June 30 Deadline Looms for Opting out of Anthem Individual / Exchange Network By the California Medical Association June 16, 2014 Physicians who do not want to participate in Anthem Blue Cross's individual / exchange network have until June 30, 2014, to opt out. In March, Anthem Blue Cross notified over 11,000 practices that are currently participating in its individual / exchange network of a contract addendum that will become effective July 1, 2014. The amendment only applies to physicians who are currently participating in the Anthem Blue Cross individual / exchange network. One provision of significant concern is language in section 12 of the addendum ... June 16, 2014 Health Plans Anthem Blue Cross 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physician Experiences With Access Issues in the Medi-Cal System The California Medical Association (CMA) is partnering with several organizations throughout the state to collect providers' stories that demonstrate Medi-Cal network inadequacy and hindered access to continuous, quality care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Collecting as many stories as possible is essential for mobilizing effective advocacy efforts around access and payment reform with Medi-Cal managed care health plans and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). More than a million new beneficiaries have enrolled in Medi-Cal since January 1, 2014, yet impending cuts threaten to make Medi-Cal the lowest-paying Medicaid program in ... May 28, 2014 Medi-Cal Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
2014 White Coat Gala SDCMS and the SDCMS Foundation Invite You to Join Us for Our 2014 White Coat Gala An evening of dinner and dancing celebrating 144 years of healing presented by the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) and the SDCMS Foundation, welcoming J. Steven Poceta, MD, SDCMS president for 2014–2015, and thanking Robert E. Peters, MD, PhD, for his service as immediate past president. Saturday, June 14, 2014 Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla No-Host Cocktails: 6:00pm – 7:30pm Dinner & Program: 7:30pm – 9:00pm Dessert & Dancing: 9:00pm – 10:30pm — black tie optional — Note: A limited number of rooms at the ... May 28, 2014 SDCMS Membership White Coat Gala 0 0 Comment Read More »
Tattoo-associated Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Skin Infections Date: May 23, 2014 This health alert informs the medical community about recent San Diego cases of skin infection after tattoo placement caused by nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) requests that providers report similar cases. Case Descriptions Case #1: A previously healthy San Diego resident noted a pruritic rash within 48 hours of receiving a tattoo at a local shop in late February 2014. The individual sought care and on exam was found to have scaly papules and plaques along portions of the ... May 23, 2014 Public Health Tattoo Infection 0 0 Comment Read More »
Mercury Poisoning Linked to Use of Skin-lightening or Acne Creams From Mexico Date: May 20, 2014 The attached health alert from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) informs providers about recent cases of mercury poisoning linked to the use of skin-lightening or acne creams from Mexico. The CDPH alert recommends that clinicians consider mercury poisoning when working up patients with suggestive signs and symptoms. Flyers in English and Spanish are also attached to assist in educating patients about this potential health risk. Local providers can contact the California Poison Control Center at any time of day, seven days a week, at 1 (800) ... May 23, 2014 Public Health Mercury Poisoning 0 0 Comment Read More »
Financial & Legal Life Skills for (Financially & Legally Challenged) Docs Financial & Legal Life Skills for (Financially & Legally Challenged) Docs SDCMS Workshop Covering the Following Topics: Financial Legal Real Estate Taxes and Accounting Time vs. Money Insurance Picking Your Advisors This three-hour SDCMS members-only workshop is a must-attend for physicians wishing to boost their financial and legal literacy. This will be a very, very practical and user-focused vendor / brand-agnostic workshop where physicians will learn the right questions to ask ... May 20, 2014 Member Benefits SDCMS Workshop 0 0 Comment Read More »
MICRA Lawsuit Measure Qualifies for November Ballot MICRA Lawsuit Measure Qualifies for November Ballot — Stand and Fight Today! On Thursday, May 15, 2014, the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters verified the signatures submitted on behalf of trial lawyers and their front group, Consumer Watchdog, hoping to increase attorney fees at the expense of taxpayers, patients and community clinics across the state. This places the measure well over the threshold required to be placed on the November ballot. For California physicians, this fight cannot be avoided. If passed, this deceptive and hastily thrown together measure will drive up ... May 16, 2014 MICRA MICRA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS ALERT IN PDF Date: May 15, 2014 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) This health alert provides an update on recent MERS-CoV detections in the United States and the Middle East and contains resource links and recommendations for local healthcare providers. Update on Cases On May 2, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first U.S. case of MERS-CoV infection in a healthcare worker who resides and works in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and had traveled to Indiana. CDC confirmed a second MERS-CoV ... May 15, 2014 Public Health MERS 0 0 Comment Read More »
Dr. Horacio Rodiles Appointed to the United States-México Border Health Commission Dr. Horacio Rodiles Appointed to the United States-México Border Health Commission President Barack Obama announced the appointment of Dr. Horacio Rodiles and Dr. Susan (Sue) Forster-Cox to the United States Section of the United States-México Border Health Commission (USMBHC), a binational presidential commission co-chaired by the secretaries of health of the United States and México. The mission of USMBHC is to provide international leadership to optimize health and quality of life along the U.S.-Mexico border. The commission, composed of presidential appointees and state health officers from each of the 10 ... May 7, 2014 Public Health Border Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Windows XP Use May Trigger HIPAA Non-compliance Windows XP Use May Trigger HIPAA Non-compliance Contributed by The Doctors Company. For more patient safety articles and practice tips, visit www.thedoctors.com/patientsafety. Now that Microsoft has stopped supporting the Windows XP operating system, physician practices using Windows XP face threats from viruses, Trojans, and other potential security breaches. All PC workstations and laptops using Windows XP that contain Protected Health Information (PHI) are no longer compliant with HIPAA and the HITECH Act. This includes devices used to access PHI via the Internet. HIPAA Security Rule section 164.308(a)(5)(ii)(B) states that practices must ... May 2, 2014 HIPAA HIPAA, Windows XP 0 0 Comment Read More »