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"News You Can Use" <> September 23, 2014



CONTENTS

ABOVE THE FOLD

New Prescription Drug Prior Authorization Form Required on October 1: Click Here for Details

No on 46 Updates:

  • U-T San Diego Editorial Board: Prop. 46: Trial Lawyers' Pathetic Scam
  • Are You Wearing Your “No on 46” Button?
  • Latest Polling Numbers: No on Prop 46 = 50% // Yes on Prop 46 = 37% // Don’t Know = 12%
  • San Francisco Chronicle Opposes Prop 46 as “Flawed,” “Misdirected,” and “Decidedly Cynical”: Click Here
  • Click Here to Watch the No on 46 Ads
  • If you need spokespeople on Prop 46 or need materials for your publications, please contact Kyle Lewis at KLewis@SDCMS.org.
  • Need bumper stickers, “Ask Me” stickers, “No on 46” buttons, “Ask Me” buttons, brochures in English and Spanish, lab coat cards in English and Spanish, posters, starter kits, office kits, hospital kits? Click here to order them now — it’s free, and they ship it to wherever you want!
  • Need lawn signs? We have crateloads at SDCMS.
  • Engage your colleagues, patients, friends, family, neighbors, the checkout person at Vons, etc. “Be the ground game.” Are you personally spreading the news about the deleterious effects of Prop 46: increased costs, losing your doctor, and threatening your privacy?

MEDICAL

Enterovirus D68 Detected in Southern California Children With Respiratory Illness: Click Here

New Version of POLST Form Effective October 1: Click Here

Online CME on Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Early Detection: Click Here

San Diego County Unveils New App to Help in CPR Emergencies: Click Here

FEDERAL

DEA Final Rule Rescheduling Hydrocodone Combination Products Effective October 6: 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, some health insurers and pharmacies may not honor refills on or after October 6, 2014. Therefore, prescribers should be prepared to provide new hardcopy prescriptions for patients beginning on October 6, 2014, rather than have patients use what would have been existing refills. Click here for detailed information.

STATE

DHCS Announces New Continuity of Care Rules for Duals Demonstration Project: Click Here

Medi-Cal Audits Began in September: Click Here

DHCS Revises Cal MediConnect ‘Choice Forms’: Click Here

DHCS Announces Additional Delays for Some ACA Medi-Cal Primary Care Rate Increases: Click Here

CMA Legislative Hot List Updated Sept. 9: Click Here

LOCAL

Last Chance to Organize a Team for the SDCMS Foundation’s First Annual Solana Beach Sunset 5K on Saturday, September 27, 5pm: Enjoy a low tide walk or run on the beach and the promise of a terrific sunset. Introduce your staff and patients to improving their health by incorporating fun physical activity into their lives. Click Here for Details

Work-Life Balance Workshop on Saturday, October 11: Take an honest look at your life, reacquaint yourself with what you find most meaningful, and then make the changes that will bring your life into greater balance! Join your colleagues and Helane Fronek, MD, certified physician development coach, on Saturday, October 11, from 9:00am to noon to begin to see your life, and your choices in it, in a new light! Workshop limited to 12 physicians. Email Dr. Fronek at hsfronek@aol.com for details or to reserve your spot today!

Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code: SDCMS, in association with the NIH, Smithsonian Institution, and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, is pleased to announce an evening to explore the West Coast premier of “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code” on October 21, 6–9pm (2 CME credits). You can view the exhibit and learn from three special speakers: “Bringing Genomic Medicine Into Focus” by Eric Green, MD, PhD, Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH; “Beyond the Genome: We Are More Than Our Genes” by Gary Firestein, MD, Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor of Translational Medicine, UCSD; “Genomics and the Future of Cancer Medicine” by Razelle Kurzrock, MD, Director of Personalized Cancer Therapy, UCSD. To register, click here.

“Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” — aka San Diego’s Top Docs — Gala on November 1: The gala honoring this year’s selectees will be held on Saturday, November 1 at the Birch Aquarium. Click Here for Details and to Purchase Your Tickets!

Anthem Blue Cross Seminar on Nov. 13, 8:30am–12:00pm: Anthem Blue Cross is conducting an in-person fall seminar in San Diego on November 13 at the Courtyard by Marriott Liberty Station. Click here for details. Click here to register.

Family Medicine / General Internal Medicine Physicians Needed to serve as role models and teachers to UCSD first- and second-year medical students in their Ambulatory Care Apprenticeship Program. Click Here for Details

UCSD PACE Program Is Recruiting Practicing Physicians Above Age 50 for a PACE Aging Physician Assessment (PAPA) Pilot Study: Anyone interested in participating should click here, complete the form, and return it to pdreid@ucsd.edu; for any questions, contact Patricia Reid, MPH, at (619) 471-0569. David E.J. Bazzo, MD, Director, PACE Fitness for Duty Program, is heading this effort. Compensation for your time is offered.

Spread the Message of Health! The SDCMS Foundation is partnering with the County of San Diego to educate community members on how to improve their lives and take charge of their health by launching a Live Well Physicians’ Speakers Bureau. Will you make brief presentations at your neighborhood school, community center, or place of worship? Your voice is important as we collectively work together — “Physicians United for a Healthy San Diego.” Contact Barbara.Mandel@SDCMS.org to say YES, you will volunteer just one or two times a year, quarterly, or however your schedule allows.

BENEFITS / PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Nominate Your Office Manager for SDCMS’s 6th Annual “Outstanding Medical Office Manager” Contest: Nomination Deadline November 1, 2014. Click Here for Details

Ask Your SDCMS Physician Advocate, Marisol Gonzalez:

  • Member Question: I have dual-eligible patients who have asked who they can contact for Cal MediConnect plan comparisons. Is there a resource they can reach out to?
  • Answer: If your patients have received their Cal MediConnect notice, and they are looking to compare plans before they choose, they can contact either the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at (800) 434-0222 or Health Care Options at (844) 580-7272. SDCMS members can contact your physician advocate, Marisol Gonzalez, with questions at (858) 300-2783 or at MGonzalez@SDCMS.org.

Follow SDCMS’ Twitter Feed and Get a Treasure Trove of Healthcare News Delivered Daily to Your Smartphone: Click Here

Is Your Office Manager / Practice Administrator Using SDCMS’ Online Forum? Click Here to Join

COVERED CALIFORNIA

Resources for SDCMS-CMA Member Physician Practices Only:

Resources for All Physician Practices:

“Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.” — Herodotus, Greek Historian, “The Father of History” (484–425 BCE)



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