Newsroom
July 25, 2019
New data from NC Child, a Raleigh-based children’s health research group, shows that although 85% of Buncombe County mothers received prenatal care in 2017 — nearly 20 percentage points higher than the North Carolina average — the percentages of Buncombe babies born pre-term or with a low birth weight remain comparable to those across the state.
Read more
July 18, 2019
The NC House passed HB955 (Bill Summary). This Bill details the “Seizure Safe Schools Act of 2019” or “Sam’s Law”.
- Votes: 111 – Yes, 1 – No, 5 – “No Votes”, 3 – “Excused Absence.” Total Votes = 112
- Now - The NC Senate will begins discussions of SB354 (Bill Summary).
The Western Carolina Medical Society offerred a Letter-Of-Support for both HB955 and corresponding SB354. This letter was sent to the Bill Sponsors to distribute to Elected Officials.
Read more
July 10, 2019
Innovative Practice Interview with Carolyn Chamberlain (Practice Administrator of 15 years) of Asheville Neurology regarding the development of new, innovative positions to improve efficiency at the office.
Read more
July 9, 2019
North Carolina Medicaid Transformation
Provider Payment and Contracting
Read more
July 2, 2019
Contents
- Medicaid Transformation Vision and Context
- Overview of Key Initiatives
- Deep Dive: Managed Care More
- Opportunities for Engagement
- Q&A
Read more
June 21, 2019
As the dust begins to settle on the recent acquisition of Mission by HCA, we continue to field questions about the various changes to the health system’s employee benefits and retirement plans. The benefit changes are only a few of the countless moving pieces set in motion by the acquisition. Even so, the retirement plans, in particular, continue to generate enough interest and concern that the Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) membership might benefit from additional coverage of these changes.
Read more
June 21, 2019
It is estimated 15% of patients will choose a Prepaid Health Plan (PHP), and over 80% will be assigned to an Advanced Medical Home (AMH). These tips will help ensure that you maintain relationships with your established Medicaid patients, and establish new relationships with patients who are attributed to your practice who you have never seen.
Read more
June 10, 2019
Hi, my name is Susan McDowell and I am the current Foundation Board Chair at WCMS. I am a family practice physician who has been working in Madison County for the past 6 years at the Hot Springs Health Program. In 2018, we were lucky enough to be the first expansion site for Project Access.
Read more
May 28, 2019
The WCMS Association Board met with HCA/Mission Health’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, William Hathaway, MD, at the May 13, 2019 meeting to discuss changes from the Mission charity care policy to the HCA policy following the transition. We were informed that the amount of funds devoted to HCA’s Charity Care will be significantly more than what had been provided by Mission. We also discussed the two policies currently in place:
Read more
May 22, 2019
1. Please introduce yourself (background/education/experience/current organization & role, etc.)
Blake Fagan, MD
-
University of Missouri at Columbia
-
Medical School at Vanderbilt Nasheville TN
-
Residency at MAHEC in Asheville
-
Family physician for 20 years working with pregnant women and delivering babies (30% of practice working with kids)
-
Prescribing suboxone for patients with Substance Use Disorder for the last 3 years
-
Clinical Consultant for Opiate Crisis
-
Chief Education Officer at MAHEC
Read more
March 7, 2019
Thanks to the NC Academy of Family Physicians, which has compiled a checklist as another way to ensure you're aware of all possible issues!
Click here to read the checklist
Read more
September 12, 2018
In the midst of change in our medical communities, there are always new opportunities to help patients become healthier. In addition to access to care for the underserved and uninsured, there has been an ever increasing interest and focus on the social determinants of health.
Read more
September 4, 2018
ASHEVILLE, NC – August 31, 2018 – Mission Health's Board of Directors announced today that Mission Health and HCA Healthcare (HCA) have entered into a definitive agreement for HCA to acquire Mission Health.
Read more
August 28, 2018
WCMS’ mission is to be the physicians’ voice advocating for the health of the physician, the patient, and the community. We aim to be a dynamic community of physicians and providers dedicated to a healthy vibrant Western North Carolina. Based on this premise, the changes coming to healthcare in the region with the proposed sale of Mission Health to the HCA is a call to engagement for our membership and the entire community. On behalf of our membership, WCMS will be submitting questions to Mission Health. Mission Health has responded to the question we submitted about the board composition . Here is Mission’s response to the question:
Read more
May 3, 2018
You can be part of a young, progressive group committed to community service, health parity, academic excellence, and the transformation of healthcare in Western North Carolina.
Read more