May/June 2019 | Los Angeles Medicine

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

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Redefining Benefits for Today’s Physicians M AY/ J U N E 2 0 1 9

Practice Finance:

THE BENEFITS OF OWNING A PRACTICE* Gavin Shea, SVP, National Director, Healthcare

The challenges inherent in owning your own practice can be daunting. But as many a doctor will tell you, there are aspects of running a business that make the challenge and sacrifice worth the effort. Here are just some of the reasons why owning a practice is rewarding for doctors and their communities.

FOLLOWING YOUR PASSION | One of the biggest rewards of

being a practice owner is taking your love of the work and using it to create something. While it’s critical that the logistics and the overall business idea are solid, passion plays an important role in the success of a practice. As is true of any endeavor, you get what you give, so embrace the passion that led you to healthcare in the first place and use that to drive the success of your practice.

TAX BENEFITS | With tax season having just ended and some exploring the prospect of opening their own practice in 2019, it’s advisable to work with a CPA to determine what advantages might be available for practice owners. There are several credits and deductions that can help to support this goal and help smooth the way to entrepreneurship for aspiring owners:

- Health care credit: By paying premiums on behalf of your staff, you might be able to claim a tax credit of up to 50% through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace. To qualify for the SHOP credit, your business must have no more than 25 full-time employees, pay an average wage of less than $54,200, and pay at least 50% of your employees’ premiums.

- Start-up deduction: With this deduction, you can possibly deduct up to $5,000 of startup costs, as well as up to $5,000 of organizational costs.

- Equipment deduction: With the “Section 179” deduction you may be able to claim the equipment you purchase for your business, such as computers, off-the-shelf software, furniture, and vehicles. The maximum amount you can claim is $1,020,000 for 2019.

INSPIRING COMMUNITIES | Whether you provide free services in the area, volunteer with a local charity or even market via local sponsorships and a booth at a community event, healthcare practices can integrate into and inspire their communities to take a vested interest in the health of themselves or loved ones by partnering with you. This makes owning a business more than just a job or a revenue stream; it can make it a touchpoint for the community. * Information and views provided through the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business website are general in nature for your consideration and are not legal, tax, or investment advice. Wells Fargo makes no warranties as to accuracy or completeness of information, including but not limited to information provided by third parties, does not endorse any non-Wells Fargo companies, products, or services described here, and takes no liability for your use of this information. Information and suggestions regarding business risk management and safeguards do not necessarily represent Wells Fargo’s business practices or experience. Please contact your own legal, tax, or financial advisors regarding your specific business needs before taking any action based upon this information.

Running a small business takes big insights There are a lot of moving parts to running a successful small business — optimizing cash flow, increasing efficiency, and growing revenue. You’ll find the strategies and solutions you need to run your business better at wellsfargoworks.com.

Let’s get started. Visit your local branch or find a time that works for you at wellsfargo.com/appointments.

© 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. IHA-24683

EDITOR Sheri Carr | editor@physiciansnewsnetwork.com ADVERTISING SALES Dari Pebdani 858.231.1231 | dpebdani@gmail.com

VOLUME 150 ISSUE 3 | MAY/JUNE 2019

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD David H. Aizuss, MD Troy Elander, MD Thomas Horowitz, DO Robert J. Rogers, MD HEADQUARTERS LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 1055 West 7th Street, Suite 2290 | Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel 213.683.9900 | Fax 213.226.0350 www.losangelesmedicine.org LACMA OFFICERS PRESIDENT | C. Freeman, MD, MBA, FAPA PRESIDENT-ELECT | Sion Roy, MD TREASURER | Diana Shiba, MD SECRETARY | Jeffery Lee, MD IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT | William K. Averill, MD

2 4 5

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

C. Freeman, MD, MBA, FAPA

LACMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE TRUSTEES & CHAIR DELEGATION Jerry Abraham, MD (1) Jack Chou, MD, CMA Trustee Samuel Fink, MD (6) Jerry P. Abraham, MD, MPH, Chair of the LACMA Delegation Kambiz Kosari, MD (6) Peter Richman, MD, CMA Trustee Maria Lymberis, MD (5) Nhat Tran, MD (9) COUNCILORS Robert Bitonte, MD, JD (D1) Stephanie Booth, MD (D3) Troy Elander, MD (D5) Marc Mendes, MD (D6) David Hopp, MD (D7) Omer Deen, MD (D9) Christine Phan, MD (D10) William Hale, MD (D14) Roxana Yoonessi, MD, JD (SCPMG) Heather Silverman, MD (SSGPF) Po-Yin Samuel Huang, MD (1, YP Councilor) Hector Flores, MD (1, EPC Chair) Laura Halpin, MD (Resident Councilor) Sameer Berry, MD (Alt. Resident Councilor) Ali Tafreshi (Student Councilor, USC)

A MESSAGE FROM LACMA CEO

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Gustavo Friederichsen LACMA Members: We Need Your Vote!

Make Your Voice Count in Our Annual Elections

2019 PARTNER PORTFOLIO Redefining Benefits for Today’s Physicians

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, Director of Governance, at lisa@lacmanet.org or 213-226-0304.

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Los Angeles Medicine (ISSN 1533-9254) is published bimonthly (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun & Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/ Dec) by LACMA Services Inc. (a subsidiary of the Los Angeles County Medical Association) at 1055 West 7th Street, Suite 2290 Los Angeles, CA 90017-2548. Periodicals Postage Paid at Los Angeles, California, and at additional mailing offices.

Copyright ©2017 by LACMA Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Los Angeles Medicine, 1055 West 7th Street, Suite 2290, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Advertising rates and information sent upon request.

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LACMA PRESIDENT

C . F R E E M A N , M D, M B A , FA PA

Vision, Value and Vicissitudes Adaptability is one of the greatest assets physicians have; yet, physicians are often characterized as resistant to change. Physicians are keenly aware that medicine as a science is continually evolving, advancing research and treatment discoveries, as well as focusing on wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

It is only when change is inconsistent with the vision of eradicating disease and seemingly has no palpable benefit for patients that the physician scientist who questions the relativity of value suddenly is labeled as resistant.

The rise in suicide rates sends a somber message that physicians are not immune to the impact of the personal vicissitudes of life. There is no argument that the rigors of medical school, training and practice bring specific challenges to the student, resident and physician. As we are trained to assist our patients with medical challenges and critical life decisions, we too must learn to support, assist, celebrate and take care of one another as well as ourselves.

The SCPMG West LA Women in Medicine, under the directorship of LACMA member Roberta Doucet, MD, is one group that actively celebrates and supports one another. At a launch event coordinated by Dr. Doucet with the supportive guidance of Howard J. Fullman, MD, Kaiser Permanente West LA medical director/chief of staff, a multitude of women physicians exuded an infectious display of laughter, support and caring for other women physicians. It was extremely rewarding to observe and definitely fun. Kudos to Dr. Doucet for working to increase the representation of women among physician leaders and super kudos to Dr. Fullman for making it happen.

As LACMA president, my vision is a unified LACMA, as I value collaboration and support as a means to allow physicians to get back to being regular people who can connect on a human level without the threat of competition. Just as the vicissitudes of life and medicine continue, so shall changes in leadership continue, which makes LACMA adaptable to the needs of members. Be an active member and experience the value of being a part of solutions and an agent of change.

As we are trained to assist our patients with medical challenges and critical life decisions, we too must learn to support, assist, celebrate and take care of one another as well as ourselves.

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NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES‌ SOME WEAR DOCTORS’ COATS Your priority is protecting your patients.

Our priority is protecting you.

For more than 40 years, the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. (CAP) has provided our physician members with superior medical malpractice coverage.

Our mission is to help independent California physicians deliver the best care possible, while realizing personal and professional success.

Sarah E. Pacini, JD Chief Executive Officer

CAP members also receive proactive risk management services, in-house legal and claims support, practice management resources, and so much more. Find out what makes CAP different.

CAPphysicians.com 800-252-7706

Medical professional liability coverage is provided to CAP members by the Mutual Protection Trust (MPT), an unincorporated interindemnity arrangement organized under Section 1280.7 of the California Insurance Code.

LACMA CEO

G U S TAV O F R I E D E R I C H S E N

Rehab, Redemption and Resilience The year 2019 is already the year of redemption. The University of Virginia men’s basketball team was the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in last year’s tournament. A year later, they win the national championship by defeating a scrappy Texas Tech team. Tiger Woods winning the Masters came after, well, a decade of futility. His comeback is seen as perhaps bigger than golf legend Ben Hogan’s comeback from a near-fatal accident, or more historic than Jack Nicklaus winning the 1986 Masters at the age of 46 (Tiger is 43).

It’s no secret Tiger the person made some poor choices that resulted in harming those around him, a DUI arrest, losing millions in endorsement deals and falling from grace with an epic thud. Yet, it was a physician, a surgeon, who, one could say, saved Tiger’s life and his livelihood and helped him reclaim golf’s pinnacle, a Masters championship. In 2017, Woods underwent a successful back surgery to alleviate ongoing pain in his back and leg. The operation was performed by Dr. Richard Guyer of the Center for Disc Replacement at the Texas Back Institute. Due to previous herniations and three surgeries, Woods’ bottom lower-back disc severely narrowed, causing sciatica and severe back and leg pain.

Conservative therapy, which included rehabilitation, medications, injections and limited activities, failed as a permanent solution, and Woods opted to have surgery.

The procedure was a minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion (MIS ALIF) at L5/S1. The surgery entailed removing the damaged disc and re-elevating the collapsed disc space to normal levels. The goal was to relieve the pressure on the nerve and to give the nerve the best chance of healing.

Rehab would take six months.

So why am I sharing this with our members? Without the skill of a physician blended with natural talent and sheer determination, the world would not have witnessed history like that made in Augusta, Ga., in April. LACMA as well is in the midst of rehab. The organization continues to evolve, grow, make strides, and still there are barriers to achieving profound, sustainable success. We are constantly working to improve the “product,” meaning listening to members with ideas on how to deliver value to every physician regardless of specialty. We can reach 10,000 members in the next two to three years with constant and deliberate effort. “Trust the process” is what I constantly say, because the process starts with a plan, while action delivers results. As we march into summer, LACMA possesses some of the qualities of the Virginia Cavaliers team — resilient, experienced, patient — and some of the qualities of Tiger Woods — battle tested, focused — with a goal to deliver value to each member every day. That value includes our 20-plus partners who solve members’ problems, help them grow their practices and much more. Like Woods’ road to recovery and ultimate victory, it will take a concerted effort to reach 10,000. Then again, many said Tiger would never play again, let alone win a major championship.

We are constantly working to improve the “product,” meaning listening to members with ideas on how to deliver value to every physician regardless of specialty.

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LACMA Members: We Need Your Vote!

MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT IN OUR ANNUAL ELECTIONS The Los Angeles County Medical Association is holding its 148th Annual Election this coming June. This year, there is one vacancy for the position of Secretary and three vacancies for Councilor-at-Large on the LACMA Board of Directors. On the following pages you will find the candidate statements from the two candidates who have been nominated to fill one Secretary seat and the five candidates who have been nominated to fill three Councilor-at-Large seats.

Active members of LACMA and CMA have the privilege of voting for their preferred candidates. When reviewing each statement, it is important to remember that the ultimate responsibility of the Councilorat-Large includes serving as the advisor and advocate for LACMA and its members to the LACMA Board of Directors.

NOMINATED FOR THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY president of District 9. In addition to practicOMER DEEN, MD | I am honored to be con- ing medicine, I co-founded Nursing Without sidered for the position Walls, a Silicon Valley healthcare tech startup of Secretary of LACMA. which provides high-quality, cost-effective home-based healthcare to patients at If elected to this most risk of hospital admission/readmisposition, I hope to colsion. Although we started in California, the laborate with LACMA leadership to empower company has now expanded to three states and continues to grow. I believe this unique Los Angeles County physicians to continue experience in healthcare business would to practice unencumbered, with the health be an added benefit to LACMA leadership. and best interest of our patients guiding Just as the members of our organization us. I completed my residency in Internal have diverse practice settings, interests and Medicine at the University of Nevada-Reno.

I then went on to complete fellowship train- backgrounds, I believe my diverse work exing in GI-Clinical Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic perience in healthcare business, my work in private hospitals, large academic settings as and remained on staff there before moving well as my experience running a solo private to Los Angeles. I have been in solo private practice would be an asset I could bring to practice in Torrance, California, since 2013 this position. I humbly accept the nominaand joined LACMA shortly after moving to tion and, if elected, would be honored to the area. I have had the privilege of serving serve as Secretary of LACMA. on the executive board of LACMA and as

At the end of May, you can expect to receive a voting ballot via email or mail and you will be able to cast your vote for your preferred candidate. Voting will be performed online. Please be sure to keep an eye out for your ballot and submit your vote.

For additional information about the candidates or the election process, please call Lisa Le at 213-226-0304 or email at lisa@lacmanet.org.

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NOMINATED FOR THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY MARIA LYMBERIS, MD | My fellow LACMA members, I

seek your vote for Secretary of our LACMA. In all my years of service on the LACMA Board, my focus is to support constructive change with accountability, inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs of our members. As a Delegate to CMA and during my service as the Chair of the LACMA Delegation to CMA, I worked to increase member participation, improve our effectiveness and invigorate our delegation by including our young members and promoting the team spirit needed for SOLUTIONS to our challenges. I stand for ACCOUNTABILITY and OPENNESS with a lifelong record of commitment to CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE. I am known for my ability to work constructively for SOLUTIONS, especially during stressful times full of high-conflict issues.

My website: www.lymberis.com, details my lifelong work in organized medicine.

I seek your vote for my election to continue fighting for physician leadership in patient care.

NOMINATED FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE GEORGE FOURAS, MD | It is my honor to be nominated

for the Councilor-at-Large position for the LACMA Board of Directors. After finishing residency at the LAC + USC Medical Center in 1995, I was hired by the SF County Department of Health focusing on the mental health care of youth in foster care and probation. For the ensuing 20 years, I have been active in organized medicine with the San Francisco Marin Medical Society and CALPAC. As a Past President of the SFMMS, I have a passion for our profession and experience in participating in organization leadership. Now that I have moved back to Los Angeles and am working with the LA County Department of Mental Health, I would like to become more involved with the county society of my new home. We are now at the crossroads for major changes in our healthcare delivery at the local, state and federal levels. LACMA is in a unique position to drive the discussion for all three arenas. Many of you may have seen or met me at the CMA House of Delegates, and I will continue to advocate for our patients and our profession in that body as well. Recently appointed to the CMA delegation to the AMA House of Delegates, it is my responsibility to work for LACMA and the resolutions that we pass in the CMA House that have national impact. Finally, as a current member of the CALPAC Board of Directors, and Chair of the PAC of the California Psychiatric Association, I would like to participate more with the efforts of LACMA representatives who support our goals for a healthy and robust medical system of care. Thank you for your consideration for this important position.

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NOMINATED FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

1) I work to keep you informed and seek your input.

2) I embrace, support and advocate for the need for multiple varieties of practice while I remain a strong, lifelong advocate for the preservation of the private practice of medicine.

3) I fight against the numerous restrictions to access to care for our patients, the regulatory burdens on physicians, the low compensation for our work in many settings, the dangers of the primacy of cost over quality patient care.

4) I fight to keep the treating physician in charge of the treatment.

5) I view physician wellness as our profession’s responsibility. I work for the empowerment of physicians to speak up about system problems or unfair regulations. I advocate for work environments that support physicians.

6) I work for the prevention of physician suicide by providing education with access to consultation and meaningful support for physicians in all settings.

SUNNY JHA, MD, MS | Dear LACMA Member,

my name is Sunny Jha and I am an Anesthesiologist at USC and I would like to serve as your At-Large Councilor for LACMA. As a medical student, involvement within the AMA and the AAMC provided valuable leadership training leading to my current service on the Boards of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, California Society of Anesthesiologists, GASPAC, the American Society of Pain and Neurosciences and the Veterans Legal Institute. Previously, I served on the Board of the Illinois State Medical Society. Additionally, I am a member of the House of Delegates of the AMA, CMA and CSA. Within the AMA family, I have authored 28 policy resolutions attacking issues such as the opioid epidemic and electronic cigarettes. Within the CMA, I serve on the Council on Health Professions and Quality of Care and have also been active within LACMA’s Young Physician Section. My organized medicine experience will enable me to be immediately effective in serving LACMA. I have travelled to Washington, D.C., and Sacramento a countless number of times to directly engage with our legislators; however, it is my recent trips that have been the most concerning. Legislators are using the terms Medicare-for- all and Medicaid-for-all interchangeably not knowing the dramatic differences between the two systems. This is troubling; however, we must continue to fight and stay engaged. Other issues such as burnout, loan forgiveness, loan consolidation, scope of practice and the vertical integration of hospitals/medical groups/insurance carriers are also having dramatic effects on medicine and require an ever-watchful eye to ensure that our future is secure. If elected to serve as your Councilor, I will work tirelessly to protect and preserve our patients and our profession.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to the opportunity. Sincerely, Sunny Jha, MD, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology Director, Health Advocacy and Global Outreach University of Southern California.

KAREN SIBERT, MD | It is a great honor

NOMINATED FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE VALENCIA WALKER, MD, MPH | With great

NOMINATED FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

to be nominated for a Councilorat-Large position.

The House of Medicine is under siege. Insurers are on constant lookout for excuses to deny payment.

Healthcare systems are absorbing smaller practices at unprecedented rates. Medi-Cal payments don’t meet the cost of care. If we don’t stand together to speak up for patients and for the practice of medicine, our profession will be at grave risk. As Immediate Past President of the California Society of Anesthesiologists, I have substantial experience in organized medicine. I’ve worked with lawmakers on the issues of surprise billing and narrow networks and helped pass legislation to reduce anesthesia risks for children in dental offices. During 2019 CMA Legislative Day, I testified in support of Dr. Richard Pan’s pro-vaccination bill, SB 276. My early work as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal has helped me become an articulate advocate in writing and in person. Within LACMA, I’m Presidentelect for District 5, and serve on the Compensation Committee and Women Physicians’ Committee. I am very grateful for the endorsement of LACMA leaders including Drs. C. Freeman, Sion Roy, Jerry Abraham, and William Averill.

I’ve spent 16 years in LA private practice and three years in academic practice, and I believe LACMA can be an organization that brings all of us — residents, new graduates, and experienced physicians, from every specialty and mode of practice — together to support each other. We must foster connections at the local grassroots level, and form key relationships with our legislators.

I would be delighted to discuss my candidacy with you. I believe I have the energy and experience to be an effective Councilor-at-Large, and it would be an honor to serve. I hope to earn your support and your vote. Sibert.karen@ gmail.com | Twitter: @KarenSibertMD | Website: www.apennedpoint.com

enthusiasm and genuine eagerness to serve, I kindly request your support and vote to represent you as one of LACMA’s Councilors-at-Large.

Since 2017, I have represented LACMA as a delegate to the CMA House of Delegates and actively participated in every annual session. Previously, I worked on the CMA HOD Science and Public Health Reference Committee, served as an alternate delegate for the Ethnic Medical Organizations Section (EMOS) and also chaired EMOS through my term limit. I am the current chairperson for the CMA Council on Legislation. Additionally, I am a past president for the Association of Black Women Physicians. Last year, I obtained an MPH degree from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Some of my professors were key architects of the ACA. I also took classes that delved deeper into policies addressing the opioid crisis and gun violence. I am

a practicing Neonatologist, Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Assistant Dean of Equity and Diversity Inclusion for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. These positions have afforded me a broad range of experiences, including Medical Director roles for academic and private neonatal units. I care for patients and families representing a spectrum of socioeconomic groups. Why Councilor-atLarge for LACMA? Three quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspire my advocacy.

One urges a commitment to humanity and equal rights. A second denounces healthcare injustices. The third urges collaboration to attain meaningful achievements. As an advocate, I want to help our members uphold the values of our profession and continue the charge to protect the health and well-being of our patients. I consider it an honor to share endorsements from former LACMA and current CMA President David Aizuss, MD, current LACMA President Cie Freeman MD, MBA, and LACMA President-Elect Sion Roy, MD.

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Los-Angeles-medical-ad.indd 1

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ACCOUNTING

2019 LACMA PARTNER PORTFOLIO REDEFINING BENEFITS FOR TODAY’S PHYSICIANS

It used to be that the typical medical society had basic benefits to help physicians.

In fact, for almost (not quite) 150 years, LACMA and other medical associations provided networking to practice management, even banking and jury duty help.

Today’s LACMA is vastly different, though we still offer concierge jury duty assistance. The organization is proud to unveil its 2019 Partner Portfolio, which is part of LACMA’s “all-in solution” for all members.

If there is a problem, we will help solve it, and if we don’t know the answer, we have a cadre of experts to help. We have five Priority Partners for 2019, who not only provide discounts for members but also financially support events and programs throughout the year.

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LACMA recently entered into an agreement with ACap Accountants and Advisors to help our members with everything and anything related to tax planning and to unbiased financial advice, with a specialty in advising physicians and medical professionals.

WHO TO CONTACT: Ara Ohgoorian Founder and President (818) 272-8511

AUTO LACMA has a partnership with Southbay BMW and specifically Avi Nemes, fleet manager.

What members get: Significant discounts, depending on model, year and extras.

WHO TO CONTACT: Avi Nemes Fleet Manager Southbay BMW (310) 939-7300 Ext.7111 Mobile: (909) 437-1909.

MEMBER SURVEY On a regular basis LACMA seeks input from membership regarding important issues so the organization always makes membership opinions a priority. Once a year, LACMA seeks input on a variety of topics, but we also wanted to learn as much about our members as possible. Here are some highlights: • Nearly 40% are in solo and small medical practices.

• 28% have been in practice more than 10 years.

• While 60% know the LACMA benefits, 40% do not.

• Legislative advocacy is the reason many joined LACMA. Networking and news/communications, however, were second and third respectively.

• Only 17% have used a preferred partner, and a vast majority have not.

• Of the 17% who do use preferred partners, most use CMA followed by athenahealth (EMR), WestPac Wealth Partners and Workwise Law. • Finally, when asked which areas of support do members find most valuable, they said personal discounts followed

by EMR, reimbursement assistance and insurance programs.

• In terms of challenges, respondents said documentation, burnout, revenue loss, preauthorizations and maintaining a business were big obstacles.

This issue of Los Angeles Medicine highlights the 20+ organizations LACMA has engaged to help members solve these and other problems.

BANKING

BILLING

CAREER

LACMA has several relationships with financial institutions. If you want personalized service, contact us and we can put you in touch with representatives from Wells Fargo, a LACMA priority partner that is committed to the success of physicians and their practices. Wells Fargo assesses business needs and goals and focuses on building strong, long-term relationships so that it can support a physician’s practice or personal banking needs.

Thanks to LACMA’s partnership with the CMA and its Center for Economic Services (CES) we are able to provide one-on-one practice management assistance to members and their staff with the goal of empowering physicians with resources and guidance to improve the success of the practice.

Assistance ranges from coaching and education to direct intervention with payors or regulators, as well as resources and tools to assist practices. The center is staffed by practice management experts with a combined experience of over 125 years in practice operations.

Over the past 10 years, CES successfully recouped $29 million from payors on behalf of our physician members.

Through our innovative partnership with Witt Kieffer, the leader in healthcare when it comes to recruiting and helping CEOs, CFOs and COOs, physician leaders and other executives have access to opportunities throughout the industry, including hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and other health-related organizations. To Witt Kieffer, it’s about much more than filling a chair; it’s about bringing great leadership to an organization.

To learn more, contact gustavo@lacmanet.org LACMA also has relationships with First Century Bank, First Citizens Bank, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America, to name a few.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES Lee & Associates offers a broad array of real estate services tailored to meet the needs of the company’s clients in each of the markets it serves. Services include commercial real estate brokerage, property management, valuation, asset management and finance.

WHO TO CONTACT Thomas Isola Lee & Associates, Los Angeles West, Inc. Office: (310) 899-2709 Cell: (310) 922-0607 tisola@leewestla.com

WHO TO CONTACT Mark Andrew MarkA@wittkieffer.com

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT Cheryl Bradley CBradley@cmadocs.org

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FINANCIAL PLANNING For more than two years, LACMA has had a partnership with WestPac Wealth Partners. WestPac, a LACMA priority partner, educates and brings awareness to physicians and clinicians so they increase their ability to make informed decisions in key areas such as retirement to exit and succession planning.

WHO TO CONTACT Jonathan M. Barrera Registered Representative WestPac Wealth Partners (512) 423-3250 j_barrera@thewp2.com www.jonathanMbarrera.com

MALPRACTICE INSURANCE Cooperative of American Physicians, or CAP, is a priority partner as it delivers valuable practice and risk management resources and supports year-round events and programs for LACMA. WHO TO CONTACT Daniel Cavanaugh, VP, Membership Development, dcavanaugh@ CAPphysicians.com

RETAIL DISCOUNTS

FITNESS

LEGAL

INSURANCE

New for 2019 is LACMA’s unique relationship with one of the most progressive and innovative fitness brands in the world, Equinox.

Carlson & Jayakumar LLP is a healthcare specialty law firm located in Southern California that serves physicians, medical groups, hospitals and other healthcare provider clients throughout the state. For more than a decade, Carlson & Jayakumar has been committed to protecting and ensuring the success of physicians and their medical practices. Benefit for members: complimentary one-hour consultation.

Mercer has been a priority partner for many years and now supports the LACMA Insurance Solutions Program by offering insurance plans to members along with expert service and solutions provided by a team of licensed client advisors. Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services is a division of Mercer, a global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments, with 20,000-plus employees based in more than 40 countries. Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC), a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital.

To take advantage of a free 7-day trial and one (1) training session, contact Victor Frist, Equinox Regional Sales Manager victor.frist@equinox.com

PRACTICE SOLUTIONS Paragon Private Health is a best-in-class provider of concierge-type medical practice solutions to help physicians successfully launch customized concierge programs.

Their tailored data-driven approach addresses specific needs and ensures practices will thrive. Paragon helps physicians who want to completely transition their practice to a concierge model with full conversions, as well as partial hybrid implementations for physicians who want to include concierge medicine as an optional offering.

WHO TO CONTACT Bradley A. Haines Physician Development Nationwide.

Phone: (877) 997-2724; Cell: (805) 952-9593 brad@ paragonprivatehealth.com

WHO TO CONTACT Kathy W. Nichols Carlson & Jayakumar LLP (949) 222-2008 kathy@cjattorneys.com

RESORTS LACMA has a wonderful partnership with Four Seasons Westlake Village.

Set in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu’s sunny beaches and Santa Barbara’s famous vines, the relaxed yet refined California resort offers a family-friendly atmosphere and one of the Los Angeles area’s most comprehensive spa and wellness programs.

Come and redefine what it means to reinvigorate.

If you want to visit any Four Seasons Resort properties, CONTACT gustavo@lacmanet.org

NEW | LACMA’s partnership with Entertainment Benefits Group (EBG) and the platform to purchase discounted tickets for sporting events, concerts, movies, theme parks, car rentals, hotels and much more. Now that summer is here, take advantage by visting: memberdeals.com/losangelesmedicine 1 0 L O S A N G E L E S M E D I C I N E | M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 9

WHO TO CONTACT: Frank W. Blackwell, Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager.

(213) 379-3047 Frank.W.Blackwell@ mercer.com

SUPPLY CHAIN & UTILITY COSTS Facilities ranging from doctor’s offices to hospitals to long-term care locations depend on medical supplies, devices, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to offer optimal services in maintaining patients’ health.

With many suppliers serving the marketplace, selecting providers to meet a company’s needs in this area can be overwhelming. Expense Reduction Associates, or ERA, works closely with each client to review company expenses to see if additional reductions in medical supply costs are achievable.

WHO TO CONTACT Marylou Garcia, Area Director (310) 791-5570 mgarcia @expensereductiocom

TECHNOLOGY With so much happening on the technology front, physicians face a torrent of challenges to secure patient privacy while providing exceptional care. LACMA has several partners that help protect information, share information and generate new patients while managing physician reputations: EHRs, can be complex to cumbersome or uber user-friendly. athenahealth is a leading provider of Best in KLAS services for EHRs, care coordination and practice management. athenahealth’s mission and vision are to create a national health information backbone that makes healthcare work as it should and helps providers do well by doing the right thing.

WHO TO CONTACT Emily Putnam, Director, SG Sales West Office: (617) 402-1077; Cell: (339) 222-9936 Another LACMA priority partner is PatientPop, a practice growth platform unlike any other. What do members get? PatientPop is offering a discount of $1,000 to LACMA members who sign up for the PatientPop practice growth platform (applies to your implementation fee) and $2,000 for practices of two or more providers.

WHO TO CONTACT Matt Kervin, Director of Strategic Partnerships Cell: (310) 804-9233 Office: (424) 363-7709 matt.kervin@patientpop.com If your practice has IT issues, JNTTek has been a loyal and trusted IT provider for several years. JNTTek is a full service IT solutions firm with a team of certified engineers and developers who have more than 40 years of IT experience designing, building and supporting IT systems of all sizes. What do members get? Free assessment of server, devices, EHRs, security and/or backup.

TRAVEL

WORKPLACE

Town & Country Travel is a new partner for 2019 and offers immersive, experience-based travel for members. The expert vacation planners at Town & Country Travel have been planning first-class vacations since 1984 and passionately pursue the best the leisure travel industry has to offer.

Collectively the team has covered the globe in personal travel, having visited more than 125 countries.

And, Town & Country Travel is helping to coordinate a LACMA-only trip in 2020 with CME credits!

Running a business in California requires knowledge of a complex set of laws. Workwise Law trains management, creates infrastructure for handling HR issues and protects businesses to limit their exposure. Benefit for members: $2,500 Annual Package that includes a full HR audit and 10 hours of employment law advice OR 1-hour free consultation and discounted rates customized to your needs.

WHO TO CONTACT alexis@workwiselaw.com

WHO TO CONTACT Heidi Creed Town & Country Travel (805) 495-9888, Ext. 104 Heidi@countrytravel.com

MEDICAL BOARD HOSPITAL STAFF F R A U D / A B U S E MEDI-CAL/M E D I C A R E

MEDICAL PRACTICE PURCHASES, SALES AND MERGERS

WHO TO CONTACT Dave Bader: dave@jnttek.com.

Office: (818) 303-9177 Mobile: (310) 560-7449 www.jnttek.com TigerConnect’s healthcare communication system can help organizations see measurable improvements in critical areas such as resource optimization to higher patient satisfaction.

WHO TO CONTACT Thomas Mancuso tmancuso@tigerconnect.com

Assisting physicians with legal issues for over three decades.

Fenton Law Group, LLP 1990 South Bundy Drive Suite 777 Los Angeles, CA 90025 310.444.5244

The brand physicians trust

www.fentonlawgroup.com

M AY/J U N E 2 0 1 9 | L O S A N G E L E S M E D I C I N E . O R G 1 1

CL ASSIF IED S /J O B B OA R D

PMmarketplace Surgeons Needed for Expanding Nationwide Surgical Practice • Full or part-time positions • Competitive Pay • Add revenue to your current practice

• Flexible schedule, complete autonomy • No Call

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: Phone: 1-877-878-3289 Fax: 1-877-817-3227 or email CV to: Jobs@AdvantageWoundCare.org

www.AdvantageWoundCare.org

CONSULTING & SERVICES

Arthur S. Shorr & Associates, Inc.

Consultants to Healthcare Providers

Practice Appraisal & Sales Partnership Buy-In / Buy Out Supporting Southern California Physicians Since 1983 Call for a Courtesy Consultation

818-693-7055

avishorr@gmail.com

LACMA MEMBER DEALS Purchase discounted tickets for sporting events, concerts, movies, theme parks, car rentals, hotels and much more. Now that summer is here, take advantage by visting: memberdeals.com/ losangelesmedicine

OPENINGS—PHYSICIANS

LOCUM TENENS AVAILABLE

FAMILY MEDICINE, OB/GYN AND PEDIATRICS IN ORANGE COUNTY AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY

TRACY ZWEIG ASSOCIATES, INC.

Vista Community Clinic is a private, nonprofit outpatient community clinic serving people who experience social, cultural or economic barriers to health care in a comprehensive, high quality setting.

Position: Full-time, Part-time and Per Diem Family Medicine, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics Physicians.

Responsibilities: Provides outpatient care to clinic patients and ensures quality assurance.

Malpractice coverage is provided by Clinic.

Requirements: California license, DEA license, CPR certification and board certified in family medicine. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Contact Us: Visit our website at www.vistacommunityclinic. org Forward resume to hr@vistacommunityclinic.org or fax resume to 760-414-3702.

EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/ Disabled

• Physicians • Nurse Practitioners • Physician Assistants

LOCUM TENENS PERMANENT PLACEMENT 800-919-9141 • 805-641-9141 FAX: 805-641-9143 email: tzweig@tracyzweig.com www.tracyzweig.com

TO PLACE A DISPLAY OR CLASSIFIED AD VISIT

PhysiciansNewsNetwork.com or contact Dari Pebdani at dpebdani@gmail.com or 858-231-1231

OPPORTUNITY WANTED

RADIOLOGIST

Board certified. Have own malpractice insurance. Available for part-time position or film reading.

Call 310-477-4257.

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ONLINE. IN PRINT. ONE PRICE. PLACE YOUR AD TODAY!

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