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VITAL SIGNS
 The Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 

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February 12, 2014

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In This Issue:
2013-2014 "Blue Books" Available
Learn about the Physician-Led Future of Healthcare in WNC
MAHEC ICD-10 Workshop for Physicians
Join DocBookMD, a Clinical Communication Tool for Patient Care
Mission Hospital: Dr. Dale Fell to Retire
Pediatric Collaborative Targets Obesity, Asthma
WCMS Offers Patient Insurance Enrollment Services to Member Physicians in WNC
WCMS Endowment Fund Contributes to Polk County Wellness Center's New Diabetes Program
NC Public Health Chief Also to Oversee Medicaid
Deadline Extended for Attesting to MU
AMA-How You Can Tip the Balance for SGR Repeal
Bundled Payment Reforms Start to Show Promise in the Fourth Quarter.
Member Benefits- Did you know?
What is Accountable Care? Psychiatrists' Edition
Member Announcements
Job Board & Classified Ads
2013-2014 "Blue Books" Available  
Has your practice ordered the WCMS Physician Directory yet?

This is a comprehensive regional directory of physicians, produced by WCMS that:
  • Includes physicians and practices from all 16 WNC counties
  • Is pocket size for easy access
  • Has a discounted price for practices with 100% members of WCMS! 
To place an order, go to www.mywcms.org/BlueBook and pay online or download an order form.

Have questions or need to know if you're part of a 100% member practice? Email us at membership@mywcms.org
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Learn about the Physician-Led Future of Healthcare in WNC (3/5) 
Please join us for a casual evening of wine and hors d'oeuvres as we hear from Dr. Rob Fields about The Physician Led Future of Healthcare in WNC.  Come and learn about what is on the horizon for Mission Medical Associates, the new Independent Physicians Association, and efforts towards a new Accountable Care Organization.

When:
Wednesday, March 5th from 6pm to 8pm

Where:
The Capital Club, 82 Patton Ave #800, Asheville, NC 28801

 RSVP Now
Seating will be limited to 40
 
Sponsored by:
Parsec Financial

MAHEC ICD-10 Workshop for Physicians (3/6) 
MAHEC is offering a 10% discount for eligible primary care practices currently enrolled in consulting services with MAHEC's Center for Quality Improvement (aka REC Team), with priority given to small and independently owned practices. Please click on this link for additional information.

LOCAL NEWS 
Join DocBookMD, a Clinical Communication Tool for Patient Care 
Over eighty of your colleagues have already signed up for this free benefit. DocBookMD is a HIPAA compliant clinical tool- you can securely send text messages regarding patient care!

DocBookMD also allows you to electronically search the Western Carolina Medical Society physician directory. 

Want to sign up? Here's how: http://www.mywcms.org/Membership/DocBookMD/#SignUp

Click here to see who's already using DocBookMD. 
Mission Hospital: Dr. Dale Fell to retire, stepping down as chief medical officer
Click here to read more. Note from Miriam Schwarz, CEO: Dr. Fell has been an outstanding WCMS Association Board member, a staunch advocate for access to care for all, and a trusted advisor. On behalf of WCMS, Dale, I wish you all the very best in the next chapter of your life. We will miss you.
Local Pediatric Collaborative Targets Obesity, Asthma
Group seeks 'gold standard' in care; also tackles asthma.  Click here  to read more.
WCMS Offers Patient Insurance Enrollment Services to Member Physicians in Western North Carolina
As you may know, the NC Institute of Medicine estimates that NC has 1.5 million uninsured residents under age 65.  WCMS is a Certified Application Counselor organization with the federal government, and as such, is qualified to assist patients with enrolling in the Federally Facilitated Insurance Marketplace. As a membership benefit, WCMS would like to send our Certified Application Counselor to your practice to educate, enroll and support your patients in the health insurance Marketplace. Patients who have an income that falls between the 100-400% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for tax credits and subsidies to purchase health insurance in the Marketplace.  
 
Katherine Hensley is a WCMS Certified Application Counselor who has knowledge and experience in navigating the Marketplace. She is available to help your patients enroll, educate your staff, and assist you in understanding the Affordable Care Act. She would like to visit your practice in the next few weeks to screen patients for the Marketplace. Since the window for enrollments ends on March 31st we need to schedule these visits as soon as possible so that you and your patients can take advantage of this unique opportunity. You must be a member of WCMS to take advantage of this offer for your patient population. To make an appointment for her to visit please contact Katherine Hensley at 828-274-2267 or Katherine@mywcms.org.
WCMS Endowment Fund Contributes $10,125 to Polk County Wellness Center's New Diabetes Program  

2/10/14--The Polk Wellness Center received $20,000 in grant funds from the People In Need grant program of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The WCMS Endowment Fund is proud to have contributed $10,125 towards this grant.

Ten thousand dollars of the grant funds will be used to develop and implement the first diabetes education and support program in Polk County. At present, there is no existing diabetic education program in Polk County. Polk Wellness Center plans to develop a program that is nationally recognized and accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) and focuses on low income insured and underinsured residents of the county that suffer from diabetes and related chronic health problems. 60 to 75 patients will be served in the first year. An additional $10,000 in grant funds will be used to replace and upgrade computer software equipment that works with the Electronic Medical Records System. The new equipment will allow Polk Wellness Center office staff to increase the number of patients receiving primary and integrated care services. 

STATE NEWS 
 
NC Public Health Chief Also to Oversee Medicaid 
NC public health chief also to oversee Medicaid.  Click here to read more.
NATIONAL NEWS 
 
Deadline Extended for Attesting to MU 

Deadlines extended for attesting to meaningful use in EHR incentive program http://edit.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140207/NEWS/302079959?trk=share via @modrnhealthcr

AMA-How  You Can Tip the Balance for SGR Repeal
A long-awaited and hard-fought bill to permanently repeal Medicare's fatally flawed SGR formula finally is before Congress, following a milestone announcement Thursday. It's critical to maintain the momentum in Congress: Your voice could tip the balance to pass repeal this year. Read more.
Bundled payment reforms start to show promise in the fourth quarter
Bundled payment reforms start to show promise in the fourth quarter | Modern Healthcare http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20140201/MAGAZINE/302019981 via @modrnhealthcr
ITEMS OF INTEREST 
 
Member Benefits- Did You know? 
Did you know that one benefit of being a WCMS Member is:
We advocate on your behalf

WCMS is engaging with WNC legislators and policy makers on ACA; Medicaid reform; patient safety, health and access; managed care; and other key issues which means you play a role in shaping healthcare policy!

Want to be more involved in political advocacy? We are visiting legislators NOW. Email ceo@mywcms.org. 
What is Accountable Care?  Psychiatrists' Edition- Take a Look at your Specialty Toolkit! 
Over 40 North Carolina medical societies and organizations- including WCMS- have joined together in a commitment to helping the medical community face the challenges of a changing health care environment, launching the Toward Accountable Care Consortium and Initiative. The Consortium was designed to provide the medical community with the knowledge and tools needed to understand, participate in, navigate, lead, and succeed in a value-driven health care system.

This week: The Accountable Care Guide for Psychiatrists
Member Announcements- AllCare Clinical Associates Names Dr. Frank M. Sutton, Jr. as Partner 
Frank M. Sutton, Jr., MD, MBA, has been named a partner of AllCare Clinical Associates, PA. He joined the practice in 2011 and is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. In addition to his clinical duties as a full-time Anesthesiologist, Dr. Sutton is the Clinical Director of Business Development for AllCare Clinical Associates. Dr. Sutton assists hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers with improving anesthesia clinical staffing and enhancing facility operating efficiencies.

Read the full announcement here.

Are you a WCMS Member who is opening a new practice? Are you a 100% Member Practice who has hired a new physician? Send us your announcements and we will post them for you in our new Member Announcements section of Vital Signs to keep other members informed about what's happening in our WCMS community! Contact Kristina Isenhour, Member Services Coordinator at kristina@mywcms.org   
Job Board & Classified Ads
Physician  (The Yoga Wellness Center)
PA or FNP  (Sisters of Mercy)
Medical Assistant  (Our Family Doctor)
Family Physician  (Asheville Family Health Center)
PA or FNP  (Asheville Internal Medicine)
Physicians  (Extended Care Physicians)
NP/PA  (Extended Care Physicians)
Certified Applications Counselor  (WCMS)
Program Administrator  (WCMS Interpreter Network)

    

To find out how you can post a Job or Classified Ad Click here.

WCMS is a thriving 800-plus member professional association of the physicians of western North Carolina and a chartered component medical society of the NC Medical Society and the AMA. The WCMS is an organization run by physicians for physicians.


Our Mission
The WCMS is the physicians' voice advocating for the health of the medical profession, the health of the patient, and the health of the community.  

Our Vision
To be a dynamic physician community dedicated to a healthy, vibrant Western North Carolina.


About WCMS
The purpose of WCMS is: 

  • To strengthen the voice of WNC physicians in advocating for the health of the medical profession, the health of the patient, and the health of our region
  • To inform, educate and prepare physicians for rapidly occurring changes in health care at national, state, and local levels
  • To share legislative and policy information and advocate on behalf of physicians in areas of mutual interest
  • To share available resources in areas of mutual interest
  • To promote physician-to-physician communication and dialogue in an open, honest and safe environment

We hope you enjoy our weekly e-newsletter. If you have questions or suggestions please feel free to contact me.  

Sincerely,

Miriam Schwarz

 

Miriam Schwarz signature




 

Miriam Schwarz, MPA

WCMS CEO/Executive Director