CMA recoups $29 million on behalf of physician members California physicians have a powerful ally when it comes to dealing with problematic payors—the California Medical Association (CMA) Center for Economic Services (CES). Staffed by practice management experts with a combined experience of more than 125 years in medical practice operations, the CES team has recovered $29 million from payors on behalf of its physician members over the past 10 years. In 2018, CES had a record year, recovering nearly $11 million from payors on behalf of physician members, up from $3 million in 2017. This is money that would ... January 14, 2019 CMA Payor Issues and Reimbursement, Practice Management 0 0 Comment Read More »
ABMS seeking physician comments on Maintenance of Certification reform In 2017, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its 24 member boards launched a major initiative—Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future Commission—to re-envision the future of continuing board certification. The commission recently released its draft report, which includes the key findings and recommendations for reforming how ABMS specialty boards operate continuing certification programs. The draft report is open for public comment until Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The California Medical Association (CMA) is encouraging physicians to review the recommendations and provide comments on ... January 14, 2019 CMA, General Licensing & Regulatory Issues 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Physicians Congratulate Governor-elect Newsom, Lieutenant Governor-elect Kounalakis Today, voters chose Gavin Newsom and Eleni Kounalakis to serve as California’s next Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In response, California Medical Association (CMA) President David H. Aizuss, M.D. issued the following statement: “The voters have decided, and CMA is proud to congratulate Governor-elect Newsom and Lt. Governor-elect Kounalakis for their respective wins tonight. “Governor-elect Newsom has a distinguished track record in championing health care for all, and Lieutenant Governor-elect Kounalakis showed voters that she has the passion and experience to help push California forward. We look forward to their continued leadership ... November 7, 2018 CMA, General Elections 0 0 Comment Read More »
SoFi doubling rate discount for CMA members Earlier this year, the California Medical Association (CMA) and SoFi launched a new member benefit that will help physicians save thousands on their student loans. Sofi offers CMA members student loan refinancing options that include low-variable and fixed rates with terms ranging from five to 20 years. For a limited time, SoFi is offering CMA members a special double rate discount for a limited time. From now until December 20, 2018, you’ll pay 0.5 percent less in interest when you refinance at SoFi.com/CMA. Market interest rates are on the rise, check to ... November 6, 2018 CMA Physician Workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »
Prop. 56 webinar: Are you getting your share of the supplemental Medi-Cal funds? The California Health Care, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Prop. 56) created new revenues dedicated to the Medi-Cal program. Physicians receive supplemental payments in both fee-for-service and Medi-Cal managed care when providing Medi-Cal services under certain CPT codes. A total of $325 million was allocated for physician payments in the budget for 2017-18, with $488 million proposed for 2018-19. The California Medical Association (CMA) is hosting a webinar with the California Department of Health Care Services on Wednesday, November 7, to discuss the status of distribution of ... November 6, 2018 CMA, General, Medi-Cal Public Payors, Advocacy, Professional Development & Education 0 0 Comment Read More »
Coding Corner: Separate reporting of pre-intra- and post-procedure work “Coding Corner” focuses on coding, compliance, and documentation issues relating specifically to physician billing. This month’s tip comes from G. John Verhovshek, the managing editor for AAPC, a training and credentialing association for the business side of health care. The global surgical package includes all “necessary services normally furnished” by a provider “before, during, and after a procedure,” as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS). When a provider is responsible for only a portion of the global package (e.g., an emergency department physician initiates fracture care, ... November 6, 2018 CMA, General Payor Issues and Reimbursement, Practice Management 0 0 Comment Read More »
Apple Valley pediatrician, Damodara Rajasekhar, M.D., San Bernardino pediatrician, honored with CMA membership award Apple Valley pediatrician Damodara Rajasekhar, M.D., has been named the 2018 recipient of the California Medical Association (CMA) Dev A. GnanaDev, M.D., Membership Award, which recognizes a special or unique effort toward membership recruitment. The award was announced today at CMA’s annual House of Delegates in Sacramento. Dr. Rajasekhar this year played a major role in continuing CMA’s partnership with Loma Linda University Medical Center, leading to a membership renewal for 440 Loma Linda physicians. “[Dr. Rajasekhar was] the vital spark that reignited the flame, creating an alliance between one of ... October 16, 2018 Awards, CMA Physician Leadership 0 0 Comment Read More »
Updated payor profiles for 2018 now available The California Medical Association’s (CMA) Center for Economic Services is publishing updated profiles on each of the major payors in California including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare/Noridian and Medi-Cal. Each profile includes key information on health plan market penetration; a description of the plan’s dispute resolution process; and the name and contact numbers for medical directors, provider relations, and other key contacts. Don’t waste your time searching the internet for this information – members can download CMA’s Payor Profiles free of charge ... October 16, 2018 CMA Commercial Payors, Public Payors 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA urges CMS to simplify the Quality Payment Program The California Medical Association (CMA) has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed changes to the Medicare Quality Payment Program for 2019. CMA is disappointed that CMS did not reduce the reporting burdens in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program in a more meaningful way. We also oppose the confusing new scoring tiers (gold, silver and bronze) and have urged CMS to simplify and overhaul the complex MIPS scoring system. CMA strongly urges CMS to maintain the 10 percent weight of the cost ... October 16, 2018 CMA, General Advocacy, Public Payors 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA statement on proposed policy linking safety net benefits and immigration status Statement attributable to: Theodore M. Mazer, M.D., President of the California Medical Association (CMA) “CMA believes that everyone, regardless of immigration status, should have access to needed affordable and quality health care. The proposed policy makes utilizing health programs a disqualifier for immigration, and it would have a chilling effect on families accessing health care services while decreasing public health in communities across California. Health care should remain a safe place for all, and we urge the Trump Administration to rethink this irresponsible policy.” September 27, 2018 CMA, General Access to Care 0 0 Comment Read More »
