SCMA Member Benefits

Benefits and activities for SCMA members are detailed below. They include: 

• Collegial events 

• Legal and financial services

• Legislative advocacy

• Membership committees

• Publications

• Community relations

Collegial Events

SCMA members are invited to attend the following free events:

Awards Dinner. This annual fall dinner includes presentations of SCMA awards to local physicians and community members.

Wine and Cheese Reception. Held at a different winery each spring, this informal event celebrates the highlights of the year and the installation of SCMA officers.

New Member Welcome Dinner. Hosted by SCMA and the SCMA Alliance, this event honors new members and features a reception, a guest speaker, dinner and dancing.

In addition, the California Medical Association sponsors several statewide events every year, including:

Annual Session. SCMA physicians regularly attend the CMA House of Delegates, which establishes the policies that guide CMA.

Leadership Academy. This Academy helps physicians develop leadership skills and understand the latest trends in health care.

Legislative Day. On this day, physicians from around the state meet in Sacramento to visit their local representatives. 

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Legal and Financial Services

SCMA offers a range of legal and financial services to its members.

Free legal advice. SCMA’s legal counsel provides free legal advice to members and their staff on contracts and agreements, subpoenas, employer/employee relations, collections, confidentiality, and records retention.

Physician complaints. Complaints about SCMA members are referred to our Professional Standards and Conduct Committee, a peer review panel that investigates the quality or efficacy of medical services and tries to resolve complaints through mutual understanding and education. Complaints against nonmember physicians are referred to the Medical Board of California.

Wage and benefits survey. SCMA members can use the results of this confidential survey to manage their practices.

Mailing Labels. SCMA provides member physicians with labels to announce the establishment or closure of their medical practice, the opening of a new or additional office, or the addition of a member or applicant associate. We also rent our membership mailing list to members, nonmembers, and the community.

CMA Legal Information Line. Members can receive free information on legal issues by calling the CMA legal department at 415-882-5144.

CMA ON-CALL. An online library containing over 3,000 pages of medical-legal, regulatory, and reimbursement information. ON-CALL documents are available free to members (nonmembers pay $2 per page). For details, visit www.cmanet.org.

California Physician’s Legal Handbook. Available in print, CD-ROM or subscription versions, this handbook answers legal questions most frequently asked by physicians. For details, visit the CMA On-Line Bookstore at www.cmanet.org.

CMA Member Helplines. SCMA members can call the numbers listed below for help with general, legal and reimbursement issues:
CMA Member Hotline: 800-786-4262
Legal Information: 415-882-5144
Reimbursement Helpline: 888-401-5911

Legislative Advocacy

Physicians consistently indicate that influencing public policy is a top priority. Our members regularly meet with candidates for public office, enabling physicians to be effectively involved at all levels of government.

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Membership Committees

Members who are interested in safeguarding public health, upholding professional standards, or helping with Sonoma Medicine magazine can sign up for an SCMA committee. A complete list appears below.

To sign up, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 525-4359. Committee appointments require approval by the SCMA board of directors.

Awards. Oversees the nomination process for SCMA’s annual Outstanding Contribution awards. Meets once a year at lunchtime.

Community Health. Develops programs that promote and safeguard public health. Meeting frequency varies.

Editorial Board. Approves editorial content for Sonoma Medicine magazine. Meets quarterly at lunchtime.

Health Careers Scholarship. Recommends recipients for scholarships and student loans. Meets twice a year.

Legislative. Organizes meetings with local legislators. Meeting frequency varies.

Medical Review. Reviews medical malpractice claims involving SCMA members. Usually five meetings per year at 7 p.m.

Professional Standards and Conduct. Investigates and interprets matters relating to professional standards and conduct. Usually four meetings per year at 7 p.m.

Publications

SCMA members receive subscriptions to the following publications:

Sonoma Medicine. Each issue of this award-winning quarterly magazine focuses on a particular medical topic, with articles by SCMA members and other health professionals. The magazine also includes articles of general interest on a wide range of topics.

SCMA News Briefs. This monthly newsletter provides a handy roundup of local, state and national medical news, along with updates about SCMA activities and CME events.

Sonoma County Physician Directory. This annual pictorial directory offers detailed listings for all SCMA members, along with specialty listings for almost every physician practicing in Sonoma County. A valuable list of resources is included as well.

Community Relations

SCMA has a strong presence in the community. Our activities include:

Community Involvement. SCMA members serve on the boards of many local health organizations, including the Health Action Council; the Specialty Access Task Force; the Children’s Health Initiative; the Sonoma Health Alliance; the Perinatal Substance Abuse Council; the SCMA Alliance and Foundation; the Pacific Foundation for Medical Care; the Asthma Coalition; and the Northern California Center for Well-Being.

Northern California Center for Well-Being. SCMA is proud to sponsor the Center’s programs, which promote health education, wellness and prevention.

Kids’ Net. SCMA has long been involved with this collaborative volunteer effort to provide immediate medical care for uninsured children.

Public Inquiries. SCMA receives more than 300 inquiries each month about members, including their education, training and board certification; who accepts Medi-Cal and Medicare; and ow to file a complaint against a physician.

Physician Complaints. SCMA handles public complaints about the quality or efficacy of medical services performed by SCMA members. Our Professional Standards and Conduct Committee has avoided many potential lawsuits by resolving questions and disputes through mutual understanding and education. Patient complaints against nonmember physicians are referred to the Medical Board of California.