In this edition:
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N.C. Teens Banned from Commercial Tanning Beds, Effective Oct. 1
Yesterday the Jim Fulghum Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act went into effect, prohibiting access to commercial indoor tanning beds by children under the age of 18. The new law will protect teens and young adults from the growing epidemic of skin cancer, which impacts 5 million Americans each year.
“This is a powerful first step in addressing the epidemic of skin cancer and protecting our children and our young adults from the dangers of indoor tanning,“ said Dr. Russell Kilpatrick (Greenville), president of the N.C. Dermatology Association (NCDA).
The NCDA was joined by a strong coalition of partners supporting the legislation. Partners included the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force, North Carolina Medical Society, North Carolina Oncology Association, North Carolina Pediatric Society and AIM at Melanoma.
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NCDA Annual Meeting Program Will Feature ACMS President John Albertini
The NCDA congratulates Dr. John G. Albertini (Greensboro) on being named President of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS). Dr. Albertini is a confirmed presenter for the upcoming 2016 NCDA Annual Meeting.
Dr. Albertini is a long-time contributor to the profession, and he has held leadership positions at the state and national levels. He served as NCDA President in 2009 and as Assistant Editor of the journal Dermatologic Surgery (2009-2014). Following residency and fellowship training at Geisinger Medical Center, Dr. Albertini served in active duty in the U.S. Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, where he was Chief of Mohs Surgery at Wilford Hall USAF and Brooke Army Medical Centers. He is nationally renowned for his expertise in Mohs surgery and advanced reconstructive surgery. He has presented over 50 local, regional and national lectures and has published over 40 scientific articles and book chapters.
Save the date – Jan. 15-17! Dr. Albertini will present a session titled, “Surgical Pearls and Lessons Learned from a Mohs Surgical Perspective” at the 2016 NCDA Annual Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for January 15-17 at the Pinehurst Resort in the Village of Pinehurst. The NCDA Annual Meeting is the state’s premier educational and networking event for dermatologists, dermatopathologists and dermatology physician extenders. The NCDA Annual Meeting typically draws more than 100 participants and many vendors for a weekend of continuing medical education, networking and collegiality.
For room reservations, call the Pinehurst Resort at (800) 487-4653.
We hope to see you there!
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Governor Signs Medicaid Reform Package
Governor Pat McCrory has signed into law a Medicaid reform plan that allows the state to contract with three statewide managed care companies and up to 10 regional “provider-led entities” (PLEs) comprised of health systems, hospitals and physicians. The new law provides a general framework for the future of the state’s Medicaid program, and physicians will work to help shape the specific details as the administrative rules and additional legislation evolve over the next few years.
This result follows several years of debate and effort by legislators and the health care community to address cost-unpredictability in Medicaid. The new plan is designed to give physicians who participate in the new PLEs greater flexibility to manage their patients’ health care delivery and costs. In place of the conventional fee-for-service model, Medicaid providers will receive up-front, per-patient payments and will be responsible for cost overruns.
"This reform brings innovation to our healthcare system and builds upon what has already proven to work in North Carolina," said Gov. McCrory at the bill signing ceremony.
A State Plan Amendment must be approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prior to implementation, and this process may take 6-18 months. Federal funds account for two-thirds of NC Medicaid’s annual spend.
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State Budget Funds Investment in Health Information Exchange, Takes Aim at Prescription Drug Abuse
Nearly three months past due, the state’s biennial budget was finally signed into law by Governor McCrory on September 18. The budget sets spending for FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17. The budget contains several health care provisions. Most notably, it includes $8 million in state funds – plus a federal match of $8 million – to establish a successor HIE Network and a state-controlled HIE Authority to administer and oversee the HIE Network.
Several provisions take aim at the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, including mandating a new CME requirement for providers who prescribe controlled substances, calling for improvements in the Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS), and establishing a new Prescription Drug Abuse Advisory Committee. It also includes funds to implement the state’s new Medicaid plan. For a complete breakdown of all health care related matters addressed in the budget, check out the NCMS Summary of Key Issues in 2015-17 State Budget.
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NCDA Delegation Lobbies Congress for Patient Access to Pharmaceutical Treatments and Other Priority Legislative Issues
NCDA President Dr. Russell Kilpatrick (Greenville) led a delegation of six to this year’s American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) Legislative Conference. The meeting was held this week, September 27-29, in Washington, D.C.
The rising costs of drugs - particularly specialty drugs - and preserving access to compounded products in the physician office setting were among the key policy issues presented during meetings with legislators on Tuesday. Participants also discussed with legislators the need to address health plans’ narrowing of physician networks and supporting efforts to promote transparency regarding health plans’ physician networks, and promoting skin cancer awareness and prevention, as well as advocating for increased funding to promote research that can lead to new treatments and cures.
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The NCDA delegation included:
- Adewole Adamson, MD (Chapel Hill)
- John Albertini, MD (Greensboro)
- Craig Burkhart, MD (Chapel Hill)
- Bob Hsia, MD (Greenville)
- Russell Kilpatrick, MD (Greenville)
- Linda Markham, RN (Pinehurst)
- W. Alan Skipper, CAE (Raleigh)
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The conference included sessions to educate participants on the legislative issues, Congressional politics, and the ins-and-outs of meetings with legislators. Special guest speakers included Ann Compton, former ABC White House correspondent, and Stuart Rothenberg, founding editor and publisher of the Rothenberg Gonzales Political Report. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) attended the SkinPAC Donor Dinner.
Please visit the AADA website to review the 2015 AADA Legislative Conference Agenda, donate to SkinPAC, and see what’s new in the Practice and Advocacy Resource Center.
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NCMS Annual Meeting, Oct. 23-24
Registration is now open for the 2015 North Carolina Medical Society Annual Meeting. With a new and exciting format for broad physician appeal, this year's meeting theme, "Resilience in Challenging Times," hints at the program's focus on introducing physicians to basic approaches for developing greater fulfillment and resilience in practicing medicine. The meeting will be held October 23-24 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro. Pop on over to the NCMS website for complete program details and secure online registration.
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Bonus of $75,000 and up to $250,000 in Student Loan Repayments
The Army Reserve Medical Corps is seeking dermatologists. Please consider the following request and this informational flyer from Sgt. Bradley Cooper, US Army.
Dear Doctor,
America’s Army is calling. Will you answer the call?
Eligible physicians in your specialty can qualify for special pay of $75,000 and up to $250,000 in student loan repayments. Becoming a member of the Army Reserve Medical Corps as an officer and clinician, you would be joining a dynamic organization at a momentous time in our nation’s history. Our facilities and medical acumen are cutting edge, providing an environment that encourages constant growth, defying even your greatest accomplishments. Our patients are the finest individuals this country can muster; you will not find a more worthwhile and appreciated organization than the United States Army Medical Corps with which to contribute your clinical expertise. Your commitment to be a part of this effort was best described over fifty years ago by General James E. Doolittle when he posed that “….there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
Will you share your time-honed skills, education and other gifts of freedom? Can you share one weekend a month and two weeks a year, giving back to the men and women who serve our country? You’re never too old to use your skills with the Army Reserves.
Will you exemplify the fact that there really is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer? We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm regards,
Bradley S. Cooper
SGT, U.S. Army
Raleigh Medical Recruiting Center
Cell (404) 808-3586
Bradley.s.cooper.mil@mail.mil
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