July 2019 Newsletter
ADPH: Gabapentin changed to Scheduled V Medication
For all those who routinely prescribe gabapentin you will need to have your QACSC/ DEA by November.
 
On May 15, 2019, the Alabama State Committee of Public Health voted to change Gabapentin to a Scheduled V medication, effective November 18, 2019. The six-month implementation period was provided to allow time to implement the appropriate changes for a legend medication to move to a scheduled medication. These changes may include the following: software requirement changes; increase in physical space to store scheduled medications; and changes in procedures for prescribing a controlled substance. Please begin to make the necessary adjustments to meet the implementation date, November 18, 2019. Questions can be directed to Nancy Bishop, State Pharmacy Director, Alabama Department of Public Health,  nancy.bishop@adph.state.al.us .
Congratulations 2019 AANP Fellows
NPAA is proud of its 2019 AANP fellows. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to your field.
Congratulations !

Ashley Hodges
Michele Talley
Yeow Chye Ng
MedPAC Wants to End 'Incident-to' Billing by APRNs, PAs
Kerry Dooley Young

June 24, 2019
WASHINGTON — Medicare should end a policy that lets medical practices bill at higher physician rates for services provided by certain other members of medical teams, an influential panel said.

In an  annual report  to Congress, released June 14, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended eliminating "incident-to" billing for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs). Instead, APRNs and PAs should consistently bill Medicare directly under their own national provider identifier for the services they provide, MedPAC said.

Medicare pays 85% of the amount set in the physician fee schedule when nurse practitioners (NPs) and PAs bill directly for the services they provide to people enrolled in the federal health program. Under certain conditions, though, those services may be billed by supervising physicians as being "incident to" their care, generating reimbursement at 100% of the physician fee schedule rate, MedPAC said.

Ending incident-to billing could reduce Medicare spending by $1 billion to $5 billion over the first 5 years following the implementation of this policy change, MedPAC said. First-year savings alone could be $50 million to $250 million, MedPAC said. In contrast, some medical practices "would experience a decline in revenues" because of the change, MedPAC said.

13th Annual Conference: Future of Health Care...Your Voice Matters to Your Patients and Your Profession
The Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA) invites you to the 13 th Annual Conference: “Future of Health Care...Your Voice Matters to Your Patients and Your Profession".  We are excited about this year’s conference and would like the invite all NPs to join and support us as we strive to move the role of nurse practitioners further to practicing to the fullest extent of our education and training. 

NPAA is committed to providing quality educational programs to improve health care for Alabama citizens.  We are stronger together and recognize the need to grow our organization’s visibility in the community as well as throughout the state by keeping our legislature informed and our participation in key decision-making roles. 

During the conference we will inform you of the continued progress and success of our organization.  We have knowledgeable speakers that will be discussing the newest techniques and latest breakthroughs to keep you at the cutting edge of patient care.  Topics include human trafficking, diabetes, fertility treatments, pediatric rheumatology and many others.  A hands-on skills training session is available on Saturday for basic and advanced 12-lead EKG interpretation.  This conference will also provide information on a variety of exhibitor networking opportunities and educational opportunities. 
NPAA 2019 Call for Award Nominations
The  Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama 2019 Awards Ceremony is planned for October 4-5, 2019 during Annual Meeting/luncheon at the 13 th Annual Conference held at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. This is an event you will not want to miss!  

Awards will serve as a testament to the individuals in Alabama who are making a difference in the lives of their patients and students, and as recognition for those delivering and advocating for outstanding patient care.  The NPAA Awards provide an opportunity to give recognition to individual health care providers, educators or advocates, the in-the-trenches team members and the leaders who inspire, motivate and empower others around them to make a difference in the lives of those for whom they provide care. 

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Nominees must be a member or student memberof the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama
  • (NP Awards) Nominees must have practiced in Alabama for one year preceding the nomination
  • (NP Faculty Award) Nominees must have been a full time faculty for one year prior to nomination
  • (NP Student Award) Nominees must have completed three semesters of NP coursework
  • Nominees must be registered for the conference with plans to attend to receive the award
Need Travel Funds? Apply for a NPAA Travel Grant!
NPAA’s purpose of funding travel grants is to support NPs in their professional development and to advance the NP profession.

Travel grants are available to NPAA members who are in good standing and who are practicing in an NP role. Applicants must be certified registered nurse practitioners or graduate NP students expected graduate during the grant funding year. Students must submit verification of enrollment in a NP program to be eligible for consideration. Applicants may receive up to $250 in funding and must complete travel within one year of the award.
STANDING TOGETHER: STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Join the Members of the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama and become part of a group whose goal is to engage, retain, and advance nurse practitioners in Alabama through education, leadership development, and networking opportunities.
NETWORKING
LEADERSHIP
ENGAGEMENT