A note from Emily Deese, Director of Member Services and Marketing:
Well, I am now in my third month as the new Director of Member Services and Marketing. I could not be happier with my new role and my new family here at the NCMS.
I have been busily visiting several medical practices, both big and small, across the state. I am constantly amazed at how well practices are handling all the changes occurring on a daily basis in our health care environment.
Over the last couple of weeks, I had the privilege of delivering checks to various practices for recovered revenue from the AMA v. United Healthcare Ingenix Settlement. As NCMS President, Robert Monteiro, MD, said, “The partnership between the NCMS and Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG) was developed to ensure that North Carolina physicians are able to recover revenue identified as subject to class action settlements with managed care companies resulting from inconsistent billing and payment practices.” For this specific settlement, in North Carolina 937 practices including 5,235 providers received settlement funds totalling $1,436,611.
Some highlights of my travels include meeting NCMS member Cameron Smith, MD, with Eastern Dermatology and Pathology in Greenville. Dr. Smith, along with his colleagues, has been big supporters of the NCMS since 1971. Back in Raleigh, I met NCMS member William Lestini, MD, with Triangle Spine and Back Care Center. Dr. Lestini has a beautiful, peaceful office along with a knowledgeable and helpful staff.
I received the grand tour of Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic, PC, the practice of NCMS member John McElveen, MD. I learned about the CME programs that Dr. McElveen has conducted as well as the great charity work he does on behalf of hearing-impaired individuals throughout North Carolina. In Greensboro, I had the good fortune of meeting Dallas Smith, MD, with Southeastern Overread Services, PLLC, who indulged me by letting me take a photograph of the check delivered to his practice (left). I truly appreciate all of your support and friendliness.
My colleague, Richard Skinner, Associate Director of Member Services, also delivered checks to practices in Wilmington. He is pictured above with NCMS member Mark Morgan, MD, who accepted the check on behalf of Wilmington Plastic Surgery.
It is truly a pleasure to work for an organization that is committed to advocating for doctors and patients. I will be traveling throughout the state, and I look forward to seeing your practice and meeting as many of you as possible.
Follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyHDeese for more updates on her visits with physicians across North Carolina.
