::Suffolk County Medical Society/Suffolk Academy of Medicine::

Membership Benefits

Strength in numbers is needed to effect CHANGE. If you remain silent and alone, you become its victim - becoming a member of organized medicine does not take a great deal of time. Benefits can be reaped whether you become an active participant or merely a dues paying member.

Voice

By joining the SCMS and MSSNY every physician has a voice - an opportunity to promote specific opinions or ideas. You also have the opportunity to provide input into policymaking issues through the introduction of resolutions to be presented to the MSSNY Annual House of Delegates meeting.

Representation

Your interests are well represented in Albany and Washington. The SCMS has established a dialogue and rapport with virtually all legislators from our County. Frequent visitations are made where organized medicine's opinions and policies are espoused.

Referral Service

The Society's referral service provides the names and educational backgrounds of members to the public – by clicking on “Find a Physician” or placing a simple telephone call to the Medical Society, an individual can obtain the name of a physician member in any specialty and in any geographic location throughout Suffolk County.

Assistance with Reimbursement

Are you having problems receiving reimbursement on outstanding claims?

Are insurance companies ignoring your repeated requests for payments for services you provided to their enrollees?

One of the many advantages of belonging to the medical society is the assistance we provide in helping physicians get paid for the work they perform. We have helped hundreds of our members receive literally thousands of dollars on outstanding health insurance claims, many of which they have “written off” as not collectable.

We think you will agree that membership dues is a relatively small price to pay to help improve your cash flow.Click here for a copy of the Hassle Form, and click here for a business agreement which needs to be signed and returned to the SCMS along with the Hassle Form.

Member Bulletin

The SCMS produces one of the most comprehensive membership Bulletins than any other county society in the state. Information on issues, which affect a physician's practice on a local, statewide and national level, legal and financial planning information, as well as public health and educational discussions are included and updated frequently.

Legal Representation

The SCMS has endorsed the law firm of Ruskin, Moscou, & Faltischeck, P.C. as General Counsel. Legal services are provided to all members at substantially reduced rates. This firm specializes in all aspects of healthcare law and has been representing physicians across the state for many years. Physicians should call Jay B. Silverman, Esq. at 516-663-6606 with any legal questions or concerns.

Insurance

Endorsed Administrators, Inc.(EAI)has been exclusively engaged in the administration of member benefit programs serving professional associations for the past 70 years. Through EAI, MSSNY & SCMS sponsors the following programs designed to meet your health insurance needs: Catastrophic Major Medical, Long-Term Care, Disability, Medigap, Life Insurance and Medical Savings Accounts.

Financial Planning

In order to continue to provide our members with quality programs and services, the Suffolk County Medical Society has endorsed the AJK Financial Group, a full-fledged financial planning firm dedicated to the needs of our members.

Alan D. Kahn, CPA, MBA, CLU, ChFC, is the President of the AJK Financial Group and has been providing financial and estate planning services to many of the members of the Suffolk County Medical Society for the past ten years. During this same period of time, he has also written articles for publication in our Bulletin and for reproduction on our web site.

Alan is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and served until May 2002 as Chairman of the New York State Society of CPA’s Public Relations Committee. Prior to this position Alan served as Chairman for the New York State Society of CPA’s Estate Planning Committee. Alan appears regularly on CNN.fn television as a financial advisory, and has also appeared on CNN, Fox 5 News and Bloomberg Television and Radio.

Some of the services the AJK Financial Group will provide to our members are as follows:

Free estate, retirement and financial planning evaluations and review.
Review and evaluation of partnership agreements, including selection of appropriate funding vehicles.
Preservation of Pension/IRA/Keogh assets.
Mutual fund selection along with pricing and fee structures that are appropriately designed for each individual member’s needs.
A continuously updated annuity bulletin board, which will provide annuity rates and programs from all insurance companies in the United States.
For your convenience, Alan and his staff will be available for consultation at our offices in Islandia and/or at his office in Syosset. You may contact Alan at 516-677-0270.

Banking Services

Citibank, NA offers members of the Suffolk County Medical Society an array of banking products and services. Non-interest bearing business checking accounts, physician loan program, Citibank credit and processing services, capital leasing programs, etc. are just some of the many services exclusively offered to SCMS members. Call John Madigan, at 516-296-5706 and identify yourself as a member of the society.

Payroll Services

PAYCHEX PAYROLL SERVICES including tax filing, direct deposit, check signing and online payroll, and Human Resource services including Flexible Spending accounts and Retirement plans are offered at a discounted rate to MSSNY/SCMS Members only.

Tax Audit Defense

TAXRESOURCES, INC. is a prepaid income tax audit protection program designed to serve and protect MSSNY members in the event of a Federal and/or State Audit. Expert defense by highly specialized audit representatives is provided for an annual discounted membership fee. The fee includes access to a tax professional via a toll-free Tax Hotline and a quarterly bulletin with important tax tips.

Information

A major advantage of being a member of the Medical Society is your ability to receive accurate and up-to-date information on issues affecting the practice of medicine. This is accomplished through multiple seminars sponsored by the Medical Society throughout the year. Medicare, Medicaid, Workers' Compensation, OSHA Compliance, Antitrust regulations, formation of integrated delivery systems, electronic claims submission, HIPAA, Infection Control, are just some of the many subjects reviewed for physicians and their office staff.

We are able to communicate to our members by means of a broadcast fax system, which allows us to get you information instantaneously, through periodic special mailings, and through our excellent Bulletin.

Mediation

A specially formed committee charged with looking into complaints referred to the Society by other members or the general public. Recommendations of this committee, although not technically binding, can often negate the need for further investigation.

Physician Driven Liability Coverage

The Medical Liability Insurance Company (MLMIC) is the only professional liability carrier endorsed by MSSNY and the SCMS. The company is physician owned and managed and has the countries largest, most experienced professional liability claim department.

Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company now offers defense only coverage for physicians and surgeons who are insured for professional liability through MLMIC. In fact, MLMIC is the first insurer of physicians and surgeons in New York State to offer this supplementary coverage.

Provided at no additional charge, this defense only coverage becomes part of the standards MLMIC policy by endorsement and provides reimbursement up to $25,000 for the costs of defending an administrative action brought against a policyholder which arises out of allegations that could form the basis of a claim for legal liability under an insured’s policy. For example, if the Office of Professional Medical Conduct charges a physician with negligent patient care, she/he would be reimbursed for the costs of legal defense up to $25,000. It should be noted that this endorsement provides reimbursement for the cost of legal defense only and does not pay any fines, penalties, or other damages.

By offering defense only coverage, MLMIC continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing MLMIC policyholders with the most comprehensive coverage possible, the highest level of personalized service, and the ability to address and accommodate the changing needs of its physicians’ insured’s.

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a convenient, cost-effective personal insurance plan that features a discount automobile and homeowner/condo/co-op/renters insurance program to MSSNY members. The program features: Premium discounts, convenient monthly payment plan without service charges,

· 24-Hour Claim Service,

· 24-Hour Roadside Assistance.

Become a member of The Suffolk County Medical Society

and The Medical Society of the State of New York.

ENCOURAGE YOUR COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME.

THE REWARDS OF MEMBERSHIP ARE GREAT

THE PRICE OF NOT JOINING COULD BE DEVASTATING.

Go to the Applications link under Membership and print off your application and return it today!

Together We Can Make A Difference!