Monday Rx: Fight for MICRA, Primary Season and LACPAC, and Blue Shield of California Fee Schedule February 24, 2020 Blue Shield of California, Elections, Events, LACPAC, MICRA, MondayRx, Voting 1416 Fight for MICRA An initiative that would substantially raise health care costs for all Californians, reduce access to health care and harm patients most in need is heading to the November 2020 ballot. The measure would effectively eliminate California’s medical lawsuit limits; create a new, broadly defined and dangerous category of malpractice lawsuits; and enable new financial windfalls for California’s trial lawyers. The current proposal would: Completely eliminate the non-economic damage cap in cases of broadly defined “catastrophic injury,” which could be something as simple as a scar. More than quadruple the existing non-economic damage cap. Allow attorneys to be paid up front, forcing injured patients to take a lump sum payment rather than being compensated over time for their injuries. Considerably increase trial lawyers’ fees (in some instances, more than double or triple what they are now) to be paid out of money intended for injured patients According to California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) this misguided initiative will drive up health care costs for all Californians. It will reduce access for those who need it most, including those who use Medi-Cal, county programs, safety net providers and school-based health centers. LACMA is actively involved to fight this initiative; we will invest time, talent and financial resources to ensure MICRA is protected and physicians are not vulnerable. Primary Season and LACPAC Update Los Angeles County voters have a new voting schedule. The transition to an expanded voting schedule and roster of locations are all part of a modernization plan that grew out of the Voter’s Choice Act, a state law that encouraged counties to invest in mail balloting while also offering a more flexible experience for those wishing to cast ballots in person. Under the new system, voters who live in L.A. County are no longer limited to one polling place. You may cast your ballot at any voting center from Long Beach to Lancaster, regardless of where they live in the county. To find a list of polling centers in Los Angeles County, please follow the attached link. In this election season, LACMA is in the process of finalizing the modernization of our Political Action Committee. We will be interviewing candidates for the general election which will be on November 3, 2020. If you’re interested in getting more involved, please reach out to Henry Rogers from our Government Affairs team. Email Henry Rogers Blue Shield of California Fee Schedule Update Blue Shield of California has announced upcoming changes to its physician fee schedule that will take effect on April 15, 2020. In a February 6 notice sent to physicians, the plan advised that it will be implementing fee schedule changes for durable medical equipment and clinical services. Following the distribution of the notice, CMA received a few calls from physicians about the scope services included as “clinical services.” CMA reached out to Blue Shield to obtain clarification and the plan shared that “clinical services” refers to clinical laboratory services billed for by physicians. Blue Shield also clarified that there are no changes to reimbursement for professional services such as E/M codes, surgeries, procedures or pathology services. In a separate February 6 notice to providers, Blue Shield also advised that it will increase reimbursement for the following behavioral health codes. CPT Code Description 90791 Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation without medical services 90792 Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services 90832 Psychotherapy, 30 minutes with patient and/or family member 90833 Psychotherapy, 30 minutes (billed with E/M code) 90834 Psychotherapy, 45 minutes with patient and/or family member 90836 Psychotherapy, 45 minutes (billed with E/M code) 90837 Psychotherapy, 60 minutes with patient and/or family member 90838 Psychotherapy, 60 minutes (billed with E/M code) 90839 Psychotherapy for crisis; first 60 minutes 90840 Psychotherapy for crisis; each additional 30 minutes 90846 Family psychotherapy (without the patient present) 50 minutes 90847 Family psychotherapy (conjoint psychotherapy) (with patient present) 50 minutes The new rates are available on the Blue Shield website (under the "Claims” section, click “Professional Fee Schedule” then click “Search the Claims Fee Schedule”). Physicians can also request fee change information on up to 12 allowances per practice by completing the provider allowance review form enclosed with the notice and e-mailing it to BSCProviderInfo@blueshieldca.com. Providers with questions can contact the Blue Shield Provider Services Department at (800) 258-3091. Contact: CMA's reimbursement helpline, (888) 401-5911 for more information. Call for Nominations: The Los Angeles County Medical Association is holding its 149th Annual Election this coming June. Active members of LACMA and CMA have the privilege of voting for their preferred candidates. At the end of May, you can expect to receive a voting ballot via email and you will be able to cast your vote online. Please be sure to keep an eye out for your ballot and submit your vote. To learn more about open positions, please click below. Learn More Register Here 2020 Southern California Women in Medicine Leading Through Change The conference planning committee includes representatives from Kaiser Permanente, CHOC Children’s, St. Joseph Heritage, St. Jude Heritage and the University of California at Irvine, among others. The committee is chaired by Darla Holland, MD, past president of the Orange County Medical Association. The target audience includes physicians, residents, medical students and others interested in healthcare policy and issues. Friday, March 20, 2020 Hotel Irvine 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Entry fee - $150 Register 31st Annual Advances in Pediatrics Symposium Saturday, March 28, 2020 at UCLA 3 Tracks 5.25 CME 5.25 MOC Part 2 Early Bird Registration $169 for Chapter Members Register Online Below Register Here Registration Now Open for CMA Legislative Advocacy Day, April 14 The California Medical Association (CMA) will host its 46th annual Legislative Advocacy Day on April 14, 2020, on the State Capitol South Lawn. Attendees will have the opportunity to go to the Capitol throughout the day to meet with legislators on health care issues. The meetings will be scheduled and coordinated by local county medical societies. This is a unique event for California physicians and is free of charge to all CMA members. Plan to join more than 400 physicians, medical students and resident members who will be coming to Sacramento to lobby their legislative leaders as champions for medicine and their patients. Registered attendees will receive webinar training on legislation and policy affecting the practice of medicine on March 25. Set April 14 aside to become an advocate for your patients and colleagues! Click below to register! Register Now #MondayMotivation "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. " –Ralph Waldo Emerson Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”