Announcements

The 47th Annual Health Fair will be held on Saturday, July 28th this year from 9 am-2 pm. Information packets will be mailed out in March. For more information contact the NCMS office at 361-884-5442.

Advertising is now being accepted for the 2012/2013 edition of the NCMS Pictorial Directory. Please use the attached forms which can be faxed to 361-884-5478 or emailed to sdavis@nuecesmedsociety.org. The deadline for advertising is March 18, 2012. 2012-2013 Directory Advertising packet 

DocBooksMD is free to all NCMS members. To register, download the app from the iTunes App Store or Android Market, then follow the steps to complete your registration. You must know your NCMS ID# to finish your registration. Call the NCMS office at 884-5442 if you need to get that number. See the information sheet in the December newsletter.

Need more information on the 2011 e-Rx medicare program? Read the attached information sheet.  2011 eRx Claims Based Reporting Principles 

The TMA Mobile App is available free to TMA members through a grant from TMA Insurance Trust and Texas Medical Liability Trust. To get this free, members-only mobile application, go to www.texmed.org/tmamobile/ from your iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, or Android device, and download it. You will need your TMA website user name and password to log in and use the app features. Call the TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955 or e-mail  TMA Knowledge Center if you have questions or need help downloading the app. Mobile Directory Search Tips: 

• You can search the mobile directory by first name, last name, city, county, specialty, ZIP code, or wildcard (partial values). 
• To filter the results returned from a search, type additional words or partial words. For example, typing "78705 obg" will return all obstetrician-gynecologists in ZIP code 78705.  

The TMB has resumed fining physicians that do not use the Texas Electronic Death Registration.  See the attached information sheets to register and learn how to use the system.  TER Information 

CMS has more information available on the CQMs and how to successfully report them. See these files at:

https://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/55_EducationalMaterials.asp#TopOfPage and https://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/Downloads/EHR_Webinar_Transcript.pdf 

Want to know more about e-prescribing? Check out the following links: http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage and http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=22939 

Are you considering opting out of Medicare? According to a recent survey, 50% of TMA physicians are considering that very thing.  Check out the survey results in the attached file: TMA Medicare Survey results 

The 46th Annual Health Fair  was held on July 30th at the American Bank Center Exhibit Hall. Even with a change in hours, there was over 7,000 visitors that attended this year's fair for free testing and health education. We are already planning next year's event scheduled for July 28th, 2012.  Sponsorship and exhibitor packets will be been mailed at the begining of April next year. Please contact NCMS at 884-5442 for more information or email Susan at: sdavis@nuecesmedsociety.org.   Health Fair 2011 in Pictures    Exhibitor & Volunteer List                   

Hurricane season is over, NCMS recommends preparing your practice and patients for any disaster. Check out this important information on the following link. Emergency Preparedness Guide   Have you registered with NCMS in case of an emergency?  Please fill out the attached form and fax to 361-884-5478. Emergency Response Registration 

Need help with a health plan ranking or tiering?The attached document that can be used for guidance when appealing ranking/tiering status with a health plan.It includes information that should be taken into consideration when filing an appeal and information that the health plan should comply with under the state law (i.e., appeal timeframes, measure being used, adequate data provided to make a determination, response to a face-to-face meeting request.) Ranking/Tiering Guide  

Want to know more about EMR? The AMA website offers lots of information including self-assessment, vendor assessment, financing and implementation.   http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/health-information-technology.shtml 

Physicians may sign up for EHR incentives through CMS. The registration guides are available in the attached links. Medicaid EHR Registration Guide   Medicare EHR Registration Guide 

CMS has changed PQRI to PQRS. The attached links give information on the certification process and eligibility.  PQRS MOC Guidance   Eligible Professionals 

The Corpus Christi-Nueces County County Health District has issued several advisories for this area. They can be found in the following links.  Pertussis Alert     Q Fever Advisory    Vibrio Advisory   

The Corpus Christi-Nueces County County Health District would like all physicians to register with the Public Health Information Network (Tx PHIN). See attached link for registration information. Tx PHIN registration information 

The Nueces County Medical Society recommends that everyone check their health on a regular basis. Dr. J. Stefan Walker has compiled a health assessment brochure that helps you evaluate your health status. That brochure and health maintenance information can be downloaded with the following links.  

  Health Assessment Brochure       Women: Stay healthy at any age       Men: Stay healthy at 50+ 

About NCMS

Founded in 1904, NCMS represents more than 750 physicians in Nueces County,Texas.  Our Executive Board, various committees, and our support staff are available here.

Membership

Request a membership application, update your membership information for our records, view our Spotlight on New Members. 

Physician Services

Things to make operating your practice easier-Texas Common Credentialing Application and Hassle Factor form

Active Member Roster

Use our online Member Finder to locate a member physician.  A hard copy of our Directory is also available.

Magazine

Browse through major articles in the current edition of our bimonthly magazine, "Coastal Bend Medicine". Advertising and subscriptions are also available.  

NCMS Notes

Monthly newsletter 

Pictorial Directory

The 2011 - 2012 Pictorial Directories are still available at the Medical Society office, 1000 Morgan Ave, from 8am - 5pm.  Please call 884.5442 for more information.

Event Calendar

A listing of our upcoming events may be  found here.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship of Nueces County Medical  Society events puts your business in front of  800 physicians of all specialties throughout  Nueces County. CLICK HERE for details.

CME Opportunities

Looking for CME credits offered in the Coastal Bend?  CLICK HERE 

NCMS Alliance

Founded in 1927, the more than 150 physician spouses comprising the Alliance are involved in a variety of current activities on behalf of the health and well being of the community.

Visit the CMS website for everything you need to know, plus enrollment forms. http://www.cms.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/04_InternetbasedPECOS.asp 

Check out the information on this website. http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=19986&terms=Hipaa+version+5010  AMA and BCBS webinars are available to help you understand the changes. For more information on the webinars, go to:  http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=21009&terms=Hipaa+version+5010 

Find out everything you need to know at this web site: http://www.cms.gov/ERXincentive/  Want to avoid penalties? See this article from TMA. http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=20498&terms=e-rx