CA AB1278

Requires physicians and surgeons (MDs and DOs) to provide patients a written or electronic notice about the federal Open Payments database at their initial office visit, with patient signature and date recorded.

Mandates posting of an Open Payments database notice in a visible location at each office where a physician practices, including a link to https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov and specific text about the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act.

Requires physicians to post the Open Payments notice conspicuously on their practice website beginning January 1, 2024, if a website is maintained.

Places responsibility for compliance on the health care employer if the physician is employed by a health care organization, rather than the individual physician.

Makes violations of these notice requirements constitute unprofessional conduct; exempts physicians working in hospital emergency rooms from these requirements.