Promoting the science and art of medicine, care and well-being of patients, protection of the public health, and betterment of the medical profession.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025
Gov. Newsom has signed a package of bills to expand reproductive health protections, safeguard patient privacy, and shield California physicians from out-of-state legal action for providing reproductive care. CMA has long supported efforts to protect access to reproductive health care and will continue to advocate for strong patient and physician protections.
While Medicare and Medicaid payments will continue during the federal government shutdown, important programs expired on September 30 – including pandemic-era telehealth waivers, community health center funding, and the National Health Service Corps. Physicians may continue providing telehealth care and billing Medicare for those services, but payments are being held and are not guaranteed (though Congress has historically paid them retroactively). CMA advises physicians to consider rescheduling or converting telehealth visits to in-person care when possible until Congress acts to restore these flexibilities.
Wed, 01 Oct 2025
The California Board of Pharmacy’s final compounding regulations explicitly exempt physicians and other non-pharmacy providers. CMA’s advocacy ensured physician practices will not be subject to pharmacy-only requirements, such as having an on-site pharmacist. The new rules take effect October 1, 2025.
Cigna has agreed to pause implementation of its new automatic downcoding policy pending review by DMHC, following CMA’s inquiry. CMA is seeking clarification on which Cigna products the pause applies to and continues to press for full withdrawal of the policy.
Mon, 29 Sep 2025
HHS has released updated security risk assessment tool, designed to help small and medium-sized practices comply with HIPAA’s Security Rule. The update improves usability and adds audit-ready reporting features.
Thu, 25 Sep 2025
Unless Congress acts before Sept. 30, 2025, key Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire, sharply limiting patient access to care. Physician practices should review their patient schedules now and prepare for disruptions.
Wed, 24 Sep 2025
A federal antitrust lawsuit against MultiPlan and several major insurers is moving forward, alleging a price-fixing scheme that systematically underpaid out-of-network physicians. The case could result in substantial financial recoveries for affected providers. CMA is hosting a webinar on November 20 to help practices determine eligibility and protect their rights.
A federal judge has rejected a constitutional challenge to California’s Truth in Advertising law, confirming that only licensed physicians (MDs and DOs) may use the title “doctor” in clinical settings. The court held that non-physicians’ use of “doctor” in patient care is “inherently misleading” commercial speech and not protected under the First Amendment.
Thu, 18 Sep 2025
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Nov. 21, 2025, and temporarily extend many expiring health care programs, but not the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. The bill now heads to the United States Senate, where most Democrats have said they will oppose unless it includes an ACA tax credit extension. CMA is urging physicians to contact Congress to extend ALL expiring health care programs, including the ACA tax credits critical to keeping coverage affordable.
CMA is now accepting early testimony on this year's major issue in advance of the 2025 CMA
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