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Medical Board seeking physician input on strategic plan

The Medical Board of California is seeking input as it develops its strategic plan for the upcoming years. Physicians have an important perspective and stake in the success of the board and are encouraged to participate. All responses are anonymous and survey results will help identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to consider for the future direction of the medical board. Take the survey now at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MBCStakeholders.

UCSF offers free training to empower healthcare providers to improve the health of their communities

California is experiencing an epidemic of obesity leading to costly chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease, with low-income, underserved communities disproportionately affected. In partnership with the California Department of Public Health, the University of California, San Francisco’s Champion Provider Fellowship is offering a free one-day training program to empower, train and support health care providers to use their expertise and respected voices to improve the health of their communities through local policy, systems and environmental changes. The training will be Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at ...

Climate and Health: What Every Health Professional Should Know

Climate change is the greatest public health threat of the 21st century. As informed and trusted individuals, health professionals play a critical role in addressing the health impacts of climate change with patients, communities and public leaders. Physicians and other health professionals are invited to free one-day trainings hosted by the California Climate and Health Partnership, "Climate and Health: What Every Health Professional Should Know." The events take place on Saturday, August 26, 2017, at Dignity Health Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield, and on Saturday, September 9, 2017, at Charles R. ...

We want YOU to be a CMA Social Media Ambassador

Are you active on social media? Then we want YOU to be a Social Media Ambassador for the California Medical Association (CMA). CMA Social Media Ambassadors are influential physicians, residents or medical students who keep their colleagues and other medical professionals informed, connected and engaged. Why social media? A majority of Americans get their news via social media. Social media gives us unfiltered access to target audiences. Social media is a powerful communications tool to connect with your colleagues, policymakers, the media ...

Your vaccine recommendation is a critical factor in protecting patient health

Patients trust you to give them the best counsel on how to protect their health. You know that immunization is an important preventive measure – but it’s unlikely that getting vaccinated is on the radar for your adult patients. Your strong recommendation is critical in ensuring that they get the vaccines they need to help them stay healthy. Adults are not getting the vaccines they need. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that vaccination rates for adults are extremely low. For example, rates ...

Anthem Blue Cross rescinds termination of Medicare Advantage agreement with Brown and Toland

Anthem Blue Cross has reached an agreement to extend its Medicare Advantage contract with Brown & Toland Physicians. Although Anthem Blue Cross previously announced the contract would be terminated effective October 1, 2017, the parties have since signed a contract extension through December 2018. The termination would have affected approximately 1,900 Medicare Advantage enrollees in San Francisco. Click here to see the letter sent from Brown & Toland. Physicians with questions can contact Brown & Toland Physician Services at physicianservices@btmg.com.

SBCMS Recognizes Inland Health Professions Coalition

San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS) recognizes Inland Health Professions Coalition (IHPC).  Now this is partnership!  SBCMS has worked with the Inland Health Professions Coalition for two consecutive years to provide high school students job shadowing opportunities through the White Coat Spring Break program.  This past spring break, 23 students shadowed in physician's offices for a full week.  Here, Carol Allbaugh, IHPC Director, and Michael Sacoto, IHPC Program Manager, receive recognition from Eric R. Hansen, D.O., SBCMS President, and Alison Elsner, SBCMS Executive Director.  Alison and Michael work closely together to ensure ...

Tickets now available for 21st Annual President's Reception and Awards Gala

The California Medical Association (CMA) and the CMA Foundation invite you to the 21st annual President’s Reception and Awards Gala on the evening of Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The black tie event will immediately follow CMA’s annual House of Delegates session that day.  Individual tickets and tables of 10 are now available for purchase. Tickets are $200 per person and tables are $2,500. Table sponsorships also include VIP seating and program recognition. Space is limited and this special event is expected to sell out, ...

Q4 resolutions now accepting testimony

As part of its policy-making process, the California Medical Association (CMA) allows members to submit resolutions for debate and discussion throughout the year. These resolutions will be considered by the standing Councils and Subcommittees, and will be presented to the Board of Trustees for consideration to be adopted as policy for the association. There are now eight new resolutions online for consideration in the fourth quarter of 2017. They are posted at www.cmanet.org/hod and will be available for testimony until September 8, 2017. After testimony closes, the resolutions and all the ...

Anthem Blue Cross terminates Medicare Advantage agreement with Brown and Toland

Effective October 1, 2017, Anthem Blue Cross will terminate its contract with Brown & Toland Physicians for its Medicare Advantage product. The termination will affect approximately 1,900 Medicare Advantage enrollees in San Francisco. Affected patients will be reassigned to Asian American Medical Group, Jade Health Care Medical Group or Imperial Health Holdings Medical Group. The termination was reportedly due to a failure to reach a contractual agreement with Brown & Toland. Physicians with questions can contact Brown & Toland representative Stephanie Mamane at (415) 972-4282 or smamane@btmg.com.