Dr. Pamela Allen wins 2016 NCOA raffle prize.
December 19, 2016 | view this message as a webpage
North Carolina Orthopaedic Association (NCOA)
NCOA Membership Renewal | NCOA Website

In this edition:

NCOA Annual Meeting Another Great Success

Another excellent NCOA Annual Meeting was held over the weekend of October 7-9 in Pinehurst. The meeting attracted 85 orthopaedic surgeons and their families for a weekend of continuing medical education, networking and collegiality. The meeting featured 6.0 hours of CME programming, sub-specialty breakout sessions, resident presentations, social and networking opportunities, and a lively exhibit hall. The NCOA presented this year's Honored Surgeon Award to the family of the late William “Bill” Hardaker, Jr., MD, who chaired Duke’s orthopaedic residency program until his untimely death in December 2015.

A new year means new NCOA leadership. At the Annual Meeting, Dr. Matt Olin (Greensboro) handed over the President’s gavel to Dr. Peter Mangone (Asheville). Dr. Olin continues to serve the NCOA Executive Committee as Immediate Past President. Rounding out the Executive Committee: President-Elect Dr. Chad Mather (Durham), Vice President Dr. Shawn Hocker (Wilmington), Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Jessica Woodcock (New Bern), Recording Secretary Dr. Cynthia Emory (Winston-Salem) and Historian Dr. Charles Classen (Kinston).

Resident and student papers provided insight into the latest research and surgical techniques, as well as a valuable opportunity for students to showcase their work. New this year, awards were presented to the best resident/student paper in each breakout session. And the winners are…

  • Adult Recon/Hip & Knee (Saturday): Daniel Goltz, BS (Duke)
  • Adult Recon/Hip & Knee (Sunday): Marc Angerame, MD (CMC)
  • Hand: Edward Jernigan, MD (UNC)
  • Shoulder & Elbow: Marc Angerame, MD (CMC)
  • Spine/Tumor/Basic Science: Sam AbuMoussa, MS (UNC)
  • Trauma/Foot & Ankle/Hand: Gabriella Ode, MD (CMC)
  • General Ortho/Practice Management: Daniel Scott, MD, MBA (Duke)
  • Sports Medicine: Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw, MD (Duke)

top of page

Save the date!
2017 NCOA Annual Meeting, October 6-8
The Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, VA.

ATTENTION! New Rules Impacting Your Licensure

The North Carolina Medical Board has received final approval of rules impacting your medical licensure. Effective July 1, 2017, all physicians and physician assistants (PAs) who prescribe controlled substances are required to complete continuing medical education (CME) in controlled substances prescribing during each three year CME cycle. To comply with the new rules, physicians must earn three hours of CME in controlled substances prescribing during each three year CME cycle and PAs must earn two hours of CME in controlled substances prescribing during each two year cycle. You’re off the hook if you did not prescribe any controlled substances during your most recent CME cycle.

For more information, see these sites:

top of page

BCBSNC, NCTracks to Require Credentialing of Mid-Level Providers

New federal regulations have prompted payers to require all mid-level providers to be credentialed. As previously announced, NCTracks no longer allows claims for services to be filed as "incident to" beginning November 1. Similarly, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina recently announced that it too will require mid-level providers to be credentialed. Providers billing to BCBSNC are encouraged to initiate credentialing as soon as possible via the “Providers” home page on the BCBSNC website. The BCBSNC deadline to complete the credentialing process is January 1, 2017.

top of page

And the Winner Is... Dr. Pamela Allen

Dr. Pamela Allen (Asheville) won the 2016 NCOA membership raffle prize – a JBL Charge 2+ Portable Bluetooth Speaker. This sweet prize was offered as an incentive to new and renewing NCOA members. All eligible members were automatically entered into the drawing. Dr. Peter Mangone (Asheville) and Dr. Matt Olin (Greensboro), pictured below, shared the honor of pulling the winning entry at the 2016 NCOA Annual Meeting in Williamburg, VA. Congratulations, Dr. Allen!

2017 Membership Raffle – All renewing and new members enrolled by February 28 will be entered for a chance to win an exciting tech prize in 2017. We’re giving away a RIF6 Cube 2-inch Mobile Projector. This tiny gadget packs a punch with a 20,000 hour LED light and a 120-inch display, and it fits in the palm of your hand! Renew your membership for 2017 online at www.ncorthopaedics.org, or call your NCOA office staff at 919-833-3836 to renew by phone.


top of page

Legislative Outlook 2017

We are gearing up for the 2017 “long session” of the NC General Assembly, which is scheduled to convene on January 11. While the recent elections have left many questions about the future of health care, our commitment to representing your professional interests remains strong as ever. The following three summaries provide insight into what we might expect in 2017.

Political Environment at the Legislature – Tensions ran high at the legislative building during last week’s special session in which the Republican supermajority passed legislation designed to protect GOP authority under a Democrat-controlled administration. Two bills of interest that we are watching carefully are House Bill 17 and Senate Bill 4. Both bills have been ratified by the General Assembly and now await Governor McCrory’s signature. In the wake of the special session, our state has gained national attention. The New York Times reports, “Few states are quite as bitterly divided as this one, but there are hints here, too, of what may be in store for a nation that is just as divided and bruised after the presidential election.”

Certificate of Need Outlook - The NCOA and our coalition partners remain steadfast in our commitment to realizing Certificate of Need reform, and our prospects may be improving. The Carolina Journal reported in November that CON reform remains a top issue for NC Senate leaders and that CON regulations may also be targeted by the Trump administration. The news article reports state Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell Co.), co-chairman of the Senate Health Care and the Appropriations on Health and Human Services committees, as saying, “I’m confident that the CON repeal will be introduced” Hise said. “I think it’s wise that that be a later-in-session bill than kind of a first-out because I think we’ve got a lot of work to do in the education of the issue before we get to the point of writing it.” Read the Carolina Journal article.

2017 Legislative Redistricting and Special Election - The 2017 legislative session may become complicated by a new federal court ruling announced in late November that North Carolina must redraw its legislative districts by March 15, 2017 and hold new elections by the end of next year. Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett Co.) and Sen. Bob Rucho (R-Mecklenburg Co.), Chairmen of the House and Senate Redistricting Committees, released a joint statement in response to the court order stating, “because the court’s original ruling has already been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and could well be overturned, today’s directive could force state taxpayers to spend millions of dollars on an unnecessary special election.” Read WRAL’s coverage of the federal court order.

top of page

Thank you, 2016 NCOA Advocacy Partners!

The participation and support of NCOA members in our advocacy efforts is the key to our success. Throughout the year, we offer many opportunities for members to engage with legislators and support our advocacy agenda. Local meetings with legislators are one excellent opportunity to get to know your legislators and discuss policy issues. Physicians are also encouraged to participate in our "White Coat Wednesday" events co-coordinated with the NC Medical Society. For more information or assistance scheduling meetings with legislators contact us as ncoa@ncorthopaedics.org or at 919-833-3836.

2016 White Coat Wednesday Participants
Richard Bruch, MD (Durham)
Stephen Lang, MD (Durham)
David Clinton McNabb, MD (Raleigh)
Samuel S. Wellman, MD (Durham)

Through NCOA PAC, the political action and education committee of the NCOA, we amplify the collective voice of orthopaedic surgeons in North Carolina. NCOA PAC supports key legislators who can help advance our legislative priorities. To add your support to NCOA PAC this year, visit www.ncorthopaedics.org.

2016 NCOA PAC Heroes
OrthoWilmington PAC

Greensboro Orthopaedics PAC
Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic PAC
Richard F. Bruch, MD (Durham)
Peter G. Mangone, MD (Asheville)
Patricia L. McHale, MD (Gastonia)

2016 NCOA PAC Champions
J. McClees Aldridge, III, MD (Durham)
Frank V. Aluisio, MD (Greensboro)
Bryan T. Edwards, MD (Davidson)
Shawn B. Hocker, MD (Wilmington)
Paul F. Lachiewicz, MD (Chapel Hill)
Edward G. Lilly, III, MD (Hendersonville)
Richard C. Mather, III, MD (Durham)
David C. Napoli, MD (Hendersonville)
James A. Nunley, II, MD, MS (Durham)
Matthew D. Olin, MD (Greensboro)
Bryan D. Springer, MD (Charlotte)
Jessica A. Woodcock, MD (New Bern)

2016 NCOA PAC Supporters
Virginia F. Casey, MD (Charlotte)
Charles H. Classen, Jr., MD (Kinston)
William de Araujo, MD (Goldsboro)
Donald G. Joyce, MD (Charlotte)
Denna Suko, MA (Raleigh)
H. Clayton Thomason, III, MD (Gastonia)
Robert A. Wainer, MD (Greensboro)
Mark J. Warburton, MD (High Point)

top of page

Enhance Your Leadership Skills, Apply for NCOA Endorsement

Effective physician leaders are needed to deliver great health care in our state. The NCOA wants you to be a strong leader and we’re partnering with the NC Medical Society to ensure that NCOA members have access to leadership development opportunities. The NCOA Executive Committee will consider endorsement requests from NCOA members in good standing.  To be considered for NCOA endorsement, please email your endorsement request along with a copy of your CV to ncoa@ncmedsoc.org by March 31, 2017.

Leadership College - The Leadership College program provides you with the tools to handle the rapidly changing health care environment and call-to-action as a physician leader. The Leadership College Class of 2018 will convene in Fall 2017. Participation requirements include four in-person meetings, periodic phone meetings, and completion of an individual or group project. 2017/18 meeting dates (subject to change): Sep. 15, 2017, Jan. 26-27, 2018, May 18-20, 2018, June 2018 (TBD) and Sept. 14, 2018.

Prior Leadership College Scholars:

  • Selene G. Parekh, MD, MBA (Durham), Class of 2009
  • William P. Silver, MD (Durham), Class of 2010
  • Derrick G. Hickey, MD (Wilmington), Class of 2006
  • John Aldus Alexander Seldomridge, MD (Mooresville), Class of 2010

Health Care Leadership & Management (HCLM) – The HCLM program provides a critical framework for physicians based on economics, finance and leadership development. With this framework, graduates are provided the necessary vocabulary for the business realm and are equipped to take on greater leadership positions in their career. Participation requirements include four in-person meetings, optional on-site visits, periodic phone meetings, and completion of a team project. 2017/18 meeting dates (subject to change): Oct. 13-15, 2017, Jan. 14, 2018, April 13-15, 2018, and June 22-24, 2018.

top of page

Fraud, Waste and Abuse in NC Medicaid

A stinging final report from the NC General Assembly's Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee says that the NC Medicaid Program Integrity Section is not cost-effectively identifying and preventing fraud, waste and abuse. The NC Department of Health and Human Services disagrees with the some of the findings, but has pledged to find common ground to improve the program’s efficacy. The report and legislative recommendations will be discussed more in the 2017 legislative session.

top of page

UPDATE: NC Medical Society’s “Toward Accountable Care” Initiative

Over four years ago The NC Medical Society launched the Toward Accountable Care (TAC) Consortium. The Consortium now includes over 40 health care association and organization members, including the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association, who joined for the purpose of helping prepare the physician community for the transition to the evolving value-based model of patient care. To help get the project off the ground and sustain its momentum, the NCMS was successful in securing two grants. One was from The Physicians Foundation which helped towards the development of resources that are available free of charge on the TAC website, including the Accountable Care Guide for Orthopaedists.

Additionally, the NCMS launched the North Carolina ACO Collaborative, which has grown to over 100 participants and meets twice annually. Smaller groups focused on MSSP and Next Gen ACOs have also been created.

Though the TAC grants are at an end, the NCMS will continue to support the NC ACO Collaborative and the NC MSSP/Next Gen Council. The passage of MACRA in 2015 with strong bi-partisan support is a strong indication that health system transformation will continue, so the NCMS plans to continue its efforts to support the medical community as it navigates these changes.

top of page

December Deadlines Approaching for AAOS Volunteer Opportunities

The December deadlines are quickly approaching for members interested in applying for AAOS volunteer opportunities beginning in March 2017. Use your AAOS member log-in to view and apply for positions through the online AAOS Committee Appointment Program (CAP) System at www.aaos.org/cap. The AAOS CAP Committee will review the applications and make its determination this winter. If you have any questions about the opportunities or the CAP process, please contact Donna Malert, the AAOS’ Governance Manager, at malert@aaos.org or 847.384.4044.

top of page

AAOS National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference, April 26-29

The 2017 AAOS National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) will be held April 26-29, in Washington, DC. The NOLC is a great opportunity to engage in federal legislative advocacy on issues impacting orthopaedic practice. The meeting agenda includes high-level updates on medical economic and policy issues facing the profession, advocacy training, meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill, and a PAC donor reception. Please let us know if you interested in attending the 2017 NOLC by email to ncoa@ncmedsoc.org.

Key topics that our NC delegation discussed with legislators at the 2016 NOLC included comprehensive care for joint replacement, legal protection for traveling sports medicine professionals, physician owned hospitals and changes to the meaningful use program. The NCOA appreciates the support and participation of our 2016 NOLC delegation. 

NCOA members at the 2016 NOLC are pictured here (L-R) with Ms. Angela Wiles, Legislative Assistant to Sen. Richard Burr:

  • Edward G. Lilly, III, MD (Hendersonville)
  • Mark Easley, MD (Durham)
  • Richard Bruch, MD (Durham)
  • Frank Aluisio, MD (Greensboro)
  • W. Alan Skipper, CAE (Raleigh)

top of page

Thank you 2016 NCOA Annual Meeting Sponsors & Exhibitors!

The Stryker reps chat with a group of young visitors at their booth during a reception in the exhibit hall.

Platinum Sponsors:
Crosslink/Stryker Orthopaedics
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Smith & Nephew

Silver Sponsors:
DePuy Synthes (Joint Recon)
Trice Medical

Exhibitors

ACO Medical Supply/DJO Global | Arthritis Foundation  |  Azalea Health  |  ConMed Linvatec  |  ConvaTec  |  DePuy Synthes (Trauma)  |  Exactech North Carolina  |  Ferring Pharmaceuticals  |  Fidia Pharma USA  |  Halyard Health  |  Hensler Surgical Products  |  Horizon Pharma  |  LifeNet Health  |  Lilly USA  |  Lima  |  Medical Mutual  |  Medtronic Advanced Energy  |  Modernizing Medicine  |  NC Medical Society  |  Orthotic & Prosthetic Centers, Inc.  |  Pfizer  |  Pfizer Injectables  |  Safe Passage Neuromonitoring  |  Sanofi Biosurgery  |  Southern Medical Surgical  |  SouthTech Orthopedics  |  UNC Health Care  |  Zimmer Biomet Summit Surgical.

top of page

This message is a service of the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association (NCOA)
www.ncorthopaedics.org | ncoa@ncmedsoc.org  | Privacy Policy | Opt Out