"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." – Martin Luther King, Jr.

NJAOPS’ Office will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. NJAOPS Staff will return to the office on Tuesday, January 16^th starting at 8:30am. 

On Tuesday, NJAOPS’ CME Committee met to discuss our continuing medical education goals for 2024 including our AROC 2024 medical conference. We would like to thank the following committee members for participating in our 90-minute meeting:

• George Scott, DO- Ex-Officio
• Dan DeFeo, DO
• Richard Jerymn, DO
• Thomas Cavalieri, DO
• Kevin Overbeck, DO
• Lee Ann Van Houten Sauter, DO
• Doug Hargrave, DO
• Hetal Patel, DO
• Michael Guma, DO
• Thomas Brandeisky,DO
• Rob Franks,DO
• Alan Chung, OMS IV
• Tajma Kotoric
• Amanda Howell

We are continuously working on the completion of our AROC 2024 schedule. This year, we will host two separate workshops: Guided Ultrasounds and Aesthetics including Botox Injections class. Both workshops are an additional $30 cost each we only have a limit of 35 participants each in order to obtain the full learning experience from them. Don’t forget that the first early bird discount ends on January 31^st! 

We hope you stay dry this weekend (meteorologist are calling for another stormy evening) and we thank you for your continued support. 

George Scott, DO, DPM

President, 2023-2024, NJAOPS

Tajma Kotoric 

Chief Executive Officer, NJAOPS 

As the New Year approaches - we want to be sure that we keep the upcoming AROC season top of mind.

We will be updating this section of our weekly newsletter to keep you posted on planning, events and programs as they unfold. We will remind everyone of important deadlines, specific sessions and speakers of interest, as well as special events that will be scheduled that week. Keep an eye out for updates and let us know if you ever have any questions.

The main page on our website for Attendees is: https://www.njaops.org/aroc-attendee-information and here is where you will find credit information and registration forms, among other details...

Discount Code for Hard Rock Hotel: GARC24z

Phone: Call 609-449-6860

Online: https://book.passkey.com/go/garc24z

The Conclusion of the Lame Duck Session

Happy Friday! The Lame Duck Session has officially concluded. I am very happy to report that all of the scope bills we were opposed to did NOT make it to the Governor’s Desk. Those bills as of 1-8-2024 received no further action. I expect that we will see all of those reintroduced in the new Legislative Session.

Many thanks to our leadership, board members, general membership and coalition partners for their support!

TRANSPARENCY IN PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS

A1255/S1794     Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act

Current Status:  On the Governor’s Desk

PAYMENT PARITY FOR TELE-HEALTH (One year extension)          

A5757/S4127Revises Reimbursement Payments for provides using telemedicine and telehealth       

Current Status:   Signed into Law

BILLS THAT DID NOT REACH THE GOVERNOR’S DESK:

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE FOR APNs

S1522 A2296 Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advance practice nurses.

Current Status: No further action in Lame Duck Session

NURSE MIDWIVES NEW SCOPE AND LICENSING BOARD

S4042/A5674 Creates Midwifery Licensing Act                                

Current Status: No further action in Lame Duck Session 

OPTOMETRIST SURGERY BILL

S3841/A5445- Updates scope of practice of optometrists

Current Status: No further action in Lame Duck Session 

ATHLETIC TRAINERS - Scope Changes

A560/S135 –  Revises the “Athletic Training Licensure Act”          

Current Status:         No further action in Lame Duck Session

ICYMI -TELEMEDICINE PARITY EXTENSION SIGNED INTO LAW

New Law Extends Pay Parity for Telehealth and Telemedicine Providers through the End of 2024

A new law, sponsored by Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr., and Senator Vin Gopal  to extend pay parity for telehealth and telemedicine providers until the end of 2024was signed by Governor Murphy on December 21. 2023. Under the new law, P.L. 2023, c. 199, reimbursement payments for providers using telemedicine and telehealth will continue to be equal to or no less than the reimbursement received for in-person consultations through next year.

Many health providers began offering telehealth services to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government through the CARES Act stipulated pay parity for Medicare and Medicaid, and many private insurers followed suit. Pay parity rates are set to expire at the end of this year, and the federal government has not yet decided to further extend pay parity or to make it permanent. This legislation aims to ensure that important telehealth services are not lost at the end of the year.

During the previous legislative session, Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed telehealth pay parity legislation and directed the Department of Health to access the costs and impacts of the practice in New Jersey. The DOH expects the study will be ready next year. By extending pay parity through the end of 2024, the new law provides legislators the time to review the data once the study is complete to make informed recommendations.

Have you renewed your membership? Have you contributed to JOPAC?

Thank you in advance.

We need your help…

JOPAC Contributions Helping to Make Connections

NJAOPS’ President, George Scott, DO, DPM with Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-6). Your support is needed and appreciated!

Click here to help make a difference for DOs in

New Jersey!

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