Registration NOW OPEN!

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

 - Saturday, September 21 - Westin Mount Laurel, Mt. Laurel, NJ   

As a courtesy, NJAOPS is providing MSNJ members a $100 discount-off the registration fee - please click here to obtain your promotional discount code. Click here for further information and registration.

Recoupment of Medicare Payments for Services Rendered to "Incarcerated"  

MSNJ has been working with the AMA and other state medical societies in an effort to stop the recoupment of Medicare payments from physicians who treated patients who may have been "incarcerated" unbeknownst to the physician. The definition of incarceration is broad and may include individuals on parole or in half-way houses. In the meantime, we recommend that physicians appeal any recoupment of these payments. Read CMS' FAQ on this topic. 

Over $25 million to NJ's Primary Care Providers in Medicare Incentive Payments  

Alert for Groups of more than 100 Providers!

Take Steps to Avoid 1% Medicare Payment Penalty in 2015

Groups of more than 100 physician and non-physician providers must take steps now to avoid Medicare payment penalties in 2015 based on CMS' new payment rules  on Value Based Modifiers (VBM). These groups must first register for an IACS account and then self-nominate before the October 15 registration deadline. Groups of 100 or more who do not participate in PQRS and self-nominate are subject to a 1% payment penalty in 2015. View a slide presentation on the VBM to learn more about how to avoid the penalty.

MSNJ & NJHA Object to Qualified Heath Plan Regulations 

MSNJ and the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) wrote to CMS this week, asking for a reconsideration of some of the regulations regarding Federal Exchange Plans. MSNJ and NJHA objected to the 90-day grace period for nonpayment of premiums which could result in physicians not being paid for services rendered during that time. Read the letter.

Sunshine Act Data Collection Began August 1

On August 1, 2013, manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) began the Open Payments data collection associated with the Sunshine Act. This includes collecting information about payments or other transfers of value that they make to physicians. Although physicians are not required to take immediate action, MSNJ suggests that members use CMS' free mobile app to track contact information of physicians and industry, share information between the physician and industry, and track payments and other transfers of value. Search the mobile app store using "open payments mobile for physicians." Read more. Physicians should begin discussions now with pharmaceutical representatives and others and request that they inform of how they are reporting any applicable transfers of value. Read the FAQs. 

• Center For Family Services, Inc.  
• Wendy Sykes - Orange ACA Navigator Project  
• The Urban League of Hudson County  
• Public Health Solutions  
• FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Inc.  

ACA Fact Sheet Describes Delay of Employer Mandate

The mandate for employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer health insurance has been delayed until 2015. These employers have also been relieved of the obligation to report on the coverage that they provide to employees in 2014. However, the IRS is developing policy and asking employers to voluntarily report this information. 

The AMA has published a new fact sheet which explains provisions of the Affordable Care Act that will be implemented over the next few months, including the October 1 launch of the "marketplace" previously called the health insurance exchange.  

Read more about a new report showing the documented positive changes and benefits the ACA is affording NJ residents. 

Save the Date:

Bergen County Medical Society is hosting a meeting at Hackensack Hospital (30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack, NJ) on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.  

Topics:

• Top 10 Issues for Employed Physicians
• Legislative Update
• ACA Implementation News

Incoming Medical Student Outreach

This month, MSNJ and county staff, and physician leaders have spoken to several incoming medical student classes about changes in healthcare, the Affordable Care Act, MSNJ and AMA Membership, legislative updates and other issues in healthcare. MSNJ is working to expand its relationship with students and residents across the state. Thank you to all of the students at Virtua Medical Center, Cooper Medical School, New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School for their participation! 

Save the Date:

On October 12, 2013, Holy Name Medical Center will hold its annual black-tie gala, The Founders Ball, at Pier Sixty in New York City.  At this year's Ball, Holy Name is honoring MSNJ Past President Robert S. Rigolosi, MD with the Spirit of Healing Award for his medical achievements and commitment to outstanding patient care. 

Register for this event. Contact Molly McGarry at 201-833-7143 or mcgarry@holyname.org for more information. 

ICD-10 Preparation Poll

The ICD-10 compliance deadline is October 1, 2014. MSNJ is interested in learning where each practice currently stands with ICD-10 preparation. Ask your practice manager to take the poll in the MPMS Community by August 29.

Prescription for a healthier practice: Increase practice efficiency with help from the 2013 National Health Insurer Report Card

For this month's practice checkup, take a look at the full results of the AMA's 2013 National Health Insurer Report Card (NHIRC) and see how health insurers measure up. The NHIRC provides metrics on the timeliness, transparency and accuracy of claims processing of participating payers in an effort to educate physicians and the public, and to reveal opportunities for improvement. Join the AMAAdministrative Simplification LinkedIn group for additional helpful resources. This tip is a part of the AMA's "Prescription for a healthier practice" series to help physicians and their staff examine how their practices are performing in key administrative processes.

View August's Coding Tip of the Month on Coding Signs and Symptoms in ICD-9. 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.

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.