Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter
 
June 16, 2016

   
In This Issue
 
Member Benefits

MSNJ partners with New Jersey Drug Card to provide a prescription assistance program for patients.
Read the press release.

Zika Virus

Zika Resources
  • World Health Organization (WHO) advises women in Zika-affected areas to postpone pregnancy.
CME/Events /Training

Check out the MSNJ Calendar for upcoming meetings!

Free online CME activity: Internet Drug Sellers: What Providers Need to Know
More information.

COCA Call: CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm
More information.

Coker Group Webinar: MACRA and MIPS Panel Discussion
Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

First Healthcare Compliance Webinar: OSHA for Medical and Dental Office Employees
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 12:00pm
More information and registration.

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

Health Insurance:
QualCare, Inc. - Platinum 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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MSNJ's 250th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Gala honoring Dr. Joseph Costabile 
July 23, 2016 at 6:00pm 
The Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick, NJ
MSNJ Mourns the Death of Steven Berkowitz, Immediate Past President 
MSNJ mourns the loss of our immediate past president, Steven Berkowitz. Dr. Berkowitz was an orthopedic surgeon for 36 years with Seaview Orthopaedics in Ocean, New Jersey, retiring from practice this past May. In the words of current president Joseph Costabile, MD, "We are all saddened by Steve's passing away. I was privileged to have spent the last few years working with him at MSNJ. His leadership and steadfast dedication to the profession of medicine was unparalleled. He will be sorely missed."  Contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society. Read his obituary. 
News
MSNJ's DeGroote Award and Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
MSNJ congratulates this year's award winners:
DeGroote Award: Adrian Ralph Kristeller, MD
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernardo J. Toro Echague, MD

The awards will be presented at MSNJ's 250th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Gala honoring Dr. Joseph P. Costabile, MD on July 23 at The Heldrich Hotel.
AMA Calls Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis
During its annual meeting in Chicago and on the heels of the Orlando massacre, the AMA adopted policy calling gun violence in American a "public health crisis" and will actively lobby Congress to overturn legislation that has prohibited
CDC from researching gun violence. Read AMA's Statement. 
Medicaid Will Suspend Payments Where there are Credible Allegations of Fraud 
In a recent report the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that  "New Jersey Did Not Suspend Medicaid Payments to Some Providers With Credible Allegations of Fraud in Accordance With the Affordable Care Act." The Medicaid program concurred in the findings and has modified its policy to permit suspension of Medicaid payments where there are credible allegations of fraud. It will no longer delay suspension during a ten day review period.
Board of Trustees Meeting
The next Board of Trustees Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 6:30pm at MSNJ Conference Room, 2nd Floor.
Practice Management
Two July 1 Deadline Alerts!

EHR Incentive Program Hardship Application Deadline: July 1, 2016- Avoid Payment Penalties in 2017
The application deadline for the 2015 program year Medicare EHR Incentive Program hardship exception is July 1, 2016. All providers are encouraged to apply, even if they believe they will meet the EHR Incentive Program criteria. Providers, who haven't yet applied, should submit their applications right away to avoid payment penalties in 2017. Review the applications and instructions for providers seeking a hardship exception. Read AMA's guidance document.
Medicaid FFS Provider Re-validation Required; Termination Effective July 1 for Non-Compliance
NJ Medicaid has been in the process of re-enrolling and re-validating physicians who participate in the NJ Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) program, since July 2015. Under the Affordable Care Act, this process must be completed by September 2016. Physicians who have not responded to NJ Medicaid's requests for re-validation/re-enrollment by JULY 1 will be terminated from the program. Termination will also negatively impact physicians who participate with Medicaid Managed Care plans and use the State's eligibility system for information.  If you received a re-validation/re-enrollment request from NJ Medicaid, it is important that you return the application as soon as possible to avoid termination. For more information, see the Division's May 2014 Newsletter. For assistance with your enrollment status, contact the Re-enrollment Help Line at 1-855-849-1099.
Diversion of Prescription Drugs
Read CMS' fact sheet on "Medicaid Program Integrity: What is a Prescriber's Role in Preventing the Diversion of Prescription Drugs?"
Medicare Opt-Out Reminder
CMS recently updated its manual language to reflect changes in the Medicare opt-out procedures, due to MACRA.  Physicians who have opted-out are reminded that:
  • If your opt-out affidavit was signed BEFORE June 16, 2015: Your opt-out status will expire 2 years after the effective date. If you wish to remain opted-out, a renewal affidavit must be filed within 30 days of the expiration of the current opt-out period.
  • If your opt-out affidavit was signed AFTER June 16, 2015: Your opt-out status will automatically renew every two years. If you no longer wish to be opted-out, you will need to cancel the renewal at least 30 days prior to the start of the next opt-out period.
You may check your opt-out status for NJ in the Novitas Opt-Out listings. Read the MLN Matters article for more information.
 
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.

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Medical Society of New Jersey | 2 Princess Road | Lawrenceville | NJ | 08648