November 2015 December 1, 2015 MMS News Briefs MMS News Breifs 0 Download PDF Here MMS NEWS Pay membership dues by Jan. 15 and receive a 5% discount Fall/winter Marin Medicine just off the press TOP CMA STORIES PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT MMS MMS NEWS Pay membership dues by Jan. 15 and receive a 5% discount Invoices for 2015 were recently mailed to all MMS members. To receive a 5% discount, simply pay by Jan. 15, 2016. The discount is already calculated on the invoice, and you can pay by check or credit card. In addition to standard dues, the invoice allows members to make additional donations to CMA's political action committee (CALPAC) at a variety of levels. Donations can also be made to the MICRA Education Fund and the CMA Physician's Issues Committee. For questions regarding your invoice, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 415-924-3891 or rachel@marinmedicalsociety.org. Fall/winter Marin Medicine just off the press Watch your mail for the fall/winter 2015-16 issue of Marin Medicine. The magazine's feature articles address spine surgery, vertebral augmentation, and malingering in chronic pain patients. Departments include an exploration of the art of M.C. Escher and a physician's experience of Burning Man. The center pages of this issue, designed to be a pullout, are the "Opioid Prescribing Guidelines for Marin County Clinicians." These guidelines were recently developed in collaboration between the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, the RxSafe Marin Prescribers and Pharmacists Committee, and the Marin Medical Society. They are also available for download separately: as a printable PDF or a web/email version. TOP CMA STORIES Top story: DMHC fines Blue Shield and Anthem for provider directory inaccuracies On Nov. 3, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) announced it hadfined two of the state's largest health plans for inaccurate Covered California provider directories. Blue Shield of California was fined $350,000, while Anthem Blue Cross was fined $250,000. Also in this issue: Have you checked your medical board profile recently? CMA urges Congress to fix EHR meaningful use program Supreme Court to hear ACA challenge by religious nonprofits Be prepared for Covered California changes in 2016 CMS changes enrollment requirements for Part D prescribers CMA publishes summary of new health care laws for 2016 Ask the Expert: If an exchange patient fails to pay the premium, is the plan requiredto pay for services? Noridian conducting numerous prepayment reviews Providers who refer, order or prescribe for Medi-Cal beneficiaries must enroll withDHCS CMA supports ballot measure on hospital fee program to stabilize health care accessfor low-income residents Two flu deaths confirmed by CDPH 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 Upcoming Webinars Dec. 2: Medicare 2016-New Rules, Policies and Procedures Dec. 16: Meaningful Use: 2015 and 2016 Modified Rules Archived webinars CMA's archived webinars are free to SCMA members and staff. Nonmember fee: $99. For more information, contact CMA's member-help center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. May 13-15, 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy Save the date for the 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy, which will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square from Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. Click here for more 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 Medical condo for sale Located on South Eliseo Drive in Greenbrae. 415-435-8589. 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 Comments are closed.