"News You Can Use" <> March 4, 2015 March 4, 2015 SGR SGR 0 Sign up to Receive SDCMS's E-newsletter, "News You Can Use" — Email NYCU@SDCMS.org CONTENTS Executive Director Note on the April 1 SGR Cut Mingle, Socialize, and Network With Your Fellow Physicians on Friday, April 24, 5:30pm–8:00pm Safe Prescribing Symposium on March 11 June 6 Workshop on Financial & Legal Life Skills Is Your Office Working on ICD-10 Compliance? Your Member Services Quiz Pertussis Epidemic Continues in San Diego County and California Shiga Toxin-producing Shigella sonnei Cases in San Diego County Measles Updates New March 20, 2015, EHR Attestation Deadline for Medicare Eligible Professionals CMS to Conduct ICD-10 Claims Testing for Physicians in March and June Open Payments Database Available for Physician Review in April MACs Continuing to Require Physicians to Revalidate Their Medicare Enrollments Regulations Requiring Health Insurers to Have Adequate Networks and Accurate Directories Have Gone Into Effect Fraud Alert: Recognizing Relationships That May Trigger Fraud and Abuse Concerns for Physicians Members: Watch Previously Recorded SDCMS Seminars Get Insights on Patient Safety Delivered to Your Inbox Learn About the Latest Efforts in San Diego to Eliminate Suicide SDCMS Foundation Honors Its Founding President Free SDCMS Foundation Project Access Surgery Day Gives Locals Some Much-needed Relief Can You Help Spread the Message of Health by Making a Brief Presentation in Your Community? Covered California Enrollment Information / Deadlines Covered California Physician Resources ABOVE THE FOLD Executive Director Note: On April 1 (no fooling) the one-year patch on the formula that determines the Medicare cost-of-living adjustments (aka, the SGR) expires. Absent action by Congress, this would result in approximately a 24% across-the-board cut to Medicare rates (and, obviously, cuts to any payer denominated as a multiple of Medicare rates). No one wants this to happen, and CMA is aggressively advocating for a permanent fix. But in today’s toxic environment, a permanent fix is a stretch, and brinkmanship is the norm. What to do? While the odds of a permanent 24% cut are near nil, the odds of a short (days) cut, with retroactive backfill, is real — so be prepared for short-term disruptions of Medicare cash flow. SDCMS, as always, will keep you informed of developments as they occur. It’s Free & It’s Fun — Mingle, Socialize, and Network With Your Fellow Physicians on Friday, April 24, 5:30pm–8:00pm Near Scripps Mercy: Complimentary hors d'ouvres and hosted wine and craft beer. Bring a non-member – everyone welcome! Where: 57 Degrees, 1735 Hancock Street, San Diego 92101. Questions? Contact Jen Ohmstede at (858) 300-2781 or at JOhmstede@SDCMS.org. RSVPs required as space is limited — click here to RSVP. We hope to see you there! Safe Prescribing Symposium on March 11: 1:30pm–5:00pm at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation. Click Here June 6 Workshop on Financial & Legal Life Skills: Covering investing, insurance, real estate, taxes accounting, and much more. Saturday, June 6, 8am–12pm. For SDCMS members only. Email me at Gehring@SDCMS.org for information or to RSVP. Is Your Office Working on ICD-10 Compliance? Click here to see a number of members-only resources, including CMA’s ICD-10 Transition Guide for Physicians. October 1 is closer than you think!!! TOP YOUR MEMBER SERVICES QUIZ Question: I received a fax from a company called Inovalon, requesting medical charts for two of our Anthem Blue Cross patients. Is this a legitimate request? Click Here for the Answer TOP MEDICAL Feb. 26 CAHAN — Pertussis Epidemic Continues in San Diego County and California: Click Here Feb. 24 CAHAN — Shiga Toxin-producing Shigella sonnei Cases in San Diego County: Click Here Measles Updates: Feb. 20 CAHAN — Measles Update #3: Click Here Feb. 20 CDPH Measles Update: Click Here Kaiser Permanente "Measles Not Measles" Poster: Click Here TOP FEDERAL New March 20, 2015, EHR Attestation Deadline for Medicare Eligible Professionals: Click Here CMS to Conduct ICD-10 Claims Testing for Physicians in March and June: Click Here Open Payments Database Available for Physician Review in April: Click Here Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) Continuing to Require Physicians to Revalidate Their Medicare Enrollments: Revalidation notices have been sent out and will continue to be sent out until March 23, 2015. Click Here for Further Information TOP STATE Regulations Requiring Health Insurers to Have Adequate Networks and Accurate Directories Have Gone Into Effect: Click Here Fraud Alert: Recognizing Relationships That May Trigger Fraud and Abuse Concerns for Physicians: Click Here TOP BENEFITS / PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Members: Click Here to Watch Previously Recorded SDCMS Seminars, Including: HIPAA & EHRs: What Every Practice Must Know (2015.03.04) Medicare Updates and Changes for 2015 (2015.01.29) Covered California: What Your Healthcare Team Needs to Know (2014.11.13) Payor Denials & Appeals: Effective Management and Best Outcomes (2014.10.09) HIPAA Compliance Update (2014.09.25) How to Handle Reportable Events, Such As Abuse, Loss of Consciousness, and the Impaired Provider (2014.09.11) Email Membership@SDCMS.org for assistance in logging in. Get Insights on Patient Safety Delivered to Your Inbox: Click here to sign up for The Doctor’s Practice, The Doctors Company’s complimentary monthly newsletter featuring a new article or video in a simple, one-click email. TOP LOCAL Click Here to Learn About the Latest Efforts in San Diego to Eliminate Suicide (Video Created by the San Diego Suicide Prevention Council) SDCMS Foundation Honors Its Founding President: Click Here to Watch KUSI’s News Report Free SDCMS Foundation Project Access Surgery Day Gives Locals Some Much-needed Relief: Click Here Can You Help Spread the Message of Health by Making a Brief Presentation in Your Community? The SDCMS Foundation is partnering with the County of San Diego to educate community members on how to improve their lives and take charge of their health by launching a Live Well Physicians’ Speakers Bureau. Contact Barbara.Mandel@SDCMS.org to say YES, you will volunteer just one or two times a year, quarterly, or however your schedule allows. TOP COVERED CALIFORNIA Enrollment Information / Deadlines: Open enrollment for private health coverage through Covered California in 2015 is now over. However, Medi-Cal enrollment is year-round. Additionally, individuals who experience a qualifying life event may be eligible to enroll in private coverage through Covered California by applying for special enrollment. Physician Resources: New Tip Sheet From CMA: “Surviving Covered California: Preparing for Changes in 2015”: Click Here for Details Covered California Insurer Contacts Covered California Qualified Health Plan Insurance Carriers — Plan Year 2015 Office Placard Understanding the Grace Period Plan Names, ID Card, and Provider Directory Reference Guide Know Your Participation Status FAQs for Patients in English and Spanish TOP “Forgive, son; men are men; they needs must err.” — Euripides, Athenian Tragedian (c. 480–406 BC) Comments are closed.