OCMA is proud to recognize our incredible members who are leaders in medicine here in Orange County.  This year, we want to spend time honoring our 2018 Physicians of Excellence and sharing more information on what makes them so excellent.  Our staff spent some time interviewing honorees to bring you this series, and we hope you enjoy this series as we kick off the New Year!

Name: Eric Ball, M.D.

Specialty: Pediatrics
            
What is the most rewarding thing about practicing medicine?
I chose to become a pediatrician because I am drawn to preventative medicine.  I enjoy the ability to educate parents and families about healthy lifestyles in an effort to prevent diseases in the future.  It is a true privilege to be able to play a small role in the life of a growing child, and I am grateful every day for this opportunity.

Why did you choose to practice in Orange County?
My wife grew up in Orange County and we always knew that we would come back here to practice and raise a family.  It is an ideal spot for our children and, as a pediatrician, southern Orange County is the perfect place to practice.

What’s a great experience you had through your OCMA Membership?
This year I had the opportunity to attend the California Medical Association House of Delegates meeting, where physician leaders from all over the state gather to discuss policy and set the priorities for the medical community.  At the HOD, we heard from medical and government leaders and had vigorous discussions about the future of medicine in California.  As Orange County physicians with OCMA, we had the ability to influence these discussions and help shape state policy.

Do you have a message for the rest of your POE honoree colleagues? 
It is always an honor to be selected a Physician of Excellence.  In these times of upheaval and change in the medical community, it is refreshing to know that an organization like the OCMA is single minded in its efforts to advocate for the success of the physicians of this county.  I know that through the efforts of organizations like the OCMA, the future of the practice of medicine is bright.

Do you have a word of advice for today’s students and residents?
Choose medicine and choose your specialty because you love them.  I would have made more money, or worked fewer hours, in other professions or other specialties.  I chose pediatrics because I am passionate about the health and well-being of children.  When I leave the office every day, I have a sense of pride and purpose; each day, I feel that I made a small difference in the life of a child or a family.  To avoid burnout, you must love what you do, and your profession must be more than a ‘clock-in, clock-out’ job.  The act of making an impact in the lives of others will bring purpose and meaning to your own life.

Follow Dr. Ball on Social Media!
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/socpa/

Twitter: @DrEricBall (personal)  @socpa (practice)

Act now to avoid a 4 percent Medicare penalty in 2019 (Spoiler alert: It’s easy!)

This is the first year physicians need to report on quality measures under the new Quality Payment Program (QPP) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Eligible professionals who fail to report in 2017 face a 4 percent payment penalty in 2019. But did you know that physicians only need to report on one quality measure for one patient during 2017 in order to avoid a payment penalty in 2019?

During the 2017 transition year, CMS will allow physicians to select one of three “pick your pace” participation options. Participating at any level in 2017 will ensure that you will not be hit with the 4 percent pay cut in 2019.

The most lenient participation option—reporting on one measure for one patient—allows physicians to avoid a penalty by "testing" the program to ensure that their systems are working and that they are prepared for broader implementation in 2018 and beyond.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published a video, “One patient, one measure, no penalty: How to avoid a Medicare payment penalty with basic reporting,” with step-by-step instructions on how to report so physicians can avoid a negative 4 percent payment adjustment in 2019.

The California Medical Association (CMA) has also published a MACRA resource page at www.cmanet.org/macra to help physicians understand the new payment reforms and what they can do now to start preparing for the transition. Also available in the CMA MACRA resource center is an overview of MACRA, and a comprehensive list of tools, resources and information from CMA, the American Medical Association and CMS.

The U.S. Senate is currently considering the Graham-Cassidy block grant bill, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) insurance mandate, underfund health insurance subsidies and make drastic cuts to the Medicaid program. Under the bill, traditional Medicaid funding would be capped. Medicaid expansion and ACA subsidies for low- and middle-income families would be subject to an underfunded block grant and phased out in 2027. This bill would be disproportionately harmful to states like California, which embraced Medicaid expansion and increased coverage under the ACA. 

Today, in the House of Representatives, Congressman Lou Correa honored the work of the Waste Not OC Coalition.  His full speech can be read by clicking here. 

The Network of Ethnic Physician Organization (NEPO) Building Healthy Communities Summit is taking place immediately before the California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates on October 19-20, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. This year’s conference theme – “Striving for Health Equity in the Era of Change" – will focus on emerging health policy issues and solutions as we strive to achieve health equity and reduce health disparities.

The summit agenda will include a thought-provoking array of plenary sessions and workshops. Attendees will hear from nationally acclaimed thought leaders, learn about emerging health care policy issues and share best practices on how to reduce health disparities.

“Building healthier communities is a key component of what community physicians are all about,” said NEPO Chair Margaret Juarez, M.D. “The NEPO Summit helps physicians and health care providers connect to work with organizations across the state to make California healthier for all.”

This annual symposium has drawn an increasing crowd of motivated physicians, interested in advancing their expertise in health policy as an adjunct to their practice of medicine. Featuring keynote addresses by Robert K. Ross, M.D., President and CEO of the California Endowment, and Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), the NEPO Summit will provide you with opportunities to network with policymakers, health care advocates and thought leaders, alongside breakout sessions on topics as diverse as the impact of immigration laws on health care, physician mental health, and addressing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Register by September 15 to take advantage of the early-bird rate of $199. Participants can earn up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of continuing medical education.

For more information or to register, click here

From Voice of OC:

http://voiceofoc.org/2017/07/oc-supervisors-attempt-caloptima-takeover/

 

The California Medical Association (CMA) has heard from several physicians who have received unexpected termination notices from Anthem Blue Cross. The notices, which specify no cause for termination, appear directed only to physicians who refer to out-of-network ambulatory surgical centers. If you have recently received a similar termination notice from Anthem Blue Cross, CMA wants to hear from you. Please contact CMA's Reimbursement Helpline at (888) 401-5911 or economicservices@cmanet.org. 

 

A recall has been issued of frozen tuna potentially contaminated with hepatitis A which was sourced from Sustainable Seafood Company, Vietnam, and Santa Cruz Seafood Inc., Philippines. This voluntary recall was issued as part of an ongoing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigation. The complete recall advisory can be found at: https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm561199.htm.

The California Medical Association’s (CMA) Board of Trustees is seeking applications or nominations for members interested and willing to serve on CMA's Standing Councils and Subcommittees for 2017-18. Appointments begin and expire at the conclusion of the House of Delegates, and current members eligible for reappointment must submit a new application for the 2017-18 term.
 
The Committee on Nominations will also contact each Council/Subcommittee Chair for evaluation of their respective committee members, and Component Medical Societies may also inquire about a member’s performance.
 
Please distribute this solicitation to any and all interested parties.

• Term Length/Duration: One (1) year
• Time Commitment: Up to four (4) meetings per year with one (1) potentially in-person. Council meets as needed.
• Requirements: Member of the CMA in good standing.
• Staff Contact: Michelle Chapanian, (916) 551-2054, mchapanian@cmanet.org

DEADLINE: June 13, 2017.
Please submit to nominations@cmanet.org with a completed application form (PDF or Word), brief CV (less than five pages) and statement of interest.

Attachments:

• Nominations Form/Application: PDF and Word
• Councils and Subcommittees Information Packet:
• Solicitation Letter
• Councils and Subcommittee Membership Roster
• List of Councils and Subcommittees and Council/Subcommittee Charges
• CMA Bylaws Provisions Governing Councils/Subcommittees
• CMA's Conflict of Interest Policy

On July 1, 2017, a new law (AB 72) will take effect that will change the billing practices of non-participating physicians providing non-emergent care at in-network facilities including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and laboratories. The law, signed in 2016, was designed to reduce unexpected medical bills when patients go to an in-network facility but receive care from an out-of-network doctor.