SBCMS Leaders Meet with Congressional Representatives

In early March a delegation of CMA physicians attended the AMA National Advocacy Conference (NAC) and personnally met with members of Congress or their staff. 

PECOS Enrollment Policy Delayed Until January 1, 2011

Medicare physicians who have not updated their enrollment information in the past five years may need to fill out another application or face payment problems for ordered or referred services. CMA is developing a step-by-step guide to walk physicians through the process, from determining if they are already in PECOS.

Accepting Nominations for 2010 Outstanding Awards

This is your chance to recognize excellence right here in our county. Nominate a colleague or citizen by March 12, 2010.

Senate Approves Bill Extending Jobless Aid

March 10, 2010 - 12:01pm
The U.S. Senate approved a $138 billion measure that would extend unemployment benefits and provide additional aid to states in the second major effort this year by lawmakers to boost the economy.

Not War and Peace But Orphan-Drug Applications Are Few

March 10, 2010 - 8:47am
"It's not 'War and Peace,' " an FDA official said of the process. "The applications are six or seven pages."

As Health-Care Finale Gets Closer, Both Sides Boost Spending

March 10, 2010 - 7:30am
A business coalition backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups will allocate between $4 million and $10 million on anti-bill ads.

Morning Read: What’s the most promising VC-backed health firm?

March 10, 2010 - 6:40am
Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of health care: What’s the most promising VC-backed health company? Of the 10,000 venture-backed private companies in the U.S., VentureSource has taken a stab at picking the Top 50

Comparative Research Lags Far Behind Approval-Driven Evaluations

March 10, 2010 - 6:30am
A new study has found that few drug evaluations compare treatments in ways that help doctors make better decisions.

Senate Poised To Pass COBRA Subsidy Extension, Medicare 'Doc Fix'

March 10, 2010 - 6:23am
The U.S. Senate is set to vote Wednesday on a jobs bill that would extend the COBRA subsidy program and Medicaid funding for states and prevent the pending 21% Medicare reimbursement cut for doctors.

Mass layoffs at hospitals increased in January

March 10, 2010 - 5:04am
There is concern that state budget cuts could make things worse.

Industry support of CME under scrutiny

March 10, 2010 - 5:04am
Federal officials proposed having physicians pay their own way as one solution to eliminate bias. The ACCME said it will continue to monitor the debate.

Push to Cure Rare Diseases

March 10, 2010 - 3:00am
FDA staff members are doing something unusual. They are leaving Washington to help drug makers take a crucial step in developing drugs for rare diseases.

"HELLOWALLET" PARTNERSHIP TO BRING INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GUIDANCE TO SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENTS

March 10, 2010 - 1:43am
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced a new partnership with HelloWallet to provide independent financial guidance to the city's residents. Through this major initiative, San Francisco will become the first city in the nation

Parliamentary Hurdle Could Thwart Latest Health Care Overhaul Strategy

March 10, 2010 - 12:00am
As Democrats considered potential maneuvers, business groups announced plans for a campaign to stop the legislation.

Economic Scene: Wishing for a Health Care Plan That Cuts Costs

March 9, 2010 - 9:34pm
President Obamas health reform plan is a mixed bag, but it may be the only program passed.

Health-care reform's sickeningly sweet deals

March 9, 2010 - 9:00pm
Skipping through the Candy Land of the health-care bill, one is tempted to hum a few bars of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."

On health-care reform, Republicans target Democrats' division over reconciliation

March 9, 2010 - 9:00pm
As Republicans work to prevent a health-care bill from reaching President Obama, they are scrambling to exploit divisions between Democrats in the House and the Senate.

Thousands rally to support health-care reform in downtown Washington

March 9, 2010 - 9:00pm
Amid a sea of brightly colored T-shirts and wave after wave of protest signs, Regina Holliday's homemade banner still stuck out as she marched Tuesday in support of health-care reform.

Democratic Leaders to Rahm Emanuel: Stop the Health Care Deadlines

March 9, 2010 - 4:33pm
After about an hour and a half-long meeting with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on health care reform, Congressional Democratic leaders emerged to say the following message was sent to the senior Administration adviser: deadlines are not hel

InterMunes Lung Drug Gets Backing From FDA Panel

March 9, 2010 - 3:23pm
The FDA is expected to make a final decision on the treatment by early May.

African-Americans, Hispanics Have Increased Risk of Alzheimers

March 9, 2010 - 7:48am
Barriers to access to health care could contribute to underdiagnosis of dementia in minority population.

HIPAA privacy rules detailed in AMA online guide

March 9, 2010 - 5:01am
The resource tool will explain new security regulations and lay out deadlines for compliance.

Insurer antitrust exemption would end under House bill

March 9, 2010 - 5:01am
But the move would not increase competition among health plans, said an insurance industry association, citing nonpartisan research.
123456789

Physician Locator

Performs a quick search within 10 miles of your ZIP code

SBCMS Member Benefits

Discounts on Professional Liability Insurance

NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company, a professional liability carrier, offers a 5% Loss Prevention Discount to solo practice and physicians practicing in small groups of 2-4. Contact NORCAL at 877-443-7232 or http://www.norcalmutual.com.

Need Help in Getting Your Claims Paid?

Call CMA's reimbursement help line at 888-401-5911.

CMA On-Call

An online library with over 4,500 pages of legal information on a variety of subjects of everyday importance to practicing physicians at http://www.cmanet.org/member

SBCMS Important Events

CMA Leadership Academy

April 9-11
San Diego Marriott. Register through SBCMS for early-bird and group discounts.

Southern California Medical Museum Open House

April 25 @ 2:00 pm
The Needle Versus the Pox, call 951-787-7700 to register.

CMA Legislative Day

April 27
Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sacramento. Call Lucy Garcia, 951-787-7700 for details.

You must be logged in to access this feature.