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SCMA News Briefs
************************************************************************* Recommendations for Use of
Influenza Antiviral Medications
By Dep. Health Officer Mark Netherda, MD February 2009
Sonoma County and throughout the United States to date, preliminary data from a limited number of states indicate TOP STORY
that the prevalence of influenza A subtype medication oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is high. Therefore, CDC is issuing interim SCMA NEWS
and chemoprophylaxis of influenza during When influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or exposure is suspected, zanamivir (Relenza) or a combination of oseltamivir options than oseltamivir alone. Most labs in Sonoma County, including the Public Health Department, do not differentiate LOCAL MEDICAL NEWS
influenza virus (e.g., H1N1 vs. H3N2). The CDC will update their recommendations as more information is gained through Both (1) people providing medical care for patients with suspected influenza and (2) people who are candidates for chemoprophylaxis against influenza STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS
* Medi-Cal Claims with Patient SSNs Will Consider use of influenza tests that can distinguish influenza A from influenza B. Patients testing positive for influenza B RESOURCES
zanamivir (no preference) if treatment is indicated. APPLICANTS
People who are candidates for chemoprophylaxis should be provided with medications most likely to be effective SCMA News Briefs - February 2009 - Page 1 their findings to the Board of Supervisors during institutional outbreaks should be obtained and sent for testing to determine Physician Directory Set for Delivery
viruses associated with the outbreak and Directory published by SCMA is back from the printer and will be delivered to all members free of charge in the first week require chemoprophylaxis due to exposure of February. This year’s directory includes detailed specialty and contact information alphabetical listings and specialty indexes local/regional data suggest a prevalence of H1N1 activity. Rimantadine can be used if zanamivir use is contraindicated. People ordered at www.scma.org or by contacting or influenza B should receive oseltamivir www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/i two-thirds of the practicing physicians in Sonoma County. For more information on joining SCMA, visit www.scma.org. SCMA Board Reaffirms Position
Volunteer Needed for SCMA Health
Statement on Sutter Proposal
Careers Scholarship Committee
In response to Sutter’s latest proposal to SCMA needs a physician volunteer for its SCMA board of directors has reaffirmed an earlier position statement that emphasizes The statement says, in part, that SCMA’s patients will continue to have access to care and to their physicians. We continue Nominations Needed for SCMA
Elections
SCMA’s position statement is among many of Health Services is analyzing in response to Sutter’s proposal, including those received at public hearings on Jan. 13 and 14. DHS officials are expected to report from Healdsburg (1), Petaluma (1), and Santa Rosa (2) SCMA News Briefs - February 2009 - Page 2 Center, 547 Mendocino Ave. Panelists include Drs. Richard Quint and Claudia commitment, beginning July 1. Nominations can be e-mailed to Obama Community Discussion Group
Recommends Finance Reform
On Dec. 30, nearly 50 local physicians and Biden Transition Project. According to a For more details, contact Cynthia Melody RCHC and Health Action, the group identified financing as the biggest problem “The health care financing model is the underlying problem in the system,” the Local Health Groups Can Apply for
group concluded, “because it is wasteful, PFMC Community Grants
does not provide equal access to care, and Nonprofit health organizations in Sonoma does not reflect a value of health care as a civil right equal to education and public Foundation for Medical Care. The grants, foundation to support local projects that similar groups around the country, will be considered as part of a health care reform round of grants is April 1. For application materials, contact Marilyn Flowers at 800- 548-7677, Ext. 120, or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.pfmc.org. BBR Needs Blood Donations
Blood Bank of the Redwoods’ blood supply Meetings on Health Care Reform Set
for Feb. 11 and 21
They are in great need of blood donors for reform will be held in Santa Rosa during 2324 Bethards Dr., Santa Rosa. The office Newly elected county supervisors Shirlee Zane and Efren Carrillo will host a Feb. 11 forum on the role of county government in Building, 1351 Maple Ave. To RSVP, contact [email protected]. On Feb. 21, Dr. John Shearer will moderate a discussion of single-payer plans from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Glaser SCMA News Briefs - February 2009 - Page 3 Medi-Cal Claims with Patient SSNs
advocacy efforts and will not be used in a Will Be Denied as of Feb. 1
longer bill Medi-Cal or the Child Health identifiers. All providers must use the 14-character Medi-Cal identification number from recipients’ Benefits Identification CME Events at Sonoma Developmental
consists of a 9-digit client index number, a check digit, and a 4-digit issue date. (The issue date is used to deactivate cards that February. Both are scheduled for McDougall Hall from 1 to 2 p.m. The only exemption to this rule is for Medicare crossover claims. Physicians may continue to bill Medicare crossover claims David Gray will discuss ICD-9 coding. On Feb. 26, Dr. Gopa Green will discuss renal number as it appears on beneficiaries’ osteodystrophy. For details, call JoAnne Physicians are also urged to use Medi-Cal Charles Amezcua, MD
patient’s permission) use a SSN to verify eligibility via the Medi-Cal Eligibility Santiago Centurion, MD
Dermatology
Physicians Urged to Complete Balance
Billing Survey on CMA Website
impact of the recent ban on balance billing the Department of Managed Health Care’s Julie Clark, MD
regulation defining balance billing as an “unfair billing pattern.” CMA also is The survey is located on the home page of the CMA website at www.cmanet.org. SCMA News Briefs - February 2009 - Page 4 Randall Hrabko, MD
Regina Sullivan, MD
Daciana Iancu, MD
Michael Tsao, MD
Francesca Manfredi, DO
Jamie Weinstein, MD

Margaret Marquez, MD
The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with David Pastran, MD
the California Medical Association and the Carina Quezada, MD
Pediatrics
3925 Old Redwood Hwy.
Santa Rosa 95403
393-4000 Fax 566-5292
Univ Southern California 1994
Mitchell Savitsky, MD
Emergency Medicine
401 Bicentennial Way
Santa Rosa 95403
393-4000 Fax 393-4741
George Washington Univ 1978
SCMA News Briefs - February 2009 - Page 5

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