March 2013

MARCH 2013

R E P O R T I N G O N T H E E C O N O M I C S O F H E A L T H C A R E D E L I V E R Y

A PUBLICATION OF PNNwww.PhysiciansNewsNetwork.com

O

FF

IC

I A L M A GA

ZI

NE

OF

F

IC

IAL MAGA

ZI

NE

THE NEW OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNT Y MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

THE ART OF NAVIGATING YOUR

MedicalCareer

Our passion protectsyour practice

* We’ve lowered our rates in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa

Barbara, and Ventura counties. Premium impact varies by factors such as medical specialty and practice location.

We’re lowering our rates for Southern California — save up to 37% (effective October 1, 2012, for new and renewal business).

NORCAL Mutual is renowned for great customer service, industry-leading risk management and outstanding claims expertise. And now with more competitive rates, there has never been a better time to join us.

WHAT DO OUR LOWER RATES MEAN TO YOU? Call 877-453-4486. Visit norcalmutual.com/start for a premium estimate.

ANNOUNCING LOWER RATES FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PHYSICIANS

SAVE 37%*UP TO

MARCH 2013 | W W W. P H YS I C I A N S N E W S N E T WO R K .COM 1

6

Volume 144 Issue 03

Physician Magazine (ISSN 1533-9254) is published monthly by LACMA Services Inc. (a subsidiary of the Los Angeles County Medical Association) at 707 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 3800, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Periodicals Postage Paid at Los Angeles, California, and at additional mailing offi ces. Volume 143, No. 04 Copyright ©2012 by LACMA Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Physician Magazine, 707 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 3800, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Advertising rates and information sent upon request.

FEATURES16 THE ART OF NAVIGATING

YOUR MEDICAL CAREERAfter having spent years in medical school, residen-cy and fellowship, new physicians fi nd themselves faced with the challenge of trying to manage their careers to reach their full potential.

FRONT OFFICE | PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

6 Moving Away from Medicare: How to Opt Out

Many physicians are feeling nervous these days about Medicare. But physicians considering opting out of Medicare should make sure they understand the process and its implications. Failure to comply with the opt-out requirements could result in serious penalties.

TRANSITIONS | CAREER MANAGEMENT

10 Alternative Career OptionsThe changing health care environment has

some doctors rethinking the traditional career path, while others may dream of combining a special in-terest with medicine.

DEPARTMENTS 12 BALANCE | LIFESTYLE & WELLNESSTips, hints, advice and resources to make your practice run more smoothly.

14 PNN | NEWS IN REVIEWThe latest headlines impacting the economics of healthcare delivery in Southern California

22 UNITED WE STAND | AT WORK FOR YOUYour LACMA and CMA membership at work for you.

FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION

4 PRESIDENT’S LETTER | SAMUEL FINK, MD

24 CEO’s LETTER | ROCKY DELGADILLO

25 LACMA NEWS | ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS

MA

RC

H 2

01

3 | TA

BL

E O

F C

ON

TE

NT

S

16

10

Our passion protectsyour practice

* We’ve lowered our rates in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa

Barbara, and Ventura counties. Premium impact varies by factors such as medical specialty and practice location.

We’re lowering our rates for Southern California — save up to 37% (effective October 1, 2012, for new and renewal business).

NORCAL Mutual is renowned for great customer service, industry-leading risk management and outstanding claims expertise. And now with more competitive rates, there has never been a better time to join us.

WHAT DO OUR LOWER RATES MEAN TO YOU? Call 877-453-4486. Visit norcalmutual.com/start for a premium estimate.

ANNOUNCING LOWER RATES FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PHYSICIANS

SAVE 37%*UP TO

SUBSCRIPTIONSMembers of the Los Angeles County Medical Association: Physician Magazine is a benefit of your membership. Additional copies and back issues: $3 each. Nonmember subscriptions: $39 per year. Single copies: $5. To order or renew a subscription, make your check payable to Physician Magazine, 707 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 3800, Los Angeles, CA 90017. To inform us of a delivery problem, call 213-683-9900. Acceptance of advertising in Physician Magazine in no way constitutes approval or endorsement by LACMA Services Inc. The Los Angeles County Medical Association reserves the right to reject any advertising. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and not necessarily those of Physician Magazine, LACMA Services Inc. or the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Physician Magazine reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length, as well as to reject any material submitted. PM is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

EDITOR

DISPLAY AD SALES / DIRECTOR OF SALES

CLASSIFIED AD SALES

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT-ELECT

TREASURER

SECRETARY

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

CMA TRUSTEE

COUNCILOR

MED STUDENT COUNCILOR/USC KECK

COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

YOUNG PHYSICIAN COUNSILOR

CMA TRUSTEE

ETHNIC PHYSICIANS COMMITEE REPRESENTATIVE

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

MED STUDENT COUNCILOR/UCLA DAVID GEFFEN

COUNCILOR

CHAIR OF LACMA DELEGATION

COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

RESIDENT/FELLOW COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

RESIDENT/FELLOW COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

CMA TRUSTEE (RESIDENT)

Sheri Carr 559-250-5942 | [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES

Christina Correia 213-226-0325 | [email protected] Pebdani 858-231-1231 | [email protected] H. Aizuss, MD Troy Elander, MD Thomas Horowitz, DO Robert J. Rogers, MD

HEADQUARTERS

Physicians News NetworkLos Angeles County Medical Association707 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 3800Los Angeles, CA 90017Tel 213-683-9900 | Fax 213-226-0350www.physiciansnewsnetwork.com

LACMA OFFICERS Samuel I. Fink, MDMarshall Morgan, MDPedram Salimpour, MDPeter Richman, MDTroy Elander, MD

LACMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Aizuss, MDWilliam Averill, MDErik BergStephanie Booth, MDSteven Chen, MDJack Chou, MDHector Flores, MDSidney Gold, MDWilliam Hale, MDShelley HanVito Imbasciani, MD Paul Kirz, MDLawrence KneisleyHoward Krauss, MDGideon Lowe, MDCarlos E. Martinez, MDNassim Moradi, MDAshish Parekh, MDJeffrey Penso, MDHeidi Reich, MDBob Rogers, MDSion Roy, MDPejman Salimpour, MDRobert Bitonte, MDErin Wilkes, MD

The Los Angeles County Medi-

cal Association is a profes-

sional association representing

physicians from every medical

specialty and practice setting

as well as medical students,

interns and residents. For more

than 100 years, LACMA has

been at the forefront of cur-

rent medicine, ensuring that its

members are represented in the

areas of public policy, govern-

ment relations and community

relations. Through its advocacy

efforts in both Los Angeles

County and with the statewide

California Medical Association,

your physician leaders and staff

strive toward a common goal–

that you might spend more time

treating your patients and less

time worrying about the chal-

lenges of managing a practice.LACMA’s Board of Directors consists of a group of 30 dedicated physicians who are working hard to uphold your rights and the rights of your patients. They always welcome hearing your comments and concerns. You can contact them by emailing or calling Lisa Le, Executive Assistant, at [email protected] or 213-226-0304.

Clearly, Aetna puts profits

ahead of a pa-tient’s health

and safety. That’s im-

moral, and it is also illegal. Aetna’s reim-

bursement refusal harms the ability of physicians to get patients

the care they need in a pro-fessional and

timely manner.

4 P H YS I C I A N M AG A Z I N E | MARCH 2013

GREETINGS! I HOPE that all of you have had a good and productive month. The New LACMA has been working hard on your behalf, and I will tell you more about that later on.

First, I’d like to share with you the experience one of my patients just had. It shook me up a bit! I have taken care of an older professional gentleman for the last 25 years. Mr. “Jones” is in his late eighties, but still enjoys working part time. He lives with his daughter, enjoys college football (we have al-ways rooted for different teams), and gets along well, sometimes needing a walker to get around. He has pretty typical problems for someone that age...high blood pressure, coronary disease, mild heart failure, and well controlled diabetes.

Mr. Jones was walking in his home one morning, but left his walker in the bedroom. He caught his foot on the edge of a carpet and fell, suffer-ing a fracture of the right humerus. Fortunately, both hips were fi ne! Mr. Jones was transported by paramedic ambulance to the closest hospital, which was not a facility at which I

have admitting privileges. He was placed on ob-servation status, and given Vicodin for pain. The Vicodin promptly caused disorientation (along with probable “sundowning”), which stopped Mr. Jones from being able to care for himself. The condition mildly improved over the next few days, but Mr. Jones suffered a large hematoma related to his fall, and even needed transfusion. Despite these medi-cal problems, he remained on “observation” status (higher Medicare reimbursement, I believe). Be-cause Mr. Jones was not admitted, he was ineligible to be transferred to a Rehabilitation facility. I com-municated with the family extensively...fortunately one of the members was an attorney who force-fully convinced the hospital to admit Mr. Jones. But, because he still had some disorientation, and “only” had a broken shoulder, Mr. Jones did not meet the necessary Medicare guidelines for a Re-habilitation transfer. Nor was he well enough to go home. At this point, the hospital decided that the patient should go on hospice care (I guess THAT would prevent a thirty day readmission)! The family, with a now much angrier attorney, “convinced” the hospital that was not going to happen, and eventu-ally Mr. Jones mental status improved to the point

where he was able to be transferred to a good Re-habilitation facility.

I am concerned that as we cut Medicare spend-ing, “use dollars wisely,” and try to prevent thirty day readmissions that our older patients will get lost in the process. Many hospitals around Los An-geles are developing and expanding hospice pro-grams. Now, I don’t believe medical dollars should be wasted. But, I also believe that we have to value, respect and care for our senior population. Some of the patients that I have taken care of from other countries tell me of the limited health care resourc-es available to seniors. With time, that philosophy simply becomes ingrained and “accepted” by so-ciety. As physicians, we have to make every effort to ensure that doesn’t happen in America. Going forward, I think we will have to advocate louder than ever for all of our patients...especially seniors.

LACMA continues to be actively involved in try-ing to stop the forced transition of Medi-Medi pa-tients to capitated care. Over the past month, our lobbying efforts have continued, and we are trying to build coalitions with other interested partners.

Our CEO, Rocky Delgadillo, just met with a group of physicians in Beverly Hills at a meeting kindly arranged by Dr. David Hopp. He listened to their concerns about how Surgicenters have been unfairly targeted by the city with regard to their tax status, and pledged to use LACMA’s resources to assist in this effort.

A few weeks ago, LACMA hosted a meeting of the Association of Black Women Physicians. We look forward to working closely with this energetic group, and mutually benefi tting from each other’s expertise. It is our hope that the members of this organization will be instrumental in helping us develop our new African American Physician’s Committee. We look forward to their involvement, as LACMA continues its efforts to bring in Los Angeles physicians that have been underrepresented in organized medicine under the banner of the New LACMA.

As to my ongoing efforts to achieve Medicare recertifi cation? After my biller Edith and I thought that we had dotted every “i” and crossed every “t”, Medicare told us that we had done just fi ne in recer-tifying my solo medical corporation ...but that now we would have to do a complete reapplication un-der my individual NPI number as well, since I have to again prove my own existence! So far, we have spent around twenty hours or so dealing with this bureaucratic nonsense. Until next month....

Samuel Fink, MD, is an internist in private practice in Tarzana. He is the 141st president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association.

PR

ES

IDE

NT

’S L

ET

TE

R |

SA

MU

EL

FIN

K,

MD

62360 Los Angeles March Ad (3/13)Full Size: 8.375" x 10.875" Bleed: 8.625" x 11.125" Live: 7.275" x 9.825"Folds to: NA Perf: NAColors: 4CStock: NAPostage: NAMisc: NAM

ARSH

62360 (3/13) ©Seabury & Smith, Inc. 2013

d/b/a in CA Seabury & Smith Insurance Program Management • 777 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

800-842-3761 • CA Ins. Lic. #0633005 • AR Ins. Lic. #245544

Sponsored by:

Scan tolearn more!

* Marsh and the Association do not provide tax, investment or legal advice. Please consult with your professional advisors for guidance on these issues.

• Enroll in a qualified High-Deductible Health Plan and open a Health Savings Account. This provides

significant premium savings that can help fund your HSA account. With individual-only

coverage, you are eligible to contribute up to $3,250 to your account or $6,450 with family coverage, on a federally tax-

deductible* basis (members age 55–64 are eligible to contribute another $1,000).

• Investigate RAF Sales Health plans offer incentives through discounts off their risk adjustment factors (RAFs) for you to change health plans. Instead of large rate increases this

Please call Marsh at 800-842-3761.

We serve members who want assistance in evaluating the medical insurance choices before them. We can assist you with the information you need to make the critical choices on the road ahead.

year, we might be able to help you offset some of that increase.

• Mercer Select HRKnowHow If you play a role in your medical group’s health care and benefit plan decisions, stay current on challenging issues. Access is included at no charge for members who purchase group health insurance through Marsh /Seabury & Smith Insurance Program Management.

Includes: • Newsandanalysisofimportantbenefitissues.• ComplianceLinktooltoassistwithhealthcare

and group benefit plan administration.

So what can you do?

You still need to make important decisions now about rising health insurance premiums.

The Supreme Court’s Decision Didn’t Change One Thing

62360 Los Angeles Medical Ad.indd 1 1/15/13 3:00 PM

62360 Los Angeles March Ad (3/13)Full Size: 8.375" x 10.875" Bleed: 8.625" x 11.125" Live: 7.275" x 9.825"Folds to: NA Perf: NAColors: 4CStock: NAPostage: NAMisc: NAM

ARSH

62360 (3/13) ©Seabury & Smith, Inc. 2013

d/b/a in CA Seabury & Smith Insurance Program Management • 777 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

800-842-3761 • CA Ins. Lic. #0633005 • AR Ins. Lic. #245544

Sponsored by:

Scan tolearn more!

* Marsh and the Association do not provide tax, investment or legal advice. Please consult with your professional advisors for guidance on these issues.

• Enroll in a qualified High-Deductible Health Plan and open a Health Savings Account. This provides

significant premium savings that can help fund your HSA account. With individual-only

coverage, you are eligible to contribute up to $3,250 to your account or $6,450 with family coverage, on a federally tax-

deductible* basis (members age 55–64 are eligible to contribute another $1,000).

• Investigate RAF Sales Health plans offer incentives through discounts off their risk adjustment factors (RAFs) for you to change health plans. Instead of large rate increases this

Please call Marsh at 800-842-3761.

We serve members who want assistance in evaluating the medical insurance choices before them. We can assist you with the information you need to make the critical choices on the road ahead.

year, we might be able to help you offset some of that increase.

• Mercer Select HRKnowHow If you play a role in your medical group’s health care and benefit plan decisions, stay current on challenging issues. Access is included at no charge for members who purchase group health insurance through Marsh /Seabury & Smith Insurance Program Management.

Includes: • Newsandanalysisofimportantbenefitissues.• ComplianceLinktooltoassistwithhealthcare

and group benefit plan administration.

So what can you do?

You still need to make important decisions now about rising health insurance premiums.

The Supreme Court’s Decision Didn’t Change One Thing

62360 Los Angeles Medical Ad.indd 1 1/15/13 3:00 PM


Physicians still face a 2% Medicare rate cut, which was originally set to take effect January 1 but was de-layed until March as part of the fiscal cliff deal. Mean-while, analysts across the political spectrum assert that without significant changes to reimbursement, utilization controls, or both, Medicare will be unable to meet the needs of the growing numbers of benefi-ciaries and unable to adequately reimburse providers.

In light of these grim prognostications, some physi-cians are wondering if it’s time to withdraw from Medi-care altogether. However, the only definitive way to cut ties with Medicare is to disenroll and then make sure that you do not see any Medicare beneficiaries, ever. But with the exception of pediatricians, few physicians can be absolutely sure they do not have Medicare ben-eficiaries in their patient mix—after all, even younger adults may have Medicare if they receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability In-come (SSDI). Physicians who will continue to see Medi-care beneficiaries, but still wish to leave Medicare, must follow the process for opting out.

Ironically, the same legislation that created the flawed SGR formula, the Balanced Budget Act of

1997, also established the exit route for Medicare enrolled physicians: the opt-out process. Physicians who complete the opt-out process are not bound by the Medicare charge limits and do not have to sub-mit claims to Medicare; instead, they may—must, ac-tually—enter into private contracts with their Medi-care patients.

There are four basic requirements for opting out of Medicare: the physician must sign private con-tracts with Medicare beneficiaries before providing care, file an affidavit with the local Medicare admin-istrator, maintain compliance with the opt-out rules, and renew opt-out status every two years.

The order and timing of the process depends on whether one is a participating or a nonparticipating physician.

A nonparticipating physician (i.e., those whose enrollment status allows them to either bill Medicare patients directly, at rates of up to 9.25% higher than Medicare rates, or be reimbursed directly by Medi-care at Medicare rates) may opt out at any time. The nonparticipating physician should first notify their patients that they are opting out of Medicare. While such patient notice is not a CMS requirement, CMS has encouraged physicians to take this step to ensure patients have time to find a new doctor if they don’t want to enter into a private contract.

Next, the physician should file an affidavit with the local Medicare administrator-—in California, Palmetto GBA. The affidavit form is available on the Palmetto GBA website. The affidavit states that the signer un-derstands that during the two-year period covered by the affidavit, he or she may provide services to Medi-care beneficiaries only via private contract, and may not receive any Medicare payment whatsoever for such services. (The affidavit may be filed after signing a private contract with a patient, described below; in this case, the affidavit must be submitted within ten days of signing the contract.)

Next, the physician should enter into private con-tracts with each Medicare beneficiary patient, before providing any services to such patients. The require-ments for these contracts are set forth in Title 42 of the

Moving Away from Medicare: How to Opt OutBY LAURA PODOLSKY, FENTION NELSON

FR

ON

T O

FF

ICE

| P

RA

CT

ICE

MA

NA

GE

ME

NT

MANY PHYSICIANS ARE feeling nervous these days about Medicare. There’s the annual SGR drama, in which increasingly severe rate cuts loom unless and until Congress blocks application of the broken formula. Had the SGR been applied for 2013, Medicare en-rolled physicians would have seen rates slashed by 26.5%. But, as it has every year since 2003, Congress voted to prevent the reduction—while failing to �x or eliminate the un-derlying formula, meaning doctors can anticipate another SGR drama next year.

This is how Dr. Eubanks got paid for Meaningful Use.

A fter practicing medicine 35 years, Dr. Reavis Eubanks knew it was time for an EHR. As a solo physician, he needed an easy transition and an

effective way to begin earning up to $44,000 in Medicare incentive payments.

athenahealth helped Dr. Eubanks go from paper to payment in just six months. With guidance every step of the way and proven, cloud-based services.

Best in KLAS EHR* Seamless clinical workflow Free coaching and attestation Guaranteed Medicare payments**

85% of eligible athenhealth providers attested to Stage 1 Meaningful Use. And we’re ready for Stage 2.

*ambulatory segment for practices with 11-75 physicians** If you don’t receive the Federal Stimulus reimbursement dollars for the first year you qualify, we will credit you 100% of your EHR service fees for up to six months until you do. This offer applies to HITECH Act Medicare reimbursement payments only. Additional terms, conditions, and limitations apply.

“When it comes to

Meaningful Use,

athenahealth did

all the legwork…

and then they

made it easy for

me to do.”

–Dr. Reavis Eubanks

Visit www.athenahealth.com/SCA or call 800.981.5085

Cloud-based practice management, EHR and care coordination services

This is how Dr. Eubanks got paid for Meaningful Use.

A fter practicing medicine 35 years, Dr. Reavis Eubanks knew it was time for an EHR. As a solo physician, he needed an easy transition and an

effective way to begin earning up to $44,000 in Medicare incentive payments.

athenahealth helped Dr. Eubanks go from paper to payment in just six months. With guidance every step of the way and proven, cloud-based services.

Best in KLAS EHR* Seamless clinical workflow Free coaching and attestation Guaranteed Medicare payments**

85% of eligible athenhealth providers attested to Stage 1 Meaningful Use. And we’re ready for Stage 2.

*ambulatory segment for practices with 11-75 physicians** If you don’t receive the Federal Stimulus reimbursement dollars for the first year you qualify, we will credit you 100% of your EHR service fees for up to six months until you do. This offer applies to HITECH Act Medicare reimbursement payments only. Additional terms, conditions, and limitations apply.

“When it comes to

Meaningful Use,

athenahealth did

all the legwork…

and then they

made it easy for

me to do.”

–Dr. Reavis Eubanks

Visit www.athenahealth.com/SCA or call 800.981.5085

Cloud-based practice management, EHR and care coordination services


Code of Federal Regulations, Section 405.15. CMS has not published a sample contract, and

while several examples are available from other sourc-es online, the safest choice is to read the regulations yourself before devising your patient contract, or seek the assistance of a health care attorney in drafting one. In addition, make sure to discuss the contract and its implications with the patient to ensure the patient un-derstands that he or she may not submit a claim to Medicare for any services you provide, that he or she will have full fi nancial responsibility for these services, and that Medicare limits do not apply to what you may charge for these services. Document this con-versation in the patient’s chart. Note that the private contracts may not be entered into when the patient is facing an emergency or urgent health care situation.

At the same time you prepare to submit the opt-out affi davit and estab-lish private contracts with patients, you should develop offi ce proce-dures to ensure that your offi ce never fi les a Medi-care claim or directs a patient to do so. Make sure to educate your of-fi ce staff so they under-stand your opted-out status and can explain it clearly to new and exist-ing patients.

The opt-out affi da-vit is good for a period of two years. Once it expires, you must re-

peat the process described above. Patient contracts should also be renewed as needed.

Participating physicians should follow the same steps as nonparticipating physicians, but must be mindful of specifi c timing requirements. According to CMS, participating physicians must ensure their affi -davits are received by Palmetto GBA “at least 30 days before the fi rst day of the next calendar quarter show-ing an effective date of the fi rst day in that quarter.” That is, if you are a participating physician, Palmetto GBA must receive your affi davit by March 1 if you wish your opt-out period to begin April 1. If you miss that deadline, you must wait until the fi rst day of the next quarter (e.g., July 1) to begin your opt-out period.

One common misconception is that a physician can opt-out with regard to certain patients, service sites, or services. There is no such thing as a partial opt-out. Opting out is an all-or-nothing affair. A phy-sician may not opt out with respect to certain patients or covered services but not others. For example, a

physician who works in a hospital emergency depart-ment and also has a private practice may not opt out in her private practice but continue to bill Medicare for services provided in the ED. Similarly, a physician with two separately incorporated practices may not opt out of Medicare for one practice but not the other.

For physicians in group practice, the group may not bill Medicare for services provided by the opted-out physician. If the opted-out physician grants the group the right to bill and be paid for the physician’s services, however, the group may bill the benefi ciary for services provided under the private contract. The group may still bill Medicare for the services of other group members who have not opted out of Medi-care. As well, Medicare will pay for covered services ordered but not provided by an opted-out physician.

What if you change your mind? You have 90 days to revoke your opt-out decision, but only if you:

have never opted out before; notify within 90 days of the effective date all carriers who have received the affi davit;

refund any monies in excess of Medicare limiting charges that you collected from patients under pri-vate contracts; and

notify any patients with whom you have privately contracted of the change and of their right to have claims fi led with Medicare on their behalf for cov-ered services furnished between the opt-out effec-tive date and the termination of the opt-out.

Physicians considering opting out of Medicare should make sure they understand the process and its implications. Failure to comply with the opt-out requirements could result in serious penalties. Any private contracts with patients will be deemed void, triggering the obligation to submit claims to Medicare for all covered items and services provided for the rest of the two-year period. As well, the physician will be required to refund all amounts above the Medicare limiting charges that were collected from Medicare benefi ciaries during the failed opt-out period; CMS may audit the physician to see whether all required refunds were issued. Further, a failed opt-out could attract additional CMS scrutiny, motivating the agency to try to determine if the physician may have engaged in other Medicare violations. And of course there is the hassle and embarrassment of explaining the situ-ation to patients.

At present, Medicare may seem an unsteady ves-sel with a questionable future. But before deciding to jump ship, physicians should be sure they understand the opt-out process and its implications. When in doubt, seek the advice of legal counsel to be certain you understand your options and how to proceed.

FOR PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE DECIDED TO OPT OUT, WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING TIPS:

Document your conversation with the patient about the private contract in the patient’s chart.

Make sure to keep a signed copy of the contract in the patient’s chart, and provide the patient with a signed copy.

Mark your calendar to be sure you renew your opt-out status every two years by sending in your affi davit on time

and updating patient contracts as needed.

Make sure your offi ce staff understands your opted-out status and can answer patient questions on this topic.

Inform physicians in your referral network of your status so they can advise patients they refer to you in advance.

FR

ON

T O

FF

ICE

| P

RA

CT

ICE

MA

NA

GE

ME

NT

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Sheriff’s DepartmentMedical Services Bureau

Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff

WEAR THE BADGE!Now Hiring• Physician Specialist (Family Practice/Internists)• Registered Nurses • Licensed Vocational Nurses • Ancillary Staff

Benefits • Job Stability • Competitive Salary • Excellent Retirement Plans • Shift Differentials • Free Parking and Meals • Full Benefits Package Including: Medical, Dental, Life and Deferred Compensation Plan

Now HiringBoard Certified Family Practice and Internal Medicine Physicians

Now Hiring Medical Professionals!Exceptional employer support program for reservists and guardsmen 866-806-8773 • 213-893-5445

www.LASD.org

®

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, and Text: LASDMED to 424242 for more information about our job opportunities.

LIF

ES

TY

LE

& W

EL

LN

ES

S | B

AL

AN

CE

How will the increase in Medi-Cal reimbursement for primary care services work?

February 08, 2013 | Share |No CommentsArea(s) of Interest:

Health Care Reform Insurance/ReimbursementMedi-CalThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released regulations in early November implementing rate increases for primary care physicians who treat Medic-aid patients. The goal of the increase is to recruit more physicians to treat low-income patients who will be newly eligible for health coverage under the A� ordable Care Act (ACA). Under the ACA, primary care physicians will see their reimbursement

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Sheriff’s DepartmentMedical Services Bureau

Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff

Sheriff’s DepartmentWEAR THE BADGE!Now Hiring• Physician Specialist (Family Practice/Internists)• Registered Nurses • Licensed Vocational Nurses • Ancillary Staff

Benefits • Job Stability • Competitive Salary • Excellent Retirement Plans • Shift Differentials • Free Parking and Meals • Full Benefits Package Including: Medical, Dental, Life and Deferred Compensation Plan

Now HiringBoard Certified Family Practice and Internal Medicine Physicians

Now Hiring Medical Professionals!Exceptional employer support program for reservists and guardsmen 866-806-8773 • 213-893-5445

www.LASD.org

®

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, and Text: LASDMED to 424242 for more information about our job opportunities.

1 0 P H YS I C I A N M AG A Z I N E | MARCH 2013

TR

AN

SIT

ION

S |

CA

RE

ER

MA

NA

GE

ME

NT

Alternative Career OptionsBY MARION WEBB

THE CHANGING HEALTH care environment has some doctors rethinking the traditional career path, while others may dream of combining a special interest with medicine. The good news is that, in the changing face of healthcare, nontraditional careers for physicians are exploding. Below are just a few opportunities out there.

The Executive Master of Public Health Program in Health Policy & Management

For more information, call us at (310) 267-5600 or visit us on the web at www.emph.ucla.edu

Today’s turbulent healthcare environment places a premium on fundamental analysis and innovative management. Get the analytical, financial, business, and leadership tools you need to move your practice forward.

The UCLA Executive Program in Health Policy & Management

� Ranked among the Top Ten Healthcare Business Programs for Physician Executives by Modern Healthcare

� Executive format with convenient weekend classes

� Two-year, fully-accredited MPH degree in Health Policy & Managment

� Diverse cohort structure and team-based learning environment

� Dynamic healthcare and professional network centered at world-renowned UCLA and spanning the enterprising Southern California marketplace.

�e piece that makes a di�erence.

FIELDINGSCHOOL OFPUBLIC HEALTH

MILITARY PHYSICIANMilitary physicians and surgeons represent all of

the major fields of medical specialization and are the chief providers of medical services to military personnel and their dependents.

Advanced courses and programs in medical spe-cialties are available to military medical personnel, and scholarships for advanced medical training are avail-able in return for an obligated period of military service.

A Navy Medical Corps doctor described the pro-fessional opportunities for doctors in the military as numerous for “those willing to step out of their com-fort zone a little.” As part of the Navy Health Care team, Navy doctors might contribute to medical relief efforts in the U.S. and globally and serve vic-tims in combat or in disaster areas. Navy doctors use breakthrough technologies, such as LED probes, to help heal wounds faster, and practice the most up-to-date procedures, such as “forward surgery.”

JAIL OR PRISON DOCTORThe number of medical, mental health and den-

tal workers in the prisons more than doubled over six years, from 5,100 in 2005 to 12,200 last year, and California prison doctors have the second-highest pay rate In the nation.

Chief Physician Dr. Raymond Waliany, who works for the LA County’s Sheriff’s Department

Medical Services Bureau Recruitment Unit, said he’s currently actively recruiting internists, family practi-tioners, gynecologists, radiologists, and other spe-cialty doctors to help meet the medical needs for the rising inmate population.

“The population in jail is rising because of prison overcrowding,” Dr. Waliany said.

Waliany said treating inmates is no different to him than working with any other population.

“I don’t even look at their criminal record,” Dr. Waliany said. “They get the same standard of care as anyone else,” he said. And, he added, “I get to practice medicine the way I want to.”

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERSDoctors Without Borders is an international

medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. Today, the group provides help in 60 countries to people threatened by violence, natural disasters, armed conflict and in other areas of tremendous medical need. These doctors are willing to work in extreme conditions with limited resources, have at least two years of relevant professional experience and avail-ability for a minimum of 9 to 12 months.

NONCLINICAL CAREERSMany doctors, disillusioned with traditional

medicine, are turning their attention to nonclinical fields where a medical degree comes in handy. The vast areas of opportunities include insurance, phar-maceuticals, biotechnology, health systems, risk management, occupational health, and academia. Nonclinicaljobs.com has job listings.

HIGH-TECH AND BIOTECH MEDICAL FIELDSStanford University School of Medicine is known

for actively encouraging medical students to ex-plore high-tech medical fields, including entrepre-neurship. Some students prepare for such a career early by earning “dual degrees” such as an engi-neering degree, to learn how to design a medical device, and their medical degree, to understand its potential practical applications. Others combine an MBA in health administration or business with their medical degree to position themselves for leader-ship positions in management.

The Executive Master of Public Health Program in Health Policy & Management

For more information, call us at (310) 267-5600 or visit us on the web at www.emph.ucla.edu

Today’s turbulent healthcare environment places a premium on fundamental analysis and innovative management. Get the analytical, financial, business, and leadership tools you need to move your practice forward.

The UCLA Executive Program in Health Policy & Management

� Ranked among the Top Ten Healthcare Business Programs for Physician Executives by Modern Healthcare

� Executive format with convenient weekend classes

� Two-year, fully-accredited MPH degree in Health Policy & Managment

� Diverse cohort structure and team-based learning environment

� Dynamic healthcare and professional network centered at world-renowned UCLA and spanning the enterprising Southern California marketplace.

�e piece that makes a di�erence.

FIELDINGSCHOOL OFPUBLIC HEALTH


BA

LA

NC

E |

LIF

ES

TY

LE

& W

EL

LN

ES

S

I loved your ad on PNN!

I clicked on your ad on PhysiciansNewsNetwork.com!

I’m a LACMA Member!

Thanks for supporting physicians interests!

As the AMA points out, physicians are impor-tant role models for their patients and peers, which makes their own personal health an influential fac-tor in health promotion and disease prevention. Recent studies have shown that physicians who practice healthy behaviors for themselves are more likely to talk to their patients about these topics.

It is imperative to recognize and support personal health at each stage of professional development, as medical students, residents, and practitioners.

Making time to explore hobbies that give doc-tors enjoyment and help relieve stress is likely the answer to find more balance. Here are a few options for doctors to relieve some stress:

DOCTORS SPEND UNBALANCED lives in

training, dealing with long hours and intense

situations with patients every day, which can

take its toll on the family life and stress ba-

rometer. A large national study on physician

burnout conducted by the American Medi-

cal Association Physician Master�le found

that out of 7,288 surveyed doctors, 45.8%

reported at least one symptom of burnout,

with the highest rates being family practi-

tioners, internists and emergency doctors,

JAMA Internal Medicine reported in its

October 2012 issue.

Hobby Development Helps Combat BurnoutBY MARION WEBB


We Encourage Our Valued Readers to Patronizie Our Advertisers - and When You Do, Tell Them We Sent You!

- Physician Magazine, & PNN (physiciansnewsnetwork.com)

I clicked on your ad on PhysiciansNewsNetwork.com!

I saw your ad in Physician Magazine!

PH

YS

ICIA

NS

NE

WS

NE

TW

OR

K | E

XP

AN

DE

D C

OV

ER

AG

E

Training for a TriathlonThe idea of training for three sports—swimming,

biking and running—may sound incomprehensible. In reality, many physicians are drawn to the sport of triathlon. It takes discipline, commitment, perse-verance and competitiveness to train for a triath-lon event, all attributes that most doctors cherish. To complete a sprint distance triathlon (750-meter swim/12.4 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run) requires roughly 10 hours of weekly training. Moreover, it’s not uncommon for races to benefit medicine. In 2012, the Nautica Malibu Triathlon raised $1.2 mil-lion for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Yoga

More than 11 million Americans practice yoga to seek the mind-body benefits of increased flexibility, strength, balance and muscle tone. A University of Wisconsin La Crosse study compared the benefits of performing Hatha yoga, the most beginner-friendly yoga, to a non-yoga control group. Of 34 healthy, but sedentary women who participated in 55 min-utes of Hatha yoga classes three times a week for eight weeks, 13 percent had greater flexibility in the shoulder and trunk. Participants showed greater muscle fitness and had a 17-second increase in their one-legged stance time.

PhotographyPhotography is a great hobby for those wanting

to create true art and explore the world in a whole new way. Beginner classes are offered at many col-leges and online.

CookingMany people actually find it relaxing to scour

cookbooks for new recipes, buy ingredients they have never tasted before, come home, turn on some mu-sic and make cooking fun. The experience may be enhanced when cooking with a significant other and then enjoying a wonderful home-cooked meal.

Joining a Health Club With the many proven benefits of physical ac-

tivity, for most people time is the biggest obstacle to enjoying a regular exercise routine. Finding a group exercise class or workout partner in a health club, then treating the time in the gym like an ap-pointment is often the key to adherence. Hiring a personal trainer also keeps people accountable, on track with a regular exercise routine, and can help doctors achieve a particular fitness goal.


A Service of the Physicians News Network andThe LOS ANGeLeS COuNTy MediCAL ASSOCiATiONPNN | LOCAL • TIMELY • RELEVANT

REPORTING ON THE ECONOMICS OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY

READ FULL STORIES AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE PNN WEEKLY eNEWS BULLETIN AT WWW.PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.COM

Termination of Hospital Insurance Contracts Reversed

Woodland Hills-based Health Net Inc. ended contracts with Tenet Healthcare Corp.’s Lakewood Regional Medical Center and five other hospitals in Southern California, effective Dec. 31, 2012. A new agreement was reached to reinstate and retroac-tively cover the hospitals in late January.

Former President Clinton Discusses Health Data Superhighway

On Jan. 14, Los Angeles County physicians at-tending the Patient Safety, Science and Technology Summit heard from former President Bill Clinton, who discussed a planned “health data superhigh-way” which is being created by medical device companies.

Specialty Physicians Navigate In a Sea of Economic Uncertainty

The Affordable Care Act is not as complex as brain surgery, but navigating its waters can be disorienting for any physician. The California Association of Neu-rosurgeons (CANS) held its annual meeting this year in Long Beach on The Queen Mary, and brought to-gether a panel of experts who addressed many of the economic issues relevant to specialty physicians.

GAO Denies Protest Against Medicare Contract Award

On Jan. 18, the Government Accountability Of-fice (GAO) said it had denied a protest filed by Pal-metto GBA, after a Medicare contract was awarded to Noridian Administrative Services (NAS) for Medi-care Parts A and B in California. The switch, which as of Jan. 22 was still in flux, should not have a sig-nificant impact on doctors in Los Angeles County, according to a CMA official.

Companies, Physicians and Lawmakers Address Prescription-related Deaths

The issue over opioid-related deaths has been widely discussed in recent local newspaper articles. The problem has captured doctors’ attention and led lawmakers to call for more oversight. Various groups, from law officials to technology companies, are also coming out with innovative solutions.

Postoperative Coaching Program Introduced at MemorialCare JRC

The MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center (JRC) at Long Beach Memorial is offering a coach-ing program that encourages patient family mem-bers and friends to help with the postoperative re-covery process. Under the new program, the rehab coach stays with the patient from the preoperative into their hospital discharge and recovery at home.

ALERTLA Public Health Department Issues TB Alert to Physicians

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently issued an alert to local physicians, advising them of a continuing outbreak of tubercu-losis within the homeless community, concentrated in the downtown/metro region.

$100,000 Price Mobile Health App Competition Launched

The University of California, Los Angeles, Heri-tage Provider Network, and Open mHealth recently joined forces by launching a $100,000 health price competition.The competition will focus on devel-oping mobile applications that will enable patients to track conditions in real time, help them manage chronic diseases, and improve outcomes.

Medical Robot Tested at UCLA Wins Clearance from FDA

A medical robot that was put through trials at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center recently won clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use. That makes the RP-Vita (Remote Presence Virtual and Independent Telemedicine As-sistant) developed by iRobot and InTouch the first remote robot caregiver to win such clearance.

Physicians Use Web Service to Access Specialists

L.A. Care Health Plan has announced initial out-comes data from the Web-based service for gen-eral practitioners dubbed eConsult. Funded by the health plan, the service is designed to enable pri-mary care doctors to gain expedited access to spe-cialists and better coordinate care for their patients.

PH

YS

ICIA

NS

NE

WS

NE

TW

OR

K.C

OM

| N

EW

S I

N R

EV

IEW


20

13

| PN

N E

XP

AN

DE

D C

OV

ER

AG

E

Sunshine Act Puts Physicians in the SpotlightThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser-

vices (CMS) has published the long overdue fi nal regulations on the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, which requires medical industry companies to dis-close consulting fees, grants and gifts to doctors greater than $10.

Study Offers Physicians Patient Population Insights

The recently released results of a 2012 study of U.S. healthcare consumers conducted by the De-loitte Center for Health Solutions provides physi-cians with new insights into patient populations.

UCLA Conference Highlights East-West Medicine Benefi ts

A recent daylong conference at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine focused on clinical careers in integrative medicine, therapies, research and health-care policies. Attendees learned that training in al-ternative medicine can enhance the doctor-patient relationship and generate additional income.

MemorialCare Partners with Surgical Care Affi liates

Tustin-based MemorialCare Medical Foundation announced on Feb. 8 it had entered into a joint ven-ture with Birmingham, Ala.-based Surgical Care Affi li-ates to develop, buy, and operate ambulatory surgery centers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties.

HealthCare Partners Seeks License to Operate as Managed Care Plan

Torrance-based HealthCare Partners Medical Group, which employs hundreds of primary care physicians and specialists and contracts with hun-dreds of independent primary care doctors, recent-ly announced it is seeking a state license to operate as a managed care plan.

“Frailty Project” Follows Growing Trend Cedars-Sinai hospital’s newly announced “frailty

project” follows a growing trend by local hospitals to identify high-risk groups of patients and develop strategies to avoid lengthy hospital stays, cut over-all costs, and prevent readmissions.

Medical Associations Win Support to Stop Pay Cut

In February, California hospital and medical as-sociations won support from local and national orga-nizations in their attempt to prevent a 10% pay cut in Medicaid from taking effect. The cut is a major con-cern for Los Angeles County doctors who are faced with a high infl ux of patients due to become eligible for Medi-Cal under healthcare reform.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT

MemorialCare Takes Over Former Bookstore SiteMemorialCare Medical Group, part of Me-

morialCare Health System, recently moved into a new building that was formerly occu-pied by a Borders bookstore, according to news reports.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Outpatient CenterChildren’s Hospital recently announced

the opening of a new outpatient care center in the South Bay, providing a community with a medical facility staffed by 14 physicians with expertise in 10 pediatric specialties.

The hospital is expected to benefi t chil-dren living in Torrance, Palos Verdes, the beach communities and surrounding areas. The 6,138-square-foot space includes 11 exam rooms and walk-in X-ray facilities.

Children’s Hospital physicians reportedly have great relationships with South Bay com-munity pediatricians, who will now gain ac-cess to the hospital’s pediatric specialists.

Kaiser Permanente Medical Complex OpensKaiser Permanente Foothill Ranch Medical

Offi ces, a single-story, 36,000-square-foot of-fi ce building located at 26882 Towne Center Drive, in the community of Foothill Ranch, is now open.

The new medical offi ces include family medicine doctors, pediatricians, and a full nurs-ing staff, as well as a blood-draw lab and di-agnostic, radiology and pharmacy services for Kaiser Permanente members, Kaiser reported.

Urgent care services are provided at Mis-sion Viejo Medical Offi ces and Sandy Canyon Medical Center.

Construction Begins on Homeless Veterans Facility

The VA Greater Hospital Los Angeles Healthcare System recently broke ground on a three-story, 51,500-square-foot building, which will serve as a therapeutic and supportive resi-dence for chronically homeless veterans.

The building, dubbed Building 209, will primarily serve patients whose combination of chronic mental health or other medical needs necessitate residential treatment, or for whom previous recovery attempts have failed.

The building is scheduled to be complet-ed in the spring of 2014.

NE

WS

IN R

EV

IEW

| PH

YS

ICIA

NS

NE

WS

NE

TW

OR

K.C

OM

20

13

| PN

N E

XP

AN

DE

D C

OV

ER

AG

E

After having spent years in medical school, residency and fellowship, new physicians find themselves faced with the challenge of trying to manage their careers to reach their full potential.

The good news is that in today’s technology age, doctors have many more options at their fingertips to learn the criti-cal skills to navigating their careers. Taking online courses, earning a professional degree, leveraging social media and apps, using online resources to gain instant access to key clinical data, or even quick fact-checking at the patient’s bedside–these are all options worth exploring.

The ArT of NAvigATiNg your

MedicalCareerBY MarIoN WEBB

NA

VIG

AT

ING

yO

uR

CA

RE

ER

| FE

AT

uR

E

New Rev-enue Stream for Physicians

New Skills and Certifi cations Rosario Ortega, LACMA’s membership outreach representa-

tive, said that while medical school prepares doctors for becom-ing great practitioners, many doctors lack the business skills they need to succeed in running their own individual practices or a group practice.

“You can be a great physician, but if you don’t manage your offi ce effectively, you can’t make money,” Ortega said. “Even if you hire a third party to manage your offi ce, you should have a general understanding of what to do.”

An offi ce manager certifi cation course, which typically runs six to eight weeks, can provide a general understanding of billing codes, managing employees, and other key skills doctors need in order to run a small business.

Courses in advertising, guerilla marketing, small business, and social media are all critical to running a successful practice.

“Learning how to use the Internet and how to position your-self online through marketing is really key,” Ortega said. Today’s tech-savvy consumers, especially younger people with families, will turn to the Internet to fi nd a physician of their choice.

Doctors who provide information online about their educa-tional background and overall philosophy, and who have earned positive reviews from happy patients, are more competitive in the marketplace.

Continuing Medical EducationDoctors also need to focus on their continuing medical educa-

tion (CME) training, which differs in every state. Dr. Christian Fox, professor of clinical emergency medicine at

the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, and a fre-quent speaker at medical conferences, feels that the Internet is the wave of the future for continuing education.

“We are seeing less attendance at conferences, because ev-eryone is turning to the Internet for continuing formal education,” Dr. Fox said. Traditionally, doctors have attended conferences to earn their continuing medical education credits, but the Internet has gained signifi cant market share.

In California, all general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which more than 25% are 65 years of age or older shall complete at least 20& of all mandatory con-tinuing education hours in geriatric medicine or the care of older patients, according to the State Medical Licensure Requirements and Statistics from 2006. All physicians and doctors also must complete 12 credit hours in pain management, according to the report.

According to a study conducted by ON24, a virtual commu-

nication vendor with headquarters in San Francisco, and MedDa-taGroup, an interactive content and database marketing services company in Topsfield, Mass., that surveyed 971 physicians across a variety of specialties, 84% of doctors now would prefer attend-ing CMA events online.

CME training is increasingly moving to mobile devices and smartphones.

The American Medical Association offers CME courses online arranged by topic or format and Webinars at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/education-careers/continuing-medical-education.page. Medical schools, including the University of California, Irvine and University of California, Los Angeles also offer CME coursework. UCLA’s office of Continuing Medical Education (www.cme.ucla.edu) lists about 60 courses each year.

ConferencesConferences organized by medical societies and related or-

ganizations are a staple item of the academic, professional, and social lives of physicians. These events come in all sizes, from rel-atively small, local gatherings, workshops, and symposia to large international mega-congresses and can be an important factor in successfully navigating your medical career.

Although it is gaining marketshare when it comes to continuing education, “the Internet will never be able to compete with con-ferences in the areas of fostering critical human connections, live discussions and medical learning,” said Dr. Fox. “Sharing things online is no replacement for medical learning in the same room.”

Professional Degree/Certification CoursesLeah Vriesman, a professor and director of executive edu-

cation programs in Health Policy & Management at University of California, Los Angeles, said that professional students, including about 25% of doctors who pursue a master’s degree in public health (MPH) at UCLA, learn in a classroom setting for several reasons.

“We put an emphasis on management and policy,” Vriesman said. “You can’t do that, if you’re not a good communicator and don’t build a network.”

The 21-months long university program is geared toward the working professional, including doctors, policymakers and law-yers, who meet every other Friday (from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m). Students are put together into “cohorts” of 30-35 people, so they can learn as much from each other as from the professor.

Classes cover topics such as biostatistics, finance, ethics and

You can be a great phy-

sician, but if you don’t

manage your office ef-

fectively, you can’t make

money. Even if you hire

a third party to manage

your office, you should

have a general under-

standing of what to do.

NA

VIG

AT

ING

YO

UR

CA

RE

ER

| FE

AT

UR

E

law. Vriesman said the program offers a path for career advance-ment for physicians who want to position themselves for leader-ship roles.

The contacts made within the cohorts can have a lasting career impact as they often lead to job opportunities before students graduate.

“Last year, in our graduating class, one of our students who is the chief medical officer for the All Princess Cruise Lines hired a classmate to run everything that had to do with medical records and financing,” Vriesman said.

UCLA is currently accepting applications for the upcoming pro-gram, which starts this September. The total program cost is $54,000, which is expected to rise by 5% to 7%, according to Vriesman.

Social Networks and AppsFor every newly minted doctor, simply getting to see more

patients at the bedside is key, Dr. Fox noted. However, with the rapidly changing economics of health care and readily available technology, doctors are now turning increasingly to their iPads and smartphones to stay up-to-date with clinical work.

“Every specialty has their own website,” Dr. Fox said. “As an emergency room physician, I turn to www.uptodate.com and www.pubmed.com to find answers.”

Another physician-recommended website is Sermo, used as a way to network with “highly intellectual people and a live commu-nity of doctors.” Sermo also allows doctors to explore job opportu-nities, share clinical information, do case studies, and earn honoraria while having their voices heard, according to published reports.

The site is exclusive to doctors and also allows doctors to in-teract with drug experts, participate in forums with members of Congress and take advantage of numerous other opportunities to get involved, learn, and earn money.

Ozmosis is another network for “verified U.S. physicians” only, and is similar to Sermo, though less established.

Dr. Fox said he’s a fan of www.sonosim.com, an online ultra-sound training program he feels is remarkably live like.

“That kind of technology can cut down on hours one needs to spend in the classroom,” he noted.

As someone who spends a lot of time with medical students and residents, Dr. Fox observed that the younger students are attached to their iPads and embrace digital technology, including apps.

“I’m the first to admit that we have a textbook shelf in the ER that hasn’t been used in two years,” Dr. Fox noted.

One of the reasons is that several textbooks are now readily available as apps.

Apps can provide doctors with instant up-to-date information

Mentors are critical helpers

for doctors at the very early

stages for career develop-

ment and networking. For

medical students who want

to do well on their exams,

reaching out to their pro-

fessors is key to gain knowl-

edge and expertise.

FE

AT

UR

E |

NA

VIG

AT

ING

YO

UR

CA

RE

ER

on therapies and other clinical data, which in turn allows doctors to make treatment decisions much quicker than ever before. He gave as an example the 5-minute Consult Series, a popular text-book turned app.

Other popular apps include PubMed on Tap, an application for the iPhone, IPod Touch, and iPad, which lets doctors search for PubMed and PubMed Central while on the go. For drug informa-tion on the go, Dr. Fox recommended Micromedex and Epocrates Rx, which can be downloaded on Android phones for free.

But while technology makes practicing medicine more efficient, the human connection remains critical for career advancement.

MentorMentors are critical helpers for doctors at the very early stages

for career development and networking and can be invaluable in navigating a successful career.

Dr. Fox said for medical students who want to do well on their exams, reaching out to their professors is key to gain knowledge and expertise.

“It really can advance their career with letters of recommenda-tions, providing a reference and opportunity to conduct research and publish papers,” Dr. Fox said.

LACMA provides mentoring programs and networking events to help young doctors connect with Los Angeles County’s top doctors and influencers.

AttitudeAttitude may not be at the top of the list for future success, but

Dr. Fox feels it’s a character trait that all revered doctors seem to have in common.

“When I look around the hospital and look at people, I admire those with a consistent reputation,” he said. “Everyone trusts them, loves them, they are reasonable and honest and upbeat people who have a positive and can-do attitude.”

Joining Organizations Finally, to advance in their careers doctors need to shake a lot

of hands. Joining organizations like LACMA opens the door to meetings with top doctors in their respective fields, he said.

“It is especially important for young doctors,” Ortega said. “Many doctors join specialty organizations, but you need to

join the county physicians organizations and actively participate in the networking events and district planning meetings,” Ortega said. “It’s not enough to put your profile on the Internet.”


AT

WO

RK

FO

R Y

OU

| U

NIT

ED

WE

STA

ND

SEEN ON WWW.PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.COM

This comes on the heels of a recent report by the Congressional Budget Offi ce that showed the cost of a permanent fi x to the Medicare SGR as dramatically lower than previous estimates. The estimated price tag is $138 billion over 10 years, $100 billion less than previous estimates (see CBO story). Currently there are several bills in Congress that would adopt a new Medicare payment sys-tem.

With Medicare spending growth down to the lowest levels in decades, CMA urged members of Congress to seize the opportunity to enact long-term physician payment reforms so California phy-sicians can meet their commitments to their pa-tients.

Among the topics Aizuss and other members of CMA’s executive committee addressed were the implementation of the Medi-Medi dual eligibles demonstration project and J-1 Visas for interna-

tional medical graduates who want to practice in health profession shortage areas (rural and urban) and Medicare payment reform.

In addition, the group previewed for Congress an alternative Medicare payment system that CMA, the American Medical Association and health care organizations have been working on over the past year. With the goal of creating a stable payment system that promotes quality and value in health care, the proposed system would provide a menu of payment methods and health delivery models in which physicians could choose to participate, such as primary care medical homes and patient regis-tries to track outcomes.

“We met with Congressman Ami Bera (a former UC Davis professor and past medical director for primary health services in Sacramento County) and Congressman Raul Ruiz (a doctor who previously worked at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage),” Aizuss noted. “They are both doctors and committed to Medicare payment reform.”

Among the big concerns are the impending federal budget sequester cuts. If Congress doesn’t act by March 1, the sequester will trigger a 2% cut to Medicare physician payments and Medicare fi -nancing for graduate medical education. The cuts would take effect April 1 and last for nearly a de-cade, AMA reported.

CMA executives also had an opportunity to meet with leaders at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to discuss the imple-mentation of the Affordable Care Act in California.

Aizuss said CMA will now address some of the specifi c issues in letters and provide members of Congress with requested information. He and other CMA executive committee members plan to return to Washington, D.C. in May to lobby on specifi c bills that were introduced, he said.

“It’s a very intense continuous process that makes it worthwhile to be a member of LACMA and CMA,” Aizuss said.

LACMA/CMA Board Member Meets with Members of CongressDR. DAVID AIZUSS, Los Angeles County ophthalmologist at Ophthalmology Associates in Encino and West Hills and vice chair of the board of trustees for the California Medical Asso-ciation (CMA), recently travelled to Washington, D.C. to meet with 32 members of Congress. The purpose was to discuss a variety of issues under healthcare reform.

MARCH 2013 | W W W. P H YS I C I A N S N E W S N E T WO R K .COM 2 3

UN

ITE

D W

E S

TAN

D | A

T W

OR

K F

OR

YO

U

A large number of national health care organiza-tions have �led amicus curiae briefs in support of the California Medical Association’s (CMA) request for an en banc review by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The review is part of an e�ort to stop the State of Cali-fornia from implementing a 10% cut to Medi-Cal pro-vider reimbursement rates.

Last month, a three judge panel of the Ninth Cir-cuit ruled that the state could move forward with the rate cuts, passed by the Legislature in the spring of 2011, despite an earlier district court ruling that found that the cuts would irreparably harm the millions of patients who rely on Medi-Cal for health care.

CMA and the other plainti�s in CMA et al. v. Douglas et al. – California Hospital Association, Cali-fornia Dental Association, California Pharmacists As-sociation, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, California Association of Medical Product Suppliers, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and American Medical Response – argue that reducing payments in the Medi-

Cal system will force providers out of the program at a time when millions of new patients will be diverted into the Medi-Cal system.

Those organizations signing the briefs include: Na-tional Health Law Program, AARP, National Senior Citizens Law Center, Public Interest Law Project, Asian Law Alliance, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, Western Center on Law and Poverty, Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, Disability Rights Center, Disability Law Center of Alaska, Disability Rights Idaho, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Disabil-ity Rights California, Alaska State Hospital and Nurs-ing Home Association, American Hospital Association, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, Health-care Association of Hawaii, Idaho Hospital Association, Montana Hospital Association, Nevada Hospital As-sociation, Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and the Washington State Hospital Association.

The lawsuit to prevent the cuts was originally �led by CMA in November 2011.

Amicus Briefs Filed in Support of CMA’s Suit to Prevent State Cuts to Medi-Cal Reimbursement

merage.uci.edu/go/HCEMBA

Lead the change in health care. Be a part of the solution.The Health Care Executive MBA program offers an academically challenging curriculum with a schedule that allows you to simultaneously advance your career in health care. A few unique aspects of the program are:

impact on the future delivery of health care

Executive MBA program

Join us for an Information Session, webinar or personal consultation to learn more about our program.

merage.uci.edu/go/HCEMBA

Dr. Michael Miyamoto949.824.0561 [email protected]


AS

SO

CIA

TIO

N H

AP

PE

NIN

GS

| L

AC

MA

NE

WS

LACMA WANTS YOUNG DOCTORS IN LEADERSHIP RANKS

DURING THIS TIME of changing economics of healthcare and healthcare laws, increasing costs and declining reimbursement, many newly minted doctors are concerned about their future.

After having spent so many years in medical school and training for a successful career in medicine, many young doctors are now faced with the challenges of building their own medical practice and all the business practices that come with it.

Others are worried about the in� ux of patients once the healthcare law goes into full e� ect and what it means for them. Yet others may be contemplating what career path is right for them and looking for a mentor to guide them.

We want young doctors to know that we understand their concerns and are here to support them.

The New LACMA has stepped up its e� orts to create special events and programs speci� cally designed to address such critical issues as advocating for your rights.

Just recently, at a dinner event, young doctors shared their concerns about the dual eli-gibles demonstration project, which at its centerpiece requires patients who are eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal to enroll into managed care plans. Some worried that the imple-mentation of this program would end their dreams of starting a medical practice. I was pleased to share with these young physicians that LACMA’s leaders have met with key leg-islators in Washington D.C. , to remove Los Angeles County from this healthcare project. I was pleased to return to Los Angeles knowing that doctors’ voices were heard loud and clear.

The California Podiatric Medical Association has now invited LACMA to join them in revisiting the e� ort in Washington, D.C., possibly this March.

We are also continuously putting on networking opportunities with Los Angeles County’s most in� uential leaders and top doctors. Just last month, LACMA invited young physicians to an evening panel discussion to help them navigate health reform.

LACMA is currently evaluating several service organizations to identify which ones can o� er young doctors the best business skills they need to succeed. Once the program

is in place, physicians will be able to take advantage of formalized education in banking, accounting, insurance and other business practices during the evenings and weekends.

LACMA’s outreach representative is here to support young doctors looking to start their own or a small group practice.

This March issue is dedicated to helping physicians manage their medical career path and maxi-mize success through career advancement and promotion, identify secondary career opportunities and provide guidance for stress relief and balance.

All these e� orts are geared toward helping young doctors � nd their path. The greater the participa-tion of young doctors in LACMA, the greater our chances to rise to the challenge.

We embrace young doctors’ energy, drive, enthusiasm and technological savvy and hope that you will join LACMA in even greater numbers this year.

Rocky Delgadillo

Rocky Delgadillo

Rocky DelgadilloChief Executive O� cer

CEO’CEO’s LETTER


LA

CM

A N

EW

S | A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

HA

PP

EN

ING

SFour Californians will be honored with Excel-lence in Medicine awards by the American Medi-cal Association (AMA) Foundation during AMA’s upcoming National Advocacy Conference in Wash-ington, D.C. The awardees are Olivia Marie Campa, University of California, Davis School of Medicine; Joseph E. Li, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine; Debraj Mukherjee, M.D., M.P.H., neurosurgery resident at Cedar-Sinai Medi-cal Center; and Jean Sun, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine.

Two students from the USC Keck School of Medicine will receive recognition from the AMA. LACMA student member Jean Sun is a third-year medical student pursuing a career in health policy and administration. Joseph Ethan Li is a second-year medical student, who plans to pursue a career in adult oncology.

Both have served as chairs of USC’s student-run clinic pro-viding compre-hensive care to the underserved populations in the Los Angeles area. Sun, who founded the clin-ic, served as chair last year and Li is the current chair. This unique in-ter-professional model was na-tionally recog-nized by the U.S. Department of Health and Hu-man Resources in 2012.

Debraj Mukherjee, M.D., M.P.H., a LACMA member and neurosurgery resident at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, worked on health policy and program development as a C. Everett Koop Scholar at Dartmouth College and served as a Washington Health Policy Fellow with U. S. Sur-geon General Richard Carmona. He studied clini-cal design as a Sommer Scholar and a Schweitzer Fellow at Johns Hopkins University, where he was later awarded a grant from the Center for Innovative Medicine to lead the Johns Hopkins Neuro-Oncol-ogy Surgical Outcomes Research Laboratory.

Since its inception, the AMA Foundation has awarded over $60 million in medical scholarships to high-performing medical students and physician scholars.

LACMA Members To Be Honored With 2013 Excellence in Medicine Awards


AS

SO

CIA

TIO

N H

AP

PE

NIN

GS

| L

AC

MA

NE

WS

BEVERLY HILLS DINNER EVENT, JAN 30 (Pictured) Beverly Hills plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Hopp hosted the Jan. 30 event, which focused on political issues affecting Beverly Hills doc-tors, and the concerns of young physicians entering practice. The event drew wide support from local area physicians, according to LACMA.

Beverly Hills Mayor William Brien, MD, who also serves as the director of Cedars Sinai Orthopedic Cen-ter and executive vice chairman, Department of Sur-gery, welcomed the group to his city. He emphasized that doctors are dynamic and important members of the community and its economy.

“It was a positive event and we are very excited about doctors united,” said Rocky Delgadillo, LAC-MA’s CEO. Topics of discussions were LACMA’s key ini-tiatives, including filed court cases against Aetna and Health Net, dual eligibility of Medicare and Medi-Cal patients, and efforts to prevent the city from imposing taxes on surgery centers.

Dr. Wayne Chen, a geriatrician and acting chief of

medicine at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Hol-lywood, said he appreciated learning about some key changes affecting doctors under the Affordable Care Act.

“It was useful to talk about the importance of detailed documentation to support CPT Medical Billing Codes for billing,” Chen said. “We also learned about the current increase in primary care reimbursement in Medicare and Medi-Cal, which is important, given the difficult environ-ment primary care physicians are facing.”

Chen, a new LACMA member, said he’s looking forward to learning about shared experiences from doctors and hopes to benefit from LACMA’s resources.

“LACMA can represent the interests of the commu-nity of physicians to help us survive the reimbursement cuts and regulatory burdens,” he said. “Physicians have to be business-minded and be aware of changes under healthcare reform. We need to be involved in LACMA and vocalize our opinions.”

DISTRICT 5. “MANAGING MEDICARE IN 2013” INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION, FEB. 5

Santa Monica psychiatrist and LACMA District 5 president Dr. Heather Silverman hosted an interactive discussion for local members titled “Managing Medicare in 2013” on Feb. 5 in Santa Monica. The event featured Dr. Arthur Lurvey, a board-certified internist and endocri-nologist, as the keynote speaker.

Dr. Alex Gold, a geriatrics physician in private practice in Santa Monica, described the meeting as very informa-tive and said it led him to become an LACMA member.

“As a geriatrics doctor who works with Medicare pa-tients, I want to be more involved in what’s happening with healthcare reform, particularly in Los Angeles,” Gold said.

“I’m in private practice and want to stay in private practice to have a doctor-patient relationship. Every-body is going into ‘Walmart-type’ services without personal attachment. I want to participate in organized medicine and a professional group to keep the private practice running and share my thoughts and come to-gether with colleagues.”

LACMA member physicians of all specialties are in-vited to present topics for upcoming events.

LACMA District Meetings Address Physician ConcernsPHYSICIAN MEMBERS MET recently at two LACMA-sponsored district events that ad-dressed local issues impacting healthcare delivery. The topics of a January event in Beverly Hills and a February event for LACMA District 5 members re�ected the range of issues facing physicians.

LA

CM

A N

EW

S | A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

HA

PP

EN

ING

S

S A N D I E G O

O R A N G E

L O S A N G E L E S

P A L O A L T O

S A C R A M E N T O

800-356-5672 www.CAPphysicians.com

Medical Professional

Liability Protection, and more!

CAP_1402_diplay_vert.indd 2 1/23/13 2:25 PM

Los Angeles Physicians Urged to Apply for CMA Committee Seats

Dr. David Aizuss, vice chair of the board of trustees at CMA, said now is the time for Los Angeles County physicians to apply for open seats at CMA committees. The following CMA committees are look-ing for new members:

The Council on LegislationThe Council on Medical Services

The Council on Ethical AffairsThe Council on Scientifi c Affairs

The Council on Information Technology

“This is a great opportunity for young physicians to get appointed,” Aizuss said. “I want to see some strong candidates from Los Angeles.”

The selection process begins now and the deadline for application submission is May 25. Submit applications to Carolina Velasquez at LACMA by emailing [email protected].

In June, each District will appoint their President and Board Members for July 2013 – June 2014. Each District Board will meet to discuss and plan local upcoming learn-ing functions, local advocacy involvement and member-ship opportunities. The goal is to create awareness and involvement among the LACMA members and promote LACMA’s role in advocating for physicians to take back their profession

District leadership is an amazing opportunity to mold what you want out of your membership. You gain valuable leadership skills and prestige in your profession.

Interested in leading your LACMA District and creating an impact? Nominations are due to LACMA by March 11, 2013. Email Margaret Vieira, District Manager, at [email protected] for more information.

LACMA Districts BACK IN ACTION!LACMA’S 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICTS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A FULL YEAR AHEAD


AS

SO

CIA

TIO

N H

AP

PE

NIN

GS

| L

AC

MA

NE

WS

YOUR DUES DOLLARS HARD AT WORK! In 2012, LACMA:

Filed major lawsuits against Aetna and Healthnet for abusive business practices against phy-sicians and patients.

Implemented a vendor vetting program, offering you exclusive discounts on best in class products and services. Vendors include UPS, Tredway, Lumsdaine and Doyle, and Los Ange-les Collection Service.

Launched an all new www.lacmanet.org with greater functionality to keep you informed and involved.

Launched Physicians News Network (PNN), written and edited by professional healthcare journalists offering breaking local news, information, and data about the economics of healthcare delivery.

Reestablished legitimacy in local policy matters.

Supported candidates elected to serve in the Congress and State Legislatures. Those candi-dates ensure that LACMA’s mission of enhancing patients’ health and physicians’ ability to practice medicine is protected.

In 2013, LACMA will also:

Offer exclusive members-only access to a Group Purchasing Organization to streamline your supply chain operations and save you valuable dollars on your everyday products and services.

Work with Congress members to remove LA County from the Dual Eligibles Demonstration Pilot Project.

Work to initiate free membership for your office managers to become a member of PAH-COM, the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management.

Host a series of informative and educational seminars to keep you updated on the most recent changes in California’s healthcare delivery system.

Host a series of mixers for effective networking and fun interaction amongst your local peers.

Your physician leaders work tirelessly to ensure that LACMA continues to serve physicians in LA County!

BE PART OF THEIR EFFORTS AND RENEW TODAY!

HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR 2013 MEMBERSHIP?

IF NOT, GO TO WWW.LACMANET.ORG AND RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE OR CALL 213-226-0313!

March 6: Fraud and Abuse: Dangers and DefensesDHCS • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

March 7: Essentials for ICD-10-CM: Part 1AAPC • 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. or 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

March 13: Utilizing the New SDI Online SystemEmployment Development Dept. • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.


March 20: EHR Selection – Top 10 Tips for SuccessDavid Ginsberg • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.


March 27: Successful Medi-Cal Provider EnrollmentDHCS • 12:15 – 1:45 p.m.

April 3: Strategic Planning From Vision to ActionRachel Smith • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

April 10: Preparing for EHR ImplementationDavid Ginsberg • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

April 17: Valuing, Selling, Buying a PracticeDebra Phairas • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

April 24: California’s Health Benefi t ExchangeBrett Johnson • 12:15 – 1:45 p.m.

May 1: The Physician’s Responsibility in Prescribing and Referring for Medi-Cal PatientsDHCS • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

May 8:How to Quickly Make Decisions on What Matters MostRachel Smith • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

May 15: Enforcement Provisions of the Medical Practice ActMedical Board • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

May 16: Essentials for ICD-10-CM: Part 1AAPC • 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. or 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

May 22: Documentation and Coding AuditingAAPC • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.



2013 Education SeriesCMA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES

Webinars At-A-Glance

WW

W.LACMANET.ORG

New Tools toTake Action, Get Involved, and Manage Your PracticeNEW FEATURES INCLUDE

Members-only portals Physician community networks Offi ce manager online forums Physician directories New online marketplace show-casing vendors offering exclu-sive money-saving discounts on products and services geared towards effi cient prac-tice management operations.


TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDS AD, VISIT WWW. PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.COM OR CONTACT DARI PEBDANI AT [email protected] OR 858-231-1231.

CL

AS

SIF

IED

| J

OB

BO

AR

D

OFFICE FOR LEASE - GLENDALE -

Newly built and furnished medical of-fi ce available for 2 -3 days /week. Best way to start seeing your private patients without investing any capital. For addi-tional information call 323 202 5228.

TRACY ZWEIG ASSOCIATES

• Physicians• Nurse Practitioners • Physician Assistants

LOCUM TENENSPERMANENT PLACEMENT

800-919-9141 • 805-641-9141FAX: 805-641-9143

email: [email protected]

135 LEGAL SERVICES

LEGAL REPRESENTATIONFOR PHYSICIANS

Former Deputy Attorney General, Law Professor & Administrative Law Judge specializing in Administrative & Medical Board matters.

Free initial consultationRONALD S. MARKS

A Professional Law Corporation21900 Burbank Blvd., Suite 300

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

(818) [email protected]

130 FINANCIAL SERVICES

CPA FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

CPA with extensive tax and business experience working with medical pro-fessionals. Tax Preparation, Financial Statements and Business Consulting

Call Josh Nyholt, CPA805-729-1021

www.nyholtcpa.com

CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL OFFICES FOR LEASE

Professional Psychiatrist/Therapist Of-fi ces-prime location 750sf space with beautiful views, small kitchen/waiting room/secretarial area. Will consider leasing individual offi ce on a daily ba-sis. Please contact Dr. Vida Nikzad for more information: 310-804-6118

205 OFFICE FOR LEASE/SUBLEASE/SHARE

520 OPENINGS—PHYSICIANS

PRACTICE DERMATOLOGY IN TARZANA

PT/FT CA licensed Dermatologist needed to join busy 4 doctor practice specializing in general dermatology and skin cancer. Located in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles across from a major hospital; 6 medical build-ings (soon to be 7) within our block. Training in Cosmetic dermatology and laser is also desirable. Excellent com-pensation with partnership potential.An opportunity to practice medicine in which you can still have some control of your destiny. Please forward CV to [email protected]

RADIOLOGISTBoard certifi ed. Have own malpractice insurance. Available for part-time posi-tion or fi lm reading. Call 310-477-4257.

530 OPPORTUNITY WANTED

Place Your Classifi ed Ad Online Today!Visit the ALL NEW

WWW.PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.COM

FILM READINGCarl H. Boatright, MD, DABR, 30 years’ experience, rapid turn-around. We are now accepting Teleradiographs for General X-ray and General Ultrasound examinations. 866-723-2081.


PM Marketplace

To place a marketplace ad, visit WWW.PHYSICIANNEWSNETWORK.COMcontact Dari Pebdani at [email protected] or 858-231-1231

To place a marketplace ad, visit WWW.PHYSICIANNEWSNETWORK.COM

FOR MAXIMUM visibility for your product and services that will reach thousands of

readers monthly place your ad online today!WWW.PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.NET

Or Call DARI PEBDANIPhone: 858-231-1231 | [email protected]

Get Noticed!

Advertiser IndexAthena Health ..........................................................................................................................7California Wine Club ................................................................................................................3Cooperative of American Physicians ...................................................................................... 27The Doctors Company ........................................................................................................ C4 Fenton Nelson ...................................................................................................................... 25Los Angeles County Sheri� ’s Department .................................................................................9Marsh .......................................................................................................................................5NORCAL ............................................................................................................................ C2O� ce Ally ........................................................................................................................... C3UC Irvine ............................................................................................................................... 23

UCLA .................................................................................................................................... 11

CL

AS

SIF

IED

| JOB

BO

AR

D

TRACY ZWEIG ASSOCIATES

• Physicians• Nurse Practitioners • Physician Assistants

LOCUM TENENSPERMANENT PLACEMENT

800-919-9141 • 805-641-9141FAX: 805-641-9143

email: [email protected]

CMETHE 26TH ANNUAL

“HIV/AIDS ON THE FRONT LINE” CONFERENCECourse Date & Location:

UC Irvine Student Center, Irvine, CAWednesday, April 10, 2013

8:00am-5:00pmThis activity is approved for a max-imum of 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.Topics Include: HIV Update, Global Epidemiology, Substance Abuse & HIV, HIV Meds, Afford-able Care Act, Women & HIV, Ag-ing & HIV, and HIV & Hep C

For more information & to register, please visit:

www.hivconference.orgBlanca Guardado (714) 456-7734

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDS AD, VISIT WWW. PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.COM OR CONTACT DARI PEBDANI AT [email protected] OR 858-231-1231.

540 LOCUM TENENS AVAILABLE

PLACE YOUR AD ON THE ALL NEW

WWW.PHYSICIANSNEWSNETWORK.COM


BY

TH

E N

UM

BE

RS

| S

PE

CIA

LTIE

S

Total number of specialty areas recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties for board certifi -cation. Within those 24 spe-cialty fi elds are more than 145 subspecialty areas.

SIX

TY S

IX

$481,000

TwentyFour

$275,000The

median

amount

a typical

physician partner

in a

private practice earns, follow

ed by phy-sicians

in single-specialty

and

multispecialty group practices.

Ave

rage

ret

irem

ent

age

for

phys

icia

ns

(all

spec

ialti

es),

with

in

tern

al

med

icin

e ha

ving

the

hig

hest

ag

e av

erag

e at

70.

6

The highest average number of hours worked each week (anesthesi-ology). Pathology and dermatology tied for the lowest average with 45.5 hours per week.

45-50Average number of hours spent seeing patients per week by An-esthesiologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and urologists. By contrast, primary care physicians spend a median of 30-40 hours per week in direct patient care.

SIXTYONE

According to a salary survey for the 10 highest paying specialties, none of the most popular specialties was also the highest paying, and showed orthopedic surgeons heading the list with a median income of

TOP 10service area–Internal Medicine, Family Practice/Primary Care, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Psychiatry, OB/GYN, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, Cardiology/Cardiovascular - represent more than 60% (66.34%) of all U.S. physician specialties.

One Third of physicians rated their happiness level at a 5 on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the happiest). Rheuma-tologists had the highest overall average at 4.09.

What about your plan?

group healthpremiums

In 2013, California

will cost up to 10% more.

For decades, The Doctors Company has provided the highest-quality medical malpractice insurance. Now, the professionals of The Doctors Company Insurance Services offer the expertise to cover the business side of your practice, too. From health benefits to emerging threats in cyber security—and everything in between. We seek out all the best coverage at the most competitive prices. So talk to us today. One of our experts can help you choose the right health plan to protect your employees and your family —while controlling costs.

n Medical Malpracticen Workers’ Compensationn Health and Disabilityn Property and General Liability

n Employment Practices Liabilityn Directors and Officers/Management Liabilityn Errors and Omissions Liabilityn Billing Errors and Omissions Liability

Call (800) 852-8872 today for a quote or a complimentary insurance assessment.

www.thedoctors.com/TDCISLicense #0677182

4065_SoCalPhysician_Mar2013.indd 1 2/11/13 2:58 PM

Date post:	28-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	physiciansnewsnetwork
View:	218 times
Download:	0 times

March 2013

Documents