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CMA News

CMA warns 2026-27 state budget will increase health insurance costs

Thu, 18 Jun 2026

California's 2026-27 budget and accompanying health budget trailer bill include a $1.5 billion tax increase that will be passed on to consumers through higher health insurance premiums. The increase could add as much as $400 annually to premiums for a family of four and comes as federal actions are already expected to result in significant coverage losses for Californians.

CMA statement on the passage of the 2026-27 budget and health budget trailer bill

Thu, 18 Jun 2026

In response to the passage of the 2026-27 state budget and accompanying health budget trailer bill, CMA President René Bravo, M.D., issued the following the statement: 

CMA reimbursement advocacy recovers $5.6 million for physician practices in 2025

Thu, 18 Jun 2026

CMA recovered more than $5.6 million on behalf of physician practices in 2025 — marking its second-best recovery year ever. Since 2009, CMA's reimbursement advocacy efforts have helped recover more than $52 million for California physicians.

CMS is now accepting 2026 MIPS hardship exemption applications

Thu, 18 Jun 2026

Physicians affected by cyberattacks, EHR outages and other major operational disruptions may qualify for relief from certain 2026 MIPS requirements. CMS is accepting hardship and exception applications through Dec. 31, 2026, and has expanded eligibility to include exemptions from the Cost performance category and certain administrative claims-based measures.

Anthem extends pause on E/M downcoding policy through Sept. 1

Thu, 18 Jun 2026

Anthem has extended the pause of its automatic E/M downcoding policy through Sept. 1, 2026, while regulators continue to review concerns raised by CMA about the policy's impact on physician practices.

CMA-sponsored bill protecting patients from deepfake doctor scams advances in legislature

Wed, 17 Jun 2026

A CMA-sponsored bill to combat the alarming rise of “deepfake” doctor scams continues to gain momentum in the state legislature. 

California physicians elected to national AMA leadership

Mon, 15 Jun 2026

Several California physicians were elected to leadership positions at the AMA annual House of Delegates meeting this week in Chicago, including the new AMA Board Chair.

Last chance to file older DMHC provider complaints before July 1 deadline

Mon, 15 Jun 2026

Beginning July 1, 2026, DMHC will limit provider complaints to claims within the prior 30 months. Physicians with older disputed claims have until June 30 to file complaints before they become ineligible for review.

Op-Ed: Who invited them to my doctor’s appointment?

Wed, 10 Jun 2026

An op-ed by Alex McDonald, M.D., a family medicine physician based in Fontana. 

CMA stops dangerous physical therapy bill

Fri, 05 Jun 2026

CMA helped stop dangerous legislation that would have significantly expanded the scope of practice for physical therapists. The measure would undermine physician-led, team-based care and increase the risk of misdiagnosis, delayed treatment and inappropriate management of complex patient conditions.