Risk Management Publications

Second Annual CAPtivating Causes Awards to Highlight Members’ Community Outreach Efforts

In announcing this year’s CAPtivating Causes, CAP is especially interested in hearing about what our members are doing in their own local communities to advance health equity among those who do not have access to traditional avenues of medical care.

Plaintiff Experts Need to Connect the Dots on Causation

Virtually all medical malpractice cases turn on expert testimony. If the conflicting testimony by the expert witnesses called by the plaintiff and the defendant meets proper thresholds, a jury will be called on to decide which expert to believe. But even a well-qualified physician cannot utter just any words to get a case to the jury.

Focused Review: A Look Into Urgent Care

In the latest focused review, the risk management and patient safety experts with the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. identified five common areas of liability risk associated with claims against UC physicians.

Final Guidelines Announced for Full Implementation of CURES 2.0

In 2016, California passed SB 482, requiring physicians to check the Controlled Substances Utilization Review and Evaluation System — better known as CURES — before prescribing opioids and other controlled substances to a patient for the first time. The law also requires the authorized prescriber to check the CURES database at least once every four months while the drug remains part of the treatment.

Ask My Practice: Sexual Harassment Avoidance Training Requirements?

Question: I have five staff members in my medical practice and I read somewhere that California now requires sexual harassment prevention training for employees. Does my office need to meet this requirement or does this not apply to small businesses?

Health Insurance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many insurance carriers are providing additional services to their members during this challenging time. Please feel free to contact our benefits insurance broker partner, Ashbrook-Clevidence, if you would like assistance in managing your health insurance plans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July, 2020

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June, 2020

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May, 2020

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CAP COVID-19 Resource Center

CAP is committed to helping our member physicians meet the challenges that arise during the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, CAP has launched our COVID-19 resource page, which will continually be revised with key guidance and current best practices. Among the useful resources the site currently offers are printable office signage templates, healthcare provider resources, and extensive guidance to implementing telemedicine in your practice.

The Latest Strategies for Treating and Protecting Against Coronavirus

As new information emerges daily around the Coronavirus and as the search for answers continue, the risk management and patient safety experts with the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. (CAP) would like to ensure that physicians and medical communities across California have access to the most reliable resources to remain aware of the latest strategies in treatment, protection, and prevention.

The Coronavirus Threat Lurking Beyond the Clinic

Outside of websites, texts, and social media posts advertising fake products, cures, and false information, physicians and their staff should be aware of phishing emails circulating throughout the healthcare industry, among others. CAPAdvantage program member, Acentec, has recently distributed an alert to warn the medical community of scammers who are trying to capitalize on fears surrounding the virus and its potential spread.

New Evidence About Severe Pulmonary Disease Linked to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

Electronic Nicotine Delivery systems (ENDS) are the newest emerging technology in the epidemic of novel tobacco products that has been spilling out of start-up companies for the last 13 years. So physicians wonder, “How should I respond when my patients seek advice about using these electronic devices?”

How to Respond to Patient Grievance Letters

What should you do when your office receives a grievance letter from a health plan and a written response is requested?

Patient Record Requests: What Is Proper Release Protocol?

Medical practices frequently receive medical record release requests from multiple sources, including subpoenas, attorney letters, and patients themselves. Learn the answers to several frequently asked questions by patients.

Refresher: Discontinuing the Patient-Physician Relationship

CAP's Hotline receives frequent calls requesting guidelines on discontinuing/terminating this patient-physician relationship, not because of wellness, but because the physician no longer desires to have the patient in his practice. From these calls, we have learned of "misunderstandings," which this article intends to clarify.

Who Must Sign a Death Certificate?

CAP member physicians frequently call our hotline with questions about completing a patient’s death certificate. Sometimes, they are reluctant to sign the legal document since they were not in attendance at the time of death. Other times, they inquire if their nurse practitioner or physician assistant can sign the death certificate for them.

Does Your Medical Practice Need a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certificate of Waiver?

Does your staff perform any in-office laboratory tests, such as patient urine dip-sticks or Glucose Tolerance Tests?

How Long Do I Have to Keep My Patient’s Medical Records?

Here is the question asked most often on our risk management hotline: How long should our office retain patient medical records and billing information?

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