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WCMS Fall Conference (11/20)
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"Risky Business:
Managing Risk in Today's Medical Practice"
presented by PNC Bank
Join WCMS for our 16th Fall Conference. The theme this year follows one of the main trends currently in healthcare: RISK. This event is perfect for practice administrators, independent physicians, and other allied health providers wanting to stay up on important topics in healthcare.
When: Thursday, November 20th from 8:00am - 4:00pm
Where: MAHEC Education Building in Asheville, NC (121 Hendersonville Rd)
Click here for the agenda, topics, speakers and to register.
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Independent Physicians Affinity Group (12/2)
| Join the first meeting of our newest Affinity Group: Independent Physicians. This is a great time to meet and mingle with other physicians who work in a similar setting, as well as hear some helpful content.
Speakers: Carolyn Coward (Van Winkle Law Firm) and Mary Williams Matthews (Johnson Price Sprinkle PA)
When: Tuesday, December 2nd 6:30pm - 8pm
Where: Lulu's On Main in Sylva, NC (612 West Main St)
RSVP to attend (Please RSVP as space is limited and we need an accurate head count)
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Join WCMS' Table at MLK, Jr. Breakfast (1/17)
| On Saturday, January 17, 2015 residents of Asheville and Buncombe County will celebrate our community's 34th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King.
Join Us!
WCMS has purchased a limited number of tickets (10) at our own table for this engaging event, which we are offering to physician members (and one guest) as a gift on a first-come-first-served basis. Join your local elected officials, physician colleagues, and fellow community leaders at the MLK Prayer Breakfast (the largest such gathering in the country.)
Saturday, January 17, 2015
8:30-10:30 a.m.
(Doors Open 8:00 am)
Crowne Plaza Resort on Resort Drive (West Asheville)
Keynote speaker: Rodney Johnson, Executive Director of the Office of Parent Services at George Washington University
Reserve your ticket(s) by December 19th by contacting Kelly Kurdyukova (kelly@mywcms.org or 274-2267, ext 1301).
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The WCMS Physician Directory (Blue Book)
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 The 2014-2015 "Blue Book" is ready for ordering! This is a comprehensive 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!
Practice and physician information changes frequently, so this directory has hundreds of updates from when the last book was published.
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.
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Get Covered & Stay Covered Kickoff
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The ACA Partners of WNC are teaming up to provide enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. Tell your patients to join us for an Open Enrollment Kick-Off Event!
When: Saturday, Nov. 15 10am - 4pm
Where: US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville
Who: Certified Navigators & Certified Application Counselors to assist patients to enroll for health insurance through the NC Health Insurance Marketplace.
Click here for the flyer with more information- consider giving to your uninsured patients this week!
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Health Insurance Basics & Budgeting for Health Classes
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Free two-part series taught by WCMS Health Access Team and OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling
Monday & Tuesday, November 17 & 18
or
Monday & Wednesday, December 1 & 3
- Learn key health insurance terms
- Understand how to effectively use your health insurance
- Learn how income, expenses, and debt all affect a successful budget
- Create a realistic budget for your healthcare costs
Click here for more information.
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Physicians Voice in the News
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WCMS is proud to announce another high quality addition to the series of "The Physicians' Voice" media presentations aimed to showcase to the general public our physicians' world-class medical expertise and focus on patient/community health.
Here is the latest release:
You can read all about The Physicians' Voice on our website.
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In Surprise Move, Supreme Court Will Examine Key Part Of Health Law
| Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Rovner reports: "Once again, the Supreme Court will decide whether the Affordable Care Act lives or dies. Defying expectations, the court announced Friday it has agreed to hear - during this term - a case that challenges the heart of the law: subsidies to help people pay their insurance premiums. In about three dozen states, the federal government runs the online marketplaces where individuals can find health plans." (Rovner, 11/7)
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Federal Marketplace Open for "Window Shopping"
| Consumers can now shop for health insurance and compare their options on HealthCare.gov, even before the open enrollment period formally begins Saturday, November 15.
You can sort plans not only by the amount of the premium, but also by the size of the deductible. In addition, you should be able to see all health plans that have special programs to manage certain conditions like asthma, heart disease, depression, diabetes, lower back pain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
In addition, you should be able to see prices and other the details of health plans, but you will not be able to buy insurance until the open enrollment period starts on Saturday.
To see plans go to: https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/
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Quotes from a New WCMS Member
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"I am a new member and I have already found tremendous value working with the Society:
- Mission's plan to form ACO. I didn't even know what ACO meant. I contacted WCMS and they took a very impartial view, referring me to two doctors-one who enrolled and one who did not. I found this extremely valuable. I have decided not to sign up right now, but probably will in the future.
- I was very close to deciding not to take Medicaid patients based on problems I was having with NC Tracks. I called the Medical Society and explained the situation. Something I had been struggling with for months was taken care of in a few weeks.
- Communication is the best. Email, calls, newsletter is excellent. They have been very responsive to my needs and are unbiased in helping us.
I don't feel as "naked" out here as I did before becoming a member of the Society."
- from a WNC Physician
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Job Board & Classified Ads
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Orthopedic-Joint Replacement Surgeon (Pardee Hospital)
Physician III-A (Buncombe County Health & Human Services)
Health Access Counselor (WCMS)
Medical Interpreter (WCMS)
To find out how you can post a Job or Classified Ad Click here. |
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WCMS is a thriving 750 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, MPA
WCMS CEO/Executive Director
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