February 2017 Download PDF Here NEWS Changes for MMS in 2017 Fall/Winter Issue of Marin Medicine Now Available Save the Date: CMA Legislative Advocacy Day Marin-based Doctors Network Wins Suit against Health Chain Victory: Judge Blocks Aetna-Humana Merger Don't Lose Your MMS Benefits - Renew Today! PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME NEWS Changes for MMS in 2017 Since the announcement and departure of MMS's longtime executive director, Cynthia Melody, the MMS board of directors has been in negotiations with the San Francisco Medical Society (SFMS) to merge the two organizations. SFMS Executive Director/CEO, Mary Lou Licwinko, and her staff are currently handling MMS administration. Marin physicians can continue to reach MMS-SFMS at: 415-561-0850 (phone)415-561-0833 (fax)PO Box 246, Corte Madera CA 94976 marinmedicalsociety@sfms.org While there are many issues yet to be resolved, the merger should be complete by springtime. The leadership of both organizations aims to have a seamless transition and ensure that MMS members will not experience any disruption in their member benefits. If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact MMS, or you can reach Dr. Peter Bretan, MMS President, at (415) 271-1192 or bretanp@msn.com, or Dr. Michael Kwok, President-Elect, at (415) 925-3617 or mkkwok5@gmail.com. Fall/Winter Issue of Marin Medicine Now Available This issue focuses on emergency medicine and features a special section with hospital reports on emergency care in Marin. Other theme articles include the ER, patient education and Kaiser's telestroke program. Departments cover a wide range of topics ranging from gun violence and public health to the fall House of Delegates. A Resources Spotlight offers tools and resources for solo and small group practices, and a photo spread from the MMS Awards Dinner rounds out the issue. Available online or in print. Advertisement Save the Date: CMA Legislative Advocacy Day April 18, 2017Sheraton Grand, SacramentoThe California Medical Association (CMA) will host its 43rd annual Legislative Advocacy Day on April 18, 2017. Join MMS at the State Capitol to learn about legislative issues affecting medicine, foster relationships with state legislators, and gain hands on experience in the practical aspects of physician advocacy. MMS members will have the opportunity to meet with legislators. All meetings with legislators will be scheduled and coordinated by MMS. Registration information will be available soon. Marin-based Doctors Network Wins Suit against Health Chain Meritage - a Novato-based nonprofit network of 700 physicians that serves residents in Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties - has won the first round in a court battle with St. Joseph Health. In July, Meritage sued St. Joseph Health, an Irvine-based hospital organization with more than $5 billion in annual revenues, alleging that St. Joseph illegally obtained confidential information that gave it an unfair advantage in its competition with Meritage. Marin Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Howard has issued a preliminary injunction preventing St. Joseph Health from using the information. A trial is scheduled for June 15. Read more. Victory: Judge Blocks Aetna-Humana Merger In a recent landmark win for organized medicine and the nation's patients, federal judge John D. Bates blocked the proposed Aetna-Humana merger. The judge found that the merger would have substantially lessened competition in Medicare Advantage and commercial health insurance markets. The decision is an historic, stunning affirmation of the position urged by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the 17-state medical association antitrust coalition members. The court's ruling sets a notable legal precedent by recognizing Medicare Advantage as a separate and distinct market that does not compete with traditional Medicare. Don't Lose Your MMS Benefits - Renew Today! Don't let this be the last member eNewsletter you receive from MMS! Please renew your membership today before it lapses on March 1. Click here to renew. PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME CURES Mandate Implementation Date Remains UnclearUnder California law, all individuals practicing in California who possess both a state regulatory board license authorized to prescribe, dispense, furnish or order controlled substances and a Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substance Registration Certificate (DEA Certificate) must be registered to use the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). Currently, physicians are encouraged-but not required-to check the database before prescribing controlled substances. Checking the CURES database will eventually be mandatory, under a law passed by the California Legislature in 2016. For more information on CURES, visit www.cmanet.org/cures Resources: Medical Board of California's Guidelines for Prescribing Controlled Substances for Pain CMA On Call document #3212, California's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) Step-by-Step Guide Available to Help Clinicians Taper Opioids for Patients with Chronic PainA detailed step-by-step guide from Partnership HealthPlan is available to help clinicians taper opioids for patients with chronic pain. The toolkit includes case studies and guidance on management of complications. Partnership HealthPlan designed the toolkit as part of its Managing Pain Safely program. Covered California tax credit mix-ups cause headaches for consumers Physicians should be aware that approximately 35,000 Californians insured through Covered California have, at least temporarily, lost federal premium subsidies or are facing higher-than-expected premium bills due to clerical errors by the state health exchange. Physicians who receive questions from their patients about either of these issues should direct them to contact Covered California directly at (800) 300-1506. Click here for more information. Upcoming Events 2017 AMA National Advocacy Conference2/27-3/1Grand Hyatt Washington Coalition for Compassionate Care of California Palliative Care Summit3/13-3/14Hyatt Regency, Sacramento American Medical Women's Association Annual Meeting3/30-4/2Embassy Suites SFO Waterfront 2017 Physician Regional Spring Symposium4/1Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa, Santa Rosa CMA Legislative Advocacy Day4/18Sheraton Grand, Sacramento 24th Annual HIV/AIDS Review4/29Finley Community Center, Person Auditorium, Santa Rosa Click here to register Western Health Care Leadership Academy5/5 - 5/7 Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Upcoming Webinars Paying Employees Correctly: Wage and Hour Laws for Health Care Employers 2/22, 12:15pm - 1:15pm Psychological Approaches to Pain Management for the Primary Care Provider 2/24, 12:00pm - 1:00pm CMA Legislative Advocacy Day Webinar Training 3/29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm About MMS The Marin Medical Society, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1898, MMS is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2017 MMS, PO Box 246, Corte Madera, CA 94976 February 9, 2017 MMS News Briefs MMS News Briefs 2017 0 0 Comment Read More »