Nominate Top Doctors

Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., invites all licensed physicians to participate in the nomination process for the selection of Castle Connolly Top Doctors. You can help identify those of your colleagues who are among the very best physicians in your region and the nation, your fellow New York County Medical Society members.
Be sure to take part in the nomination process and encourage your colleagues to do so as well. In order to nominate, you must have your NPI (National Provider Identification) number available as well as a valid email address.
You may submit:

  • 10 nominations in your specialty
  • 5 Family Medicine
  • 5 Internal Medicine
  • 5 Pediatrics
  • 3 in all remaining specialties

Castle Connolly's Top Doctor Nomination Site for 2015 is Now Open.

Your Practice Shouldn’t Pay Full Price

Access Medical Purchasing (AMP), the group purchasing organization of the New York County Medical Society, helps practices save on medical, surgical, and office expenses by working with the member’s distributor representative to ensure contracted pricing is reflected when orders are placed.

In addition to the medical and surgical contracts available, members can also take advantage of discounts with FedEx, cellular service providers, Staples, OfficeMax, and other office and entertainment suppliers. AMP also offers exclusive contracts for sutures, custom surgical packs, used and new OR equipment, and lasers. Through March, check out the Group Buy savings on capital equipment available for AMP members — including Johnson & Johnson sterilizers and a variety of Toshiba systems and equipment.

To learn more about AMP and enroll, visit www.accessmedicalpurchasing.com or call (855) 267–8700.

Dateline: NYCMS

As a member, you are entitled to attend Society meetings and functions. Keep track of what is going on by checking this listing in every issue of MM “NEWS.” Members are invited to attend any of these sessions; however, we suggest that you call (212) 684–4670 to confirm meeting date and time.

  • February 5, 2015, 5:30 p.m. ,CME Committee, at Lenox Hill Hospital Bruno Presentation Room
  • February 8, 2015, 10:00 a.m., Legislative Breakfast, New York Academy of Medicine
  • February 9, 2015, Board of Directors, at the offices of MLMIC, 5:30 p.m.
  • March 4, 2015, Physician Advocacy Day in Albany
  • April 27, 2017, Board of Directors/Delegation, at the offices of MLMIC, 5:30 p.m.

Charge Card Systems Has A New Name, But Still Simplifies Payment Processing
In an industry that is rapidly evolving, we want our merchants to understand every aspect of their payment processing. Since 2002, CardConnect (formerly Charge Card Systems) has helped thousands of businesses streamline and simplify their payment processing while providing the best security solution available. As the endorsed Society credit card processor, members have access to our processing gateway. The gateway’s enhanced features allow CardConnect to provide reduced rates through level III processing and interchange management. The gateway also provides patented payment protection that keeps all processing records confidential and PCI compliant.
CardConnect keeps a close eye on interchange rates and we work to ensure our merchants are able to achieve the best possible pricing, all while minimizing fees and securing all of your payment processing data. As a Society member, CardConnect will take the time to educate you and serve as your advocate to all of your payment processing needs.
Interested in reducing your processing costs and protecting your business? Contact our Business Development Team at (877) 948–9733 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Save the Dates: March 3, 10, 17 and 24 Free Series on Brain Function and Disease
The members of the Society’s Committee on CME recommend to the membership a series of one–hour courses on Brain Function and Disease coming soon from Weill Cornell Medical College. The programs will be held on March 3, March 10, March 17, and March 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Weill Cornell Medical College’s Uris Auditorium, 1300 York Avenue Entrance. There is no charge. More information, including how to register, will be sent out soon to the Society’s membership.

The Legislature Is Back

The following message is from Andrew Kleinman, MD, MSSNY President, and Joseph Sellers, MD, MSSNYPAC Chair.
The voting is over. Winners have been confirmed. A New Year is begun. It’s important for the medical community to follow up with those winners by building rapport and strengthening existing relationships.
The electeds are ready to take their seats in Albany and get to work on crafting, introducing, debating and deciding on legislation that will impact your ability to make a living as a physician in New York State and the care you deliver to your patients. So what can you do to help prepare for the work ahead of us?
Over the next several months it is essential that you and your colleagues participate in two central components of advocacy.
Grassroots action Sign Up!

  • Letter–writing on issues that impact your specialty and patient population
  • In–district meetings with your legislators
  • Attending the Wednesday, March 4th Legislative Day in Albany

Political Action Contribute!

  • Contributing to MSSNYPAC
  • Attending an event hosted by MSSNYPAC or an elected official

MSSNY and MSSNYPAC make these things easy for you to accomplish so that your advocacy is effective.

  • We keep watch on the thousands of pieces of legislation that will be proposed in Albany and identify those that potentially impact patient care.
  • We proactively work with legislators to urge passage of legislation to improve your ability to deliver quality patient care.
  • We alert you when grassroots action is necessary on specific issues.
  • We work to avert harmful and regressive consequences to physician practices and patient care.
  • We work to remedy problems in our health care delivery system.
  • We proactively represent the collective voice of physicians and patients in the political arena in order that we are not drowned out by opposing interests such as insurance companies and trial lawyers during healthcare debates.
  • We keep physician and patient concerns central to every debate that impacts the profession of medicine.

As we enter into a new year and new session of debate we need you to invest in political action at the highest level you are able. Become a Chairman’s Club Member today. Call us to take your membership over the phone (518) 465–8085 or send a check payable to MSSNYPAC to 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 408, Albany, NY 12210.
Physicians will be positioned to win in Albany if we work together. Please join and ask your colleagues to join.
Please join MSSNYPAC today. Give Hope When You Get Rid of Unused Meds
In 2014, Dispensary of Hope was able to secure enough medication to fill over 66,500 prescriptions for low–income uninsured patients. In 2014, over $50,000 worth of those donations were through New York County doctors. Every day, physicians receive sample medications that will expire without ever reaching a patient. New York County Medical Society members are fighting that trend by donating excess sample medications to the Dispensary of Hope prior to expiration. Not only do they put medications in the hands of a patient in need, they also reduce their staff time, reduce medical waste, and help the community. Pledge to donate sample medications and the Dispensary of Hope will provide your practice with a donation bin and prepaid shipping. Participation is free. The Clifford L. Spingarn, MD Memorial Education Fund (aka MEDCOFUND) is pleased to support Dispensary of Hope, and the Society hopes that you will too. It’s easy.

  • Pledge to donate excess sample medications today, at www.dispensaryofhope.org/give-meds
  • The Dispensary of Hope will contact your practice before sending a red donation bin with free return shipping.
  • Place the unexpired sample medications you wish to donate inside the bin and UPS will pick it up. No charge to you.
  • The medication will arrive at the Dispensary of Hope and be made available to low–income, uninsured patients across the United States. You receive an itemized receipt of the samples you donated for your records.

Pledge today at www.dispensaryofhope.org/give-meds You can also call Dispensary of Hope at (888) 428–HOPE

Discounts on Movie Tickets, Theater, and Other Attractions

The Society is pleased to offer to the membership a unique entertainment internet discount program, Working Advantage. Discounts are offered in the following areas:
Entertainment: Savings up to 40 percent on movie tickets, museums, attractions across the country.
Theater & Events: A huge selection of theatrical productions, family events and sporting events nationwide is offered at a discount.
Shopping: Respected online vendors offer excellent discounts on apparel, accessories, books and music, electronics, flowers, gourmet food, office supplies and much more.
Gifts: Purchase discounted gift certificates in the areas above.
Advantage Points: Earn rewards while you save. Members can redeem points on selected items for a variety of products, including movie tickets and gift cards.
Postings will be sent to our members via e–mail. Members call the Society to receive a member ID number. You then can log on to www.workingadvantage.com to create a password.
To get your Society ID for savings, call Sony Hilado at (212) 684–4682.

In Memoriam

Magdalena Fuchs, MD, died July 6, 2014. Doctor Fuchs received her MD degree from University of Wien Fak, Wien in 1953.
Morton Bernard Glenn, MD, died March 1, 2014. Doctor Glenn received his MD degree from New York University School of Medicine in 1946.
Edgar Monas Housepian, MD, died November 13, 2014. Doctor Housepian received his MD degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1953.
Norman Lionel Kaplan, MD, died November 14, 2014. Doctor Kaplan received his MD degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1958.
Ervin Eugen Lepko, MD, died May 3, 2014. Doctor Lepko received his MD degree from University of Bratislava in 1952.
Myron Melamed, MD. Doctor Melamed received his MD degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1950.
Frederick Randall, MD, died March 29, 2014. Doctor Randall received his MD degree from Howard University College of Medicine in 1945.
David H. Saxe, MD, died December 13, 2014. Doctor Saxe received his MD degree from University of Michigan College of Medicine in 1937.
Don Sloan, MD. Doctor Sloan received his MD degree from State of New York Downstate in 1963.

McNally’s Corner

The following is courtesy of James McNally, the Society’s Third–Party Insurance Help Program.

  • Informal Review Process Now Open with Tight Deadline: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has, and is in the process of, notifying physicians who did not successfully participate in the Physician Quality Reporting System incentive program in 2013 about the payment adjustment/penalty to be applied this year. If you did not successfully participate in PQRS in 2013, you will receive a 1.5 percent penalty on all of your 2015 Medicare Part B claims. With these facts in mind, CMS has opened an informal review process to challenge this penalty. However, there is a tight deadline associated with the process. To challenge this determination, you must request an informal review between January 1, 2015 and February 28, 2015. CMS will then re–examine your 2013 PQRS submissions to determine your incentive eligibility. To file an informal review, click here.
  • Unsolicited “Virtual” Credit Card Payments and Transaction Fees to Physicians: The issue of private/managed care insurers requiring physicians to accept unsolicited “virtual” credit card payments for their services along with the transaction fees that must be borne by the physician is increasing. This is the scenario where a plan will require you to accept a credit card payment you did not request where you are then responsible for all transaction fees and other related costs. As a result of this inequity, we have been in discussions with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and their Office of E–Health Standards and Services (OESS). The question was raised as to what these plans could and could not do with regard to these credit card payments.

    Research on the issue has indicated that, according to the January 1, 2014 operating rules for the health care electronic funds transfer (EFT) and electronic remittance advice (ERA) standard transactions, there are a number of more palatable options available for providers to electronically receive health care payments from health plans.

    CMS policy states that:

    “Providers have a number of choices for receiving health care payments from health plans, including Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network, checks, Fedwire, or through other payment networks. They encourage providers to implement the standard EFT through the ACH Network.

    If a provider requests that a health plan conduct the electronic funds transfer (EFT) and remittance advice transaction in standard format (by using the ACH network), then the health plan must comply with the HIPAA standard for this transaction. And if a provider requests that a health plan transmit payments consistent with the HIPAA standard, the health plan is not permitted to delay or reject a transaction because the transaction is a standard transaction (45 CFR 162.925).

    The health plan also cannot incentivize a provider to use an alternate payment method other than the adopted standard or adversely affect the provider for using the standard transaction (i.e. charging excessive fees).


    Regardless of the method a provider chooses to receive health care payments from health plans, the provider should carefully analyze their agreements for any added fees.”


    Should you receive a credit card payment you did not request, contact the insurance plan and not the contracted credit card company; the insurance plan is the HIPAA “covered entity.”

    Then, request that they institute an EFT payment as per the information above, preferably through a standard EFT through the ACH Network. If the insurer in question refuses, physicians can then file a request for an investigation utilizing the OESS Enforcement Tool known as ASET – Administrative Simplification Enforcement Tool.

    You can file this request anonymously. However, the only condition is that the name and contact information of the offending parties is needed and must be provided so that the investigation can be conducted. This is important because the staff on the enforcement team cannot pursue an investigation without contact information for the organizations against whom a complaint is being filed because there is no way to get the data.

    Note: before filing a request for an investigation, review your contracts and agreements to determine if there are provisions regarding discounts or fee reductions related to processing fees, debit cards, credit cards or any other kinds of cards used by patients. Your contract/agreement must be “clear” of these types of provisions or supplements.

    For guidance on this issue, contact us through the Third Party Insurance Help Program. The Society is introducing a resolution to the 2015 House of Delegates of the Medical Society of the State of New York asking for relief from this issue from CMS. Call Susan Tucker at (212) 684–4681, or e–mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • EHR Meaningful Use Update: CMS Comes Out against Use of Scribes: The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has announced that, despite their efforts, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified that medical scribes — even those who are certified — are not permitted to enter electronic medication, laboratory, or radiology orders into electronic health record systems. CMS explained that it is not permitting scribes to enter medical data under the CPOE measure.
    Medical staff entering orders into EHRs for purposes of satisfying the CPOE measure must be, at minimum, a certified medical assistant or equivalent, which includes certified ophthalmic technicians, certified ophthalmic technologists, and certified ophthalmic assistants.
    The Academy has stated that they will continue to lobby CMS to allow non–certified staff to satisfy the requirements of this measure.
  • Oxford Health Plans Issues Clarification on Proof of Timely Filing: One of the more prevalent issues impacting physicians submitting claims to Oxford Health Plans that are subsequently denied for timely filing has been what constitutes proof that a claim has been filed in a timely manner. This is especially true where physicians continue to submit paper or hard copy claims. As a result, Oxford Health Plans has clarified what this documentation should entail for both electronic and hardcopy submissions.
    However, please see Hard Copy Submissions and bolded text below.
    In the event that a provider disputes the denial of an original claim for untimely filing, the provider must be able to show proof of submission within the filing deadline.
    Electronic Submission
    As proof, the provider must submit two EDI acceptance reports. One report will show the date the batch was sent, number of claims sent, and the number of accepted claims vs. rejected claims. The rejected claims will show error details and the claims should be corrected and resent. The other report will show a listing of the claims by patient name that were received by the clearinghouse. These reports are supplied to Providers and facilities directly from the clearinghouse.
    Note: Oxford will not accept a transmission report that only indicates the claim(s) were sent to the clearinghouse. Providers are responsible for checking their clearinghouse reports to ensure that the claim was accepted, and forwarded to Oxford.
    Hardcopy Submissions
    As proof, the provider must submit documentation showing that Oxford has received the hardcopy claim (receipt for certified letter, a copy of a screen print from the accounting software to show the date you submitted the claim, etc.).
    To read more on the issue of timely filing of claims, click here.
    2012 eRx Incentive Program Supplemental Incentive Payments are Now Available: CMS has announced that the 2012 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Supplemental Incentive Payments are now available for eligible professionals who submitted data for the reporting period of January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 and met criteria for satisfactory reporting. 2012 eRx Supplemental Incentives are provided to those eligible professionals (EPs) and group practices that submitted an eRx Informal Review (IR) request that was approved by CMS. The incentive is 1.0% of total estimated 2012 Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) allowed charges for covered professional services furnished during reporting period paid as lump sum to the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) under which the eligible professional’s claims were submitted.
    If needed, please contact the Quality Net Help Desk for assistance. They can be reached at (866) 288–8912 (TTY-877–715–6222) or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
  • Reminder: How to Report Once in 2014 for Medicare Quality Reporting Programs: Providers participating in the 2014 PQRS program may be eligible to report their quality data one time only to earn credit for multiple Medicare quality reporting programs. Individual eligible professionals and group practices will be able to report once on a single set of clinical quality measures (CQMs) and satisfy some of the various requirements of several of the following programs, depending on eligibility:
    • Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS)
    • Value–Based Payment Modifier (VM)
    • Medicare EHR Incentive Program
    • Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
    • Pioneer ACO
    • Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative (CPCI)
    CMS aligned some of the reporting requirements for these programs starting in 2014 to reduce the burden of data collection. Those eligible professionals who choose to report once will reap several benefits:
    • Earn the 2014 PQRS incentive and avoid the 2016 PQRS payment adjustment.
    • Satisfy the CQM requirements of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
    • Satisfy requirements for the 2016 VM, ACO, and/or CPCI, if eligible.

    Note: aligned reporting options are only available to eligible professionals beyond their first year of participation in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
    How to Report Once
    Individual eligible professionals and group practices must submit a full year (January 1 — December 31, 2014) of data to receive credit for the various programs.
    The following resources will help explain how providers can report their quality data one time for 2014 participation in applicable quality programs:

  • Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Updates to New York State Exchange Plans & Expanded Function Allows Access to More Information about Three Month Grace Period: Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (EBCBS) has updated its web site with regard to changes and updates to its New York State Health Exchange plans. Of special note is its update involving expanded electronic access to more information on the three–month grace period.
    Important update about Empire’s 2015 ACA-compliant health plans
    Member ID card update for 2015 Small and Individual health plans
    Access more information about three month grace period status electronically
    Preventive care services covered with no member cost-share
    These and other pertinent policy updates can be reviewed in their December 2014 Network Bulletin at the link here.
    For guidance on all these issues, contact us through the Third–Party Insurance Help Program at (212) 684–4681.

Act Now for Delay of E–Prescribing Requirement

The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) is urging that New York State delay implementation of the E–prescribing requirement for all substances due to the fact that several EHR systems currently used by physicians and hospitals have not yet been certified by the DEA to enable electronic prescribing of controlled substances. As such, MSSNY has argued that it is unfair to hold physicians responsible for the failure of vendors to meet this deadline. MSSNY leadership and staff have had discussions with the administration and some members of the Legislature to request this delay. YOU can assist in this effort by sending a letter calling for delay of the implementation date. Physicians can send a letter to their legislators and Governor Cuomo urging a postponement of this mandate MSSNY is also working with Acting Commissioner of Health Howard Zucker, MD, JD, asking for a delay and some easing of the waiver requirements. The E–prescribing requirement is scheduled to go into effect for non–controlled and controlled substances on March 27, 2015. This requirement was part of the I–STOP law that was approved unanimously by the Legislature. MSSNY has had numerous discussions with state officials and key legislative leaders to make them fully aware of the significant obstacles many physicians of all practice configurations will face in complying with this law, and the potential medication disruptions patients could face as a result. Tell the legislature and the Governor.

Opportunities to Talk to YOUR Legislators February 8 Legislative Breakfast AND March 4 Albany Visit

You have two opportunities this winter to flex your political muscles. Members are invited to the following two political events:

  • February 8, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 2015 Legislative Breakfast, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue. Health Care in Crisis: Urgent Problems, Routes to Solutions, cosponsored by the Society and the New York County District Branch of the American Psychiatric Society (APA). Meet with New York State legislators — Senator Liz Krueger and Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Chair of the Health Committee and more. Watch for e–mail invitations soon. (RSVP is required: Member Admission is $30 for Members of the Medical Society of the State of New York OR the New York County District Branch of the APA; Nonmember Admission $50 if not member of either organization. Contact Lisa Joseph to register at (212) 684-4698, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • March 4, 2015, Day Bus trip to Albany for Physician Advocacy Day. We will be leaving the offices of the Society on 35th Street early (6:30 a.m.) and also picking up at Lenox Hill Hospital, before heading to Albany. COST is $30.00 for bus and breakfast. All legislative visits are arranged for you in advance, and you go with an experienced group leader. To register, contact Lisa Joseph at (212) 684–4698 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From the Front

This feature of MM “NEWS” introduces you to Society leaders as they explain their vision of organized medicine’s activities. This month, read the remarks of Joshua M. Cohen, MD, MPH, Society President. The new year has just begun, and with that comes an opportunity to look back over the year and reflect on our accomplishments. Our Society has much to be proud of in 2014. The leadership of our Society —– Board, Committee Chairs, and Staff — met at our brand new Society headquarters in September for a full– day retreat, allowing us to analyze our successes and challenges and innovate toward a Society which is ever more able to assist our members in their professional practice. Over the coming year, you will see the fruits of those efforts, including the following:

  • A new Ambassadors Program which will allow us to reach out more to our community of physicians and share the work that New York County Medical Society is doing on their behalf;
  • More tools to help physicians in their practice; already ,we have added a new phone or tablet application called Canopy which allows for point–of–care translation in a variety of languages;
  • Assisting young physician members in developing referral networks so that they can quickly build their practices and help each other be successful;
  • Engagement in community service in our local community to give back through volunteerism; and
  • Partnering with other organizations to accomplish mutual goals in advocacy, member services, and community building.

Many more exciting ideas emerged throughout that day and at our Board meetings since, and our leadership and staff will implement them as rapidly as we can to bring you all the benefits and support we can. As we begin 2015, our focus is on membership as we work to grow and strengthen our Society to increase our impact. In addition to continuing our traditional recruitment of individual members, our Society is also looking for groups of physicians that may wish to join and receive discounted membership rates for signing up as a group. A group may be a medical staff at a hospital, a group practice, a hospital department — lots of options exist and this can be a great way to reduce your membership dues. If you have a group that you think might be willing to join via group membership, please let us know and we will be happy to sit down to discuss all of the benefits that membership provides. Speaking of benefits, we are bringing more to you every day. We have a number of excellent CME programs coming up this winter. We are also planning a legislative breakfast on Sunday, February 8, where you can interact with our local legislators. Our staff has developed extremely helpful guides to help you navigate the morass of regulatory requirements, and they continue to send you regular updates about upcoming deadlines for e-prescribing, meaningful use, and more. Our ombudsman Jim McNally has helped dozens of members get the payments they deserve from insurers and is always just a phone call away to help. We continue to provide workers’ compensation ratings, Doctor–on–Call cards, assistance with parking tickets — the list just goes on and on. Our goal is to help relieve you of as many burdens as possible so you can focus on what you really want to do — take care of your patients. It is my honor to serve as your President, and I promise to continue to strive to make this a Society that makes you proud to be a member. Have a wonderful 2015, and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming Society events.

Felix Annus Novus

The officers, Board of Directors, and staff of the New York County Medical Society wish you well in 2015. May you, your families, and your staffs enjoy all the best in this new year. We are grateful that you are a member; because of your participation, the profession’s interests in Manhattan are well represented. Call (212) 684–4670 to get more involved or to get assistance for your practice. Like us on Facebook.

Nominations Open in February

Any active member who wishes to make a nomination for elective office in the New York County Medical Society may do so beginning February 1st, but no later than March 1st. Nominations for officers and delegates to be elected at the next annual election may be made in writing by no fewer than 10 active members in good standing. (Members must have paid 2015 dues. Names must be printed next to signatures.) These positions are open for 2015 – 2016: President–Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, four members of the Board of Medical Ethics, and one Trustee. In addition, there will be ten at–large seats on the Board. Elections will also be held to fill spots for delegates and alternate delegates to the Medical Society of the State of New York. Direct nominations to Gregory DiFelice, MD, Secretary, New York County Medical Society, 31 West 34 Street, Ste. 7053, New York, NY 10001.

2015 Medicare Fee Schedules Update

The 2015 Medicare fee schedules have been removed from the National Government Services (NGS) website. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) discovered some technical errors in the 2015 fees that were previously posted. Those errors must now be corrected. As a result, the fees that were previously posted have been removed as of January 5, 2015. Current status is that the corrections will have been completed by about January 20, 2015, and that the fee schedules will be re–posted to NGS’ web site on or before that date. Claims for 2015 services: NGS is holding these claims for the first 14 calendar days of January 2015 (Thursday, January 1, through Wednesday, January 14). This hold should have minimal impact on physicians’ cash flow, since clean electronic claims don't get paid sooner than 14 calendar days after NGS receives them, anyway. (It’s 29 days for paper claims.) Claims for 2014 services: These claims are not affected by the 2015 claims hold. NGS will process and pay them under normal procedures and time frames. The Society recommends that you hold your 2015 claims until the corrected 2015 fee schedules are available. (You can send in 2014 claims.) Some physicians and staff have asked us for paper copies of the 2015 fee schedules. We will be glad to fulfill those requests after January 20, when we hope to have the corrected fee schedules. You can notify Susan Tucker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her at (212) 684–4681, to request a copy of 2015 Medicare fee schedules on paper WHEN AVAILABLE. If you have questions, ask the Society’s Third–Party Insurance Help Program. Call Susan Tucker at (212) 684–4681, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dues Deductions for 2014 Taxes

Because lobbying is not tax deductible as a business expense, physicians cannot deduct their total association dues from their income taxes.
This year for 2014 taxes, 60 percent of dues to the American Medical Association, 40 percent of the Medical Society of the State of New York dues, and ten percent of Society dues are not deductible.
Donations to MSSNYPAC and AMPAC are not deductible at all, although they are essential to the continued success of physicians to protect their patients and profession in the political process. If you are including a MSSNYPAC contribution with your MSSNY dues, no portion of that membership is deductible.

From the Board Room

At its meetings on November 17, 2014 and January 12, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Society did the following:

  • agreed to submit request for proposals for a financial planning firm and a professional employer organization;
  • reviewed a series of resolutions on various medical economic and public health topics to be presented at the 2015 meeting of the MSSNY House of Delegates;
  • discussed possible new opportunities for collaboration in CME activities;
  • approved plans for a February 8 Legislative Breakfast at the New York Academy of Medicine in conjunction with the New York County District Branch of the American Psychiatric Society;
  • approved chartering a bus and charging $30 per attendee to go to the Physician Advocacy Day in Albany on March 4;
  • invited Board members to nominate young medicine leaders for the Physician Leadership Workshop on February 19; and
  • offered the thanks and appreciation of the Society to staff member Valerie Davis, who after 20 years left the Society for a new position as a preschool teacher, as of January 1, 2015.

The next meetings of the Board are February 9, 2015, and April 27, 2015.

MLMIC Declares 7.5% Special Dividend

The Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC), the Society’s endorsed medical liability insurance carrier, is pleased to announce a 7.5% Special Dividend for all policyholders.
MLMIC’s president, Doctor Robert Menotti, said that dividends “provide meaningful financial relief to our policyholders,” and that “they are an integral part of our mission to provide high–quality insurance at low long–term cost.” Since inception, MLMIC has returned over $300 million in dividends to its policyholder owners.
To qualify for this 7.5% Special Dividend, policyholders must be insured by MLMIC on February 1, 2015. The dividend will be applied to policyholder accounts on March 1.
Questions? Contact us today.
The MLMIC Difference
At MLMIC, we put your needs first, giving you the service and protection you deserve. Our at-cost, long-term focus ensures that you won't overpay for quality protection, nor worry about the Company being there when you need us. And, our unparalleled claims and risk management expertise provides superior protection, with high success rates, and very satisfied policyholders.

Hats Off

Congratulations to Society immediate past president Paul N. Orloff, MD, who was nominated as treasurer of the First District Branch, the Combined Medical Societies of the City of New York, for a two–year term beginning May, 2015. Doctor Orloff is an ophthalmologist in private practice and among many other credentials, is past president of the New York State Ophthalmological Society. Zebulon Taintor, MD, another past president of New York County, and president–elect of the First District, will become president of that body on May 1 as well.
Hats off to William B. Rosenblatt, MD, Society past president (and past president of the Medical Society of the State of New York), who was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF).
Doctor Rosenblatt is a board–certified plastic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. He is Assistant Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. The American Association for AAAASF was established in 1980 to develop an accreditation program to standardize and improve the quality of medical and surgical care in outpatient facilities while assuring the public that patient safety is top priority in an accredited facilities. More than 2,100 outpatient facilities are accredited by AAAASF, one of the largest not–for–profit accrediting organization in the United States.
And a big trombone slide to Society Board member Alan Engelberg MD, and the other physicians who will be participating in The Music and Medicine Initiative of Weill Cornell Medical College — The Music and Medicine Orchestra on Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., Peter Jay Sharp Theater, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Yuga Cohler is the conductor for a repetoire including Paul Frucht — World Premiere Piece, Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet Overture, and Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Richard Kogan, MD, Piano. Look for Doctor Engelberg, who is board specialized in occupational medicine, in the horn section.
If you or someone you know deserves a salute, send it to the Society’s Cheryl Malone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax to (212) 684–4741.

Welcome to 2015 New Members

The following 35 candidates for membership are presented to the Board of Directors of the Society. Anyone with information reflecting against election of a new member is requested to notify the secretary of the Society as soon as possible.
Rahat Syed Azfar, MD
Daniel Allen Barker, MD
Sharon Batista, MD
Eric D. Braunstein, MD
Alexander Ross Chiu, MD
Jennifer S. Collins, MD
Diara Gross, DO
Benny Hakim, MD
Aric Hausknecht, MD
Nicole Ilonzo, MD
Roman Isaac, MD
Karan Johar, MD
Claire Ann Joseph, DO
Abie Li, DO
Lisa M. Linde, MD
Thomas Sean Lynch, MD
Moira M. McCarthy, MD
Steven A. McDonald, MD
Stephen A. Malach, MD
Elana Maser, MD
Robert S. Mirsky, MD
Manuel Morlote, MD
Frederick K. Nahm, MD
Ryan Neinstein, MD
Elizabeth Nguyen, MD
Ogonna K. Nwawka, MD
Heather Lynn Paladine, MD
Annette Perez–Delboy, MD
Siddharth Prakash, MD
Anetta Reszko, MD
Jason Rubinov, MD
Sean M. Rumschik, MD
Roshan Shah, MD
Darryl B. Sneag, MD
Samuel Taylor, MD

Members