CME Mandates

Despite opposition from MSNJ and specialty societies, the Assembly Women & Children Committee released A3834, a bill that would require CME related to suicide prevention for pediatricians and physicians who regularly provide pediatric care services. MSNJ will continue to advocate against issue-specific and specialty-specific CME for NJ physicians.

MSNJ Weighs in on End-of-Life CME Requirement
In a meeting on December 7, the Board of Trustees of MSNJ considered the recommendation of the Revolving Reference Committee that it adopt a resolution that would require MSNJ to seek legislation to limit the end-of -life continuing medical educational requirement to a one-time two credit event. Read more.

Drug Abuse

The Senate Health Committee passed S1998, which would update the NJ Prescription Monitoring Program. MSNJ supports the improvements to the PMP made by this bill, including the allowance of designees to check the database for a CDS prescriber.  Despite opposition from MSNJ and specialty societies, the bill does include a mandate for physicians to check the PMP before prescribing CDS.  MSNJ will continue to advocate against the mandate, particularly since over 20,000 physicians have already voluntarily signed up  for the program.  See more at msnj.org/drugabuse.

Assisted Suicide

After taking hours of testimony, including that of MSNJ and member physicians, the Senate Health Committee passed S382, which would allow physician-assisted suicide for certain patients.  As previously reported, the Assembly passed this bill by only one vote.  Read MSNJ's opposition. 

Scope of Practice:

Optometrists 

Physician Assistants 

The Senate Health Committee passed S.1184 (Vitale), which would expand the scope of practice for physician assistants.  MSNJ, along with specialty societies, negotiated closely with the Society of Physician Assistants on amendments to strike a balance protecting patient concerns. Read more.  

Hospital Medical Staff Alert
MSNJ joined AMA and virtually all of organized medicine in a letter to seek a one year delay in the implementation of a Medicare conditions of participation final rule that would allow multi-hospital systems to have a single integrated medical staff. However, the rule went into effect on July 11, 2014. When a hospital system elects to have a single medical staff, each individual medical staff must opt-in or opt-out. Bylaws of medical staff should then be modified.  The final rule also changes the requirement for the hospital governing body to include a member of the medical staff with a requirement that the governing body consult at least twice a year with the medical staff. 

Medical staff are urged to carefully consider the changes that the final rule may have on their governance.  Independent counsel should be sought for advice and assistance on the new rule's impact and bylaws modifications. Hospital medical staff leadership seeking further information should write to info@msnj.org. Resources are available on the AMA web site.

2014-2015 Influenza Vaccination

MSNJ encourages members to remind their patients to get vaccinated. Read more. Read NJDOH's 2014-2015 Influenza Vaccination Key Messages and FAQ's for the Public and Key Messages for Health Care Professionals.

Guide to Assist New Jersey Consumer Selection of Health Insurance Plans for 2015

The Sentinel Project has published "A Guide to Assist New Jersey Consumer Selection of Health Insurance Plans for 2015." This new guide provides important information to help those helping New Jersey consumers make the best choices for health insurance when shopping on  www.healthcare.gov, the Federal Marketplace.

Call for Candidates

MSNJ is accepting applications from candidates interested in positions on the Board of Trustees, AMA Delegation, Judicial Council and various positions. Please review the MSNJ Open Seats Chart and read a brief synopsis of the positions and expectations. Your involvement is key to the Success of MSNJ.

If you are interested in running for a position or have questions about specific vacancies, please feel free to contact your county executive or Sue Hoisington at 609-896-1766 x 207.

De Groote Award Nominations

MSNJ is accepting nominations for the De Groote Award which will be conferred at the MSNJ Inaugural Gala of the 223rd President, Steven Berkowitz, MD on May 9, 2015. The De Groote Award was established by resolution to honor the selfless work of Dr. Robert De Groote in service to the medical profession. The De Groote Award will be given to the individual whose selfless and idealistic work benefits humankind and not himself or herself.

Nominations should be made by submitting a brief narrative to info@msnj.org by close of business on Friday, February 20, 2015.

Sunshine Act: Quick Reference from Policy & Medicine

CMS Releases Updated Guidance on Preventive and Screening Services

The final rule regarding the 2015 Medicare fee schedule adds the following preventive services: Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity, Screening Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography, and Anesthesia Associated with Screening Colonoscopy. The co-insurance and deductible for these preventive services is waived. The following coding changes and additions have been made for these services, starting on 01/01/15:

• Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity: HCPCS code G0473 (Face-to-face behavioral counseling for obesity, group (2-10), 30 minutes) will be recognized when billed with and ICD-9 code that reflects a Body Mass Index (BMI) 30.0 and over (V85.30,-V85.39, V85.41-V85.45).

• Screening Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography: HCPCS code 77063 (Screening digital breast tomosynthesis, bilateral), will be recognized as an add-on code when billed with screening mammography HCPCS code G0202 (Screening mammography, producing direct digital image, bilateral, all views, 2D imaging only).
• Anesthesia Associated with Screening Colonoscopy: Anesthesiologists who perform separately payable anesthesia services for screening colonoscopy (HCPCS code 00810 performed in conjunction with G0105 and G0121), must use Modifier 33 to indicate it was a preventive service.

Creating a Culture of Compliance; By Julie Sheppard, BSN, JD, CHC

The rules and regulations that govern compliance in a medical practice are serious and cannot be overlooked. In addition to HIPAA and OSHA there are federal fraud and abuse laws that require the careful attention of physicians and staff.  Keeping your practice compliant with these rules and regulations takes time, resources and constant vigilance. However, taking the time to create a culture in which compliance is integrated, keeps your practice free from the vulnerabilities and risks associated with non-compliance. Read more.

Enrollment Requirements for Writing Prescriptions for Medicare Part D Drugs

Physicians, who write prescriptions for covered Part D drugs and are not currently enrolled in the Medicare Program, need to submit an enrollment application or an opt-out affidavit to Novitas by June 1, 2015. You may submit your enrollment application electronically using the Internet-based  

Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) or by completing the paper CMS-855I or CMS-855O application. Read more.  Due to member concerns, MSNJ has asked for guidance from Novitas on how this requirement affects physicians with the retired active (reduced fee) license status. We will post more information on what retired active licensees should do, when available.

Horizon Launches New Online Authorization Tool

Horizon asked MSNJ to advise members of a new tool available to physician practice. CareAffiliate, a utilization management tool, allows Horizon participating providers to submit authorization requests easily and securely online through NaviNet.  Providers will now be able to communicate electronically with Horizon and check the status of all requests in real time. 

CareAffiliate's main features include:

• Submit treatment Authorization requests.
• Submit treatment Pre-Determination requests.
• Check status of already submitted Authorization or Pre-Determination Requests.

ICD-10: 286 Days Away

October 1, 2015 is the deadline to transition to the ICD-10 code set. MSNJ encourages all physicians to begin preparing for implementation by working with software vendors and testing their systems. View resources on MSNJ's website.  

Volunteer for CMS ICD-10 End-to End Testing

View December's Coding Tip of the Month for information on the use of F codes in ICD-10 for Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01 - F99)