The End of Life Option Act takes effect on June 9: What physicians and patients need to know On June 9, 2016, California will become the fifth state in the nation to allow physicians to prescribe terminally ill patients medication to end their lives. California's new "End of Life Option Act" permits terminally ill adult patients with the capacity to make medical decisions to be prescribed an aid-in-dying medication if certain conditions are met. Recognizing the complexity of this new law, the California Medical Association (CMA) has published legal guidance in a question-and-answer format intended to help physicians and patients understand and navigate the law's requirements. The ... June 8, 2016 General Health Law Library, Physician Aid in Dying, End of Life Issues 0 0 Comment Read More »
Opioids: CMA publishes safe prescribing resources for physicians The California Medical Association (CMA) has published a members-only resource page to provide physicians with the most current information and resources on prescribing controlled substances safely and effectively to relieve pain, while simultaneously reducing the risk of prescription medication misuse, addiction and overdose. The page includes both of CMA’s white papers on prescribing opioids, links to CMA’s health law library resources on the topic, the Medical Board of California’s "Guidelines on Prescribing Controlled Substances for Pain," a listing of continuing medical education courses and webinars on pain management and safe ... June 8, 2016 General Drug Prescribing, Opioids, CURES, Drug Abuse, PDMP, Prescription Drugs 0 0 Comment Read More »
Reminder: CMS meaningful use hardship exception deadline is July 1 Physicians should be aware that July 1, 2016, is the extended deadline for physicians to file hardship exception applications from the electronic health record incentive program meaningful use requirements. In mid-December 2015, Congress adopted a last-minute bill that gave the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the authority to grant a blanket exception for all eligible physicians who applied for an exception from the 2015 meaningful use penalties. CMS reports the extension is being granted “so providers have sufficient time to submit their applications to avoid adjustments to their Medicare ... June 8, 2016 Medicare Meaningful Use, Medicare, Important Deadline 0 0 Comment Read More »
DHCS suspends planned passive enrollment for duals project The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced last week that it would not move forward with its planned annual passive enrollment of dual eligible beneficiaries under the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) after it received feedback from the California Medical Association (CMA) and 40 other stakeholders asking the agency to pursue enrollment strategies that support voluntary "opt-in" enrollment. Instead, DHCS said it will implement a voluntary "opt-in" enrollment effort beginning in July 2016. The new streamlined enrollment strategy will include mandatory Managed Medi-Cal Long-Term Supports and Services (MLTSS) plan enrollment. ... June 8, 2016 Managed Care, Medi-Cal, Medicare Medi-Cal, Medicare, Cal-MediConnect, Department of Health Care Services, Dual Eligible 0 0 Comment Read More »
Registration open for CME Essentials Workshop, August 12 in Newport Beach Join the Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) on Friday, August 12, 2016, for the next CME Essentials Workshop, to be held at HOAG Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach. This one-day workshop focuses on the fundamentals of planning and evaluating a continuing medical education (CME) activity. The CME Essentials Workshop is designed for individuals who are new to CME or who are seeking a refresher, including physicians (CME chairs, committee members, faculty or speakers); CME coordinators; nurses; and other medical staff and education professionals involved in planning CME activities. The workshop will ... June 8, 2016 General Institute for Medical Quality, CME Accreditationh, IMQ 0 0 Comment Read More »
Maintaining your Medicare opt-out status Physicians who intend to opt-out, or who have previously opted-out of Medicare, should be aware of changes to the Medicare opt-out period as a result of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Action of 2015 (MACRA). Validated opt-out affidavits signed on or after June 16, 2015, will automatically renew every two years. Previously, physicians who opted out of the program would have to renew their affidavit every two years to maintain their opt-out status. Under the new rules, affidavits will automatically renew every two years unless the physician cancels ... June 8, 2016 Medicare Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
IMQ Granted Deeming Authority for ASCs by CMS On April 29, 2016, the Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) was officially recognized as a national accrediting organization for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) that participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) came following a comprehensive review process to ensure that IMQ’s Standards of Accreditation meet or exceed Medicare’s Conditions for Coverage.“Our physician surveyors are highly experienced in systems that promote optimal patient care. We are pleased that CMS recognizes our expertise and profound commitment to patient safety and ... May 5, 2016 General ambulatory surgical centers, IMQ, Institute for Mecial Quality 0 0 Comment Read More »
HHS begins phase 2 of HIPAA Audit Program As part of continued efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to measure and evaluate HIPAA compliance among covered entities and their business associates, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has begun phase 2 of its HIPAA Audit Program. OCR is required to perform periodic audits of covered entities and their business associates to ensure HIPAA compliance. Over the next several months, OCR will notify selected covered entities via email to request documentation for a desk audit. Those selected will be required to provide the requested ... April 29, 2016 General OCR, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, HIPAA, Office for Civil Rights 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMS releases draft MACRA regulations The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Wednesday released a 962-page proposed rule that lays out the agency's plan for implementing last year's groundbreaking Medicare reform law, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Ahead of CMS’ release of the rule, physician leaders testified before the U.S. House of Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health during a special MACRA hearing last week. The physicians expressed cautious optimism and said the law represents a critical opportunity to enhance flexibility and innovation in health care that can lead ... April 29, 2016 Medicare Regulations, Regulatory Advocacy, CMS, MACRA, Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
IMQ offers consulting services for hospital medical staffs After 40 years of partnership, the Joint Commission has, effective April 30, 2016, terminated its joint survey program with the Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ), a subsidiary of the California Medical Association (CMA). Although this is a huge blow to California medical staffs, IMQ continues to offer valuable hospital consulting services, including assistance for hospitals preparing for licensure and accreditation surveys. Medical Staff Consultations IMQ’s medical staff consultation services range from individualized consultations to group presentations and workshops that provide in-depth learning experiences addressing key medical staff functions such as performance ... April 29, 2016 CMA, General IMQ, Institute for Medical Quality, Medical Staff, Hospital Medical Staff 0 0 Comment Read More »
