MSNJ e-News - July 12, 2013

This will be a working meeting. Council on Legislation reports will be considered for approval. At the direction of MSNJ Board of Trustees, we will be working on maintenance of certification policy development.

To Participate via Webinar:

Dial 866.740.1260, Access Code: 8961259
Navigate to readytalk.com, Access Code: 8961259

PAC Event: Cocktail Reception to Support Nancy Pinkin

MedAC and MSNJ Past President Niranjan Rao, MD, will host a cocktail reception to support Nancy Pinkin, candidate for assembly in district 18.

The reception will take place Wednesday, July 31 at 6:00 P.M. at Dr. Rao's office:

78 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

(Maximum individual contribution is $2,600)

Applications 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.

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Verizon Wireless Discount Validation

If you are taking advantage of this discount, you may be receiving an email or letter from Verizon asking you to validate your information. You can either follow the e-mail's instructions and upload a copy of your membership ID, validate through MSNJ's website (no ID required). To validate, please click here. For assistance, please e-mail info@msnj.org.

News

Pill Mill Investigation Results in Recommendations Affecting Physicians

This month, the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) issued a report "Scenes from an Epidemic: A Report on the Investigation of Prescription Pill and Heroin Abuse" which uncovered pill mills for homeless Medicaid drug addicts run by unscrupulous healthcare professionals, including physicians, writing bogus prescriptions for pain medications. The investigation also uncovered drug diversion into criminal enterprises, including the Russian mob, for use and resell. The report reveals a pattern of prescription drug use as a gateway to later heroin drug use and notes a record number of admissions to drug treatment.

The SCI has presented the report to state government and all affected departments and agencies including the physician regulating entities such as the Board of Medical Examiners, the Department of Banking & Insurance, and the Division of Consumer Affairs. SCI makes a number of recommendations for further oversight of physicians based on its investigation, including:

Establishing explicit prescription standards for physicians, including adoption of the Federal Board of State Medical Examiners model policy
Establishing tougher civil and criminal penalties for diversion
Establishing a state-wide strike force that would train physicians
Establishing stricter rules on medical practice ownership and management
Enhancing the prescription drug monitoring program, including a mandate for physicians to use the program
Developing stronger controls over prescription blanks

MSNJ is in favor of a bill that would provide easier access to the prescription drug monitoring database by physicians and their staff. We are also working on legislation that would increase awareness of drop-off locations for unused drugs. We are developing with the State education programs for physicians.

MSNJ hosted a symposium on pain medication diversion, which included panelists from law enforcement, to help us develop informed policy on this important issue. We will continue to be engaged with legislators and policy makers concerned about the drug abuse and diversion problem. Read more.

License Renewal Applications due July 15

The license renewal application is comprised of several parts: mailing address, address of record, additional information, education, employment, questions, additional renewal information, and the workforce survey. While the workforce survey is optional, the remaining portions of the application are mandatory. MSNJ asks that physicians complete the workforce survey. The information will assist the state in its evaluation of physician demographics and access to care. Read more for tips and information needed to complete the application.

MSNJ Objects to Increased Rewards for Reporting Alleged Medicare Fraud

MSNJ abhors fraud and its diversion of healthcare dollars away from patient care to those engaged in unlawful activity. However, we are concerned that increasing the monetary rewards for reporting suspected fraud will result in more allegations against physicians that are without merit. This may result in the suspension of Medicare payments, and may harm physicians who are practicing medicine in good faith. We objected to CMS's recent rule proposal to increase rewards for reporting fraud.

MSNJ Encourages Physician Participation in Medicaid ACO Demonstration Project

The state Medicaid program has proposed regulations to implement an ACO demonstration project. MSNJ has urged the program to require that a primary care physician be included on the ACO board and that appropriate specialists also be included in the ACO's quality committee. We endorsed the proposal's reliance on multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate care, but urged the program to ensure that a primary care physician or, when appropriate, a physician specialist be a member leader of each multi-disciplinary team. Read more...

"HIPAA Minutes" - New Educational Tool
MSNJ worked with Helen Oscislawski, Esq. to produce two-minute videos on the HIPAA changes due to the Final Omnibus Rule. Our Part 4: PHI: Genetic Info video on "May a health care provider still collect family medical histories, or is this now prohibited by the HIPAA amendments?" is now available.

Part 4: PHI: Genetic Info

Horizon Recruiting Practices to Join Medical Home Program

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is recruiting primary care practices to join their Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Program. For a brief overview of the program, Horizon has prepared a three-minute video to introduce the program to practices that may be interested. For more information, you can also contact Horizon via e-mail.

For more information: contact Jessica at jessice@amg101.com

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Practice Management

"HIPAA Minutes"- New Educational Tool

MSNJ and Helen Oscislawski, Esq. present two-minute videos on the HIPAA changes due to the Final Omnibus Rule. Part 4: PHI: Genetic Info is now available.

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.

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) recently launched three modules on HIPAA compliance:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) will host a series of free 90-minute webinars specifically designed for small healthcare providers, with a focus on practical strategies for implementing the Omnibus Rule changes within a small clinical practice. These virtual sessions will be held on:

July 17 (1:00 P.M.) - Breach and Enforcement under the HITEC Omnibus Rule
July 28 (1:00 P.M.) - Business Associates and the HITECH Omnibus Rule

View July's Coding Tip of the Month on Add-on Codes in CPT. If you would like your questions 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.

Property and Casualty EDI Readiness Survey

Take a brief survey to help the WEDI Property and Casualty Electronic Medical Bill (eBill) Sub-workgroup better understand the knowledge of the industry and their readiness for eBilling. Please complete the survey by Friday, July 19.

New to PQRS Webinar

Covisint will host a free webinar on "New to PQRS" on Monday, July 15, 2013 from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Learn the definition and meaning of Physician Quality Reporting; Expectations the Federal Legislations is asking in 2013; How to collect data for submission into a registry; and participate in a question and answer session. Register online.

Revised CMS 1500 Paper Claim Form

On June 10, 2013, the White House Office of Management and Budget approved the National Uniform Claim Committee's (NUCC) revised CMS 1500 claim form, version 02/12. The CMS 1500 claim form is the required format for submitting claims to Medicare on paper. The NUCC, an industry organization that maintains the CMS 1500 claim form, changed the form to accommodate and implement ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. The changes to the form are:

Indicators for differentiating between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes
Expansion of the number of possible diagnosis codes to 12.
Qualifiers to identify the Ordering, Referring and Supervising provider roles

The tentative timeline for implementing the revised form are as follows:

January 6, 2014: Medicare begins receiving and processing paper claims submitted on the revised CMS 1500 claim form (version 02/12).
January 6 through March 31, 2014: Dual use period during which Medicare continues to receive and process paper claims submitted on the old CMS 1500 claim form (version 08/05).
April 1, 2014: Medicare receives and processes paper claims submitted only on the revised CMS 1500 claim form (version 02/12).

Paper filers should contact their forms supplier for the updated forms.

NJ-HITEC Offers Meaningful Minutes

NJ-HITEC has changed their Meaningful Use hour-long webinars into Meaningful Minutes so they can still continue to provide updates, but in a more concise and shorter format. At the conclusion of each Webcast, participants will receive a one-page summary of the most important topics covered to share with the rest of their team. The "Meaningful Minutes" will be offered every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. and will continue to help physicians, nurses, and practice managers stay up-to-date on the important changes in Meaningful Use, CMS incentive programs, and related Health IT issues. These Webcasts are open to all physicians and their staff regardless of membership. View the list of upcoming topics.

CMS National Provider Call on EHR Incentive Programs for Eligible Professionals

CMS will host a National Provider Call on "Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs for Eligible Professionals (EPs): In-depth Overview of Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs) for Reporting Beginning in 2014" on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 from 1:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. This call will present Stage 2 requirements, focusing on CQMs; explain components of eMeasres in Stage 2; and provide additional resources for more information. Register online.

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Corporate Partners

I.C. System -

Bronze Level Partner

Contact: Jeremy Cleveland

Phone: 800.279.3511
E-mail: jcleveland@icsystem.com
Website

Intelligent Collections since 1938:
I.C. System has partnered with the Medical Society of New Jersey since 1981 and has ethically and effectively collected for the Healthcare Industry for DECADES. Count on skilled collectors, custom programs for early-stage through intensive recoveries with NATIONAL credit bureau reporting, legal services, and more.
Ask about their special 75th Anniversary Discount.

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. Click for a complete listing of our Corporate Partners and other Member Benefits.

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Member Benefits

Take advantage of your in-store, Macy*s Business Smart Pass until July 31, 2013. As an MSNJ Member, save 15% all day, as many times as you want. See Pass for further details. Save on designer brands, such as Calvin Klein, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Jones New York, DKNY, Michael Kors, Ann Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. Download your pass today.

Rutgers Football is offering discount tickets for some of the 2013 home games at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway. Health Professionals Day is September 14. For more information, contact Rutgers Athletics at 866-445-4678 or tickets@scarletknights.com.

CME Activities

Save the Date:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Certified Medical Examiner Training.

This training course has been approved for AOA Category 1A credit, as well as AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ .

Two Dates are offered:

Saturday, September 21 - Westin Mount Laurel, Mt. Laurel, NJ (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM Training)

Saturday, October 26 - Parsippany Hilton, Parsippany NJ (8:30 AM- 4:00 PM Training)

Please Let Us Know

It would help us to know if this certification is of interest to you and you will consider participating in this training by sending an email to info@msnj.org. Thank you!

* doctor of osteopathy, doctor of medicine, advanced practice nurse, doctor of chiropractic, physician assistant, or other medical professional authorized by applicable State laws and regulations to perform physical examinations.

Events/Training/Resources

Health Literacy Resources: First Book

First Book works directly with leading health professionals to ensure that low-income kids have access to the brand new, high-quality books that speak to the things that will positively impact their lives, including topics surrounding going to the doctor/dentist and being physically active. Check eligibility and sign up to start receiving books today.

Prescribers' Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies (PCSS-O) is a three year grant funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

The online modules are designed to increase your understanding of the current state of opioid-dependence treatment, increase your understanding of treatment issues for special populations, and lastly to increase your ability to assess and treat patients. Access the modules.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) 15th Anniversary Run/Walk

2013 will be a very special event as the NOCC celebrates their 15th Anniversary Run/Walk. Please join the thousands of ovarian cancer survivors, their families and friends, medical and health professionals, and the local community in support of the NOCC. Read more.

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Medical Society of New Jersey

2 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

(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.

"Your Partner in Practice... Your Voice in Trenton"

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