August 2015 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS What is the most pressing issue in your medical practice? Confidential staff wage and benefit survey SCMA Awards Dinner Dec. 2 double celebration SCMA moving to new office Applicants TOP CMA STORIES PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS What is the most pressing issue in your medical practice? In an effort to monitor and address the issues affecting your practice, please 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 scma@scma.org with your issue and a chance to win a $20 Starbucks gift card. Responses will be shared in the September News Briefs. Confidential staff wage and benefit survey To provide you with information to help you manage your practice, SCMA will conduct its seventh survey of medical staff wages and benefits in Sonoma County. The survey will be distributed in September. Survey results will be sent by first-class mail marked confidential to the physician completing the survey. SCMA Awards Dinner Dec. 2 double celebration All physicians are invited to the annual Awards Dinner, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Vintner's Inn, 4350 Barnes Rd. in Santa Rosa. In addition to the Outstanding Contribution and Recognition of Achievement awards, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Holiday Greeting Card fundraiser for the SCMA/SCMA Alliance Health Careers Scholarship program. The evening begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation and scholarship recognition. Proceeds from the event will benefit the scholarship program. The 2015 award recipients will be announced in the September News Briefs and fall Sonoma Medicine. SCMA moving to new office SCMA is moving its administrative office to the east side of Santa Rosa in the Bennett Valley area on Aug. 15. The new address is 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa 95405. Staff e-mail addresses will remain the same, but after Aug. 15, all staff members can be contacted at 707-525-4375. Individual contact information is listed below. Cynthia Melody, Executive Director, cmelody@scma.org Rachel Pandolfi, Executive Assistant, rachel@scma.org Susan Gumucio, Advertising Representative, susan@scma.org Linda McLaughlin, Graphic Designer, linda@scma.org Steve Osborn, Sonoma Medicine Managing Editor, osborn53@sonic.net Fax for all staff: 707-525-4328 Applicants Win Thu Han, MD, Internal Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, UC San Francisco 2007 Robert White, MD, Surgery*, 1165 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa 95405, Univ Cetec 1982 Applicants from the family medicine residents include: Jacqueline Abdalla, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Med Sch 2015 Kimberly Clinite, MD, Univ Chicago 2015 Anastasia Coutinho, MD, Univ Vermont 2015 Kayla Flores Tindall, MD, UC Davis 2015 Afsoon Foorohar, DO, Western Univ Health Sciences 2015 Dwiju Kumar, MD, Univ Iowa 2015 Kendall Madden, MD, Stanford Univ 2015 Guillermo Padilla, MD, UC Los Angeles 2015 Jessica Rhodes, MD, UC Davis 2015 Laura Vega, MD, Univ Southern California 2015 Stacie Vilendrer, MD, Stanford Univ 2015 Maya Zwerdling, MD, UC San Francisco 2015 * board certified TOP CMA STORIES CMA newsletter available biweekly 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. To view the current issue, click here. Six tobacco bills to be taken up during special session on health. Six bills aimed at saving lives and reducing the cost of tobacco-related diseases on California's health system will be taken up during the Legislature's second special session to address health care-a meeting ordered by Gov. Jerry Brown. Some of the bills include adding e-cigarettes to the existing tobacco products definition and increasing the age of sale for tobacco products to 21. Other bills would allow local jurisdictions to tax tobacco products and require all schools in the state to be tobacco-free. Click here for more information. Bills to expand nurse practitioners, optometrists scope of practice stall in Assembly committee Special session on Medi-Cal financing underway in the Capitol House passes bill to increase funding for medical research and speed FDA approvals CMA updates ICD-10 transition guide CMS releases proposed 2016 Medicare physician fee schedule Senate panel pushes HHS to delay stage 3 meaningful use Updated payor profiles now available Sugar-sweetened drinks responsible for 25,000 U.S. deaths each year CMA releases 2015 annotated Model Medical Staff Bylaws PRACTICE RESOURCES Click here to access archived webinars offered at no cost to SCMA/CMA members and staff. Nonmember cost is $99. For more information, contact CMA's Member Help Center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. Is your office working on ICD-10 compliance? Click here to see a number of members-only resources, including CMA's ICD-10 Transition Guide for Physicians. CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts that 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. To view the current issue, click here. CLASSIFIEDS 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. SCMA members get free classifieds! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma 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 SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2015 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 August 31, 2015 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
July 2015 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS July ICD-10 training opportunities for staff and physicians Summer Sonoma Medicine now available in print and online Submit your nominations for 2015 SCMA awards Twelve new physicians begin residency training in Santa Rosa Applicants Featured member benefit: Home and auto insurance discounts TOP CMA STORIES CMA and DOJ reach short-term solution to CURES upgrade problem CMS rule reduces Meaningful Use burdens; CMA advocates for more change California State Auditor releases report outlining flaws with Medi-Cal program Physicians receiving notice from CHPI encouraged to verify data accuracy by July 31 PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS July ICD-10 training opportunities for staff and physicians 1. SCMA hosts ICD-10 training July 13 & 14 STILL TIME TO REGISTER: a few spots left! Learn to code for ICD-10-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and prepare for the ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment. Conducted over two days, July 13 & 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will receive 16 hours of intensive general ICD-10 code set training along with hands-on coding exercises focused on ICD-10 format and structure, guidelines, and coding tips. Pricing varies: $399 for SCMA-CMA members (a $200 savings), $499 for CA-MGMA members, and $599 for nonmembers. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online (Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino-Lake counties). Click here to download informational flier. 2. CMA offers online physician ICD-10 documentation training Earn 3 CMEs online for ICD-10 Documentation Training for Physicians. These 3-hour courses are offered by medical specialty and teach ICD-10-CM documentation requirements for physicians to maintain reimbursement once the ICD-10 transition occurs. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online. Click here to download informational flier. Summer Sonoma Medicine now available in print and online Just published! Summer Sonoma Medicine features articles on the spine: treating low back pain, lumbar spinal stenosis, and malingering in patients with chronic pain. Departments include an interview with SCMA president Mary Maddux-González, MD; Hearts of Sonoma County Guidelines; a mystery dermatology case; a Yo Yo Ma concert review, featured poem, two book reviews (Shrinks: The Untold Story of Psychiatry and Better Than Medicines), a profile of the SCMA Alliance and Foundation, and photos from the SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception. The print edition has been mailed to subscribers; view the PDF online here and the text-only version of articles here. Call Susan Gumucio at 525-0102 to order additional print copies for you or your office. Submit your nominations for 2015 SCMA awards SCMA is seeking nominations for its Outstanding Contribution and Recognition of Achievement awards, to be presented at the Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 2, 2015. Nominations are needed by Aug. 21 for the four awards listed below: Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Presented to an SCMA member whose work has benefited the community. Outstanding Contribution to Local Medicine. Presented to an SCMA member who has improved local medical care. Outstanding Contribution to SCMA. Presented to an SCMA member who has served SCMA beyond the call of duty. Recognition of Achievement. Presented to a nonphysician who has helped advance local medicine. For a list of past award recipients and a nomination form, click here. Nominations can be submitted to SCMA by fax, email or regular mail. Twelve new physicians begin residency training in Santa Rosa Twelve of the nation's top medical school graduates were selected from 700 applicants to enter the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency in July. This year, more than 1,100 graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to programs in family medicine, half of which applied to Sutter Health's Santa Rosa program. The new residents, scheduled to graduate in 2018, have already established impressive records in academic achievement and community service. The roster includes Drs. Jacqueline Abdalla, Kimberly Clinite, Anastasia Coutinho, Kayla Flores Tindall, Afsoon Foorohar, Dwiju Kumar, Kendall Madden, Guillermo Padilla, Jessica Rhodes, Laura Vega, Stacie Vilendrer, and Maya Zawedling. The residency program has been the largest single source of family physicians to Sonoma County for 75+ years. Residency graduates comprise nearly half of the family physicians practicing in Sonoma County. They fill private practices; community clinics; large medical groups such as Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods, The Permanente Medical Group, local community health centers, and Sonoma County Health Services; and leadership positions throughout the medical community. Applicants Lindsey Hibbard, MD, Pediatrics*, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, UC Davis 2007 David Huang, MD, Psychiatry*, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, Univ Texas 2001 Danielle Mellace, DO, Internal Medicine, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, Western Univ 2009 Parisa Navi, MD, Pediatrics*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Tehran Univ 2001 Lisa Velasquez, MD, Family Medicine*, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, UC San Francisco 1999 * board certified Featured member benefit: Home and auto insurance discounts CMA members receive 8 percent off auto insurance from Mercury Insurance. For more details, call Mercury Insurance Group at 888-637-2431 or visit www.mercuryinsurance.com/cma TOP CMA STORIES CMA and DOJ reach short-term solution to CURES upgrade problem In response to concerns raised by the California Medical Association (CMA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) has agreed to a short-term solution to prevent thousands of Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) prescribers and dispensers from losing access with the anticipated launch of CURES 2.0. DOJ has committed to keeping the current version of CURES accessible for users until January 2016, and will test the new version in a real world setting with a small group before phasing in more users over the next few months. Click here for more information. CMS rule reduces Meaningful Use burdens; CMA advocates for more change Click here for story. California State Auditor releases report outlining flaws with Medi-Cal program Click here for report summary and a link to the full report. Physicians receiving notice from CHPI encouraged to verify data accuracy by July 31 The California Healthcare Performance Initiative System (CHPI) recently notified physicians of their "quality rating." Physicians who wish to verify the accuracy of the data used to calculate their scores and identify and report any errors must do so by July 31, 2015. Click here for additional details. CMA newsletter available biweekly 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. To view the current issue, click here. PRACTICE RESOURCES Webinars, ICD-10 transition Click here to access archived webinars offered at no cost to SCMA/CMA members and staff. Nonmember cost is $99. For more information, contact CMA's Member Help Center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. Is your office working on ICD-10 compliance? Click here to see a number of members-only resources, including CMA's ICD-10 Transition Guide for Physicians. Download flier for info about ICD-10 training July 13 & 14, hosted by SCMA. CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts that focuses on critical payor and healthcare 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. To view the current issue, click here. CLASSIFIEDS 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. SCMA members get free classifieds! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma 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 SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2015 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 July 9, 2015 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
June 2015 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Upcoming ICD-10 training opportunities iPad presented at June 10 wine & cheese reception Dr. Regina Sullivan is new SCMA president-elect Get your 2015 Sonoma County Physician Directory Nominations needed for SCMA awards Call for nominations to CMA councils and committees by June 22 "Mastering the Art of Disclosing an Unexpected Outcome" Applicants Featured member benefit: ICD-10 training PEOPLE Top stories from CMA ALERT PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS Upcoming ICD-10 training opportunities SCMA hosts ICD-10 training July 13 & 14 Learn to code for ICD-10-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and prepare for the ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment. Conducted over two days, July 13 & 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will receive 16 hours of intensive general ICD-10 code set training along with hands-on coding exercises focused on ICD-10 format and structure, guidelines, and coding tips. Pricing varies: $399 for SCMA-CMA members (a $200 savings), $499 for CA-MGMA members, and $599 for nonmembers. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online (Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino-Lake counties). Click here to download informational flier. CMA offers online physician ICD-10 documentation training Earn 3 CMEs online for ICD-10 Documentation Training for Physicians. These 3-hour courses are offered by medical specialty and teach ICD-10-CM documentation requirements for physicians to maintain reimbursement once the ICD-10 transition occurs. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online. iPad presented at June 10 wine & cheese reception The 15th annual Wine & Cheese Reception at Dutton-Goldfield Winery June 10 honored outgoing SCMA president Dr. Rob Nied for his years of service to the medical community. Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, who becomes 2015-16 president July 1, accepted the gavel. From a drawing of more than 360 qualifying "Passport to Points" raffle tickets, Dr. Jeff Sugarman was declared winner of the iPad prize. SCMA members earned points/raffle tickets for activities supporting a healthier community and SCMA and CMA activities, including volunteering on community boards and committees; visiting or communicating with local legislators; voting in SCMA's election, and participating in the CMA delegation, among other activities. Photos from the reception will be published in the summer issue of Sonoma Medicine and soon posted on the SCMA website Dr. Regina Sullivan is new SCMA president-elect The SCMA election results are in, and Dr. Regina Sullivan, a Santa Rosa OB-GYN, has been confirmed as 2015-16 SCMA president-elect. She will become president in July 2016. The current president-elect, Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, will serve as president from July 2015 through June 2016. Others elected to the SCMA board of directors include Drs. Peter Sybert (treasurer), Rachel Mayorga (North County district), and Stephen Steady (Petaluma). Three members of the CMA delegation confirmed in the election include Drs. Regina Sullivan (delegate), Tricia May (delegate) and Leonard Klay (alternate delegate). A complete list of new SCMA officers and board members will be posted at www.scma.org in July. Get your 2015 Sonoma County Physician Directory The 2015 Sonoma County Physician Directory is now available for sale. This indispensable reference book gives contact and specialty information for most doctors currently practicing in Sonoma County, along with detailed photographic listings for SCMA members. It also includes a useful compendium of medical resources. The familiar spiral-bound book is widely used by local medical offices. Each SCMA member receives one free copy of the directory. Extra copies cost $30 for SCMA members or $40 for nonmember physicians, health care facilities, and the general public. To order by phone with a credit card, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also download the order form and fax it to Rachel at 525-4328 or mail it to SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Nominations needed for SCMA awards SCMA is seeking nominations for its Outstanding Contribution and Recognition of Achievement awards, to be presented at the Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 2, 2015. Nominations are needed by Aug. 21 for the four awards listed below: Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Presented to an SCMA member whose work has benefited the community. Outstanding Contribution to Local Medicine. Presented to an SCMA member who has improved local medical care. Outstanding Contribution to SCMA. Presented to an SCMA member who has served SCMA beyond the call of duty. Recognition of Achievement. Presented to a nonphysician who has helped advance local medicine. For a list of past award recipients and a nomination form, click here. Nominations can be submitted to SCMA by fax, email or regular mail. Call for nominations to CMA councils and committees by June 22 CMA's Nominations Committee is currently accepting nominations for 2016 councils and subcommittees including: Council on Science and Public Health; Medical Services; Ethical, Legal and Judicial Affairs; Health Professions and Quality of Care; Membership, Governance and Bylaws; and Council on Legislation. Subcommittees include Medicare, Medi-Cal, Workers' Compensation, Health Information Technology, Professional Liability, and Continuing Medical Education. Click here for informational flier. For assistance with your application or nomination, please contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. "Mastering the Art of Disclosing an Unexpected Outcome" MIEC (Medical Insurance Exchange of California) has created an interactive workshop that examines the elements of providing a timely and effective disclosure when an unexpected outcome occurs. The workshop will be held on Wednesday evening, July 22 at the Hilltop 1892 in Novato. Scheduled from 5:30-9 p.m., the program includes dinner. Cost is free to SCMA and MMS members, and $45 for all others. Save the date! Click for registration form. Applicants Sarah Chan, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403, Univ Wisconsin 2003 Scott Glickman, DO, Neurological Surgery*, 4690 Hoen Ave., Santa Rosa, 95405, Midwestern Univ 2002 Uyen Ly, MD, Family Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403, Univ Washington 2000 * = board certified Featured member benefit: ICD-10 training The California Medical Association has partnered with the largest and most respected coding organization, AAPC, to provide CMA members with a complete suite of ICD-10 solutions at steeply discounted rates. Learn about on-site classes in Santa Rosa here, other on-site classes in California here, and online courses for physicians here. PEOPLE Representing solo and small group practice physicians in CMA's Tenth District (which includes Sonoma, Marin, and counties north to the Oregon border) Richard Powers, MD, has been elected to CMA's Solo and Small Group Practice Forum. The Forum's next meeting will be at the 2015 House of Delegates session scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Top stories from CMA ALERT CMA Alert is a biweekly newsletter for members of the California Medical Association. TOP STORY from June 15 issue: Vaccination bill clears Assembly Health Committee after nearly five hours of discussion, testimony Senate Bill 277, which would bar parents from skipping school vaccination requirements due to personal philosophies, passed its first test in the state Assembly last Tuesday. Policymakers in the Assembly Health Committee approved the bill on a 12-6 vote. READ MORE Also in this issue: Thousands rally at state Capitol to support fully funding Medi-Cal President's Message: A critical year for health care Senate passes bills to regulate e-cigarettes, raise smoking age CMS releases 2013 physician payment data to private sector Anthem Special Investigations Unit may be recouping beyond statutory timeframe What is commercial risk adjustment? Don't miss CME Essentials in August! New Paid Family Leave benefits form required July 1 Medi-Cal to delay payments for two weeks in June Upcoming ICD-10-CM Code Set Boot Camps PRACTICE RESOURCES Is your office working on ICD-10 compliance? Click here to see a number of members-only resources, including CMA's ICD-10 Transition Guide for Physicians. Download flier for info about ICD-10 training July 13 & 14, hosted by SCMA. CLASSIFIEDS 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. SCMA members get free classifieds! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma 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 SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2015 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 June 1, 2015 General, SCMA News Briefs SCMA New Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
May 2015 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Garden Tour May 15 & 16 features Sebastopol gardens Wine & cheese reception at Dutton-Goldfield Winery June 10 "Passport" iPad to be awarded at wine & cheese reception Dr. Regina Sullivan nominated as SCMA president-elect SCMA hosting ICD-10 training July 13 & 14 "Mastering the Art of Disclosing an Unexpected Outcome" Applicants Featured member benefit: Workers' Compensation PEOPLE Top stories from CMA ALERT PRACTICE RESOURCES Wednesdays at Hospice House ICD-10 transition CPR: CMA Practice Resources CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS Garden Tour May 15 & 16 features Sebastopol gardens Tickets are now on sale for "Gardens of Greater Sebastopol: Natural Beauties," SCMA Alliance Foundation's signature event, the 24th annual fundraising Garden Tour on Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16. Ticket price: $50. For more information about the tour and ordering tickets, please visit www.scmaa.org, download flier, or feel free to call Janet Shane at 707-578-4537. Wine & cheese reception at Dutton-Goldfield Winery June 10 The annual SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception will be held at the Dutton-Goldfield Winery in Sebastopol on Wednesday evening, June 10. All Sonoma County physicians and their spouse or guest are invited to attend. The reception, now in its 15th year, has become increasingly popular because of its relaxed, collegial atmosphere. Please join your colleagues for informal conversation and a sampling of fine wines with our hosts Dan Goldfield and Dr. Loie Sauer. There's no charge for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. The charge for nonmembers is $55 per person. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Visit www.duttongoldfield.com for directions and information about their wines. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the wines being poured. Download flier for more details. "Passport" iPad to be awarded at wine & cheese reception We've been tallying scores! An iPad will be awarded at the June 10 wine & cheese reception to the physician with the highest score for participation in this year's Passport challenge. There's still time to earn points for activities supporting a healthier community and SCMA activities, including: volunteering on community boards and committees; visiting or communicating with local legislators; voting in SCMA's election (ballots being sent in May); or attending the wine & cheese reception June 10. If you've earned points in these or other categories, let us know! The purpose of PASSPORT TO PARTICIPATION is to encourage physician collegiality and the advancement of community health. The program acknowledges Sonoma County physicians' active engagement with SCMA, CMA and community activities by awarding points in these categories. The iPad prize, to be presented at the June 10 wine & cheese reception, is a token of our recognition for your exemplary involvement. Click here for more information: you may already be a winner! Dr. Regina Sullivan nominated as SCMA president-elect Dr. Regina Sullivan, a Santa Rosa OB-GYN, has been nominated as 2015-16 SCMA president-elect following Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez. Dr. Sullivan heads the list of nominees on this year's SCMA election ballot, which will be mailed to all members in mid-May and is due back by May 31. Others nominated to the SCMA board of directors include Drs. Peter Sybert (treasurer), Rachel Mayorga (North County district), Stephen Steady (Petaluma), and three nominees for the CMA delegation: Drs. Regina Sullivan (delegate), Tricia May (alternate delegate) and Leonard Klay (alternate delegate). SCMA members will receive ballots by postal mail. For more information, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 525-4375. SCMA hosting ICD-10 training July 13 & 14 Learn to code for ICD-10-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and prepare for the ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment. Conducted over two days, July 13 & 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will receive 16 hours of intensive general ICD-10 code set training along with hands-on coding exercises focused on ICD-10 format and structure, guidelines, and coding tips. Pricing varies: $399 for SCMA-CMA members (a $200 savings), $499 for CA-MGMA members, and $599 for non-members. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online (Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino-Lake counties). Click here to download informational flier. "Mastering the Art of Disclosing an Unexpected Outcome" MIEC (Medical Insurance Exchange of California) has created an interactive workshop that examines the elements of providing a timely and effective disclosure when an unexpected outcome occurs. The workshop will be held on Wednesday evening, July 22 at the Hilltop 1892 in Novato. Scheduled from 5:30-9 p.m., the program includes dinner. Cost is free to SCMA and MMS members, and $45 for all others. Save the date! Click for registration form. Applicants Susan Amaturo, MD, Dermatology*, 990 Sonoma Ave. #2, Santa Rosa 95403, UC San Francisco 1985 Ilona Baron, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Temple Univ 1984 Tamara Jeraj Dolenc, MD, Psychiatry*, Psychosomatic Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Univ Ljubljana 1995 Robert Koch, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, McGill Univ 1994 Sara LaFleur, MD, Anesthesiology*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Tufts Univ 2005 Alice Tse, MD, Family Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Mt. Sinai Sch Med 1992 * = board certified Featured member benefit: Workers' Compensation With workers' compensation insurance rates in California continuing to move upward, there's never been a better time to shop the sponsored workers' compensation plans offered through Mercer as a California Medical Association (CMA) member benefit. Don't just sit back and accept higher rates: call Mercer to see if you can get a better deal through the CMA. Working with Mercer as the program administrator, CMA sponsors best-in-class insurance plans at competitive premiums. By becoming involved with the sponsored plans you will receive valuable protection for your practice and employees. Take control of your workers' compensation costs. Call 800-842-3761 now for your free, no-obligation quote, or visit www.CountyCMAMemberInsurance.com for more information and to download an application or premium indication form. PEOPLE Eric Lin, MD named chief of Kaiser department Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center announced the appointment of Eric Lin, MD to the position of Chief of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Lin joined Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center in 1999 and transferred to Santa Rosa where he's been senior physician in the Department of Plastic Surgery since 2004. He is also courtesy staff at Sutter and Palm Drive hospitals as well as HealthSouth SurgiCenter. Dr. Lin is a graduate of UCLA Medical School and postgraduate of University of Washington. Top stories from CMA ALERT CMA Alert is a biweekly newsletter for members of the California Medical Association. TOP STORY from May 4 issue: Vaccine bill gains more supporters, soars through Senate Judiciary Committee The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill requiring most school children to be vaccinated as a condition of enrollment. In its third hearing in the state legislature, Senate Bill 277 (Pan/Allen) was once again the center of attention, attracting hundreds of people to the state Capitol to hear the discussion in the Senate Judiciary Committee. READ MORE Also in this issue: Bill calling for higher tobacco tax blows through Senate Health Committee Second bill to increase Medi-Cal rates advances through first committee CMA urges physicians to thank Congress for SGR vote CMA files amicus brief in health care provider whistleblower case Leadership Academy opening session to feature Congressional leaders describing how SGR reform finally passed Open Payments database now available for physician review NEPO to host Building Healthy Communities Summit Sept. 18-20 San Francisco approves historic ordinance to ban tobacco use in county, city ballparks Board of Pharmacy approves regulations allowing pharmacists to furnish naloxone ICD-10 training seminars: more dates and locations added Institute for Medical Quality announces correctional medicine facility accreditations PRACTICE RESOURCES Wednesdays at Hospice House The monthly education series continues in May with "Death On Our Own Terms." The recent situation involving a 29-year-old terminal cancer patient who moved to Oregon in order to die on her own terms, highlights the value of ongoing discussions about options that palliative and hospice care offer in the face of suffering. The presentations are provided free of charge to the community by Hospice Services of St. Joseph Health. No reservations are required. For more details, visit www.SonomaCountyHospice.org or contact Denise Burke at denise.burke@stjoe.org. May 13 (7 to 9 p.m.) at Hospice of Petaluma, presented by Dr. Gary Johanson, medical director for Memorial Hospice. May 20 (5 to 7 p.m.) at Memorial Hospice in Santa Rosa, presented by Dr. Steve Hadland, hospice physician at Hospice of Petaluma. ICD-10 transition Is your office working on ICD-10 compliance? Click here to see a number of members-only resources, including CMA's ICD-10 Transition Guide for Physicians. Download flier for info about ICD-10 training July 13 & 14, hosted by SCMA. CPR: CMA Practice Resources CPR is a free monthly e-bulletin from CMA's practice management experts that 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. Read the current issue here. Titles include: United Healthcare automatically opts physicians into Core narrow network product CHDP group providers must re-attest by April 17 to receive ACA primary rate increase Physicians warned of identity theft tax scam ICD-10 training seminar dates and locations announced Practice check-up: How scheduling strategies can reduce disruptions and long patient wait times Reminder: July ICD-10 end-to-end testing forms due in April Share your feedback by taking this brief electronic payment survey Meet your CMA Affinity Partner: Union Bank The Coding Corner: Hypertension in ICD-10 CLASSIFIEDS 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. SCMA members get free classifieds! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma 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 SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2015 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 May 12, 2015 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
