NY workers comp board proposes 30% rate hike

Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Chair Robert Beloten announced that he is proposing a regulation that will provide for a 30 percent increase to the Evaluation and Management codes in the medical fee schedule. In a written statement, Mr. Beloten said he believes these actions will help the Board recruit and retain the best doctors in New York, helping to ensure injured workers receive swift, quality medical care now and into the future.

Leah McCormack, M.D., president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, applauded Governor Paterson and Mr. Beloten for their announcement.

"Given that these fees have not been increased since 1994, an increase is long overdue," she said. "The costs of running a medical practice have gone up enormously including taxes, utilities and liability insurance. An increase is particularly appropriate because so many changes are being made in the workers compensation system that increase physicians’ administrative burdens. We have advocated, and will continue to advocate, for significant across the Board increases for all physician care, including surgery, radiology and anesthesia. The proposed increases for are a good first step forward."

Meaningful Use

Final Rule: Stage 1 Objectives, Core and Menu


Final Rule Quality Measures for 2010, 2011

CMS/ONC fact sheet

Initial EHR Certification Bodies Named


Medicaid/Medicare

PECOS- Providers Still Need to Enroll

Medicare Payment Fix Signed Into Law

AMA Summary of Medicaid/ Medicare physician payment policies

More Health Care Reform

EHRs

NY Electronic Health Records (EHRs) Summit

NYeC regional Extension Center Agent

Information from MCMS HIT Services Bureau

 

Medical Scholarship Committee hosts fall event. The Annual Reverse Raffle fundraiser event will be held at the Woodcliff Lodge & Spa on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 6:00 PM.
The DOH Immunization Clinic does not have any zoster vaccine (Zostavax®) available at this time.  The shingles vaccine clinics that ordinarily take place on Thursdays have been suspended until further notice.
Five hospitals suspend Color Codes. The Monroe County Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medicine announced that Monroe County hospitals will permanently delete the Color Code system.
Increase your understand of prior authorization and the appeal process. Medical directors explain how to prepare and submit a well thought out appeal packet. Seating is limited-Register now.
Make sure your practice is compliant with current security standards. MCMS HIT Service Bureau announces a new program: HIPAA Security Manual Program: Scope of Services. This 22-week program provides a step by step guide to assist you in completing or updating your HIPAA Security Manual. Register now
Enforcement of the Red Flags Rule has been delayed through Dec. 31, 2 010, while Congress considers legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the Rule. This makes the fifth time since Nov. 2008 that the FTC has delayed enforcement of the Red Flags Rule.
Summer seasonal influenza outbreaks have been reported. Across the country there have been some recent outbreaks of influenza, not the H1N1 pandemic type but a seasonal (H3N2) variety, including two small localized outbreaks. A health alert was issued by the CDC. More 2010-2011 influenza updates
Valuable NEW Member Benefit, courtesy of Kern Augustine Conroy & Schoppmann, P.C. Access a comprehensive practice management and legal resources including information on HIPAA, Red Flag Rules, and a Physician Desk Guide to Law & Medicine. Click here to be directed to the members' section to view this new resource available, at no cost to members only.
2010 Legislative Session Summary. MSSNY has prepared a brief summary of the status of some of the more significant bills which MSSNY and NY physicians are/were following.
Could You Benefit? Deadline to submit the United HealthGroup URC Settlement isOctober 5, 2010. The AMA has established a resource page on the settlement, with FAQs and a guide to making a claim for payment.
The 189th Annual Meeting of the Monroe County Medical Society was held on May 18 in the Flaum Atrium of the URMC. View slide show.

NEW REPORTS

Hospital-Acquired Infections - New York State 2009- DOH annual report of hospital infection rates

Consumer Guide to Health Insurers- Information regarding complaints against insurance companies

Economic Impact of Physician Workforce in Monroe County- Physicians shown to be major local economic force

Monroe County Health Rankings- Monroe County is 31 out of 62 in health outcome rankings

How Obesity Threatens America's Future- Report on efforts to reduce skyrocketing obesity rates and diseases

Availability of Physician Services in the Rochester area, 2009- Supply of physicians in six county Rochester area

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

After Hours Resource Guide- Information on all Urgent Care Facilities (updated August, 2010)

Earthquake in Haiti - Resources for relief workers

Cover Your Cough - Download a copy of the poster for your office