NYCU May 12, 2026 May 13, 2026 Advocacy, Cancer, Champions for Health, CMA, Immigration, Leadership, Medical Board, Medical Malpractice/Litigation, Practice Management, Public Health, Regulations, SDCMS, Telehealth, Trump Administration 0 TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 PHYSICIANS: California Medical Association (CMA) is reminding physicians that health plans are prohibited from shifting the financial risk for COVID–19 testing, immunizations and related services through limited risk arrangements such as single case agreements and case rate agreements. In January 2026, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued an All–Plan Letter (APL) 26–002 in response to concerns raised by CMA after physicians reported that some health plans, including Medi–Cal managed care plans, were refusing to reimburse pandemic–era COVID–19 testing claims based on the existence of case rate agreements or other limited risk arrangements. CMA–sponsored Senate Bill 510 (2021) requires health plans and insurers to reimburse providers for COVID–19 testing, vaccine administration and related services. The law also prohibits plans from shifting the financial risk for those services to contracted providers unless both parties negotiated and agreed to a new contractual provision accepting that risk. You can CLICK HERE to access more information on this issue. CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (CMA) ENDORSES XAVIER BECERRA FOR GOVERNOR Representing more than 50,000 physicians and medical students across the state, CMA has issued its gubernatorial endorsement before the crucial June 2nd primary election. They are supporting former Congressman, former California Attorney General and former Biden Administration Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in the wild and highly competitive open race for Governor of California. “Xavier Becerra has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to improving access to care, protecting patients and supporting physicians throughout his career in public service,” said Rene Bravo, MD, President of CMA. “As our healthcare system faces mounting pressures, Xavier Becerra brings the leadership and experience needed to navigate complex issues and protect California communities.” “I’m honored to have the support of California’s physicians,” said Becerra. “Throughout my career, I’ve worked to expand access to affordable, high–quality care and to protect the integrity of our healthcare system. As Governor, I will partner with physicians and other healthcare leaders to strengthen our workforce, reduce barriers to care, and ensure every Californian can get the care they need when they need it.” 3RD ANNUAL ‘ADVANCES IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY CONFERENCE’ ON JUNE 22ND & JUNE 23RD IN SAN DIEGO | FREE FOR SDCMS MEMBERS Join your colleagues for a two–day education event to advance clinical knowledge across multiple specialties. Connect with physicians and healthcare professionals, share insights, and explore new developments. Learn from leading physicians across multiple specialties. Explore emerging topics including AI for doctors and functional medicine. Participate in live Q&A sessions with expert speakers. CME credit is available. Sponsored by the California Medical Association and MedWay. The conference is FREE for SDCMS members [use code 2510], for students and for SAAPI or PMA members. The conference is at the Hilton Garden Inn at 17240 Bernardo Center Drive in San Diego. The session on Friday the 22nd begins at 1:45pm and ends at 5:15pm. On Saturday, the conference goes from 8am until final remarks at 2:45pm. Space is limited. For more information and registration, please CLICK HERE. SPECIAL SELF–DEFENSE CLASS GEARED TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 6TH FROM 2PM TO 4PM Legion American Jiu Jiutsu is offering a self–defense class for $25 [reimbursable for SDCMS members post–attendance] to health care workers on Saturday, June 6th from 2pm to 4pm. Their workshop has practical de–escalation and physical defense techniques that can be used in a hospital or clinic setting. No experience or fitness level needed. It is limited to a 50 person maximum. The Class is taught by three professional instructors, including Pablo Perez, a World Champion who spent multiple years working as a security guard inside hospitals and understands firsthand violence in healthcare settings. He’s joined by co–founder Miha Perhavec (black belt in jiu–jiutsu and judo) and Paige Clymer, World Champion and head of their women’s program. They are located at 7550 Miramar Road, Suite 330 in San Diego. For the agenda and registration CLICK HERE. REMINDER | ‘PHYSICIANS IN THE MEDICAL BOARD HOT SEAT’ WEBINAR ON MAY 20TH FROM 6:30–8:00PM | FREE FOR MEMBERS AND NON–MEMBERS Have you ever wondered what it’s like to defend your medical care and practice before a Medical Board attorney following a patient complaint? ‘Physicians in the Medical Board Hot Seat!’ provides an engaging simulation event offered through a live Teams webinar broadcast. Our program will provide you with the latest insights into frequent complaints and issues that prompting the Medical Board to send letters to initiate an investigation against a physician’s license. This session is designed to keep you up–to–date and help you navigate these matters with confidence. Please join us for an informative program that will provide 1.5 CME Credits. Sponsored by The Doctors Company (TDC), OCMA, SDCMS, and SBCMS. Free for both Members and Non–Members. At the conclusion of this program you will be able to: Identify frequent types of complaints made to the Medical Board Discuss the proper process for responding to Medical Board complaints Develop an action plan to improve my documentation in two specific areas of the medical record To attend this webinar, please REGISTER HERE. As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO WHAT TO KNOW … In California Governor Race, Single–Payer is a Litmus Test. There’s Still No Way to Pay for It CLICK HERE With Legal Briefs In, Supreme Court Weights Telehealth Access for the Abortion Pill CLICK HERE US Lifts Hold on Immigration Applications for Doctors, but Leaves Others Waiting CLICK HERE Cancer Warning Labels on Alcohol May Motivate People to Drink Less, Study Says CLICK HERE Why the Hantavirus Outbreak is Different from the COVID–19 Pandemic CLICK HERE Fewer than Half of U.S. States Adequately Prepared for Health Emergency Ahead of World Cup: Report CLICK HERE Pediatrics Group Issues New Guidance on Recess for the First Time in 13 Years CLICK HERE FDA Claims There’s No Estrogen Patch Shortage as Women Struggle to Get Prescriptions Filled CLICK HERE As Ranks of Uninsured Grow, Charity Care Can Be Hard to Come by at Many Hospitals CLICK HERE WHAT TO DO … MAY 19, 2026: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Understanding the Impact of Patient Nonadherence on Clinical Outcomes & Malpractice Claims’. Increases in noncompliant and nonadherent patients is concerning. Health care professionals must evaluate patients who do not follow recommendations for tests, lab work, follow–up appointments and specialist referrals. These patients often experience chronic and acute issues that need to be identified for treatment. Physicians should prepare themselves and their staff to work successfully with them. Learn how to protect yourself and your practice from the unintended consequences of patients who are noncompliant and nonadherent CLICK HERE MAY 20, 2026: 6:30–8pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by OCMA, SDCMS, SBCMS and The Doctors Company (TDC), ‘Physicians in the Medical Board Hot Seat’. Experience first–hand an engaging simulation event offered through a live Teams webinar broadcast. Discover the latest insights into frequent complaints and issues prompting the Medical Board to send letters and initiate investigations. Designed to keep you up–to–date and help you navigate these matters with confidence. CME credit available ? CLICK HERE JUN 16, 2026: Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento, sponsored by CMA, ‘Annual CME Provider Conference’. Register before May 15 and save $50! Standard registration is $300. This educational opportunity provides valuable strategies and insights to improving your CME program, and an opportunity to connect with Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education leadership and California Medical Association staff along with other accredited CME providers ? CLICK HERE JUN 19, 2026: 8a-12:30p, sponsored by Riverside County Medical Association, ‘38th Annual Virtual Conference on Physician Wellness’. $199 Registration, $50 for residents/medical students. Medical staff leaders are increasingly faced with difficult questions: When does behavior require action? How do you intervene without overreaching? How do you balance compassion with compliance? This event will help leaders navigate these moments with clarity, structure, and confidence. Through expert–led sessions and integrated case discussion, learn practical guidance for managing complex physician issues before they escalate ? CLICK HERE JUN 27, 2026: 5-10pm, SD Air & Space Museum, 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego. 156th installation of SDCMS President and annual United in Wellness Gala, ‘Soaring Toward a Healthier San Diego’. Please join us in supporting Champions’ life–saving work to provide medical services for San Diego County’s underserved communities ? CLICK HERE AUG 13, 2026: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Managing Challenging Patient Interactions’. Providers often face challenging patients in their practice. Patient, physician and office staff can complicate their care management. Discover strategies to support positive communication among providers and patients, and reduce the emergence of challenging behaviors altogether. Learn communication and self–awareness skills to convert an unproductive encounter into a successful one ? CLICK HERE OCT 8, 2026: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Best Practices — Documenting Disruptive Patient Behavior’. Disruptive patient encounters create undue stress on physicians and their staff, threaten an environment of patient safety and divert valuable resources. Patients who push the limits of appropriate behavior cause health care workers anxiety, stress, personal and professional isolation plus diminished coping strategies. Learn to address the behavior through a lens inclusive of cultural issues, intrinsic bias, language and health literacy. Medical records should also reflect the patient experience and behavior in the office. Documentation of patient inappropriate or disruptive behavior is required to defend health plan grievances and successfully respond to patient complaints to the licensing boards. It should support any patient dismissal. Prepare to work successfully with disruptive patients, appropriately document their behavior, and be mindful of cultural and other issues for patients, staff and visitors CLICK HERE WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH … Podcast ‘What the Health?’ Abortion Pill Politics LISTEN HERE Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series on Dementia WATCH HERE Champions for Health & TDC’s Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series ‘Innovations and Smart Approaches in Safe Prescibing’ to Help Fulfill DEA Training Requirements (Modules 1–5) WATCH HERE SDCMS Video Archive: View our FREE digital catalog of videos & webinars WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: The Impact of a Medical Board Investigation on Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Strategies to Enhance the Patient Experience and Reduce Your Risk WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Top Five Risks for Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Understanding the Anatomy of a Lawsuit ? WATCH HERE Please Consider Supporting Our Advertisers … Thank You! 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