MSNJ e-News - August 22, 2014

At the beginning of the year, Congress came close to passing bipartisan legislation that would have fixed the SGR crisis. Ultimately, they passed another patch. Encourage lawmakers to continue working in a bipartisan manner and remind them to repeal the SGR formula and design a new Medicare physician payment system. Send an e-mail to your lawmakers or call the AMA's grassroots hotline at (800) 833-6354.

The Prudential Center is proud to offer MSNJ members a discount on upcoming events. The following discounts are now available.

Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai - August 27-31, 2014
Aerosmith and Special Guest Slash: The "Let Rock Rule" Tour - September 3, 2014

Member Benefits

NEW BENEFIT!
Prescription Blanks

MSNJ and New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) proudly announce a joint effort to offer discounts to all of our members on prescription blanks. Participating vendors include:

POS� is a full-service print and electronic communication company that helps healthcare practices create and improve patient communication tools. POS� is your patient communication partner for everything from branded practice and patient education printed materials to patient statement processing and automated messaging services. Take advantage of our special offer available to members-

Receive 25% off NJ New RX orders.

SPECIAL MSNJ/DSNJ RATE:

5 PADS/500 sheets= $66.60
10 PADS/1000 sheets= $78.00
20 PADS/2000 sheets= $117.45
40 PADS/4000 sheets=$172.80

For higher quantities please contact POS�.

Laser RX Sheets for printers also Available!

1000 laser RX sheets= $156.75
2000 laser RX sheets= $255.00
4000 laser RX sheets= $453.00

Nelson Press

Nelson Press has been a manufacturer of quality printed materials for New Jersey Business since 1900. They were recently approved to print and sell the revised New Jersey Prescription Blanks for physicians. Special member pricing includes:

400 - Single Prescriptions - $60.00
(Including Tax & Shipping)
800 - Single Prescriptions - $80.00
(Including Tax & Shipping)
1200 - Single Prescriptions - $100.00
(Including Tax & Shipping)

To access this discount, please click here.

Click here for a complete list of approved vendors.

CME/Events /Training

Join MSNJ and the Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, & Salem County Medical Societies for a Meet and Greet with Legislative Leaders on Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Sofia of Margate. View the agenda.

MSNJ has made arrangements with an on-line resource (Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care) to satisfy the 2 credit end-of-life training requirement via long distance learning - and at a 15% discount to members. MSNJ members, please click here to obtain the promo code.

The following modules are thought to meet the requirements. Each module is designated for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (cost to MSNJ members about $25.50 per credit)

Gaps and Elements of Care
Legal Issues
Whole Patient Assessment
Physician Assisted Suicide
Last Hours of Living
Withholding/Withdrawing Treatment
Medical Futility

Choose two that meet your needs! See related News story.

The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPAN) will host a New Jersey Statewide Network for Cultural Competence conference - Improving the Quality of Care and Services for Diverse Communities: New Directions for New Jersey and the Nation.

September 12, 2014 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Crowne Plaza in Monroe Township

This conference showcases innovative and effective policies and practices in cultural and linguistic competency. View the conference website for more information.

Join the Surgery Center Coalition on September 16 for "A Day of Compliance", for ASCs.

View the agenda.

CMS' New York Regional Office is hosting a free Fraud Awareness Symposium on September 23, 2014 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, New York, NY. Learn how to "Protect Yourself, Protect Your Patients and Protect Your Practice Against Fraud!" Space is limited. Register online.

"The Face of Addiction: Across the Ages,"

4th Annual Medical Symposium

September 27, 2014

7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Chase Center on the Riverfront

Wilmington, Delaware

Further details and Registration

Although progress has been made in reducing rates of substance abuse in the United States, it continues to take a major toll on the health of individuals, families, and communities. This symposium will explore the manifestation of addiction across the life stages.

This educational activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Northeastern Basic Course for Principles of Infection Prevention and Control

October 6-10, 2014 at the New Jersey Hospital Association, Princeton, NJ

This five day course is designed to prepare the new practitioner or an individual responsible for infection prevention to perform the duties and responsibilities required by their position in an ambulatory, alternative, acute, or long-term care facility. The early bird registration deadline is September 6. Register.

Horizon BCBSNJ Physician Orientation Webinars
Horizon's outreach to physician practices has shifted from half day seminars to webinars because it believes that more physicians and practice managers will be able to participate. These webinars provide information on new Horizon BCBSNJ products, access standards, online Provider Reference Materials, recredentialing process, ICD-10 update and tips on how to get the most from NaviNet�. Click here for webinar dates.

The New Jersey Obstetrical & Gynecological Society will host their Semi-Annual Meeting on Friday, November 7, 2014 from 7:45am to 3:30pm at Forsgate Country Club. View the brochure.

PCSS-MAT Online Module: Psychiatric Comorbidities: Diagnosis and Treatment of Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders and Opioid Use Disorders

This free module will provide clinicians with tools to screen and assist with diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses in those with co-occurring substance use disorders and will discuss treatment of common psychiatric comorbidities in this population. View the module.

PCSS-O Online Module: Pain Medication and Adolescents: Special Considerations

This free module will review the epidemiology and motivations for misuse of opioid medications by adolescents and presents strategies for screening, assessing and office based treatment of adolescents with acute and chronic pain. View the module.

PCSS-O Archived Webinar Available: "Opioid Agonists and Antagonists for Pain and Addiction: The Good, The Bad and The Uncertain"

This webinar will provide updates from medical literature that can help guide decision-making in choosing an appropriate agent. New discoveries in preclinical literature will also be discussed along with work being done at the University of New England around patient advocacy and community education. View the webinar.

View all PCSS-O and PCSS-MAT resources:

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MSNJ's 8th Annual Golf Outing: October 15, 2014

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

Golfers and Sponsors, click here for more information and registration.

For more information: contact Erin at erodgers@msnj.org.

News

Mishael Azam, Senior Manager, Legislative Affairs, appears on One on One to discuss drug abuse prevention.

Mishael Azam on Drug Abuse Prevention

Update on End-of-Life CME Requirement

Physicians must take two of their required 40 Category 1 CME credits on the topic of end-of-life during each biennial renewal period. MSNJ met with the Board of Medical Examiners this week to discuss the requirement and the process for waivers. The BME expressed its support for the end-of-life training requirement and urged that all physicians take courses on end-of-life. The BME will consider a wide range of topics on end-of-life to be meet the new requirement; it has not endorsed specific courses. The BME will not designate certain specialties as exempt from the requirement as the statute requiring end-of-life CME does not support categorical exemptions. However, the BME will accept waiver applications from groups so long as all the members of the group seeking the exemption sign the application.

There is no specific form for the waiver from this or any other exemption or extension of time from CME training requirements. Instead, physicians must send a letter to the BME explaining in detail the reasons that the training has little applicability to his/her practice and that they believe they should be exempt from the training requirement. The BME cautioned that waivers are not freely granted and that historically it has granted extensions of time for CME training, rather than exemptions. Waiver applications must be received by April 30, 2015. MSNJ will update its FAQ on the CME requirement and waiver process.

Study Finds Small Physician Owned Practices Have Fewer Preventable Hospital Admissions
A study published in Health Affairs has found that small/solo practices had 33% fewer preventable hospital admissions compared to practices with 10 to 19 physicians. The study also found that practices owned by physicians, rather than hospitals, had lower admissions rates. The study authors observe that healthcare reform is driving a movement toward larger and hospital-owned practices, yet there is little empirical data to support the proposition that bigger is better. They further observe that:

Physicians in small practices have no negotiating leverage with health insurers, so insurers typically pay them much lower rates for their services than they pay to physicians who practice in larger groups or are employed by hospitals. This policy might be penny wise and pound foolish if it drives small practices out of existence and if further research confirms that small practices have lower ambulatory care-sensitive admission rates, and possibly lower overall costs for patients' care, than larger groups.

Prescription Blank Deadline Extended

MSNJ asked the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for leniency for practices unable to obtain the new prescription blanks by the August 18 deadline, due to vendor back-orders. In response to our request and that of several other groups, the DCA decided to extend the deadline to September 19, 2014 and allow physicians to use the old and/or new prescription blanks from August 19 through September 19. Only the new prescription blanks may be used effective September 20. Physicians, who have not placed orders for the new blanks, are urged to contact an approved vendor and order immediately. Once you begin using your new prescription blanks, it is important that you destroy your old ones in accordance with DCA guidelines. Please be sure to notify the NJ Drug Control Unit that you have destroyed your old prescription blanks by completing a certification of destruction. There is no formal deadline for the submission of the Certification of Destruction form, however, it should be done within a timely manner after the blanks are destroyed.

Court Rules Modified on Designation of Trial Counsel in Malpractice Cases

On April 17, 2014 MSNJ wrote to the Director of Courts in opposition to a proposed amendment to a New Jersey Court Rule, R. 4:25-4, that would have required courts to automatically waive trial counsel designations in medical malpractice cases after three years. We argued against an automatic waiver of designated counsel after three years and asked that judges have discretion to consider all the reasons for delay to ensure that physician defendants are able to be represented by their choice of counsel. Since even settlements of malpractices cases must be reported to the National Practitioner Data Base and the State Medical Practitioner Review Panel, we argued that the only way for physicians to avoid permanent harm to their reputation is to litigate to a successful conclusion. The amended court rule states that the waiver shall only "presumptively expire" after three years. This will preserve judicial discretion allowing the judge to decide whether the designation of counsel expires after three years and permitting physicians to be represented by their designated counsel if good cause can be shown.

Open Payment Data to be Released September 30; Time to Dispute Extended to September 8
MSNJ along with more than 100 medical societies signed on to a letter to CMS asking for a six month delay in the public release of the Open Payments data. This was soon followed by the discovery of reporting errors that led CMS to temporarily shut down the Open Payments System. CMS has since reported that the site is back online. Physicians can now complete steps 1 and 2 of the registration process.

When the data is released next month, one-third of the records will be withheld due to data inconsistencies. In an email written to Propublica, CMS spokesman Aaron Albright stated, "CMS is returning about one-third of submitted records to the manufacturers and [group purchasing organizations] because of intermingled data, and will include these records in the next reporting cycle." These records will be posted in June 2015. September 30 will still be the first public release date, despite the temporary shutdown of the website, and will include payments made from August 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Read more.

Having trouble registering? Check out MSNJ's archived webinars with speaker Jennifer Searfoss, Esq of Searfoss Consulting Group, LLC. Listen as Jen walks you through the process step-by-step.

Part 1 covers Step 1 of the registration process. The Sunshine Act is Here: Open Payments Web Portal Registration
Part 2 covers Step 2 of the registration process as well as the dispute mechanism. Sunshine Act: Financial Interest Data Disclosure: Refuting Open Payments Data

NJ Department of Health Guidance to Providers on Ebola - New Clinical Guidelines for Initial Evaluation of Suspect Cases of Ebola

[T]he NJDOH requests that all health care providers consider Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness in persons with recent travel (within 21 days) to the affected countries in West Africa, currently including Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. All persons with compatible symptoms and travel history should be isolated until clinical evaluation and/or diagnostic testing is completed. At this time, there have been NO reports of EVD in the U.S.

Reporting Reminder for Health Care Providers:

Confirmed or suspect cases of any viral hemorrhagic fever, including EVD, should be reported immediately to the local health department where the patient resides. [Memo dated August 13 to Local Health Departments, Health Care Providers, and Hospitals from Shereen Semple, MS, Epdiemiologist, NJ DOH]

Read the NJ DOH Memo, CDC Update, CDC Key Messages and Clinical Guidelines for Initial Evaluation of Suspect Cases of Ebola. Other important Ebola information can be found on the NJ DOH website.

Practice Management

Medicare Feedback Reports to Compare Physician Data Beginning in September

Beginning in September 2014, physicians should look for their confidential Medicare feedback reports that will be made available through CMS' Enterprise Portal. These reports will compare data of the physician's cost and quality of care to Medicare patients last year to that of other physicians. In addition to comparing the data, physicians in large groups of 100 or more practitioners will learn whether their next year's Medicare payments will be affected by the new Value Based Modifier (VBM), which will bring bonuses to some physicians and financial penalties to others. Smaller practices will get a preview of how they may fare as the VBM is phased in over the next three years. Read more.

Request for Reopening Medicare Claims

CMS recently published MLN Matters� Article MM8581 which informs Medicare contractors about changes that will allow providers and their vendors to electronically request that claims be reopened. View the MLN Matters� Article SE1426 for additional information, coding instructions and scenarios for requesting the reopening of a claim that is beyond the filing timeframe.

PQRS MAV Course Available Online

CMS has launched the Measure-Applicability Validation (MAV) course on the PQRS website. This course is designed for Eligible Professionals (EPs) reporting measures via claims, or EPs or group practices reporting via a registry vendor. Get a high level overview of the MAV process and learn how the MAV process will apply for 2014 PQRS reporting purposes.The course includes the following four modules:

Module 1: MAV Overview
Module 2: Knowing When MAV Applies
Module 3: MAV Analysis Process
Module 4: MAV Scenarios

Upon completion of the MAV Course, you will have the option to complete the Knowledge Check and print a Certificate of Completion for your records. Read FAQs to find out more about MAV.

CMS Releases ICD-10 Tool for Small Practices

CMS has released a new webcast that introduces the new "Road to 10" tool. This webcast covers the history and benefits of ICD-10. Five more webcasts will follow, all aimed at helping small practices get ready for ICD-10 by the October 1, 2015 compliance date. Also available is a brief video introduction to the "Road to 10" tool. The tool offers:

Clinical documentation tips
Coding concepts
Clinical scenarios
Training calendar

View August's Coding Tip of the Month for information on the use of J codes for diseases of the respiratory system in ICD-10.

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Corporate Partners

MD On-Line - Bronze Level Partner

Contact: Nick Dannenbaum
Address: MD On-Line, Inc., 6 Century Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054
Phone: 888-499-5465
Fax: 973-734-9910
E-mail: nick@mdon-line.com

Website

MD On-Line, Inc. (MDOL) is a proven industry-leading provider of electronic healthcare solutions that leverage data to improve provider workflow and industry connectivity. Co-branded and endorsed by more than 40 major insurance companies and increasing its presence in providers' offices of all sizes, MDOL is working to make the healthcare system significantly more cost-effective by eradicating inefficiencies. Its "all-payer" core EDI solutions encompass a network of over 2,200 payer organizations and are used by tens of thousands of healthcare providers nationwide. Additional MDOL offerings include fully integrated PMS and EMR systems, clinical data feeds, patient reminders, and gaps-in-care identification.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. - Platinum Level Partner

Contact: Brian S. Kern, Esq., Area Executive Vice President
Address: 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, NJ 07078-5000
Phone: 973.921.8497; Mobile: 908.642.4454
Fax: 973.921.2876
E-mail: Brian_Kern@ajg.com
Website

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co is a recognized leader in the professional liability market, and is the largest broker for medical professional liability insurance in NJ as well as the US. With a narrow focus on medical malpractice insurance, Gallagher's Healthcare Practice works with many of the largest groups in the region and maintains its high standards of excellence with each and every practice it represents.

Gallagher has unsurpassed access and is the largest broker with virtually every major medical malpractice company in the country, thus enabling it to help ensure that every physician secures the best possible terms for the lowest possible price. With its dedicated involvement in many areas of healthcare, Gallagher is the resource for physicians choosing among types of coverage, different policy terms and options, as well as the various companies. Gallagher offers the depth and insight to help practices navigate the new world of healthcare and build a foundation to assume risk. In fact, Gallagher is a nationally-recognized leader in alternative risk, having helped clients build numerous risk-sharing programs, including captives and risk retention groups. With its deep resources, Gallagher helps clients understand every facet of the liability process - from historical trends, to present claims handling, to managing risk for the future.

Gallagher works closely with organized medicine in virtually every capacity. The agency is a consistently strong supporter of state, specialty and county societies, and always at the forefront on important issues that can benefit the practice of medicine. The Gallagher healthcare team has been involved on many matters related to tort reform, including the fight for caps on non-economic damages, a better-defined statute of limitations, and an improved system based on fault, not based on deep pockets, and not one that encourages plaintiffs to name as many defendants as possible.

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.

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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"

2014 � Medical Society of New Jersey. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the written permission of the Medical Society of New Jersey.