NCMS Morning Rounds 6-18-20

It's Thursday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.   June 18, 2020 The NC General Assembly is in session and the NCMS advocacy staff is closely tracking its work. Keep up-to-date on what could impact your practice and your patients at our Legislative blog. The blog is continually updated with behind-the-scenes, quick summaries as the proposed legislation makes its way through the various…

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-16-20

Happy Tuesday! Here is today's NCMS Morning Rounds.   June 16, 2020 The NC General Assembly is in session and the NCMS advocacy staff is closely tracking its work. Keep up-to-date on what could impact your practice and your patients at our Legislative blog. The blog is continually updated with behind-the-scenes, quick summaries as the proposed legislation makes its way through the various…

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-15-20

Enjoy your first NCMS Morning Rounds of the week.   June 15, 2020 NCMS Legislative Update Last week saw a flurry of activity at the NC General Assembly with multiple committee meetings and legislation moving. A few items of note: • SB808 – Medicaid Funding Act This proposal was previously called Medicaid Transformation Necessities, but is now the Medicaid Funding Act. The Senate Appropriations…

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-9-20

Happy Tuesday! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds.   June 9, 2020 NCMS Student Section Update The NCMS is proud to periodically share the work of the medical student leaders in our Student Section. The NCMS Student Section was founded this year with the goal of shaping the future of medicine in North Carolina through medical student involvement and non-partisan collaboration among all state medical…

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-8-20

Welcome to a new week and your NCMS Morning Rounds.   June 8, 2020 NCMS PPE Orders Have Arrived! Most of the ActionPPE orders placed through the NCMS Personal Protective Equipment webpage have arrived! If your order is among the 40 that have been filled, you should have received a call or email from the NCMS to arrange pickup or delivery. Those orders that have not yet been delivered are on…

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-4-20

Enjoy your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds.   June 4, 2020 NCMS Statement on Recent Events In case you missed the message from NCMS President Palmer Edwards, MD, DFAPA sent on Tuesday evening, here is that message once again. Please watch your NCMS Morning Rounds for upcoming opportunities to engage with the NCMS on these challenging and important issues. In light of the events unfolding over the…

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-2-20

 It's Tuesday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.   June 2, 2020 The NC General Assembly is back in session and the NCMS advocacy staff is busy tracking its work. Keep up-to-date on all the proposals most likely to impact your practice and your patients at our NCMS Legislative blog. The blog is continually updated with behind-the-scenes, quick summaries as the proposed legislation makes its…

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-22-20

Enjoy the unofficial start of summer and your  NCMS Morning Rounds.   May 22, 2020 In observance of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25, the NCMS Morning Rounds will not be published. Thank you to all who serve our country today and have served in the past. Hope you have a restful and meaningful Memorial Day! NCMS Monitoring Dozens of Legislative Bills Filed Yesterday afternoon was the…

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

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

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-15-20

Happy Friday! Be well and enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds.   May 15, 2020 State Offers List of COVID-19 Testing Sites As the state seeks to ramp up testing and contact tracing for the COVID-19 virus, an updated list of testing sites throughout the state is now available. View the list to find locations in your county. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reiterated its…

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-14-20

Already Thursday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.   May 14, 2020 More Loan Funding Available for NC Small Businesses Included in the recently signed into law 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act legislation is $125 million allocated for small business loans. The loans will be administered through the Golden Leaf Foundation. The initial application for an NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery loan takes only…

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-12-20

It's Tuesday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.   May 12, 2020 LAST CHANCE TO WIN: Please answer these few questions about the NCMS' LEAD Health Care Conference in October. Beyond helping to ensure the conference is helpful to you, you’ll have a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Answer these crucial questions now by clicking HERE. Medicaid 5 percent ‘Bump’ Will Be Automatic NC Department…

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-6-20

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

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-1-20

Happy May Day! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds.   May 1, 2020 ICYMI: NCMS Offers Access to PPE Dr. Katie Lowry of Robeson Pediatrics, an NCMS Community Practitioner Program practice, was glad to receive her much-needed masks provided by Carolina Complete Health. As we announced yesterday, the NCMS is pleased to offer medical practices statewide a mechanism to procure personal protective…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-29-20

It's Wednesday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 29, 2020 AMA Issues Ethics Guidance During Pandemic Yesterday, the same day that the NCMS, NC Healthcare Association and the NC Institute of Medicine offered a webinar for clinicians on the crisis standard of care protocol jointly agreed upon by a broad group of stakeholders in North Carolina, the American Medical Association (AMA)…

NCMS Political Pulse for April 24, 2020

Draft legislation has been introduced in the NC House Select Committee on COVID-19 that seeks to address some of the issues you are facing as a result of the pandemic. Watch as NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers details on what the NC General Assembly will be considering when they reconvene next Tuesday, April 28.     Watch the video.

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-23-20

Already Thursday and time for your daily   NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 23, 2020 After strong winds from recent thunderstorms ripped part of the banner on our building, now there is a new sign gracing the front of the NCMS Center for Leadership in Medicine in Raleigh for all to see. We’ve already had several positive comments from passers-by. NCMS Action Alert on Malpractice Liability…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-22-20

Welcome to Wednesday and your   NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 22, 2020 Resources for Maternal and Infant Health During COVID-19 As you know, maternal and infant health has been a focus for the NCMS with plans for another summit meeting in the future. In the meantime, NCMS staff has compiled a few resources for mothers, mothers-to-be and their caregivers. The University of North Carolina’s Jordan…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-21-20

It's Tuesday and time for your   NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 21, 2020 NCMS Task Force to Address Virus Mitigation and Open Economy Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, the newly formed NCMS Task Force on Virus Mitigation in an Open Economy will convene for its first meeting. As its name suggests, the group of NCMS leaders will work to formulate recommendations on how to mitigate the spread of the…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-20-20

Welcome to another week and your Monday  NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 20, 2020 NCMS Legislative Update Last week was a busy one as federal and state officials work to more fully understand and address the financial and policy needs of their constituents, and the NCMS continues to advocate on your behalf. In the NC General Assembly, the House COVID-19 Health Committee met last Thursday to…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-17-20

Happy Friday! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 17, 2020 The Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership’s ‘Power Hour’ is today, Friday, April 17 from 1 to 2 p.m. Join us for a conversation with colleagues and psychiatric experts on the actual and potential mental health toll the pandemic is exacting in the health care profession and beyond. Learn more and sign up. Next Steps in the State’s…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-16-20

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

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-15-20

Halfway through the week! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 15, 2020 Reminder: See bottom of this newsletter for information about help sessions today and tomorrow to access the Presence telemedicine platform, which the NCMS is offering at no charge to practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. NCDHHS Requests CARES Act Funds for Medicaid Providers Yesterday, NC Department of Health and Human…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-14-20

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

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-9-20

Time for your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds.   April 9, 2020 NCMS’ Easy Reference Guide to Telehealth Policies During COVID-19 NCMS Director for Health System Innovation Kristen Spaduzzi has developed a guide to the various insurers’ telehealth policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can access this easy reference grid, here and on the NCMS’ COVID-19 webpage under the telehealth heading. This…

Covid-19 News and Updates

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

Economic Relief Resources

Last week Congress passed and the president signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security or CARES Act, a $2 trillion stimulus package, the largest in the nation’s history. Two programs funded by the CARES Act will help doctors and other small businesses meet payroll and fund their business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is some information to help explain those…

NCMS Morning Rounds 4-1-20

No foolin' -- here's your Wednesday NCMS Morning Rounds    April 1, 2020 NC Medical Board Eases Some Requirements in Response to COVID-19 The North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB) held an emergency meeting last Friday during which they took several actions to support the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific actions include: Adopted rules requested by NC Department of Health and…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-27-20

It's Friday and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds!   March 27, 2020 NCMS Testifies Before NC House COVID-19 Committee Yesterday, NCMS Board of Directors At-large member Eileen Raynor, MD, FACS, FAAP and NCMS Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Advancement Chip Baggett, JD, testified on your behalf before the NC House Select Committee on COVID-19. The committee, which met virtually, heard from…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-26-20

Here is your Thursday NCMS Morning Rounds!   March 26, 2020 Recovery Fund for Small Businesses Created We know that many small practices are struggling on many fronts during this pandemic, so it was great to receive word that the Golden LEAF Foundation, in partnership with Thread Capital, other nonprofit lenders throughout the state and the NC Rural Center have launched a new emergency small…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-25-20

Halfway through another unusual week! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds!   March 25, 2020 Spread the Word About Campaigns to Help The NCMS and many other organizations recognize the many sacrifices – personal and financial – many of you are making. We want to tell you about just two campaigns underway to help the public recognize your work. In an effort to encourage the public to stay at home to…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-23-20

  Welcome to a new week and Your NCMS Morning Rounds!   March 23, 2020 Quote of the day: "You know how our firefighters run into a burning building? As health care workers, is our building! It is our responsibility to take care of our communities.” --Newton Family Physicians practice administrator, Melissa White Note from your NCMS: Starting this week, we will email you the latest updates…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-13-20

Happy Friday! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds.   March 13, 2020 Keeping up with Covid-19: Latest Info for NC Health Care Professionals Remember: The most timely and credible information is available at the NC Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 website   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Updated lab testing guidance To facilitate greater access to testing for…

NCMS Morning Rounds 3-12-20

Welcome to Thursday and your NCMS Morning Rounds.   March 12, 2020 Keeping up with Covid-19: Latest Info for NC Health Care Professionals Remember: The most timely and credible information is available at the NC Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 website   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Today, March 12, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., NC Medicaid is hosting a webcast…

NCMS Morning Rounds 2-27-20

We apologize if you already received today's newsletter yesterday afternoon! Our mistake. We will try to avoid untimely, duplicate email in the future. Happy Thursday! Enjoy today's  NCMS Morning Rounds.   Feb. 27, 2020 Coronavirus Preparations for Health Care Professionals The NC Department of Health and Human Resources (NCDHHS) has provided specific  guidance for health care professionals…

NCMS Morning Rounds 2-26-20

Welcome to Wednesday and your mid-week  NCMS Morning Rounds.  Feb. 26, 2020 Coronavirus Update: NCMS In Close Contact With State Officials With daily news reports detailing the latest cases of the coronavirus, Covid-19, your NCMS leadership is maintaining close contact with state health officials. Yesterday, NCMS President Palmer Edwards, MD, DFAPA, NCMS Board member Merritt Seshul, MD, FACS,…

NCMS Morning Rounds 2-24-20

Welcome to a new week and your Monday  NCMS Morning Rounds!  Feb. 24, 2020 NCMS Legislative Update NCMS Government Affairs staff have been traveling throughout the state meeting with NCMS members and their groups to discuss the immediate past legislative session and to hear your health policy concerns to help set our legislative priorities when the legislature reconvenes in April. If you would…

NCMS Political Pulse for Feb. 7, 2020

Next Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. the Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid will meet and may offer some clarity on the Medicaid transformation timeline. NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers an update on that and extends an invitation to you.   Watch the video.

NCMS Morning Rounds 12-16-19

Happy Monday! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds. Dec. 16, 2019 NCMS Legislative Update Things were quiet at the NC legislative building last week. The action was at the federal level as Congress dealt with impeachment proceedings and scrambled to finalize legislation to fund the government before this Friday. Also in play on Capitol Hill are several proposals to address surprise billing. One…

NCMS Morning Rounds 11-20-19

Here is your midweek NCMS Morning Rounds. Nov. 20, 2019 Medicaid Transformation Delayed With the delay of the state’s transition to Medicaid managed care now official, the NCMS wants to reassure our members that this is simply a shift in timing of the lengthy and highly complex process that began seven years ago when the General Assembly began debating legislation that ultimately made this…

MEDTalks 2019: Derek Clar — “Anesthesia, Pain and Fewer Opioids”

Derek Clar, a Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine student, offers the results of "Post-Operative Opioid Use and Practices: Developing a Physician Intervention to Decrease Excessive Opioid Prescribing in Cesarean Sections for the Management of Postoperative pain."

NCMS Morning Rounds 11-18-19

Welcome to another week and your NCMS Morning Rounds. Nov. 18, 2019 NCMS Legislative Update Legislators were back in Raleigh last week to attend to several matters including redistricting, the state budget, Medicaid transformation funding and disaster relief for communities impacted by recent hurricanes, yet much remains unresolved. The General Assembly is now formally adjourned. One certainty…

NCMS Morning Rounds 7-8-19

Welcome back! Enjoy Monday's NCMS Morning Rounds. July 8, 2019 NCMS Weekly Legislative Round-Up With the Governor’s veto of the legislature’s budget, it’s a bit of a waiting game to see if the legislators can rally enough votes to override the veto in the coming days. Thanks to legislation passed in 2016, the state will continue to operate under last year’s spending plan until a new one is…

Political Pulse for June 28, 2019

Watch as our legislative team offers the latest look at where key health care legislation stands as NC legislators begin to wrap up the long session. Chip and Sue Ann also explain proposals to address surprise billing currently being debated in the US House and Senate.

NCMS Morning Rounds 6-3-19

Welcome to June and your first NCMS Morning Rounds of the month June 3, 2019 NCMS Weekly Legislative Update It’s budget time at the NC General Assembly, with the Senate releasing its budget last week. Several notable provisions for NCMS members were included in the budget proposal, which NCMS Senior VP for Advocacy and Advancement Chip Baggett, JD, described as ‘compact and interesting.’ No…

Political Pulse for May 17, 2019

In the wake of last week’s flurry of activity in advance of crossover, this week was a bit quieter at the legislative building. Our legislative affairs team offers insight into what bundle of health care policies may end up being part of the budgeting process and they reveal a unique partnership created to increase access to telemedicine throughout the state. They also recognize the 100+…

NCMS Morning Rounds 5-6-19

A new week is upon us! Here is your NCMS Morning Rounds for Monday. Another Busy Week Ahead at the NC General Assembly Legislators are scrambling to get bills through committees and to the floor of the House or Senate to make Tuesday’s ‘Crossover’ deadline. This is the arbitrary date set to keep proposed legislation moving. Any bill that does not have an appropriation attached to it needs to have…

SB 479 – NC Cancer Registry Improvement

SB 479 - NC Cancer Registry Improvement Primary Sponsors: Sen. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell) Bill Summary This bill states that an insurer that offers a health benefit plan shall quarterly report to the central cancer registry each diagnosis of cancer. The report shall contain information prescribed by DHHS to assist in identifying the health facility or provider required to report.  Reports…

See What To Expect at the M3 Conference With This Video Tour

We're excited to welcome you to the M3 -- Merging Medicine and Management -- Conference, which begins next Thursday, Sept. 14. There are just a few days left to register for this signature event, which offers over 15 hours of CME; the chance to hobnob with colleagues from throughout the state and luxuriate at the newly renovated  Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley. Get a sneak peak with this…