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September 22, 2026

News and Resources for Physicians and their staff in Kern County

IN THIS ISSUE

iICYMI CalMedForce opens 2026–27 grant cycle with $83.5 million available for California GME programs

Noridian finalizes peripheral nerve procedure coverage policy effective Nov. 1

CDPH issues 2026-27 respiratory virus immunization recommendations

CMA warns 2027 Medicare proposals could further destabilize physician practices

Bipartisan Medicare physician payment reform bill gains momentum in Congress

National Physician Suicide Awareness Day calls for action to reduce stigma, support physicians

CMA urges CMS to withdraw proposed 50% Modifier 25 payment cut

How to put your new physician practice on strong financial footing

Residents bring creative vision to pediatric ophthalmology

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join KCMS for an evening of connection, conversation, and community engagement. Immediately following the social hour, KCMS will host a brief town hall on California’s 22nd Congressional District focused on dialogue and civic engagement.

Both candidates have received the same invitation. At this time, Randy Villegas has accepted, while Congressman David Valadao’s invitation remains pending. KCMS will provide an update if participation is confirmed.

KCMS does not endorse or oppose candidates.

1 guest per member. Bring a new physician guest for an additional door prize entry.

CalMedForce opens 2026–27 grant cycle with $83.5 million available for California GME programs

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC), in partnership with the University of California, has opened the FY 2026–27 CalMedForce and CalMedForce+ grant cycle, providing approximately $83.5 million to support graduate medical education (GME) programs across California.

Together, CalMedForce and CalMedForce+ support new, expanding and existing residency and fellowship programs, with funding aimed at strengthening California's physician workforce and supporting programs that serve medically underserved areas and populations.

Application deadline: October 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. PT. Late applications will not be accepted

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LATEST NEWS

Noridian finalizes peripheral nerve procedure coverage policy effective Nov. 1

Noridian has finalized a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) governing Medicare coverage for peripheral nerve injections and denervation procedures used to treat chronic pain. The policy takes effect November 1, 2026.

The California Medical Association (CMA) raised concerns about the proposed policy last year, warning that overly restrictive coverage criteria could limit access to peripheral nerve procedures used to manage chronic pain. CMA also joined the Multisociety Pain Workgroup in submitting detailed recommendations to Noridian.

Following those comments, Noridian made several changes to the final policy, including:

Adding limited coverage for genicular nerve denervation for knee osteoarthritis
Adding limited coverage for sympathetic nerve blocks to treat complex regional pain syndrome
Removing lifetime limits on injections for median nerve conditions and Morton’s neuroma
Adding supporting evidence and clarifying certain coverage criteria More...

CDPH issues 2026-27 respiratory virus immunization recommendations

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the West Coast Health Alliance have released updated immunization recommendations for the 2026-27 respiratory virus season, reaffirming that vaccination remains the best available protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The recommendations are informed by guidance from national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Family Physicians. More...

CMA warns 2027 Medicare proposals could further destabilize physician practices

The California Medical Association (CMA) is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider several proposed Medicare payment policies that could impose additional financial and administrative burdens on physician practices in 2027.

In comprehensive comments submitted September 14, CMA warned that the proposed changes come as physician practices continue to face rising operating costs and decades of declining Medicare payment. More...

Bipartisan Medicare physician payment reform bill gains momentum in Congress

Bipartisan momentum is building behind comprehensive legislation to reform the Medicare physician payment system, with lawmakers from both parties expressing support for long-term solutions during a September 15 congressional hearing.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health examined the Patients First Act and other Medicare payment proposals as part of a hearing focused on persistent challenges facing physicians and other health care providers. More...

National Physician Suicide Awareness Day calls for action to reduce stigma, support physicians

The California Medical Association (CMA) joins organizations across the country in recognizing National Physician Suicide Awareness Day on September 17 and calling attention to the stigma and systemic barriers that can prevent physicians from seeking mental health care.

Physicians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. Nearly half of physicians report knowing a physician or colleague who has considered, attempted or died by suicide, while more than seven in 10 say stigma surrounding mental health and seeking care remains widespread within the profession. More...

CMA urges CMS to withdraw proposed 50% Modifier 25 payment cut

The California Medical Association (CMA) has joined the American Medical Association (AMA) and more than 150 medical organizations in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to withdraw a proposal that would reduce payment for certain services billed with Modifier 25.

Under the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS would reduce payment when a separately identifiable office or outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) service is provided by the same physician or group practice on the same day as a procedure with a zero-, 10- or 90-day global period. More...

How to put your new physician practice on strong financial footing

Physician entrepreneurs must think and act like business owners as well as clinicians. That was one of the key messages delivered by Michael Jerkins, MD, MEd, president and co-founder of Panacea Financial, at the inaugural AMA Physician Entrepreneur Forum held in Chicago last month.

In his address, Dr. Jerkins worked to “peel back the curtain on what banks or financing partners look for,” he said. “They are going to be looking at you as an individual and as a business.” More...

Residents bring creative vision to pediatric ophthalmology

Resident physicians who care for children are learning about how to engender trust in their youngest patients—a particular challenge when visits are likely to be confusing or stressful. The resident ophthalmologists behind one project in Louisiana hope to use patient artwork to gain insight into how the children they treat see the world—literally—to the benefit of all involved.

“In ophthalmology, there are so many ways to institute humanity, which is the purpose of this grant. But pediatric ophthalmology is kind of an obvious one,” said Tanvi Chokshi, MD, a PGY-2 ophthalmology resident at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine. “An eye exam is so different than the regular appointments.” More...

JUST IN EVENT

Free Webinar on Improving Prior Authorization Success Rates

Prior authorization requirements continue to create barriers to timely patient care, with 95% of physicians reporting care delays associated with the process.* CAP’s free webinar, presented by the experts at MedCycle Solutions, will help you and your staff improve authorization success rates, reduce administrative burdens, streamline workflows, and accelerate reimbursement.

Improving Prior Authorization Success Rates

Date: Wednesday, September 30

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT

This webinar will help attendees:

Understand the prior authorization process, from benefit verification through approval and documentation.
Identify common errors and breakdowns that lead to delays, denials, and lost revenue.
Apply best practices for submitting complete, accurate requests with appropriate clinical documentation.
Develop workflows for tracking, follow-up, appeals, and peer-to-peer reviews to protect reimbursement.

The discussion will include audience Q&A. Register now to receive the recording and slides once they are available.

Since 1975, the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) has delivered exceptional medical malpractice coverage and a wide array of risk management and practice management resources, such as these free webinars, to help California physicians run safe and successful practices.

To learn more about becoming a CAP member, please call 800-356-5672 or email MD@CAPphysicians.com. Request an Instant Quote today to see how much you can save on medical malpractice coverage as a member of CAP.

*2025 AMA Prior Authorization Physician Survey

Medical professional liability coverage is provided to CAP members through the Mutual Protection Trust (MPT), an unincorporated interindemnity arrangement organized under Section 1280.7 of the California Insurance Code

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