"Medicare has paid my outstanding bills of $200K! Thank you! Fantastic job for clarifying CCI edit guidelines and recovery processes. The job the economic advocacy department does is well worth the dues I pay!"

- David Aizuss, MD
Ophthalmology, Encino

"After joining LACMA, I can now clearly see the importance of involvement of the health care professionals in politics.  The impact of our involvement as patient advocates is so tangible and can be very effective. Thank you for your emails and your assistance for collecting some of my money from a health plan that is playing with my payments!"

- Afshin Akhavan, DO
Family Medicine

"I really appreciate your fine work in helping physicians and their staff understand Medicare rules and regulations. Your educational efforts and work on physicians' behalf make our work in paying physicians correctly so much easier."

- Arthur Lurvey, MD, FACP, FACE
Medicare Contract Medical Director J-1, Palmetto GBA

"Thank you so much for your prompt review and advice. I very much appreciate it. This assistance with insurance and billing issues is a tangible value of joining LACMA that needs to be touted."

- Irving Posalski, MD
Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease, Beverly Hills

"When I joined the Los Angeles County Medical Association, I only wanted the discounts. (They are great! Just one order of prescription pads and various supplies already paid for the annual membership due). But I didn't know what LACMA could really do until I ran into nothing but brick walls when I tried to sort out my Medicare enrollment problems with Palmetto. For over a month, I went absolutely nowhere with them. My phone calls did not go through; information was not available on their website; there was no communication available from them.

Luckily I met Luis Ayala. He told me that LACMA is helping members on this. We contacted LACMA, and they went to work immediately. Soon Palmetto's representatives contacted us and my enrollment was completed within a reasonable time period. I think my attorney's letter to Palmetto didn't hurt the effort too, but I am sure that LACMA's clout is what got their attention. Thank you LACMA."

-Gordon Wong, MD, MPH, JD
Dr. Gordon Wong opened his adult primary care solo practice in Alhambra in Oct. 2008. In addition to being a physician, he also holds an attorney's license.

"Thanks for keeping me in the loop regarding LACMA/CMA. I appreciate your socio-economic updates -- it shows a lot of work on our behalf."

- Stan Alexander, MD
Internal Medicine/Rheumatology, Arcadia

"Thank you for your intervention in having my denied claims paid. It saved me the time and aggravation of filing needless appeals and intimidation from the payor into changing my billings to a lower code."

- John Guagenti, MD
Dermatology, Glendale

"I sincerely appreciate the assistance and coordination with Medicare with regards to my long-overdue claims reimbursements. With LACMA's collaboration with Medicare's EDI department, they were able to fix their system glitch that was causing the non payment of high volumes of claims. This is causing too much exasperation and frustration, and no one in NHIC could tell me when they will start paying what is due me. Also, thank you for facilitating the check payment. The 1st check finally arrived."

- Khan Hameed, MD
Vascular Surgery, West Covina

"LACMA EA is very knowledgeable in healthcare issues and mandates. It is a pleasure to know that LACMA Economic Advocacy is concerned with their members and truly anticipates their needs! It makes our job a lot easier."

- Gale Itagaki for Brian Itagaki, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery, Los Angeles

"It was a pleasure to meet the management of economic advocacy. LACMA's efforts to educate physician personnel do not go unnoticed and we are always grateful that LACMA offers education and insight into current healthcare issues."

- Michelle Lerer, CMM, Paletz Agatstein Urology

"The assistance you provided is just great! Thank you very much! Now another request–I hope you will not regret meeting me and bombarding you with all these requests."

- Jean Ortega, CCAM, Cardiovascular Medical Group

"You have helped us beyond our expectations. What you have done for us with regards to our Blue Cross issues and payments of our claims is just unbelievable!"

- John Sidikaro, MD
Ophthalmology, Beverly Hills

"Thank you for LACMA’s intervention with our problematic case. LACMA economic advocacy really does work wonders! "

-Stacy L. Waneka, MD
Family Practice, Pacific Palisades