September 2015

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• MMS NEWS
• "Beer & Burgers" summer social draws membership
• Meetings with Congressional Representatives Huffman & Thompson
• What is the most pressing issue in your medical practice?
• Watch your mail for confidential staff wages and benefits survey
• Applicants
• TOP CMA STORIES
• PRACTICE RESOURCES
• CLASSIFIEDS
• ABOUT MMS

MMS NEWS

"Beer & Burgers" summer social draws membership

MMS members and their guests gathered at Moylan's Brewery in Novato on Aug. 26 to chat with Dr. Peter Bretan as he begins his fourth term as MMS president, visit with colleagues, and enjoy tasting some quality craft beers. It was agreed that MMS should host the popular summer social every year. Watch for it in 2016.

Meetings with Congressional Representatives Huffman & Thompson

A series of meetings in August and September with SCMA, MMS and MLCMS leadership were planned to urge our representatives to support Meaningful Use Reform and Relief from Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) costly and abusive practices. Click here to learn about legislation to reform meaningful use. Click here to learn more about The Fair Medical Audits Act of 2015.

What is the most pressing issue in your medical practice?

Physicians and Office Managers, tell us what issue you are most concerned about right now (e.g. EHRs, reimbursements, Medi-Cal payments, patient vaccinations, paying staff, paperwork). Reply to mms@marinmedicalsociety.org with your issue and a chance to win a $20 Starbucks gift card. Responses will be shared in the October News Briefs.

Watch your mail for confidential staff wages and benefits survey

To provide you with information to help you manage your practice, MMS will conduct a survey of medical staff (non-TPMG) wages and benefits in Marin County. The survey will be sent via postal mail this month. Survey results will be available only to MMS member physicians participating in the survey.

Applicants

Elizabeth Etemad, DO, Family Medicine*, 75 Rowland Way #100, Novato 94945, Western Univ 1996

Ruth Rodgers, MD, Anesthesiology, 7 Lupine Dr, Corte Madera 94925, Johns Hopkins Univ 1998

* board certified

TOP CMA STORIES

Top CMA issues & news highlights  

Six tobacco bills in Special Session
CMA-sponsored tobacco-related bills that would boost regulations on e-cigarettes, increase the tobacco purchasing age to 21, and allow local jurisdictions to tax tobacco are moving forward in the Legislature's special health session. Click here for more information.

Anti-vaccination opponents planning to recall the only physician in the California Legislature
With our support, Dr. Richard Pan won his election to the State Senate promising to work to keep Californians safe and healthy, and he did just that authoring SB277 to abolish non-medical exemptions to school vaccinations. TIME magazine called Dr. Richard Pan a hero for his leadership in fighting vaccine-preventable diseases. Now, anti-vaccination supporters are gathering signatures to recall him. Please go to www.KeepDrPan.com and click on "Stand with Dr. Pan" to add your name to the list of people who oppose the anti-vaccination group attempt to recall him.

CMA releases 2015 annotated Model Medical Staff Bylaws
These bylaws are the definitive guide for medical staffs, providing details on professional and legal structures to support effective medical staff operations and self-governance. The model bylaws provide background information on critical provisions, including explanations of relevant state and federal laws, hospital accreditation standards, and other explanatory information. The bylaws are available free to any medical staff with an active membership in CMA's Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS). If your medical staff is not already an OMSS member, you can join by completing and submitting the OMSS membership application at www.cmanet.org/omss. The model bylaws are also available to non-OMSS members for a fee. For more information, visit CMA's online resource library.

CMA publishes the biweekly e-newsletter, CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Click here to view the current issue.

PRACTICE RESOURCES

Payor profiles, end-of-life, ICD-10

Updated payor profiles now available
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. Don't waste your time searching the internet for this information: members can download CMA's Payor Profiles free of charge.

Patient resources on end-of-life decisions now available online
CMA has developed a number of resources to help providers, patients and loved ones with making these important end-of-life decisions. Click here for more information.

 Medi-Cal providers: Are you ready for ICD-10?
To help physicians prepare for the ICD-10 transition, the California Medical Association (CMA) has published:

• ICD-10 Transition Guide: What physicians need to know," which includes an ICD-10 transition preparation checklist.
• ICD-10 transition webpage (www.cmanet.org/icd10) includes important news articles, ICD-10 training opportunities and other ICD-10 transition information.

CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts. It focuses on critical payor and health care industry changes and how they directly impact the business of a physician practice. Each issue includes tips on reimbursement and contracting-related issues, along with information on the latest practice management news. VView the current issue.

CLASSIFIEDS

Seeking licensed MD for part-time consultative work
Retired with license? Want to cut back to one or two days a week? Rewarding work in friendly alternative care office in Marin looking for CA-licensed MD for consultative work. Part-time, excellent compensation. Please email CV or call James Gould, 760-703-3767.

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

Share beautiful medical suite in Novato
Share on Wednesday and Thursday only. ALL YOURS other weekdays and Saturday!
Lovely reception area, furnished patient rooms, plenty of parking, and utilities included.
Call 415-897-9800.

MMS members get free classifieds!
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. Visit us at www.marinmedicalsociety.org.

© 2015 MMS, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405