CDPH publishes FAQ on ordering and interpreting Zika lab tests The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory has published an FAQ designed to answer providers’ frequently asked questions about ordering and interpreting Zika laboratory tests and tests for other flaviviruses. Because the way Zika test results are applied to clinical care is rapidly changing, CDPH published this document to clarify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent recommendations. Additionally, the FAQ addresses the current limitations of commercial laboratory testing for Zika in California. To read the FAQ, click here. If you have additional questions about ... July 14, 2016 General CDC, Department of Public Health, Zika Virus, Blood Testing 0 0 Comment Read More »
Have you gotten an information request from BetterDoctor? The California Medical Association (CMA) has received several inquiries over the past few weeks from practices concerned about the validity of requests for information from a company called BetterDoctor. As you may know, a new law took effect July 1 that requires payors to ensure that their physician directories are accurate and up-to-date. BetterDoctor is a vendor working on behalf of a number of plans on a pilot project to ensure the accuracy of their physician directories as required under the new law. Practices are encouraged to respond to the ... July 14, 2016 Managed Care Provider Directories, Provider Directory Accuracy Law 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA releases 2016 annotated Model Medical Staff Bylaws The California Medical Association (CMA) has released its 2016 Model Medical Staff Bylaws. These bylaws are the definitive guide for medical staffs, providing details on professional and legal structures to support effective medical staff operations and self-governance. The model bylaws are fully annotated to provide background information on critical provisions, including explanations of relevant state and federal laws, hospital accreditation standards, and other explanatory information. The 2016 Model Medical Staff Bylaws are available free to any medical staff with an active membership in CMA’s Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS). If your ... July 14, 2016 CMA, General Medical Staff, Medical Staff Bylaws, Organized Medical Staff, Hospital Medical Staff 0 0 Comment Read More »
Tobacco Tax Initiative Qualifies for November 2016 Ballot The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 has officially qualified for the November ballot as Proposition 56. The California Secretary of State confirmed that the measure qualified, after a random sampling of the 1 million signatures submitted by Save Lives California showed that the campaign had more than the 585,407 signatures necessary to earn a spot on the ballot. Reaching 1 million signatures is a tremendous achievement for the coalition and a testament to its strength. But the road to November won’t be easy. Big Tobacco ... July 13, 2016 General Prop 56, Save Lives CA, tobacco tax initiative, Yes on 56 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA/SBCMS Publishes MACRA Resource Center On April 16, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), changing the health care financing system in the most significant and far-reaching way since the program's inception in 1965. To help physicians understand the MACRA payment reforms, and what they can do now to start preparing for the transition, the California Medical Association (CMA) has published a MACRA resource center. There you will find an overview of MACRA, and a comprehensive list of tools, resources and information from CMA, the American Medical ... July 13, 2016 General CMA MACRA Resource Center, MACRA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Noridian begins deactivation of providers who failed to revalidate The due date for physicians to revalidate their Medicare enrollment information has passed for the most recent cycle of physician revalidation required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Physicians who received a revalidation notice from Noridian, CMS’ Medicare contractor for California, and who did not turn in a completed application to CMS prior to the May 31 deadline, will have their Medicare billing privileges deactivated. If you are deactivated for failure to respond to a revalidation notice, you must submit a reactivation application. The date of receipt ... June 8, 2016 Medicare Noridian, Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight: June 7, 2016 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ All Eyes on California The nation’s eyes will be on California this week, as voters here go to the polls in the final major presidential contest of the long primary season. We’ve seen a massive swell in new voter registration this year. State voter rolls grew by more than 646,000 voters in April and May alone, with more than three-fourths of those voters signing up as Democrats. It will be important ... June 8, 2016 CMA CMA Capitol Insight, Anthony York 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Cancer Registry publishes materials to help inform patients about cancer reporting The California Cancer Registry (CCR) has published free materials to help physicians better inform patients about the registry and cancer reporting. A patient information brochure and poster are now available to physicians to distribute to cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis. CCR, a program of the California Department of Public Health's Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch, is California's statewide population-based cancer surveillance system and is recognized as one of the leading cancer registries in the world. Since 1988, the registry has collected information about almost all cancers ... June 8, 2016 General Cancer, Public Health, California Cancer Registry (CCR) 0 0 Comment Read More »
Are you interested in serving on CMA's councils and subcommittees? The California Medical Association (CMA) is currently accepting applications and nominations for members to serve on the association's councils and subcommittees for 2016-2017. The deadline to submit an application or nomination for the upcoming term is Thursday, June 16. In October 2013, the CMA House of Delegates approved expansive restructuring of CMA’s governance system, including refocusing the role of the House of Delegates, delegating greater policy-making responsibilities to the Board of Trustees, and revamping of CMA’s councils and subcommittees to serve a greater role as drivers of CMA policy making. Positions ... June 8, 2016 CMA CMA Nominations, Council on Legislation, CMA Committees 0 0 Comment Read More »
CPPPH hosting workshop on physician wellness August 24 in Anaheim California Public Protection and Physician Health, Inc. (CPPPH) is hosting “Keys to Physician Wellness: From Burnout to Professional Satisfaction” on August 24 at the Anaheim Marriott. This workshop will focus on personal and organizational stories and solutions to enhance the health of physicians. Attendees will also hear case illustrations and discussions about what tactics would work best in various medical settings. Speakers will review the latest research on physician mental health, burnout and disruptive behavior, while also providing implementable tools and techniques. Faculty at this workshop include specialists on addiction medicine, ... June 8, 2016 General Physician Well-Being, Physician Wellness, California Public Protection and Physician Health, CPPPH 0 0 Comment Read More »
