Physician Guide to DMHC's New Timely Access Regulation

NOTE: Physicians are urged to regularly check this document at http://www.cmanet.org for updates and additional information as the implementation of the Timely Access Regulation develops.

Physicians: Are You Compliant with Recent HIPAA Changes?

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which was enacted in 2009 and took full effect in February 2010, has added additional privacy and security safeguards to existing HIPAA regulations. The safeguards include new rules regarding, among other things, notifying patients of data breaches, marketing restrictions, the sale and disclosure of protected health information, and the use of electronic health records.

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2010.03.08)

SDCMS “News You Can Use”
— March 8, 2010

Executive Director Comment: An SDCMS delegation will be travelling to Washington, DC, next week to meet with our representatives. If you have a consequential story or stories about how what is going on in DC is affecting your patients, please send me an email at Gehring@SDCMS.org.

Medicare Internet-based PECOS Enrollment Guide for Individuals

Physicians face the possibility of having their claims or orders for Medicare services rejected if they are not enrolled in Medicare’s Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). If you are not in PECOS, you can add or revalidate your enrollment with the CMS 855I enrollment form submitted to Palmetto GBA, or utilize the Internet-based PECOS enrollment system. CMA has developed this document to guide you through the process, from determining if you are in PECOS, to accessing the Internet–based PECOS enrollment system.

CMA's Regulations Quick List (2010.02.10)

CMA's Regulations Quick List provides a summary and current status of significant regulations followed by CMA's Center for Medical and 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 calling (916) 444-5532.

(See Bottom for "Rulemaking Process")

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2010.03.03)

SDCMS "News You Can Use"
— March 3, 2010

Executive Director Comments:

CMA ON-CALL Document #0151: Medicare Participation (and Nonparticipation) Options

Physicians often ask about their options with respect to Medicare participation, particularly given the uncertainty of adequate payment rates and recent congressional inaction to prevent major cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates. On an almost yearly basis, Congress threatens or actually does cut many physician rates, and CMA's website provides a Medicare Action Center for physicians to become better informed on the issue and advocate for appropriate changes.

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2010.02.26)

Executive Director Comment: The 21% Medicare physician payment cut will take place on Monday, March 1, 2010. I am certain that come Tuesday next, we will see another in a long, sad line of congressional short-term, last-minute bandaids … to again postpone the systemic fix to the SGR that physicians and their patients must have. Please let your House representative and Senators Boxer and Feinstein know how incensed you are.

BACKGROUND

SDCMS RECORDED SEMINAR: Medicare Updates

RECORDING: Medicare Seminar/Webinar

TITLE: "Medicare Updates"

DATE: February 17, 2010

DESCRIPTION: Topics covered include:

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2010.02.08)

SDCMS “News You Can Use”
— February 8, 2010

Executive Director Comment: We endeavor to present relevant and compelling seminars and events for San Diego County's physicians. Here are the next five offerings:

SDCMS RECORDED SEMINAR: Treating Patients Right

RECORDING: Practice Management Seminar / Webinar

TITLE: "Treating Patients Right": Tact, Courtesy, and Etiquette in Medical Practices

DATE: February 4, 2010