Medical board decides it does have authority to discipline utilization review physicians The Medical Board of California recently considered the issue of whether workers' compensation utilization review can be considered the "practice of medicine" and, if so, does the medical board have the authority to discipline physicians who do not practice within the standard of care when performing utilization review on behalf of payors and other entities? After testimony by the California Medical Association (CMA) and the California Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (CSPMR), the board agreed that physicians conducting worker's compensation utilization review were indeed engaged in the practice of ... June 27, 2013 General Medical Board of California, Professional Liability, Workers Comp, Disciplinary Actions 0 0 Comment Read More »
SBCMS Alliance Disbanding After 83 Years of Service For 83 years the Alliance of the San Bernardino Medical Society has sponsored, developed, and participated in many worthwhile community programs and coordinated social activities for physicians and their spouses. As times change, so has our Alliance. We have seen a decline in membership and active participation in our organization. The SBCMS Alliance Board of Directors has come to the decision to recommend that we close the Alliance on June 30, 2013. On June 4, a vote of the membership was taken to dissolve the membership. We invite any ... June 21, 2013 General Alliance, SBCMS Alliance 0 0 Comment Read More »
Memorial Service for Wendell Moseley M.D. Dr. Wendell Moseley, 85, beloved husband, father and physician, went home to be with the Lord on June 17, 2013 in San Bernardino, CA. A General Practitioner in the San Bernardino area for over 45 years, he was a graduate of Redlands University and Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He proudly served our nation during WWII in the United States Army. Some of his many accomplishments are: past President of the San Bernardino County Medical Society, President of Medical Staff at St. Bernardine Medical Center and San Bernardino ... June 19, 2013 General past president, Wendell Moseley 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association releases White Paper on Opioids Sacramento – Today, the California Medical Association (CMA) released Opioid Analgesics in California: Relieving Pain, Preventing Misuse, Finding Balance, a report on the use of opioid medications. California, along with the nation, is faced with a serious health care dilemma: how to use opioid medications to relieve pain safely and effectively, while simultaneously reducing the risk of prescription medication misuse, addiction and overdose. “Physician, patients, law enforcement and the general public need accurate information about appropriate opioid use,” said Paul R. Phinney, M.D., CMA president. “CMA has developed the white paper ... June 18, 2013 General Opioids, Pain, Prescription medication 0 0 Comment Read More »
2013 SBCMS Installation of Officers The San Bernardino County Medical Society’s (SBCMS) Installation of Officers dinner was held on June 11th at the Sierra Lakes Golf Club in Fontana. Nearly 200 people were in attendance to pay tribute to a number of physicians being recognized and honored at the annual event. SBCMS President Leroy Ounanian, MD, served as Master of Ceremony for the evening at which the new board officers were introduced including Raman Poola, MD, who will serve as the Society’s 121st president during 2013-14. Dr. Poola is a Gastroenterologist who practices in Apple ... June 13, 2013 Awards, General Bangasser Medical Student Scholarship, SBCMS Presidential Award, Installation of Officers, Outstanding Awards 0 0 Comment Read More »
Noridian Transition Date Set Transition of the Medicare Administrative Contract from Palmetto GBA to Noridian is scheduled for September 16, 2013 (Part B). To help physicians understand what is changing, Noridian is offering a series of Implementation 101 and EDI Support Services web-based workshops. Noridian is also holding in person “Meet and Greet” workshops at the following locations: June 11-13 Doubletree by Hilton Sacramento 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA 95815 June 18-20 Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport South 250 Gateway Boulevard South San Francisco, CA 94080 July 9-11 Embassy Suites Anaheim South 11767 Harbor Boulevard Garden Grove, CA ... June 6, 2013 Medicare Noridian, Palmetto GBA, Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
Concierge services added with Marsh's tem life insurance Want more than $1,000,000? Travel assistance** and funeral planning and concierge services*** included at no additional charge to you When San Bernardino County Medical Society/CMA members apply for up to $1,000,000 of 10 or 20-year Term Life insurance coverage underwritten by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company, a member of the ING family of companies, they get a few things non-members don’t. Access to special member only rates Premium savings since rates remain level for the first 10 or 20 years of coverage* ... June 3, 2013 General Marsh, Concierge services, Term Life Insurange 0 0 Comment Read More »
Congress Making Progress on SGR Repeal Two influential committees in the U.S. House of Representatives continue to work on a framework for eliminating the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. With the cost of eliminating the SGR at its lowest point in a decade, the congressional committees have been making progress on draft legislative language to fix the badly broken Medicare payment system. The SGR formula has been threatening severe payment cuts to physician reimbursement for more than a decade. Over the years, moves to repeal the SGR have failed, due in large part to the ... June 3, 2013 Medicare Medicare sustainable growth rate, SGR 0 0 Comment Read More »
Health Care Reform 2014 Health Care Reform*: 2014 Marks a New Era Health care reform is in full-swing with the heftiest legislation set for 2014 — when health insurance will become available to millions of Americans who were previously uninsured. Starting January 1, 2014, most Americans will be required to have health insurance and many businesses will be required to offer coverage to their employees. In addition, health insurance exchanges (Covered California) will be available to facilitate access to coverage. Starting in 2014, Americans must have minimum essential coverage or pay a tax penalty. Options ... May 20, 2013 General Health insurance, Health Care Reform, Marsh 0 0 Comment Read More »
Save on your workers' compensation program See What You Could be Saving! “When I found out how much money I could save ($1,650) on the sponsored workers’ compensation program, I joined CMA. The savings paid for my membership and then some. Now I have access to everything CMA offers” – Nicholas Thanos, M.D. CMA Member Did you know that CMA/Society members can save 5% on their workers’ compensation insurance? And, they may save up to 15%, depending upon where they place their group medical insurance. It’s true. CMA/SBCMS members receive a discount on workers’ compensation insurance policies provided through ... May 17, 2013 General Marsh, Workers' Compensation 0 0 Comment Read More »
