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NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Physician Voter Guide 2022

It's time to vote, Central Coast Physicians! The general election is next week and we hope that you mail in your ballot or go to the polls by November 8 to ensure the voices of physicians are heard loud and clear. 

Below are the CMA's positions on statewide ballot measures and endorsements for two Central Coast candidates, Dawn Addis for State Assembly District 30 and Gregg Hart for State Assembly District 37.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Photo Highlights from our Annual Membership Celebration

Click here for photo highlights from Santa Barbara
Click here for photo highlights from San Luis Obispo

This past September we honored our 2022 Physicians of the Year, Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons in Santa Barbara and Dr. Mareeni Stanislaus in San Luis Obispo. We celebrated our honorees and enjoyed two wonderful evenings socializing with friends and colleagues. We want to thank all of our members, nonmembers and guests for joining us, and we look forward to seeing you at our Annual Celebration next year. 

We would also like to thank the following event sponsors. We appreciate your support.
The Doctors Company, 1st Capital Bank, Dynavax, Mercer and WestPac Wealth Partners
Photo Highlights from the 151st Annual House of Delegates (HOD)

California Medical Association's (CMA) 151st annual House of Delegates (HOD) took place in Los Angeles October 22-23, 2022. CMA physician delegates meet annually to establish broad policy on current major issues that have been determined to be the most important issues affecting members, the association and the practice of medicine.


Thank you to our CCMA physician delegates for advocating on behalf of our members and all physicians across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. 

2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

On November 01, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates and policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after January 1, 2023. The calendar year (CY) 2023 PFS final rule is one of several rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a more equitable health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability and innovation.

Please see the following documents for more information:

Final Rule
CMS Press Release
CMS Fact Sheet
CMS MSSP Fact Sheet


Urge Congress to Stop the Medicare Payment Cuts

Physicians are facing another round of Medicare payment cuts. Unless Congress acts by the end of the year, physicians face more than 8.42% in Medicare payment cuts in 2023 due to a confluence of statutory and budget neutrality payment cuts. 

If these cuts are allowed to take effect, these cuts will severely impede patient access to care due to the forced closure of physician practices and put further strain on those that remained open during the pandemic.

Physicians Struggle to Stay on Top of Clinical Advancements. While most physicians are interested in learning about new research, treatments and trials that can help improve outcomes in their patients, the vast majority are overwhelmed by the amount of information needed to stay on top of things. Ninety-five percent of physicians surveyed are interested in learning about new trials, treatments and procedures, but 68% said they feel overwhelmed by the amount of information with which they have to stay current.
Telemedicine May Have Helped with Rising Blood Pressure During Pandemic. The availability of telemedicine may have helped mitigate the rise in blood pressure levels that was observed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers looked at adult blood pressure data from three large health care systems: Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City and Ochsner Health in New Orleans.
EVENTS
Cultural Competency and Health Literacy Webinar
November 9, 2022 | 12:00 PM PST

Enhanced communication between providers, staff and patients is essential to effectively provide quality care in a culturally sensitive manner. CenCal Health advocates for quality care for all members, regardless of how they may identify. To further that goal, CenCal Health provides Cultural Competency and Health Literacy tools to improve provider-patient communication.

Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments Webinar
November 17, 2022

On June 30, 2022, Governor Newsom signed legislation aimed at stabilizing and retaining California's health care workforce and managing the COVID-19 pandemic, through the issuance of worker retention payments. As a result, many workers and physicians working in qualifying facilities will be eligible to receive a retention payment. In this webinar, staff from the California Department of Health Care Services will provide an overview of the Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments and an opportunity for Q&A.

 
Healthcare Burnout Symposium
February 23-25, 2023 | Los Angeles

Join healthcare leaders from around the country who address the multiple facets of the burnout crisis and share how to increase the well-being of our physicians, nurses, and administrators.

Featuring guest speakers:
Xavier Becerra, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Diana Ramos, MD, Surgeon General of California
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CCMA MEMBERS
The CCMA would like to say Happy Birthday to our physician members celebrating their birthdays in November. Cheers to many more!
FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT
Workers Compensation Insurance

The CMA/County-sponsored program, helps members purchase workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. CMA/CCMA works with Mercer and Preferred Employers Insurance Company to implement best practices in risk management and help to meet your coverage needs.
MEMBERSHIP

Join the CCMA Today!

When you join the California Medical Association and Central Coast Medical Association, you join nearly 50,000 members statewide who are actively protecting the practice of medicine and defending public health. Join today to start receiving your benefits.

 SIGN UP AT: 
cmadocs.org/join • or call 800.786.4262

Copyright © 2022 Central Coast Medical Association, All rights reserved.


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