MAATA NEWS

VATA wins National Athletic Training Month PR Contest

The Virginia Athletic Training Association has received the 2008 Best State Association for their efforts in promoting National Athletic Trainers Month. This award is given to state organizations by the NATA for efforts promoting the profession of athletic training in the month of March.  Kelli Sabiston, District III, NATA Public Relations Committee Representative indicated that entries to the PR contest were numerous and of good quality.  “The VATA had to beat out some tough competition to win this prestigious recognition”. The VATA will be recognized in St Louis on Wednesday at the District 3 meeting.

Membership encouraged to apply for National Provider Identifier

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has established a new identification number to be used for standard electronic health care transactions and many billing procedures. This is known as the National Provider Identifier or NPI. This is a component of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and must be used by all HIPAA-covered entities such as health care plans and health care providers. Implementation of the NPI began in May 2005 and is supposed to accepted by Medicare/Medicaid and private insurance issuers by May 23, 2007 and smaller healthcare plans by May 23, 2008.

Whether you are billing or planning on billing for services or not, the NATA COR is strongly urging all athletic trainers to apply for an NPI as soon as possible. This will absolutely benefit all athletic trainers and the growth of our profession in many ways. Athletic trainers work in many diverse settings but we are strength in numbers. No matter your work setting, BE ACTIVE and GET INVOLVED, apply for YOUR UNIQUE NPI number today.

A healthcare provider only needs to apply once in his/her career for an NPI; the number remains yours even if you change jobs and it will eventually be used for all health plans. Safeguard your unique NPI, as it will always be traced to you. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have issued athletic trainers a category for applying for an NPI as healthcare providers. It is up to you to take the steps and apply today.

There are three ways to get an NPI.

1. Apply online at the CMS Web site dedicated to NPI, at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov.
2. Download a paper application from the Web site or obtain one by calling (800) 465-3203.
3. Apply through an organization such as a professional association or employer.

When filling out your application use:
Provider Code 22 (Respiratory, Rehabilitative & Restorative Service Providers)
and Taxonomy Code 2255A2300X (Athletic Trainer)

This only takes about ten minutes to complete.
Please find other NPI information on the NATA Web site at http://www.nata.org/members1/documents/CRN/index.htm.

North Carolina Athletic Trainer receives PT Service Award

Herman Bunch has been honored by the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association with the Olive V. Wortman Service Award. This is one of the highest honors given by the NCPTA and reflects Herman's lifetime contributions to health care in North Carolina. Herman was instrumental in the development of the profession of athletic training in the MAATA serving as a District Director as well as other capacities.  The membership of the MAATA and North Carolina would like to add our congratulations to Mr. Bunch on the well deserved honor and thank him for all he has done for athletic trainers in North Carolina and District III during his impressive career.


Student Member Recruitment Campaign

The NATA has launched an exciting student member recruitment campaign for college athletic training educators - prizes like $100 for athletic training clubs and free convention registrations. For more information on this exciting program please click here.

The NATA has also launched a nifty online forum for student members (CHATS). CHATS is NATA's new online forum for students. It's Communications Helping Athletic Training Students, and it lets student members post messages, profiles and photos. They can share their thoughts and ideas on any issue related to athletic training, or talk about anything else with their fellow students.
For more information click here.

Members Approve Changes to Constitution and By-Laws at Annual Symposium

The membership of the MAATA overwhelmingly approved the proposed changes to the district's constitution and by-laws. The proposed changes were the result of many hours of work performed by a task force consisting of Katie Walsh, Kent Falb (past NATA President) and Rod Walters (Task Force Chair).  These changes will allow an increased opportunity for all members to be active in leadership roles in the district.  To review the new constitution and by-laws click here.