In this edition:
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Medicaid Reform & The Really Looooooong Session
While no one can tell you for how long this “long session” will last, two things are clear. First, the N.C. House and Senate remain divided on the fundamental elements of Medicaid reform. In an effort to revive budget negotiations with the House, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger announced on Wednesday, August 5, that the Senate would remove Medicaid reform from the budget discussion in which it had been entangled since earlier this summer. The Senate Health Care Committee acted quickly by taking up the House’s Medicaid Modernization Act (H372) the very next day on Thursday, August 6, gutting the House proposal and inserting its own Medicaid reform plan.
The Winston-Salem Journal summarized these recent developments and the key provisions of the Senate plan.
Second, now is the time to make your voice heard. If movement on this issue occurs this year, it will likely happen in the next few weeks. While Medicaid reform is a legislative priority for key leaders of both chambers, lawmakers are antsy to go home after more than 100 days in session and the budget is the only legislative responsibility keeping them in Raleigh at this late date. Once they come to terms and pass a budget, many legislators will be ready to high-tail it out of town.
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Wos Resigns from DHHS
Aldona Wos, MD has stepped down as Secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Wos will be replaced by Mr. Rick Brajer, a former biotech executive. The change was announced on Wednesday, August 5, just one day prior to the N.C. Senate’s consideration of Medicaid reform legislation. This is the second major leadership change at DHHS this year. Dr. Robin Cummings resigned as Medicaid Director in May. He was succeeded by Mr. Dave Richard who has considerable DHHS experience. Incoming DHHS Secretary Mr. Brajer’s history reflects work in the private/corporate sector.
It is unclear what impact, if any, this change in leadership at DHHS will have on Medicaid reform going forward.
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Make Way for ICD-10
Ready or not, here it comes. Although CMS recently announced contingency plans for the transition to ICD-10, including guidance that allows for flexibility in the claims auditing and quality reporting process during the transition, we are urging providers to do your part to prepare for ICD-10 by the October 1, 2015, compliance date. CMS recently released a new ICD-10 Quick Start Guide to help providers on their way to ICD-10 implementation. This guide outlines 5 steps health care professionals should take to prepare for ICD-10 by October 1 compliance date. You can complete parts of different steps at the same time if that works best for your practice.
- Download the ICD-10 Quick Start Guide.
- Access excellent resources and information on the AAD’s ICD-10-CM Resource Center.
- For the small physician practice, free primers for clinical documentation, clinical scenarios, and other specialty-specific resources to help with implementation are available on the “Road to 10” website.
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Dermatologic Rx Benefit Changes Effective October 1
Several dermatologic medications are impacted by pharmacy benefit changes announced by BlueCross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) on July 21, 2015. The pharmacy benefit changes apply to all commercial members with pharmacy benefits through BCBSNC. Changes in medical benefits announced will impact commercial members as well as the State Health Plan. The changes take effect on October 1, 2015.
Read the BCBSNC announcement.
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Sunshine Act Payments Data for 2014 Now Available
The 11.4 million financial transactions reported to CMS as required by the Sunshine Act totaled a whopping $6 billion. The Open Payments data was published by CMS on June 30. This is the second year of Open Payments data that is now available online. The first year’s data, 2013, was published in September 2014. We encourage all physicians to review the site and to ensure the accuracy of payments associated with them. Visit the Open Payments site.
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NCDA's Alan Skipper Inaugurated as AENC President
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NCDA Executive Director Alan Skipper, CAE was inaugurated as President of the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) on July 13. The organization provides professional development and networking opportunities to those in the association management profession, including CEOs and the staff of associations across North Carolina. AENC celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
Alan was honored as part of the AENC’s Awards Breakfast and Annual Business Session at the Durham Convention Center.
Congratulations, Alan!
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Thank You, 2015 Summer Meeting Participants & Sponsors!
With many thanks to Dr. Pamela Guest (Pinehurst) for pulling together a great CME program with more than 10 hours of educational content, the 2015 NCDA Summer Meeting proved to be another successful event. The conference brought more than 150 physicians, PAs and nurses to the Omni Grove Park Inn in July for a weekend of continuing education, networking, collegiality and... a sky-dive!
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In celebration of a new law that prohibits minors from using commercial tanning beds, Mr. Christian Stevens (of SkinPath Solutions) performed a free fall sky dive jump from 5,000 feet while conference attendees cheered him on. Watch video footage of the jump on YouTube.
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The NCDA extends its sincere appreciation to meeting attendees, sponsors and exhibitors. This meeting is possible with your participation and support. Thank you!
Platinum Sponsors
Abbvie ♥ Janssen Biotech ♥ Ranbaxy
Gold Sponsor
Celgene
Exhibitors: Actelion Pharmaceuticals | Aerolase | Allergan | Amgen | Aqua Pharmaceuticals | Aurora Diagnostics | Ball Dermpath PA | Bayer Healthcare | BTL Industries, Inc. | Castle Biosciences | Crown Laboratories | Cynosure | Dermpath Diagnostics | DermTech | D-Path Dermatopathology | DUSA Pharmaceuticals | Elorac | Encore Dermatology | Galderma Laboratories | Genentech | Help Hair Inc. | Hill Dermaceuticals | Knoxville Dermatopathology Laboratory | Leo Pharma | Long's Specialty Pharmacy | Medical Mutual | Merz North America | MiMedx | Mission Pharmacal | MSOC Health | National Biological Corp. | Novartis Dermatology | PharmaDerm | Prestium Pharma | Promius Pharma LLC | RA Medical Systems | SkinPath Solutions | Suneva Medical | Syneron Candela | Total Life Care RX Pharmacy, LLC | Tripoint Diagnostics | Ulthera, Inc. | Valeant | Zeltiq Aesthetics.
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2015 AADA Legislative Conference, Sept. 27-29
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WITN-TV “Doctors on Call” Needs Physician Volunteers
Help Answer Viewers' Medical Questions During This Important Community Event
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Location: WITN-TV's new studio, located at 275 East Arlington Blvd, Greenville
Doctors on Call is an annual event sponsored by the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) and the Pitt County Medical Society in conjunction with WITN in Greenville, where physician volunteers answer medical questions called in by local TV viewers. We encourage you to take part in this important community service event by volunteering just one or two hours of your time. Doctors on Call physician volunteers have helped thousands of people over the years, supporting our mission of promoting access to quality health care.
Physicians and residents from all specialties are needed. Please note: all volunteers must hold an active medical license in the State of North Carolina.
Sign up today!
For questions regarding the program, please contact Kristen Shipherd with the NCMS or Tricia Maddrey-Baker with the Pitt County Medical Society.
NCMS membership is not required to participate in this event, so please forward this email along to your colleagues.
Thank you for your support of this program!
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Save the date! 2016 NCDA Annual Meeting, Jan. 15-17
The 2016 NCDA Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 15-17 at the Pinehurst Resort in Village of Pinehurst. Dr. Kevin Stein (Winston-Salem) is hard at work developing the program as the 2016 NCDA Annual Meeting Program Chair.
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The Pinehurst Resort is a four-diamond, family-friendly resort featuring so much more than world-class golf courses! Lawn sports, a European-style spa, tennis courts, shops, and a fitness center are onsite, and nearby are antique and pottery shops, equestrian activities, museums and more. Advance reservations are required for most dining outlets and recreational activities. Add this event to your calendar.
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