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MRC at Annual Regional EMS Tactical Expo

On Wednesday, May 22, the San Bernardino County Sheriff Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was invited to participate in the Department of Emergency Medicine Annual Regional EMS & Tactical Medicine Expo at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. This event gathers local emergency medical service (EMS) agencies to showcase their life saving techniques and equipment. There are interactive demonstrations by the various units. It also allows attendees to talk with the many agencies to learn first-hand what they do. Attendees also learn about ARMC’s emergency medicine and how they work with various organizations ...

California vaccination wars at the Capitol in Sacramento

Lack of faith in scientific consensus is a sad but permanent feature of our social media-driven world. Paranoia is an effective business model. Parents who oppose vaccines are not stupid; in fact, they are often surprisingly well-educated, considering the pseudoscience and unfounded claims they are willing to embrace. It should come as no surprise, then, that many have found a way around the law, which still allows for medically necessary exemptions. Read more here. Reprinted from Los Angeles Times by Robin Abcarian Photo courtesy of Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press

Extension of Influenza Season and Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Order in San Bernardino County

Due to elevated and widespread influenza activity within San Bernardino County and surrounding areas, Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, Health Officer, has ordered an extension of the influenza season period to the newly defined date of April 30, 2019. Influenza activity is widespread throughout California and Statewide outpatient Influenza-like illness (ILI) hospitalizations remain above the expected levels. Although A(H1N1) viruses continue to circulate and remain predominant for the season overall, influenza A(H3N2) viruses have been identified more frequently than A(H1N1) viruses in recent weeks. In the past, A(H3N2) virus-predominant influenza seasons have ...

Dr. Guillermo Valenzuela is investing in our youth through TECH program

Dr. Guillermo Valenzuela, an obstetrics and gynecology physician, is a 35-year member of the San Bernardino County Medical Society and the California Medical Association who comprehends the importance in investing in our youth. “We have so many wonderfully bright and talented students in our region who don’t see college as an attainable goal. Through these programs, we have been able to provide students with the support and encouragement they needed to help them achieve their goals.” Dr. Valenzuela founded and launched programs in the Inland Empire. The TECH (Technology Encouraging ...

One Community Resource Fair

Calling all Inland Empire nonprofits and businesses to be part of a monthly fair!  Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 10:00am - 1:00pm Location: Unidos Por La Musica Resource Center, 1260 North E Street, San Bernardino, CA Confirmed services on site: Medicare services Free food pantry program Free music classes sign-up Table Information: contact Xochilt Padilla - xpadilla@uplmnonprofit.org Raffles and Prizes!

CMA objects to federal rule that would disrupt comprehensive women's health coverage

The California Medical Association (CMA) has filed formal comments objecting to a proposed federal rule that would change the way consumers are billed for health insurance exchange plans that cover abortion services. The proposed Exchange Program Integrity rule would require plans to send two separate monthly bills to each policyholder: one bill for the non-Hyde abortion coverage (at least $1 per member per month) and one bill for all other services. This would mean consumers would have to pay their monthly premium in two separate transactions. CMA believes the proposal threatens ...

CMA comments on HHS proposal to reduce health IT burden

Physicians are overwhelmed with unnecessary, burdensome regulations that take time and resources away from providing quality patient care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued a draft strategy designed to help reduce administrative and regulatory burden on clinicians caused by the use of health information technology (health IT) such as electronic health records (EHRs). The draft Strategy on Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burden Relating to the Use of Health IT and EHRs was led by the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology ...

Coding Corner: Physician/patient meet-and-greet

CPR’s “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. Potential patients sometimes ask to meet with a provider prior to needing health care to be sure that the patient/provider relationship will be a good fit. For example, it’s common for expectant parents to “interview” obstetricians and pediatricians. The reality is, time equals money, and physicians’ time is in demand. As ...

Anthem issues new ID number for some patients

Anthem Blue Cross has issued new identification numbers and cards for a number of its members. New ID cards containing the new ID number were mailed to all affected members in late December. Providers are encouraged to make copies of each patient’s insurance card at the time of visit to verify the member’s identification number. Anthem advises that claims submitted with an incorrect ID number will be returned to the provider for correction and resubmission with the correct ID. Providers will need to contact their patients to obtain their updated ...

Call to Action: Act now to ensure patients can get needed prescriptions

Flawed implementation of a new state law that requires all security prescription forms to have a uniquely serialized number law has left pharmacies unable to fill prescriptions and patients being refused necessary medications. The California Medical Association (CMA) is currently working on a legislative fix to address this issue immediately to ensure no patient goes without the essential medicine and care they need. Last week, AB 149 (Assemblymembers Cooper, Arambula and Low) was introduced to correct the flawed implementation the new law, which was intended to improve the security of ...