Bill Protecting Kids’ Access to Vaccines Clears Assembly, Goes to Governor’s Desk

August 25, 2010

Sacramento — The Assembly today passed legislation designed to ensure that all children have access to life-saving immunizations and sent it to the governor.

Assembly Bill 2093, authored by Assemblymember Manuel Perez, D-Coachella and co-sponsored by the California Medical Association, received bipartisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate, where it passed on Tuesday.

Legislative Update From CMA (August 17, 2010)

Friday, August 13, 2010, was the last day for fiscal committees to hear and report bills to the Assembly or Senate floors. Bills that did not make it out of policy or fiscal committees are dead for the 2009–10 session unless legislative leadership issues a rule waiver. All other active bills will need to pass off of the floor by August 31, 2010, to be eligible to be sent to the governor's desk.

SDCMS RECORDED SEMINAR: "OSHA Refresher Course"

RECORDING: Practice Management

TITLE: "Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Refresher Course"

DATE: August 19, 2010

DESCRIPTION: This SDCMS refresher course will help ensure you know the answers to these questions and more:

SDCMS RECORDED SEMINAR: “Microsoft Outlook for Busy Docs” (2010.08.07)

RECORDING: Practice Management

TITLE: “Microsoft Outlook for Busy Docs”

DATE: August 7, 2010

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2010.08.13)

SDCMS "News You Can Use"
— August 13, 2010

What the Heck Is an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)? Mon., Sept. 13 (Two Times)
SDCMS members only, join us on Monday, September 13, 2010 [two times: during lunch (11:30am–1:00pm) and during dinner (6:00pm–7:30pm)] at SDCMS’ offices on 5575 Ruffin Road as CMA’s general counsel will provide insights into this potential change. Click here for further information or to register.

Legislative Update From CMA's Center for Government Relations (August 10, 2010)

August 13, 2010, is the last day for fiscal committees to hear and report bills to either the Assembly or Senate Floor, so most of the legislative activity last week was seen in both of the Appropriations committees. Between the two hearings, 226 bills were assessed, and many were referred to the Suspense File, where bills with a state cost are re-evaluated, and many move no further.

2010 Medicare Trustees Report Confirms Steep Physician Cuts Ahead

ADVOCACY UPDATE (August 9, 2010) FROM AMA

CMA Practice Resources (CPR) <> August 2010

MA CPR: Tips and Tools From the Experts in CMA's Center for Economic Advocacy
— August 2010

Unfair Payment Practices: Claim Acknowledgement

Your office calls a health plan to follow up on the payment status of a claim, only to be told there is no claim on file. Sound familiar?

To protect physicians from this type of unfair payment practice, CMA sponsored AB 1455, The Healthcare Provider Bill of Rights. This law requires that health plans and their contracting medical groups/IPAs acknowledge receipt of each and every claim.

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2010.07.30)

SDCMS "News You Can Use"
— July 30, 2010

CMA’s General Counsel to Speak on Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Medical Foundations — Monday, September 13, 2010
Seminar/webinar presentations will be made both during lunch (11:30am–1:00pm) and during dinner (6:00pm–7:30pm) at SDCMS’ offices on 5575 Ruffin Road. For further information or to register, click here.

CMA's Regulations Quick List (2010.07.13)

CMA's Regulations Quick List provides a summary and current status of significant regulations followed by CMA's Center for Medical & Regulatory Policy. The Quick List is circulated regularly on a monthly basis or more frequently, as needed. For more information on a specific regulatory package, please contact the appropriate staff member identified at the end of each regulation summary by email or by calling (916) 444-5532.

[Note: See bottom for state and federal regulations rulemaking processes.]

CMA Regulations of Interest

SDCMS Offices Closed Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23, 2010

In an effort to provide our members and their staff with optimal support and service, SDCMS will be closed for technical upgrades on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23.

We will respond as soon as we can when we return to the office on Monday, July 26, 2010.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!