Membership Information

Member Benefits

The Kern County Medical Society and California Medical Association are organizations responsive to the needs of physician members. Many of the things you need to make your professional life easier are available through KCMS/CMA membership. From insurance plans to legal information, you will find assistance for your practice and a wealth of resources to keep you current. Take advantage of the many member services available. They will add convenience to your life while saving you time and money.

The KCMS staff is available to help you or your office personnel with questions you may have regarding practice management, regulatory and legal issues. For assistance, e-mail your inquiry to khughes@kms.org or give our office a call at 661/325-9025.

KCMS/CMA Group Buying & Discount Programs

Practice Management

Coding Hotline - Available to KCMS Member Offices only. Call 800/738-6616.

Free Health Plan Contract Analysis - CMA provides members with free access to their analysis of many major health plan contracts. Information on the contract analysis service: From CMA's web site www.cmanet.org select CMA On-Call and find document # 1705 CMA Contract Analysis under Managed Care or call 800-592-4CMA

CMA Model Managed Care Contract - Model contract provides physicians with information on issues commonly presented by managed care contracts. To obtain the Model Managed Care Contract: from CMA's web site www.cmanet.org, select CMA On Call and find document # 1069 under Managed Care or call 800-592-4CMA

"ACT SMART" CMA Physician Office Compliance Plan - A model compliance plan for the physicians office which provides a blue print for developing effective internal controls to adhere to federal and state laws.
To obtain Act Smart: From www.cmanet.org , select CMA Book Store and find ACT SMART under Medical Practice Resources, or call 1-800-882-4CMA

Reimbursement Hot Line: Hot Line for direct assistance with reimbursement problems and/or to report concerns and trends that physicians are observing in reimbursement for their services. Call 415-882-3331.

Hassle Factor Log: Put your questions and/or concerns in writing by completing the Hassle Factor Log and mail or fax to CMA's reimbursement specialists. The Log helps CMA resolve physician's problems.

Informational Documents: Answers to frequently asked reimbursement questions, sample appeal letters and information about laws that protect you and will help you get paid are available on the Internet at http://cmanet.org access the member only site, select CMA ON-Call and then select your topic from the index. If you do not have Internet access, call 1-800-4CMA to order the documents by fax.

Credit Union

KCMS members, their employees, immediate family and household members are eligible to join Kern Schools Federal Credit Union. Call (661/833-7900 or 800/221-3311) or visit one of the local Kern Schools Federal Credit Union branches to find out more about how Credit Union membership can benefit you. Visit them on the internet at www.ksfcu.org.

Publications

KCMS/CMA members receive the Vital Signs, a monthly publication containing articles and commentary of interest to members. Each member also receives one free membership directory annually.

Web Site and Physician Desktop

Informative coverage of health care issues, local calendar of events, summary of membership benefits, and information on accessing practice management tools are just a few of the features available at www.KMS.org Additionally, members have access to the Physician Desktop, a customizable home page for your computer which allows you to create your own links and chat with other members.

Become a Member