Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter
 
December 23, 2015

   
In This Issue
 
Does your comp policy offer dividends?
MSNJ announces new workers comp options for medical practices!
MSNJ Risk Advisors is able to offer MSNJ partners and members what we feel is the best workers compensation protection plan on the market.  While maintaining premiums that are most likely commensurate with, or lower than, your current rate - it offers several advantages over competing products in the insurance marketplace.  Over the last two years this product has paid out 35% in dividends.  Additionally, participation in this plan will help to bolster MSNJ, and our position in assisting our member doctors. More information.
CME/Events /Training

Check out the MSNJ Calendar for upcoming meetings!

Webinar: HIPAA - Texting and Emailing
Tuesday, January 26

Save the Date! MSNJ's 2016 Advocacy Conference and House of Delegates Meeting 
May 13-14, 2016
More information. 

Save the Date! MSNJ's 250th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Gala honoring Dr. Joseph Costabile 
July 23, 2016
More information. 
Corporate Partners

Legal Services:
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla - Silver Level Partner
 

Banking:
Two River Community Bank - Bronze 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.
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Policy & Strategy Panel Meeting
Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 5:30pm 
MSNJ Conference Center

Three Hot Topics for 2016: 
  • Presentation by the Federation of State Medical Boards on the Interstate Compact to Expedite Medical Licensure and Facilitate Multi-State Practice
  • Discussion of telemedicine policy and legislation - balancing convenience and good medicine
  • Marijuana - Medical use, decriminalize or legalize?
Call for Nominations
We are accepting applications of interested parties for positions on the Board of Trustees, AMA Delegation, Judicial Council and various positions. Please review the MSNJ Open Positions for 2016 and read a brief synopsis of the committees and expectation.  Your involvement is key to the Success of MSNJ.

If you are interested in running for a position or have questions about specific vacancies, first contact your county executive, then contact MSNJ at 609-896-1766 x 207.

The Deadline to submit a request is January 25, 2016. Watch e-News for weekly updates on Declared Candidates.  The Nominating Committee meeting is on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 9:30am at MSNJ.
 
Legislative Update
Hospital Property Taxation
The Senate Budget Committee has passed S.3299, which requires non-profit hospitals to pay "community service contributions" to host municipalities (except in case of hardship exemptions). MSNJ supports the exemption for physician services (other than leased space). The bill will prevent future lawsuits like Morristown Medical Center's. Read more.
Advance Care Planning
MSNJ urges members to learn about Medicare coverage for end of life planning. See information. A bill requiring Medicaid coverage in New Jersey for advance care planning is on the Governor's desk.

News
FTC Says No to Hospital Mergers; Organized Medicine Seeks DOJ Scrutiny of Insurer Mergers
For the third time in as many weeks the Federal Trade Commission has said no to three proposed hospital mergers. Most recently, the FTC announced its plans to block the combination of Advocate Health Care, Illinois' largest health system, and North Shore University Health System. Closer to home, the FTC has joined with Pennsylvania to block a merger of Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Pinnacle Health System. Read more.
While the FTC focuses on hospital merger activity, the AMA has urged the Department of Justice to block Anthem's acquisition of Cigna and Aetna's acquisition of Humana. AMA opposes these mergers because they are likely to lead to higher premiums and reduced plan quality while also lowering physician reimbursement levels that could degrade the quality and reduce the quantity of physician services. Read more. 
Christie Administration Awards $5.5 Million in Grants to Improve Health Care for Veterans
The New Jersey Department of Health announced that they will award $5.5 million in grants to implement programs and innovations that will improve health care for veterans and their families in New Jersey. Read more. 
Meaningful Use Hardship Exception
Eligible professionals must attest that they met the requirements for meaningful use Stage 2 for a period of 90 consecutive days during calendar year 2015. However, CMS did not publish the Modifications Rule for Stage 2 of meaningful use until October 16. As a result, eligible professionals were not informed of the revised program requirements until fewer than the 90 required days remained in the calendar year. CMS has previously stated that it will grant hardship exemptions for 2015 if eligible providers are unable to attest due to the lateness of the rule. However, under current law, CMS can only grant such exemptions on a case-by-case basis. This means that many eligible professionals will be required to apply for exemptions and that CMS will have to act on each application individually. A provision of the legislation adopted by Congress would grant CMS the authority to process requests for hardship exemptions to physicians through a more streamlined process. 
MSNJ Members in the News
MSNJ recognizes and congratulates Dr. Andrew Pecora in launching COTA, Inc. to improve cancer care. Read more.  
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Claimed Unallowable Medicare Part B Reimbursement for Outpatient Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services
The Office of the Inspector General has found that Englewood Hospital and Medical Center improperly claimed at least $115,000 in Medicare reimbursement for outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services over a two-year period. It seeks a refund of $115,000 to the Federal Government. It requires the hospital to implement written policies and procedures to ensure that outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services are provided and documented in accordance with Medicare requirements. Read more.
NJ Ranks 11th in Overall Health According to 2015 America's Health Rankings. Read the article.
Read NJBIZ's article on "Biopharma industry, too, is concerned about rising drug prices."
Practice Management
2015 EHR Attestation Begins January 4
Attestations for the 2015 program year will be accepted for all Medicare eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) from January 4, 2016 through February 29, 2016. All Medicaid program participants should refer to their State Medicaid offices for more information on attestation timeframes for the 2015 program year. CMS has updated the EHR Incentive Programs Attestation Batch Upload page with the Attestation Batch Upload Specifications for 2015 program year attestation.

2016 HIPAA Audits
Phase 2 HIPAA audits are scheduled to begin in early 2016. The most frequent targets are currently private practices and outpatient facilities. These audits will be desk reviews of policies as well as onsite reviews. Excellentia Advisory Group will host training sessions for $139.00 per session for the two levels of responsibility/accountability:
 
Medical Society of New Jersey
2 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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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.

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