter

Nancy Lowe, Associate Director, Specialty Society and Meeting Services, was honored with the Meeting Professionals International-Carolinas Chapter (MPI-CC) Hall of Fame Award for 2014-15 on May 18. The chapter’s Hall of Fame Award recognizes and rewards MPI-CC members who exemplify excellence and enduring service to MPI. To receive the honor the awardee must be a current member of MPI in good…

Cummings Leaves NCDHHS to Become Chancellor of UNC-Pembroke

Robin G. Cummings, MD Robin Gary Cummings, MD, who currently serves as deputy secretary for health services and state Medicaid director for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will leave his post on June 5 to become Chancellor of the University of North Carolina-Pembroke on July 15. Dave Richard, the state's top official for behavioral health services, will succeed Cummings as…

Jarrett Named 2015 Medical Administrator of the Year

(L-R): NCMGMA President Jacob Rodman, 2015 Administrator of the Year Sandra Jarrett, NCMGMA Governance Committee Chair Laura Sanborn, and Steve Parker of Medical Mutual North Carolina Medical Group Management Association (NCMGMA) named Sandra Jarrett, Practice Manager for Salisbury Orthopaedic Associates, PA, its 2015 Administrator of the Year. The Administrator of the Year award honors a…

In the News

Government Backs Down On Some Requirements For Digital Medical Records, USA Today, 5-25-15 Doctoring Without The Doctor, The New York Times, 5-25-15 Second Opinions Often Sought, But Value Is Not Yet Proven, Kaiser Health News, 5-26-15 Medicare Recovery Audit Program Targeted For Reform Following Spike In Observation Stays, ModernHealthCare, 5-20-15 Interstate Medical License Compact Becoming A…

Learning Opportunities

June 2, 2015, Predictive Analytics Workshop, The Research Triangle Foundation, RTP, NC This one-day workshop will demonstrate how Accountable Care Organizations and others are using predictive analytics to support their goals of improving quality and reducing costs. Speakers include Shantanu Nigam (Jvion), Angela Diaz (CCME) and J.C. Layton (InfraScience). The registration fee is $199 NCHICA…

RAC Reform Closer to Reality: Rep. Holding Introduces Legislation

Today, Rep. George Holding (R-NC) introduced legislation entitled “The Fair Medical Audits Act of 2015.” This legislation reflects years of effort by the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) working with Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) to address many concerns physicians throughout the country have with the extraordinary lack of transparency and expensive, time-consuming and often unfair…

NCMS Update: May 21, 2015

Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act Is Now the Law: Governor McCrory signed the hard-won Jim Fulghum Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act into law today at the Executive Mansion with the late Rep. Fulghum's wife Mary Susan, and his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter at the Governor's side. After the brief signing ceremony, those from the North Carolina Dermatology Association and NCMS who have been…

NCMS Update: May 20, 2015

Acronym du jour: This is an easy one -- or at least it should be if you've been paying attention. PQRS stands for Physician Quality Reporting System. According to the CMS (another ancronym we all know and love), PQRS is a quality reporting program that encourages individual doctors and practices to report information on the quality of care, by "giving them the opportunity to assess the quality…

NCMS Update: May 15, 2015

The House has released parts of its budget proposal: The state’s news media have been reporting on the portions of the House budget released thus far. NCMS staff in a preliminary look at the proposal for the Department of Health and Human Services, which pertains most directly to NCMS members, found concerns about certain provisions, but were pleased to see that no additional physician rate cuts…

NCMS Update: May 14, 2015

Acronym du jour: MACRA This is a new one to add to your collection. We could say it replaces SGR (sustainable growth rate) since it is the abbreviation for the legislation that repealed the SGR after many years. It stands for Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Please add it to your acronym lexicon since it will no doubt be used a lot in the coming years as this new law plays…

NCMS Works Hard To Refine Medicaid Reform Proposal

For the last month, North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) staff has been working closely with the North Carolina Hospital Association and other provider groups to fashion a framework for Medicaid reform in North Carolina. The many early morning and late night meetings have resulted in a high-level statement of principles that all parties can accept. Read the NC Provider Community Medicaid Reform…

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