By now, you know that a HIPAA breach not only can be costly and time-consuming, but can also jeopardize your relationship with patients who trust you to safeguard their privacy. Regardless of practice size or scope, no healthcare provider is immune from being penalized for a breach.

In voting to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Andrew Sew Hoy, MD, the Mutual Protection Trust Board of Trustees has elected Stewart Shanfield, MD, to join the five-member Board.

Many physicians feel they are not well informed about the indications, risks, benefits, and side effects of medical cannabis. Considering the inconsistency with federal and state laws and the mixed messages between legislation and government action, it is easy to see why most physicians have opted to avoid the issue until the confusion clears.

Effective July 1, 2018, the California Legislature, under Senate Bill 189, will broaden the criteria for owners in some entity types to be eligible for exclusion on new and renewal policies.

When reporting their findings, it is common to see consulting physicians recommend further testing. Absent such an explicit recommendation, a patient’s decision to bypass conservative measures can spell trouble for all.