2012 Announcements

IMPORTANT MEDICARE UPDATE/SGR fix
Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012This new law prevents a scheduled payment cut for physicians and other practitioners who treat Medicare patients from taking effect on January 1, 2013.  The new law provides for a zero percent update for such services through December 31, 2013.  This provision guarantees seniors have continued access to their doctors by fixing the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) through the end of 2013.  

The new law extends several provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Job Creation Act) as well as provisions of the Affordable Care Act.  Specifically, the following Medicare fee-for-service policies (with January 1, 2013, or October 1, 2012, effective dates) have been extended.  Please note that these provisions do not reflect all of the Medicare provisions in the new law, and more information about other provisions will be forthcoming.

Section 601 – Medicare Physician Payment Update – The new law provides for a zero percent update for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is currently revising the 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) to reflect the new law’s requirements as well as technical corrections identified since publication of the final rule in November.  The 2013 conversion factor is $34.0230.

In order to allow sufficient time to develop, test, and implement the revised MPFS, Medicare claims administration contractors may hold MPFS claims with January 2013 dates of service for up to 10 business days (i.e., through January 15, 2013).  Those claims should be released into processing no later than January 16, 2013.  Claims with dates of service prior to January 1, 2013, are unaffected.  Medicare claims administration contractors will be posting the MPFS payment rates on their websites no later than January 23, 2013.

CMS is extending the 2013 annual participation enrollment period through February 15, 2013.  Therefore, participation elections and withdrawals must be post-marked on and before February 15, 2013.  The effective date for any participation status changes elected by physicians during the extension remains January 1, 2013.

Additional information will be disseminated as it is received. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Society office.
 

IMPORTANT NOTICE - November 15, 2012
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners mailed a letter to all licensed physicians stating that they have to complete a orientation presentation as a requirement of licensure. The letter should only have been sent to physicians licensed after 2002.

The language of the statute, N.J.S.A. 45:9-7.1(g), which is the implementing law, requires completion of the Orientation Program for those initially licensed AFTER JULY 1, 2002. The letter was not intended for all licensees, just those licensed after July 1, 2002. Therefore, as per Mr. William Roeder, Executive Director of the NJ State Board of Medical Examiners, you can disregard the notice if you were licensed before July 1, 2002.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the Society office. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
 

MSNJ Medical Liability Reform Policy Forum
September 27 at 5:00 P.M. at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twp.

MSNJ is excited to announce the invited expert speakers for this free forum in New Jersey:

Robert L. Ignasiak, Esq., Senior Vice President of Medical Protective;
Marcus Rayner, Executive Director of New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance (NJLRA);
John Z. Jackson, Esq., Partner, McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP;
Tim Martin, MSNJ Lobbyist of MBI-GluckShaw;
Raymond J. Lesniak, New Jersey Senator;
Gary S. Schaer, New Jersey Assemblyman.
SEATS ARE LIMITED

Register online for this free educational night.
 

Save The Date!
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - 5K Walk
Click here to learn more
 

2012 Morris County Medical Society Annual Dinner Meeting

SUPREME COURT V OBAMACARE, WHAT IT MEANS TO NJ PHYSICIANS
& SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR PRACTICE
The Birchwood Manor
May 24, 2012
Click here to learn more

Click here for a proxy for voting on the proposed amendments to the Constitution & ByLaws and Articles of Incorporation.
 

E-Prescribing Update - 2012 Hardship Exemption Requests to Avoid the 2013 Payment Adjustment

Important Individual eligible professional requesting hardship exemptions from the 2013 eRx payment adjustment will be able to submit their request using the CMS Quality Reporting Communication Support Page. CMS will announce when the Quality Reporting Communication Support Page becomes available for requesting a hardship exemption for the 2013 eRx payment adjustment.

For more information on the 2012 eRx hardship exemption categories and on the process for requesting an exemption visit the CMS Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program.