August 2016

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• MMS NEWS
• RSVP now for the Outstanding Contribution Awards Dinner
• Tobacco tax initiative on November ballot as Prop 56
• PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME
• CLASSIFIEDS

MMS NEWS

RSVP now for the Outstanding Contribution Awards Dinner

Help honor your colleagues; four Marin physicians will be recognized at the Awards Dinner on Sept. 28. Awards will be presented to:

• Dr. David Witt, Outstanding Contribution to Community Health
• Dr. Jeffrey Schneider, Outstanding Contribution to Marin County Medicine
• Dr. Lori Selleck, Outstanding Contribution to Marin Medical Society

Dr. Gail Altschuler will receive the Article of the Year award for "Healthy Weight, Healthy Pregnancy," which appeared in the spring/summer 2015 issue of Marin Medicine. RxSafe Marin will receive a special Recognition of Achievement for its tremendous work addressing the problem of prescription drug misuse and abuse, and adopting guidelines for the use of opioids in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, Sept. 28! With a special note of appreciation to our event sponsors: Healthy Marin Partnership, Marin Health & Human Services, and Medical Insurance Exchange of California (MIEC), the Awards Dinner will be held at Jason's Restaurant in Greenbrae from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are free for MMS members. Spouses, guests and nonmembers are $59 each. Click here for more information, to purchase tickets or RSVP.

Tobacco tax initiative on November ballot as Prop 56

The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 has officially qualified for the November ballot as Proposition 56. Supported by a broad alliance of physicians, health care advocates, educators and others, Prop 56 would raise California's tobacco tax, which is currently among the lowest in the country, to $2.87 a pack. The majority of the money from the initiative's user fee on cigarettes and other tobacco products (including e-cigarettes containing nicotine), will be used for existing health programs and research into cures for cancer and other illnesses caused by smoking and tobacco products. For more information, go to www.yeson56.org. 

PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME

The new provider directory accuracy law took effect July 1
Make sure your practice isn't penalized! The new law not only requires payors to maintain accurate and current directories, but it also requires physicians to do their part in keeping the information up-to-date. Failure to comply with the new requirements may result in payment delays, removal from directories and even contract termination. For more information on physicians' obligations under the new law, visit cal.md/directory-accuracy.

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Understanding MACRA: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act
To help physicians understand the MACRA payment reforms and what they can do now to start preparing for the transition, CMA has published a MACRA resource center available at www.cmanet.org/macra.  The resource center includes an overview of MACRA and a comprehensive list of tools, resources and information from CMA, AMA and CMS.

Updated Payor Profiles
CMA's Center for Economic Services has published updated profiles on each of the major payors in California including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, CIGNA, Health Net, United Healthcare, Medicare/Noridian and Medi-Cal. Each profile includes key information on health plan market penetration; a description of the plan's dispute resolution process; and the name and contact numbers for medical directors, provider relations, and other key contacts. Members can download CMA's Payor Profiles free of charge in the CMA Resource Library.

Practice Management Tip of the Month: August
Make sure your billing staff are aware of prohibitions on balance billing Medi-Medi patients. Click here to access CMA's Tip of the Month.

CLASSIFIEDS

Medical condo for sale
Located on South Eliseo Drive in Greenbrae. 415-435-8589.

San Francisco Financial District
Medical office sublet for 1 or 2 days per week. Central location at Battery and Market. Jeffrey Binstock, MD, 415-956-8686.

Sublet Mill Valley medical office
535 Miller Ave. office available on Mondays. 2 exam rooms, adequate parking, beautiful space. Jeffery Binstock, MD, 415-383-5475.

Northern California, Napa
Independent Medical Group is seeking qualified candidates to staff its minor emergency department. Candidates include: near retirement Emergency Physicians, Family Practice Physicians, Urgent Care Physicians or Emergency Department Nurse Practitioners. If interested, forward CV to Tony Mottalei, MD, at mottalei@gmail.com.

Medical weight loss practice / retirement sale
Proven, highly recognized and profitable, established weight loss practice in beautiful Marin County. Current multiple 6 figures, room for expansion. Work-life balance, time freedom, financial security, relationship-driven practice.

I am 100% committed to assisting the new owner with all the support necessary to ensure a smooth transition. Please contact me for more information or to schedule a visit. Gail Altschuler, MD, 415-309-6258 or drgail@marinweightloss.com.

Free classifieds for MMS members!
MMS members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Marin Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102.

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.

© 2016 MMS, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405