Earn 6.5 CME at Anaheim cardiology conference: Landmark Clinical Trials Revisited On February 16-17, 2018, California physicians have the opportunity to earn 6.5 continuing medical education (CME) units during the “Landmark Clinical Trials Revisited: 3 and 5 Year Results” cardiology conference at the Fullerton Marriott in Anaheim. Attendees will learn about the main advances in cardiology over the last five years and how these advances have impacted the major disease processes in cardiovascular medicine. Put on by Vimal I. Nanavati, M.D., a long-time California Medical Association (CMA) member, CMA Political Action Committee (CALPAC) board member and CMA Organized Medical Staff Section delegate, ... January 30, 2018 General Continuing Medical Education 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA On-Call: Retention of Medical Records California regulations regarding retention of medical records in a physician’s office are a perennial hot topic in the California Medical Association (CMA) On-Call health law library. To ensure physicians understand their rights and obligations under the law, CMA published On-Call document #4005, “Retention of Medical Records,” which discusses major issues raised by the retention, abandonment, theft and destruction of medical or health insurance information and physician practice business records. Issues covered include statutory record retention requirements, the rules applicable to records abandoned in bankruptcy or otherwise, recommended retention periods, ... January 30, 2018 CMA, General CMA On-Call, CPLH, Medical Records 0 0 Comment Read More »
#CMAdocs: We want to tell your story! California’s doctors aren’t just health care and medical experts. They’re also community leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and policymakers dedicated to ensuring that patients receive quality health care at an affordable cost. And CMA wants to share your story! Our #CMAdocs campaign highlights physicians leading the charge to help their communities thrive. We profile these stories on our website, in our bi-weekly newsletter, on social media and with local media. Share your story or celebrate a deserving colleague today! January 30, 2018 CMA CMAdocs, Future CMAdocs 0 0 Comment Read More »
Did you know CMA's online health law library is FREE to members? CMA On-Call, the California Medical Association's (CMA) online health law library, is fully updated for 2018. One of CMA's most valuable member benefits, On-Call contains nearly 5,000 pages of up-to-date legal information on a variety of subjects of everyday importance to practicing physicians. The searchable online library contains all the information available in the California Physician's Legal Handbook (CPLH), an annual publication from CMA's Center for Legal Affairs. CMA On-Call documents are available free to members at www.cmanet.org/cma-on-call. Nonmembers can purchase documents for $2 per page. The complete health law library ... January 30, 2018 CMA CMA On-Call, Health Law Library 0 0 Comment Read More »
Check your medical board profile Physician profiles have been available to the public on the Medical Board of California's website since 1997, as required by Business and Professions Code sections 2027 and 803.1. The California Medical Association encourages physicians to periodically check their profiles for accuracy and to advise the board of any corrections, especially changes to their addresses of record. Making sure your information is accurate is important. Patients use the website to confirm their physician’s information. The medical board has launched a new public information campaign further encouraging patients visit the board's website ... January 30, 2018 General Medical Board of California 0 0 Comment Read More »
Report: California Physicians Boost the State's Economy Physicians add opportunity, growth and prosperity to the California economy by creating 1.2 million jobs and generating $232 billion in economic activity, according to a new report, The Economic Impact of Physicians in California, released today by the California Medical Association (CMA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). “California’s physicians do more than diagnose, cure or heal – they go beyond patient care by providing millions of good paying jobs and generate billions in tax revenues and economic activity,” said CMA President Theodore M. Mazer, M.D. “Today’s report illustrates why ... January 30, 2018 General Employment of Physicians, Physician Workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »
New health laws 2018: Are you ready? The California Legislature had an active year, passing many new laws affecting health care—with a strong focus on health care coverage, drug prescribing, public health and workers’ compensation issues. The California Medical Association has published a summary of the most significant new health laws of interest to physicians. For more details, see "Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2018." January 30, 2018 General Legal Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA President's Message: An Awesome Responsibility Leading the California Medical Association (CMA) is an awesome responsibility – one that includes representing physicians in the battles medicine faces in California and nationally; promoting policies that protect our patients, our practices and our ability to care for our communities; and preventing regulations that contribute to the ever-increasing problem of burnout among physicians that is resulting in early retirement or career change, frustrations and even suicide. I believe all physicians are responsible to protect the profession of medicine in the present and for the future. And no one can ... January 30, 2018 President's Message President's Message 0 0 Comment Read More »
Denying patient requests lowers physician ratings, UC Davis study finds Patients who ask for specialist referrals, laboratory tests or certain medications and don’t get them tend to be less satisfied with their physicians than those whose requests are fulfilled, new research from UC Davis Health shows. The study, “Association of Clinician Denial of Patient Requests with Patient Satisfaction," was published in the January 2018 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine. Based on the results, the study’s authors recommend communications training for physicians that fosters positive experiences for patients without agreeing to all requests for particular diagnostics or treatments. “It is common for ... January 30, 2018 General Physician-Patient Relationship, Quality of Care 0 0 Comment Read More »
State Disability Insurance rate increase took effect Jan. 1 Effective January 1, 2018, a number of State Disability Insurance (SDI) program changes took effect, including an increase in the wage replacement rate and an elimination of the seven-day non-payable waiting period. The changes apply to both disability claims and Paid Family Leave (PFL) claims. Patients can use the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) online benefit calculator to determine their new benefit amounts. Physicians should also be aware that there is a new version of the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits form (DE 2501F). New forms can be ordered ... January 30, 2018 General Paid Family Leave (PFL), State Disability Insurance (SDI) 0 0 Comment Read More »
