Cal MediConnect Resources Health Plan Choice Form September 24, 2014 Cal MediConnect Cal MediConnect 0 0 Comment Read More »
DEA Final Rule Rescheduling Hydrocodone Combination Products The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a final rule rescheduling hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) into Controlled Substance Schedule II, effective October 6, 2014. This AMA document provides detailed information, but, essentially, the final rule provides, in part, that prescriptions for HCPs that are issued before October 6, 2014, that have authorized refills may be dispensed in accordance with DEA rules for refilling, partial filling, transferring, and central filling Schedule III–V controlled substances until April 8, 2015. However, it has come to AMA's attention that — due to state laws, insurance ... September 22, 2014 Prescription Drug Abuse HCPs 0 0 Comment Read More »
Enterovirus D68 Detected in Southern California Children With Respiratory Illness Date: September 19, 2014 This health alert describes the first cases of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) respiratory infection confirmed among hospitalized children in Southern California and provides guidance and references on laboratory testing, reporting, and infection control for EV-D68. No outbreaks of EV-D68 have been reported in San Diego County at this time. Southern California EV-D68 Cases In early September 2014, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego (RCHSD) notified the San Diego County (SDC) Epidemiology Program of increases in pediatric patients examined and hospitalized with respiratory illness. The increase began in late August with ... September 19, 2014 Public Health Enterovirus D68 0 0 Comment Read More »
No on 46 "Take Action" Contest Is your practice armed with what it needs to stop Proposition 46 and preserve the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA)? Take action and join the campaign to defend MICRA — order FREE No On 46 materials for your practice and encourage patients to vote NO on Prop. 46 this November. Click here for the materials order form. Get involved NOW in this important initiative and your practice could win $500! The California Medical Association (CMA) and California Medical Group Management Association (CAMGMA) are joining forces and offering several chances ... September 10, 2014 MICRA Prop. 46 0 0 Comment Read More »
SDCMS “Outstanding Medical Office Manager” Contest SDCMS Announces Our Sixth Annual “Outstanding Medical Office Manager” Contest Nomination Deadline November 1, 2014 SDCMS wants to recognize San Diego County’s most outstanding medical office manager / practice administrator, 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 ... September 4, 2014 Office Managers Office Managers 0 0 Comment Read More »
Humanitarian Teams Need Medical Volunteers for Haiti The Seattle-King County Disaster Team is looking for physicians for one week primary care medical clinics in rural Haiti in February and June 2015. This is a rewarding opportunity to work with the people of Haiti and provide care in a very austere environment in a medically underserved area. Seattle-King County Disaster Team — a US-based nonprofit — has been operating these clinics since 1998. They coordinate all in-country travel and logistics. Please contact Bob Downey at (619) 905-7157 or by email at labboy@earthlink.net if you are interested in ... August 26, 2014 Disaster Relief Disaster Relief, Haiti 0 0 Comment Read More »
No on Prop. 46 Launches First TV and Radio Ads Dear Prop 46 Opponent: Exciting news! Today the No on Prop. 46 campaign launched its first TV and radio ads in both English and in Spanish. They will run statewide. You can watch the TV ad here. You can read our press release about the ad launch here. The ads, "Risk" (TV :30) and "Real Story" (Radio :60), focus on the most obvious of the many reasons to vote NO on November 4: Prop. 46 is written and nearly exclusively funded by trial lawyers for their financial benefit while everyone else in California ... August 19, 2014 MICRA MICRA, Prop. 46 0 0 Comment Read More »
Ebola Virus Disease Ebola Virus Disease August 18, 2014 This health alert provides an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa and contains related resource links and recommendations for local healthcare providers. Outbreak Update West Africa is currently experiencing the largest Ebola outbreak in history and the first in the region. The severity of the outbreak prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies and partners are taking steps to respond to ... August 19, 2014 Infectious Disease, Public Health Ebola 0 0 Comment Read More »
Pertussis Epidemic in San Diego County and California Pertussis Epidemic in San Diego County and California Date: August 11, 2014 This health alert informs the local medical community of continued increases in pertussis cases in San Diego County, provides links to treatment and prevention references, and reminds providers about important management issues. The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has confirmed 1,183 pertussis cases in San Diego so far in 2014, a rate of 37.4 cases per 100,000. This surpasses the 1,179 cases reported locally during the 2010 pertussis epidemic. The California Department of Public Health ... August 14, 2014 Public Health Pertussis, Whooping Cough 0 0 Comment Read More »
DHCS Continues Fixes to Computer Systems for ACA Primary Care Rate Increases DHCS Continues Fixes to Computer Systems for ACA Primary Care Rate Increases By the California Medical Association As of April 11, 2014, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) updated its computer systems to process individual fee-for-service (FFS) claims at the new higher rates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) primary care provider rate increase. With that update DHCS also released local code crosswalks for evaluation and management (E/M) and vaccine administration codes. There were, however, a few remaining exceptions for some specialized claims that were being paid at the lower ... August 4, 2014 ACA, Medi-Cal Medi-Cal Primary Care 0 0 Comment Read More »