WCMS with tagline
VITAL SIGNS
 The Weekly Electronic News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 

Read more about

Interpreter Services

Endorsed Vendor Programs

Learn more.

Discount Programs 

 Learn more.
Join Our List

Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
News

HIT/EHR Info

Health Reform Info

Project Access

WNC Interpreter Network

Boards of Directors

More on WCMS

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter


June 27, 2012

Here's what is happening in and around Western North Carolina:
In This Issue
Win Rumbling Bald Resort Getaway...at Lake Lure...as part of the WCMS Women's Golf Tournament
First Tomando (The Spanish version of Living Healthy) Class Graduates
Have you renewed your membership for 2012?
New Clinic to Open in Brevard
HIV/AIDS remains a crisis in Asheville area
No Medicaid Physician Rate Cuts!
N.C. health officials report increases in pertussis, urge vaccination
Four Scenarios for Thursday's Ruling on Health Care
From the AMA: How you can retain independence, while better coordinating care
Medicare pay woes are medical practices' top challenge: survey finds
Job Board & Classifieds

UPCOMING EVENTS  

 

Win Rumbling Bald Resort Getaway at Lake Lure as part of the WCMS Women's Golf Tournament - NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN!

1st Prize: Rumbling Bald Resort Getaway at Lake Lure
 
2nd Prize: Two Night Stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville-Biltmore
 Rumbling Bald Golf Course
For details and to purchase your $5 raffle ticket click here.

 

There will also be a silent auction the evening of the event.  Auction items include jewelry, home d�cor, golf foursomes and dermatology services with many more to come! Consider donating an item for raffle/auction.  You'll receive a tax deduction and help out a great cause! 

 

Limited Physician Spots Still Available for August 7th 9 hole Golf Tournament Benefitting Project Access�  at Grove Park Inn Golf Club. For more information about the tournament, how you can play, or to donate a silent auction item click here.
LOCAL NEWS 
First Tomando (The Spanish version of Living Healthy) Class Graduates
 
Project Access Navigator, Elena Ruiz, recently lead the first TOMANDO class in Buncombe County under the umbrella of WCMS-Project Access. This class was the first of many more to be conducted in the region. Like it's English-language counterpart TOMANDO provides our patients with the tools they need to manage their chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Our physicians also benefit from TOMANDO because the curriculum teaches patients how to be accountable for their own health and how to communicate better and get the best from a visit to their doctor. As with Living Healthy TOMANDO empowers patients and gives our doctors the opportunity to interact with a  much more educated, responsible 'consumer'.
Have you renewed your membership for 2012?
Attention Members!
 
Have you renewed your membership for 2012?  Dues payments were due on January 1, 2012 however we know you are very busy and we want to make sure you have not overlooked your invoice. You should have received a letter in the mail recently reminding you that we have not received your payment.  You will also receive an email this week with a link to our online payment option for your convenience.  If we still have not received your dues payment by next week we will give you a courtesy call.  Please note that all unpaid memberships will be terminated on July 1. We hope you will remain a member of WCMS and continue to receive the many outstanding benefits we offer to WNC physicians.  For a list of our benefits click here.
 
We look forward to continuing to serve you as a valued WCMS member!
 
New Clinic to Open in Brevard
Blue Ridge Community Health Services (BRCHS) has been awarded over $550,000 in grant funding made available by the Affordable Care Act to open a new health clinic in Brevard that will increase access to affordable, comprehensive health services in Transylvania County

Read press release.
HIV/AIDS remains a crisis in Asheville area
Michelle Stinson is startlingly candid with her story of life before and after her HIV diagnosis. In exchange for her uninhibited honesty she asks for just one thing from her listeners - that people tell the truth about HIV.

 

The truth is that North Carolina is one of about 10 Southern states experiencing a crisis that has earned the Southeast a reputation as "ground zero" for HIV/AIDS rates in the United States.
 
STATE NEWS 
No Medicaid Physician Rate Cuts!  
June 22nd, 2012 by Chip Baggett, NCMS
 
Protecting access to care for Medicaid recipients and preserving Medicaid physician reimbursement has been one of the top priorities of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) this legislative session. After more than two months of working with legislative leaders, the NCMS legislative team is pleased to share with you the outcomes of our efforts. Yesterday, June 21, 2012, the NC House and Senate passed concurrence votes giving final approval to a $20.12 billion budget for 2013. While this budget bill has many focuses, a top priority for budget writers was accounting for a true and accurate picture of Medicaid. Governor Perdue now has the continuation budget for consideration. More.
 
N.C. health officials report increases in pertussis, urge vaccination 
North Carolina health authorities are urging young children and others with chronic respiratory conditions and pregnant women to get immunized against the respiratory infection, pertussis or whooping cough in light of increased occurrence of the infection this year. 
 
NATIONAL NEWS 

Four Scenarios for Thursday's Ruling on Health Care

The Supreme Court's eagerly awaited ruling on the 2010 federal health-care law is expected Thursday, when the court will announce its final opinions of the term.

 

Continue reading in the Wallstreet Journal.
ITEMS OF INTEREST 
From the AMA: How you can retain independence, while better coordinating care 
The recently published second edition of the AMA's resource, "ACOs, CO-OPs and other options: A 'how-to' manual for physicians navigating a post-health reform world" now offers a new chapter, "Retaining independence while embracing accountability: care coordination and integration strategies for small physician practices." Solo practitioners and physicians practicing in small groups will learn how to acquire the core capabilities necessary to succeed in new payment and delivery models.
 
Medicare pay woes are medical practices' top challenge: survey finds
Uncertainty over whether Medicare payments to physicians will be slashed by more than 30% come January is the No. 1 concern of medical practice managers, an MGMA-ACMPE survey finds.
 
Job Board

Staff Accountant- Asheville Anesthesia Associates  

 

BC/BE Family Medicine Physician- Blue Ridge Community Health Services  

  

Administrative Assistant- Dermatology of North Asheville

 

Medical Assistant (Full and Part-Time) - Dermatology of North Asheville

 

Certified Medical Assistant - Three Streams FHC

 

RN or LPN - Three Streams FHC

 

Has your practice or business had good luck finding the right candidate using our Job Board? Tell us about it, and we'll add your testimonial to our website!     

 

Click here for the complete list of job postings on our website.    

 

 

Classified Ads

Click here for the complete list of classified ads on our website.    

Why Join the Western Carolina Medical Society? 

 

WCMS is a thriving 900-plus member professional association of the physicians of western North Carolina and a chartered component medical society of the NC Medical Society and the AMA. The WCMS is an organization run by physicians for physicians.

 

Our Mission

The WCMS is the physicians' voice advocating for the health of the medical profession, the health of the patient, and the health of the community.

 

Our Vision

To be a dynamic physician community dedicated to a healthy, vibrant Western North Carolina.

 

About WCMS   

The purpose of WCMS is:

  • To strengthen the voice of WNC physicians in advocating for the health of the medical profession, the health of the patient, and the health of our region
  • To inform, educate and prepare physicians for rapidly occurring changes in health care at national, state, and local levels  
  • To share legislative and policy information and advocate on behalf of physicians in areas of mutual interest
  • To share available resources in areas of mutual interest
  • To promote physician-to-physician communication and dialogue in an open, honest and safe environment 

Click here for a complete listing of membership benefits.      

 

The Foundation is WCMS' non-profit, charitable arm. The Foundation is well-respected and nationally recognized for its leadership and innovation in addressing issues of access to quality health care, disparities in health, and wellness and prevention for people in WNC. We are committed to involving both community AND physicians in this work.  

 

Our flagship program is Project Access, a comprehensive, volunteer primary and specialty physician network providing access to healthcare at no charge for low-income, uninsured residents. Another key program is the WNC Interpreter Network, which addresses disparities in health due to linguistic barriers.   

 

The archive of WCMS e-newsletters is available from the publications menu on our website at http://www.mywcms.org/News-and-Events/Weekly-E-Newsletter  Thank you for your interest in WCMS. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me or any one of our courteous, professional staff.

 

 


Sincerely,Miriam Schwarz, CEO
Miriam Schwarz signature




 

Miriam Schwarz, MPA


WCMS CEO/Executive Director