Did you know CMA's online health law library is FREE to members? CMA On-Call, the California Medical Association's (CMA) online health law library, is fully updated for 2018. One of CMA's most valuable member benefits, On-Call contains nearly 5,000 pages of up-to-date legal information on a variety of subjects of everyday importance to practicing physicians. The searchable online library contains all the information available in the California Physician's Legal Handbook (CPLH), an annual publication from CMA's Center for Legal Affairs. CMA On-Call documents are available free to members at www.cmanet.org/cma-on-call. Nonmembers can purchase documents for $2 per page. The complete health law library ... January 30, 2018 CMA CMA On-Call, Health Law Library 0 0 Comment Read More »
Check your medical board profile Physician profiles have been available to the public on the Medical Board of California's website since 1997, as required by Business and Professions Code sections 2027 and 803.1. The California Medical Association encourages physicians to periodically check their profiles for accuracy and to advise the board of any corrections, especially changes to their addresses of record. Making sure your information is accurate is important. Patients use the website to confirm their physician’s information. The medical board has launched a new public information campaign further encouraging patients visit the board's website ... January 30, 2018 General Medical Board of California 0 0 Comment Read More »
Report: California Physicians Boost the State's Economy Physicians add opportunity, growth and prosperity to the California economy by creating 1.2 million jobs and generating $232 billion in economic activity, according to a new report, The Economic Impact of Physicians in California, released today by the California Medical Association (CMA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). “California’s physicians do more than diagnose, cure or heal – they go beyond patient care by providing millions of good paying jobs and generate billions in tax revenues and economic activity,” said CMA President Theodore M. Mazer, M.D. “Today’s report illustrates why ... January 30, 2018 General Employment of Physicians, Physician Workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »
New health laws 2018: Are you ready? The California Legislature had an active year, passing many new laws affecting health care—with a strong focus on health care coverage, drug prescribing, public health and workers’ compensation issues. The California Medical Association has published a summary of the most significant new health laws of interest to physicians. For more details, see "Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2018." January 30, 2018 General Legal Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA President's Message: An Awesome Responsibility Leading the California Medical Association (CMA) is an awesome responsibility – one that includes representing physicians in the battles medicine faces in California and nationally; promoting policies that protect our patients, our practices and our ability to care for our communities; and preventing regulations that contribute to the ever-increasing problem of burnout among physicians that is resulting in early retirement or career change, frustrations and even suicide. I believe all physicians are responsible to protect the profession of medicine in the present and for the future. And no one can ... January 30, 2018 President's Message President's Message 0 0 Comment Read More »
Denying patient requests lowers physician ratings, UC Davis study finds Patients who ask for specialist referrals, laboratory tests or certain medications and don’t get them tend to be less satisfied with their physicians than those whose requests are fulfilled, new research from UC Davis Health shows. The study, “Association of Clinician Denial of Patient Requests with Patient Satisfaction," was published in the January 2018 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine. Based on the results, the study’s authors recommend communications training for physicians that fosters positive experiences for patients without agreeing to all requests for particular diagnostics or treatments. “It is common for ... January 30, 2018 General Physician-Patient Relationship, Quality of Care 0 0 Comment Read More »
State Disability Insurance rate increase took effect Jan. 1 Effective January 1, 2018, a number of State Disability Insurance (SDI) program changes took effect, including an increase in the wage replacement rate and an elimination of the seven-day non-payable waiting period. The changes apply to both disability claims and Paid Family Leave (PFL) claims. Patients can use the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) online benefit calculator to determine their new benefit amounts. Physicians should also be aware that there is a new version of the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits form (DE 2501F). New forms can be ordered ... January 30, 2018 General Paid Family Leave (PFL), State Disability Insurance (SDI) 0 0 Comment Read More »
Anthem dials back modifier 25 payment reduction policy; delays implementation This past fall, Anthem Blue Cross notified physicians in several states that effective January 1, 2018, it would reduce reimbursement of evaluation and management (E&M) services billed with modifier 25 by 50 percent. The California Medical Association (CMA) quickly jumped into action and coordinated with the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Association of Dermatologists, along with many other state and specialty organizations, to push back on the proposed change. Due to the overwhelming opposition from organized medicine, Anthem recently announced it would reduce the magnitude of its modifier ... January 29, 2018 General, Managed Care Contract Amendment, Economic Advocacy, Payor Contracting, Anthem Blue Cross 0 0 Comment Read More »
Are you being paid correctly under California's new out-of-network billing and payment law? Effective July 1, 2017, California’s new out-of-network billing and payment law (AB 72) requires fully insured commercial plans and insurers to make “interim payments” to non-contracted physicians for covered, non-emergent services performed at in-network health facilities, and places limitations on the ability of physicians in such circumstances to collect their full billed charges. The interim rate is the greater of the payor’s average contracted rate or 125 percent of the amount that Medicare reimburses on a fee-for-service basis for the same or similar services in that geographic region. This law ... January 29, 2018 CMA, General Economic Advocacy, AB 72, Medical Provider Networks, Out of Network Care, Provider Networks 0 0 Comment Read More »
Public Health Officer urges county residents to get the flu shot The Public Health Officer is strongly encouraging County residents to get the flu shot. Initial influenza reports have sharply increased nearly 300% in the last week, going from 38 reports to 150 reports. Within the last two weeks, the County has also confirmed three (3) flu-related deaths. “These deaths are a reminder that the flu can be serious and sometimes deadly,” said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, Health Officer. “Flu shots are the most effective protection from the flu, and it’s not too late to get one.” In light of the recent sharp ... January 9, 2018 General, Press Releases Flu Shots, Influenza, Vaccinations 0 0 Comment Read More »
