News
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is requesting your written comments on the NC Medical Board’s proposed rule to post online each licensee’s total number of medical malpractice judgments and settlements occurring with the past seven (7) years, without the dollar amount or other information which could identify the patient. In addition, the posting would note whether public disciplinary action related to each payment was taken by the NC Medical Board.
Physicians and Physician Assistants also will have the opportunity to provide a brief statement explaining the circumstances that led to the judgment or settlement. The proposed rule also provides for the reporting and publication of other background facts including the physician’s education, specialty certification, criminal history, and peer review discipline. Click on link to view the NCMB Proposed Profiling Rules.
April 17th, 2008
The 2008 Election season is here and health care-related issues are hot, both nationally and at the state level. This year new state Senators and House members will be chosen, and they will make decisions that affect your practice and your patients.
Do you know who your candidates are for the NC House, NC Senate, and US Congress? Do you know your state and federal legislative districts?
Visit the NCMS Election Center to identify districts and candidates for the NC General Assembly and US Congress. Profiles and website links for candidates are available, along with information on North Carolina voter registration, key dates, state polling sites, etc. Starting next week, a series of articles will be run in the Bulletin entitled “Election 2008 – Races to Watch,” highlighting primary-challenged or open-seat races in North Carolina. For more information, contact Allison Clipp.
April 17th, 2008
Aetna has sent out a letter to its participating physicians “informing” them of their selection in the Aetna Workers’ Comp Access Network at reduced rates of reimbursement. The letter requires practices to “opt out” of participation by responding with a letter declining participation by April 15, 2008; otherwise you will be deemed to participate.
If you did not receive this letter, contact your Aetna provider relations representative to avoid being automatically added to its network. Find more information at http://awca.aetna.com.
April 17th, 2008
A new network to deliver drug safety alerts online to US physicians was launched March 25, 2008. The Health Care Notification Network (HCNN) replaces a decades-old system that relied on paper and US mail delivery. The HCNN will also be available for rapid communication with physicians in the event of emergency public health or bio-terror events.
Continue Reading April 17th, 2008
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC (BCBSNC) has sent certified letters to approximately 100 North Carolina “medical providers” who have not obtained an NPI. In accordance with the NPI compliance date, electronic claims will be denied for physicians who have not obtained NPIs starting May 23, 2008.
It is important to obtain your NPI immediately in order to have time for testing transactions and sharing it with payors, clearinghouses, vendors and other health care providers.
CIGNA Government Services previously announced that effective March 1, 2008, all 837P and CMS-1500 claims must include an NPI or NPI/legacy pair in the required primary provider fields. Failure to include an NPI will cause Medicare claims to be rejected.
More information is available at http://www.bcbsnc.com/ (access Blue e) or at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/MM4023.pdf.
April 17th, 2008
Aetna and the Physician Advocacy Institute (PAI) have commenced discussions regarding the new 125% of Medicare Aetna methodology utilized to determine the payments made to non-participating providers when the benefits are considered to be “in-network” under a patient’s benefit plan.
Continue Reading April 17th, 2008
Federally mandated tamper resistant prescription pad requirements for all Medicaid prescriptions took effect April 1, 2008. A January 2008 DMA memo addressed the requirements. (Click here to download the pdf.)
As of April 1, 2008, all Medicaid recipients’ paper prescriptions must be on pads that include specific features, as defined in the memo, satisfying at least one of the following tamper resistant characteristics:
• Prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form.
• Prevent erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber.
• Prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.
As of October 1, 2008, all Medicaid paper prescriptions must include features satisfying all three tamper resistant characteristics. Medicaid prescribers may implement use of fully compliant tamper resistant prescription pads anytime. DMA encourages providers to implement pads with ALL security features as of April 1, 2008 to avoid the necessity of reordering new pads for use by October 1, 2008.
April 17th, 2008
Distribution of Payments Awaiting Final Order: North Carolina practices are advised that the monetary settlement for the Blue Cross settlement will not be distributed until a final order is issued by the District Court.
Continue Reading March 2nd, 2008
In response to numerous complaints by the North Carolina Medical Society and others, United Healthcare (HCS) has developed a simplified physician flyer providing contacts for advance notification, online administration and other issues. To access the first draft of this flyer, go to www.ncmedsoc.org (PDF file).
March 2nd, 2008
Important National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Information for Organization Providers: When organization health care providers apply for NPIs, it is important that they enter their correct legal business name and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Continue Reading March 2nd, 2008
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