NC General Assembly

Advancing family medicine - building primary care

The NCAFP works aggressively to advance health policy that improves and strengthens the specialty of family medicine and primary health care in North Carolina. The Academy is a leading voice in many state health initiatives and actively engaged in helping impact NC's delivery system.

 

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NCAFP Advocacy Updates
NCAFP Advocacy Councils Meets on Monday, July 19, 2010 in Raleigh; Teleconferencing Available
Monday, July 19, 2010 - 14:28

The NCAFP Advocacy Council will be meeting this upcoming Monday, July 19, beginning at 6:15 pm at Academy headquarters in Raleigh.
Medicaid Provider Rates Preserved in State Budget (At Least For Now)
Friday, July 9, 2010 - 13:17

Medicaid provider rates have at least temporarily survived the budget ax in what proved to be a very difficult financial year for the N.C. General Assembly. In the 2010-11 fiscal year budget adopted by the Legislature last Wednesday, provider rates were left unchanged, at least until January 1st.
Medicare Physician Payment Cut Blocked; FMAP Extension Still Uncertain
Monday, June 28, 2010 - 17:07

The US House of Representatives approved a measure last week to block the 21.3 percent cut to Medicare physician payments that had taken effect June 1, delaying the cut until Nov. 30, 2010. The Senate passed identical legislation late last week.

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Latest Policy Headlines from the National Level
President Obama Calls for Better Payment System for Primary Care Physicians
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 18:13
President Obama has called for changes in the nation's physician payment system to better compensate primary care physicians and, thus, encourage more medical students to pursue careers in the primary care field. "This issue of primary care physicians is absolutely critical, and it has the promise of making such a big difference in the overall health of everybody, from children to seniors," said Obama during a June 8 town hall meeting in Wheaton, Md.
Senate Delay Could Result in Medicaid Cuts to Physicians
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 18:13
The U.S. Senate is delaying efforts to pass a bill to provide $16 billion in Medicaid assistance to states for the first six months of 2011, a move that could result in Medicaid cutting payments to physicians. The funding in the bill is designed to assist states with projected increases in their Medicaid populations that are likely because of a faltering economy and federal coverage requirements in the recently enacted health care reform legislation.
CMS Will Allow Nonparticipating Physicians to Start Participating in Medicare
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 18:13
Physicians who are not currently participating in Medicare have an opportunity to take part in the program and to change their status from nonparticipating to participating, according to CMS. The offer, which only applies to physicians whose current status is nonparticipating, is available through July 16.
Congress Approves Medicare Payment Patch, Provides 2.2 Percent Update
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 18:13
Congress has passed and President Obama has signed a physician payment measure that will rescind a 21.3 percent reduction in the Medicare payment rate and provide a 2.2 percent increase in Medicare payments until Nov. 30. The Senate passed the payment measure as part of a stand-alone bill on June 18, and the House followed suit on June 24, approving a measure that rescinds the reduction in the Medicare payment rate.
CMS Forced to Begin Processing Medicare Payment Claims at Reduced Rate
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 18:13
CMS has instructed its Medicare contractors to start processing claims for physician payments at a 21.3 percent reduced rate after Congress failed to pass legislation blocking a Medicare payment reduction that took effect as called for by the sustainable growth rate formula.
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Questions or Additional Information?

If you have any questions or desire additional information on the NCAFP's advocacy and health policy efforts, please contact Gregory K. Griggs, MPA, CAE, Executive Vice President, at (919) 833-2110.