NCMS Morning Rounds 4-27-21
Enjoy Tuesday's NCMS Morning Rounds.
April 27, 2021
Join the Crucial COVID-19 Vaccine Effort
In order to vaccinate as many people as possible with the COVID-19 vaccine, the state now is prioritizing primary care offices as key vaccine access points. Harvard researchers estimate 17 million unvaccinated Americans will visit their primary care physician or PA in the next month, providing a great…
NCMS Morning Rounds 4-14-21
Enjoy your mid-week NCMS Morning Rounds.
April 14, 2021
CDC and FDA Recommend Pause in Administration of J & J COVID-19 Vaccine
On Tuesday, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it will follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to suspend administration of the Johnson & Johnson…
SB 607 – Substance Use Disorder Safety Act
SB 607 – Substance Use Disorder Safety Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth)
Summary
This bill:
Allows any governmental or nongovernmental organization to establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program in a facility that offers professional counseling or rehabilitation services for…
NCMS Morning Rounds 3-15-21
Welcome to a new week and your NCMS Morning Rounds
March 15, 2021
Help With COVID-19 Vaccination Effort
With COVID-19 vaccine supply ramping up and President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that all adults should be eligible for vaccination by May 1, the necessary workforce to get the vaccines administered needs to be in place. To that end, NC AHEC has created a volunteer survey for physicians…
NCMS Morning Rounds 3-10-21
Here's your mid-week NCMS Morning Rounds
March 10, 2021
Take Action Today!
The NCMS is calling on you to send an email Action Alert to your legislator opposing HB93—Require Naloxone with Opioid Scripts. This bill would mandate co-prescribing naloxone with certain opioid prescriptions. The NCMS opposes prescriptions mandates. If you didn’t already respond to this Action Alert, please take just a…
HB 211 – Reopen Bars and Restaurants
HB 211 – Reopen Bars and Restaurants
Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Timothy Moffitt (R-Henderson); Rep. Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba); Rep. Grey Mills (R-Iredell); Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth)
Summary
This bill allows all establishments that serve food and drink to open and operate food and drink service for on-premises consumption if: (1) the establishment was in existence on March 10, 2020, is…
NCMS Morning Rounds 2-25-21
Enjoy your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds.
Feb. 25, 2021
NCMS, NC Peds Issue Joint Statement on In-Person Learning
The NCMS and the NC Pediatric Society issued a joint media statement yesterday in support of reopening schools for in-person learning. The statement is centered on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance and the science…
NCMS Morning Rounds 2-23-21
Enjoy your Tuesday NCMS Morning Rounds.
Feb. 23, 2021
Who Can Administer COVID-19 Vaccines? NCMB Clarifies
The NC Medical Board (NCMB) recently clarified that existing state law allows a licensed physician to delegate medical tasks to an unlicensed person, as long as that individual is qualified to perform the assigned tasks.
Although NCMB has not addressed the specific question of whether…
NCMS Morning Rounds 2-18-21
Happy Thursday! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds.
Feb. 18, 2021
Be Empowered with the NCMS Foundation’s Power Hour!
For nearly a year the NCMS Foundation’s Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership has been offering regular discussion forums on timely topics impacting physicians and PAs during the pandemic. This Friday, Feb. 19 beginning at noon, will be the next in our series of Power Hours. We…
NCMS Morning Rounds 2-11-21
Welcome to Thursday's NCMS Morning Rounds!
Feb. 11, 2021
New NC Executive Order Expands Number of COVID-19 Vaccine Providers
On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 193, which extends regulatory flexibility to “increase the pool of professional health care workers, including those who can administer FDA-authorized COVID vaccines.” Read the order here.
This Order continues the…
NCMS Morning Rounds 2-4-21
Enjoy your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds
Feb. 4, 2021
NC COVID-19 Vaccinations Increase
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported that over 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered across the state since the vaccine first became available in December through last Friday. To get the latest data on the vaccination effort in North Carolina, the state’s vaccine…
NCMS Morning Rounds 2-2-21
Here is Tuesday's NCMS Morning Rounds
Feb. 2, 2021
February is Black History Month. Learn more here.
X-Waiver Announcement 'Premature'
The announcement last month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updating the guidelines to exempt physicians from certain certification requirements needed to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment was premature. The…
NCMS Morning Rounds 1-22-21
Happy Friday! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds.
Jan. 22, 2021
COVID-19’s Impact on Clinicians in Safety Net Practices
The University of North Carolina’s Carolina Health Workforce Research Center and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently published its interim report, ‘Survey of the Pandemic Experiences and Effects on Clinicians in Safety Net Practices in 20…
NCMS Morning Rounds 1-8-21
Finally Friday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds!
Jan. 8, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers this webpage to quickly reference who is currently eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as well as a list by county where the vaccine is currently being administered. NCDHHS continues to caution that supplies of the vaccine are limited,…
NCMS Morning Rounds 1-5-21
Welcome to your first NCMS Morning Rounds of 2021!
Jan. 5, 2021
Review of Current COVID-19 Vaccine Plan for NC
Based on new federal recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) updated and simplified the vaccine prioritization plan at the end of last month.…
NCMS Morning Rounds 12-21-20
Welcome to Monday's NCMS Morning Rounds.
Dec. 21, 2020
NCMS Legislative Update
A lot was going on last week as the holidays approach and the NC General Assembly prepares to return to Raleigh in January. Here are some of the newsy highlights:
NC legislators and the Governor worked together to ensure that nearly $30 million in funding will indeed be distributed to increase broadband access in…
NCMS Morning Rounds 12-14-20
Welcome to a new week of NCMS Morning Rounds.
Dec. 14, 2020
NCMS Legislative Update
Last week, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, was on several panels discussing the hot button issues likely to be addressed by the NC General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2021.
Forrest participated in the Raleigh News & Observer’s ‘NC Insider’ panel, which included legislators and…
NCMS Political Pulse for Dec. 11, 2020
Watch as NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers details on several important meetings she participated in this week including one discussion on some hot topics likely to be taken up by the NC General Assembly in 2021. Also, mark your calendar for Jan. 12 when the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice convenes as the legislature…
NCMS Morning Rounds 12-11-20
Happy Friday! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds.
Dec. 11, 2020
Curi Renews As Exclusive Agent of NCMS Employee Benefit Plan
Curi Benefits Solutions, the employee benefits consulting subsidiary of Curi, has renewed its agreement to be the exclusive agent of the NCMS Employee Benefit Plan (NCMS Plan). Starting Jan. 1, 2021, this five-year renewal marks the continuation of a long-term partnership…
NCMS Morning Rounds 12-10-20
Enjoy your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds.
Dec. 10, 2020
COVID-19 Vaccine: What North Carolina Practices Need to Know
Mark your calendar: Next Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 7 p.m., State Health Director Betsey Tilson, MD, MPH, and other state health experts will hold a Zoom webinar for health professionals on North Carolina’s plan for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
• Here is the link to the…
NCMS Morning Rounds 12-7-20
Welcome to a new week of NCMS Morning Rounds.
Dec. 7, 2020
Governor’s Council for Health Care Coverage Convenes
NCMS Board member Merritt Seshul, MD, and NCMS Executive Vice President and CEO Chip Baggett, JD, are the NCMS’ representatives to Governor Roy Cooper’s Council for Health Care Coverage, a bi-partisan, blue ribbon commission charged with improving health care access through consensus…
NCMS Morning Rounds 11-18-20
Enjoy Wednesday's NCMS Morning Rounds.
Nov. 18, 2020
We Need Your Input By Friday
The NCMS Policy Committee will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, when they will review your input on three DRAFT policies. Your perspective is key to informing committee members’ discussion and helps ensure sound policy development.
Please take just a moment to answer several questions on the policy…
NCMS Morning Rounds 11-11-20
Welcome to Wednesday's NCMS Morning Rounds.
Nov. 11, 2020
The NCMS Offers PPE Options
The NCMS has two options to help you acquire the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to protect yourself, your staff and your patients during the pandemic.
The first option is specifically for eligible independent practices and offers FREE PPE thanks to an appropriation from the NC General Assembly.…
NCMS Morning Rounds 11-9-20
Welcome to a new week and your NCMS Morning Rounds.
Nov. 9, 2020
NCMS Legislative Update
As of last Friday the election still was too close to call, but NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA had some insights into election 2020 that she shared in the NCMS’ weekly Political Pulse video. A big thank you to the many NCMS members who were invested enough in the process to reach…
NCMS Political Pulse for October 30, 2020
Let us know your election plan! Take our Vote 2020 poll below. ↓↓↓
NCMS Director for Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, shares her election insights and offers tools and tips for voters.
Election day is this Tuesday! Be prepared: visit our voting toolkit page at www.ncmedsoc.org/vote2020.
Fill out my Wufoo form!
NCMS Political Pulse for October 23, 2020
Be a part of what is likely a record turnout for this election -- make your plan to vote! NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers some tips on how to be part of this important process this year. Also, tune in at 1 p.m. today for the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership Power Hour for a discussion with legislators about the $25 million financial recovery program and…
NCMS Morning Rounds 10-23-20
Happy Friday! Here's your NCMS Morning Rounds!
Oct. 23, 2020
NC Medicaid Extends Rate Increases
NC Medicaid is extending temporary provider rate increases and clinical coverage policies related to COVID-19 through the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, which goes through January 21, 2021. This action will extend all COVID-19 rate increases currently in place.
If the federal…
NCMS Morning Rounds 10-22-20
Enjoy your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds!
Oct. 22, 2020
JAMA Editor Offers Insights into Impact of Pandemic
The Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Howard Bauchner, MD, MPH, was the featured speaker at the NCMS’ virtual Annual Business Meeting last Friday. He detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the editorial process at JAMA as well as general…
NCMS Morning Rounds 10-13-20
It's Tuesday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.
Oct. 13, 2020
TODAY -- Last Day to Register for the NCMS LEAD Health Care Conference
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn with and from your colleagues and to participate in the NCMS’ Annual Business meeting -- virtually. Only a few spots remain for each of the sessions this Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15-16, so get the details here on what…
NCMS Morning Rounds 10-8-20
Enjoy Thursday's NCMS Morning Rounds.
Oct. 8, 2020
NCMSF Financial Recovery Program Launches Today
The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation (NCMSF) is proud to oversee the state-funded Financial Recovery Program (FRP) to assist eligible practices throughout the state that are experiencing economic distress due to the pandemic.
Funding will be based on reimbursement for COVID-19-related…
NCMS Morning Rounds 10-1-20
Welcome to the first NCMS Morning Rounds of October
Oct. 1, 2020
Get Out the Vote – Physicians and PAs!
VoteHealth 2020 is a nonpartisan group encouraging physicians and other health care professionals to make sure they are registered to vote and cast their ballot for the upcoming general election on Nov. 3.
Historically, physicians have voted at a lower rate than the rest of the population, so…
NCMS Morning Rounds 9-30-20
Enjoy your last NCMS Morning Rounds of September.
Sept. 30, 2020
Clarifying the State’s COVID Testing Strategy
Since the start of the pandemic, North Carolina has significantly ramped up its testing capacity from fewer than 10,000 per day in May to now being one of the top 10 states in the country for total number of COVID-19 tests with results, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Access…
NCMS Morning Rounds 9-16-20
Halfway through the week, and here is Wednesday's NCMS Morning Rounds.
Sept. 16, 2020
Don’t Miss Out on FREE PPE
If you are part of an independent practice in North Carolina, don’t pass up the opportunity to receive FREE personal protective equipment (PPE) through the NCMS. Even if you currently have an ample supply, please place an order. The allocation the NCMS received from the state is meant…
NCMS Morning Rounds 9-15-20
It's Tuesday and time for your Monday NCMS Morning Rounds.
Sept. 15, 2020
Support for Those in Quarantine or Isolation Due to COVID-19
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has a new fact sheet outlining the benefits of the COVID-19 Support Services Program and Community Health Worker Initiative announced last month. These programs are designed to ensure individuals who have…
NCMS Political Pulse for Sept. 11, 2020
Watch as NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers some more detail on the $25 million appropriation to the NCMS to assist independent practices struggling financially due to the pandemic. She also highlights a new online way to help ensure you can get an absentee ballot, if you want to vote by mail this November.
Watch the video.
NCMS Morning Rounds 9-4-20
Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds and a long weekend!
Sept. 4, 2020
On Monday, your NCMS Morning Rounds will not be published and the NCMS offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday. We appreciate and honor your work to care for NC communities this Labor Day and throughout the year. Please enjoy your weekend!
NCMS Legislative Update
In a quick, two-day session, the NC General Assembly passed…
NCMS Morning Rounds 8-26-20
Halfway through the week and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.
August 26, 2020
NCMS Board Adopts New Policies
At its meeting Monday evening, your NCMS Board of Directors unanimously adopted policies around maternal and infant health as well as hospital medical staff bylaws.
The NCMS Policy Committee formed a special work group to review existing NCMS policies around infant and maternal…
Political Pulse for August 14, 2020
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers details on how independent practices can now access free PPE through the North Carolina Medical Society, shares updates on recent NCGA committee meetings and more.
Related Links:
Independent Practice PPE Distribution Program
Joint Legislative Oversight Health and Human Services – COVID-19
Joint Legislative Oversight Committee…
NCMS Morning Rounds 8-14-20
Happy Friday! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds!
August 14, 2020
Get Ready for the NCMS Election!
Voting for NCMS leadership begins on Oct. 1 and to insure you are able to cast your ballot we ask you to please make sure you have paid your 2020 membership dues and we have your most recent email address on file. Voting to fill positions on the NCMS Board of Directors, AMA delegation and Nominating…
NCMS Morning Rounds 8-13-20
Enjoy Thursday's NCMS Morning Rounds!
August 13, 2020
NCMS Is Pleased to Offer FREE PPE
The NCMS heard your calls for crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) during this pandemic and mobilized to secure a $5 million grant from the NC General Assembly to provide FREE PPE to independent practices across North Carolina. Thanks to your conversations with legislators, the efforts of the NCMS…
NCMS Morning Rounds 8-11-20
It's Tuesday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds!
August 11, 2020
Survey Tracks NC Practices’ Continuing COVID-19 Journey
Sixteen weeks ago the NCMS along with the NC Medical Group Management Association (NCMGMA) and Curi began surveying NC medical practices on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This summary of the data collected since March give a snapshot of the changing landscape and…
NCMS Morning Rounds 8-7-20
Finally Friday and here's your NCMS Morning Rounds!
August 7, 2020
NC Medicaid Extends COVID-19 Provisions
With the recent extension of the federal Declaration of Emergency through Oct. 25, 2020, NC Medicaid has extended its COVID-19 related temporary Clinical Coverage Policy provisions to Dec. 31, 2020. NC Medicaid has also determined it is both necessary and feasible to continue temporary…
NCMS Morning Rounds 8-4-20
It's Tuesday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds
August 4, 2020
NCDHHS Updates Antigen Testing Guidance
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, MD, MPH, issued updated guidance on antigen tests for COVID-19 on Friday. The new guidance is in response to the need for rapid results, supply chain challenges and molecular testing capacity issues,…
NCMS Morning Rounds 7-20-20
Happy Monday! Here is your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
July 20, 2020
We regret that due to some unfortunate technical difficulties with our email platform, the NCMS Morning Rounds did not arrive in your email as usual last week and today. We hope the problem has been resolved, but please remember if you do not receive your newsletter via email, you can always view that day's issue on the homepage of…
NCMS Morning Rounds 7-10-20
Happy Friday! Here's your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
July 10, 2020
Due to some unfortunate technical difficulties with our email platform earlier this week, you probably received multiple copies of the newsletter in your email. We sincerely apologize for this incident!
Making Sure Physician Voices Are Heard
The NCMS’ national partner, The Physicians Foundation, is asking you to take less than five…
NCMS Morning Rounds 7-8-20
It's Wednesday and time for your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
July 8, 2020
Help in Assessing Risk During the Pandemic
Thanks to our colleagues at the Texas Medical Association (TMA) who developed this helpful chart to aide you and your patients in assessing their risk as they go about daily activities during the pandemic. For those who may be contemplating travel or visiting a bar or restaurant, the…
NCMS Morning Rounds 6-26-20
TGIF! Enjoy your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
June 26, 2020
NCDHHS Offers Toolkit to ‘Prevent and Protect’
In the wake of Governor Roy Cooper’s announcement this week making face coverings mandatory to help stem the transmission of the coronavirus, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is offering a ‘prevent and protect’ toolkit with resources to help you get the word out to patients…
NCMS Morning Rounds 6-25-20
Happy Thursday! Enjoy your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
June 25, 2020
Seeking ‘Person on the Street’ Views on Face Coverings
Researchers at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill hope to gain insight into why the average person does or does not wear face coverings during the current pandemic. They are seeking North Carolina residents with opinions to share in online focus groups.
Questions…
NCMS Morning Rounds 6-24-20
It's Wednesday and time for your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
June 24, 2020
Deadline Approaching for Valuable Leadership Opportunity
The world currently is in the grip of a global pandemic and our nation continues to grapple with many other long standing challenges to our health and our health care system. Skilled health care leaders are crucial to finding solutions and moving toward positive change…
NCMS Morning Rounds 6-23-20
Enjoy your Tuesday
NCMS Morning Rounds.
June 23, 2020
Learn More About Provider Relief Fund Payments
Last week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched an application portal to distribute $15 billion in CARES Act Provider Relief Fund payments to eligible Medicaid and CHIP physicians and organizations. Read more about this allocation in this June 9 NCMS COVID-19 News…