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Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter
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Repeal the SGR Formula in 2014: Take Action NOW!
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.
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Member Benefits
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| Jos. A Bank is offering exclusive coupons for Corporate Card Members for September 14 only! View the coupons!
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| 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. Visit our website for participating vendors and pricing.
Click here for a complete list of approved vendors.
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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.
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Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Provider Open House
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 6:00pm to 8:00pm
at the Military Medical Treatment Facility, 87th Medical Group,
3458 Neely Road, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ 08641
- Meet their healthcare providers
- Learn more about the exciting mission on their installation
- Presentation by Commanders
- Tour of Facility
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| Coker Group will host their September webinar on Simplifying EHR Security Audits on September 18 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Learnhow and where your electronic health information is used and stored, the key components of a risk assessment under the Meaningful Use compliance requirement, the core areas of a required security audit, and how to develop and implement a plan to ensure ongoing compliance and reduce potential for fines and penalties. Register online.
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| 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.
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"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™
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SAVE THE DATE!
MSNJ and the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey are co-hosting a free "Do No Harm Symposium" on prescription drug abuse.
October 1, 2014 - 12:00pm-3:00pm
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
More information.
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Join Cumberland County Medical Society for NJ PURE's
"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER" Dinner Presentation "Partnering with your Patients to Reduce Malpractice Risk"
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 from 6:00pm-9:00pm
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
More information.
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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.
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| New Jersey Psychiatric Association and the New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine are hosting an Addiction Medicine conference on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at NJHA Conference and event Center in Princeton, NJ. For more information and registration, visit NJPA's website.
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Join MSNJ, in conjunction with the Burlington County Medical Society and the Monmouth-Ocean County Medical Society for A Free Advocacy & Financial Planning Seminar for Physicians.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at Sheraton Eatontown, Eatontown, NJ
This event is FREE to physician members and non-members. Dinner and cocktails will be served. More information and registration.
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MSNJ, HRET and HFMA will host a seminar "Show Me the Money: Capturing the Benefits and Avoiding the Risks of Healthcare Reform" on October 30, 2014 at New Jersey Hospital Association. View the brochure and register online.
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The Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy's "Roy A. Bowers 64th Annual Pharmaceutical Conference" is being held on October 30, 2014 at The Imperia in Somerset, NJ. More information.
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Novitas Solutions will host a free 2014 Medicare symposium on October 20, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ and November 6 in Langhorne, PA. Topics include E&M Services, Two-Midnight Rule, claim form overviews, and Medicare basics.
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| 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.
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| Seabrook House is offering a complimentary CME event with Monmouth-Ocean Medical Society on "Identifying and Addressing Addiction in my Private Practice" on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at TR Hotel in Toms River, NJ. Click here for more information and registration.
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View PCSS-O and PCSS-MAT online resources:
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Renew your dues ONLINE by October 15, 2014 and receive a 5% discount on your state dues!
When prompted enter discount code msnj5%, then click "update price."
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MSNJ's 8th Annual Golf Outing: October 15, 2014
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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.
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News
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DEA Reschedules Hydrocodone Combination Products
Effective October 6, 2014, hydrocodone combination products (including Vicodin) will be considered CDS schedule II drugs. This is a move up from their previous classification as schedule III. All other hydrocodone products already fall under schedule II. Physicians should keep in mind that there are more restrictions on schedule II drugs, when prescribing hydrocodone combination products after October 6, 2014. Under NJ law, physicians may electronically prescribe schedule II CDS. Likewise they may prescribe a 90 day supply of schedule II CDS by issuing three separate prescriptions 30-day prescriptions, so long as the 90 day supply will not create an undue risk of abuse by the patient. See N.J.A.C. 13:35-7.6(c) for details. (MSNJ previously advocated for 90-day refills for schedule II drugs.) However, there is an open question of whether states will allow prescriptions written before the October 6, 2014 effective date to be refilled up until April 8, 2015 which is allowed by the federal regulation. MSNJ has made inquiries to the appropriate state officials to determine what the state's position is. We are recommending that the state allow refills on these newly scheduled drugs until the April 8 deadline. We will keep members apprised of the state's response. Read the full rule adoption in the Federal Register. Read AMA's guidance document on the impact of the new federal regulation.
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State Supreme Court Hears Argument on Methadone Treatment for Pregnant Women
On September 8 the New Jersey Supreme Court heard argument in New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services v. Y.N., a case brought by DYFS that would find a pregnant woman's medically supervised treatment with methadone for opiate addiction to be a commission of child abuse and neglect. MSNJ previously joined a roster of specialty societies, including ACOG and its NJ Chapter, and medical experts filing an amicus brief with the high court. A decision is expected in the fall.
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Federal Appellate Court to Hear Argument on Assignment of Benefits in ERISA Cases
This summer MSNJ joined with the AMA to file a "friends of the court" brief with the 3d Circuit Court of Appeals in North Jersey Brain & Spine Center v. Aetna. At issue is whether the medical practice has standing to sue Aetna for payments that were assigned by patients with self-insured ERISA health plans. Oral argument is scheduled for November 21.
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Implementation of Overdose Prevention Act
On September 5 MSNJ filed comments on proposed regulations to implement the Overdose Prevention Act. MSNJ supported the legislation. The Act was passed to stem the number of deaths from overdoses by providing civil and criminal immunity to overdose victims, peers who assist, and physicians who prescribe an opioid antidote for a person likely to be in a position to administer it. In addition, the law provides for immunity from any professional disciplinary action. Physicians must, however, provide information to the nominal "patient" before prescribing. The regulatory amendments were necessary because of existing regulatory requirements on the necessity for a physical exam and patient follow-up. An amendment to the definition of "patient" was also required since the prescription would be written for the person in a position to administer the antidote, not the ultimate end-user.
The proposed regulation did not include language on immunity from disciplinary action. We filed comments requesting that the BME do so. In addition, we asked that the regulation spell out that physicians may rely on information approved by the Department of Health. We also asked that the exception created for patient follow-up be clarified by stating that the duty of follow-up is not required for either the end-user or the nominal patient.
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Revolving Reference Committee
Last night, the MSNJ Board approved a Revolving Reference Committee, established and appointed by the president, to allow more timely submission of resolutions from the counties throughout the year. President Paul Carniol, MD, appointed Alex Rodriguez, Chair, Donald Cinotti, MD, Hudson, Steve Richards, Middlesex, Joe Reichman, Camden, Adam Rowen, Union, and Walter Wynkoop, Monmouth. The committee will meet via conference calls on September 30, December 1, and February 3, 2015. The Board referred its first resolution to the RRC, "Straddle Drug Pricing for Medicare Part D Participants."
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NJ Department of Health Guidance to Providers on 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, Clinical Guidelines for Initial Evaluation of Suspect Cases of Ebola, and a guidance document on unaccompanied children from the Southern U.S. border. Other important Ebola information can be found on the NJ DOH website.
New guidelines and resources posted on the NJDOH Ebola website: Updated guidelines / resources posted on the NJDOH Ebola website: |
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Public Reporting of Hospital Acquired Condition Measures
CMS announced in May that public reporting of eight Hospital Acquired Condition (HAC) measures would be discontinued. The measures include when foreign objects are left in patients' bodies or when people get the wrong blood type. CMS has since then reversed its decision. The information does not appear on Hospital Compare, however, the information will be available in a separate public database on the CMS website.
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Practice Management
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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. Read the DCA's FAQ on prescription blanks.
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Avoid Automatic Medicare Payment Reductions in 2016
September 30, 2014 is the deadline for groups to register to participate in the 2014 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO). Groups with 10 or more eligible professionals (EPs) can avoid the automatic two percent Value Modifier payment penalty in CY 2016 by participating in the PQRS GPRO in CY 2014 and meeting the satisfactory reporting criteria. If these group practices do not participate in the PQRS GPRO in CY 2014, they can avoid the automatic Value Modifier payment penalty in CY 2016 if the EP in the group participate in the PQRS as individuals and at least 50 percent of the EPs meet the requirements to avoid the CY 2016 PQRS payment adjustment. More information.
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Education Credits Available for Three CMS Quality Program Webinars
CMS announced that education credits are now available for the three web-based trainings that were posted on YouTube by MLNConnects in June 2014:
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The Difference between NPI and PTAN
CMS has updated their MLN Matter article that explains the difference between a National Provider Identifier (NPI) and a Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN). Read the article.
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Submitting Requests to Reopen Claims that are Beyond the Claim Filing Timeframes
CMS updated their MLN Matter article that provides coding instructions and scenarios for requesting a reopening of a claim that is beyond the filing timeframe. Read the article.
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EHR Meaningful Use Rule Finalized
CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) have finalized the modifications to the meaningful use rule which allows hospitals and eligible professionals a longer timeline and more flexibility in meeting the meaningful use requirements for the EHR Incentive Program. The rule will now push back Stage 3 of meaningful use one more year to January 1, 2017. Providers will also now have an extra year to use the 2011 Edition software. View the final rule. Read CMS' press release. Read more.
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OIG Special Fraud Alert
In June, The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a Special Fraud Alert that addressed the relationship between labs and physicians. The alert addresses compensation paid by laboratories to referring physicians and physician group practices for blood specimen collection, processing, and packaging, and for submitting patient data to a registry or database. It also describes two specific trends OIG has identified involving transfers of value from laboratories to physicians that they believe present a substantial risk of fraud and abuse under the anti-kickback statute:
- Blood-Specimen Collection, Processing, and Packaging Arrangements
- Registry Payments
View the alert.
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View September's Coding Tip of the Month for information on the use of I codes for diseases of the circulatory system in ICD-10.
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Corporate Partners
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QualCare, Inc. - Platinum Level Partner
Contact: Jenny Martinez
Address: 30 Knightsbridge Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: 888.670.8135, option 6
E-mail: mewasales@qualcareinc.com
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, wellness programs, care management services, and a workers' compensation product. QualCare also provides ACO consultative services and infrastructure.
Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, QualCare services over 800,000 members and is owned by 16 non-profit hospitals and physician-hospital organizations, with a clientele that spans health systems, unions, local governments, school boards, and other commercial employers. QualCare's network covers over 100 acute, specialty and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as over 31,000 physicians and other ancillary providers across NJ, PA & NY.
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I.C. System - Bronze Level Partner
Address: 444 Highway 96 East, PO Box 64378, St. Paul, MN 55164
Phone: 800.279.3511
E-mail: info@icsystem.com
Website
At I.C. System, we simply make sure you'll work with an experienced, ethical, professional team of people. People who know how to take advantage of the most current technologies to help you collect more debt more often so you can add more to your bottom line.
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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!
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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:
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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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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.
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