DHCS preps contingencies in case of delayed budget approval The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently announced it will implement a contingency plan for claim payment if the state budget is not enacted before the beginning of the 2017-2018 fiscal year on July 1. Although the state legislature passed a budget by the June 15 deadline, the Governor has not yet signed it. According to DHCS, providers should continue to submit claims for processing as normal, but payments for some programs may be delayed until the budget is signed. Claims for the following services will be processed ... June 22, 2017 General Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, Department of Health Care Services, DHCS, Family PACT, Medi-Cal, California State Budget, CHDP 0 0 Comment Read More »
Free CME: Medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering two free training sessions on the use of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders. The training, “The Effective Use of Medication Assisted Treatment in an Opioid Dependent Population,” will be held in Sacramento on July 18 and repeated in Orange County on July 20. Registration is first-come, first-served. Attendance is capped at 100 participants – you must register by July 3. Physicians can receive up to 7 continuing medical education (CME) credits. To register, click on the links below: ... June 22, 2017 General Continuing Medical Education, Drug Abuse, Medical Solutions to Drug Abuse, Opioids, CME 0 0 Comment Read More »
Save the date: NEPO Building Healthy Communities Summit, Oct. 19-20 in Anaheim The 2017 Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations (NEPO) Building Healthy Communities Summit will be held on October 19-20 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The theme this year is "Striving for Health Equity in the Era of Change." Register today for the early bird rate of $199. A block of rooms has been registered for members at a discounted rate of $215/night. Rates are guaranteed until September 27 or until full. Stay tuned for more information on this year's agenda and speakers. June 22, 2017 CMA, General Ethnic Diversity, NEPO, Building Healthy Communities Summit, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations 0 0 Comment Read More »
Free CME: Effective Strategies for Reducing Patients' Diabetes Risk, June 29 in San Diego Physicians are invited to attend a free dinner meeting, "Effective Strategies for Reducing Patients' Diabetes Risk," Thursday, June 29, 2017, from 6-8 p.m., at the San Diego County Medical Society. 13 million California adults—nearly half of the state’s adult population—have prediabetes, increasing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next few years. One out of every three Californians between the ages of 18 and 39 is estimated to have prediabetes. With the clinical burden of diabetes on the rise, physicians should be armed with evidence-based solutions to prevent ... June 22, 2017 General Continuing Medical Education, Diabetes, Public Health, San Diego County Medical Society, CME 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDI issues instructions for "average contracted rate" under new out-of-network billing and payment law On July 1, 2017, a new law (AB 72, 2016) will take effect that changes the billing practices of non-contracted physicians providing non-emergent care at in-network facilities including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and laboratories. The law is designed to reduce unexpected medical bills when patients go to an in-network facility but receive care from an out-of-network doctor. While patients with out-of-network benefits can consent to treatment from out-of-network providers, absent a valid consent form, health plans and insurers are required to reimburse out-of-network physicians at an interim payment rate. The ... June 22, 2017 Managed Care Out of Network Care, AB 72 0 0 Comment Read More »
Diabetes Prevention: How to get your male patients in for prediabetes screening Being a father is a big responsibility—with big demands. Dads spend a lot of time thinking about, taking care of, providing for and worrying about their families, which means they don’t necessarily put their own needs—or their health—first. This may in part explain why it’s so difficult to get your male patients into the office, let alone to get them screened for prediabetes. But it also may be an opportunity and incentive to get them there as well, so they can do more of the things they enjoy with their ... June 21, 2017 General Public Health, Diabetes 0 0 Comment Read More »
CHA to host webinar on cancer surgery volumes and patient outcomes The California Hospital Association (CHA) is hosting a webinar to unveil new research on how a hospital’s volume of cancer surgeries impacts patient outcomes. The webinar, “Cancer Surgery Volumes on Outcomes," will take place on July 6, 2017, from 10 a.m.to 12 p.m. The California HealthCare Foundation has partnered with the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, a health services researcher at Stanford and the Cancer Prevention Institute of California on a study to measure the volume of cancer surgeries performed at each hospital for certain cancers for ... June 21, 2017 General Cancer, Webinars 0 0 Comment Read More »
2018 palliative care summit accepting breakout session proposals The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California and the Children's Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition Now are now accepting breakout session proposals for their 10th annual summit, "Better Together: Forging a path to person-centered care," which will take place April 10-11, 2018, in Anaheim. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017. The summit is designed for physicians, nurses, social workers, nursing home administrators, chaplains, patients and consumers who are interested in palliative care best practices, quality and policy. For more information please visit the CCCC Summit ... June 21, 2017 General C, Coalition for Compassionate Care, Hospice, Palliative Care 0 0 Comment Read More »
FDA wants opioid pulled from market due to risk of abuse Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that Endo Pharmaceuticals remove its opioid pain medication, reformulated Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride), from the market. After careful consideration, the agency is concerned that the benefits of the drug may no longer outweigh its risks. This is the first time the FDA has taken steps to remove a currently marketed opioid pain medication from sale due to the public health consequences of abuse. The FDA’s decision is based on a review of all available data and follows a March 2017 ... June 21, 2017 General Food and Drug Administration, Prescription Drugs, Drug Abuse, Opioids 0 0 Comment Read More »
Pharmacy board announces rules for pharmacy drug take-back services The California State Board of Pharmacy has finalized rules for pharmacy prescription drug take-back programs. The proposed regulations are part of statewide efforts to combat prescription drug misuse by making it easier for patients to safely dispose of old and unwanted drugs. A significant component of the prescription drug abuse and diversion problem stems from misuse of unused drugs. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, over 71 percent of prescription pain medications are obtained from family and friends, and 5 percent took the medication from a friend ... June 21, 2017 General Prescription Drugs 0 0 Comment Read More »
