Western Carolina Medical Society: The Physicians' Voice for a Health Community

VITAL SIGNS

Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society

Sponsor Message:

QUICK LINKS

Newsroom

Preferred Vendors

Project Access

WCMS Interpreter Network

Boards of Directors

July 29, 2015

WCMS Circle of Friends: Van Winkle Law Firm & Johnson Prics Sprinkle, PA

In This Issue:

Van Winkle - Sponsor Message (Left)

Enjoy a Free Drink with Colleagues: Early Career Affinity Group 7/29

Lower Your Stress: "Burnout-Proof" Physician Retreat 8/15

10th Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach 9/11 - 9/13

Participate in MAHEC's Job Fair

Welcome New WCMS Members

Are you or your patients having challenges with insurance plans from the Health Insurance Marketplace?

Advocates call for Medicaid Expansion

North Carolina health systems consider starting insurance plans

NCMS Legislative Briefing

Are you in the Sunshine?

Job Board & Classified Ads

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tonight - Early Career Affinity Group

If you are in your first ten years of practice, join us tonight for a beer. First one's on us. We'll be at Catawba Brewing Co. (Biltmore Village) from 5:30 to 7:30. Hope to see you there.

Register Now: WCMS "Burnout-Proof" Physician Retreat 8/15/15

Do you want to...

Lower Your Stress
Improve Work-life Balance
Prevent Burnout

Learn dozens of tools to do just that at our

"Burnout-Proof" Physician Retreat

www.mywcms.org/burnoutproof

Over 60 of your colleagues have already registered! Join them at this important workshop. One week left to sign up.

Free to WCMS Members
3 Hours CME*
Significant Others Invited
Childcare Available (ages 3+)

When: Saturday August 15th; 9:30am - 2 pm

Where: Warren Wilson College - 10 miles east of downtown Asheville

Info & Registration on our website or call us at 274-2267 x3

(Register by Wed. August 5th)

Thanks to our sponsors:

*The Mountain Area Health Education Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Jointly provided by:

10th Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach 9/11 - 9/13

Go to MAHEC website more information or to register

Participate in MAHEC's Job Fair 9/16

LOCAL NEWS

Welcome New WCMS Members

Click here to view our newest members.

Are you or your patients having challenges with insurance plans from the Health Insurance Marketplace?

Physicians, are you and your patients having difficulties with insurance plans purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace? If so, we'd like to hear from you and your patients so that we can help! We are a Certified Application Counselor organization and can help your patients with enrollment, re-enrollment, and trouble-shooting. We belong to a network of navigators, insurance specialists, and lawyers who can help you as well. If your patient has a specific problem that needs resolution, ask them to contact us at cac@mywcms.org.

Also, we are collecting anecdotal information so that we can advocate on your behalf with insurance companies. If you are seeing patterns and trends with challenges and obstacles related to Health Insurance Marketplace plans, please contact Miriam at ceo@mywcms.org or call Miriam at 274-2267 x1312 and describe the carriers, the types of problems you are encountering, and what you've done to date to try to resolve the issues, so that we can advocate on your behalf.

Advocates call for Medicaid Expansion

(from WNC Medicaid Expansion Advocacy Group newsletter)

"Last week, doctors, nurses, advocates and community members gathered in cities across North Carolina, including at the Minnie Jones Health Center in Asheville. They asked Governor McCrory to put forth his proposal to close the coverage gap for 500,000 low-income people.

'Now is the right time to make the change and get more people access,' said Dr. Shannon Dowler, director of Blue Ridge Community Health Services in Henderson County (pictured below). Read more of Citizen-Times article."

STATE NEWS

North Carolina health systems consider starting insurance plans

"One large health system in North Carolina is ready to launch a Medicare Advantage plan, and two others are mulling the pros and cons of becoming a payer.

The reason? Nearly every healthcare executive agrees that a hospital or health system today is more than just a site to treat pneumonia or mend a broken leg."

Continue reading article from Modern Healthcare.

NCMS Legislative Briefing

Friday 7/24: Get the latest update on two bills, one impacting physician assistants and the other on how you talk to your patients about guns in the home.

Click here.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Are you in the Sunshine?

Article by Rendi L. Mann-Stadt with Ward and Smith, PA (WCMS Preferred Vendor)

"A section of the Affordable Care Act, known as the "Sunshine Act," or the National Physician Payment Transparency Program, provides transparency by creating a national resource for consumers to research and learn more about the relationships among physicians, teaching hospitals, and industry.

The Sunshine Act imposes reporting requirements on applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations ("GPOs") regarding payments and other transfers of value made to "covered recipients and physician owners or investors." Additionally, manufacturers and GPOs are required to report ownership or investment interests held by physicians or their immediate family members in applicable manufacturers and GPOs."

Job Board & Classified Ads

PA or FNP (Sisters of Mercy)

Healthcare Access Counselor (WCMS)

Physician (Black Mtn Neuro-Medical Treatment Center)

Anesthesia Services Director (AllCare Clinical Associates)

Adult Underserviced Medicine Physician (FQHC)

Physicians (Asheville Specialty Hospital)

Medical Interpreter (WCMS)

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

WCMS is a thriving 700+ 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
WCMS Association: WCMSA is the physicians' voice advocating for the health of the physician, the patient, and the community, through strengthening the physician-patient relationship.

WCMS Foundation: WCMSF is the physician and community-led charitable arm of the medical society improving access to quality healthcare, decreasing disparities in health, and promoting health & wellness.

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