Have you received a termination notice from Blue Cross recently? The California Medical Association (CMA) has heard from several physicians who have received unexpected termination notices from Anthem Blue Cross. The notices, which specify no cause for termination, appear directed only to physicians who refer to out-of-network ambulatory surgical centers. If you have recently received a similar termination notice from Anthem Blue Cross, CMA wants to hear from you. Please contact CMA's Reimbursement Helpline at (888) 401-5911 or economicservices@cmanet.org. July 21, 2017 Managed Care Anthem Blue Cross 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA urges strong regulatory system for medical cannabis In 2015, the legislature passed and the governor signed into law a series of bills to create a licensing and regulatory framework for medical cannabis. The Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have issued proposed regulations as they begin to construct the medical cannabis regulatory system. The California Medical Association (CMA) submitted written comments on the proposed medical cannabis regulations, which will affect medical cannabis dispensaries, manufacturers, distributors and transporters. While California became the first state to decriminalize the cultivation and use of medical cannabis ... July 21, 2017 General Medical Marijuana, Regulatory Advocacy, Adult Use of Maijuana 0 0 Comment Read More »
Assembly bill would temporarily suspend lab renewal fees The California Legislature is considering a bill (AB 658) that would temporarily suspend the state's clinical laboratory license renewal fees for two years, 2018 and 2019. The bill is a result of an audit that found that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) had collected millions more in laboratory fees than it had spent operating the Laboratory Field Services (LFS) branch. The fund’s current reserves exceed $22 million. Under state law, however, CDPH cannot suspend or refund these fees. This proposed legislation will only suspend renewal fees and would not ... July 21, 2017 General Clinical Laboratories 0 0 Comment Read More »
Significant improvements in 2018 MACRA rule The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would make changes in the second year of the Quality Payment Program as required by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Though not perfect, the California Medical Association (CMA) is pleased that 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. Under the proposed rule, 2018 will be another transition year like 2017. This means that physicians ... July 21, 2017 Managed Care, Medicare CMA, MACRA, Medicare, Regulatory Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA to tackle three major issues at 2017 annual meeting The 146th Annual Session of the California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates (HOD) will tackle three major issues when it convenes October 21-22, 2017, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The HOD establishes broad policy on current major issues that have been determined to be the most important issues affecting members, the association and the practice of medicine. Discussions on these major issues are now available for comment. All members are welcome to submit comments online at www.cmanet.org/hod. This year's major issues are: Health Care Reform ... July 21, 2017 CMA House of Delegates 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medical Society Installs New officers with Dr. Eric Hansen at the Helm The San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS) held its 125th Officers’ Installation and Recognition Dinner, welcoming Eric R. Hansen, M.D. as President for 2017-18, on Friday, June 23 at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California. Close to 200 guests gathered for a reception followed by sit-down dinner and program. A family practice physician in Hesperia, California, Dr. Hansen also serves as the Chair of the Solo and Small Group Practice Forum for the statewide California Medical Association (CMA), the umbrella organization for SBCMS. He and his practice were also awarded ... June 29, 2017 Press Releases 2017/18 SBCMS Officers, 2017 SBCMS Award winners, SBCMS Officer Installation & Awards 0 0 Comment Read More »
Molina Healthcare HOPE Diaper Drive Molina Healthcare, Hines and other community partners are collecting baby diapers and adults briefs to aid our local babies, families & seniors! How You Can Make A Difference Join this grass root opportunity that lets you, your co-workers and your agency share in the spirit of giving! We are collecting diapers of all sizes--from birth and beyond! Collection dates and drop off From now until July 14th you may drop off your donations at our San Bernardino regional office: 550 E. Hospitality Lane, Ste. 100 San Bernardino CA 92408 or call us at 1-855-665-4621 for ... June 27, 2017 General HOPE diaper drive, Molina Healthcare 0 0 Comment Read More »
Child Health and Disability Prevention code and claim form conversion effective July 1 The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is currently transitioning Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program billing processes to be compliant with HIPAA standards for national health care electronic transactions and code sets. Rather than billing on the CHDP Confidential Screening/Billing Report (PM 160) claim form, claims will be submitted using CPT codes on the CMS 1500 or UB-04 claim forms or equivalent electronic claim transactions. The transition, effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2017, affects claims for Medi-Cal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis ... June 22, 2017 Managed Care, Medi-Cal Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, Department of Health Care Services, DHCS, HIPAA, Medi-Cal, CHDP 0 0 Comment Read More »
DHCS preps contingencies in case of delayed budget approval The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently announced it will implement a contingency plan for claim payment if the state budget is not enacted before the beginning of the 2017-2018 fiscal year on July 1. Although the state legislature passed a budget by the June 15 deadline, the Governor has not yet signed it. According to DHCS, providers should continue to submit claims for processing as normal, but payments for some programs may be delayed until the budget is signed. Claims for the following services will be processed ... June 22, 2017 General Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, Department of Health Care Services, DHCS, Family PACT, Medi-Cal, California State Budget, CHDP 0 0 Comment Read More »
Free CME: Medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering two free training sessions on the use of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders. The training, “The Effective Use of Medication Assisted Treatment in an Opioid Dependent Population,” will be held in Sacramento on July 18 and repeated in Orange County on July 20. Registration is first-come, first-served. Attendance is capped at 100 participants – you must register by July 3. Physicians can receive up to 7 continuing medical education (CME) credits. To register, click on the links below: ... June 22, 2017 General Continuing Medical Education, Drug Abuse, Medical Solutions to Drug Abuse, Opioids, CME 0 0 Comment Read More »
