Revolving Reference Committee to Hear Two Resolutions
On September 30 at 7 o'clock MSNJ's Revolving Reference Committee (RRC) will hear two resolutions "Revised Straddle Drug Pricing for Medicare Part D" proposed by Atlantic and Camden counties and "Educational Requirements decided by Specialty Societies and State Board of Medical Examiners" proposed by Camden county. The RRC will hear the resolutions via webinar. Information on these resolutions may be found on MSNJ's web site by logging into the members' only web site and clicking on "Communities." From "Communities" click onto "Committees and Councils" and then "Revolving Reference Committee." The web page will include information on the RRC as well as information on each resolution. 

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.

Exclusive New Medical Professional Liability Insurance Program for Physician Groups

MSNJ is pleased to announce that one of its platinum sponsors, Arthur J. Gallagher, has negotiated a program that will give qualifying physician groups that are insured on a claims-made policy, extended reporting ("tail") coverage AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

At last, a program now exists that allows physicians to switch to an occurrence-type policy and eliminate the worry associated with expensive tail coverage - AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

Are you Communicating in Your Patients Preferred Way?

POS® Messaging is much more than your traditional automated communication system. With POS Messaging your practice can send automated patient messages via email, phone, text and mail to increase practice revenue, simplify internal processes and improve patient care.

Try it for FREE!

For a limited time, try POS Messaging for FREE!

Click here to watch a short demo video.

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. 

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.

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 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™

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office will host free training and education on how to administer naloxone to reverse a heroin/opioid overdose. 

All participants will receive a free naloxone kit and a treatment voucher for 30 days of free substance abuse treatment to use or distribute to any person that needs medication-assisted treatment.

• JSAS HealthCare, Inc. - Beginning September 15 (every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in September, except September 29) at 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 6:30pm
• Parkertown Volunteer Fire Co. Station 70 - Monday, September 29 at 6:00pm
• Lacey United Methodist Church - Tuesday, October 7 at 6:00pm

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

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.

Northeastern Basic Course for Principles of Infection Prevention and Control

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

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.

The Delaware Stroke Initiative and the Delaware Medical Society will host "The John Scholz Stroke Education Conference" on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 7:00am to 1:45pm at the Ammon Medical Education Center on the campus of Christiana Care Health Services in Newark, Delaware.

Learn:

• The continuum of care for stroke rehabilitation patients;
• The effects of stroke on vision;
• New treatment options for stroke prevention and brain hemorrhage;
• Stroke risk factors, including hypertension and atrial fibrillation;
• The psychological impact of stroke on caregivers;
• The radiographic evaluation of stroke;
• The risk factors, symptoms and management of pediatric stroke;
• How orthotics are used for movement and stability in stroke recovery; and
• The common principles of primary prevention of stroke. 

NY and NJ 2014 Symposium on Opioids and End of Life Care

November 9, 2014 from 8:00am to 4:00pm at Hyatt Regency on the Hudson, Jersey City, NJ

NJ Chapter, American College of Surgeons 63rd Annual Clinical Symposium

Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 7:30am to 5:30pm at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel & Conference Center

Clinical Sessions include:  

Bariatric Surgery; Cardio-Thoracic Surgery; Colon & Rectal Surgery; Neurosurgery; Trauma Surgery; Plastic Surgery; Otolaryngology; Urologic Surgery; Vascular Surgery; Trauma Surgery; Global Surgery.

Special Sessions include:  

End of Life Care - POLST; 2014 ACS Update; Sheen Award Lecture; Resident Jeopardy/Resident Manuscript Awards

Registration coming soon.

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.   

Renew your dues ONLINE by October 15, 2014 and receive a 5% discount on your state dues!

Horizon Out of Network Recoupment Set to Begin October 22

Suits Filed Against NJ Practices for Using Steroids from New England Compounding Center

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Rescheduling of Hydrocodone Combination Products to Schedule II-New Prescriptions May be Required

Legislative Update: 

Out of Network Legislation

The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee is gearing up to tackle health insurance matters this fall. MSNJ is meeting with committee members and legislative leaders to advise them of our position on the issue. See our memo here.

Newborn Screenings

The Senate has passed S461, which revises the State's Newborn Screening program by requiring the Commissioner of Health to establish a Newborn Screening Advisory Review Committee consisting of medical, hospital, and public health professionals, as well as scientific experts and consumer representatives. This committee would be authorized to make recommendations on the disorders to be screened for by the department, as well as on screening technologies, treatment options, and educational and follow-up procedures, to be used in the State's newborn screening program.  The committee would be required to meet annually to review and revise the list of disorders that are recommended for inclusion in the program.  The bill also makes other changes to the existing screening program. MSNJ does not have a position on this bill.

Caregivers

The Senate has passed A2955/S2127.  This bill would require general acute care hospitals to provide patients and their legal guardians with opportunities to designate a caregiver, following the patient's entry into the hospital, to assist with after-care upon discharge.  As soon as possible, prior to a patient's discharge from a hospital, the hospital would be required to consult with the designated caregiver and issue a discharge plan that describes a patient's after-care assistance needs.  The bill provides guidelines for caregiver designation, instruction, and record keeping.  The bill provides certain immunity regarding caregivers and clarifies that caregivers are not eligible for payment.

End-of-Life: "Consider the Conversation" to be Released on September 27

After twenty-one months in the making, award-winning independent filmmakers Michael Bernhagen and Terry Kaldhusdal have announced the release of their second film, Consider the Conversation 2: Stories about Cure, Relief, and Comfort that will be made available to PBS stations nationwide on Saturday, September 27, 2014. "Consider the Conversation 2" sheds light on the importance of the patient/doctor relationship and patient/doctor communication when living with severe chronic disease. The documentary also explores some of the unintended consequences of American medicine's success. Kaldhusdal talks about the goals for this film: "First, we want to demonstrate that communication is a skill on par with diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis--something that medical professionals can teach and learn. Second, we want to help patients, families and doctors understand that talking about end-of-life wishes well in advance can help prevent unnecessary suffering at end-of-life. And third, we hope to inspire end-of-life care that is more person-centered and less system-centered."

EV-D68 Cases Confirmed by CDC

On September 17, the CDC confirmed New Jersey's first case of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and other cases have since been confirmed. For additional information, visit the NJ Department of Health's website.  

Ebola Resources    

Upcoming Meaningful Use Deadlines

Physicians participating in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) meaningful use program are running out of time to meet requirements as attestation deadlines are coming up. CMS reported that nearly one-half of physicians have not yet started Stage 1 of the program. Those who don't successfully attest on September 30, 2014 will face a penalty up to two percent of their 2015 payments. For physicians in Stage 2 of the program, the deadline to attest to meaningful use is December 31, 2014. The last day to start reporting is October 3, 2014 if they are to meet the 90-day requirement. So far, less than one percent of physicians have participated in Stage 2. The following are the upcoming deadlines:

• Stage 1: September 30, 2014 - Deadline to attest
• Stage 2: October 3, 2014 - Last day to begin reporting
• Stage 2: December 31, 2014- Deadline to attest

Read more.

Annual Enrollment for Medicare Advantage and Part D Coming Soon

The annual enrollment period for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will begin on October 15, 2014 and end on December 7, 2014. Medicare beneficiaries have until December 7 to analyze their options and make plan choices. During open enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries who do not have a Part D plan can enroll in one, and those who do have Part D coverage can change plans. Beneficiaries can also return to traditional Medicare from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, enroll in an MA plan, or change MA plans.  Enrollment requests made during open enrollment will have an effective date of January 1, 2015. The 2015 plan information will be available on the Medicare Plan Finder. More information. 

End-to-End ICD-10 Testing

CMS will offer end-to-end testing to a small sample group of providers from January 26 through January 30, 2015. The sample group will be selected from providers, suppliers and other submitters who volunteer to participate. Interested in being considered for the end-to-end testing? Complete the Volunteer Testing Form by October 3, 2014. Providers will be notified, either way, by October 24, 2014.   

2013 PQRS & eRx Incentive Program Feedback Reports Now Available

CMS announced the release of the 2013 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and 2013 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program feedback reports. These reports are available for eligible professionals (EPs) who submitted quality data on Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Part B services between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. EPs can retrieve their reports through two methods:

1. National Provider Identifier (NPI)-level reports: These reports can be requested through CMS' Communication Support Page by creating a NPI-level feedback report request. The report will be sent electronically to the email address provided in the request within two to four weeks. 
2. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) - level reports: These reports contain NPI level detail and are available for download on the Physician and Other Health Care Professionals Quality Reporting Portal. To access a TIN-level report on the Portal, you must have an Individuals Authorized to Access CMS Computer Services (IACS) account.  To request an IACS account in order to access the portal, check out the IACS Quick References Guides. 

2014-2015 Influenza Resources for Health Care Professionals

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP - Gold Level Partner   

Address: Glenpointe Centre West, 500 Frank W. Burr Boulevard, Suite 31, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-928-1100
Fax: 201-928-0588
Website 

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, is a full-service law firm with eighty attorneys headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, with a satellite office in Trenton, New Jersey. We are a group of skilled, experienced attorneys who practice in a wide variety of specialties. A partial list of our practice areas includes healthcare law, real estate, labor law, public procurement, litigation, environmental law, public finance, tax, municipal law, government and regulatory affiars, corporate law, banking and bankruptcy.

Healthcare Law Section

Our Healthcare group has successfully represented healthcare entities and professionals in a complex industry, business and regulatory environment. The DeCotiis healthcare attorneys have represented physicians in New Jersey before the following State and federal agencies and private entities:

• The New Jersey Attorney General's Office
• The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
• The Medical Practitioner Review Panel
• The Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
• New Jersey State Medicaid investigation
• The United States Attorneys Office
• The Office of Inspector General
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General
• Hospitals, nursing homes
• Extended care facilities
• Ambulatory surgery centers
• Insurance companies

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.