2013 Sequestration

Monday, April 1, a 2% across-the-board cut in Medicare provider payments took effect.  The AMA developed information to assist physicians.  Noridian Administrative Services, LLC also provided a number of different links to end user agreements of which physicians should be made aware.  CLICK HERE to view an AMA Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the 2013 Sequestration.

 

Noridian Administrative Services, LLC:

Part A:
https://www.noridianmedicare.com/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFyuFFukAuwewVuSTN&tmpl=part_a_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

https://www.noridianmedicare.com/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFyFlApEVyeeVEYNQj&tmpl=part_a_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

https://www.noridianmedicare.com/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFyFpEFVEAmPamNHev&tmpl=part_a_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

Part B:
https://www.noridianmedicare.com/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFyuFkAZkVENobqOdU&tmpl=part_b_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

https://www.noridianmedicare.com/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFyFpEFyFpTeYzNTIt&tmpl=part_b_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

The Doctors Company Announces 2012 Membership Dividend

The Doctors Company, the nation’s largest insurer of physician and surgeon medical liability, announces a $21 million dividend which is made possible by the excellent claims experience of our members.

Since 1976, The Doctors Company has paid $228 million in dividends to its members. The 2012 dividend credit, approved by The Doctors Company’s Board of Governors, will provide a premium reduction of 12 percent to eligible members in Wyoming. Dividend percentages are based on the loss experience of individual states. 2012 marks the sixth consecutive year that the company has awarded dividends. Dividend distributions will appear as premium credits effective with renewals beginning July 1, 2012. Eligible members of select specialty societies may also receive a dividend. Societies receiving the dividend benefit include the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the American College of Physicians, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons®. Founded by doctors for doctors in 1976, The Doctors Company (www.thedoctors.com) has 71,000 members and $4 billion in assets, and is rated A by both A.M. Best Company and Fitch Ratings.

2012 WMS Annual Meeting

WMS Leadership and Staff completed another successful Annual Meeting at the Jackson Lake Lodge. 

With over 30 hours of CME, specialty society meetings, over 20 exhibitors and over 100 attendees, much was accomplished.  If you were not able to attend, below are some important links with informaiton of what was discussed.  

Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting. Please take a few moments to provide your opinion and answer these 11 questions: WMS Annual Meeting Survey

A Complete list of Exhibitors and Sponsors

A Complete list of WMS Supporters

Informative Links

 

Serve on the WWAMI Admissions Committee

WMS is responsible for identifying WY physicians for appointment to the WY Admissions Committee for the University of Washington School of Medicine's WWAMI medical education program.

 Letters will be sent to WMS members in the coming week with more detailed information.  Anyone interested in applying to serve on the committee for a six-year term can CLICK HERE to review the application and return it to the WMS office no later than April 1, 2012.

Congress Reaches Deal on SGR

Congress reached a last-minute compromise that will avert the 27.4 percent cut in Medicare physician payment that would have gone through Jan. 1, 2012.

The U.S. House of Representatives agreed to vote on and pass the Senate tax bill, which will provide a two-month extension of the Medicare physician payment rate as well as a two-month extension of Social Security payroll tax cuts and federal unemployment benefits.

WMS in Washington

WMS visited all three members of Wyoming's Congressional Delegation, Sens. M. Enzi and J. Barrasso, MD and Congresswoman C. Lummis, last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss Medicare reimbursement, Sustainable Growth Rate concerns and the status of the Frontier Amendment in the PPACA.  

WMS very much appreciates the attention our delegation dedicated to our visit and the issues and concerns at hand.    

Medicare Cuts Loom

As Congress looks to find ways to cut spending physician reimbursement rates are once again on the plate.

 WMS advocates will head to Washington, D.C. next week to visit with Senators Enzi and Barrasso, MD and Representative Cynthia Lummis to talk about the challenges Wyoming physicians face.  Data often rules the day.  If you have not yet completed the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Medicare survey, please do so today so that information can be analyzed and ready for next week.  CLICK HERE to take the short survey!

WY Physician License Renewal

The Wyoming Board of Medicine will be launching a new data system equipped with the ability for physicians and physician assistants to renew their licenses online.  

For 2011 only, physicians have until August 31st to renew their license.  For more information visit www.wyomedboard.state.wy.us