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U.S. House Passes Monumental SGR Reform in Landslide Vote — Bill Goes to Senate

CMA Applauds U.S. House of Representatives for Passing Monumental Medicare-CHIP Reform in Landslide Vote, Urges U.S. Senate to Act Swiftly Today, March 26, the California Medical Association (CMA) congratulates the U.S. House of Representatives for passing monumental Medicare reform and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) extension, and urgently asks their colleagues in the Senate to do the same before spring recess. The 392–37 vote clearly shows that now is the time to make Medicare reform a reality.  The legislation, HR 2, known as the “The Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act,” ...

SGR Update and Timeline (From AMA)

Today [March 24], the Medicare physician payment reform legislation was modified to include budget offsets, policy extenders, and other provisions, and reintroduced by Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX) as HR 2, the “Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act” (MACRA). Click here for a section-by-section analysis prepared by staff of the House committees of jurisdiction. The new bill (which replaces HR 1470, introduced last week) builds on the bipartisan, bicameral SGR replacement policy negotiated last year. Additional provisions of interest include the following: The work GPCI floor was extended ...

TRICARE Provider Education Sessions

Click Here to Download This Information in PDF As a provider for TRICARE beneficiaries, you are invited to attend upcoming education sessions to learn more about TRICARE programs, policies, and procedures. Meet Provider Relations staff and participate in an interactive Q&A session. Pre-registration is required as space is limited at each location. Sessions generally run 90 minutes. To Register: Click Here Click on “Training Center” Enter the Session Number (see below) Click “Join Now” Enter in Session ...

CMA Capitol Insight: March 16, 2015

CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. The Budget Showdown Begins It’s showdown season in the Capitol, as lawmakers and administration officials begin sparring early over the issues that will shape the 2015–16 budget. Looming large are questions over Medi-Cal, which was back in focus in Sacramento this week. The Assembly and Senate health committees held an oversight hearing on the growing government healthcare program. The four-hour hearing featured Jennifer Kent in her new roll as director of the ...

Physician Networking Opportunity & Mixer on April 24

The San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) will be hosting a Physician Networking Opportunity and Mixer on Friday, April 24, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at 57 Degrees Wine Bar (1735 Hancock Street, San Diego, CA 92101), and we hope that you will all be able to join us! SDCMS member physicians as well as nonmember physicians are welcome to attend. Hosted beer, wine, and light appetizers will be served.  RSVPs are required as space is limited — click here to RSPV. If you have any questions, email Jen Ohmstede at JOhmstede@SDCMS.org ...

SB 128 – The End of Life Option Act

As has been widely reported in the media, legislation has been introduced in Sacramento that would legalize physician prescribing of lethal medications to terminally ill patients who request assistance ending their lives. If SB 128 (Wolk), The End of Life Option Act, is enacted into law, California would join five other states in allowing and regulating physician-assisted suicide / physician aid-in-dying (PAS / PAD). Click here to access the full text of the bill. The California Medical Association (CMA) has current, longstanding policy in opposition to PAS and has successfully ...
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Ocular Syphilis on the West Coast

To: CAHAN San Diego Participants Date: March 11, 2015 Ocular Syphilis This health alert informs providers of recently reported cases of ocular syphilis on the West Coast and provides diagnostic, treatment and reporting recommendations for ocular syphilis and general sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening guidelines for men who have sex with men (MSM). CLICK HERE TO READ / DOWNLOAD THIS CAHAN REPORT

CMA Capitol Insight: March 2, 2015

CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. Major Policy Proposals They’re baaaack … in the Capitol. Nurse practitioners and their allies in Sacramento are back with legislation that will renew the scope of practice fight that has dogged the Capitol for the last several years. State Senator Ed Hernandez and Assemblywoman Susan Eggman are carrying the bill, which would open the way for nurse practitioners to perform dozens of core healthcare functions without doctor supervision. For now, Senate Bill ...

New EHR Attestation Deadline for Medicare Eligible Professionals: March 20, 2015

Eligible professionals now have until 11:59 pm ET on March 20, 2015, to attest to meaningful use for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program 2014 reporting year. CMS extended the deadline to allow providers extra time to submit their meaningful use data. CMS continues to urge providers to begin attesting for 2014 as soon as they can. This extension also allows eligible professionals — who have not already used their one “switch” — to switch programs (from Medicare to Medicaid, or vice versa) for the 2014 payment year until ...