Risk Management Publications

Meet Sarah E. Scher, Chief Executive Officer of CAP. Physician Today spoke with her recently to find out more about why an organization like CAP can be such a huge benefit to the state’s physicians, especially now during these uncertain times.

Plaintiff Gets Leeway in Timing of Suit Against Subsequent Treater

Determining when a plaintiff must act to sue a healthcare provider is a topic of longstanding interest in California’s courts. A new case adds a twist: Does a patient suing a subsequent treating physician get additional time to sue?

Think About Patient Safety When Reopening Your Medical Practice

As patients resume scheduling their routine medical appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, vigilance is required to protect them from infection and to reduce the risk of potential COVID-related litigation. The following is a sample list of risk reduction strategies to ensure your patients’ safety.

Telemedicine Makes Its Mark in 2020

With the health emergency declared, Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), proceeded to issue multiple waivers under his authority of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to quickly expand access to and use of telehealth services for Medicare recipients.

California Workers’ Compensation Benefits for COVID-19?

Historically, communicable diseases, such as the flu, have generally not been covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Workers can file a workers’ compensation claim alleging COVID-19 contraction or exposure, but until the recent Executive Order N-62-20 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, they would have to show that they contracted the disease while they were on the job.

Risk Assessment Peer Review Committee: Physician Openings for Committee Participation

CAP prides itself on being a physician-owned and governed organization. Vital to the organization is the instrumental role physician members play by participating on a variety of committees.

Ask My Practice: New to Telemedicine

Question: How do I let my patients know that our practice now offers the option of telemedicine visits? What can I do to ensure that my patients receive the same level of care with telemedicine visits as they do with in-office visits?

June, 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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