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:  

(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.

If you are taking advantage of this discount, you may be receiving an email or letter from Verizon asking you to validate your information. Follow our online instructions for renewing. For assistance, please e-mail info@msnj.org. 

MSNJ Urges House Committee to Amend Draft Medicare Legislation During Mark-up Next Week

On July 18, the House Committee on Energy & Commerce released its draft bill that would make comprehensive reforms to Medicare payments to physicians. Of major concern is a provision in the draft legislation that allows a net reduction of spending of up to 1% in years 2016, 2017 and 2018 for misvalued services. These reductions would not be subject to budget neutrality and, therefore, would reduce funds for spending on Medicare physician services. Yesterday, we joined the AMA and a number of national and state medical societies urging the Committee to amend the RVU adjustment provision to keep current budget neutrality provisions in place. Read the letter to Representative Frank Pallone, Jr., ranking member of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee, and other members of the Committee. 

MSNJ and organized medicine are heartened that the draft legislation includes a repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) and positive updates through 2018. The Committee has committed to comprehensive reform and we appreciate the work that has been done to date to repeal the SGR. We continue to evaluate whether the 0.5 percent annual update is sufficient in light of other penalties that would remain in place together with new reporting obligations.

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 6: Public Health: Immunization Records is now available.  

Governor Christie Signs Dental Benefit Bill

The Governor signed a bill that would allow persons covered under dental plans with out-of- network benefits to assign the right to receive reimbursement from the plan to an out-of-network dentist. If a covered person assigns, through an assignment of benefits, his right to receive reimbursement from a dental plan to an out-of-network dentist, payment for the out-of-network reimbursement shall be issued directly to the dentist, or in the alternative, to the dentist and the covered person as joint payees, with a signature line for each of the payees.  Any payment made only to the covered person rather than the dentist, shall be considered unpaid, and unless issued to the dentist within the time frames established by current prompt payment standards, shall be considered overdue and subject to interest charges as provided for under those standards.

Senate Hearing on Mental Health

The Senate Legislative Oversight Committee held a hearing last week to focus on insurance barriers to mental health services. The Committee heard from patients and advocates about loopholes and problems with the current structure. Ideas for increasing access include team and collaborative care and insurance parity for all mental health conditions. Testimony from Dr. Debra Koss, Chair of the Council of Advocacy for NJPA, can be found here.

New Organ Transplant Law

Governor Christie signed into law S-1456, sponsored by Senator President Stephen Sweeney.  This legislation prohibits discrimination against potential organ transplant recipients on the basis of mental or physical disability.

Event on Drug Abuse

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini held an event on Tuesday to address opioid drug abuse and diversion.  

Opioid Prescriptions

Assemblywoman Angelini, along with Assemblywoman Casagrande and Assemblyman Wolfe, held a summit this week to discuss best practices regarding opioid prescriptions.  After attending MSNJ's PSP on this topic in March, the Assemblywoman introduced legislation revamping the state's prescription drug monitoring program and requiring distribution of drug drop off information to patients.  Representatives from law enforcement, addiction treatment and government attended this brainstorming session. Dr. Bruce Bonanno, Co-President of the Monmouth-Ocean County Medical Society, and Mishael Azam, Esq., attended on behalf of MSNJ.

"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. Part 6: "Public Health: Immunization Records" is now available.

Part 6: Public Health: Immunization Records

• Helen's Bio 
• Website
• Blog
• "Health Law Diagnosis"   
• Helpbooks

HIPAA Compliance Mandates on the Horizon - Be Prepared

Wednesday, August 28 from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Join MSNJ for a webinar on "HIPAA Compliance Mandates on the Horizon - Be Prepared." Understand the upcoming mandates and how to be in compliance with them, and learn practical advice for integrating compliance into the day to day practice.

This event is $25 for MSNJ members, $100 for non-members, and $50 for PAHCOM & NJMGMA members. Register online. Non-members:join MSNJ's Medical Practice Management Section (MPMS) for $60 and save $15! 

Member Resource Guide

Check out the current MSNJ Member Resource Guide! Inside, you will find a complete listing of partners by service/product category, along with contact information. Also, be sure to check out the individual Corporate Partner pages on our website as some offer additional discounts to members!

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.

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. 

Do you purchase magazines for the office or yourself?  Order through the MSNJ Magazine Subscription Service to save time and money!

ATTENTION: Do you currently receive "THE ECONOMIST"? Subscribe or renew through MSNJ Subscription Services NOW as a price increase is scheduled to take effect September 1, 2013!

Subscription Services, Inc., is always working  hard to get you the lowest rates. As a member, you are eligible for the very lowest prices on magazine subscriptions as well as personalized hands-on customer service. Click "Shop for Magazines" to place new subscriptions, renewals, as well as gift order subscriptions. You can also  inquire about titles you may be interested in.  If you ever have a question regarding your order or your account, please call 1-800-603-5602, or use the contact page to communicate with a customer service representative.  If you ever find a lower authorized price, they will match it!

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.