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 »
UnitedHealthcare to implement outpatient advanced radiology policy Effective January 1, 2019, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will require prior authorization for certain advanced imaging procedures when performed in the outpatient hospital setting. As highlighted in the UnitedHealthcare Network Bulletin October 2018, certain magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography imaging procedures will now be subject to a site of care review when performed in the outpatient hospital under UHC’s Outpatient Radiology Notification/Prior Authorization Protocol. Site of care reviews will not be done as part of the prior authorization process if a procedure will be performed in a free-standing diagnostic ... November 6, 2018 General, Managed Care Commercial Payors, Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH hosts webinar on California Parkinson's Disease Registry On July 1, 2018, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched the California Parkinson’s Disease Registry, a statewide population-based registry that will be used to measure the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease. MD’s, DO’s, PA’s, and NP’s who diagnose or treat Parkinson’s disease patients are required to report. The first deadline for data submission is March 29, 2019, for cases encountered during the first quarter the law was in effect (July 1 to September 30, 2018). Details on the reporting obligation can be found in the Implementation Guide, ... November 6, 2018 General Professional Development & Education, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
