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

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February 26, 2014

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In This Issue:
2013-2014 "Blue Books" Still Available
Learn about the Physician-Led Future of Healthcare in WNC
MAHEC ICD-10 Workshop for Physicians
New Members to WCMS
Project Access Innovations Continue
WCMS Wants to Help Enroll Your Patients in Insurance
New ACA Insurance Causes Headaches in Some Practices
Member Benefits- Did You Know?
Join DocBookMD, a Clinical Communication Tool for Patient Care
What is Accountable Care?...Neurologists' Edition
Member Announcements
Job Board & Classified Ads
2013-2014 "Blue Books" Still Available 

Has your practice ordered the WCMS Physician Directory?  We only have a limited quantity left in stock, so order yours today!

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 
 
Last Chance to RSVP: 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 and efforts towards a new Accountable Care Organization. 
Dr. Brian Moore will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about the IPA.

Due to high demand, Parsec has expanded seating to 60.  Reserve your spot before the seats are taken!

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

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

 RSVP Now
 
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 
New Members to WCMS  
Project Access Innovations Continue!
Project Access plans in the coming year to integrate with our Certified Application Counselor functions with the goal of enrolling as many uninsured people as possible into the marketplace. We have already started down that road to see if it works, and it does. In the past 20 days, with only one counselor trained/on board, we've successfully enrolled 17 PA patients into the marketplace at the silver plan or above level. All of them are paying less than $30/month in premiums, some as low as under $2/month. We've just  hired a second bilingual CAC who passed her exam last week.

Our goals for the coming year are to
  1. Enroll uninsured Buncombe Countians with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) into either Medicaid, Medicare, Project Access® or the Health Insurance Marketplace (HIM) as eligible, in order to procure either a payer source or charity care as the case may be,
  2. Continue delivering wraparound services (screenings, procedures, specialty care, labs, medications, DME, interpretation...aka Project Access®) for low-income, uninsured Buncombe Countians up to 138% of FPL that complements the regional strategy  of getting as many residents as possible into patient-centered medical homes. WCMS will accomplish these goals by cross-training our PA Navigators with our Certified Application Counselors (CACs) to create NaviCACs who'll be able to provide screening and enrollment services for all of these programs, depending on the unique needs of each of our patients/customers and safety net partners, and  
  3. Provide CAC services to member physician practices across the 15 non-Buncombe rural counties that are in the Western Carolina Medical Society catchment area. 
WCMS Wants to Help Enroll Your Patients in Insurance 
The Health Insurance Marketplace is working for many residents across Western North Carolina. In the last 20 days WCMS has moved 17 Project Access patients into affordable health care with the average premium under $30 per month. We aim to support your practice and your patients' health outcomes by moving self-pay patients into healthcare plans.

Almost 70% of NC residents will qualify for premium subsidies.  

WCMS wants to identify and reach your uninsured patients...
  • WCMS can assist patients with ACA information
  • Address their concerns of affordability and safety
  • Navigate and guide them into a comfortable plan for their needs
What does this mean to you? Fewer self-pay patients and better outcomes for your practice!

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.
NATIONAL NEWS 
 
New ACA Insurance Causes Headaches in Some Practices
Read the Kaiser Health News article.

Let us know what YOU are experiencing.  Email membership@mywcms.org. 
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.
Join DocBookMD, a Clinical Communication Tool for Patient Care 
Over seventy-five 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. 
What is Accountable Care?   Neurologists' Edition 
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: Accountable Care Guide for Neurologists
Member Announcements- 3 Anesthesiologists Named Among Best Doctors in America 
AllCare Clinical Associates physicians Diane K. Hankes, DO, Andrew P. Hart, MD, and Thomas E. Stanley, III, MD, have been named among the Best Doctors in America® for 2014. This is the third time that Dr. Hankes, the seventh time that Dr. Stanley and the tenth time that Dr. Hart have earned this prestigious honor.

Read the full press release.
Job Board & Classified Ads
Physician  (The Yoga Wellness Center)
PA or FNP  (Sisters of Mercy)
PA or FNP  (Asheville Internal Medicine)
Physicians  (Extended Care Physicians)
NP/PA  (Extended Care Physicians)

    

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