Posted by: Lynn
on Feb 3, 2012
February 1, 2012
Dear Colleagues –
Today, because of the efforts of a coalition led by the California Medical Association, a final ruling was issued by Judge Christina Snyder of the California Central Federal District Court, which blocks a 10 percent Medi-Cal reimbursement rate reduction. Her decision is a huge win for physicians in California and for the patients they treat. California faces a budget deficit every year, and to close that widening gap, programs are cut and services are slashed. Medi-Cal is a program that is constantly targeted, and proposals always seem to include reducing reimbursement rates for physicians as a short-term solution. CMA has repeatedly informed the state, the federal government and the courts about the unacceptable impact of those cuts. Year after year, we’re obliged to tell the same story: if Medi-Cal rates are cut, physicians will be forced to stop accepting the patients that need care the most. Thanks to the hard work of CMA’s legal and legislative staff, our voices have been heard, yet again. As we argued, Judge Snyder’s ruling stated that “fiscal crisis does not outweigh the serious irreparable injury plaintiffs would suffer absent the issuance of an injunction."
Posted by: Lynn
on Dec 22, 2011
New California Laws Will Affect Maternity Leave, Public Health
Some of the new state laws that take effect next year have implications for employer-sponsored health insurance and public health issues, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
New Law on Maternity Coverage
Posted by: Lynn
on Nov 22, 2011
For the second year in a row, the California Medical Association’s (CMA) Center for Economic Services (CES) has recouped more than $2.7 million from payers on behalf of its members. The center’s reimbursement help line has fielded almost 2,400 calls about billing and contracting issues from more than 1,200 different physician practices.
To date, CES has recouped $2,706,999 for member physicians. CES is on its way to surpass last year’s total of more than $2,780,000.
“Our goal is to empower practices by providing them self-help tools and teaching them how to be effective advocates for physicians and patients,” said Francisco Silva, CMA General Counsel and Vice President. “When the process fails, however, we’re always ready to intervene with the payer or regulator on the member’s behalf.”
Founded in 1999, CES provides members with one-on-one assistance for billing, contracting and payment problems that may arise. With more than 125 years of combined medical practice operations experience, CES staff helps members with issues ranging from underpayment or denials by payers to assisting with contract analysis during negotiations.
Assistance from CES can range from education on how to increase a practices’ efficiency to direct intervention with payers or regulators. This support is reserved exclusively for CMA members.
CES also provides members with access to CMA Practice Resources, a regular bulletin offering tips for improving practice efficiency and viability.
Posted by: Staff
on Oct 24, 2011
On Thursday, November 3rd, Golden Valley Health Centers will be celebrating the grand opening of its Women's Health Center located at 1500 Florida Avenue.
Posted by: Staff
on Jul 11, 2011
The Board has been advised that several physicians in the Los Angeles area
have been contacted by an individual impersonating an Investigator with the
Medical Board of California. The individual asks physicians for their social
security number and a credit card number, threatening cancellation of their
license.
This individual is NOT associated with the Medical Board of California. If you
have been contacted by anyone representing themselves as a Medical Board
Investigator requesting credit card information or social security information,
please report this contact to local law enforcement and the Medical Board of
California at webmaster@mbc.ca.gov. Please take the necessary precautions
to ensure your social security and credit information is not misused.
