The Pulse

-
09 May
NCAPA Responds to the DMA’s Request for Input
by Sarah Wolfe, Assistant Vice-President, McGuire Woods Consulting Last month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) reached out to stakeholder groups, requesting input on various clinical coverage policies. State law requires that the Department consult with and seek advice from the NC Physician Advisory Group and other […]
-
20 Mar
Legislative Update: MAT Waiver
Legislative Updates: Medication Assisted Treatment Waiver by Sarah Wolfe, Assistant Vice-President, McGuire Woods Consulting At this month’s North Carolina Medical Board meeting, NCAPA requested that the Physician Assistant Advisory Meeting (PAAM) review the supervising physician requirement for PAs who have acquired the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Waiver. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which […]
-
30 Aug
Prior Approval Required for Some Outpatient Opioid Prescriptions
Important Information for Medicaid and Health Choice Providers: Medicaid announced it will require prior approval for outpatient opioid prescriptions in certain situations. Please click here for details: https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/PA_Criteria-Opioid-Analgesics.pdf
-
27 Jul
NC DOT Confirms DMV Compliance with SB160
NCAPA received confirmation from the Department of Transportation that all of the following DMV forms have been updated to allow PAs and NPs to certify handicapped designation: Application for Handicapped Driver’s Registration Plate Medical Certification for Application & Renewal of Disability Parking Placard Application for Renewal of Disability Parking Placard or Total and Permanent Disability […]
-
13 Jul
NC PAs Can Sign for Disability Placards
The North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA) has been working hard this session to ensure PAs are once again able to sign for Disability Placards. As background, in late 2016 the NC DMV sent out notices to all local offices that the DMV could no longer take disability placards signed by PAs or NPs. […]
-
30 Jun
STOP Act Signed by Governor Cooper
HB 243: Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act passed both the House and Senate and was signed by Governor Cooper yesterday, Thursday, June 29, 2017. The STOP Act had bi-partisan support and is written to address many issues that influence Opioid use, with several components including prescribing limits and reporting requirements. The original bill required […]
-
02 May
NCAPA Addresses NCCPA State Lobbying Efforts
Read NCAPA’s Board of Directors letter to NCCPA regarding the NCCPA’s lobbying efforts in other states here.
-
27 Apr
DHHS Seeking Public Input on Medicaid Reform
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public input from April 25 to May 25, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. on the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs transformation (also known as “Medicaid reform”). While all comments are welcome, the Department is specifically looking for input on the following topics: Integrating Primary […]
-
27 Apr
PA Day at the NC Legislature!
Thank you to all the PA Advocates who joined NCAPA for PA Day at the Legislature. We are grateful to Senator Andrew Brock and Representative Gale Adcock who took the time to meet with our group and to all the legislators who met with PAs. We were also pleased to have the opportunity to meet […]
-
09 Nov
New Legislation Ensures Robust Future for PAs
Two pieces of legislation introduced before the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday byRep. Karen Bass (D-CA), a former physician assistant (PA) and PA educator, would ensure PA educational programs have the resources needed, expand educational opportunities for students wanting to become PAs, and increase quality health care for rural and medically underserved areas. While PAs […]