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. The event also gives new members an opportunity to meet their colleagues.
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.
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 members can contact Larry McLaughlin, Esq., at 707-823-2134 for free legal advice 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.
CMA Member Help Center. SCMA members can call the CMA Member Help Center at 800-786-4262 for help with general, legal and reimbursement issues.
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/bookstore.
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 www.cmanet.org/bookstore.
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.
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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 525-4375. 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.
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 at lunchtime.
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.
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Publications
SCMA members receive free subscriptions to the following publications:
Sonoma Medicine. Quarterly magazine published by SCMA that features articles by local physicians on medical topics.
SCMA News Briefs. Monthly electronic newsletter that covers the latest local, state and national medical news.
In addition, the CMA On-Line Bookstore has a wide array of books, periodicals and electronic products available to help your practice run smoothly, including legal handbooks, practice management guides, and patient education materials.
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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 support the Center's programs, which emphasize 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 how 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.
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