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 The Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 

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March 12, 2014

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In This Issue:
Doctors Day Events
Early Career Affinity Group
A Listing of ICD-10 Training and Preparation Courses Offered On-line and Statewide
WCMS Legislative Visit with Rep. Michele Presnell
Election 2014: More Throw Candidate Hats in Ring as NC Filing Period Ends
WCMS Physician Forum on the Future of Physician-Led Health Care in WNC
WCMS Wants to Help Enroll Your Patients in Insurance
Help Patients Fill Out Advanced Directives
Join DocBookMD, a Clinical Communication Tool for Patient Care
What is Accountable Care? Radiologists' Edition
Member Announcements
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Doctors Day Events (3/20) (3/26) 
Mission Hospital celebration 
Thursday, March 20
6am - 10am
Mission Hospital Lobby- Main/Visitor Entrance
Food & Annual Lab work provided
(Labs: CBC, Comprehensive Metabolic profile, Lipid profile, PSA, TSH)


Cherokee Indian Hospital celebration
Wednesday
, March 26
10am
Cherokee Indian Hospital- Main Conference Room

Healthy snacks & Wellness screenings/activities

Early Career Affinity Group (3/27)
The Urban Orchard Cider Company, West Asheville
Thursday, March 27  6-8pm

RSVP Now

All WNC physicians within the first 10 years of practice (residents and fellows are welcome!) - join your peers for an evening of casual conversation and a pint of local craft beer or a glass of wine compliments of WCMS. If you haven't visited The Urban Orchard, one of Asheville's new hangouts, you are in for a treat!
A Listing of ICD-10 Training and Preparation Courses Offered On-line and Statewide
From the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS):

The North Carolina component of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers specialty specific ICD-10 training. Learn what e-learning options are available at their website.

CMS has released a new MLN Connects™ video on ICD-10 Coding Basics. Sue Bowman from AHIMA provides a basic introduction video to ICD-10 coding.  CMS also offers a CMS ICD-10 website with the latest news and resources to help prepare for the deadline.  Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Industry Email Updates.

MAHEC is offering ICD-10 training in April 2014.
April 14-16, 2014:  ICD-10 Certified Professional Coding Workshop- AAPC Exam Prep (3 days for coders).   

April 17 & 18, 2014: Specialty practice ICD-10 Coding: Family Medicine/Internal Medicine; Family Medicine/Pediatrics; OB/GYN 
Three 4-hour sessions for physicians, mid-levels, coders, billing specialists.  
LOCAL NEWS 
WCMS Legislative Visit with Rep. Michele Presnell
On Monday March 3, Dr. Al Mina from Haywood county, WCMS CEO Miriam Schwarz and WCMS Member Services Coordinator Kristina Isenhour met with NC Representative Michele Presnell.  Rep. Presnell serves Haywood, Madison and and Yancey counties. 

Dr. Mina, Miriam and Kristina discussed the difficulties some WNC physicians are having with NC Tracks reimbursement, getting patients enrolled in the new Health Insurance Marketplace, the new Medicaid reform proposal and the difference between MCO's and ACO's.  WCMS, on behalf of Haywood, Madison and Yancey physicians, looks forward to a continued relationship with Rep. Presnell.

Throughout March and April, WCMS staff will continue to meet with State Representatives and Senators throughout the 16 counties of WNC.  If you'd like to join WCMS staff on these legislative visits, please contact Miriam Schwarz at [email protected].  Having physicians present at these meetings to educate and give first hand experience is always beneficial! 
Election 2014: More Throw Candidate Hats in Ring as NC Filing Period Ends
"As the campaign season kicked into high gear, candidates continued to file across Western North Carolina for seats in the state House and Senate and for the U.S. House. The filing period closes today, Feb. 28."

Read full article 
WCMS Physician Forum on the Future of Physician-Led Health Care in WNC
On Wednesday March 5 Drs. Rob Fields shared information about Mission MMA/MAHEC's focus on developing MMA practices into fully integrated PCMHs. Both Dr. Fields and and Dr. Brian Moore then addressed questions about the evolving WNC IPA and development of a Clinically Integrated Network (CIN). Because this is a work in progress, we anticipate that in a few months there will be additional information to share about this new CIN that will be of interest to physicians in the region, so another forum will be held in the coming months. Over 40 physicians attended this forum, which was sponsored by Parsec Financial and held at the beautiful Capital Club in Downtown Asheville. As one attendee told us, "This forum was truly outstanding and timely.  The very next day I was able to answer a question about (these topics) which I wouldn't have been able to beforehand. The idea of an update in a few months is great."

Here is Dr. Fields' PowerPoint presentation
WCMS Wants to Help Enroll Your Patients in Insurance 
The Health Insurance Marketplace is working for many residents across Western North Carolina.  We aim to support your practice and your patients' health outcomes by moving self-pay patients into healthcare plans. 

Last week, a local practice mailed a physician letter to their self-pay patients. Within a week, WCMS' Certified Application Counselors (CACs) were able to meet with 3 patients and enroll them in the Health Insurance Marketplace, and they continue to receive calls. The website is working, patients and families are finding relief. Yesterday the CACs enrolled a couple who have been uninsured for the last 5 years. Delighted, they were moved that the physicians' office cared enough to send them to WCMS. As of April 1, 2014 this couple will both have insurance coverage for the first time in years! WCMS application counselors will be available throughout the Summer and Fall to serve and enroll your patients.

You must be a member of WCMS to take advantage of this offer for your patient population. To find out more please contact Katherine Hensley at 828-274-2267 x308 or [email protected].

Help Patients Fill Out Advanced Directives   

Is getting your Medicare and other patients to finish advanced directives giving you a headache? Here's some free local help to actually get the job done, with minimal effort on your part.

ITEMS OF INTEREST 
 
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?   Radiologists' 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 Radiologists
Member Announcements

In addition to announcing your news to our membership, WCMS is now opening our online calendar to events useful to physicians and your patients. If you have an announcement or an event, please contact Kristina Isenhour, Member Services Coordinator at [email protected].    

Job Board & Classified Ads
Classifieds:
2 Bed/1Bath Condo near Mission
Doctor's Office for Lease

Job Board:
PA or FNP  (Sisters of Mercy)
PA or FNP  (Asheville Internal Medicine)

     

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