Reimbursement Assistance
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Reimbursement Assistance

CMA’s Center for Economic Services (CES) provides one-on-one practice management assistance to physician members and their staff. Our goal is to empower physician practices by providing resources and guidance to improve the success of the practice. Assistance ranges from coaching and education to direct intervention with payors or regulators. CES also develops resources and tools to assist practices

Billing Assistance

Billing Assistance

Receive expert help with physician reimbursement and medical business issues.

Practice Resources

Practice Resources

CMA provides tools, resources and guidance to improve the success of your medical practice. 

Education Resources

Education Resources

Attend in-person seminars, secure CME or watch on-demand webinars.

Get Help

CMA’s provides one-on-one practice management assistance to physician members and their staff.

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Know Your Rights

CMA has resources to help you know your rights so you can identify and fight unfair payment practices

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Stay Informed

Our CMA Practice Resources (CPR) newsletter keeps you up-to-date on critical payor and health care industry changes.

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Meet the Team

Practice management experts with a combined experience of 125+ years in medical practice operations.

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The value that CMA brings to physician practices cannot be understated. Membership is not a cost to my practice – it is an investment. I couldn’t run my practice without it.”

Tom McKenzie, M.D., member since 1991

Meet the CES Team

The center is staffed by practice management experts with a combined experience of over 125 years in medical practice operations.

Jodi Black

Jodi Black >>

Vice President, Economic Services

Jodi leads CMA’s economic advocacy and education on issues affecting the business of a practice. She also focuses on driving policy change through regulatory advocacy related to managed care and Medi-Cal. Jodi’s 25+ years of experience make her a trusted expert in the field of physician practice operations, advocacy and health policy.  

Mark Lane

Mark Lane

Director, CES Publications and Resources 

Mark spearheads the development and management of publications and resources, harnessing nearly 30 years of extensive experience in the health care industry as a senior advocate dedicated to empowering, educatingand providing exceptional support to CMA members.

Kari Perry-Ailstock

Kari Perry-Ailstock

Director, Medi-Cal Plan Relations

Kari supports CMA members by addressing challenges with claims and payor policies, focusing on advocating on behalf of physicians. She brings over 20 years of experience in physician practice management. Prior to joining CMA, Kari served as a revenue cycle coordinator and regional clinic coordinator, bringing extensive expertise to her current role.

 

Juli Portola

Juli Portola

Director, Special Projects 

Juli focuses on policy advocacy, supporting practices on managed care issues including out-of-network billing and network adequacy, along with scope of practice issues, and regulatory engagement. Juli’s 10+ years of experience enable her to effectively support practices and champion the needs of physicians and patients alike.

Mitzi Young

Mitzi Young

Associate Director, Practice Strategies 

With a focus on practice management and operations, Mitzi supports CMA member practices by identifying ways to optimize their operational workflow. She evaluates and recommends strategies to enhance financial health, improve staff morale and create efficient internal systems. For more than 25 years, Mitzi has been driven by a commitment to help providers thrive in the face of the health care industry's continuous challenges and transformations.

Cheryl Bradly

Cheryl Bradley

Associate Director, economic services 

With over 25 years of experience in the Medicare program, Cheryl offers problem-solving assistance to CMA members on practice management issues and helps physicians navigate the complexity of the Medicare program. Cheryl shares her insights from her extensive experience in the Medicare program at conferences or speaking events.

 

Ellyn Staebler

Ellyn Staebler

Educational Program Coordinator & Executive Assistant

Ellyn is the Educational Program Coordinator and Executive Assistant. She serves as the first point of contact for physician inquiries, triaging issues to ensure effective resolution. Ellyn brings over seven years of experience in medical group administration prior to joining CMA, and a wealth of knowledge to support physician members.

Running a new practice can be a daunting task...CMA provides invaluable assistance in practice management."

Chunwen Teng, D.O., Family Medicine, Member since 2016

We Help You Get Paid

Over the past 14 years, CES successfully recouped nearly $40 million from payors on behalf of our physician members. CMA’s practice management experts provide one-on-one practice management assistance to physician members and their staff. Assistance ranges from coaching and education to direct intervention with payors or regulators. Access to CMA’s practice management experts is members-only benefit. 

When do I call CMA?

CMA members can call on CMA’s practice management experts for free one-on-one help with contracting, billing, and payment problems. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, it might be time to call for help.

  • Are your claims not being paid in a timely manner or according to your contract?
  • Do you need assistance regarding the new law on payment and billing for out-of-network services (AB 72)?
  • Are you receiving untimely requests for refunds or is a payor recouping money without first notifying you in writing of a refund request?
  • Do you need assistance creating a business case as to why a payor should consider contracting/re-contracting with your practice?
  • Do you need help with Medicare-related issues?
  • Are your claims being denied after obtaining prior authorization?
  • Are you receiving unreasonable requests for medical records?
  • Do you need help identifying common practice mistakes costing you money?
  • Have you been presented with a managed care contract and you’re not sure if the terms are consistent with California law? 
  • Have you done everything you can to resolve an issue with a payor, including appealing, and have been unsuccessful?

Call CMA’s reimbursement helpline today and we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to identify and fight unfair payment practices. 

Reimbursement Helpline: (800) 786-4262 | ​Email Us


For more information on our tools and resources, visit our Practice Management page.

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