Provider search function operational on Covered California website In what has been one of the most fluid deadlines put forth by the state’s health benefit exchange, Covered California launched the online provider search function on Monday, October 7. The search will allow patients to determine if a particular physician is contracted with any of the participating health plans. Though aimed at patients, physicians can also use the search to determine which plans list them on their exchange provider directories. The California Medical Association (CMA) recommends physicians review their status with plans offered in their area to determine whether ... October 8, 2013 General Covered California, Health Benefit Exchange, Health Insurance Exchange, Health Care Reform 0 0 Comment Read More »
Bill that clarifies physician employment of PTs signed into law by the governor Gov. Brown has signed into law AB 1000, a bill that clarifies an ambiguity in existing law, so that physical therapists can continue to work within the legal boundaries of medical corporations as they have for decades. The bill also gives health care consumers the ability to seek treatment from a physical therapist without a physicians’ consent for a limited period of time. In 2010, the regulatory rules that allow physicians with professional corporations to hire physical therapists were reinterpreted by the physical therapy board, making it unclear as to ... October 8, 2013 General Physical Therapists, Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
Gov. Brown signs Maddy bill to extend ER funding for the uninsured California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 191, a bill that extends funding for Maddy Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This fund is used to offset the costs incurred for care provided to uninsured patients in hospital emergency rooms. The California Medical Association (CMA) and the American College of Emergency Physicians cosponsored the bill. The law that authorizes the Maddy Fund was set to expire on January 1, 2014. Without this bill providers of emergency medical care throughout the state would have lost $50 million per year that is currently used to ... October 8, 2013 General Advocacy, EMS, Maddy Funds, Emergency Services 0 0 Comment Read More »
Government shutdown to have minimal impact on Medicare and TRICARE programs With the October 1 shutdown of the federal government, the California Medical Association (CMA) has received calls from physicians with questions about how federally funded programs like Medicare and TRICARE will be affected. TRICARE On October 1, 2013, the Defense Health Agency issued a statement regarding TRICARE programs, indicating that there will be minimal impact to TRICARE beneficiaries utilizing private sector physicians. CMA has also confirmed with United Healthcare Military & Veterans Services, the managed care support contractor for the TRICARE West Region, that there should be no interruption in operations ... October 4, 2013 General Medicare, TRICARE, Insurance/Reimbursement 0 0 Comment Read More »
Vaccine refusal tied to pertussis outbreak Parents refusing to vaccinate their children against pertussis (also known as whooping cough) might have played a role in the deadly 2010 outbreak in California – this according to a new study published in the October issue of Pediatrics. In 2010, 9,120 cases of pertussis were reported in California, the most since 1947. This new study examines the role of clusters of individuals who refused the vaccine. The study, “Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions and Pertussis in California, 2010," analyzes non-medical exemptions for children entering kindergarten from 2005 through 2010, and pertussis cases ... October 2, 2013 General Advocacy, Immunization, Pertussis, Whooping Cough, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Blue Shield announces fee schedule changes effective December 1 Blue Shield announced changes to its physician fee schedule that will take effect December 1, 2013. In a September 23 notice to physicians, the insurer said that it would be increasing payment for evaluation and management services for preventive care. Additionally, Blue Shield notes payment increases for the more commonly billed office visit codes 99204, 99205, 99213 and 99214. The new rates will be available on the Blue Shield website (under Helpful Resources) beginning October 1. Physicians can also request a copy of the new fees by completing the allowance ... October 2, 2013 Managed Care Blue Shield, Managed Care, Payor Contracting, Insurance/Reimbursement 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medicare and Medi-Cal continue to operate despite government shutdown; FDA, CDC, and NIH are impacted A stalemate in Congress over a spending plan for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and a delay in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has forced a federal shutdown at midnight last night, closing many federal agencies, including a number of departments under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The new fiscal year began today, October 1. The House Republicans are proposing to continue spending at current levels with a one year delay in the implementation of the ACA. While the Senate Democrats have also agreed to continue ... October 2, 2013 General Medi-Cal, Medicare, Government, Insurance/Reimbursement 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA optimistic as Covered California opens Sacramento – As Covered California, the state’s Health Benefit Exchange, opened today, California Medical Association (CMA) physicians remain optimistic. Throughout the health care reform debate, CMA strongly advocated for affordable access to care for California’s uninsured and for an expansion of health insurance coverage. “CMA has long supported access to health care for all patients,” said Paul R. Phinney, M.D., CMA president. “Today marks a positive inflection point in our nation's commitment to access to health care for all Americans Five categories of plans will be available through Covered California, consisting ... October 1, 2013 General Covered California, Health Benefit Exchange, Health Care Reform 0 0 Comment Read More »
Governor Brown signs CURES bill On Friday, Gov. Brown signed into law a bill that will provide funding for ongoing maintenance and staffing of the Controlled Substances and Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). CURES is an online database that allows authorized users, including physicians, pharmacists, law enforcement and regulatory boards, to access information about a patient’s controlled substance prescription history. The new law will provide $9 million annually to maintain the database. The bill builds on funding provided through the 2013 budget to upgrade the system. The mission of CURES is to prevent pharmaceuticals ... October 1, 2013 General CURES, Public Health, Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
Governor signs bill for Steve M. Thompson loan repayment program Governor Jerry Brown has signed a California Medical Association (CMA)-sponsored bill that will refine the eligibility criteria for a successful physician retention program, the Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program. The program provides grants of up to $105,000 to physicians who agree to practice in medically-underserved areas of the state for at least three years. The program was created in 2002 under a bill sponsored by CMA. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $17 million to over 220 individuals. Unfortunately, high demand for this program ... October 1, 2013 General Advocacy, Medical School Loans, Rural Health, Underserved Communities, Steven M. Thompson Loan Program, Young Physician 0 0 Comment Read More »
