MSNJ e-News - April 12, 2013

On Wednesday, May 8th at 6:00 P.M. MedAc is hosting a cocktail reception and campaign fundraiser for Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee Chairman, Dr. Herbert Conaway, Jr. at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe. Dr. Conaway has served in the Legislature since 1998 and represents the 7th Legislative District.

The suggested contribution is $250 per person. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Stephanie Wohlrab at 732-674-4199. Contributions can be made out to Conaway for Assembly c/o Stephanie Wohlrab, 770 North Drive, Brick, NJ 08724. We would appreciate your support!

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HIPAA Webinar

Final HIPAA/HITECH Regulations: What it Means for Physicians

Wednesday, April 24 from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Join MSNJ for a webinar on "Final HIPAA/HITECH Regulations: What it Means for Physicians," presented by Garfunkel Wild, P.C. Physicians who attend this webinar learn about: changes from the prior regulation and the compliance dates; business associates and related liabilities; the new breach standard; changes affecting the privacy notices, research and access to PHI; & the significant penalties that can be imposed.

This event is free for MSNJ members, $75 for non-members, and $50 for PAHCOM & NJMGMA members. Register online.

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News

MSNJ Objects to Repeal of Nurse Licensure Standard

MSNJ has filed comments objecting to the State Board of Nursing proposal to repeal a regulation that holds a nurse licensee to the highest level of licensure, regardless of his or her employment status. The proposal was meant to address a perceived barrier to employment for nurses who wish to become employed in hospital positions that are not specifically nursing jobs. MSNJ is concerned that such jobs may still impact quality of care and patient safety, such as an ACO coordinator, and the repeal would go farther than necessary.

MSNJ Objects to Rule that would Eliminate Medical Staff on Hospital Board

MSNJ has filed comments objecting to a CMS proposal that would eliminate the requirement that a medical staff member be included on the hospital's governing body. We supported the concept of organized medical staff at each hospital that would include peer review. The rule proposal was meant to promote Medicare and Medicaid program efficiency and transparency and to reduce regulatory burden.

MSNJ Supports Notice When Medicaid Intends to Recoup for Overpayment

MSNJ filed comments urging the State Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services to put physicians on notice when they believe that there has been an overpayment by Medicaid due to a recovery against a liable third-party. The rule proposal would place an affirmative obligation on the physician to refund within 60 days of the overpayment. MSNJ urges physicians to discover and return overpayments promptly. The proposed rule does not require notice which was provided in the past. We also objected to the more favorable payment of deductibles and co-insurance for Part B out-patient hospital services when non-hospital service is reimbursed at the maximum allowable under Medicaid which is often far less.

Medicare Patient Empowerment Act

This week, MSNJ joined virtually all of organized medicine in a letter of support and thanks to Representative Tom Price, MD, sponsor of the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act which would allow private contracting between physicians and Medicare beneficiaries, without loss to the beneficiary of the Medicare allowed amount.

Free AMA Webinar on Preparing for Sunshine Act

The AMA will host a free webinar on "Physicians Preparing for the Sunshine Act: What You Need to Know and How to Prepare" on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 P.M. Learn which financial exchanges and ownership interests must be reported, steps to take to prepare for public disclosure of this information, ways to be able to challenge false, inaccurate or misleading reports, and which types of information are excluded from reporting. View more information on the Sunshine Act. Register online.

CMS Fact Sheet for Physicians on Sunshine Act
Today, CMS posted a fact sheet for physicians that explains the recently adopted regulations. The rule is meant to provide transparency on the relationships between industry and physicians, but MSNJ has continuing concerns that the reported information will not be useful, and may not be accurate, based on the collection and reporting procedures.

Medicaid Primary Care Incentive Payment Attestation: Deadline Extended to April 30th

The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) confirmed that all physicians who qualify for the ACA enhanced payments to Medicaid primary care providers must complete an attestation form indicating board certification status in a primary care specialty. The deadline for submission of the ACA Self-Attestation Form for traditional fee-for-service Medicaid has been extended to April 30, 2013.

Physicians must submit the attestation by April 30th in order to be eligible for retroactive incentive payments going back to January 1, 2013. Physicians who submit the attestation after April 30th will receive incentive payments starting from the first day of the month the attestation was submitted. For example, if the attestation is submitted on July 17, 2013, then the incentive payments will apply to claims starting July 1st. An original signature is required; therefore the form must be mailed to: Molina Medicaid Solutions, P.O. Box 4804, Trenton, NJ 08650. Please note: the fee-for-service deadline does not apply to physicians in the MCOs; a deadline will be provided in a letter to the physician from the MCO.

ACA: Aid to NJ's Small Businesses

According to the U.S. Health & Senior Services and Small Business Administration, starting in 2014, small businesses in New Jersey, including thousands of physician practices, will see more protections and choices for their employer health insurance. The ACA includes rate hike protections for small businesses in 2014, requiring insurers to justify any rate increase following a claim and limiting administrative spending of premium dollars.

In the past, small businesses have paid nearly 20 percent more for plans on average, as compared to larger companies operating in the state. The Health Insurance Marketplace, opening for enrollment this fall, will allow employers to compare options and costs for their businesses and employees. An increase in protections and options through the ACA will allow New Jersey's small business population to remain competitive and continue contributing to the state's economy. Read more.

Event Recap: Camden County Medical Society Meeting

On Friday April 5th, MSNJ President Mary F. Campagnolo, MD, MBA, along with Larry Downs, CEO, and Mishael Azam, COO, of MSNJ, spoke at a special Camden County Medical Society event. They provided legislative and legal updates, as well as an overview of MSNJ's services. They were followed by a discussion with Congressman Rob Andrews, who talked at length on healthcare issues and took many audience questions. More than 50 physicians attended. Thanks to Camden County Medical Society for hosting a great event!

Applications Still Accepted for Hurricane Sandy Relief Grant
The Physicians Foundation announced a grant in the amount of $350,000 each to the Medical Society of New Jersey and the Medical Society of the State of New York. Grantees do not have to be MSNJ Members. Download the application today.

UHC Introduces New Physician Advocates

Physicians, who participate with United Healthcare (UHC), should look for correspondence from UHC regarding the assignment of new Physician Advocates. The UHC Physician Advocate will act as the practice's point person at UHC for: upcoming programs; process changes; and payment issues. View the list of UHC Physician Advocates to identify the representative for your practice.

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Practice Management

May 1 Deadline - Ordering & Referring Enrollment
Effective May 1, 2013, physicians will be required to be enrolled in Medicare if they order/refer services for Medicare patients. MSNJ worked with AMA to secure delays of the compliance date to allow a sufficient period of time for physician outreach and education. Billing physicians will not be paid for services if the ordering/referring physician is not enrolled or if ordering/referring information is complete. Physicians must list on a claim the name and NPI of the ordering/referring physician or provider.

Physicians who need to enroll should do so through Medicare's online PECOS website. Verify enrollment by downloading the report of all the eligible physicians and non-physician practitioners who are currently enrolled. Those who have opted out of Medicare do not need to enroll. View the MLN Matters article SE1305 for details.

Save the Date: ICD-10 Workshop:

"ICD-10 and Coding for Difficult Diagnosis."

Friday, June 21 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at MSNJ Headquarters, Lawrenceville, NJ.

Join MSNJ for an ICD-10 workshop on "ICD-10 and Coding for Difficult Diagnosis."

Presented by: Tina Cressman, MALS, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CEMC, CPMA, CPEDC, CPC-I, CCS-P, MCS-P, MCS-I, CPAT, CCAT, CCT, CMC, Assistant Director, Health Information Management, Cooper University Hospital.

Learn about: ICD-10-CM and guidelines, key coding conventions for the ICD-10-CM, differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10, and diagnosis coding in ICD-10 by body part.

Target Audience: Small Practices

Registration coming soon!

HIPAA Resources

Webinar- Registration Open: Join MSNJ for a webinar on Wednesday, April 24 from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. regarding the "Final HIPAA/HITECH Regulations: What it Means for Physicians," presented by Garfunkel Wild, P.C. Register online.
Templates- Available Online: MSNJ and Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP's HIPAA Business Associate Agreement and Notification of Privacy Practice templates are now available on MSNJ's website.
"HIPAA Minutes"- Coming Soon: MSNJ is working with Helen Oscislawski, Esq. to produce two minute videos on the HIPAA changes due to the Final Omnibus Rule. View Oscislawski LLC's "Health Law Diagnosis" newsletter which summarizes the nuts-and-bolts of the changes.

View April's Coding Tip of the Month on Modifier -51: Multiple procedures. If you would like your coding question addressed in an upcoming edition of e-News or you have a coding question specific to your practice, please email your questions. We will work with a certified professional coder to help answer them.

NJ-HITEC Successfully Helps Docs Submit Data to CMS though Its Registry

Through its member portal, NJ-HITEC helped about 300 physicians to receive federal incentive funding and avoid penalties by submitting PQRS and e-Prescribing data to CMS by the March 31, 2013 deadline. Read the press release.

CMS Clarification on Place of Service Coding Instructions

CMS clarifies the new Place of Service (POS) coding instructions (effective April 1, 2013) in MLN Matters Number: MM7631. The guidance includes: information on facility and non-facility payment assignments; special considerations for specific POS codes; and clarification on global services versus professional and technical components.

CMS Webinar on Participating in EHR Incentive Programs, PQRS, and eRx

Over the next month, CMS will offer a re-run of the webinar "CMS 2013 Medicare Incentives Programs." This webinar provides information on the programs including eligibility, key program milestones, penalties, and hardship exemptions. View decision trees that show how providers can receive incentive payments and avoid penalties by participating in the different programs.

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Corporate Partners

Glenwood Systems, MSNJ Bronze Level Partner

Contact: Ron Flormann
Phone: (888) 452-2363
E-mail: moreinfo@glenwoodsystems.com
Website

Glenwood Systems LLC was created to improve financial results in the ambulatory medical practice. Since our inception in 1998, Glenwood has focused on continuous improvement methodology via a combination of software, service and process to drive results. Today we provide your practice technology to lower your costs and share our expertise to increase your revenue and profits. Glenwood software drives clinical documentation efficiency and reduces medical practice costs. Our expertise and process help our clients achieve an eligible collection rate of better than 99%.

It is important to note that MSNJ does not endorse any vendor, service, or product. However, we encourage members to please consider our Corporate Partners first as the financial support received from these organizations is vital to our association. It is our hope that their investment in MSNJ will help keep your membership dues and programming affordable. For information regarding our corporate partners visit MSNJ's website.

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Events/Training/Resources

The Northern Chapter of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association will present a CPT Coding Workshop dinner meeting by Theresa Miskimen, MD on April 17, 2013 at 6:30 P.M. The dinner will take place at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack, The workshop is free for all APA, AACAP and MSNJ (psychiatrist) members. Office managers for members of the organizations are also free. Cost is $50 (cash or check only) at the door for any non-member. Please sign up individually. This event is sponsored by Astra Zeneca. There will be a brief introduction by Doctor Ahmed from Hackensack Hospital prior to the workshop beginning promptly at 6:30 P.M. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn at the NJPA office at evelyn.willard@njpsychiatry.org or at 908-719-2222. Register.

Knowledge in Motion: Evidence-Based Care 2013 Conferencehas been rescheduled and will take place on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Oyster Point Hotel, Red Bank, NJ. The overall objective for this program is to discuss the evidence of key topics underlying some of health care's most challenging problems. More information.

NJMGMA will host their 2013 Practice Management Conference on "Critical Information That you can Use Today" on April 17 through April 19, 2013 in Atlantic City. More information.

NYU CME Pediatric Orthopaedic Forum
5/11/2013
Morristown, NJ
For more information, please visit http://cme.med.nyu.edu/pedsforum

Hospital Medicine 2013
May 16-19, 2013
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
National Harbor, MD
www.hospitalmedicine2013.org

Attend the 2013 NAMI National Convention, "Together We Can Make A Difference" in San Antonio, Texas, June 27 through June 30, 2013. Register online.

Specialty Society Upcoming Events:

April 20, 2013- NJ State Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting -Forsgate Country Club - Jamesburg, NJ
April 27, 2013 - NJ Society of Plastic Surgeons 2013 Annual Meeting -The Westin - Princeton, NJ
May 7, 2013- NJ-American College of Emergency Physicians 2013 Scientific Assembly- Princeton Marriott at Forrestal Village.

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Medical Society of New Jersey

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(o) 609-896-1766 e-mail:

info@msnj.org

About the Medical Society of New Jersey:

Founded in 1766, the Medical Society of New Jersey (MSNJ) is the oldest professional society in the United States. MSNJ promotes the betterment of the public health and the science and the art of medicine, to enlighten public opinion in regard to the problems of medicine, and to safeguard the rights of the practitioners of medicine. The organization and its members are dedicated to a healthy New Jersey, working to ensure the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship. In representing all medical disciplines, MSNJ advocates for the rights of patients and physicians alike, for the delivery of the highest quality medical care. For more information visit our website or send us an e-mail.

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