Webinar: The Sunshine Act is Here: Open Payments Web Portal Registration  

Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Speaker: Jennifer Searfoss, Esq., Searfoss Consulting Group, LLC    

Beginning in August, the financial interests of physicians with pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies and ownership interests in group purchasing organizations will be public. The data disclosure is based on information reported by these companies on June 1, the portal opens for physicians to review the data. This seminar will cover how to register for the site, review the information, and dispute reports if incorrect data is posted.  

This event is $25 for MSNJ members, $50 for PAHCOM & NJMGMA members, and $100 for non-members.   

Register   

DATE CHANGE! 

Webinar: MSNJ's MPMS Presents: Common Modifier Q&A 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014 from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Our speaker will go over common modifiers, how they are used, and answer questions. Please submit your questions to info@msnj.org with "Modifier Webinar" in the subject line and we will do our best to address them during the webinar.  

This event is $25 for MSNJ members, $50 for PAHCOM & NJMGMA members, and $100 for non-members.   

Please note: Those who already registered will be automatically signed up to participate in this webinar.     

 Register   

View May's Coding Tip of the Month for information on the Use of N Codes

Email us your coding questions! We will work with a certified professional coder to answer your question and may even address it in an upcoming coding tip.

Attention physicians! Please take our benefits survey to help us better serve you with discounted products essential to your medical practice.

Data Breach Results in $4.8 Million in HIPAA Settlements

Two health care organizations have agreed to settle charges that they potentially violated the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules by not securing thousands of patients' electronic protected health information (ePHI) held on their network. The combined monetary settlement totals $4.8 million and is the largest HIPAA settlement to date. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigated New York and Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) and Columbia University (CU) after they submitted a joint breach report on September 27, 2010, regarding the disclosure of the ePHI of nearly 7,000 individuals. NYP and CU are separate covered entities, but operate a shared data network and a shared network firewall that is administered by employees of both entities. Read more.  

BME Issues Certificate of Waiver to Carry Out Overdose Prevention Act

The Overdose Prevention Act, which is meant to reduce overdose related deaths by encouraging victims and witnesses of overdose to obtain medical care without criminal or civil liability, supports distribution of Naloxone to those considered at risk for opioid overdose, as well as to their friends, family, or first responders. The Act allows physicians to prescribe Naloxone with civil, criminal, and professional disciplinary immunity.  

Physician Risk based on Medicare Utilization Data

New Prescription Blanks Effective August 18, 2014

The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs finalized  regulations that update the security of NJ Prescription Blanks. These rules were originally proposed in November 2012 and became effective February 18, 2014. MSNJ filed comments on the original proposal in January 2013. Some changes to the blanks include: a unique 15 digit identifier and barcode for each blank; thermal activated ink in the Rx logo; microprint viewable at 5 times magnification or greater that is illegible upon photocopying; and the word "VOID" that is only visible upon photocopying or scanning of the blank. Blank vendors must sell only the new version of the blanks by May 18, 2014. Physicians must begin using the new blanks on August 18, 2014. The BME is still in the process of certifying vendors and has not yet posted the revised vendor list. Stay tuned to e-News for more information as it becomes available.

End-of-Life CME

The POLST law requires physicians to obtain 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of continuing medical education in topics related to end-of-life care for license renewal starting in 2015 and every renewal thereafter.

Endocrinologists Alert! May 31 Deadline for Certification Application

Endocrinologists who perform thyroid ultrasound and ultrasonic guidance for biopsy and are Horizon participating physicians will be required by Horizon to earn an Endocrine Certification In Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) by June 1, 2015. In order to continue to be paid for these services beyond May 31, 2014, physicians must have submitted an ECNU Program Application to the AACE. Read Horizon's payment notification. Originally, Horizon required that endocrinologists performing these services be certified by January 1, 2014. MSNJ, together with your state and national specialty society, urged Horizon to delay the certification requirement because many physicians were not aware of the requirement and would not be able to become certified before the January 1, 2014 effective date. The year and a half delay was granted in response to those concerns.

Opioids

Despite opposition from the physician and pharmacy communities, the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would improve the state prescription drug monitoring program by allowing access by designees, increasing pharmacy data input and allowing more reports to be sent to prescribers and dispensers. The bill also requires physicians to register for the program.  MSNJ supports these provisions. However, the bill would also do the following, which the physician and pharmacy communities oppose:

• Provide that, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, a health care professional who engages in improper prescribing is liable to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for the first violation and not less than $20,000 for the second and each subsequent violation. Current law provides a maximum fine of $10,000 for the first violation and $20,000 for a second or subsequent violation;
• Provide law enforcement agencies greater access to prescription monitoring information;
• Require health care practitioners who prescribe, and pharmacists who dispense, Schedule II drugs to check the information available through the prescription monitoring program prior to prescribing in order to determine if the patient has received other prescriptions that indicate prescription abuse or diversion; and
• Grant the Division of Consumer Affairs authority to gather information on any significant business relationships involving the medical practice of a licensee of the State Board of Medical Examiners. 

Virtual Credit Card Payments

If your practice accepts virtual credit card (VCC) payments from health plans, you may be losing a significant amount of your contractual payments to high interchange fees. There are three steps you can take to make sure you aren't paying unnecessary charges.

1. Register for electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments. HIPAA requires all health plans to offer standardized EFT using the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) Network. Similar to direct deposit, ACH EFT allows health plan payments to be directly paid into a physician's designated bank account. Each ACH EFT transaction carries only one fee of about 34 cents, far less than the potential 5 percent fee charged to VCC transactions. In order to receive ACH EFT, physicians should request and register for this payment method. View AMA's EFT toolkit.
2. Be aware of restrictions in payment methods when contracting with health plans. Even though HIPAA requires health plans to make EFT payments available upon request, health plans may try to require other payment methods, such as VCC, within their contracts with physicians. Be cognizant of any restrictions and avoid signing contracts with inflexible payment terms.
3. Educate your practice staff. If your practice staff processes both patient and health plan payments, make sure they know how to differentiate between patient and health plan credit card payments to avoid authorization of VCC payments from health plans. Read more.  

Guides for Submitting Stage 2 Meaningful Use Data through Attestation System

CMS has posted step-by-step guides for Eligible Professionals (EPs) to help navigate the CMS Attestation System. Please note that Medicaid EPs and Medicaid-only Eligible hospitals must attest through their State Medicaid Agency's website.

Other Stage 2 resources include:

• Stage 2 Attestation Worksheet for Eligible Professionals
• Stage 2 Meaningful Use Specification Sheet Table of Contents for Eligible Professionals 

Important EHR Incentive Program Deadlines

CMS Registration Begins June 1 for Physicians

Total Financial Concepts - Bronze Level Partner

Contact: Robert J. Tuzzo, President
Address: 1090 King Georges Post Road, Suite 1107, Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: (732) 225-7404
Fax: (732) 225-7405
E-mail: rtuzzo@totalfinancialconcepts.com
Website  

Total Financial Concepts, Inc. is dedicated to providing clients with excellence in integrated financial services.  Understanding our client's goals and objectives and helping meet their unique needs is our number one priority.  We use a discovery process, which helps to provide sound financial planning* through alliances formed with providers of financial products and services we specialize in the areas of Protection, Wealth Accumulation, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Business Planning, and Asset Management*.  With more than 40 years in the financial services profession, total financial concepts, Inc. is uniquely positioned to assist a defined segment of the population to help achieve their economic, and hence, their personal goals.  

Valley National Bank - Bronze Level Partner 

Employment Contract Review Program - New Benefit!
Due to the changing healthcare delivery landscape and the increasing number of physicians who wish to be employed, MSNJ has developed an employment contract review program for its members.

MSNJ's Corporate Partner Law Firms will offer an initial legal consultation for a discounted flat rate of $500.* Initial consultation includes:

• preliminary review of the employment contract;
• a written summary of terms of concern; and
• a phone consultation with an attorney regarding contract provisions that may require modification or further negotiation.

Click here for more information.

The Economist, limited time offer!

Enjoy our current offer before the price goes up! The Economist has announced an increase effective 6/19. Order now, before the new, $127.00, price takes effect.

MSNJ is proud to offer 3 new member benefits!:

Audi - Princeton Audi is delighted to present all members of the Medical Society of New Jersey with an executive discount on all Audi Models (excluding the S6, S7, S8, RS5, RS7, and R8). Click here for more information. 

Medline - Medline is proud to offer MSNJ members their top 25 physician office products at significantly discounted prices. Click here for more information. 

Vitals.com - Vitals successfully connects the right patients to the right doctors, building your market share by helping you connect with new clients through search and websites. By engaging with an insured and affluent audience, Vitals adds a better payer mix to your patient population.

Vitals combines online advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), and lead generation to grow your physician referrals and appointments. Your presence on Vitals' high-traffic websites helps market your practice and build brand awareness, while focusing on new-patient acquisition. Vitals offers a 20% discount at individual and group practice level. Click here for discount information.

To view all member benefits, click here.

MSNJ Magazine Subscription Service 

Subscription Services, Inc., does their very best 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 

Don't Overpay for Payroll

Easy Online SurePayroll gives you incredible value on a small practice budget, so you can increase your bottom line and avoid overspending on payroll. And as a Featured Benefit for MSNJ members, you will save up to 50% compared to traditional payroll providers.  Get a Free Quote today.

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.