Your Oral Testimony or Written Comments Needed for DMHC ‘Balance Billing’ Proposal
[Posted 05/12/08]

In March, the Department of Managed Health Care proposed a new regulation that attempts to prohibit physicians from billing patients for the unpaid balance of bills only partially paid by HMOs for non-contracted emergency services.  Unlike previous proposals, this version does nothing to regulate or obligate HMOs in any manner – failing to address both fair payment of physicians and inadequate physician networks.  The proposal is a giveaway to the HMO industry at the expense of physicians and emergency care. 

On May 2, the DMHC notified CMA that it would be holding the only public hearing on the proposal in Irvine on May 14 – just eight business days later.  After CMA protested, the DMHC agreed to schedule an additional hearing in San Diego on May 19, and is considering a hearing in Sacramento on May 20. 

CMA strongly urges you to plan on testifying or submitting written comments to the DMHC to protest its proposed anti-physician regulations.  If you are interested in testifying in person, please contact Armand Feliciano, Esq. at afeliciano@cmanet.org or (916) 444-5532 as soon as possible.  Armand will provide you with talking points and instructions on how to testify and file written comments.

Irvine - May 14
When:  10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or as soon as all verbal testimony is heard.
Where:  Irvine Marriot, 18000 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine CA 92612

San Diego – May 19
When:   10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or as soon as all verbal testimony is heard. 
Where:  Mission Valley Marriot, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, CA 92108 

Sacramento – May 20 (Possible)

Contact: Armand Feliciano, 916/444-5532 or afeliciano@cmanet.org