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Illinois State Medical Society's flagship publication for members: a monthly recap of issues, trends and ISMS advocacy initiatives affecting Illinois physicians.
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| President's Message |
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Sneak Peek at 2012 Legislation; Five Action Items for Physician Advocates
The 2012 Illinois legislative season is underway, and I hope it will be as successful as the 2011 session, when we claimed many wins for Illinois physicians. To be as fruitful this year, your active support of our agenda is essential.
Here are issues and items topping ISMS' legislative agenda, and where we stand with moving forward.
A major legislative item for ISMS will be the reintroduction of medical liability reform. In 2005, with persistent grassroots support, we passed a comprehensive reform bill. However, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the limits on noneconomic damages in the bill were unconstitutional. Because of the inseverability clause included in the legislation, the court voided the entire law.
ISMS believes it's time to re-enact the tort reform components of the law that have not been ruled unconstitutional, including better expert witness standards and changes in the certificate of merit.
Read more ...
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| Advocacy |
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A Tip for the 5010 Transition: Catch Small Issues before They Become Big Delays
Many ISMS members have contacted the ISMS Advocacy team about problems related to the HIPAA version 5010 transition. Here are tips on how to avoid payment delays.
- Physicians are advised to closely monitor claim acknowledgements, rejections and revenue cycles and should not assume their electronic claims were transmitted to the payors. Be sure to watch the claims acknowledgment reports!
- As individual and group NPIs are required and essential to the claims process, periodically review demographic data with payors to ensure that accurate information is listed for individual physicians and groups.
Ensure accurate data entry
Be careful when entering information into the electronic claims fields for 5010. Common mistakes that result in inaccurate data include:
- Individual and organizational NPIs listed in incorrect fields of the electronic claim
- Social security numbers entered into fields where tax identification numbers should be entered
- Zip codes that do not include the full nine digits (Zip+4 digits)
- Invalid procedure codes (use of deleted CPTs)
- Incorrect information listed in
"Other Payor" fields
- Inaccurate totals for line item charges
Physicians should also keep in mind that the pay-to provider and service facility fields must be associated with the full street address. P.O. boxes or lock boxes are no longer accepted entries for these fields.
Questions? Contact Member Advocacy at 800-782-4767 ext.1470, or send an e-mail. | |
| Featured Event |
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Learn Workers' Comp Overhaul Essentials in Half-Day Workshop
The recently enacted workers' comp legislation in Illinois brings new rules and policies. As a busy physician treating injured workers, you won't want to miss The Essentials of Workers' Compensation Impairment Evaluation in Illinois, being sponsored by ISMS and SafeWorks. This is essential training for anyone involved in the Illinois Workers' Compensation System.
The half-day workshop will feature workers' comp experts and will provide an overview of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (6th Edition), which attendees may purchase at a special conference discount price when registering for the conference.
The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to noon at locations across Illinois:
March 1, Chicago
March 15, Normal
March 22, Schaumburg
March 29, Collinsville
May 10, Oak Brook
May 17, Rock Island
View the agenda and presenter profiles.
Learn more about workshop topics.
The cost is $100 for ISMS members and staff; $125 for non-members. A bargain for students at $20.
Register today!
CME offered
The ISMS designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CCM, CLE and CEU credits are being applied for now.
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| News from ISMIE Mutual |
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Request a Practice Assessment by April 1
ISMIE Mutual policyholderswho successfully complete a practice assessment can earn a 5% premium discount for two policy years!
The practice assessment involves an ISMIE risk management specialist conducting an on-site assessment to ensure that the most current and effective risk management techniques are in place. Assessments are available to both office-based and non-office based physicians of any specialty, including hospital-based physicians.
To help ensure timely completion by year end, ISMIE recommends you request a practice assessment by the priority deadline of April 1.
Why stop there? Policyholders who successfully complete a practice assessment and the ISMIE Fellowship Program can earn a 15% premium discount for two policy years.
For questions, please contact the Risk Management Division at 800-782-4767 ext. 3300, or by e-mail.
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| Notice to Members |
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Your ISMS Dues are 93% Tax deductible!
A portion of your ISMS dues reserved for non-tax deductible purposes shrank in 2011 to 7 percent, down from 12 percent. Therefore, for federal income tax purposes, your dues for 2011 are 93 percent tax deductible.
For applicability to your individual circumstances, you should check with your tax consultant or advisor.
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| Benefit Partner Connection |
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Special Vendor Pricing, No Fees with CCPA Purchasing Partners
There are few no-brainers in medicine, but purchasing supplies and services through CCPA Purchasing Partners might be one.
Members of this physician buying group have access to low vendor prices on vaccines, medical supplies and other products and services. Associate membership is free, but physicians who make a $10 one-time investment are eligible to receive a portion of the partnership's net income - with no annual fee.
CCPA Purchasing Partners is an ISMS Benefit Partner. For more information, visit our Benefit Partners page. | | |
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