Organized medicine unveils plan to overhaul Medicare delivery, 10-29-12, AMA News
Writer Charles Fiegl reports that more beneficiary choices, infrastructure investments and payments that reflect the costs to physicians of providing services are the major principles the physician community will use as guideposts as lawmakers look to transition to a new Medicare delivery system. NCMS Immediate Past-President Robert “Charlie” W. Monteiro, MD, provides feedback on this issue.
Prison health care firm collapses, owing millions to Duke, 10-24-12, News & Observer
Reporter Jay Price writes that MDI Holdings, Inc., a Florida-based company that lent its CEO more than $5 million for an Angus cattle ranch and a biography and screenplay about himself has gone into receivership, leaving Duke University Health System and area doctors’ offices owed more than $8 million for treating patients from Butner federal prison, according to court records. NCMS Associate General Counsel, Conor Brockett, comments on the developing situation.
AHA sues HHS over Medicare payment denials, 11-1-12, Modern Healthcare
Writer Joe Carlson reports that in a federal lawsuit, the American Hospital Association and four healthcare clinicians accuse Health and Human Services (HHS) of illegally denying hospitals Medicare payments for audited outpatient procedures.
North Carolina Medical Society Honors High Point Physician, 10-30-12, Cornerstone Health News
Cornerstone Health reports that the NCMS honored Grace Emerson Terrell, MD, with a special Presidential Recognition for Exceptional Physician Leadership and Innovation. The award recognizes her exceptional leadership, vision, inspiration, and service to the medical profession.
Infant mortality rate rising in N.C., 11-1-12, The Charlotte Post/The Triangle Tribune
Writer Bonitta Best reports that after reaching its lowest recorded rate in N.C. history, the state’s infant mortality rate inched up slightly last year.
Union County in N.C. to merge DSS, health departments, 10-30-12, Charlotte Observer
Reporter Adam Bell writes that Union County commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to merge the departments of health and social services, and create a combined advisory board to oversee the new agency. Commissioners wanted to bring the agencies under more direct county control and ensure more accountability.
UNC system seeks new health insurance, 10-31-12, Daily Tarheel
Writer Amanda Albright reports that UNC system released applications to insurance companies nationwide in search of a plan with a smaller price tag after this year’s $248.50 per-student increase in health insurance costs.
Orange health board OKs new smoking ban, 10-26-12, The Herald-Sun
The Herald-Sun reports that the Orange County Board of Health voted 10-1 in favor of a rule to ban smoking in public places. The rule won’t go into effect unless the Orange County Board of Commissioners also votes to approve the ban.
FoodCorps program continues focus on healthy eating, growing local, 10-30-12, Warren Record
Writer Luci Weldon reports that FoodCorps program in Warren County continues to grow with a new service member in place this year and additional activities planned to further its efforts to promote healthy eating among students and the production of local produce.
Chance of surgery, care quality vary by region, 10-30-12, USA Today
Reporter Jayne O’Donnell cites a recent study that shows where you live – and where your doctors did their training – has a lot to do with whether a person will be operated on, get an infection or have other potentially risky medical tests.
NC Medical Schools Increase Enrollment, 10-29-12, Daily Tar Heel
Reporter John Howell, Jr. writes that as the country faces a shortage of doctors, North Carolina medical schools are making a concerted effort to provide for the needs of the state.
Campbell med school ‘blessed’ with $26M in donations, 10-29-12, Triangle Business Journal
Staff writer Jason DeBruyn reports that Campbell University has done well in raising money for its soon-to-open School of Osteopathic Medicine, already bringing in $26 million from private donors. The school in Buies Creek, south of Raleigh, is still on track to open in the fall of 2013, the first new medical school in North Carolina in more than 35 years.
