CDA sues over Medi-Cal cuts; are you ready for flu season?

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The California Dental Association (CDA) and three other medical groups are suing the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- which oversees the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) -- after CMS approved a 10% cutback in Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.

By law, the state was required to demonstrate to CMS that access to care for Medi-Cal patients would not be impacted by the cutbacks. But the lawsuit alleges the state's efforts fell far short of this goal. Read more.

In other Practice Management Community news, a start-up founded by a dentist with more than 20 years of experience in insurance coding is now making this information available via a secure, Web-based service that gives dental professionals 24/7 access to searchable information about CDT codes and billing. Read more.

Meanwhile, over in the Hygiene Community, this time of year begs the question: Are you ready for flu season? Healthcare providers are at high risk of becoming infected with influenza, pertussis, measles, mumps, and other infectious diseases. But research has shown that awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases is lacking among dental care providers. Click here to read what experts recommend when it comes to protecting yourself and your patients.

And in her latest Dental Diaries entry, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares her experience with texting as a patient-communication tool -- for better or worse.

Finally, here's wishing you and yours a healthy and happy Thanksgiving holiday!