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October 1, 2014 — Are You Ready?

The ICD-10 Implementation Compliance Date Is October 1, 2014 — Are You Ready? Dear Physician: ICD-10 will bring significant changes to all physician practices, and, if you're not prepared, you may face significant financial impact, including claim denials, cash-flow issues, and decreased productivity. Please take advantage of SDCMS's member-physician ICD-10 resources we've compiled below — all free benefits of membership, and let us know if you have any questions. In addition, ensure your office manager or practice administrator is signed up for SDCMS's online office manager forum — a superb venue for your ...

Physician Networking Opportunity & Mixer

Physicians: Join us for a networking opportunity and mixer on Thursday, April 3, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Come mingle, socialize, and network with your fellow San Diego County physicians — all San Diego County physicians are welcome and encouraged to attend! Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided! Details: When? Thursday, April 3, 2014, 5:00pm – 8:00pm Where? Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108 RSVP: Email Your Name and Telephone Number to Jen Ohmstede at JOhmstede@SDCMS.org Questions? Call Jen ...

CURES Sign-up Event at SDCMS on February 28

ALL PHYSICIANS — SDCMS MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS! Help Identify and Deter Drug Abuse and Diversion by Signing Up to Access CURES! On Friday, February 28, 2014, a representative from the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) will be at SDCMS’ offices from 9:00am to 5:00pm to sign up all physicians to gain access to the CURES system. Because the CURES representative will be here in person, you will NOT need to take the additional step of having your application notarized — a significant savings in time and money! RESERVE YOUR TIME ...

"Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question"

Choosing Wisely: An Initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation San Diego Physician magazine is publishing various Choosing Wisely lists of “Things Physicians and Patients Should Question.” Choosing Wisely is an initiative of the ABIM Foundation to help physicians and patients engage in conversations to reduce overuse of tests and procedures, and support physician efforts to help patients make smart and effective care choices. Originally conceived and piloted by the National Physicians Alliance through a Putting the Charter Into Practice grant, leading medical specialty societies, along with Consumer Reports, have ...

Love Your Heart This Valentine's Day

You and your practice can be part of a countywide effort to increase San Diegans' awareness of their blood pressure (BP) values and the role BP plays in heart disease and stroke. San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency’s LiveWell San Diego iniitiative is sponsoring a countywide blood pressure screening day — called Love Your Heart — to be held on Valentine's Day, Friday, February 14. This is the third year the program has taken place, and the goal is to exceed 20,000 BP screens in one business ...

Please Ensure Your SDCMS Public Profile Listing Is Correct!

SDCMS Member Physicians: Our new website system allows you to take ownership of your record by logging in to your account and making all changes and updates yourself, ensuring your data is accurate without several people having to re-enter your changes and possibly making a mistake. Your SDCMS public profile information is listed in the following locations: online in SDCMS's Find a Doctor Tool — Click Here to Find Your Public Profile online in San Diego Magazine's FInd a Doctor Tool — Click Here to Find ...

January 15 Update on Influenza in San Diego County

January 15, 2014 By the California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) Influenza is well established in the San Diego region with increasing numbers of cases reported. Seven deaths are among the 1,391 cases detected this season through the week ending January 11. Consistent with national and state reports, the predominant influenza virus identified here so far this season is influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. Compared to last flu season, a significantly greater proportion of flu detections are in adults ages 20 to 64, expected with the H1N1 strain. More details on influenza in the ...

Surviving the Second Month of Covered California

Surviving the Second Month of Covered California As of January 15, Covered California reports that more than 625,000 individuals have enrolled in exchange plans. With that figure expected to grow by the end of the 2014 open enrollment period, it is critical that physicians and their staff know what to expect. To help answer some of the more common questions, the California Medical Association (CMA) offers this second tip sheet to help physicians survive the second month of Covered California. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS TIPSHEET Click Here to Download CMA's Surviving ...

Update on Duals Demonstration

CMA received notice that beginning in January 2014 the state plans to mail notices to those beneficiaries who will be enrolled in the demonstration on April 1, 2014. Below, please see detailed information on the state’s plan and resources for physicians to help them through this transition. Background The 2012 budget authorized the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI), which would allow persons eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal (dual eligibles) to receive medical, behavioral, long-term supports and services (LTSS), and home- and community-based services coordinated through a single health plan in eight ...