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1. CMA Loses a Beloved Friend and Advocate,
Past-President Ronald P. Bangasser, M.D.
It is with great sadness that we inform you that CMA yesterday lost a very dear member of our extended family. Ronald P. Bangasser, M.D., who served as our president in 2003-2004, passed away Wednesday morning in Redlands after his struggles with cancer. He was 57.
Dr. Bangasser, a family practitioner, was always an example of what a doctor should be, operating his wound care clinic, his practice, treating patients in the hospital, all the while serving his patients and colleagues through his advocacy for the CMA.
Dr. Bangasser practiced medicine since 1975 and was active in state and national medical societies for nearly 30 years, serving as speaker and vice speaker of the CMA House of Delegates and as past president of the San Bernardino County Medical Society. He served on the CMA Board of Trustees for eight years before taking office as president.
Dr. Bangasser also served energetically in multiple AMA leadership roles. He continued to be active in CMA and AMA after his presidency, and fought his illness all the way, even conducting a live radio interview on pay-for-performance from his hospital bed a few weeks ago. An accomplished scuba diver and instructor, he relished such experiences until his untimely death.
Dr. Bangasser is survived by his wife Susan, two daughters, Debbie Waxler and Sandi Bangasser, and his mother Florence Bangasser.
“Ron’s death is a tremendous loss to all of us – his family, his patients, his friends and colleagues, and all of medicine,” says CMA President Anmol S. Mahal, M.D. “Ron was always an example of what a doctor should be, operating his wound care clinic, his practice, treating patients in the hospital, all the while serving his patients and colleagues through his advocacy for the CMA.”
Click here for more information, including memorial service details.
2. Federal Bill Provides Grants, Loans,
Tax Incentives to Encourage HIT Adoption
The United States Congress is considering a bill that would provide grants, loans, and tax incentives to physicians for the purchase of health care information technology. The bill—the National Health Information Incentive Act, introduced by Reps Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas) and Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.)—would make it possible for solo and small-group physician practices to adopt health care information technology (HIT), such as electronic health records, electronic prescribing systems, evidence-based clinical decision tools, remote monitoring, patient registries, and secure e-mail.
The bill not only includes one-time financial incentives to enable small-group physicians to invest in the technology, but also provides sustained funding to encourage its continued use to advance patient care, reduce medical errors, improve efficiency, and save money.
Click here for more information.
Contact: Elizabeth McNeil, 415/882-3376 or emcneil@cmanet.org.
3. CMA Fends Off Attempts to Expand Nonphysicians’ Scope
CMA has successfully averted a number of legislative attempts to expand the scope of practice of allied health professionals. Among the bills that were tabled was one that would allow psychologists to prescribe psychotropic drugs; one that would allow acupuncturists to use low-level lasers for medical purposes; and another that would eliminate many physician supervision requirements for nurse practitioners (NPs), allowing NPs to, among other things, admit and discharge hospital patients and prescribe controlled substances without physician approval. All of these bills stalled in committee and were tabled until next year.
While CMA does not oppose all expansions of scope of practice, CMA believes that patients are put at risk when nonphysician practitioners provide care for which they are inadequately trained. CMA believes that any such proposal must be carefully studied to ensure that patient care is not jeopardized.
Click here for more information.
Contact: Susan Bassett, 916/444-5532 or sbassett@cmanet.org.
4. CMA Advances All Six of Its Sponsored Bills
CMA’s lobbying team is six for six early in the legislative session, with all of CMA’s sponsored bills moving swiftly through the Assembly. The bills CMA is sponsoring this year are:
Whistleblower Protections (AB 632): This bill would clarify whistleblower protections for physicians and prohibit hospitals and other health care facilities (and their affiliates) from retaliating or discriminating against a physician on its medical staff for speaking out about the quality of care provided in the facility. The bill unanimously passed the Assembly Health Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee and has been sent to the full Assembly for a vote.
HIV Screening (AB 682): This bill would streamline the HIV testing process, so that HIV screening can become a routine part of medical checkups, as recommended by the CDC. The bill unanimously passed the Assembly Health Committee.
Farmworker Health Coverage (AB 770): This bill, which would improve access to health care for farmworkers in California, passed the Assembly Health Committee Wednesday, with a 11 to 5 vote and has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
DMHC Enforcement (AB 1155): This bill, which would require that enforcement DMHC enforcement actions against health plans make physicians whole, passed the Assembly Health Committee with a vote of 12 to 3.
Medi-Cal Physician Enrollment (AB 1226): This bill would facilitate physician enrollment in the Medi-Cal program. It unanimously passed the Assembly Health Committee and has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Retroactive Policy Cancellation (AB 1324): This bill would confirm that it is illegal for insurers to rescind or modify authorization after services are rendered in good faith. It would also require that physicians be paid for services provided in good faith with prior authorization. The bill passed the Assembly Health Committee with a vote of 13 to 2 and has been sent to the Assembly floor.
Click here for more information.
Contact: Susan Bassett, 916/444-5532 or sbassett@cmanet.org.
5. CMA Experts Can Help You Gain Control of Your Practice’s
Bottom Line; Next Workshop Is May 16 in Riverside
CMA’s Center for Economic Services is offering a series of hands-on “Back to Basics” billing and collections workshops throughout the state. The next workshop is May 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Riverside. Attendees will receive step-by-step guidance on how to improve their practice’s bottom line.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Increase revenue and decrease days in A/R
- Identify common pitfalls of the billing and collection process
- Monitor payor compliance and foster positive working relationships
- Develop skills to effectively and efficiently manage collections
- Discover resources available to CMA members to assist their practice
Attendees will also receive a copy of CMA’s self-instructional guide Back to Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Cash Flow — A Focus on the Physician Office Billing and Collection Process (a $149 value). Lunch will be provided.
Registration for members is $75 (nonmembers $200). Additional staff from same office can register for $50 (members) or $100 (nonmembers). Registration deadline is May 14.
Click here for more information.
Contact: CMA's reimbursement help line, 888/401-5911 or gfonseca@cmanet.org.
6. IMQ’s Annual CME Provider Conference Is May 11
The Institute for Medical Quality’s annual CME Provider Conference is Friday, May 11, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel near the San Francisco International Airport.
This year’s conference, “Outlook for CME,” will teach practical strategies for incorporating cultural and linguistic competency into continuing medical education programs (as required by AB 1195). Other topics covered include CME program management and documentation, tips for CME coordinators, needs assessment methods for organizations, and management of regularly scheduled conferences.
Kate Regnier, MA, MBA, deputy chief executive of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), is the keynote speaker. Special guest speaker, Maureen Doyle-Scharff, MBA, director of health education for Abbott Laboratories, will discuss the future of commercial support in continuing medical education.
Registration is $395 for members, $445 for nonmembers.
Click here for more information.
Contact: Sarah Shimer, 415/882-5182 or sshimer@imq.org.
7. Benefit of the Week: Workers’ Comp Insurance
Don’t renew your workers’ compensation policy without first checking with CMA’s affinity partner, Marsh. Rates have dropped significantly in the past year, and qualifiying members are eligible for additional savings (as much as 16 percent) when they purchase or renew their policies through Marsh. Call Marsh at 800/842-3761 for information.
Click here for more information on your membership benefits.
Contact: CMA’s membership hotline, 888/233-2937 or lgodward@cmanet.org.
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