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Clinical Social Work Practice Alert ( PDF 98Kb) For Clinical Social Workers who are Medicare Providers

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS-1500 Form Deadline Extension

The link below takes you to a new practice bulletin, “Delayed Implementation Date for Revised CMS-1500 Form.” You may reprint it for your members. If you have any questions about it, please contact Mirean Coleman at mcoleman@naswdc.org .

http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/clinical/2007/csw051007.asp

For Immediate Release
January 29, 2007

Kids and Drugs by Jon Greenberg aired on NH Public Radio this morning (Monday, January 29, 2007). A major conference in NH this week looks at the research and trends on today’s teens and the drugs they use. Among participants was Maria Gagnon, Assistant Director of the Adolescent Treatment Initiatives at New Futures, the past Director of the Reclaiming Futures project and a clinical social worker and Board Member of NH-NASW. You can listen to the show on-line at www.nhpr.org/taxonomy/term/15001

For Immediate Release: Contact: Allison Nadelhaft
January 2, 2007 202-336-8228
anadelhaft@naswdc.org

Health & Social Work Names New Editor-in-Chief
Plymouth State University professor tapped to guide health practice journal

Washington, DC – The NASW Press is pleased to announce Stephen Gorin, PhD, MSW as the new Editor-in-Chief of Health & Social Work. Dr. Gorin, who is a professor of social work at Plymouth State University, will begin his tenure on January 1, 2007 and will serve through December, 2010.

Dr. Gorin has played a leadership role in social work and in health care policy, serving on President Clinton’s Health Care Task Force and the Advisory Council of the Center for Mental Health Services in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He served as a delegate for the White House Conference on Aging and on Social Security. Dr. Gorin has been editor of the National Health Line column for the past eight years.

“Dr. Gorin will be an enormous asset to Health & Social Work as Editor-in-Chief,” said Cheryl Bradley, publisher of the NASW Press. “Dr. Gorin has a distinct interest in national health care reform and resolving disparities in health care. These issues are extremely relevant to Health & Social Work.”

Currently serving the NASW New Hampshire Chapter as Executive Director, Dr. Gorin is a past president of NASW New Hampshire and was the chapter’s Social Worker of the Year in 1992.

For 20 years, human services professionals have relied on Health & Social Work for the latest advances in areas such as aging, clinical work, long-term care, oncology, substance abuse, depression, and maternal health. Articles also cover research, policy, specialized services, quality assurance, in-service training and other topics that affect the delivery of health care services.

All health care providers including clinical social workers will soon be required to apply for a National Provider I.D. (NPI) in order to bill for client sessions under The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA). The deadline for application is May 23, 2007.

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique identification number that will be used by providers and insurers for standard HIPPA electronic transactions in addition to claims submission (such as eligibility verification requests). Although there are many clinical social workers who do not presently file electronic claims, it is the recommendation of the National Office that everyone obtain a NPI because Medicare and Medicaid will only accept electronic claims in the very near future. Other Insurance companies are expected to do the same.

To apply for a NPI, social workers can access the following website: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov?NPPES/Welcome.do

The NPI application asks for a taxonomy code number for social workers. This number is: 1041C0700X

Clinical Social Workers and all providers seeking reimbursement will be required to use a new version of the CMS-1500 Claim Form. Formerly known as HCFA-1500, the CMS-1500 form is being revised to accommodate the new NPI. The deadline for the submission of the “new” CMS-1500 forms will be February 1, 2007. After that date, claims submitted on the old HCFA/CMS 1500 forms will be rejected by the insurance companies/ vendors. Clinical social workers in independent practice should contact a health plan prior to submitting a claim on the revised form to make certain that it is prepared to accept it.

Additional information regarding changes to the CMS-1500 Claim Form is available at the National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC) website at http://www.nucc.org/

NH-NASW members represent state of New Hampshire as Delegates to White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, DC in December 2005.

Photo caption from left:
Todd Ringelstein, Barbara Salvatore, and Stephen Gorin, Executive Director.

Review more information (PDF) about the Top 10 resolutions announced by the White House. The final report will be presented to Congress in June 2006.

NH Delegates Attend 2005 Assembly

NASW’s Delegate Assembly (DA) is held every three years in Washington, DC and is the means by which we develop our goals and policies. The Assembly serves as our organization’s strategic planning process and guides our work at the chapter level.

Photo Caption: Paula Mattis, with Stephen Gorin, Exec Dir (L) and Jill Johnson Bardsley (R), showing one of the automatic voting machines used for the time as part of the 2005 Delegate Assembly.

Delegates from large states are elected, while most small states, such as New Hampshire, have only one delegate, the chapter president. Paula Mattis our president served as our voting delegate. Jill Johnson Bardsley, our vice president, served as an alternate. During the year preceding the DA, Paula, Jill, and the Executive Director, Stephen Gorin, attended several meetings of the New England Coalition (consisting of the New England chapters).

Due to decisions made in 2002, this assembly was smaller (200 elected delegates) and more streamlined. The process of developing and refining policies and hearing panels took place on line, requiring less time in Washington. However, for the first time, the National Board of Directors participated as voting delegates and Executive Directors as non-voting delegates, which meant they could speak from the floor. This allowed for greater input from those involved in the day-to-day running of the organization.

The short- term (7/1/06-6/30/09) professional and organizational goals approved include:

• advocating for higher salaries and better working conditions for social workers
• improving social work’s identity by continuing our national education campaign
  www.helpstartshere.org
• increasing the number of social workers in policy-making and implementation at
  all levels of government, including appointed and elected positions

The short-term policy goals include:

• protecting and advancing human rights and civil liberties
• advocating for inclusive and comprehensive behavioral health care
  policies...including mental health parity
• decreasing disparities in health care access

One of our central concerns is building the strength of our organization. Our chapter membership has fluctuated around 850 for years. Imagine if we could bring all social workers under the banner of NASW—it would certainly enhance our influence and ability to advocate for ourselves and our clients. Achieving this is easier said than done, however. We are working on plans for expanding our membership and welcome ideas you may have.

As noted above, health care reform is a central priority for NASW. This year the chapter will work with organizations and coalitions seeking to protect and expand health care access.

NH-NASW members Gorin, Ringelstein, and Salvatore appointed delegates to 2005 White House Conference on Aging

Three NH-NASW members--Stephen Gorin (Executive Director of NH-NASW), Todd Ringelstein, and Barbara Salvatore--have been appointed as New Hampshire delegates to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. Gorin and Salvatore were appointed by Governor Lynch and Ringelstein by Representative Jeb Bradley (R-NH). The purpose of the WHCoA, which will be held in December 2005, is to "help guide the President and the Congress as they develop national aging policies for...the next ten years and beyond." This will be the first conference of the 21st century. "“The aging of our population brings serious challenges to older adults, families and our society, and we're pleased three New Hampshire social workers will participate in this important conference," said Gorin.

Gorin and Ringelstein served as moderators and organizers for the New Hampshire Conference on Rural Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Aging, an Independent Aging Agenda Event recognized by the 2005 White House Conference on Aging and co-sponsored by the Chapter at Plymouth State University on June 17.

NASW offers free online courses through WebEd

NH Delegates Attend Social Work Congress

On March 17-18, 2005, NASW, and several other social work organizations, including the Council on Social Work Education, and the Baccalaureate social Work Program Directors Association, held Social Work Congress 2005, A Coming Together of the Profession, in an effort to develop a common agenda for the next decade. Karen Bianco, Cynthia Moniz, and Stephen Gorin were the New Hampshire delegates to the Congress.

Photo Caption: Gary Bailey, Past-President (L), Stephen Gorin, NH-NASW Executive Director (Center), and Elvira de Craig Silva, President (R) at the 2005 Social Work Congress, A Coming Together of the Professsion, in Washington, DC, March 2005

Before the meeting, representatives from the convening organizations developed the following “vision statement” for the profession:

“Social work expertise is highly valued for helping the global community protect and advance the wellbeing of all people, at every stage of life.”

The work of the Congress was to develop workable “imperatives” aimed at implementing this vision. On the first day, members met in breakout groups to address key issues facing the profession in the areas of aging, health and health disparities, behavioral health, and children and families. The second day was devoted to discussion of issues internal to the profession in the areas of education, research, practice and policy. On Friday, Congress delegates voted on an agenda for social work in the years ahead. The convening organizations agreed to disseminate the results of this vote and develop an action plan for implementation.

Also at the Congress, NASW revealed their Center for Workforce Studies results of a survey taken last fall of 10,000 licensed social workers. Among those responding, the survey found that social workers are “significantly older” than the non-social work labor force, with only 17 percent under age 35 (vs. 37 percent of the civilian labor force), and 13 percent of social workers intend to leave their current jobs during the next two years. Not surprisingly, social workers report “increased demands in their work, but decreased resources and supports.” Social workers are increasingly serving young people and older adults: 61 percent say their caseloads include having children (0 to 12 years), while 75 percent said their caseloads included individuals 55 or older. 24 percent of social workers said older adults made up over half their caseloads.

At the 50th Anniversary Gala (which featured the Shirelles) held in conjunction with the Congress, NASW unveiled a new video, highlighting the important role social workers play in modern society, as part of its Public Image Campaign. This campaign is continuing to move foreword, and will have a significant impact on our profession and the larger community. NH-NASW has contributed $500 to the campaign.

The 2005 Annual Awards Dinner, "Celebrating NASW's 50th Anniversary" will take place Friday, April 8, 2005 at the Wayfarer Inn in Bedford, NH. Preceding the Annual Awards Dinner will be an Ethics Workshop with 3.5 hours of Continuing Education Ethics Credit approved. For more information or to register, please download the brochure ( PDF 268Kb) and mail to NH-NASW with payment.

Governor Benson Declared August 16, 2004 as Social Worker Recognition Day in New Hampshire!

Congratulations to Dr. Cynthia Moniz!

Cynthia Moniz, PhD, MSW has been elected as Secretary of National NASW. Dr. Moniz is the current Department Chair and Program Director of the Social Work Department of Plymouth State University. She is a former president of the NH Chapter, NASW, past recipient of New Hampshire's Social Worker of the Year, and current chair of the Social & Legislative Action Committee (SLAC) of the NH Chapter, NASW.

Cyndy earned her PhD at the Heller School, Brandeis University, and her MSW from the State University of New York (Stony Brook). Cyndy has served as the Region I Representative to NASW's National Board of Directors and as chair of the 2002 Delegate Assembly Planning Committee. She has been involved in several NASW National committees, including Professional Development and Advocacy, International Activities, and Legal Defense Service. In addition, Cyndy has co-authored a textbook titled, Health and Health Care Policy: A Social Work Perspective (2003).

Good luck to Cyndy in her new role as Secretary of NASW!

The NH Chapter National Association of Social Workers has relocated!

Legislative Updates

March for Women's Lives

WHERE: Washington D.C.
WHEN: April 25th, 2004
FOR MORE INFO: Please visit the NASW Website or the March for Women Website

Social Worker Month Celebrations

Honorary Breakfast

WHERE: Pleasant View Retirement 227 Pleasant St. Concord, NH 03301
WHEN: March 24, 2004 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Please RSVP to Meredith.Senter@genesishcc.com or call 225-3970 by Thursday, March 18th.

Annual Dinner and Ethics Workshop

WHERE: Holiday Inn- Bartlett Room, Concord, NH 03301
WHEN: April 2, 2004
Workshop Sign In: 1:00 p.m.
Social Hour: 5:00 p.m.
Welcome & Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
Awards Presentation: 7:00 p.m.
Please Register (Download Registration Form in PDF Format-299Kb)naswnh@worldpath.net or call 226-7135 by Wednesday, March 24, 2004.

Call for 2004 NASW-NH Board Nominations

• President-Elect (1 Year Term) and Subsequently President (2 Year Term)
• Vice President (2 Year Term)
• 6 Board Members at large (2 Year Term)
• 1 MSW Student Rep. (1 Year Term)
• 1 BSW Student Rep. (1Year Term)
• 2 Nomination Committee Rep's (2 Year Term)

Think about it! If you decide to take the next step, call or email the chapter office.

Children's Issues Committee to Sponsor Event

Stephen Gorin to serve on Commission on the Status of Men

Stephen Gorin has been appointed by the Governor and Executive Council to serve as a member of the newly formed state Commission on the Status of Men. The Commission was formed as a counterpart to the Commission on the Status of Women. Its purpose is to address issues such as child custody and visitation rights, domestic violence against men, educational inequalities, high suicide rates and health problems.

UNH Student Assigned to Chapter Office for Practicum

Shannon M. Swett, a second-year MSW student at UNH, is doing her field practicum with NH-NASW this year. She will be supervised by past-President Jill Johnson-Bardsley and work closely with Stephen Gorin, Executive Director, and Cynthia Moniz, Chair, SLAC. Some of Shannon's activities will include assistance in the development of the new, improved Web page, efforts to mobilize NH social workers in the areas of political advocacy and legislative action, and involvement in the NH primary season by challenging candidates to support policies that improve conditions for individuals, families, groups, and communities in the Granite State. You can reach Shannon at the chapter office.