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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 ...

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 ...

CMA Updates Exchange Toolkit to Reflect Key Developments

From CMA's December 16, 2013, CMA Alert In February, CMA published a comprehensive toolkit on Covered California: "CMA’s Got You Covered: A Physician’s Guide to Covered California, the State’s Health Benefit Exchange." The guide has been updated to reflect key developments in the exchange including the grace period, how plans are building their exchange networks, how to check physician participation status on the Covered California website, and steps physicians can take if they disagree with their participation status in the exchange plans. The toolkit is available free to members only at ...

CMA Optimistic as Covered California Opens

California’s Health Benefits Exchange offers access to health insurance as implementation of the Affordable Care Act moves forward. Sacramento — As Covered California, the state’s Health Benefit Exchange, opened today, California Medical Association (CMA) physicians remain optimistic. Throughout the healthcare reform debate, CMA strongly advocated for affordable access to care for California’s uninsured and for an expansion of health insurance coverage. “CMA has long supported access to health care for all patients,” said Paul R. Phinney, MD, CMA president. “Today marks a positive inflection point in our nation's commitment to access ...