Biopsy Billing Confusion Explained
Since it is no longer just the dermatologist doing biopsies here’s some helpful information on how to bill and the distinguishing point about how to code.  There are codes for each and you can’t do both at the same time. The article has some interesting items to consider when billing for biopsies and is worth taking [...] ( More info )

AMA States 1 out of 5 Medical Claims are Processed in Error
 Medical claim processing is a sore spot with almost all physicians today and to submit on paper without software today is a nightmare.  At EZClaim we have several choices, depending on the size and number of claims your practice submits.  Take a look at our website and see which one is a good fit for [...] ( More info )

FTC Sending Out Checks to Reimburse Consumers With Medical Billing Scam
It is sad to say but fraud seems to be everywhere today.  This was a scheme on the internet where people were lured into a “billing at home”business so a word to the wise no matter which side you are on, the billing or the provider side, make sure you are dealing with reputable people [...] ( More info )

Medical Billing Fraud on the Rise Healthcare Reform Adds New Focus to Address
In the news lately with healthcare reform is also a crack down on billing fraud.   It happen everywhere with both Medicare and Commercial insurers.  Sometimes it is not caught until the patient ends up finding it on their tab.  Listed below are a couple examples of some pretty high bills found by patients themselves [...] ( More info )

Hints on How To Code For Diabetes 1 and 2
Do you get confused with how to code diabetes?  Are you coding for Diabetes 1 or type 2?  Below are a few hints that might offer some advice on how to get the coding done right. When you read through the codes and use of insulin it can be a little confusing.  One of the big [...] ( More info )

Claim your share of the $350 million UnitedHealth settlement
Don't miss the chance to claim your share of the $350 million UnitedHealth Group settlement. ( More info )

CMS PECOS enrollment deadline is September 1
The deadline for physicians to enroll in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' online PECOS system is September 1, 2010. ( More info )

OAL approves regs requiring physician participation in lethal injections
The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) recently approved regulations that would require physician participation in lethal injections, despite ongoing opposition from the California Medical Association (CMA). ( More info )

Medicare audits find improper use of new patient codes
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program was designed to identify fraud and waste in the Medicare system by identifying improper payments made for health care services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. ( More info )

Webinar: Addressing an Epidemic: Clinicians' Role in Preventing Pertussis
The California Department of Public Health (CPDH) is hosting a free one-hour webinar featuring pediatric infectious disease specialist Mark Sawyer, M.D. ( More info )

Webinar: Meaningful use of EHRs
Please join us on Wednesday, August 25, for an important "meaningful use" training webinar. ( More info )

Legislative update
Friday, August 13, was the last day for fiscal committees to hear and report bills to the Assembly or Senate floor. ( More info )

Hospital-physician alignment: What you need to know about ACOs, medical foundations, and other new health care payment and delivery models
Many physicians across the state are being approached by hospital systems about joining new hospital-physician organizations. ( More info )

CMA receives $10k grant to award medical student scholarships
The CMA Foundation received a $10,000 grant from The Doctors Company Foundation to provide 40 medical students with scholarships to attend CMA's fifth annual Medical Student Leadership Conference. ( More info )

2011 California Health Care Leadership Academy rescheduled
The 14th Annual California Health Care Leadership Academy, originally slated for mid-April of next year, has been rescheduled for June 3-5, 2011. ( More info )

Young physicians invited to attend YPS Assembly, October 1 in Sacramento
The California Medical Association's Young Physicians Section (YPS) will hold its Annual Assembly and Education Conference Friday, October 1, in Sacramento, immediately prior to the association's annual House of Delegates. ( More info )

PreCALS Plus, IMQ's medical staff issues and answers conference, is October 28-29 in Burlingame
The Institute for Medical Quality's 2011 PreCALS Plus Medical Staff Issues and Answers Conference will be held on October 28 – 29, 2010, at the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport Hotel in Burlingame. ( More info )

CMA Foundation annual dinner tickets now on sale
The CMA Foundation's 14th Annual President's Reception and Awards Dinner is Sunday, October 3, at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento. Proceeds will support the CMA Foundation's work linking physicians and their communities to raise awareness about important public health issues. ( More info )