NCOA Membership

What Does the NCOA Do for You?

Who we are:

The North Carolina Orthopaedic Association (NCOA) is a statewide membership organization dedicated to serving the profession, representing patients’ interests and advancing musculoskeletal health. Through advocacy, education and public relations, the NCOA is committed to representing the best interests of orthopaedic surgeons and their patients.

What we do:

Advocacy

  • Tort Reform Legislation - 1995 Created minimum qualifications for experts testifying in medical malpractice lawsuits and established a stringent pre-screening procedure for malpractice complaints. The bill also capped punitive damages at $250,000 or three times compensatory damages, whichever is greater. Punitive damages can be awarded only if the patient can prove that the defendant is liable for compensatory damages.
  • Tort Reform / Expert Witness Legislation – 1995 Allowed up to ten written interrogatories to review the identity and/or qualifications of an “expert.”
  • Prompt Pay Legislation – 2000 Requires payment or full disclosure as to claim problems within 30 days.
  • Patients Bill of Rights – 2001 The bill sets up independent external review of a HMO’s denials if a patient disagrees, allows patients to sue HMOs after a review of the health plan and an external independent council, allows patients to receive necessary prescriptions even if the drug is not on the company’s approved list, and allows people with serious, chronic diseases to choose specialists as their primary care physician.
  • Medicaid Budget – 2001-2006 Medicaid reimbursement at 95% of Medicare secured.
  • NCOAPAC Political Education & Action Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
Regulatory Affairs
  • Communication with the NC Medical Board
  • Interaction with the NC Department of Health & Human Services
  • Monitor and respond to Scope of Practice issues impacting orthopaedics
Managed Care / Health Plan Relations
  • Participation on Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee
  • Respond to issues of concern through the resources of the North Carolina Medical Society
Annual Meeting
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • AAOS Updates
  • Business Meeting
  • Networking
  • Resident Paper Presentations

Find out why you should join the NCOA! View "NCOA: The Voice of NC Orthopaedists" for more information on the NCOA and its benefits.(PDF)