NYCU March 19, 2024 March 26, 2024 Artificial Intelligence, Champions for Health, CMA, CMA Benefits, COVID-19, Cyber Security/Attacks, Medicare, Member Social, Physician Workforce, Prior Authorization, Public Health, SDCMS 0 TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024 PHYSICIANS: On February 21, 2024, Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of the UnitedHealth Group (UHG) Optum unit, experienced a cyber–attack that resulted in nationwide outages affecting payors, physician practices and other providers and pharmacies. The outage has caused interruption of numerous administrative and billing processes, including electronic claims submission, provider payments, pharmacies, prior authorizations, payor chart retrieval, etc. California Medical Association has prepared a grid that lists a summary of known impacts, workarounds and guidance from payors. This resource document is available free to members. We will provide updates as additional information becomes available. For more updates on the Change Healthcare cyber response, CLICK HERE. NEW YORK TIMES VIDEO ON PRIOR AUTHORIZATION SPOTLIGHTS CMA PHYSICIANS AND CALIFORNIA PATIENTS: WATCH IT HERE SB 516, authored by Senator Nancy Skinner and sponsored by California Medical Association (CMA) will reform the prior authorization process in California to ensure patients get the treatment they need when they need it. The New York Times published an opinion video recently, titled ‘What’s my life worth? The Big Business of Denying Medical Care’ that clearly demonstrates how insurance companies use prior authorization to protect profits, putting patients at risk. To produce the video, the New York Times interviewed more than 50 physicians and patients who have dealt with prior authorization delays firsthand, including Irvine–based pediatrician and CMA member, Eric Ball, MD, who spoke about how the “peer–to–peer” process for appealing a prior authorization denial can involve speaking with a physician who does not have a relevant specialty. Also interviewed were California patients Vivian Gonzales and Ocean McIntryre, both of whom were harmed by prior authorization delays and had courageously shared their stories with the California Legislature last summer when prior authorization legislation was heard in the Assembly Health Committee. CMA urges physicians to continue to share your stories about the harms of prior authorization delays — both from your own experiences and practices, as well as from your patients. Together, we can win this fight and create a better system that prioritizes patients over profits. SAN DIEGO RETIRED PHYSICIANS’ (SDRP) NEXT LUNCHEON ON MARCH 26TH The San Diego Retired Physicians (SDRP) will be having their next luncheon on Tuesday, March 26th at noon at Denny’s Clairemont Town Square, 4280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Retired and soon–to–retire docs are welcome. Pay–your–own lunch, rsvp to any of the co–chairs so we know how many tables and chairs to arrange. We will discuss suggestions for future events and activities. If people have suggestions, let any of the co–chairs know so they can be added to the agenda. The co–chairs are Patrick Tellez (patzp7@icloud.com), Steve Green (nowetsuit@gmail.com), and Mits Tomita (mitsuo.tomita@gmail.com). ‘ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEW 2024 LAWS?’ FREE WEBINAR ON APRIL 24TH SPONSORED BY SDCMS & THE DOCTORS COMPANY. CME CREDIT AVAILABLE. Have you been briefed on all of the new California laws effective 1/1/2024 which impact medical practices? Failure to follow California laws for physicians, dentists and advanced practice providers (APPs) may constitute violation of the California Business and Professions Code which governs physician practices, as well as the governing boards for APPs and dentists. Violations may result in sanctions or an adverse action on a health care provider licensed by these governing boards. Be aware and prepared! San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) in partnership with The Doctors Company (TDC) invite you to attend an important and timely webinar ‘Are You Ready for the New 2024 Laws?’ to help address these concerns. Join us for this FREE event on Wednesday, April 24th from 6–7pm. All are welcome, both members and non–members alike. Attendees will also earn 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit upon conclusion of the program. You can REGISTER HERE. ‘UNITED IN WELLNESS’ GALA FOR SDCMS AND CHAMPIONS FOR HEALTH SET FOR JUNE 1ST AT THE PRADO IN BALBOA PARK The Annual Gala for SDCMS and Champions for Health has been set for June 1st, from 5pm to 9pm, at The Prado at Balboa Park. Join us for an unforgettable evening with new and old friends, amazing food and captivating entertainment as we install SDCMS’ 154th President, honor Volunteer Champions and raise money for uninsured patients in San Diego. This event will raise money for Project Access San Diego (PASD). Since 2008, PASD has facilitated over $27 million in pro bono specialty care, procedures, and surgeries in collaboration with a network of physicians, hospitals, and clinics across San Diego County. These life–saving services have been provided to more than 9,600 patients who have been able to regain their health, return to work, care for their families, and remain productive members of their community. Valet parking will be available and the event will bring together over 300 guests to be a part of an important evening. You can purchase tickets HERE. We look forward to seeing you there! DEEP DIVE INTO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT 1ST ANNUAL AI HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE ON APRIL 26TH San Diego County Medical Society is co–sponsoring the First Annual AI Healthcare Conference from 8:30am to 3:30pm on Friday, April 26th in Rancho Cucamonga at The Atrium at IEHP at 10801 Sixth Street. This conference is described as an experiential deep dive into the latest technological transformation for physicians, healthcare executives, innovators and health plans. Spend an extraordinary day learning about and playing with the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. These are the innovations that are rapidly transforming today’s healthcare delivery system and changing the face of medical practices and care delivery nationwide. Registration is $149 per person and $50 for Residents/Students. CLICK HERE to register online, or contact Riverside County Medical Association at (800) 472–6204 or email DBonanno@RCMADocs.org with questions or for further assistance about this event. 6TH EDITION HEALTHCARE BURNOUT SYMPOSIUM ON MAY 2ND–4TH IN SAN DIEGO Join healthcare leaders from around the country as they share the latest research and strategies on the burnout crisis affecting our nurses, physicians, and healthcare administrators. Understand the far–reaching consequences of burnout Discover strategies for burnout prevention and mitigation Realize technology’s impact on clinician well–being Reduce secondary trauma and suicide risk among clinical staff Create an organizational culture of wellness from the top down You can find more information and register for this symposium HERE. As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO WHAT TO KNOW … Congress Edges Toward Action Amid Change Healthcare Outage CLICK HERE Change Update: CMS Allows for Speedier Medicaid Reimbursements CLICK HERE State Health Officials Asked to Examine Scripps Chula Vista Maternity Ward Closure CLICK HERE Medical School Graduates are Returning to ERs CLICK HERE 2024 Match Day Highlights Applicant, Residency Position Growth CLICK HERE COVID and Medicare Payments Spark Remote Patient Monitoring Boom CLICK HERE COVID Backlash Could Leave the U.S. Less Ready for the Next Pandemic CLICK HERE As More States Target Disavowed ‘Excited Delirium’ Diagnosis, Police Groups Push Back CLICK HERE Finding a Doctor Who Specializes in Senior Care is Hard. Here’s Why CLICK HERE How the Fight Against Health Inequities is Getting Harder CLICK HERE WHAT TO DO … MAR 21, 2024: 5:30–8:00pm, Bali Hai, 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106. SDCMS ‘Aloha’ Physician Social & Mixer. Please note this event is open exclusively to physicians and their guests and space is limited so rsvps are required. SDCMS members and non–members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Complimentary hor d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided CLICK HERE APR 16, 2024: 12-1pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA,‘Virtual Grand Rounds: Black Health in California — Moving Toward’s Equity’. Average Californians live to age 81, but average Black Californians only live to age 75. How can we dismantle the persistent health equities among Black Californians? Rhonda Smith, MBA, Executive Director at the California Black Health Network, will discuss groundbreaking work in engaging communities to be part of developing a statewide strategic approach to improving Black health. This work elucidates root causes of the disparities and dispels commonly held misconceptions about Black health beliefs and behaviors. CA State Epidemiologist Erica Pan, MD, MPH, will also review the current status of COVID–19, influenza and other winter respiratory viruses CLICK HERE APR 24, 2024: 6–7pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by SDCMS and The Doctors Company (TDC), ‘Are You Ready for the New 2024 Laws?’. Have you been briefed on all of the new California laws effective 1/1/2024 which impact medical practices? Failure to follow California laws for physicians, dentists and advanced practice providers (APPs) may constitute violation of the California Business and Professions Code which governs physician practices, as well as the governing boards for APPs and dentists. Violations may result in sanctions or an adverse action on a health care provider licensed by these governing boards. Be aware and prepared! 1 CME Credit available CLICK HERE APR 26, 2024: 8:30am–3:30pm, co–hosted by SDCMS, ‘First Annual Healthcare AI Conference’. Learn about and play with the very latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, innovations rapidly transforming Today’s healthcare delivery system and changing the face of medical practices nationwide. AI drastically cuts documentation time and reduces provider burnout, while boosting quality performance, patient outcomes and population health care delivery efficiencies. The Keynote Speaker is Reid Conant, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer at Microsoft. $149 per person. CME available CLICK HERE MAY 7-8, 2024: Grand Hyatt at SFO in San Francisco, sponsored by CMA, ‘Second Annual Health IT Summit: Health IT in the Safety Net’. Early–Bird Registration is $100 for CMA Members, $250 for Attendees, deadline is February 16! As CA expands coverage to underserved populations, health IT can play a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to care. This summit brings together thought leaders from across CA and the nation to explore how to make that vision a reality. CMA connects a diverse and engaged set of attendees that include physicians, medical groups and IPAs, health plans, health information organizations (HIOs) and others who will take the learnings from this conference to change how care is delivered in this state CLICK HERE WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH … CMA in the Courts READ HERE Podcast ‘What the Health?’ Maybe It’s a Health Care Election After All LISTEN HERE SDCMS Webinar: Managing the Noncompliant and Nonadherent Patient WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Are You Aware and Prepared for New 2023 Laws? ? WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Will Your Documentation Defend You? ? WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Top Five Risks for Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 1) WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 2) WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Best Practice: Documenting Disruptive Patient Behavior WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Understanding Malpractice Risks for NPs, PAs, and Supervising Physicians WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: COVID–19 for the Long Haul: Post COVID Recovery and Care WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: How to Avoid Being Reported to the Medical Board WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Understanding the Risks: How to Dismiss a Patient from Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Wellness WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Biosimilars Overview & Policy Landscape WATCH HERE CMA Webinar: Telehealth Reimbursement and Privacy Laws: COVID–19 Emergency WATCH HERE CMA Webinar: What is Value–Based Care and What Does it Mean for My Practice? WATCH HERE Champions for Health & TDC’s Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series ‘Innovations and Smart Approaches in Safe Prescibing’ to Help Fulfill DEA Training Requirements (Modules 1–5) WATCH HERE Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series on Dementia WATCH HERE Please Consider Supporting Our Advertisers … Thank You! Comments are closed.