Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter
 
August 30, 2013

   
In This Issue
CME Activities
Hurricane Sandy Relief
NEWS
-Payer Audits
-Sunshine Act Resources
-Surgery Center Coalition Event
-HIPAA Minutes
-"HIPAA Minutes"
-MSNJ Golf Outing
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
-Avoid PQRS Penalties
-Madicare Payer Claims Submission Tips
-HIPAA Minutes
-eRx Incentive Program Feedback Reports
-Practice Management Seminar
-CMS National Training Program Medicare Workshop
CORPORATE PARTNERS
.
EVENTS/TRAINING
 

Download MSNJ's 2013/2014 
 Meeting Calendar

 

The next Meeting of The Board of Trustees is Sunday, September 15, 2013. Please note the Executive Session will meet first at 8:30 A.M., then the Board of Trustees will meet at 9:30 A.M.. The County President's meeting which will start at approximately 11:30 A.M., subject to the close of the Board meeting.  


SAVE THE DATE:

MSNJ's 2014 Annual Business Meeting  

May 2, 2014

East Brunswick Hilton

 

Inaugural Gala honoring Paul Carniol, MD, MSNJ's 222nd President

May 10, 2014

Parsippany Hilton 


POLST Seminars


MDAdvantage Presents: Decision Making in Advanced Illness - Introduction to NJ Guidelines for Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Program. Joint Sponsor: Saint Barnabas Medical Center. This complimentary program is open to all New Jersey physicians and APNs.

  • Thursday, September 19, 2013 from 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. in Mountainside, NJ
  •  Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. in Eatontown, NJ
  •  Thursday, November 7, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. in Lawrenceville, NJ
Learn more and register online

Webinars


Obamacare for Employers - In Detail and In Plain English

Wednesday, October 9 from 12:00 P.M.-1:00 P.M.

Andrew Rainone, Esq.

Brach Eichler, LLC

 

Join us for a webinar on "Obamacare for Employees - In Detail and In Plain English."

Anthony Rainone will discuss the details of the recently proposed "Shared Responsibility" regulations including: Whether your company is an "applicable large employer"; What is a full time equivalent employee (FTE) for determining applicable large employer status; Whether your company has to pay an "assessable payment" penalty and, if so, how much; and other helpful tips for employers, including Obamacare's amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act

 

Register by September 2 and receive a $10 discount! The early bird pricing is $15 for MSNJ members, $40 for PAHCOM & NJMGMA members, and $90 for non-members.

Register online.

Non-members: join MSNJ's Medical Practice Management Section (MPMS) for $60 and save $15!  
CME Activities

Registration NOW OPEN!

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

 

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

(8:30 AM- 4:00 PM)

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

This live activity is approved for AOA Category 1A Credit as well as AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

 

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.


Applications for Hurricane Sandy  

Relief Grant 
The Physicians Foundation announced a grant in the amount of $350,000 to the Medical Society of New Jersey. Grantees do not have to be MSNJ Members. Download the application today.


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NewsTOP

Recoupment of Medicare Payments for Services Rendered to "Incarcerated"  

MSNJ recently joined in a letter with the AMA and other state medical societies, asking CMS to stop its recoupment efforts for services rendered to "incarcerated" beneficiaries; improve the process for identification of incarcerated beneficiaries; and update denials to accurately reflect the recoupment reason. CMS recently updated its FAQ regarding these recoupments to include additional background information and is working to automate the reprocessing of erroneously denied claims. In the meantime, we recommend that physicians continue to appeal any recoupment of these payments.

Is Your Practice Being Audited by a Payer? Take Heed!

Payers are auditing practices more frequently with an eye toward recovering overpayments, detecting fraudulent, wasteful or abusive billing practices, or simply correcting billing and coding errors. Services that are not documented are deemed to not have occurred and payers are monitoring for these deficiencies. All payers, government and private, have developed post- and pre-payment audits to detect coding errors, correct billing practices, and recover payments.  

 

MSNJ is concerned that many physicians may not be aware that they are in a post- or pre-payment review. When coding errors continue through a post-payment audit the practice will be placed

in pre-payment review. When coding errors continue in pre-payment the practice is at risk for referral to the payer's fraud unit and the state's fraud office. Physicians are urged to ask their billing staff if claims are being routinely denied and if the practice is in a payment review.  

 

If you are currently in a payment review please write to [email protected], put "Payment Review" in the subject line, and describe your situation. We have been working with payers in an effort to make these reviews more transparent and meaningful to physician practices. We plan a series of webinars in the fall to provide further information.

Sunshine Act Resources  

Free CME on Sunshine Act   

Certified CME activities for physicians to learn more about the Sunshine Act are now available online via Medscape:

The Surgery Center Coalition's 10th Anniversary Meeting, "ASCs Supporting ASCs" will take place on Tuesday September 10, 2013 from 7:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. at the Palace at Somerset Park

Read more and register. Contact Marcy Sasso or Dorcie Wawryznski at (862) 812-5611 or by e-mail  at [email protected] for more information.

HIPAA Minutes"- New Educational Tool 

MSNJ and Helen Oscislawski, Esq. present two-minute videos on the HIPAA changes due to the Final Omnibus Rule. All of the videos and FAQs are now posted on the MSNJ website.

ICD-10 Preparation Poll: Last Chance to Participate

The ICD-10 compliance deadline is October 1, 2014. Tell us where your practice currently stands with ICD-10 preparation. Ask your practice manager to take the poll in the MPMS Community by September 3.

PAC EVENT: Louis D. Greenwald
Dinner reception to support Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald. This event is hosted by Raj Patel, MD, Immediate Past President of Camden County Medical Society. The reception will take place on Friday, September 20th at 6:00 P.M. (16 Nolen Circle, Voorhees, NJ 08043). Suggested contribution is $200. (Maximum individual contribution is $2,600)

For more information or to RSVP please contact: Mishael Azam at 609-306-8574 or [email protected]. Checks should be made payable to: EFO Louis Greenwald for Assembly

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
More information.

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 [email protected] for more information. 

MSNJ's 7th Annual Golf Outing: October 21, 2013
To benefit the MSNJ Foundation

Proceeds from the event will benefit the MSNJ Foundation, the Institute of Medicine & Public Health of New Jersey (IOMPHNJ).

Registration and sponsorship information

For more information: contact Jessica at
[email protected]
Practice Management

Avoid 2015 PQRS Penalties: Upcoming Deadlines

Eligible Professionals (EPs) who do not report data on quality measures for covered professional services during the 2013 program year will be subject to a 1.5 percent penalty in 2015. Below are the upcoming deadlines and resources for successful participation in PQRS:

  • October 15, 2013: Last day for individuals and groups participating in the Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) to elect to participate in the administrative claims-based reporting mechanism to avoid a penalty in 2015; and Last day for groups to register to participate in GPRO for the 2013 PQRS program year.
  • December 31, 2013: Reporting for the 2013 PQRS program year ends for group practices and individuals.
  • February 28, 2014:Last day to submit 2013 PQRS data through some reporting methods (deadline for submission of PQRS data varies by reporting method, but all methods require data to be submitted by end of first quarter in 2014); Last day to submit CQMs for the PQRS-Medicare EHR Incentive Pilot Reporting Pilot Program; and Last day that 2013 claims will be processed to be counted for PQRS reporting.

Visit CMS' website for more information on how to get started with PQRS  

Medicare Secondary Payer Claims Submission Tips

CMS has released an updated MLN Matters article, SE1217, that discusses claim submissions when secondary payers are involved. CMS reminds everyone that properly filed claims prevent inappropriate denials and expedite the payment process. CMS recommends that physicians take the following steps to ensure accurate claims submission and timely payment:

  • Collect full beneficiary health insurance information upon each office visit, outpatient visit, and hospital admission.
  • Identify the primary payer prior to submission of a claim, and bill the appropriate responsible payer for related services.
  • Use specific and correct diagnosis codes, especially for accident related claims.

Read the full article for additional guidance, including how to reach the Coordination of Benefits Contractor.

HIPAA Minutes"- New Educational Tool 

MSNJ and Helen Oscislawski, Esq. present two-minute videos on the HIPAA changes due to the Final Omnibus Rule. All of the videos and FAQs are now posted on the MSNJ website.

2012 eRx Incentive Program Feedback Reports Available

The 2012 e-Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Feedback Reports are now available for eligible professionals (EPs) and group practices who submitted 2012 data. TIN-level reports can be downloaded via QualityNet. Individual EPs can request their NPI-level reports via the Communication Support Page. Read the User Guide to 2012 eRx Feedback Reports.  

 
The 2012 incentive payment is scheduled to be distributed in the fall of 2013. An informal review process for the 2012 eRx Incentive Program has been implemented; EPs and GPROs can request to have their 2012 reporting performance reviewed, if they feel the feedback report is incorrect. Submit review requests via email starting November 1, 2013 through February 29, 2014. Include your individual rendering NPI, contact information, and justification as to why you are requesting an informal review. Do not provide the TIN via email. View a step-by-step guide to the informal review process for more information. 

Save the Date! Medical Practice Management Seminar

MSNJ and Cooper University Health Care will host a Medical Practice Management Seminar on Friday, November 1, 2013 from 7:30 A.M. to noon. Listen to presentations on HIPAA, Sunshine Laws, ICD-10, Communication Skills, and a Legislative Update. For more information view the flyer.

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.

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.

Corporate Partners

 

Member Resource Guide

Check out the current MSNJ Member Resource GuideInside, 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!


 

QualCare, Inc. -

Platinum Level Partner 

 

Contact: Matthew Rutkin, MEWA Sales & Proposal Coordinator 

Phone: 888.670.8135, option 6
E-mail:  [email protected]
Website 

 

 

 

QualCare, Inc., administers the MSNJ Affiliated Physicians and Employers - MEWA Health Plan, a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) which provides members with access to healthcare coverage options that might otherwise be too costly. Through this program, physicians may buy self-insured health plans at the equivalent of large-group rates.

 

QualCare, Inc. is New Jersey's largest, provider-sponsored Managed Care Organization that offers self-funded PPO, HMO network, point of service (POS) network, and open access health plans; third party administration (TPA) services, provider network access, care management services, and a workers' compensation product. QualCare also provides ACO consultative services and infrastructure.


 


 

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.

Member Benefits

 

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 [email protected].   

Events/Training/Resources
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.

 

International Seminar on Orphan Drugs & Rare Disease

September 12th, 2013 from 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. 

 

Topics:

  • Requirements in the USA and Europe for the approval of products for orphan drugs and rare diseases  
  • Real World Studies: Design, approval, conduct and analysis.
  • Case studies of Real World Studies that helped to gain product approval and reimbursement.

Register online 

Location:

NJHA Conference & Event Center
760 Alexander Road, Princeton, New Jersey    


The Central Jersey Chapter of PAHCOM, and the JFK Health System Physician's Alliance are hosting their Annual Insurance Update on Wednesday, September 18 at 8:30 A.M. at JFK Conference Center. More information. Register online.


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. 

 
Medical Society of New Jersey
2 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(o) 609-896-1766 e-mail:
 

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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