EPA Bans Ongoing Use of Chrysotile Asbestos

EPA’s ban is the first rule to be finalized under new Toxic Substance Control Act process, marking historic milestone for nation’s chemical safety efforts The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported to the United States. The ban on ongoing uses of asbestos is…

Resources and Guidance for Those Impacted by Change Healthcare Cyberattack

  The unprecedented February 2024 cyber-attack to Change Healthcare, a division of United Healthcare, has caused significant impacts to physicians and other health systems across NC. Your NCMS Board of Directors discussed these impacts extensively during their most recent meeting this past Saturday. NCMS staff have worked to stay abreast of the evolution of this massive data breach and…

CMS Reopens MIPS EUC Application in Response to Change Healthcare Cyberattack

  In response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack in late February, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the data submission deadline and is now reopening the 2023 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) Exception Application to provide relief to MIPS eligible clinicians impacted by this cybersecurity incident.…

Register Now for Thursday’s Medicaid Managed Care Back Porch Chat

Medicaid Managed Care Back Porch Chat: Key Medicaid Updates Thursday, March 21 | 5:30 p.m.   This month's Back Porch Chat will be hosted by Dr. Janelle White, Chief Medical Officer of Medicaid, and Sarah Gregosky, Chief Operating Officer, NC Medicaid. The webinar will include important news for all providers about NC Medicaid on preparing for Tailored Plan Launch, the latest on…

Final Rule on Substance Use Disorder Patient Records Confidentiality Released

  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), finalized modifications to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records regulations at 42 CFR part 2 (“Part 2”), which protect the privacy of patients’ SUD treatment records. Specifically, the…

UNC Research Team Aims to Understand T Cells Energy

  A UNC research team led by Jessica Thaxton, PhD, MsCR, associate professor of cell biology and physiology and co-leader of the Cancer Cell Biology Program at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, aimed to understand why T cells do not sustain energy in tumors. T cells are often called “assassins” or “killers” because they can orchestrate and carry out missions to hunt down…

CDC Issues Health Advisory on Increase of Global and U.S. Measles Cases

Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious; one person infected with measles can infect 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases and to provide guidance on…

HHS Provider Briefing on Response to Cyberattack on Change Healthcare Happening TODAY

Provider Briefing on Response to Cyberattack on Change Healthcare Date: Tuesday, March 19 Time: 4:00-4:45pm ET Join Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm, along with leadership from the Immediate Office of the Secretary and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to learn how HHS is responding to the cyberattack on Change Healthcare.…

NC Health System Celebrates a First in Alzheimer’s Care

(image credit: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist)   Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist became the first health system in the region to treat a patient with lecanemab, a new medication for Alzheimer’s disease. This is the first Alzheimer’s drug approved by the FDA in more than 20 years. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. It is a…

Today is Health Workforce Well-being Day. We Recognize, Celebrate, and Honor YOU!

Recognize, Celebrate, and Honor: National Health Workforce Well-being Day of Awareness   Health Workforce Well-being Day aims to recognize the importance of protecting health workers’ well-being to sustain our health system and ensure quality patient care. One of the North Carolina Medical Society's priorities this year focuses on fostering health system environment changes that…

Register Now for the 2024 CENNC Clinical Ethics Conference: Where Ethics Meets Law

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Conference Center Friday, April 19, 2024 8 am–4:30 pm Live in-person Only Medical and hospital staff often encounter ethical tensions in practice arising from understandings of relevant law, as well as from a variety of other sources such as institutional policy, risk avoidance, financial concerns, professional guidelines, and political influences.…

FDA Delays Approval of Alzheimer’s Drug

  Eli Lilly recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established a committee to evaluate donanemab, the Alzheimer’s drug that had its approval blocked last year. The committee is expected to convene later this year before the FDA makes a final decision about approving donanemab. Donanemab is one of three monoclonal antibody treatments for Alzheimer’s that…

Register Now for the Physical Therapy Approaches to Oncology Care: Beyond Lymphedema Webinar

Physical Therapy Approaches to Oncology Care: Beyond Lymphedema Wednesday, March 20 4:00 – 5:00 PM EST/EDT Tailored for medical providers, this session led by a physical therapist addresses challenges like speech and swallowing difficulties or pelvic floor issues in gynecological cancer. Explore the pivotal role of physical therapy in survivorship care plans and delve into current research…

Lace Up for the Spring Into Health 5k/1m Run!

  Spring Into Health is a 'health raiser' opportunity to get people running, walking, strolling and rolling.   BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - The Brunswick Wellness Coalition is set to hold its annual Spring Into Health 5k/1m Run on Saturday, March 16, at Dosher Memorial Hospital. People of all ages, skill levels and abilities are encouraged to take part and raise awareness…

Foundation Friday! Thank You to These NCMS Foundation Donors.

  Today, the NCMS Foundation recognizes donors who have joined us to help all North Carolinians live their healthiest lives. These individuals are contributing to make sure clinicians are where they are needed most and that clinician leaders are lighting the way. John H. Buck, MD Elizabeth H. Hawes, PA-C Melissa S. Morse, PA-C Christopher N. Shatley, PA-C Jacob B. Sooter, PA-C…

Know an Exceptional Group Practice Administrator? Tell the World About Them! Deadline Coming Soon

The 2024 Administrator of the Year award, sponsored by Curi, recognizes a medical group practice administrator affiliated with the North Carolina Medical Group Management Association (NCMGMA). This person has exhibited exceptional leadership management proficiency and enhanced the effectiveness in the delivery of health care in his/her practice and community through a recent, noteworthy…

Happy Pi Day from NCMS!

Why shouldn't you eat too much pi? You'll end up with a big circumference!   Happy Pi Day from the North Carolina Medical Society!      

NCDHHS: New App Offers eRecovery Support for Substance Use Disorder

This app is not a substitute for clinical treatment, rather an additional tool that can help people connect with peers and get additional recovery supports.   Through a new partnership, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is making available CHESS Health's proven eRecovery program to help thousands of North Carolinians struggling with substance use…

UNC Researchers Expand Understanding of How Body, Brain Communicate

Researchers Expand Our Understanding of How the Body and Brain Communicate CHAPEL HILL -  The human brain constantly receives information from the body, specifically from internal organs such as the heart and lungs. This information seldom reaches consciousness but is crucial for maintaining a healthy body and for influencing performance in the brain, including perception, emotion, and…

Calling All NCMS Physician and PA Members! Nominations Open for Leadership Positions

Want to be an NCMS leader? Did you resolve to be involved on a committee? Here's your opportunity!   The NCMS Nominating and Leadership Development Committee submits the following: Call for Nominations: NCMS Board of Directors NC American Medical Association Delegation Nominating and Leadership Development Committee Overview The call for nominations for individuals to…

NC Representative David Rouzer Joins Other Congress Members to Relaunch Congressional Primary Care Caucus

(Photo courtesy US Congressman David Rouzer) Five US Congress Members Relaunch Congressional Primary Care Caucus During State of Primary Care Briefing WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) relaunched the bipartisan Congressional Primary Care Caucus. The…

Just Released: NC Maternal Mortality Report

  The NC Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) of the NC Division of Public Health has issued its 2024 report on maternal deaths in the state associated with pregnancy.  The report presents the most recent data available from 2018-2019. The MRCC was instituted in 2015 by legislation that was supported by the NC Medical Society in partnership with the NC Ob/Gyn Society and other…

In Memoriam: NCMS Life Member Sarah Taylor Morrow, MD, MPH

NCMS Life member Dr. Sarah Taylor Morrow, MD, MPH, died Friday, March 1. She was 102. Dr. Morrow was the daughter of pioneering dentist Dr. Lois McKeown Taylor, and surgeon Dr. Frank V. Taylor. By the age of five, Morrow was determined to become a doctor. Just before the great depression of 1929 she moved to Charlotte with her younger brother and mother to the Dilworth neighborhood where her…

Registration open for the UNC Eye Symposium, April 13

Join UNC Department of Ophthalmology on Saturday, April 13th, 2024, for our annual UNC Eye Symposium at the William & Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education. This conference is designed for Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Technicians, and Photographers to hear the latest evidence-based diagnostic and medical/surgical approaches to comprehensive eye care and treating ocular…

Save the Date: Inaugural Collaborative Care Model Behavioral Health Care Manager Summit

SAVE THE DATE! Inaugural Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) Summit Thursday, May 16, 2024 9 am- 3:15 pm McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606   Mark your calendars for the inaugural Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) Summit, presented jointly by NC AHEC and Southern Regional AHEC. This event will be…

Duke Team Uses Deep Brain Stimulation to Improve Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

(image credit: Duke)   A team of physicians, neuroscientists and engineers at Duke University has demonstrated two new strategies that use deep brain stimulation to improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. By simultaneously targeting two key brain structures and using a novel self-adjusting device, the team showed that they can efficiently target and improve disruptive symptoms…

New Collaborative Care Model Training Series Modules Released

  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has partnered with NC AHEC to provide educational and practice-based support to primary care practices interested in implementing the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) -- a team-based, interdisciplinary approach to deliver evidence-based diagnoses, treatment, and follow-up care for patients with mild to moderate behavioral…

Join NCMS for a Post Match Day Social in Chapel Hill on March 19th!

Join NCMS for a post Match Day social! If you are newly matched, 20 years matched, or have yet to be matched, come share your stories with each other and the NCMS! Students, Residents, Physicians & PAs *see student incentive below Bring your colleagues, family and friends! Drinks and snacks will be provided! March 19 - 6-8pm Four Corners, Chapel Hill 175 E Franklin St, Chapel…

Capitol Chronicle: Medicare Payment – Relief But No Reversal

  Medicare Payment – Relief But No Reversal   Last week, Congress took significant action by enacting a spending package to fund the federal government.  There was, however, a significant omission in the $460B spending bill– a reversal of the 3.37% Medicare physician payment cut for 2024.  Rather than eliminating the cut, as the NC Medical Society and our partner medical societies…

Important CMS Announcement For Physicians Impacted by Cyberattack, Change Healthcare Disruptions

Hospitals, doctors, and clinics express frustration that they have to wait even longer for reimbursements after hackers paralyzed the largest U.S. billing clearinghouse The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a new opportunity for physicians impacted by the cyberattack and resulting disruptions with Change Healthcare to request advanced Medicare payments to help with cash flow…

Recognize, Celebrate, Honor: National Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness

Health workers continue to face a mental health crisis.   Last month US. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) led the charge in declaring March 18th  Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness. March 18, 2022, holds important significance by marking the day President Biden signed The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act—landmark, first-of-its-kind…

Check Your Cabinets! Your Cinnamon May Be Contaminated with Lead.

  The Food and Drug Administration is warning against purchasing six brands of ground cinnamon that contain potentially unsafe levels of lead. Elevated levels of lead were found in ground cinnamon products from the following brands: La Fiesta, sold at La Superior and SuperMercados Marcum, sold at Save A Lot MTCI, sold at SF Supermarket Swad, sold at Patel Brothers Supreme…

FDA Approves Expanded Use of Blood Cancer Drug Brukinsa

  The Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to zanubrutinib (Brukinsa, BeiGene USA, Inc.) with obinutuzumab for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. The regimen was evaluated in Study BGB-3111-212 (ROSEWOOD; NCT03332017), an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial that enrolled 217 adult patients with…

Home NEW

Leap back into membership in 2024! Make the most out of this year's 366 days — renew your NCMS membership now! Save the date! Join us as we celebrate 175 years! Learn more Join us for the NCMS Advocacy Summit: March 23, 2024 in Raleigh Give the next generation a hand up! Sponsor NCMS memberships for NC residents and students! Learn more…

Happening Soon! Register Now for Next Medicaid Managed Care Back Porch Chat

Medicaid Managed Care Back Porch Chat: Key Medicaid Updates Thursday, March 21 | 5:30 p.m.   This month's Back Porch Chat will be hosted by Dr. Janelle White, Chief Medical Officer of Medicaid, and Sarah Gregosky, Chief Operating Officer, NC Medicaid. The webinar will include important news for all providers about NC Medicaid on preparing for Tailored Plan Launch, the latest on…

Reminder: Free At-home COVID Tests Ends TODAY! Grab Yours Now.

Today is your last opportunity to order free at-home COVID tests.  Here's what you need to know about your order: Each order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests (COVIDTests.gov has more details about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates) If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25,…

New CME Series Helps Meet Updated DEA Requirements

Addiction Medicine CME Series Helps Meet Updated DEA Requirements The North Carolina Medical Board and Wake AHEC, in collaboration with the North Carolina Medical Society and the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program at UNC School of Medicine, have developed an eight-hour CME series that meets the training requirement established by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On…

Time for a Healthier NC! Pledge to Stop Diabetes in its Tracks.

  Take a stand against diabetes!   DIABETESFREENC is a joint initiative of the NCMS Foundation and the American Medical Association (AMA) aimed to stop the spread of diabetes in NC. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a lifestyle change program that has free or low-cost options for patients, regardless of their insurance provider and you can refer using any of…

What Primary Election Results Mean for NCMS Members

The results are in.  What comes next? Throughout the electoral process, the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) remains vigilant in political engagement to advance our health policy priorities.  The Society is engaging with candidates across the state and closely monitoring outcomes, focusing on candidates supported by NCMS. The top-of-ballot results saw President Joe Biden and former…

NCDHHS Places Important Focus on Sickle Cell Disease with Federal Partnership

  With approximately 6,800 people in North Carolina suffering with sickle cell disease, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) intends to increase access to new therapies through the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model. The Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model aims to improve the lives of people with Medicaid living with rare and severe diseases by…

FDA Approves Amivantamab as First-Line Lung Cancer Treatment

  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved amivantamab-vmjw (Rybrevant, Janssen Biotech, Inc.) with carboplatin and pemetrexed for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test. The FDA also granted traditional approval…

New NC Food Program Will Feed Children Over the Summer

  Expected to provide food for nearly a million school children this summer   Food and nutrition security means having reliable access to enough high-quality food to avoid hunger and stay healthy. Improving access to nutritious food supports overall health, reduces chronic diseases, and helps people avoid unnecessary health care. That’s why food and nutrition security is one of the…

Free Community Wellness Event in Greensboro This Saturday

  J. Douglas Galyon Depot 234 East Washington Street Downtown Greensboro Saturday, March 9 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.   Cone Health is partnering with Downtown Greensboro, Inc. to provide a free community health screening event on Saturday, March 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot located at 234 East Washington Street. Free blood pressure and blood…

Super Tuesday Results and What They Mean for NCMS

Super Tuesday Results Are In. What Does That Mean For You?   The North Carolina Medical Society has several member candidates for both state and federal office.  Over the past several months, many of them have answered questions important to NCMS members.  So what happened? On Friday, The NCMS Vice President of Advocacy, John Thompson, will have an analysis of the results and the…

AMA Center for Health Equity: Applicants for Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship Needed

  The AMA Center for Health Equity seeks applicants for the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship program’s 2024-2025 cohort. The program is administered through a partnership between the AMA and the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health Leadership Institute. Using an anti-racist, equity-centered learning framework, fellows engage with equity experts and trailblazers. The…

Duke, UNC Hospitals Ranked in Top 100 in Nation

(Photo: Duke Health) Newsweek Ranks Duke, UNC Hospitals Top in Nation DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Duke University Hospital in Durham has been recognized as one of the top medical centers in the country in 2024. Newsweek magazine, in partnership with Statista, has released its annual rankings of the world’s best hospitals, with an overall global list as well as ones divided by country. Duke…

NC Hospital to Host Colorectal Health Lunch and Learn

  Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva will host a special “Lunch and Learn” opportunity focused on colorectal health on Thursday, March 21st from noon – 1:00 p.m. The event, which will be held in the Easton Board Room on the first floor of the hospital, will be led by general surgeon Gilberto Robles, MD, who will share his expertise on the importance of maintaining colorectal health,…

NC Medicaid will now cover imported benzathine benzylpenicillin for syphilis

  A message from Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, MD, MPH, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer of NC Department of Health and Human Services: Dear Colleagues: NC Medicaid will now cover imported benzathine benzylpenicillin (Extencilline) for use in outpatient medical drug claims. This new coverage is being added to address the ongoing national shortages of Bicillin® L-A…

First Over-the-counter Birth Control Pill Will Be Available Later This Month

  More than 50 years after the oral contraceptive pill went on the market in the United States, the country's first over-the-counter birth control pill will be available in stores and online nationwide later this month. Known as Opill, the birth control pill will be available without prescription necessary in major retailers and pharmacies nationwide in late March, the drug's maker,…