|
Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter
|
|
 |
|
|
 CORRECTION: Time is almost up to Report 2014 PQRS Data
Time is running out to submit PQRS data for the 2014 reporting period. The deadline for 2014 reporting through PQRSwizard, using the MSNJ discount, is March 13, 2015. However, you may submit through PQRSwizard.com up until March 20, 2015 at full price. You do not need to be an electronic biller or EMR user to take advantage of this reporting option. Read more. |
| Employment Contract Review Program
Entering into an employment agreement can change your professional life for years to come. Don't sign until you have consulted with counsel. Check out our Employment Contract Review Program today! View the flyer.
|
|
Ready Set Code! ICD-10 Webinar Workshops
The compliance date for implementation of ICD-10 is October 1, 2015. Will you be ready? MSNJ and the New Jersey Hospital Association will host a series of specialty specific webinar workshops on ICD-10. These hands-on coding workshops will help you master ICD-10-CM and the documentation requirements associated with coding for your specialty-specific practice. Participants will gain an understanding of the code format and structure of ICD-10 and the ability to successfully assign diagnosis codes using ICD-10. Choose one workshop that best describes your practice. Each 2-hour Specialty Workshop will be repeated on two different dates/times for your convenience. All workshops are approved for 2 AAPC CEUs. More information and registration.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
MSNJ's 2015 Advocacy Conference and House of Delegates Meeting
Friday, May 1, 2015
7:30am to 6:00pm
Crowne Plaza Princeton
|
|
MSNJ "Hot Topics" Dinner Seminar with CME:
MSNJ, in conjunction with the Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset County Medical Societies, are hosting a free dinner seminar on Hot Topics in Health Care on March 25 at 6:00pm at Salt Creek Grille. This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. More information.
|
|
New! Free on-line course on End of Life Care
Meets NJ BME education requirement for two Category 1 Credits in End of Life Care needed for 2015 license renewal.
Members access here.
We also have an alternative online option with a modest fee:
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.
|
|
Union County Medical Society is pleased to present with
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway: A Conversation at End-of-Life: POLST
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 3:45PM
L'Affaire Caterers
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
|
| The CDC will host a 2-day course on Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases on March 17 and March 18, 2015 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Busch Campus Multi-Purpose Center, Rutgers, The State University in Piscataway. More information.
|
|
IOM National Action Conference: Policies and Payment Systems to Improve End-of-Life Care
Friday, March 20, 2015 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington, DC
More information and registration.
A live video webcast will be available. Register for the webcast.
|
| Join the NJ Breastfeeding Medicine Education Initiative for their 2nd Annual Breastfeeding Medicine Conference on March 22 from 7:00am to 5:00pm at St. Peter's University Hospital. MSNJ members, register online for a 50% off discount! Click here for the discount code. More information.
|
|
Consulting:
MD Success - Bronze Level Partner
|
|
Legal Services:
Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC - Gold Level Partner
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Legislative Update
|
|
Physician Licenses
The Senate Budget Committee has passed S.1533, which requires the BME to conduct international background checks and contact past employers for physician license applicants. As previously reported, MSNJ opposes this bill. Read our opposition.
|
|
Scope of Practice
The Assembly has passed S.1152, which would allow APNs to diagnose cause of death, if the APN is the patient's primary caregiver and the physician is unavailable. MSNJ and specialty societies oppose this bill, which has been pocket vetoed twice before. Read our opposition paper. View press coverage.
|
|
Vaccines
The Senate Health Committee passed a bill that would limit current exemptions allowed for childhood vaccines. MSNJ supports this bill. Read more.
|
|
Drug Abuse Prevention
The Assembly unanimously passed A.622, which prohibits sale of certain products containing dextromethorphan to minors under 18 years of age. MSNJ and AMA support such restrictions.
|
|
COPD Awareness
The Assembly unanimously passed A.3248, which establishes the Task Force on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Department of Health. MSNJ does not have a position on this bill but recognizes that there is a high mortality and morbidity rate with this population.
|
|
News
|
|
Most ACA Enrollees Receive Government Subsidies
According to the Obama Administration 86% of ACA enrollees receive subsidies from the government. Around 8.8 million of these healthcare insurance consumers live in the 37 states where the federal government runs the insurance exchange. This emphasizes the importance of the subsidy case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more.
|
 |
|
Medicare Advantage Network Rules to be Improved
The 2016 Medicare Advantage (MA) draft policies recently released by CMS will require MA plans to pay more attention to their networks. MA plans will be required to establish and maintain proactive, structured communications with physicians to assess their true availability, including specifically whether they are accepting new patients, and verify continued compliance with MA network access requirements. Plans must address complaints related to enrollees being denied access to a contracted provider and update online directory information in real-time. MSNJ and the AMA have advocated for improvements to MA plan network rules.
|
|
|
Cardiac Training Module
The Cardiac Screening Task Force Assessment Module is now on line. All providers performing student athlete pre-participation clearance exams will need to complete this 30 minute module. At the end, you must print out a certificate and keep it on file. Access the module. View new guidance.
Please let us know if you experience any problems or glitches. As a reminder, view the previous guidance from the Department of Education.
|
|
MSNJ in the News:
MSNJ CEO Larry Downs is quoted in this NJBIZ article Bringing out-of-network costs into the light.
|
|
MSNJ News
|
|
MSNJ HOD Resolutions
In preparation for MSNJ House of Delegates on Friday, May 1, 2015, enclosed are the guidelines for resolution submission, writing and due dates. Please submit all resolutions via resolutions@msnj.org or fax 609-896-1347.
Resolutions may not be submitted to MSNJ directly by individuals, and resolutions must come from county societies or the MSNJ Board of Trustees. Resolutions submitted directly to MSNJ by an individual member will be forwarded to that member's county society for action. The county societies will determine which resolutions to submit for consideration by the HOD. All resolutions need to have the submission form attached to the resolution.
- March 16, 2015 - Resolutions due from counties
- March 27, 2015 - Resolutions posted on MSNJ website
- April 3, 2015 - Comments and recommended changes on resolutions due from counties
- April 7, 2015 - Reference Committee Webinar 6 - 9 pm - Register (Session 1 HOD)
- April 24, 2015 - Reference Committee Report posted on MSNJ website
- May 1, 2015 - MSNJ HOD
|
|
|
|
Practice Management
|
| Time is Running Out: Report 2014 PQRS Data and Avoid Penalties in 2016. Read more.
|
|
EHR Attestation Deadline for Medicare EPs Extended to March 20, 2015
CMS has extended the deadline for eligible professionals (EPs) to attest to meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program 2014 reporting year to March 20, 2015. Read more.
|
|
UPDATE: Enrollment Requirements for Writing Medicare Part D Prescriptions
We previously reported that physicians, who write prescriptions for covered Part D drugs and are not currently enrolled in or opted out of the Medicare Program, need to submit an enrollment application or an opt-out affidavit to Novitas by June 1, 2015. MSNJ asked Novitas for guidance on how this requirement would affect physicians with the retired active (reduced fee) license status, who cannot have any insurance affiliations. Read more.
|
|
Updated Doctor Directories Required by Health Insurers
Next year, the federal government will require health insurers to provide up-to-date details about which doctors are in their plans and taking new patients. Read more.
|
|
Volunteer for CMS ICD-10 End-to End Testing
CMS will begin ICD-10 end-to-end testing with a small group of volunteers, beginning July 20 through July 24, 2015. If you are interested in volunteering for this testing opportunity, complete the Volunteer Testing Form by April 17, 2015. Volunteers will be notified of selection by May 8. Read CMS's new FAQ on ICD-10 End-to-End Testing, MLN Matters SE1435. Watch the MLN Connects video on Coding for ICD-10-CM: More of the Basics for a better understanding of ICD-10.
|
|
New Member Benefit: Supercoder.com
MSNJ is excited to introduce a new member benefits, powered by SuperCoder.com. Use these free tools on the MSNJ website:
- Ask an Expert (submit questions and get answers from AAPC and/or AHIMA certified coders)
- ICD-10 Bridges (crosswalk your ICD-9 codes and become familiar with ICD-10)
- Code Search (obtain results from four sets of code indexes, tables, and SuperCoder's Keyword Code Helper)
- Access other SuperCoder.com tools at MSNJ's discounted rate
|
|
ICD-10: Only 202 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. Register for upcoming ICD-10 Webinar Workshops.
|
|
|
|
Medical Society of New Jersey
2 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(o) 609-896-1766 e-mail:
|
|
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"
|
|
2015 © 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.
|
|
|
|
|
