Welcome to your Wednesday NCMS Morning Rounds!
Sept. 2, 2020
BCBSNC Extends Prior Auth Waiver for COVID
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) has extended its prior authorization waiver for COVID-19 related services from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, 2020. The state’s largest commercial insurer will continue waiving prior authorization requirements for emergent non-elective inpatient admissions, durable medical equipment and post-acute care services that are medically necessary for COVID-19 related services. This measure applies to all Blue Cross NC commercial plans and Medicare Advantage plans offered and administered by BCBSNC, including Experience Health.
Earlier, BCBSNC extended its telehealth or virtual care policy until the end of the year. For a comprehensive overview of all insurers’ telehealth policies, be sure to check out our updated grid on the NCMS COVID-19 webpage.
BCBSNC and other insurers continue to reevaluate their policies enacted during the pandemic. Watch your NCMS Morning Rounds for future updates.
Your Response is Needed!
Since the start of the pandemic back in March, the NCMS along with the NC Medical Group Management Association (NCMGMA) and Curi have partnered to collect data on the many ways practices across the state have been impacted by COVID-19. The information has been helpful in our advocacy on your behalf at the General Assembly and has helped inform the NC Department of Health and Human Services and others. Please take just a minute to complete this month’s survey so we can continue to track the trends and develop resources and opportunities to help you navigate this public health crisis.
Click here to take the survey now
Thank you for your time and for all you do for the health and well-being of your communities.
REMINDER: Be Sure You’re Eligible to Vote in NCMS Election
Voting in the upcoming NCMS election for our society’s leadership, is easy. You just need to make sure your NCMS membership and email address is up-to-date. You can renew your membership here. If you need to update your email address, please send it to our membership services department here.
The final ballots to fill positions on the NCMS Board of Directors, AMA delegation and Nominating and Leadership Development Committee will be published Sept. 24. You will receive your secure ballot and vote via email. For those without email access, we will mail a paper ballot. Voting will close on Oct. 15 and those elected will be announced the following day at the NCMS Annual Business Meeting.
The NCMS’ Nominating and Leadership Development Committee put forth the following slate of candidates:
Board of Directors
President Elect: Mike Utecht, MD
Secretary Treasurer: John Meier, IV, MD
Region 3 Representative: Karen Smith, MD
Region 4 Representative: Rachel Keever, MD
At-Large Member: Eileen Raynor, MD
At-Large Member: Bryant Murphy, MD
American Medical Association Delegation
Delegate: Hadley Callaway, MD
Delegate: William Bowman, MD
Delegate: Darlyne Menscer, MD
Delegate: Liana Puscas, MD
Alternate Delegate: Rebecca Hayes, MD
Nominating & Leadership Development Committee
Region 1: Chris Grubb, MD
Region 1: Jugta Kahai, MD
Region 2: Justin Hurie, MD
Region 4: Gregory Evans, MD
In the News
Med Students ‘Feel Very Behind’ Because of COVID-Induced Disruptions in Training, Kaiser Health News, 8-31-20
Learning Opportunity
This webinar, hosted by the NC Medical Group Management Association (NCMGMA) is geared to your practice manager, but you might be interested in sitting in as well. NC Medical Board Chief Communications Officer Evelyn Contre will address “Keeping Your Providers on the Right Side of the Medical Board” on Sept. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more and register here.
If you have policies you’d like your NCMS Board of Directors to consider, please complete the Board input form here. Thanks for reading!