Medical Society of New Jersey e-Newsletter

 

September 22, 2016



   
In This Issue
 
Member Benefits



Insurance Review for MSNJ Members
As a free service to our members, we provide a comprehensive insurance review helping to get the best terms available. More information.


Prescription Drug Card Savings on Epipens

Millions of people with severe allergies carry EpiPens to reverse life-threatening 
allergic reactions. The prices of these auto-injectors have skyrocketed, more than quintupling since 2004. A pack of two EpiPens cost about $100 in today's dollars in 2004. The list price now tops $600!
 
Luckily, the New Jersey Drug Card can help! The New Jersey Drug Card is able to offer savings as high as 75% off on the majority of all medications, including Epipen. There are no restrictions, no income, age or eligibility requirements. It's as simple as visiting http://www.msnj.org/drugcard
to print your free prescription discount card and presenting it at the pharmacy to receive a discount at point of sale.    


For more information please contact NJ Drug Card at 877-321-6755.
CME/Events /Training



Check out the MSNJ Calendar for upcoming meetings!


MSNJ Webinar: The New Medicare Overpayment Regulations
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 12:00pm
More information and registration.


National Council for Prescription Drug Programs Webinars:
Part 1: The Real-time Prescription Benefit Transaction: Introduction and Overview of Business Requirements and Use Cases on October 4 at Noon EST
Part 2: The Real-time Prescription Benefit Transaction: Use Case Document and Data Requirement Document Review on October 13 at Noon EST
More information and registration. 


DDI Webinar Series: FDA's Bad Ad Program and other Innovative FDA Collaborations
October 6, 2016 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm


NJDOH/PHILEP Zika Preparedness Conference Call
Monday, October 17, 2016 at 12:00pm
Dial In: 877-873-8018

Access Code: 4863872#
 


PCSS-MAT Free Buprenorphine Waiver Trainings
Click here for all dates and times. 


Seabrook House: Buprenorphine & Naloxone Symposium
  • October 3, 2016 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Cherry Hill, NJ
  • October 17, 2016 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Morristown, NJ
  • October 24, 2016 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Bridgeton, NJ
  • October 26, 2016 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Northfield, NJ


The Oncology Society of New Jersey and the Medical Oncology Society of New Jersey Dinner Symposium on the Economics of Reinventing American Health Care
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
The Manor Restaurant, West Orange, NJ
More information and registration. 
Corporate Partners

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.
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ATTENTION PHYSICIANS:

Renew your dues ONLINE by October 15, 2016 and receive a 5% discount on your STATE dues!*
 
When prompted enter discount code msnj5, then click "update price." Discount is applied to state dues only.

*Applies to physicians dues only.

 


Are You Prepared to Report and Repay Medicare Overpayments within 60 Days? 
New Medicare regulations require physicians to self-report and pay any Medicare overpayment within 60 days of discovery. Will you practice be able to repay overpayments for physicians who are no longer in the practice?
  • Learn the steps that your practice must take now to ensure compliance.
  • Learn how to modify corporate documents to seek monies from physicians who have left the practice.
Register for this timely webinar given by John Fanburg, Esq., Brach Eichler, MSNJ Corporate Partner on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.


Policy & Strategy Panel: Medical Marijuana Policy Discussion 
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 5:30pm
News



Last week, MSNJ's Board of Trustees recognized Bernardo Toro-Echague, MD, with the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award for his 31 years of service on the Committee on Medical Education.




MSNJ's Board of Trustees also recognized Larry Downs for his 20 years of service to physicians at MSNJ.


CDS License Renewal Delay

The New Jersey Drug Control Unit (DCU) recently posted notice on its website indicating there is a delay in mailing Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) license renewal notices. The alert indicates that the DCU plans to extend license expiration dates, as a result. When MSNJ inquired, the DCU advised that physicians will be given 60 days to renew their licenses, once online renewal goes live and notice is mailed. We will update members in e-News, as more information becomes available. Read the alert.
Reports on the Physician Practice Environment  
Brach Eichler, an MSNJ Corporate Partner, released its 2016 New Jersey Health Care Monitor. It found that almost half of New Jersey physicians experienced decreased income and plan to change their practice structure to remain competitive. Read more.



The Physicians Foundation, of which MSNJ is a founding member, released its biennial report. It found that physicians continue to struggle to maintain morale, adapt to changing delivery and payment models, and provide access to care. Almost half will reduce hours, retire, or assume non-clinical roles which will impact patient access. Read the press release.



TD Bank's Survey of small practices indicates that financial concerns--because of the rising cost of doing business--are driving decisions to merge or otherwise grow their practices. 
New AMA Data Supports Blocking Insurance Mega-Mergers 
AMA has announced that new data demonstrates that the nation needs more competition in the health insurance market and that the proposed mega-mergers between Anthem-Cigna and Aetna-Humana would harm competition in 24 states. Read more.
Hospital Employment of Physicians Rising Read more. Members considering a hospital affiliation should view MSNJ's archived webinar, which will be available shortly. 
MSNJ Board of Trustees met last Thursday, September 15. Please read a summary of the meeting.
Legislative Update

Medical Marijuana
Governor Christie signed legislation to add PTSD to the list of approved conditions for the use of medical marijuana. Read more.
Workers' Compensation Claims
Both houses have passed A.3401, a bill that requires carriers to accept workers' compensation claims electronically and pay within 60 days. MSNJ was directly involved in negotiating this bill. As a compromise, we agreed to a requirement for providers to submit claims electronically, with the following exemptions: 1. Providers who submit less than 25 medical bills per month; 2. Providers who solely furnish services outside the US; 3. Providers who experience a disruption in electricity and communication connections that are beyond control; and 4. Providers who demonstrate that a specific and unusual circumstance exists that precludes submission of electronic bills.
Drug Abuse
Physician and governmental efforts at reducing opioid abuse and diversion are effective and have been quantified. Read more.



This week was Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. Read more about national efforts. 
Practice Management

CMS Updates Guidance on ICD-10 First Year Flexibilities-NCDs and LCDs
The first year ICD-10 flexibilities allowed by CMS will come to an end on October 1, 2016. Below is an updated CMS FAQ to assist with this transition.
 
Question 31:
Has Medicare updated its NCDs and LCDs to reflect the new ICD-10 codes that take effect on October 1, 2016?
Answer 31: CMS and its contractors update the NCDs and LCDs when new codes are added, as was the practice prior to implementation of ICD-10. Codes that affect NCDs will be added at the first opportunity after the codes are finalized. Of the ICD-10 codes added, 3,549 new codes (97% of the total update) are cardiovascular system codes. Of the new cardiovascular system codes, 3,084 new codes (84% of the total update) resulted from a group of proposals to create unique device values for multiple intraluminal devices and to apply the qualifier bifurcation to multiple root operation tables for all artery body part values. These codes (84% of the total new codes) do not affect existing NCDs.
 
Read more in CMS' updated "Clarifying Questions and Answers Related to the July 6, 2015, CMS/AMA Joint Announcement and Guidance Regarding ICD-10 Flexibilities."


 
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