The following are some of the stories that were posted on the NCMS website over the past two weeks. Visit www.ncmedsoc.org daily for the latest updates on health care news.
NC DHHS Provides Clinician Recommendations In Measles Outbreak
Are You On Track for July 1? Deadlines for Transition to NCTracks Available
Delay In May 1 Deadline for Denial Edits in [...]

Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening: A Tale of Two States, 4-19-13, Journal Watch
Cara Adler reports Separate accounts in MMWR describe the experiences of Georgia and New Jersey in implementing newborn pulse oximetry screening for heart defects and illustrate some obstacles to improved public health. The screening was recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services [...]

North Carolina Medical Society PractEssentials Program presents a two part informational webinar about HIPAA on May 9, 2013 and May 23, 2013. The webinars will be presented by Elizabeth Johnson, Partner at Poyner Spruill. Registration for the first webinar will automatically register for the second webinar. Register online.
Attend the online course, “Completing the MOST Form,” [...]

Volume 64 Issue 8 – April 18, 2013

Featured Stories

NCDHHS Offers NCTracks Training
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is offering training opportunities for the NCTracks new multipayer billing system. Provider staff members will learn how to navigate the system to obtain prior approvals, submit claims, or enroll providers into Medicaid.
Continue reading »

Medicare [...]

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is offering training opportunities for the NCTracks new multipayer billing system. Provider staff members will learn how to navigate the system to obtain prior approvals, submit claims, or enroll providers into Medicaid.

On May 1, 2013, Medicare will go live with the referring / ordering edits that will result in claims denials unless the referring /ordering physician or other health care provider is not enrolled in Medicare (or has a valid opt-out affidavit on file with their local Medicare contractor).

Read on to review the Guide.

Providers who receive an EHR incentive payment for either the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Program potentially may be subject to an audit. Eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) should retain ALL relevant supporting documentation (in either paper or electronic format) used in the completion of the Attestation Module responses.
States and [...]

Prescription for a healthier practice: Learn about vendors offering eBilling solutions
North Carolina will be moving to an ebilling system for workers’ compensation claims beginning in March 2014. You may begin to get up to speed on the process through these resources offered by the AMA.
The old thinking that electronic billing (eBilling) processing doesn’t work for workers’ [...]

Today marks the launch of a new, statewide public health education campaign and challenge called “A Healthier NC,”  which challenges everyone in the state to lose 10 million pounds collectively. The North Carolina Medical Society is a sponsor of the campaign.
“The North Carolina Medical Society is committed to “A Healthier NC” both in our own office and [...]

 
Piedmont Health Services embarked on the Healthy Piedmont Program in 2010.  The main goal was to help their employees live healthier lifestyles across eight sites and 350 employees.  The program team consists of a wellness committee and wellness champions at each location.  The committee, in conjunction with the champions, developed a year-long plan to encourage [...]

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is pleased to announce PC3 has become a new Platinum level vendor as part of our Vendor Services Program to benefit our members.
PC3, a strategic consulting firm for medical practices, inspires, guides, and directs physicians in applying simple systematic patient-centric care models which delight patients and elate their care [...]

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is pleased to announce MICA Information Systems, Inc. has become a new Gold level vendor as part of our Vendor Services Program to benefit our members.
MICA Information Systems, Inc. offers NCMS members a one stop source for medical billing and electronic records. For more information, please contact 1-800-344-6422, sales@micamedical.com, [...]

Effective management of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) continues to pose a challenge for healthcare practitioners. The discovery, development and availability of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) offers new treatment options and the possibility of improved outcomes for newly diagnosed patients as well as those who have experienced a relapse or failed to respond to previous [...]

In 2011, 3.1 million persons aged 12 or older reported using an illicit drug for the first time within the past 12 months.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has developed NIDAMED, a portfolio of resources to help clinicians better address drug abuse in their patients. The portfolio includes [...]