Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter
 
December 31, 2015

   
In This Issue
 
CME/Events /Training

Check out the MSNJ Calendar for upcoming meetings!

Symposium - Fear of Tiers: Finding the Right Balance of Government Oversight, Transparency and the Free Market for Narrow Health Insurance Networks
January 21, 2016 from 1:00pm to 4:30pm at Princeton University
Come see MSNJ CEO, Larry Downs speak on this issue.

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

Financial Planning:
Total Financial Concepts - Bronze Level Partner

Health Insurance:
QualCare, Inc. - Platinum Level Partner 

Liability Insurance:
Princeton Insurance - 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.
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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?

Attention Tier 2 Physicians:
If you have been assigned to Tier 2 by Horizon, please take this survey to help us assess the impact.
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
Tiered Networks (OMNIA)
As previously reported, MSNJ continues to work with legislators to address tiered networks, advocating for network adequacy and physician profiling transparency. MSNJ COO, Mishael Azam, testified at a December hearing and MSNJ CEO, Larry Downs, will speak at a conference in January. See event information
 
If you have been designated as an OMNIA Tier 2 physician, please help us by completing our survey.
 
Finally, as previously reported, at least three lawsuits have been filed by Tier 2 hospitals. Last week, the court in the St. Peters University Hospital suit denied an injunction of the rollout of the OMNIA product, but has permitted discovery on the merits of the lawsuit. Read more.
Out of Network Legislation
MSNJ continues to oppose the legislation, which has stalled for the 2014-2015 legislative session. MSNJ CEO, Larry Downs, Esq., appeared on NJTV this month to discuss our opposition to the out of network legislation. See the interview with Michael Aron.  
 
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE TO OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION.  
PLEASE MAKE YOUR YEAR END CONTRIBUTION TO OUR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE.
WWW.MSNJ.ORG/DONATE 
New Drug Abuse Laws
As a reminder, the new PMP law took effect last month. Read our guidance document. In addition, a new law requires physicians who dispense controlled substances to provide disposal information. This is a narrow requirement only for physicians who dispense CDS (which cannot exceed a 7 day supply). Please read the notice instructions.
EMS Turf War
In July, Governor Christie signed legislation to change EMS delivery in the state, but the law was litigated. Though a trial judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs (Virtua and Capital Health) who argued that the law unfairly hurts their existing EMS business, an appellate judge disagreed by staying the lower court's decision. As such, Cooper will in fact take over services from Virtua and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will take over services from Capital Health on January 1, 2016. Read the story, which includes the history of the case.
Home Health Referrals
As previously reported, CMS has issued new "face to face" requirements before physicians make home health referrals. MSNJ discussed the issue at our January 2015 Policy and Strategy Panel meeting. Read more about this issue. Though the National Association for Home Care and Hospice sued CMS about the regulations, a district court ruled that they are fair. Read about the case. MSNJ will continue to support a legislative fix and work with the New Jersey chapter of Home Care and Hospice Association and others to ease the process.
Sexual Assault
The Senate has passed a bill that allows health care professionals, other than physicians, to authorize services, including forensic sexual assault examinations and other medical care, if a minor appears to have been sexually assaulted, regardless of whether the minor's parents or guardian have given consent. Current law only allows physicians and parents to waive consent. MSNJ is monitoring this bill.

News
MU Hardship Exemption Law Signed 
On December 28 the President signed S. 2425, the "Patient Access & Medicare Protection Act." This legislation was introduced to mitigate the impact of a CMS rule that allowed physicians to report for only 90 days in 2015, but the final rule was adopted with less than 90 days to do so. Failure to comply with the meaningful use requirements in the 2015 reporting period will result in a 3% Medicare payment penalty in 2017. While CMS would grant hardship exemptions to physicians on a case-by-case basis for "extreme and uncontrollable circumstances," the legislation will allow physicians to apply by categories. Applications are due by March 15. Now, CMS must design and implement the blanket exemption. Read more. We will update members as more information becomes available. 
2016 Medicare Physician Fee Rule
On October 30, 2015 CMS finalized the Medicare Physician Fee Rule. Among the items for which MSNJ advocated:
  • Physicians who opt-out will not need to renew this status every two years; instead, they may cancel their renewal 30 days prior to the next two-year period.
  • Physicians may be paid for two advanced care planning services.
Read AMA's summary of the final rule. 
Increased Funding for Specific Preventative, Primary and Postpartum Care Codes
The ���Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services is informing providers of increased funding for specific preventative, primary and postpartum care codes billed by physicians. Read more. 
MSNJ ranks #8 in NJBIZ's top business and professional associations. Read more.
Public Health
Read NJDOH's updated protocols to enhanced airport entry screening and active monitoring for the Ebola virus in travelers from Guinea.
Practice Management
2016 Date-of-Service Claims Hold for Services Paid Under the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
MACs will hold claims containing 2016 services paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for up to 14 calendar days (January 1, 2016 through January 14, 2016) to implement corrections to technical errors discovered after publication of the final rule and process claims correctly. MPFS claims for services rendered on or before December 31, 2015 are unaffected by the 2016 claims hold and will be processed and paid under normal procedures and time frames. View the 2016 fee schedule.
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.

Managed Long-Term Services and Supports
Review the Frequently Asked Questions for Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) by the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services.

 
Medical Society of New Jersey
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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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