Why it’s important to verify your patients' eligibility and benefits for 2016 With the new year soon upon us, physicians are urged to be diligent in verifying patients' eligibility and benefits to ensure they will be paid for services rendered. The beginning of a new year means calendar year deductibles and visit frequency limitations reset. With open enrollment there may also be changes to patients’ benefit plans, or patients may even be covered by a new payor. January 4, 2016 Health Care Reform, Resources Covered California, deductible, eligibility, enrollment, Medicare, practice managment 0 0 Comment Read More »
Let Doctors Be Doctors Let Doctors Be Doctors November 5, 2015 Health Care Reform, Health Information Technology (HIT), Practice Management, Resources Burnout, Discontent, EHR, Red Tape 0 0 Comment Read More »
Becoming the Practice of the Future Today: 10 Steps to Transform Your Practice and Provide Individualized Care Current business and care delivery models, even if combined with innovative or sustainable technologies, will not lead to future success. Practices must create new care delivery and business models while incorporating technological advances to effectively compete today and in the future. New payment models, disruptive technology, and care delivery vehicles (e.g., e-visits, home monitoring, retail clinics), along with changing consumer demands for immediate access and transparency, require medical practice transformation. Here are the top 10 steps you should be taking now to transform your medical practice in order to succeed now and in the future. October 1, 2015 Health Care Reform, Practice Management, Resources ACA, Delivery Models, Future, Payment Models, Transforming Your Practice 0 0 Comment Read More »
RCMA/CMA Works with CMS to Mitigate Medicare ICD-10 Disruptions With implementation of the ICD-10 code set just around the corner, many physicians have been understandably wary about the transition and the potential for payment disruptions and claims processing errors that could interfere with patient care. Fortunately, the California Medical Association (CMA) – working closely with the American Medical Association (AMA) and other medical associations – has secured provisions that will ease this transition, particularly for physicians in practices with limited resources. July 10, 2015 ICD-10, Medicare, Resources Grace Period, ICD-10, CMS, Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
California State Budget Update Today, the Governor and legislative leaders announced an agreement on the 2015-16 State Budget Act and have settled the major issues and spending priority differences between the administration and the Legislative branch. One key point is that the budget includes $40 million to expand Medi-Cal to cover all low-income undocumented children effective May 1, 2016 ($132 million when fully implemented). June 16, 2015 California Legislation, Legislation, Medi-Cal, Resources 2016, Budget, California, Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medicare Eligible Professionals: Take Action by July 1 to Avoid 2016 Medicare Payment Adjustment Medicare Eligible Professionals: Take Action by July 1 to Avoid 2016 Medicare Payment Adjustment June 12, 2015 Health Information Technology (HIT), Medicare, Resources 0 0 Comment Read More »
Practice Check-Up: How scheduling strategies can reduce disruptions and long patient wait times This is the second in a series of articles aimed at highlighting key areas practices should examine in an effort to improve practice performance. This month we focus on how effectively managing the appointment schedule can have a positive impact on both patient and practice satisfaction. April 23, 2015 Practice Management, Resources Appointments, Patients, Schedualing, Practice Management 0 0 Comment Read More »
It's Finally Over! The Medicare SGR is Dead! Last night the Senate approved H.R. 2: The Medicare SGR Reform and the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act which repeals Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, hours before double-digit payment cuts to physicians were set to take effect. The bill has been sent to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign it into law. April 15, 2015 Federal Legislation, Legislation, Medicare, Resources Boxer, H.R.2., Repeal, SGR, AMA, CMA, Cuts, Feinstein, Medicare, RCMA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Measles Health Advisory Measles activity continues to increase in California. As of January 30, 2015, 79 cases of measles in patients from 11 different jurisdictions have been reported to the California Department of Public Health. Fifty-two California cases and 14 out-of-state cases are epidemiologically linked to Disneyland Park in Orange County. Five confirmed and two probable cases are Riverside County residents. Students without documentation of two MMR vaccinations have been excluded from two high schools pending the end of the 21 day surveillance period. February 2, 2015 Measles, Public Health Alert, Resources Riverside County, Measles, Public Health Alert 0 0 Comment Read More »
Ebola Resource Center Resources for 2014 Ebola Outbreak October 13, 2014 Ebola, Public Health Alert, Resources 2014 Ebola Outbreak, CDC, Ebola 0 0 Comment Read More »