Western Carolina Medical Society: The Physicians' Voice for a Health Community
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August 12, 2015
WCMS Circle of Friends: Van Winkle Law Firm & Johnson Prics Sprinkle, PA
In This Issue:
Van Winkle Law Firm - Sponsor Message (Left)
10th Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach 9/11 - 9/13
Participate in MAHEC's Job Fair 9/16/15
Save the Date: Newcomers'/Cornerstones' Picnic 9/20/15
Health Insurance Marketplace Challenges
Physicians' Voice in the News
Senate Approves Medicaid Changes, Rejects Expansion
Get Your Weekly Advocacy "Bowtie Briefing" from NCMS Legislative Director Chip Baggett
From NCMS: New Accountable Care Toolkits Available
From the NCMS: Take Action on Medicaid Reform
Health Alert: Possible Heroin Mixed with Clenbuterol
CMS and AMA Announce Efforts to Help Providers Get Ready For ICD-10
Frequently Asked Questions About ICD-10
Are You Ready for ICD-10? Train With E-HEALTH
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
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 9/16/15

Save the Date: Newcomers'/Cornerstones' Picnic 9/20/15
All WCMS members are invited to enjoy a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon to welcome new physicians to Western North Carolina and celebrate physicians who have served our community for 30+ years (Cornerstones).  

When: Sunday, September 20th  4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Yesterday Spaces in Leicester, NC
Food: Buffet dinner provided along with beer and wine. Plus s'mores at the outdoor fire pit!
LOCAL NEWS
 
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.
Physicians' Voice in the News
WCMS is proud to announce another high quality addition to the series of "The Physicians' Voice," a series of media presentations for the general public that showcase physicians' world-class medical expertise and focus on patient/community health. Here is the latest release: "Why Immunize? Because what we do matters." - by WCMS Member Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Medical Director of Buncombe County Health and Human Services. 

Excerpt: "Most young parents in the U.S. have never seen the devastating effects that diseases like polio, measles or whooping cough can have on a family. But talk to anyone who grew up prior to the mid-20th century and they will be able to tell you of those they knew who suffered and died as a result of these illnesses."
STATE NEWS
 
RALEIGH - Senators passed a package of changes to the state's health insurance program for the poor and uninsured on Tuesday, but not before once again rejecting a bid to expand Medicaid coverage to roughly 500,000 North Carolinians who are uninsured. The Senate voted 34-10 to return House Bill 372 to the House.
Get Your Weekly Advocacy "Bowtie Briefing" from NCMS Legislative Director Chip Baggett
Click here to listen to Chip's update.
From NCMS: New Accountable Care Toolkits Available
The latest cohort of Toward Accountable Care guides are now available on the TAC website at www.tac-consortium.org/resources/.
  • Accountable Care Guide for Hospitalists
  • Accountable Care Guide for Internal Medicine
  • Accountable Care Guide for Nephrologists
  • Accountable Care Guide for Orthopedists
Funding remains for six additional guides. At this point, we are looking at developing accountable care guides for: rheumatology, pulmonology, dermatology, ophthalmology, rural health providers, and local health directors.
 
In addition, we are working with the Texas Medical Association to convert the guides to webinars with CME. We will let you know once these new resources are available. 
From the NCMS: Take Action on Medicaid Reform 
Voice Your Opinion! Doctors Are at the Heart of Successful Medicaid Reform.

North Carolina's debate over Medicaid reform is reaching a critical point. Now separated from the state budget, Medicaid reform remains a high priority issue in the legislature for resolution this session. Today the Senate passed HB 372, Medicaid Transformation. This bill, which originated in the House, now closely resembles the Senate's Medicaid budget proposal, with some additional modifications. As lawmakers continue discussions on the legislation, it is critical that you share with your legislators the key elements of a successful Medicaid reform plan.

The North Carolina Medical Society continues to advocate aggressively for policies that will place physicians and clinical decision-making at the forefront of any Medicaid reform structure. The Medical Society worked hard beginning in 2012 to persuade the state to continue carrying the underwriting risk of the Medicaid program and allow doctors to implement value-driven systems of care directly with the state. The General Assembly is determined, however, to shift the underwriting risk of Medicaid to insurance companies. We believe that some of the insurers that show an interest in Medicaid will be physician-led, and we strongly support these physician-led efforts.

To accomplish this, we urge you to email your Representative and ask for the following elements to be incorporated in the final Medicaid reform package as they consider HB 372.
Health Alert: Possible Heroin Mixed with Clenbuterol
The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) is currently investigating 18 cases of illness potentially due to use of heroin mixed with clenbuterol. Reported cases are from four counties (Durham, Lee, Orange, and Wake). The source of the clenbuterol-contaminated heroin is suspected to be in Durham County.
NATIONAL NEWS
 
CMS and AMA Announce Efforts to Help Providers Get Ready For ICD-10
With less than three months remaining until the nation switches from ICD-9 to ICD-10 coding for medical diagnoses and inpatient hospital procedures, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) are announcing efforts to continue to help physicians get ready ahead of the October 1 deadline.  In response to requests from the provider community, CMS is releasing additional guidance that will allow for flexibility in the claims auditing and quality reporting process as the medical community gains experience using the new ICD- 10 code set.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Frequently Asked Questions About ICD-10
Are You Ready for ICD-10? Train With E-HEALTH (WCMS Preferred Vendor)
Is your practice management system set up? Have you loaded the appropriate file updates? Is your billing department ready? What about your electronic health record? Have your clinical staff been trained on ICD 10 documentation?
 
eHealth Consulting is offering several on line training sessions related to ICD 10 this month. In addition, we will offer a "hot line" the first work week of October to answer questions/troubleshoot issues.
  • ICD 10 - Make sure Allscripts PM is READY!  August 12th, 18th, & 27th at 1:30pm EST
  • Understanding Charge Entry/Import in Allscripts PMwith ICD-10 August 13th & 20th @ 1:3o pm EST
  • ICD 10 - Referrals and Authorizations in Allscripts PM   August 25th @ 1:30 EST
  • ICD 10 for Clinical Staff   Friday, August 14th, 2015 at 12:30 PM EST to 2:00 PM EST
The classes are very affordable and your discount code for being a WCMS member is WCMS2015.
Click here for class schedule. 
Job Board & Classified Ads
PA or FNP  (Sisters of Mercy)
Physician  (Black Mtn Neuro-Medical Treatment Center)
Anesthesia Services Director (AllCare Clinical Associates)

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,

Photo: Miriam Schwarz, WCMS CEO
Miriam Schwarz


 

Miriam Schwarz signature




 

Miriam Schwarz, MPA

WCMS CEO/Executive Director