BME Licensee Orientation Letter

Many members called the County Medical Society with concerns about a licensee orientation letter that was recently sent out by the Board of Medical Examiners. Physicians licensed in the state, some for many years, received the letter indicating that they were required to complete an orientation program within two years of licensure and could face disciplinary action, should they not complete the Board's orientation course that is now available online. MSNJ sent a letter to the BME voicing concern about the notice, as it applies to physicians licensed prior to implementation of the law in July 2002. Both the County and State Medical Societies believe that the requirement was not meant to be retroactive and that long-time licensees should not be penalized for failure to complete the course


The BME agreed and clarified that the letter was inadvertently sent to all licensees, when it should have only been sent to those licensed after July 1, 2002. Physicians who were licensed prior to July 1, 2002 received the notice in error and do not have to complete the orientation program.

FEMA Disaster Aid

FEMA Extends Aid to All 21 Counties
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended disaster assistance to all 21 New Jersey counties, the Governor’s Office announced today.

Residents can apply for help with temporary housing, repairs or other needs, according to the announcement.

Residents of the counties that had yet to been declared eligible for individual assistance by the federal government are now being encouraged to begin the process of registering with FEMA for relief. Survivors of Hurricane Sandy who suffered damage should apply for disaster assistance with FEMA - even if they have insurance or aren't sure if they are eligible.

Residents can register, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments, according to the Governor’s Office.

Residents can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by going to http://m.fema.gov/.

 

Active Reduced Fee Licensees—Status Issue with CMS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service’s (CMS), Medicare Administrative Contractor (Highmark Medicare Services, now Novitas Solutions, Inc.) considers the “active reduced fee” license to be a retired or inactive status. This status is sometimes referred to in the state’s licensee database as “retired-paid.” Consequently, Novitas Solutions has taken the position that these licensees are no longer authorized to practice and to bill Medicare for services rendered. CMS/Novitas Solutions has sent Notices of Revocation of Medicare Billing Privileges to active reduced fee licensees. Any Medicare billing revocation may include serious consequences for the physician.

There is concern that the Federal Government is misinterpreting the special license status and has requested that the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners clarify any ambiguity so that these physicians may continue to treat our seniors and submit claims to Medicare. We are also in discussions with Novitas Solutions about what we believe to be a misinterpretation of the license status.

Medicare patients who have come to rely on treatment from this group of semi-retired, but licensed, physicians may be facing access to and continuity of care issues.

Members in the “active reduced fee” category who have received any notice about their status or a “Notice of Revocation of Medicare Billing Privileges” are urged to email info@msnj.org. Write “Active Reduced Fee License Status” in the subject line.

CMS to Delay Enforcement of HIPAA Version 5010 Until July 1st

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an extension of the grace period through June.
Physicians, payers and other entities using electronic health care transactions were required to use only the version 5010 transactions beginning Jan. 1, but CMS issued a 90-day grace period that was to expire March 30. However, serious claims processing issues have caused payment delays and other issues for many physicians.
CMS announced March 15 that it will extend the grace period until July 1 to allow additional time to resolve these ongoing claims processing issues.
Physicians who continue to experience claims processing difficulties should complete a complaint form.

To find the complaint form - log onto www.BCMSNJ.org

President Signs Medicare Fee Law as Part of Payroll Tax Extension

Congress failed to repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, but voted to avert the scheduled 27% fee cut in 2012 that is the consequence of the flawed Medicare payment formula. In doing so, Congress missed an historic opportunity to offset the growing cost of funding the SGR shortfall by offsetting the costs with excess spending projected for the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead, Congress adopted the proposal of the congressional conference committee.
Failure to address the SGR in the way proposed by AMA, MSNJ, and virtually all of organized medicine will:

• cost $20 billion to stave off the cuts for ten months;


• add another $25 billion to the cost of eliminating the SGR; and


• result in an estimated payment cut of 32% in 2013.

The House voted 293-132 in favor of the conference committee’s proposal. The Senate voted 60-36 in favor of the proposal. President Obama signed the law on February 22.

We are disappointed that resolution of the Medicare physician payment issue has been postponed until after the election.

MSNJ appreciates the support that we received from our representatives, among them: Congressmen Leonard Lance (R-7), Frank Pallone (D-6) and Scott Garrett (R-5) and Representative Rush Holt (D-12).

A March meeting with Representative Jon Runyan (R-3) is anticipated. We will continue our efforts to repeal the SGR.

Let your Legislative Representative know they need to permanently repeal the SGR and stop interfering in care to seniors, disabled and veterans.

Log onto www.BCMSNJ.org to send an email or call your Legislative Office and leave a message for them.