Activity Description

A one hour self-paced web based learning module focusing on how physicians can protect their patients and their practice through effective documentation and establishing internal controls. Co-sponsored by UC San Diego PACE (Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program) and the California Department of Health Care Services, the module increases physician awareness of how legible, complete, accurate, and secure documentation is vital to practice management. The program discusses how provider agreements are enforceable contracts. This eLearning also instructs physicians that they are responsible for the work done in their name.

Target Audience
The target audience for this course includes physicians and osteopaths, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who treat Medi-Cal patients.

Method of Participation
The estimated time to complete this activity is one (1) hour. Participants should view the presentation, and answer the multiple-choice test questions contained within the presentation to receive a certificate online immediately upon completion.

This activity is presented via the Medi-Cal Learning Portal. Users must create an account and pass the connection test.

Educational Objectives
Following completion of this educational activity, learners should be able to:

• Describe how legible, complete, accurate, and secure medical record documentation is vital to managing and protecting one’s medical practice.
• Explain why provider agreements are enforceable contracts and explain steps to take prior to entering into such contracts.
• Describe how physicians are responsible for all work done in their name. 

Statement of Need
Medi-Cal providers (physicians, osteopaths, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) have limited awareness about how medical records impact the quality of care provided. Records may be viewed as personal notes or a document best suited to fee-for-service reimbursement. This web-based training explains how documentation is for a greater audience and its relevance in all healthcare models. Many physicians enter into business arrangements without understanding the potential effects on their practice and license. This training emphasizes to physicians that provider agreements are enforceable contracts. In addition, it underscores the legal and ethical responsibilities of work performed in their name. Therefore, it remains critical to know employees’ and associates’ credentials.

Release Date: June 1, 2015
Expiration Date: June 30, 2020 

Faculty

Course Director
William Norcross, M.D.
Executive Director
Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE)
University of California, San Diego

Presenters
Suraj Achar, M.D.
Clinical Professor
University of California, San Diego

Shantanu Agrawal, M.D.
Deputy Administrator of Program Integrity
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

David Bazzo, M.D.
Director, Fitness for Duty
Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE)
University of California, San Diego

Dev GnanaDev, M.D.
Vice-President
Medical Board of California
Chief of Surgery, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

Jennifer Kent
Director 
California Department of Health Care Services

Liz Romero, M.D.
Medical Consultant
California Department of Health Care Services
Audits and Investigations

Denis Schexnayder, M.D.
Medical Consultant
California Department of Health Care Services
Audits and Investigations

Denise Sur, M.D.
Vice Chair for Education, Department of Family Medicine, UCLA 
Director, UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program

Planning Committee

David Bazzo, M.D.
Director, Fitness for Duty
Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE)
University of California, San Diego

Donna Gray-Bowersox
Health Program Manager III
Medical Review Branch
California Department of Health Care Services

William Norcross, M.D.
Executive Director
Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE)
University of California, San Diego

Disclosure
The following faculty, planning committee members, and project staff have indicated they have no financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to the content of this activity:

• David Bazzo, M.D.
• Donna Gray-Bowersox
• William Norcross, M.D.

The CME staff, meeting planners, editorial staff, planning committee, and CME committee reviewers do not have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Off-label Disclosure: This educational activity may contain discussion of unlabeled and/or investigational uses of agents that are not approved by the FDA. Please consult the prescribing information for each product.

The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of California, San Diego.