One physician discusses the growing problem of sham peer review. Sham peer review is being used by hospital administrations to control and eliminate physician whistleblowers and other targeted physicians.

Here are four steps to stop losing revenue from patients who miss appointments.

Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH * Robert Splawn, MD, MPH * J. Michael Wormley, MD * Alexander Gershman, MD * Priya Yerasi, MD

The California Medical Association vows to keep fighting for a better payment system, but says physicians should brace for a bumpy ride.

Alarmed over the low bed capacity in Los Angeles County hospitals, California State Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-San Fernando Valley) held a press conference urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign the reintroduced Golden Hour Bill (SB 1773). Sen. Alarcon's bill boosts funding for the local healthcare system.

On Sept. 13, physicians testified at a public hearing in Burbank about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's three proposed regulations impacting emergency care billing practices.

The long-term public health dangers of global warming deserve our immediate attention.

Organized medicine won't back down from the latest assault to physicians--the Schwarzenegger administration's proposed regulations to control billing practices for emergency services.

Doctors are fighting back in the legal and legislative arenas. Absent satisfactory resolution, some worry the changes will diminish patients' access to care and boost insurance company power.

Read on for details about the onerous regulations.

The California Medical Association's 150th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to highlight its many milestones and trailblazers. Here are facts from 1856 forward.

As traditional practice modes become more challenging and less rewarding, physicians are searching out new ways to be doctors. Meet four peers who have changed their approach to medicine and learn how they spend a typical day. See what their personal stories mean for the physician community overall. Meet Marcy Zwelling-Aamot, MD. A triple board-certified internist and founder of Choice Care Inc., Dr. Zwelling-Aamot, 53, works as a concierge physician providing personalized medical care to nearly 500 patients. Each patient pays her an annual fee of about $1,500, which includes all doctor visits and an extensive physical.

Amid all the "motherhood and apple pie" concepts in Proposition 86 is an exemption for hospitals from antitrust laws-hospitals would be given the ability to set and regulate doctor fees and doctor duties. Backed by the California Hospital Association, Proposition 86 would give hospitals monopoly power.

The association teams up with Bridgeport Financial, which takes a positive public-relations approach to medical debt collections.

I am always proud to read about physicians who travel to distant lands to donate their time and expertise to the underserved around the globe. Many stories have been about physicians from Orange County. Still, I have often thought that there are people in the United States who could use help and more doctors could participate if the volunteerism were local. The time for this type of program may be near.

The Orange County Medical Association, in conjunction with Orange Coast Magazine, completed the process of selecting the 2007 Physicians of Excellence that will be published in the magazine's January health and beauty edition.

In August, I met my medical revivalists. They did not inspire like Billy Graham, rant like Elmer Gantry or seek financial contributions like many TV preachers. They conducted a course for the American Medical Directors Association, or AMDA. Pronounced "am duh," the acronym belies their sense of dedication and commitment.

This past July, 30 members and guest of the Riverside County Medical Association cruised the Tahitian Islands. Plan now to be in on the fun during the next trip, which is to Alaska in 2007.

The Riverside County Medical Association Fall Association Meeting and Annual Awards Presentation is Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Mission Inn, Riverside. The guest speaker is Linda Hawes Clever, MD, MACP, president of RENEW.

National Provider Identifiers are coming. These 10-digit identifiers came about through HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and will be required for electronic transactions beginning May 23, 2007. Most every physician should get an NPI.

The impact of the Riverside County Medical Association's Physician Information and Referral Service on new patient business is tangible. Almost 400 new patients were introduced to RCMA members through the service.

Here is a brief update about the changes made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Instruction Manual.

San Bernardino County Medical Society medical student leaders and staff attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine's Freshman Orientation and Registration on Aug. 3. By explaining member benefits and opportunities, the student leaders assisted staff in successfully recruiting 102 new student members.

The Healthy Lifestyles Award Program is designed to help school children understand and embrace healthy behaviors. Classes create projects that reflect desirable health habits. The program is an annual community partnership initiative of the San Bernardino County Medical Society, the SBCMS-Alliance and the Inland Wellness Information Network.

Physicians everywhere hope to avoid beginning 2007 as we began 2006 with a reimbursement cut implemented and retroactive action required to reverse it. In addition, we hope to avoid the situation where physicians must decide to opt out of Medicare due to poor payment rates, which results in reduced access to care.

Experts and physicians reveal six ways doctors can reduce stress and find balance.

Apple Valley ER doctor David Bolivar, MD, gives back to his native Colombia by building a school in the heart of the jungle.