Will The SGR Be Repealed in 2015? Stay Tuned…
Last year, the 113th Congress came closer than any previous Congress to repealing the Sustainable Growth Rate and presenting viable payment reforms. After a year of work, the relevant congressional committees had unanimous support for an SGR repeal bill that not only repealed the SGR and provided for a period of positive updates but also set the stage for a new generation of physician payment…
Participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program? Prepare for Attestation
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds you that if you are an eligible professional participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, you have until February 28, 2015 to attest to demonstrating meaningful use of the data collected during your EHR reporting period for the 2014 calendar year. If you are participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, please refer to…
Flu Treatment and Prevention Key As Cases Reach Epidemic Proportions
With nine flu-related deaths last week alone and an increasing number of cases presenting in doctors' offices and emergency departments statewide, State Epidemiologist Megan Davies, MD, issued an update for all clinicians to reinforce important prevention and control measures for the remainder of the season. Flu activity has been early (for the third consecutive season) and more intense than…
We Know the Troubles You’ve Seen
In June 2013, NCMS already knew the transition from HP’s legacy Medicaid claims system to CSC’s NCTracks would present challenges for physicians across the state. So in advance of the July 1 go-live date, NCMS launched its NCTracks Trouble Log, a straightforward web-based form designed to allow medical practices to report their problems to us with ease.
We didn’t realize at the time how critical…
ICD-10 News You Can Use
Volunteer for ICD-10 End-to-End Testing in April -- Forms Due Jan. 9
During the week of April 26 through May 1, 2015, a second sample group of providers will have the opportunity to participate in ICD-10 end-to-end testing with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. The goal of end-to-end testing is to demonstrate that:
Providers…
North Carolina Drug Card Helps with Rising Costs of Generic Drug Prices
According to a recent article in The Chicago Tribune, the price of generic medication is getting less affordable each year. The latest numbers from Catamaran, which provides pharmacy benefit management services, show consumers and insurers paid an average of $13.14 per prescription for the 50 most popular generics in 2010. In 2014, they paid $62.10, a 373 percent increase.
Physicians can help by…
NCMS CEO Part of Business NC Economic Forecast Roundtable
In advance of the New Year, North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) CEO Robert W. Seligson, participated in the Business North Carolina Economic Forecast 2015 Round Table discussion held Monday, Dec. 15, at the Campbell University Law School. Seligson was joined by leaders in other industries including John Loyack of the newly formed NC Economic Development Partnership, Richard Reich from the NC…
NCMS Director of Rural Health Initiatives Speaks at Recruitment and Retention Summit
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Director of Rural Health Initiatives Franklin Walker was among the participating faculty at the Physician Recruitment and Retention Summit, Dec. 9-10, 2014, in Philadelphia. He spoke about the NCMS Foundation’s Community Practitioner Program, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, and presented a video of current CPP participants talking about…
Linda Carter Retires After 42 Years of Service to the NCMS
On Dec. 16, a who’s who of North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) past and present leadership and staff gathered at the NC State Club to celebrate and honor Linda Carter on her retirement after 42 years of service to the NCMS as Executive Assistant to the CEO. The luncheon included an appearance by the NC State mascots, a video produced by NCMS CEO Bob Seligson tracing Linda’s life from growing up…
In the News
Success of Kentucky's Health Plan Comes With New Obstacles, The New York Times, 12-29-14
Parade of Pathogens in 2014, MedPage Today, 12-28-14
89 ACOs Will Join Medicare Shared Savings Program in January, ModernHealthCare, 12-22-14
Over 250,000 Providers Face Medicare Penalties for Failing to Meet EHR Goals, NEJM Journal Watch, 12-22-14
Charlotte Patients Take Control of Their Medical Records,…
Learning Opportunities
CCNC Project Lazarus Training, A Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain will assist prescribers of pain medications to understand and treat chronic pain and safer opioid prescribing. The seminar will include a complimentary dinner and dialogue with other concerned professionals. Find the place and date that works for you and register below:
Williamston – Jan. 15…