United Healthcare amendment introduces narrow network product Setting the stage for its potential future entrance into California’s Exchange, Covered California, United Healthcare (UHC) has begun the process of building its provider networks by amending physician contracts. United Healthcare has advised CMA that its new Core plan, which will be marketed to employer groups seeking lower premiums and used for its potential future exchange product, will access a significantly narrowed network of approximately 45 percent of UHC’s current PPO provider network. UHC plans to send amendment notices to physicians selected to participate in the Core network sometime in ... February 4, 2015 Managed Care United Healthcare, Provider Networks 0 0 Comment Read More »
Ensure your practice information is up-to-date with contracted payors Every practice understands the importance of collecting up-to-date demographic information from patients, including changes to a patient’s address, phone number, insurance, and eligibility and benefits. Ensuring that these items are up-to-date guarantees that the practice can quickly communicate with the patient about test results or other medical issues, as well as schedule and confirm appointments. Accurate patient insurance, eligibility and benefits information also helps to prevent unnecessary denials delays in payment, and goes a long way toward ultimately saving time and money for the practice. It is equally important ... February 4, 2015 General Insurance/Reimbursement, Payors 0 0 Comment Read More »
NEJM study shows primary care rate increase for Medicaid patients increased access to care A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last week shows that the increase in Medicaid reimbursement for primary care providers, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), resulted in a 7.7 percent increase in new patient appointment availability without longer wait times. The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and the Urban Institute, used “secret shoppers” to call primary care doctors offices seeking new appointments in 10 states: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. Calls were made in ... February 4, 2015 Medi-Cal Affordable Care Act, ACA, Medi-Cal, We Care for California 0 0 Comment Read More »
California School Immunization Law California School Immunization Law California Health and Safety Code, Sections 120325-120375: Under these statutes, children in California are required to receive certain immunizations in order to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools, child care centers, family day care homes, nursery schools, day nurseries, and developmental centers. Schools, child care centers, and family child care homes are required to enforce immunization requirements, maintain immunization records of all children enrolled, and submit reports. California Code of Regulations Title 17 Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 8. These regulations specify California school immunization requirements ... February 2, 2015 General Public Health, Immunizations 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMS announces it will shorten meaningful use reporting to 90 days in 2015 After repeated calls for changes from physician groups nationwide, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it would issue new rules this spring to shorten the meaningful use reporting period in 2015 to 90 days for providers under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs. The new rule is intended to be “responsive to provider concerns about software implementation, information exchange readiness, and other related concerns in 2015,” wrote CMS Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer Patrick Conway, M.D., in a blog published on the CMS ... January 30, 2015 Medi-Cal, Medicare CMS, EHR, Electronic Health Record, Meaningful Use, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 0 0 Comment Read More »
Poll shows people want Congress to act to make all states eligible for ACA subsidies A new poll has found that nearly six in 10 people believe that Congress or states should act to restore health insurance subsidies if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes them down when it rules on King v. Burwell, a case that questions whether premium subsidies can be provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to individuals purchasing health insurance coverage on exchanges run by the federal government. The poll, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in early January, found that 64 percent wanted Congress to act to make all states ... January 29, 2015 General Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Exchange, United States Supreme Court, ACA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Learn CME essentials during February 20 workshop in Oakland The California Medical Association's Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) is offering a CME Essentials Workshop on February 20, 2015, in Oakland. The one-day workshop is for those interested in the basics of planning continuing medical education (CME) activities. The CME Essentials Workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn what is required to be compliant with accreditation requirements. The workshop is specifically geared toward physicians, coordinators and education professionals who are new to CME or those who are looking for a basic refresher course. Attendees will learn how to apply a ... January 29, 2015 General CME Accreditation, Institute for Medical Quality 0 0 Comment Read More »
California measles cases now at 68 The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) confirmed today that the number of measles cases in the state has grown to 68 California residents with a number of additional suspected cases under investigation. Infected individuals range in age from seven months to 70 years. The vaccination status is documented for 34 of the 68 cases ΜΆ 28 patients were unvaccinated (six were infants too young to vaccinate), one patient had received only one dose of the MMR vaccine and five had received two or more doses of MMR vaccine. The ... January 29, 2015 General Measles, Public Health, Infectious Diseases 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH offers clinical reference tool for adult pneumococcal vaccinations The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has developed a clinical reference chart to help physicians understand and implement the new pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. The chart was produced in response to the increased complexity of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recent pneumococcal vaccine recommendations. The chart summarizes the latest adult pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13 and PPSV23) recommendations for all adults age 65 and over (effective September 19, 2014, both vaccines now covered by Medicare Part B and adults 19-64 with certain underlying conditions. Download the chart here. Click here for more information ... January 29, 2015 General Immunization, Public Health, Vaccination, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
AMA asks feds to decouple EHR certification from meaningful use The American Medical Association (AMA) has sent a letter to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Karen B. DeSalvo, M.D., urging that the certification of electronic health records (EHR) be decoupled from meaningful use certification requirements. “Unfortunately, we believe the meaningful use certification requirements are contributing to EHR system problems, and we are worried about the downstream effects on patient safety,” the letter said. “Many physicians find these systems cumbersome, do not meet their workflow needs, decrease efficiency, and have a limited, if any, interoperability,” the letter said. “”Most ... January 23, 2015 EHR Certified EHRs, EHR, Electronic Health Record, Meaningful Use, AMA 0 0 Comment Read More »
