Medi-Cal Duals Project Delayed The Department of Health Care Services announced yesterday that the start of the Duals demonstration will be delayed. Instead of their previously announced October 2013 start date, they just announced the project will not begin until January 2014 at the earliest. Please see below for the full announcement. We will provide you with up-to-date information as it becomes available. Please contact Lishaun Francis for more information or with questions: Lishaun Francis, Associate Director, Center for Medical & Regulatory Policy, California Medical Association; lfrancis@cmanet.org or 916.551.2554. ... May 7, 2013 Medi-Cal Duals demonstration, Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
Health Reform Heats Up More than three years have passed since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was into law, setting into motion some of the most dynamic and volatile years the nation’s health care industry has ever seen. Since its inception, the law has been a subject of controversy, inspiring hotly contested debates in Washington, D.C., Sacramento and across the entire nation. For some, this dramatic overhaul of the nation’s health care system represents our national leaders finally making good on the long-overdue promise of “health care for all.” Others claim that the law ... May 6, 2013 General health care reform 0 0 Comment Read More »
New sunscreen labels: How to read the fine print Story Highlights Sunscreen labels must follow new FDA rules Claims must be backed by testing Sunscreen alone won't save your skin At first glance, the sunscreen bottles, tubes and canisters on store shelves this spring may not look much different from what consumers have seen in the past. But look closer. Gone are misleading terms such as "waterproof" and "sunblock." Added are warnings that some products don't protect against wrinkles and skin cancer and that others do so only as part of a larger sun-protection plan. These changes and others are the result of new ... April 29, 2013 General SPF, Sunblock, Waterproof, Sunscreen 0 0 Comment Read More »
ACA: Medicaid Primary Care Rate Increase FAQ Under the provisions of the Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), state Medicaid programs (Medi-Cal in California) are required to pay primary care physicians at Medicare rates for primary care services for two years. The increase is fully funded by the federal government. The requirement began January 1, 2013 and ends December 31, 2014. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted their state plan amendment (SPA) to implement the rate increase on March 29, 2013. Approval of the SPA is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ... April 19, 2013 Managed Care, Medi-Cal, Medicare ACA, Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
Invitation to Exhibit at Loma Linda Sickle Cell Symposium What: Sickle Cell Symposium When: September 13, 2013 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Where: Loma Linda University Centennial Complex - Chen Fung conference rooms. Call for Exhibitors Exhibitor Agreement A movement for patients, who suffer from Sickle Cell Disease, is developing at Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) East Campus. Our vision is to set a new standard of excellence in health care delivery to an underserved adult population through several key care components ... April 17, 2013 General Community Partners, Sickle Cell 0 0 Comment Read More »
Reduce Your Risk of Stroke-Free Screening Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. What: Receive a free stroke assessment and learn what you can do to lower your risk and recognize the warning signs. (Due to time constraints, only the first 200 attendees will be screened.) When: Saturday, May 4, 2013, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Where: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Main lobby, First Floor, 400 N. Pepper Ave., Colton, CA. ... April 17, 2013 General Free Screening and Assessment, Stroke 0 0 Comment Read More »
CSUSB Holding Healthcare Reform Seminar Healthcare law is suppose to be in full effect January 1, 2014. How will you implement it and what effect will it have on your business and you. Thursday April 25, 2013; 8:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (Doors open 7:30 a.m.) Buffet Breakfast - Tickets can be purchased at :http:businessalliance.ticketleap.com/events/. Hear from experts in the legal, insurance and medical industries what they have to say Learn what you need to do to make sure you comply with the law Have your ... April 16, 2013 General CSUSB, healthcare reform 0 0 Comment Read More »
April is 'National Donate Life' month In honor of Donate Life month, the California Medical Association (CMA) and the CMA Foundation are encouraging physicians to talk to their patients about the importance of organ and tissue donation, particularly in underserved ethnic communities. Currently, more than 117,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the United States, more than half of those being multicultural patients. That’s because some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver that are best treated through transplantation are found more frequently in these populations. For example, African Americans and ... April 9, 2013 General Organ Donation, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Encourage your patients to participate in 'National Prescription Drug Take Back Day' More than six million Americans abuse prescription drugs, this according to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study also revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet. The California Medical Association (CMA) has long recognized that a comprehensive approach is needed to address this serious issue. Successfully preventing drug abuse requires a public health focus, promotion of physician education and public ... April 8, 2013 General Prescription Drugs, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
TRICARE Transition Guide On April 1, 2013, United Health Military & Veterans Services (UMVS) began providing managed care services to 2.9 million TRICARE beneficiaries in the 21 western states, including California. On that date, UMVS took over the contract previously held by TriWest. To help physicians understand the impact the transition will have on their practices, CMA has prepared a TRICARE Transition Guide. (members only; login required) April 2, 2013 General, Managed Care Managed Care Services, UMVS, TRICARE, United Health Military and Veterans Services 0 0 Comment Read More »
