testimonials “In this time of government and insurance companies leveraging physicians’ influence and compensation in our practice of medicine, and the never ending attempts of non-physicians to replace us, it has never been more important to be a member of SCCMS/CMA, who aggressively represent our interests and protect our “turf.” Maintaining MICRA has saved physicians thousands of dollars in insurance premiums. The cost of “belonging” is less than 1% of most physicians income, is fully deductible, and considering the other benefits included, is a bargain in my opinion.” -David A. South, M.D. “Membership in the local medical society and the CMA is very important. Physicians need a forum where they can come together above the confines of their employment entities to tackle problems in the local community, and in the larger medical community. Many forces threaten the practice of medicine. Local medical societies and the CMA defend the public health, and the practice of medicine on many levels, and these entities also provide practice and legal resources that help local offices keep up with changing laws, such as the Affordable Care Act. If physicians want to maintain control of the practice of medicine, and continue to lead public health initiatives, the medical society and CMA are the forums to do that.” -Michael Coulson, M.D. “Membership in SCCMS/CMA is invaluable to me because the SCCMS represents my voice in organized medicine. Over the years, SCCMS has been a strong voice advocating for doctors on issues like Medicare reimbursement, the doc fix, Area 99, requirements for insurance policy limits, and many, many others. SCCMS has also brought to town a number of influential speakers who have educated our community on the future of healthcare. CMA model bylaws have guided our medical staff in adopting bylaws that are fair and equitable for our hospital’s medical staff, and continue to serve as a reference when we have questions about amending our bylaws.” -Greg Whitley, M.D.
SCCMS_Top10_2013.indd 1
“I believe that it has never been more important to participate in organizations by physicians for physician. There are many forces that are struggling to maintain a foothold in the control of this profession that are not always in the best interest of physicians and their patients. We as physicians are uniquely qualified to protect this relationship. This is not a time for physicians to hide from change, but to participate and help to influence that change. This can be best accomplished through participating in our national organizations and in membership through our local chapters such as CMA and our Santa Cruz County Medical Society.” -Jeannine Rodems, M.D.
10
TOP REASONS FOR BEING A MEMBER OF THE SANTA CRUZ MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
YOUR ONE-STOP RESOURCE CENTER Santa Cruz County Medical Society is the first call you should make – no matter what the question, concern or issue you may have. If we don’t have the answer or information you need, we know where to find it.
Santa Cruz County Medical Society
Helping physicians care for their patients & the community
1975 Soquel Drive #215 • Santa Cruz CA 95065-1821 P: (831)479-7226 | F: (831)479-7223 sccms@cruzmed.org • www.cruzmed.org
Working together, the Santa Cruz County Medical Society and the California Medical Association are strong advocates for all physicians and for the profession of medicine.
2/18/14 4:59 PM
DIRECT MEMBER BENEFITS
OF THE MANY REASONS FOR BEING A SCCMS AND CMA MEMBER, 10 STAND OUT
1 3 5
PROTECTING REIMBURSEMENT RATES
We continue to fight for physicians at the state and federal level to insure fair reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medi-Cal and private insurance companies.
COST SAVING BENEFITS
We work diligently to provide you with an array of money saving member benefits from banking investments, personal and professional insurance, office supplies, and car rentals, to name just a few.
6 7 8
ECONOMIC ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT
Professional staff is available to assist you with a number of economic and collection issues. Last year SCCMS/ CMA helped collect more than $4 million due to California physicians.
9
PROTECTING MICRA
SCCMS/CMA continue to work diligently to protect the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) which saves the average physician in Santa Cruz County roughly $20,000 annually in malpractice insurance premiums. Six full time state and federal lobbyists proactively work to protect the interests of physicians and their patients.
SCCMS_Top10_2013.indd 2
10
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
A wealth of resources, training and expertise is available to physicians and their staffs to help practices of all sizes run smoothly. Workshops, training sessions and webinars are offered free or discounted to members and their staffs. Legal handbooks, HIPAA compliance toolkits, practice management guides and more are free or deeply discounted for members.
NETWORKING AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
SCCMS/CMA brings doctors together from all parts of the medical community by offering unique opportunities in leadership development, community initiatives, educational workshops and social gatherings.
IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY
SCCMS physicians are active in several initiatives to improve community health and safety in Santa Cruz County with programs such as the SCCMS Physician Finder, immunization and tattoo removal clinics, childhood and family obesity prevention, and public health education. We work closely with key community partners such as CruzMed Foundation, Inc. and the Medical Reserve Corps, County Health Services Agency, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Health Improvement Partnership
KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE AND CONNECTED
SCCMS/CMA provides the information physicians and their staff need on all the current issues impacting their practice via e-newsletters, interactive websites, and social media updates. Physicians have access to publications like the new SCCMS Coastal Medicine Magazine and tools such as DocBookMD is free to members only.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Free for Members! • Reimbursement Help Center - (888) 401-5911 or economicservices@cmament.org • CMA’s Practice Resources (CPR) E-Mail Bulletin www.cmanet.org/cpr/current-issue • Health Law Library - www.cmanet.org/resourcelibrary • Practice Management Webinars - www.cmanet.org/ces
FINANCIAL SERVICE Discounted for Members! • Union Bank - (949) 553-4331 or www.unionbank.com/cma • Wells Fargo Advisors - (855) 225-4369 or califmd@wellsfargo.com
INSURANCE PROGRAMS Discounted for Members! • NORCAL - (800) 652-1051 • Marsh Affinity Group Services - (800) 786-4262 score
4
SCCMS/CMA’s sole purpose is to protect the interest of physicians and their patients. Members become part of a unified voice advocating for 35,000 plus physicians statewide.
• Physician Finder - (831) 479-7226 or www.cruzmed.org
score
2
VOICE OF YOUR PROFESSION
COMMUNITY
• Mercury Insurance Group - (888) 637-2431
PLUS... Discounted for Members! • Staples: Save up to 80% - (800) 786-4262 • MedicAlert - (800) 253-7880 • Security Prescriptions (800) 667-9723 15% disc. • Magazine Subscriptions (800) 289-6247 50% disc. • Car Rentals - (800) 831-8000 Avis (800) 654-2200 Hertz Save up to 25%.
MEDICAL-LEGAL INFORMATION
Free medical-legal information is available as well as advice on contracts, subpoenas, employee relations, collections, and an array of other topics important to all physicians.
2/18/14 4:59 PM