cmaa 07-08 10 - cmaa-ca.org · california medical assistant — july/august 2010 5 cmaa bylaws...

We will soon be “Cruising to Success”at the 2010 Fall Conference. The themethis year is “Harvest of Knowledge.”We will gather at Las Positas CollegeSeptember 10-12, in Livermore, for aknowledge-packed weekend. CMAAhopes that all of you make plans toattend this event.

On May 15, I cruised up to Stockton toattend San Joaquin Regional “EducationDay.” It was truly a great educationalsession. It was good to see “Daisy” again;I enjoyed learning how she has helped somany people in the last year. If you seeGail or Rebeca, ask them who Daisy is.

Gail, Rebeca and the gang as always didan awesome job on the event. I learneda great deal that weekend.

On the regional front, I want to thankthe Regional Representatives whocontacted me on what’s going on intheir region.

Santa Clara Region has been attend-ing education seminars offered by ElCamino Los Gatos hospital. These lec-tures are free and the members haveenjoyed attending. According to GraceSorg, Regional Representative, thepresentations are extremely informative.

Sandra Holland of the Central Regionhas been out and about, contacting localworking medical assistants promotingCMAA and certification. Way to go Sandra!

The Riverside/San BernardinoRegion continues to have regularmonthly meetings. They are trying to

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSISTANTPublished Bi-Monthly by the California Medical Assistants Association, Inc. for Medical Office Professionals

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSISTANT — JULY/AUGUST 2010 1

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CALIFORNIAMEDICAL ASSISTANTSASSOCIATION, INC.

P.O. Box 11715Santa Rosa, CA 95406

Toll Free 1.888.464.2622Fax 208.730.3763

www.cmaa-ca.orgEmail address: [email protected]

Cruise to Livermore for a Harvest of Knowledge!

WHAT’S INSIDE� PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

Cruise to Livermore for aHarvest of Knowledge!................1

� 2010 FALL CONFERENCE:“Harvest of Knowledge”Tentative Agenda ......................2Registration Form .....................3Hotel Registration Form ..............4

� PRESIDENT-ELECT’S MESSAGE:Top Secret - Did You Know? .........4

� CMAA BYLAWS & DUESPROPOSALS .............................5

� CERTIFYING BOARD UPDATE:Newly Certified CaliforniaMedical Assistants ....................6

� CONTINUING EDUCATION:“Navigating Your Way ThroughThe New Computer Systems”........7Self-Assessment Test................10Article Order Form ...................11

� GOT A CLAIM?TriWest Improves ClaimsSearch Capabilities ..................12

organize a group to attend “Light theNight Walk” at Angels Stadium inAnaheim sponsored by the Leukemia &Lymphoma Society. The walk is intend-ed to pay tribute and bring hope tothousands of people battling blood can-cers, and to commemorate loved oneslost. For more information, please checkout the website www.lightthenight.org.Cynthia, the first recipient of the CMAAHuggy Bear, is a part of this wonderfulorganization.

The San Diego Region has beenworking hard to recruit new members.Please check out their websitewww.cmaasd.com for local events.

If I did not mention your region, pleaseemail or call me with an update so that Ican include you in the next publication.

Have a safe andwonderful summer.See all of you at FallConference! Don’tforget to bring yourcowgirl/cowboy gear!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Las Positas College is a community college locatedin Livermore, California, on 147 acres.

Theresa Henderson, CCMA-ACCMAA President

Founded in 1869, Livermore is California’s oldest wine region, framed by award-winning wineries, farm lands andranches that mirror the valley’s western heritage. The City of Livermore encompasses 22 square miles and is the east-ernmost city in the San Francisco Bay Area. Protection by the coastal range provides the Livermore Valley with a mildclimate that enhances the pursuit of a more relaxed, less congested lifestyle.

California Medical AssistantE D I T O R

VICKEY MARTINEZ, CCMA-CRiverside RegionP.O. Box 2931

Riverside, CA 92516

Email: [email protected]

P U B L I C AT I O N C OMM I T T E E

HARRIETT TOSE, CCMA-ASacramento Region

KRISTINE ONSTINE, CCMA-ARedwood Region

KATE LOGAN, CCMA-ACSacramento Region

Certifying Board Administrator

C O O R D I N AT O R

JANICE SAMS, CCMA-CRedwood Region

C M A A P R E S I D E N T

THERESA HENDERSON, CCMA-ACRiverside RegionP.O. Box 2931

Riverside, CA 92516


For Advertising contact:

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSISTANTSASSOCIATION, INC.

at

CMAA, INC.P.O. Box 11715

Santa Rosa, CA 95406

Toll Free: 1.888.464.2622

Fax: 208.730.3763


Material contained herein may NOTbe used without the permission of the

California Medical Assistants Association, Inc.

ALL ITEMS FOR PUBLICATIONSHOULD BE SENT

DIRECTLY TO THE EDITOR.

2 CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSISTANT — JULY/AUGUST 2010

MISS ION STATEMENT

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION, INC.

The purpose of the California Medical Assistants Association, Incorporated,is to promote the professional and educational growth of medical assistants.

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California Medical Assistant

— NEXT ISSUE —SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

To submit items to be published in thisnewsletter, please mail or email:

Vickey Martinez, CCMA-A3181 Tangerine WayRiverside, CA 92506

Email Address: [email protected]

DEADLINE: August 1, 2010All materials must be submitted by the

deadline date to be included in the next issue!

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION

FALL CONFERENCE 2010

September 9th – 12thLas Positas College, Livermore CA

TENTATIVE AGENDA

THURSDAY – SEPTEMBER 9TH2:00 pm Registration Opens Hotel Lobby – Hilton Garden Inn

4:00 to 8:00 pm Farmer’s Market Downtown Livermore4:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting4:00 pm Registration Closes

FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 10TH8:00 am Registration Opens and Breakfast at Las Positas College

8:30 am - 9:30 am Women’s Cardiac Health – Mari Rossini, N.P.9:45 am - 10:45 am Heart Health - Brian Haverdink, P.A.11:00 am - 11:45 am EKG and Patient Instruction in Cardiac Care –

Linda Benett, R.N.12:00 pm – 1:15 pm Lunch with the Vendors1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Respiratory Therapy – Kelly Hughes, R.T.

4:00 pm Members Register with Credentials4:15 pm General Session Convenes5:00 pm Registration Closes6:00 pm General Session Recess

Dinner on Your Own Activities and Entertainment Downtown – See Program

SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 11TH8:00 am Registration Opens and Breakfast at Las Positas College

8:30 am - 9:30 am Immunization and Vaccination Update9:45 am - 10:45 am Infection Control Techniques11:00 am - 11:45 am Worker’s Compensation in California – Gloria Valerio12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Medical Billing Update ICD-10 – Jeanette Kirby2:15 pm – 3:15 pm American Red Cross – First Aid3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Steve Campbell – Perceptions in Healthcare

4:30 pm Registration ClosesDinner – 7:00 pm Evening Event at the Hilton Garden Inn

Cowboys and Cowgirls – Costume Contest

SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 12TH8:00 am Registration Opens and Breakfast at Las Positas College

8:30 am - 9:30 am Drug Use in the Community – Clay Felicitas9:45 am - 10:45 am Therapeutic Touch – Kathryn Darlington, R.N.

11:00 am General Session Reconvenes12:00 am Adjournment of Fall Conference



FALL CONFERENCE 2010 REGISTRATION

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PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT

Name: ___________________________________________

Credentials: ______________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

____________________________________________

Telephone:___________________________________

Email Address: _______________________________

Region:______________________________________

**Check if first timer________

CHECK ONE:

________ Member

________ Student

________ Guest

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 8/27/10

No refunds after September 1, 2010

Mail to: CMAA Inc.P.O. BOX 11715SANTA ROSA, CA 95406

Please make checks payable to: CMAA

Additional inquiries or registration

by credit card:Call Headquarters at 1-888-464-2622.

CHECK MEAL CHOICES:

Friday Lunch

_____ Continental Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12.00

_____ Lunch – BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15.00

Saturday Lunch

_____ Full Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15.00

_____ Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15.00

_____ Dinner – Banquet Buffet . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45.00

Sunday Lunch

_____ Continental Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12.00

MEETING REGISTRATION FEES:

_____ Members & Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00

_____ Non-member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75.00

_____ Late fee (after 8/27/10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00

_____ -$25.00 Discount taken for all members,students and non-members that areregistered for all of the above mealfunctions.

_____ Single Day Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00

Please specify wich day you will be attending:

____________________________________________

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $____________

September 9th – 12thLas Positas College, Livermore, CA

REGISTRATION FORM


President-Elect’s MessageDID YOU KNOW? Submitted by Kate Logan CCMA-AC, President-Elect

• There are 45 miles of nerves in the skin of ahuman being.

• Three hundred million cells die in the human bodyevery minute.

• By age 60, most people have lost half of their taste buds.

• Every human spent about a half an hour as a single cell.

• Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day.Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.

• The average human body contains enough: iron tomake a 3 inch nail, sulfur to kill all the fleas on anaverage dog, carbon to make 900 pencils, potassiumto fire a toy cannon, fat to make 7 bars of soap,phosphorous to make 2,200 match heads and waterto fill a ten-gallon tank.

• The Neanderthal’s brain was bigger than yours is.

• The sound of a snore (up to 69 decibels) can bealmost as loud as the noise of a pneumatic drill.

• The only bone in the human body that is notconnected to another is the hyoid,a V-shaped bone located at the baseof the tongue between the mandibleand the voice box. Its function is tosupport the tongue and its muscles.

• Laughing lowers levels of stress hormonesand strengthens the immune system.

• Fingernails grow faster than toenails.

• Blondes have more hair than dark-hairedpeople.


FALL CONFERENCE 2010 REGISTRATIONCM

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September 9th – 12th • Las Positas College, Livermore, CA

OFFICIAL HOTEL REGISTRATION FORM

Reservation Options: Call the hotel directly (925) 292-2000 or via their website: www.hilton.com/group to register online.Use group name “CMAA” when you reserve your room. If you are you a “Hilton Honors” member, inform the reservation specialist.

HILTON GARDEN INN – 2801 Constitution Drive, Livermore, CA 94551 – TEL (925) 292-2000 – FAX (925) 292-2100

Deadline for reservations: 8/30/2010

ACCOMMODATION PRICING:

$79.00 Single/Double/King Occupancy (plus room tax)

$129.00 Suite (plus room tax)

Credit card is for guarantee only. Cancellations must bemade 24 hours prior to check-in.

ROOM TYPE (check one):____Standard Double

____Standard King

____Suite with Double Beds

Please note: Room types are by request,but not guaranteed.

Last Name _______________________________ First Name ____________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________ State _______ Zip _____________________

Telephone (______) ____________________ E-mail____________________________________

Arrival Date____________________ Departure Date ____________________________

Credit Card (check one): ___ MasterCard ___ Visa ___ American Express

Card #________________________________________________ Expiration Date ____________

Signature_______________________________________________________________________


CMAA Bylaws &Dues ProposalsAttention ALL Members! Yes, that’s you! This September atthe Fall Conference the following proposed changes will bevoted on. Plan now to travel to Livermore, California wherethe East Bay and San Joaquin Regions are hard at workplanning a fantastic meeting. As a member you can be a partof every aspect of the meeting as well as the business portionwhere we will discuss and answer questions, and ultimatelyvote on the following proposals listed in this publication.

MEMBERSHIP DUES STRUCTURE

It has been suggested that CMAA adopt levels of member-ship with various benefits and prices to better serve ourmembers. This idea is a way to ensure that our basic duesstructure does NOT increase but members who choose tojoin and/or renew at a higher level may do so.

This dues structure change is suggested to take place begin-ning January 1, 2011 for all new members and renewingmembers as their renewal date occurs.

Standard Membership:This level is what we all currently have, such as discountedmeeting registration and would be offered at $70/year foractive members and would still have a 50% discount forstudents and retirees. At this membership level NO CMAPublication would be mailed to the member. Members mustaccess the publication on the website only.

Gold Membership:This level includes all of the above and the option of havinga hard copy of the publication delivered or emailed to you.Offered at $100.00/ year this membership level alsoincludes an exclusive CMAA logo item only available toGold and Platinum members (Logo item would change eachyear).

Platinum Membership:This level includes everything that the Gold level of member-ship offers as well as paid meeting registration (meal costvaries and is NOT included) at BOTH state meetings aswell as reserved seating of your choice at all state meetingeducation functions.

A member is not ‘locked in’ to one dues category and maychange categories if desired each year with payment of theirdues renewal.

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Bylaws Proposals: 1 of 2

Section 8, Article B. Vice President

Add: 1. g. The Vice President shall Co-Chair the AnnualMeeting with the Chairman of the Hosting Region.

Rationale: This would better facilitate communicationbetween the Executive Committee and the Hosting Regionas well as give the Hosting Region support.

ADD 1. h. The Vice President shall chair the Bylaws &Resolutions Committee.

Rationale: It has been suggested that members serving asVice President should potentially be preparing themselves toassume the Presidency and therefore be well versed in ourBylaws. This could be achieved by chairing the BylawsCommittee.

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Second Bylaws Proposal:

Section 8, Article E. Parliamentarian

STRIKE1.d. Be Chairman of the Bylaws and ResolutionsCommittee

Rationale: The change would be required if the aboveproposal is adopted.

Members: Have you read this far? You are entitled to shareyour opinion on each and every one of these suggestedchanges. There will be a time scheduled during the weekendof the Fall Conference called “Reference Committees” that isheld in a casual atmosphere to encourage open conversationabout each of these topics before a vote is taken. Come andget clarification on these issues and share your opinions.Your vote matters and you have the potential to affectchange within our organization.


* RECERT BY EXAM ** ADDING 2ND SPECIALTY

C E R T I F Y I N G B O A R D U P D A T E

Congratulations to the newly California Certified Medical AssistantsCertification Codes: A = Administrative C = Clinical AC = Administrative and Clinical

NAME SPECIALTY HOMETOWN NAME SPECIALTY HOMETOWN

ALCANTAR-HERRER, MARITZA C COACHELLAALEXANDER-BERMUDEZ, KAY* C FREMONTAMPARAN, YVONNE C SAN JOSEBANKS, SANDRA AC ROSEVILLEBARRAGAN, CRISTINA A REDWOOD CITYBELLO, ICELA C CHULA VISTABRASELTON, DEREK AC FREMONTBREWER, AMY AC CHICOBUGGS, DANIELLE C SAN MARCOSCAMPBELL, DAWN C SANTA ROSACARPIO, DILMA AC SAN FRANCISCOCARRANZA, KAREN A CHULA VISTACARVER, HELEN C BAKERSFIELDCASTANEDA, JESSICA C SAN DIEGOCECCARELLI, JULIE AC FORESTHILLCHAN, RELINDA A SAN JOSECHANTHAVONG, TIA AENOY A CERESCHAVEZ-WHITT, GENNIE-MAY A SAN DIEGOCONNOLLY, LAURIE C TRACYCOOK, ALISON AC ORLANDDeVOUS, CYNTHIA AC RESCUEDI LORENZO, CHRISTINE C REDWOOD CITYDIXON, CHELSEA AC VENTURADRISCOLL, ROSEMARY C MENLO PARKESPARZA, MARIA C DELANOFIGUEROA, CAMILLA C SAN JOSEFLORES, GENEVA AC SAN JOSEFLOYD, REBECCA AC REDDINGFLOYD, CHELSEA AC CATHEDRAL CITYFOX-DOLCE, CHRISTIANE C BANNINGFRIDENSTINE, SARA AC TEHACHAPIGABRIEL, CYNTHIA C OAKLANDGALVAN, LORRAINE AC BAKERSFIELDGIOVACCHINI, JENNIFER AC BRENTWOODGOETZ, ELNA C POWAYGRIMALDI, AMYSUE C PALMDALEHARO, SALOME* AC MONTEREY PARKHERNANDEZ, ALEX C GONZALESHIXON, STACY C TEMPLETONHUTCHISON, EILEEN C SAN DIEGOIBRAHIM-SAWIRES, IMAN AC VICTORVILLEJACOBO, ANNALISA C FELTONJAVAHERI, DECY C UNION CITYJOHNSON, LINDSAY AC BERKELEYJOHNSON, ANGELINE AC BAKERSFIELDKEGNEY, DEBORAH AC WINDSORLANDRUM, JESSICA AC COLORADO SPRINGSLAO, CLAIRE C SACRAMENTOLeNORGANT, ERIC C PALMDALELLAMAS, ALEXANDRA C SONOMALOPEZ, IRMA C BRENTWOODMABES, PEGGY C ROSEVILLEMADRIGAL, OCTAVIOUS C SAN JOSE

MANN, AMANPREET C FRESNOMARISCAL, ADRIANNA C CHULA VISTAMARONEY, JESIKAH AC SAN JOSEMARTIN, NICOLE AC PLEASANTONMARTINEZ, ALMA AC SAN JOSEMC PETERS, ALIKA AC COTTONWOODMcBANE-NEHER, SHERRITY AC NORTH HIGHLANDSMELOWITZ, LAURA AC ANTIOCHMENDOZA, NIRIA AC E PALO ALTOMOORE, JANET C AUBURNMOYER, KATLYN AC BOULDER CITYNAKANISHI, NICOLE C SAN JOSEORTEGA, LAURA C RIPONPALENCIA, KRISTINA C RIVERSIDEPAOLA, GARCIA* C SANTA ROSAPEEL, KELLY AC EL DORADO HILLSPITCAVAGE, LAURIE AC SANTA ROSARAMIREZ, TANIA C SAN JOSERAYNER, JILL AC IGORECHIN, KATHLEEN C LOS MOLINOSREED, CHARLENE AC PACIFICAREED, DEBRA AC VALLEJOREYES, JESSICA C SAN JOSERIVAS, MADALYN C UNION CITYROESLER, TAMMY C GROVELANDRUIZ, RUBEN C YUBA CITYSAECHAO, SHELLY C SAN JOSESCHIEFFELIN, LINDSEY AC REDWOOD CITYSCHOFIELD, SHERRI AC HAYWARDSEARCY, SONIA AC BAKERSFIELDSHAHID, MITRA AC SAN CARLOSSHELLEY, CONNIE AC EUREKASMITH, LISA AC SANTA CLARASOUVANTHONG, NANCY C STOCKTONSUAREZ, MAGDALENA C SANTA CLARATAPIA, ALEJANDRA C SANTA MARIATAYLOR, TAWNEY C SAN LUIS OBISPOTAYLOR, MERLYN C HAYWARDTERRY, KATIE C MODESTOTORRES, REGINA C DISCOVERY BAYTRAN, THO C SAN JOSEVALDEZ, BRIANA C PALMDALEVALLE, BRITTNY C PALMDALEVARADHA, HEMALATHA AC PLEASANTONVASQUEZ, MARICELA C BAKERSFIELDVELASCO, KAREN AC SAN DIEGOVOILES, KATHLEEN AC SEAL BEACHWEYGANDT, JENNETTA AC PASO ROBLESWHITNEY, MARY BETH C APTOSYE, HUALI C OAKLAND


CONTINUING EDUCATION

Electronic Medical Record (EMR):A stand-alone health computerizedmedical record, restricted to one site,inclusive to one provider’s office. The"complete EMR system", needs fourbasic functions necessary to be a fullEMR: computerized orders for prescrip-tions, computerized orders for tests,reporting of test results, and physiciannotes.

The Personal Health Record (PHR):This system is an electronic, universallyavailable, lifelong resource of healthinformation used by individuals to makehealth decisions. People own and man-age their information in the PHR,which comes from healthcare providersand the individual. The PHR is main-tained in a secure and private environ-ment. The PHR is separate from anddoes not replace the legal record of anyprovider.

Picture Archiving andCommunication Systems (PACS):Is an electronic imaging system andreports are transmitted digitally viaPACS; this eliminates the need to

continued on page 8

Navigating Your Way ThroughThe New Computer SystemsThis article will help you maneuverthrough all of the new terminology andcomputer systems that you will beexposed to in the next few years. Therewill be so many acronyms and informa-tion it might be very confusing. Giventhe stimulus package that congresssigned in 2009 and the aggressiveefforts the government has taken toimplement medical computer systems inthe United States by the year 2015;this may help to clarify things.

Electronic Health Record (EHR):An electronic health record refers to apatient’s medical record. An EHR isaccessed on a computer, over a net-work. It may be made up of electronicmedical records (EMRs) from manylocations or sources. The data includespatient demographics, past medical andsurgical history, medication history,allergy lists, immunization status, labora-tory results, radiology images, ECGs,spirometry, billing information,advanced directives and much more.This system is the most robust andincludes all or most of the patients’information.

manually file, retrieve or transport filmjackets. It is a secured network that caninterface with EHRs. PACS has theability to deliver timely and efficientaccess to images at the workstationlevel. PACS provides cost and storageadvantages over the old film archives.Digital copies are referred to asSoft-copy.

E-prescribing: Gives the prescriberthe ability to electronically send anaccurate, understandable prescriptiondirectly to a pharmacy from the physi-cian’s computer, reducing medicationerrors.

Beginning in 2011, the federaleconomic stimulus package willprovide approximately 19 billiondollars over the next five years forhealth information technology (HIT),including direct bonus paymentsupwards of $44,000.00 for qualifyingphysicians. Starting in 2015, physicianswho are not using an EHR system willface a 1% cut in Medicare payments.The monetary cut will grow to 2% in2016 and 3% each year after that.


Computer Generated Fax: The pre-scriber's computer generates an elec-tronic prescription. The prescription isthen transmitted to a pharmacy’s faxmachine which prints a hard copy ofthe original computer -generated pre-scription.

Health Information Exchange(HIE): The sharing of Medical Records.In the United States, the developmentof standards is at the forefront of thenational healthcare agenda. Manyphysicians currently have EMRs andEHRs, and these are the first steps insharing patient information (lab results,public health reporting) which are nec-essary for timely medical care andreporting.

Protected Health Information(PHI): Privacy concerns: A major con-cern is adequate confidentiality of theindividual records being managed elec-tronically. This information is referredto as PHI (Protected Health Informa-tion) and its management is addressedunder the HIPAA Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act, aswell as many local laws.

Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act (HIPAA): Estab-lished by Congress in 1996, in part todevelop national safeguards to protectthe confidentiality of an individual’smedical information. There are strictpenalties if these are violated.

The Certified Commission forHealth Information Technology(CCHIT): This is a private not-for-prof-it organization that is a recognized UScertification authority for electronichealth records and their networks: Theirpurpose is to:

• Reduce the risk of HealthcareInformation Technology (HIT)investment by physicians and otherproviders.


Navigating Your Way Through The New Computer Systems – continued from page 7

• Ensure interoperability (compatibility)of all HIT products.

• Assure payers and purchasersproviding incentives for EHRadoption.

• Protect the privacy of patients’ PHI.

Advantage of the electronicmedical records: An EHR systemincreases physicians’ efficiency andreduces cost, as well as promotes stan-dardization of care. Even though EMRsystems with computerized providerorder entry (CPOE) has existed formore than 30 years, fewer than 10% ofhospitals have a fully integrated system.

• Several Medical Facilities now havethe ability for the patient to viewparts of their medical records via asecure site on the internet. Thisinformation is patient-friendly. Forexample, instead of the problem liststating Obese, the diagnosis will beOverweight. Here are some of theoptions that may be available:

1. X-ray and MRI results

2. Lab results

3. Re-order prescriptions

4. Make and cancel appointments

5. Email question directly to theProvider

6. The Provider emails the patientback directly

7. The ability to see immunization/injection records

8. Health Maintenance –Preventative tests, procedures,etc.

Reduces healthcare costs: One ofthe major sources of rapid growth inhealthcare costs comes from imaging.Access to patients’ images in an EHR isan effective way to avoid duplicatingexpensive procedures. An estimate wasmade that 1 in 7 hospitalizationsoccurred when medical records werenot available. Additionally, 1 in 5 labtests were repeated because resultswere not available at the point of care(POC). Electronic medical records areestimated to improve efficiency by 6%per year, and the monthly cost of anEMR is offset by the cost of only a fewunnecessary tests or admissions.

Improved quality of care: An EHRsystem can reduce medical error by pro-viding healthcare workers with decisionsupport. Fast access to medical infor-mation and current best practices alerts(Health Maintenance) in medicine, willimprove efficiency. EHRs can be con-tinuously updated with the latest currentinformation; creating the ability toexchange records between differentEHR systems. Patients are now shop-ping for their providers and procedures.Many international patients travel to UScities for academic research centers toreceive specialty treatments or to partic-ipate in clinical trials. Coordinatingthese appointments via paper records isa time-consuming procedure and wouldnot have the capability to be accessedworldwide.

Promotes evidence-basedmedicine: EHRs provide access to anunprecedented amount of clinical data,for research that can accelerate thelevel of knowledge for effective medicalpractices. These benefits may be real-ized by saving lives, and adding to thequality of life for all.

Disadvantages of the electronicmedical records: Critics point outthat while EHRs may save the "health-care system" money, physicians who


buy the systems may not benefit finan-cially. EHR price tags vary tremendous-ly, depending on what's included, howrobust the system is, and how manyproviders use it. They may spend moretime entering data into an empty EHR,than they used to spend updating apaper chart with a simple dictation.Such hurdles can be overcome once thesoftware has some data, as physicianslearn to use easy templates for dataentry.

Privacy and Security of the EHR:As the ever-changing health care indus-try evolves, one key topic is privacy.The Federal government has set guide-lines that all healthcare organizationswill have to comply with. Most support-ers believe that the EHR will improvecare and reduce costs, while transform-ing the health care system, but whetherthe privacy of the records will be upheldis yet to be determined.

Incentives in the United States:Until recently, with the AmericanRecovery and Reinvestment Act of2009, providers were expected to takethe full risk of investing in healthcare IT.Healthcare payers, i.e. insurance com-panies and Medicare, have potential forsignificant cost savings if providersadopt EHR systems. The 2009 eco-nomic stimulus package (HITECH Act)passed by the US Congress aims thisincentive toward more physiciansadopting the EHR.


Computerized Patient RecordSystems (CPRS): In the UnitedStates, the Department of VeteransAffairs (VA) has the largest enterprise-wide health information system thatincludes an electronic medical record,known as the Veterans Health Informa-tion Systems and Technology Architec-ture. Their system provides comprehen-sive data from many specialties, includ-ing cardiology, radiology and orthope-dics. The Computerized Patient RecordSystem (CPRS) allows healthcareproviders to review and update apatient’s electronic medical record atany of the VA's healthcare facilities.CPRS includes the ability to placeorders, including medications, specialprocedures, X-rays, patient care nursingorders, diets, and laboratory tests.The United Kingdom began using anEHR system in 2005. The goal is tohave 60,000,000 patients with a cen-tralized electronic health record by theend of 2010. The plan began with agradual roll-out starting in May 2006.The government states that it is still ontrack with this project.

Health Connect: Australia is dedicatedto the development of a lifetime elec-tronic health record for all its citizens.Health Connect is the major nationalEHR initiative in Australia, and is madeup of territory, state, and federal gov-ernments. Medi Connect is a relatedprogram that provides an electronicmedication record to keep track of

patient prescriptions and provideproviders and pharmacies with drugalerts to avoid errors in prescribing.

Alberta Netcare: The Canadianprovince of Alberta started a large-scaleoperational EHR system project in2005 called Alberta Netcare, which hasencompassed all of Alberta.

Certificate Program in HealthInformatics: As information technolo-gy becomes more integral to health-care, there is a great demand for ITprofessionals: Computer Technologists,Interface Specialists, Programmers, andAnalysts. The list goes on. Now thereare many Universities that offer educa-tion and degrees in these fields.

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References:

CMA - California Medical Association

Surescripts

Wikipedia

CMS – Center for Medicare andMedicaid Services

UC Davis

University of Illinois at Chicago

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Read the Continuing Medical Education Article on pages 7 - 9

Navigating Your Way Through The New Computer Systemsthen complete the Self-Assessment Test on page 10 for CME credit.



Navigating Your Way Through The New Computer System – Self-Assessment Test

SELF-ASSESSMENT TEST

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

SEPARATELY.



CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT ARTICLESPlease indicate the articles you wish to order. One credit articles are $5 each or five articles for $20. Three credit articles are $15 each.

�� B-01 Patient Confidentiality-Everybody’s Job�� B-02 Patient Rights-Keep them in Focus�� B-03 Conflict Resolution-A Win/Win Approach�� B-04 Tuberculosis Awareness�� B-05 Charting�� B-06 Americans with Disabilities Act/ADA�� B-07 Age-Specific Care�� B-08 Service Excellence-A Time to Care�� B-09 Customer Service-Difficult Customer Alert�� B-10 Customer Service-The Royal Treatment�� B-11 Hand Hygiene�� B-12 Healthcare Service Excellence Glaucoma�� B-13 Legal Peril-8 Management Pitfalls to Avoid�� B-14 Dealing with Stress �� B-15 Hepatitis C: Facts not Fear�� B-16 Domestic Abuse: Recognizing & Reporting�� B-17 Alzheimers Disease�� B-18 Asthma �� B-19 Cataracts: Recent Innovations�� B-20 Chickenpox & Shingles�� B-21 Constipation�� B-22 Depression�� B-23 Diabetes

Mail this order form to: California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants, P.O. Box 462, Placerville, CA 95667-0462

Name _________________________________________________________________________ Credential ___________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________City State Zip

Telephone ____________________________________________________ Number of Articles Requested ___________________________________

My check (payable to CCBMA) for $____________is attached. Visa and MasterCard are now accepted. Call (866) 622-2262 with credit card information.

BASIC CATEGORY

ADMINISTRATIVE CATEGORY

CLINICAL CATEGORY

�� B-24 Digestive Health-Inside Tract�� B-25 Elder Abuse�� B-26 Fibromyalgia-What is it?�� B-27 Fire Emergency�� B-28 Glaucoma – Early Detection�� B-29 Hepatitis A�� B-30 Lead Poisoning�� B-31 Lyme Disease�� B-32 Meningitis�� B-33 Menopause & Osteoporosis�� B-34 Middle Ear Infections�� B-35 Making A Difference for Our Patients�� B-36 Anatomy of a Migraine�� B-37 MRI – What’s New�� B-38 Chronic Pain Control�� B-39 Preventing Heart Disease�� B-40 Psoriasis�� B-41 Raynaud’s Phenomenon�� B-42 Risk Management for Medical Office Staff�� B-43 Sexually Transmitted Diseases�� B-44 Stress & Nutrition�� B-45 The Good Samaritan Law�� B-46 The Immune System

�� B-47 Good Communication�� B-48 The Respiratory System�� B-49 The Skeletal System�� B-50 Tuberculosis-Great White Plague�� B-51 The Urinary System�� B-52 Vision - A Special Sense�� B-53 AIDS - Why Mosquitos Cannot Transmit�� B-54 Winter Blues – Seasonal Affective Disorder�� B-55 The Endocrine System�� B-56 Managing Healthcare Stress�� B-57 Sexual Harassment: New Perspectives�� B-58 Ending Sexual Harassment�� B-59 Recognizing Harassment�� B-60 Mold Awareness�� B-61 Biological Threats-Identify & Respond�� B-62 Diversity - Food for Thought�� B-63 Drug Free Workplace�� B-64 Emergency Action Plan�� B-65 Fire Extinguishers�� B-66 Protecting Your Back�� B-67 Obstetrics�� B-68 SARS

�� A-01 Office Ergonomics-It’s Your Move�� A-02 Diagnosis Coding (3 credits) $15�� A-03 Patient Confidentiality/Privacy High Tech�� A-04 Telephone Courtesy/Royal Connection�� A-05 Medigap Insurance

�� A-06 Check Your Knowledge of Checking�� A-07 Correct Spelling�� A-08 Diagnosis Coding #2 (3 credits) $15�� A-09 Medical Records-Legal Documents�� A-10 Patient Access to Medical Records

�� C-01 Bloodborne Pathogens�� C-02 Drug Resistant Organisms�� C-03 Latex Allergy: Stop the Reaction�� C-04 Handwashing-It’s in Your Hands �� C-05 Infection Control- Chain Reaction �� C-06 Infection Control-Orientation�� C-07 PPE-For Your Protection

�� C-08 Needlestick Prevention �� C-09 Clinical Pharmacology�� C-10 Cardiac Arrhythmia�� C-11 Drug Administration: Factors�� C-12 Drug Classifications (3 credits) $15�� C-13 Evoked Potential Testing�� C-14 First Aid

�� C-15 Flawless Phlebotomy�� C-16 Fecal Occult Blood Testing�� C-17 Universal Precautions�� C-18 Understanding Urinalysis�� C-19 Material Safety Data Sheets/MSDS�� C-20 HIV/AIDS

�� A-11 Medical Office Management-Personnel Policies�� A-12 Legal & Effective Interviewing�� A-13 Legal & Effective Performance Appraisals�� A-14 Writing Business Letters

The Following may be used in either Administrative or Basic Categories:

�� AB-01 HIPAA-Privacy Compliance �� AB-02 HIPAA-Security Compliance �� AB-03 HIPAA-Compliance Scenarios


California Medical Assistants Association, Inc.P.O. BOX 11715 • SANTA ROSA, CA 95406

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit # 1264

Sacramento, CA

� DATED MATERIALS

Got a Claim? TriWest Improves Claims Search CapabilitiesBased on user feedback and a usability study, TriWest Health-care Alliance and its claims processor Wisconsin Physicians Services (WPS) have enhanced the claims search functionality on the secure website atwww.triwest.com/provider.

Registered users now have several new search options toeasily search and find claims associated with their office(s).Examples of the new search criteria are as follows:• Search by process date • Search by claim number • Search by patient account number • Search by check number • Search by individual provider

In addition, the following improvements were also made:• Added expandable help links • Modified the search screen to make some fields optional • Redesigned the claim search and result screens to

make them more intuitive • Added claim paid date information to the search

results screen

Providers need to be registered to enjoy these newchanges and the other many benefits of the secureprovider portal. These include:• Verify patient eligibility • Research covered benefits and check referral/

authorization and medical review requirements for specific codes

• Submit referrals/authorizations online and check their status regardless of how the request was submitted

• Submit claims online and check claim status regardless of how the claim was submitted

• Download remittance advices • Claims correspondence/Webmail

For secure access to the TriWest website, simply click the“Register Now” button to get started.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance provides access to quality health care for 2.7 million members ofAmerica’s military family in the 21-state TRICARE West Region.

NEXT CMAA MEET ING

Hosted by the East Bay

& San Joaquin

Regions

See you there!

2010 FALL CONFERENCESeptember 9-12, 2010

Livermore, California

Don’t forget tobring your

cowgirl/cowboygear with you!