CMA continues to monitor health plan network directory accuracy Last November, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) released the results of an audit of the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Covered California networks. Among other things, the audit found that 12.8 percent of the physicians listed on Anthem’s network were not accepting Covered California patients, while 12.5 percent were not in practice at the location listed in Anthem’s directory. In the case of Blue Shield, only 56.7 percent of the physicians listed in Blue Shield's Covered California directory could be verified as accepting Covered California patients. ... August 17, 2015 Managed Care Blue Shield, Covered California, Network Adequacy, Anthem Blue Cross 0 0 Comment Read More »
Gallup poll says rates of uninsured continue to drop in most states According to a Gallup poll released Monday, the national uninsured rate has fallen to 11.7 percent, down from 17.3 percent in 2013. The poll shows that states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act – and have at least helped in the running of their health insurance marketplaces, rather than leaving it entirely to the federal government – have seen larger drops in uninsured rates. In the 22 states that took both of those measures, including California, the uninsured rate dropped to an average of 7.1 percent. California's uninsured ... August 17, 2015 Managed Care, Medi-Cal, Medicare Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Exchange, Uninsured, ACA, Insurance 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA receives Profile of Excellence award for Prop 46 campaign The American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE) honored the California Medical Association (CMA) with a Profile of Excellence award for its advocacy in the No on Proposition 46 campaign. The Profiles of Excellence Awards recognize organizations for efforts that advance the field of organized medicine and improve the lives of physicians and the patients they serve. CMA and its county medical societies were also recognized with the AAMSE President's Award for their collaborative efforts in the campaign. Proposition 46, the trial lawyers' attempt to overturn California's Medical Injury Compensation ... August 17, 2015 Awards, CMA MICRA, Awards 0 0 Comment Read More »
IMQ's CME program awarded accreditation with commendation The California Medical Association and its Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) have been recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) as an exemplary provider of continuing medical education (CME). ACCME has awarded CMA/IMQ with a six-year accreditation term with commendation. Overall, only 21 percent of ACCME-accredited providers achieve accreditation with commendation. This six-year award recognizes both the quality of the educational activities and the initiatives sponsored by both organizations, which are intended to foster leadership, encourage collaboration with other stakeholders and integrate CME into efforts to improve ... August 17, 2015 CMA, General Awards, CME Accreditation, IMQ, Institute for Medical Quality, Accreditation 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDC says coordination is the key to stopping antibiotic-resistant bacteria The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that a coordinated approach to controlling antibiotic-resistant bacteria could prevent an estimated 619,000 hospital-acquired infections resulting from drug-resistant bacteria. With an increasing number of deadly “superbugs,” this relatively simple solution could save tens of thousands of lives over the next five years. According to a CDC report released this week, a coordinated approach—in which health facilities in a region share data with a central public health authority — could dramatically improve detection and save an estimated $7.7 billion in direct medical ... August 17, 2015 General Public Health, Antibiotic-Resistance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Infectious Diseases 0 0 Comment Read More »
August is National Immunization Awareness Month Each year in August, National Immunization Awareness Month provides an opportunity for providers to highlight the value of immunization across all ages. Activities focus on encouraging people to protect their health by being vaccinated against infectious diseases. The National Public Health Information Coalition has developed, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Immunization Awareness Month Communication Toolkits to help providers communicate with their patients about the importance of vaccination. Toolkits are available for four separate age spans: Preteens and Teens Pregnant ... August 6, 2015 General Public Health, Vaccination, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH warns of ongoing pertussis risk The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently warned about the ongoing danger of pertussis (whooping cough). According to state public health officials, pertussis continues to spread at above-normal levels in California following last year's epidemic, when reported disease rates were the highest they've been since the 1950s. Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants, especially within the first six months of life. The disease has already caused one infant death and at least 126 infant hospitalizations in California this year. Physicians are reminded that the best ... August 6, 2015 General Immunization, Pertussis, Public Health, Vaccination, Whooping Cough, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Did you know: The key word in any appeal is... Thanks to California Medical Association (CMA) sponsored legislation (AB 1455) and the resulting regulations, payors are required to establish a fast, fair and cost-effective dispute resolution mechanism (i.e., “appeal process”) to resolve provider disputes. Anytime a payor contests, adjusts or denies a claim, they are required to advise the provider of the availability of the appeal process and instructions for submitting the appeal. Payors are also required to acknowledge receipt of a written appeal within two working days for electronic appeals or 15 working days for paper appeals. The payor ... August 6, 2015 General State Legislative Advocacy, Appeals 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight: August 5, 2015 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Recess, but not rest It may be recess for the Legislature, but that doesn’t mean a rest for politics. While lawmakers were scattered off to their districts or far-away lands for the summer junket season, the anti-vax forces were busy gathering signatures to recall Senator Richard Pan, M.D., for authoring Senate Bill 277, which removes the personal belief exemption from school vaccination requirements. While it is unclear whether an actual referendum ... August 6, 2015 General Anthony York, CMA Capitol Insight 0 0 Comment Read More »
Join us for our Walk With A Doc event Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, elevate your mood, and reduce your risk of osteoporosis, cancer and diabetes. Join us for our Walk With A Doc event to take a step toward a healthier you! All you need to do is lace up a pair of comfortable shoes and join us for some fresh air, fun and fitness. Time: Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 7:00 a.m. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. Flyer Location: ... August 6, 2015 General Walk With A Doc 0 0 Comment Read More »
