"As a regional medical society, our aim is to represent all of the physicians of Western North Carolina.  We were the Buncombe County Medical Society from 1885-2011. Now we are the Western Carolina Medical Society, representing 15 additional counties: Rutherford, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Polk, Transylvania, Henderson, Haywood, Jackson, Clay, Swain, Macon, Graham, and Cherokee. We were very intentional about expanding to the entire region, knowing that by working together regionally physicians have a tremendous impact on improving patient care locally.  Additionally, expansion to a regional society has served to make WNC physicians a known entity in Raleigh.

But, we face barriers to coming together. The necessary adaptations to the changes in the health care system have led to the increasing compartmentalization of physicians regarding the location, scope and setting of their practice..."

Continue reading the message from D. Gus Vickery, MD, WCMS President

Step back from the daily crisis mode and really focus on understanding your practice, the physicians' goals, and the barriers to achieving these. In this seminar, we revisit the basic indicators and workflows that need continued attention, consider tried and true approaches, and suggest some outside-the box thinking to get your creative juices flowing.

This seminar is ideal for physicians who are business owners and their practice managers. This is a benefit for WCMS members, but we encourage you to invite your practice administrators and non-member physician colleagues to attend as well.

Speaker: Cameron Cox, Management Services on Call

When: Wednesday, April 30th
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: Asheville Chamber of Commerce
Lenoir-Rhyne Boardroom

Other: Heavy hors d'ouevres and beverages will be provided.

For physicians, residents and mid-level providers. Friday, May 2.

Click here for more information on this MAHEC event.

www.mywcms.org/HeartStrings2014

Sales ending soon! The 2013-2014 Directories are almost sold out and sales will officially end on April 30th. 

Want to order a 2013-2014 Directory before they're gone?  Go to www.mywcms.org/BlueBook and pay online or download an order form.

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! 

Have questions or need to know if you're part of a 100% member practice? Email us at membership@mywcms.org

Over the past few weeks, WCMS has heard from numerous regional practices who have experienced significant delays in claims reconciliation and payment from BCBS. WCMS reached out to NCMS and NCMGMA to address these issues collectively.  Late last week BCBS issued a communique providing some explanation for the delays and actions being taken to remedy the situation.

Read letter.

If you continue to experience problems with payment, please contact me at Miriam@mywcms.org. We are monitoring the situation and poised to take action on your behalf if the problems continue.

Did you know that one benefit of being a WCMS Member is:

WCMS offers educational forums with our preferred vendors and partners with MAHEC to keep you in the loop on their educational opportunities.  Check out WCMS' next educational event on April 30 on enhancing your practice's revenue!

DocBookMD is a clinical tool that fits in your pocket!  Download this free mobile app to send HIPAA compliant text messages to your colleagues with your smart phone phone or look up contact information with the online directory of WCMS physicians. 

WCMS staff showed this app to physicians at Mission's Doctors' Day event and 5 doctors signed up that very day.  If you'd like a 3-minute tutorial on using this app, contact membership@mywcms.org and we'd be glad to get you connected!

Or follow these steps:

1. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Open up the app and it will guide you through the easy registration process. (To login, use the e-mail address you provided to WCMS. If you do not know, contact membership@mywcms.org for the correct e-mail address or your medical society ID number).
3. Start using DocbookMD to contact your colleagues! 

Over ninety of your colleagues have already signed up for this free member benefit. Start communicating with them today.