E-Newsletter

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"News You Can Use" <> September 17, 2015



CONTENTS

ABOVE THE FOLD

ICD-10 Implementation Final Countdown to October 1, 2015! Practices should be in the final stages of preparation and training for conversion to the new code set on October 1, 2015. Click here for a number of CMA resources to help members prepare, including its ICD-10 Transition Guide, discounted ICD-10 education and training, ICD-10 news alerts, one-on-one assistance, and more.

Executive Director Request for Action: SDCMS's bi-annual Physician Workforce and Compensation Survey is a critical tool in our discussions with lawmakers and decision-makers. We need your input — irrespective of mode of practice — to make it accurate. All answers are de-identified, anonymized, and cannot be traced back to individual submitters. It only takes five (5) minutes of your time. Physicians: If you haven't already done so, PLEASE PITCH IN BY COMPLETING OUR 2015 WORKFORCE & COMPENSATION SURVEY NOW!

Nominate Your Office Manager to Be San Diego County's "Outstanding Medical Office Manager" for 2015: SDCMS will recognize San Diego County's most outstanding medical office manager, i.e., someone who goes above and beyond his or her job description, who anticipates problems before they arise, who works efficiently with the practice's time and resources, and who strikes the right balance between exercising control and boosting morale when supervising staff. SDCMS member physicians can nominate their office managers by explaining in writing (up to 600 words) why their office manager is the best in San Diego County. Email nominations to KLewis@SDCMS.org by November 2, 2105.

Purchase Your Tickets for the Oct. 10 Top Docs Gala Today! Dine on celebratory cuisine and cocktails. Try your luck at casino tables. Dance to live entertainment. Sip your way through a craft beer tasting. 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Click Here

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YOUR MEMBER SERVICES QUIZ

Question: I understand for a one-year period starting October 1 Medicare claims will not be denied solely on the specificity of the ICD-10 diagnosis codes provided, as long as the physician submitted an ICD-10 code from an appropriate family of codes. Will Medi-Cal and the private payors follow Medicare’s lead? Click Here for the Answer

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FEDERAL

October 6 "Uncovering Medicare Mysteries" In-person Seminar by Noridian at the Crown Plaza, 8:00am to 11:30am: Click Here for Details and to Register

10 Times HIPAA May Not Apply: Click Here

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STATE

Study Finds Majority of Covered California Plans Have Narrow Physician Networks: Click Here

High Levels of Cancer-causing Chemicals Found During E-cigarette Tests: Click Here

NPs and PAs Can Sign POLST Forms Beginning in 2016: Click Here

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ICD-10

ICD-10-CM Code Set Boot Camp at SDCMS on Oct. 1 & 2: Click Here for Details and to Register 

CMS Clarifies ICD-10 "Grace Period" Guidance: Claims will be processed and will not be audited as long as the first three characters are from the correct "coding family"; however, if a submitted code is not recognized by the system as a valid ICD-10 code, it will be rejected. The physician can, in such an instance, resubmit the claim with a valid code. TO CLARIFY: The ICD-10 implementation date of October 1, 2015, has not changed. Click Here

Medi-Cal Providers: Are You Ready for ICD-10? Click Here

The Coding Corner: ICD-10 Coding for Sinusitis? Click Here

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BENEFITS / PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Achieving Meaningful Use Woes? The SDCMS Foundation can provide FREE technical assistance for primary care AND specialists working to attest for Medi-Cal incentive funds. Working to attest for Medicare incentive prior to year-end? Help is at hand as well. Contact Victor.Bloomberg@SDCMS.org.

CMA Practice Resources (CPR) for Sept. 2015:

  • Blue Shield Announces Fee Schedule Changes Effective November 1: Click Here
  • United Healthcare to Implement Several New Multiple Procedure Payment Reductions Effective November 15: Click Here
  • United Healthcare Identifies Physician Chemotherapy Claims Processing Error: Click Here
  • Anthem Blue Cross Offering Incentive for Completion of Health Assessments: Click Here
  • DHCS Implements Period of “Deemed Eligibility” for Cal MediConnect Plans: Click Here

Discounted Padres Tickets for SDCMS Members:

  • Tuesday, September 22 (7:10pm) vs. San Francisco Giants
  • Thursday, September 24 (6:10pm) vs. San Francisco Giants
  • Friday, September 25 (7:10pm) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Saturday, September 26 (5:40pm) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Tuesday, September 29 (7:10pm) vs. Milwaukee Brewers
  • Thursday, October 1 (3:40pm) vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Click Here for Details

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LOCAL

Physicians: Start a team for the SDCMS Foundation's Saturday, November 14 Solana Beach Sunset 5K Run / Walk. Click Here for Details

Interested in Becoming a Preceptor for Osteopathic Students? Phoenix medical school has third- and fourth-year medical students in San Diego looking for clinical rotations, particularly in pediatrics, psychiatry, general surgery, and OB/GYN. Click Here for Details

Work-Life Balance Workshop on Saturday, October 17: Join Helane Fronek, MD, certified physician development coach, on Saturday, October 17, 9:00am–12:00pm, to begin to see your life and your choices in it in a new light! Workshop limited to 12 physicians. Email Dr. Fronek at hsfronek@aol.com for details or to reserve your spot today!

Help Spread the Message of Health by Making a Brief Presentation in Your Community: Educate children, adults, seniors, and employees on how to improve their lives and take charge of their health through the Live Well Physicians’ Speakers Bureau. Email Barbara.Mandel@SDCMS.org to say YES, you will volunteer just one or two times a year, quarterly, or however your schedule allows.

Bipolar Disorder Clinical Trial Volunteers Needed: UCSD is conducting a longitudinal study on how inflammatory biomarkers and mood fluctuations among those diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be predicting factors to decline in their cognitive functioning over time. Click Here for Details

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“The latter part of a wise person's life is occupied with curing the follies, prejudices and false opinions they contracted earlier.” — Jonathan Swift, Anglo-Irish Satirist, Essayist, Political Pamphleteer, Poet, and Cleric (1667–1745)



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