Physicians report Anthem not complying with AB 72 interim payment rules The California Medical Association (CMA) has received reports from physician offices that Anthem Blue Cross is not paying the “interim payment” as required under the recently effective law (AB 72) limiting out-of-network billing for covered, non-emergent services performed at an in-network facility. The new law requires fully insured commercial plans and insurers to make “interim payments” to non-contracted physicians for non-emergent services performed at in-network health facilities, and places limitations on the ability of physicians in such circumstances to collect their full billed charges. The interim rate defined in AB 72 ... September 25, 2017 General, Managed Care AB 72, Anthem Blue Cross, Out of Network Care 0 0 Comment Read More »
Noridian reports spike in provider deactivations and lost revenue Noridian, Medicare’s administrative contractor for California, has seen a spike in the number of providers deactivated for not responding to Medicare revalidation notices, resulting in a gap in billing privileges and lost revenue for physicians. Noridian will send revalidation notices via email two or three months prior to the revalidation due date. Revalidation notices sent via email will indicate "URGENT: Medicare Provider Enrollment Revalidation Request" in the subject line to differentiate from other emails. If the email is returned as undeliverable, only then will Noridian will send a paper revalidation ... September 25, 2017 Medicare Medicare, Noridian, Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA urges CMS to further reduce MACRA administrative burdens The California Medical Association (CMA) recently submitted comments on proposed 2018 changes to the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP), established by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Though not perfect, CMA is pleased that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has listened to physician feedback and has made changes that will significantly reduce the administrative burdens on physicians, particularly for small and rural practices. We appreciate the agency’s responsiveness to many of our concerns about the ability of physicians to successfully participate in the ... September 25, 2017 CMA, EHR, Managed Care CalHIPSO, MACRA, Medicare, Medicare Quality Payment Program, QPP, Webinars 0 0 Comment Read More »
California's physicians launch Hurricane Harvey disaster relief effort Hurricane Harvey has inflicted significant damage upon Houston, Texas, dumping over 40 inches of rain so far. More than 17,000 people have sought refuge, and heavy rain threatens to continue throughout the week. Many Texas physicians have reported losing their offices, medical records and equipment. The Texas Medical Association (TMA) has launched a relief fund to protect and reestablish the public health infrastructure that serves those devastated by Harvey. In a show of solidarity, the California Medical Association (CMA) has donated $10,000 to the relief fund and encourages California physicians to ... September 1, 2017 General Medical Disaster Response, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Foundation produces materials to encourage diversity in clinical trials Clinical trials provide an opportunity for patients with rare diseases to receive the very latest in health care. People of different ethnic backgrounds often respond differently to the same treatments and medications. Unfortunately, ethnically diverse patients often miss out on the opportunity to participate in clinical trials because they lack access to referrals or feel uncertain about what participation entails. To improve this disparity, the California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation and the Network of Physician Organizations (NEPO) are working to increase minority participation in clinical studies. The “Encouraging Diversity in ... September 1, 2017 CMA, General CMA Foundation (CMAF), Ethnic Diversity, Ethnic Medical Organization Section, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations 0 0 Comment Read More »
Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations Announces 2017 Building Healthy Communities Summit The Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations (NEPO), representing over 45 ethnic physician organizations, in conjunction with the California Medical Association (CMA) and the CMA Foundation, today announced the 2017 Building Healthy Communities Summit will be held October 19-20 in Anaheim, California. The two-day summit is an innovative educational event for physicians, public health professionals, advocates and community leaders that offers policy and best practices for reducing health disparities, building diversity in the workforce and increasing cultural competency in clinical care. “Building healthier communities is a key component of what community physicians ... September 1, 2017 CMA, General Building Healthy Communities Summit, Continuing Medical Education, Health Disparities, NEPO, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations 0 0 Comment Read More »
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. August 25, 2017 General Medical Board of California 0 0 Comment Read More »
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 ... August 25, 2017 General Public Health, Seminars 0 0 Comment Read More »
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. ... August 25, 2017 General Climate Change, Public Health, Seminars 0 0 Comment Read More »
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 ... August 21, 2017 CMA Social Media 0 0 Comment Read More »
