In this edition:

• July 1 Deadline for Meaningful Use Hardship Exemption Applications
• See you in Orlando! 2016 AACE Annual Meeting, May 25-29
• CC-AACE 2016 Annual Meeting, Sept. 9-11
• Physicians Foundation Survey
• Get the Facts on MACRA
• NC: Medicaid Reform Public Hearings Announced
• NC: Nurses Push for Independent Practice
• SC: Proposed Changes to Telemedicine Practice
• SC: Doctor of the Day Program Seeks Volunteers

July 1 Deadline for Meaningful Use Hardship Exemption Applications

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the deadline for physicians seeking to apply for the “blanket” hardship exemption from 2015 Meaningful Use requirements to July 1, 2016. All eligible professionals applying for this exemption must complete an application by the July 1 deadline. For instructions and the application, visit the CMS Payment Adjustments & Hardship Information webpage.

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See you in Orlando! 2016 AACE Annual Meeting, May 25-29

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 25th Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress will be held May 25-29 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. Quench your thirst for knowledge with excellent lectures, opportunities to meet the experts, symposia covering a range of specialized topics and a lively exhibit hall. Complete program information and online registration are available on the AACE website.

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2016 CC-AACE Annual Meeting, September 9-11

Save the date! The 2016 CC-AACE Annual Meeting will be held September 9-11 at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

For room reservations, call the Sonesta Resort at (800) 766-3782 and reference CC-AACE to obtain the group rate of just $189 plus $2 destination fee and $18 resort facilities fee, plus taxes, per night.

Nestled along the coast with stunning 360º views and lush landscapes as far as the eye can see, the award-winning Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a premier destination for Hilton Head hotels on the beach. The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island understands the fine art of balancing work and play. New features at the resort include a heated shade pool and hot tub, a zero-entry lagoon swimming pool (seasonal) and children’s area. The new full-service Arum Spa also offers guests the opportunity to experience a truly Lowcountry spa experience, featuring local products and scents such as jasmine and sea salt. The Sonesta's location within the Shipyard Plantation includes easy access to tennis, golf, beach, and bicycle rentals.

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Physicians Foundation Invites Participation in National Survey

Let Your Voice Be Heard! The Physicians Foundation is a non-profit physician advocacy organization committed to giving you and your colleagues a voice. This is the Physicians Foundation's fourth national survey of physicians – the one you have read about in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today and many other publications.

The Physicians Foundation is seeking your participation. The greater the response, the greater the impact on policy makers and the public! The survey may be taken anonymously, or you may include your email address to enter a drawing for a $5,000 Amazon gift card or one of five $500 Amazon gift cards.

Click here to participate.

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Get the Facts on MACRA

If you are still uncertain what MACRA is all about, get the facts by downloading the recording of a recent webinar on MACRA hosted by NC Medical Society Director of Health Policy Jennifer Gasperini and sponsored by the NCMS Foundation and the NC Medical Group Managers Association (NCMGMA). This webinar reviews key elements of the recently passed Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act (MACRA), including how the current Medicare quality reporting programs will be affected by MACRA. Viewers will learn more about CMS' plans for Medicare reform and key timelines to consider in the implementation process.

To learn more about MACRA, NCMS members can visit the Quality Time with the NCMS blog. This blog is updated weekly with pertinent information about quality program changes and key news and deadlines to be aware of.

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NC: Medicaid Reform Public Hearings Announced

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) has announced a schedule of 10 public hearings for North Carolinians to learn more about and share their thoughts on the recently unveiled NC Medicaid reform implementation plan. The public hearings are scheduled between March 30 and April 18, and we urge you to participate. Here’s how:

• Begin with this NCMS summary of the Medicaid waiver proposal.
• Then, download these talking points developed by the NCMS to help physicians discuss the key aspects of the state’s implementation plan.
• Visit the NC DHHS website for the hearing schedule, the full draft waiver application, an online comment submission form, and more information.

Many questions remain regarding Medicaid reform implementation and whether progress is being made quickly enough to satisfy a legislature that is anxious to transfer financial risk for the program out of the state budget. NC DHHS Secretary Rick Brajer and Dee Jones, chief operating officer at the new Division of Health Benefits – a new NC Medicaid agency created by last year’s Medicaid reform law – presented the details of the state’s CMS waiver application to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice. All appears to be running on schedule, though there is still much work to be done. Jones described the current status as the “end of the beginning.” According to Brajer, the next steps include public hearings and a final report to the legislature before the waiver application is submitted to CMS on June 1.

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NC: Nurses Push for Independent Practice

Nurses in North Carolina are attempting to pass an unprecedented scope of practice expansion. On February 9, Christopher Conover, PhD, of Duke University, provided legislative testimony recommending the relaxation of supervision requirements for all Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in NC. This recommendation was based on a meta-analysis study paid for by the North Carolina Nurses Association. The study, which was premised on the expectation of a physician shortage, speculated that APRNs are the solution to such a shortage. The conclusion asserted that relaxing supervision would have a three-fold benefit of (1) improving access, (2) improving quality and (3) lowering cost.

Stay tuned for updates on this issue and opportunities to communicate with your legislators about the resources needed to provide appropriate care to North Carolina’s citizens.

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SC: Proposed Changes to Telemedicine Practice

A bill has been introduced this year in the South Carolina Legislature to amend telemedicine laws in the state. The “South Carolina Telemedicine Act” (S. 1035) would establish record keeping requirements, provide definitions for "asynchronous store and forward transfer" and "telemedicine,” and creates a pathway for physicians to write prescriptions for their telemedicine patients. The bill was reported favorably out of the Medical Affairs Committee on February 23, and approved by the Senate on March 3. In the House, the bill awaits consideration by the Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs.

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SC: Doctor of the Day Program Seeks Volunteers

With your support and participation, the Doctor of the Day Program increases the presence of the medical profession in the eyes of South Carolina lawmakers. The South Carolina Medical Association seeks volunteers during the months of April, May and early June. Every physician is encouraged to get involved. If you would like to volunteer as a “Doctor of the Day” for the 2016 Legislative Session please contact Ginger Chalk at the South Carolina Medical Association at 1-800-327-1021 or by email at ginger.chalk@scmedical.org. Visit the SCMA website for more information.

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