Western Carolina Medical Society: The Physicians' Voice for a Health Community
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November 9, 2016

In This Issue:
Sponsor Message: Current Medical Services (Left)
Register Now: Dinner with the Doc Featuring WCMS Member Scott Skibo 11/14/16
Register Now: MACRA Educational Webinar Sessions 11/21/16 & 12/6/16
Register Now: MAHEC Event - MACRA 2017 and Beyond: What You Need to Know 12/13/16
Save the Date: Emeritus Holiday Luncheon 12/14/16
Letter from WCMS CEO Miriam Schwarz
WCMS Membership Renewal Time
The Minority Medical Mentoring Program (MMMP) is Accepting Applications
WCMS Women in Medicine Affinity Group Meets with Local Alternative Medicine Practitioners
BCHHS Public Health alert: Flu Season Update
Order Now: 2016-17 Physician "Blue Book" Directories
What the 2016 presidential election could mean for the future of the ACA
Physician Fee Schedule
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Dinner with the Doc Featuring WCMS Member Scott Skibo 11/14/16

Register Now: MACRA Educational Webinar Sessions 11/21/16 & 12/6/16
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule outlining the requirements of the new Quality Payment Program for physicians that was created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) on October 14, 2016.  While the AMA is in the process of fully analyzing the regulations, a first review reveals that CMS responded to many of the concerns expressed by physicians about the proposed rule issued last spring.  On November 21 and December 6, the AMA will host educational webinar sessions to help physicians prepare and understand what the final rule means for their practice. 
Click here to register for 11/21
Click here to register for 12/6
These sessions will cover the same material.  Physicians and medical society staff are welcome.
Register Now: MACRA 2017 and Beyond: What You Need to Know 12/13/16
Join us to review the details of the Final MACRA Rule, and help your practice plan 2017 strategies that will positively impact your 2019 revenue. The presentation will provide an overview of the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Final Rule currently scheduled to take effect on 01-01-2017. The overview will include information on both the Merit Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Method (APM) options, including information for Mission Health Partners practices. 
Save the Date: Emeritus Holiday Luncheon 12/14/16
Mark this date in your calendars. Significant others invited, as well. 
LOCAL NEWS
 
Letter from WCMS CEO Miriam Schwarz
Dear WCMS Members and colleagues:

Now that the elections are over, WCMS will be closely monitoring national and state plans to reform health care in the coming months. We will keep you informed so that you can continue to make sound professional choices regarding how you practice medicine.

In the meantime, we will continue to develop our 2017 strategic plan in accordance with our vision to be a dynamic physician community dedicated to a healthy, vibrant western NC. Our strategic plan will focus on legislative advocacy, rolling out The Healthy Healer program, addressing public health issues, expanding access to care, decreasing health disparities, and promoting health and wellness. We will publish the full plan once the Association and Foundation Boards have approved it (late December).

Let's talk about what this election means for healthcare over the coming days, weeks, and months. I'd love to hear your opinions. Send me an email at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Miriam Schwarz, MPA
CEO
WCMS Membership Renewal Time - Invoices Have Been Mailed to Your Practice
2017 Membership Renewal Invoices have been mailed to practice addresses. Please renew your membership today! 

Click here to pay your dues online.

Have questions or need your invoice emailed to you? 
828-274-2267 ext. 1313
The Minority Medical Mentoring Program (MMMP) is Accepting Applications
The deadline for submission of this application is Friday, December 16, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
Click here for more details. 
WCMS Women in Medicine Affinity Group Meets with Local Alternative Medicine Practitioners
Women in Medicine had their final affinity group of the year last Wednesday, November 2nd. They started the evening off with a Tai Chi session led by WCMS member Dr. Sharon Sweede. Following the Tai Chi lesson, everyone was able to participate in a Q&A with local female practitioners representing various fields of medicine and healing. We were lucky enough to be joined by massage therapist Lee Stanford, acupuncturist and herbalist Annie Masaoka, physical therapist Annette DuPont, and a teacher of The Alexander Technique, Michele Drivon. The Q&A with the alternative medicine practitioners was a great way for our physicians to gain a better understanding of how to integrate traditional and non-traditional healing. 
BCHHS Public Health alert: Flu Season Update
Click here to read update from Dr. Jennifer Mullendore. 
Order Now: 2016-17 Physician "Blue Book" Directories
The 2016-17 Physician Directory listing over 1,600 WNC Physicians is now available.  Order yours now!

Remember, the price is discounted if you are a 100% Member Practice. Contact [email protected] if you're not sure. 
NATIONAL NEWS
 
What the 2016 presidential election could mean for the future of the ACA
At the federal level, the nation's two major political parties have vastly different visions for the future of healthcare. The election will help to determine which course the nation follows for the foreseeable future. What are the likely outcomes depending on who wins the presidency?

A Republican in the White House could spell the end for the ACA.
Click here to continue reading. 
Physician Fee Schedule
CMS yesterday issued a final rule to update Medicare's physician fee schedule for the 2017 calendar year. Under the final rule, physician payment rates will increase by 0.5 percent, as called for by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. When combined with certain budget neutrality cuts, physician payment rates next year will increase by 0.24 percent when compared with 2016's payment rate. (Source: AHA News, 11/2)
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
From the AMA Physician Family Magazine: Finishing Strong: What to do when you hit The Wall
Job Board & Classified Ads
Medical Assistant - Vickery Family Medicine
LPN or RN - French Broad Pediatrics
Certified Medical Assistant - Mountain Area Pediatric Associates
Payment Posting Specialist - Allergy Partners
Nurse Practitioner - Asheville Head, Neck and Ear Surgeons

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