Managing Your Practice

CMS Issues Final Meaningful Use Definition (2010.07.13)

On Tuesday morning, July 13, 2010, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the final rule laying out the definition of “meaningful use” of an electronic health record (EHR) system. Medicare and Medi-Cal physicians who demonstrate “meaningful use” of EHRs will qualify for federal EHR incentive payments.

While the rule is final, it has not yet been noticed in the Federal Register. It will take effect 60 days after that notice.

Contract Amendments: An Action Guide for Physicians

California law prohibits unilateral amendments to both HMO and PPO agreements, unless the amendment is necessary to comply with state or federal law, regulations, or accreditation requirements. Furthermore, California law only allows a material amendment by the plan where there is prior notice and the physician has the right to terminate the agreement prior to the change becoming effective. Physicians are encouraged to carefully review all proposed amendments to health plan or medical group/IPA contracts.

New Physician Signage Regs Take Effect June 27, 2010: Resources for Compliance

(June 01, 2010)

Effective June 27, 2010, California physicians are required to inform their patients that they are licensed by the Medical Board of California, and to provide patients with the board's contact information.

Federal EHR Certification Rule

Background

In order to receive electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA” or the “Stimulus Bill”), physicians will have to demonstrate “meaningful use” of a “certified” EHR system.

Medicare Payment Rule Implements Key Provisions of Reform Law

July 1, 2010

Given the new direction for the nation’s health system, AMA has developed Health System Reform Insight to help you understand the health system reform legislation and what it means to you and your patients.

New 2011 Medicare Payment Rule Implements Key Provisions of Reform Law

CMA ON-CALL Document #1250, "Ten Strategies to Protect Quality Through Medical Staff Self-Governance"

Medical staff self-governance is a vital part of the carefully crafted system designed to ensure the delivery of quality patient care. This system recognizes that the hospital's medical staff is the only body with the medical expertise and daily experience unique to a particular hospital necessary to conduct the quality assurance activities integral to patient safety.

Cal-Net Physicians IPA: Important Information for Physicians

The information in this guide is subject to change. Please check CMA’s members-only website at www.cmanet.org/ces for updates to this document.

Cal-Net Physicians IPA serves approximately 5,500 enrollees in San Diego County. Cal-Net contracts with Molina Health Plan, Community Health Group and Care 1st to provide services to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families enrollees. CMA has learned that these health plans have terminated their contract with Cal-Net, effective June 1, 2010 due to financial solvency concerns.

Deep Medicare Cuts Set to Take Effect Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Senior Citizens Could Face New Obstacles to Getting Care, After Payments Are Cut 21%

For the third time this year, Congress has failed to prevent deep cuts in Medicare reimbursements from taking effect, jeopardizing senior citizens' access to healthcare and aggravating physicians who are doing their best to serve their patients but don't know if they can pay their bills month to month.

PECOS Enrollment Moved Up to July 6, 2010

PECOS (Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System) enrollment deadline will be moved up by six months from January 1, 2011, to July 6, 2010. Medicare is authorized to reject claims if an ordering or referring physician is not identified in Medicare's Internet-based PECOS enrollment system.

CMA Practice Resources (CPR) <> May 2010

CMA CPR: Tips and Tools From the Experts in CMA's Center for Economic Services
— May 2010

Report Unfair Payment Practices
CMA is fighting on your behalf to curb abusive practices by third party payors. Our goal is to not only enact meaningful laws, but to make sure that these laws are enforced by state regulators. Unfair payment practices include, but are not limited to: