Stay cool and enjoy Friday’s

 NCMS Morning Rounds.

July 19, 2019

Deadline for Leadership Training July 30

The deadline to apply for the NCMS Foundation’s Leadership College is rapidly approaching. If you are interested in participating in this award-winning program in 2020, you need to submit your application by July 30 – a week from Tuesday. Apply now.

As a Leadership College scholar you will:

  • Gain better insight into your unique leadership style;
    • Hone your skills to be a more valuable leader on the health care team;
    • Meet colleagues from throughout the state to share ideas and perspectives on today’s health care environment.

This one-year program is part of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership and boasts over 300 alumni who now hold prominent leadership positions in their practice, health system and beyond.

Learn more and apply today. You’ll be glad you took this opportunity for career and personal development!

Update on Surprise Billing Legislation

Wednesday afternoon the full House Energy and Commerce Committee moved surprise billing legislation (HB 3630 – No Surprises Act) out of committee on a voice vote. The proposal will now move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
While the legislation at this point doesn’t contain all the provisions the NCMS and our partners at the federal level support, an amendment offered by Rep. Raul Ruiz MD (D-CA), an emergency room physician, and Rep. Larry Bucshon MD (R-IN), a surgeon specializing in cardiothoracic surgery, was adopted on Wednesday and added an appeals provision. Appeals would be restricted to complex cases with a claims threshold of $1,250 (indexed to inflation).

After the bill passed through the Energy and Commerce Committee, AMA President Patrice Harris, MD, MA, issued the following statement:

“The American Medical Association remains committed to protecting patients from surprise bills. We appreciate the work by Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, ranking member Greg Walden, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., and Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D., and others to add an appeals process for resolving out-of-network payment disputes. This addition represents progress. While we continue to have concerns with elements of the legislation, we remain committed to working with all committee members to secure further improvements to protect patients, preserve access and foster fair payments for out-of-network services.”

A deeper dive into the issue and the proposed legislation, this article provides an overview: Surprise Billing Fight Escalates as Providers Win Arbitration Add to House Bill, Healthcare Dive, 7-17-19.

NCMS’ Seligson Participates in Health Care Reform Executive Roundtable

Earlier this week, NCMS CEO Robert W. Seligson, MBA, MA, joined other North Carolina health care executives at the Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy to continue the discussion around priorities to accelerate health care reform in the state.

At the group’s first meeting in March, the leaders identified several priorities including enabling timely, accurate and consistent exchange of core data for value-based health care. and aligning performance measures. The agenda at this week’s meeting focused on reaching consensus on the practical steps toward implementing the shared priorities.

Joining Seligson at the roundtable were 20 other health care leaders including hospital and insurance executives, policy experts, medical specialty society heads and NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH. The group will meet again in the fall.

In the News

What 1,000+ of Your Peers Want to Know About Social Determinants of Health, The Advisory Board Forum, 7-11-19

Learning Opportunity

NCHICA’s 25th Annual Conference & Exhibition will be held Sept. 16-17 in Winston-Salem. This year’s theme is ‘Patient Centered Care: Are We There Yet?’ Learn more and register.