ASAP: Primer on reopening your practice; plus Colorado Medicine, contract tracing, events and more

ASAP e-newsletter: May 14, 2020

News and Resources

CMS primer for Colorado physicians: Reopening your medical practice

Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order on April 27 that moved the State of Colorado from the “Stay at Home” phase of his COVID-19 response plan -- with a temporary cessation of all elective and non-essential surgeries and procedures -- to the “Safer at Home” phase -- that permits the limited recommencement of voluntary or elective surgeries or procedures. The Colorado Medical Society developed a primer to help CMS members understand what the executive order and amended public health order mean for their practices, and to provide information on other requirements, obligations, and best practices as you resume providing a full range of health care services to your patients. Access the primer here .

May-June Colorado Medicine now available; watch for your copy by mail soon

The latest issue of Colorado Medicine , the award-winning magazine of the Colorado Medical Society, brings you the stories of physicians on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic who, in the face of tremendous professional and personal challenges, quickly pivoted to continue to serve patients and communities. You are the ones keeping our health care system running, from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs and all around the state. Read the virtual issue here .

Call for volunteers: Contact tracers and COVID navigators

Colorado is currently building a statewide contact tracing system to assist a safer rollback of the Stay-At-Home Order, with some local health departments now accepting volunteers. To aid in the effort, CMS is continually soliciting volunteers to serve in as contract tracers and COVID navigators. Read more and sign up here .

Legislative update

The Colorado General Assembly has been temporarily adjourned since March 14 to encourage social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. A Colorado Supreme Court ruling gives legislators the ability to reconvene for up to 53 more days -- the remainder of the full 120-day session that began in January. The legislature is set to reconvene May 26, with very different priorities given the projected $3.3 billion shortfall . Watch for more on the legislative session in future communications and as the focus of the May 20 Physicians' Town Hall .

Direct telehealth technical assistance available from Telligen

Is your practice struggling to get telehealth off the ground? Are your patients not embracing your telehealth strategy? Are you worried about getting adequately reimbursed for your telehealth visits? Telligen, in partnership with University of Colorado Practice Innovation Program, is providing practice support to primary care practices, rural health clinics, FQHCs, IHS clinics and tribe clinics to enhance foundational practice skills to survive COVID-19, including telehealth. Read more about eligibility here . Sessions began May 12; sign up here .

Sponsors

Upcoming events for physicians

DMS/CPS virtual spring meeting: COVID-19, Physician Leadership, and the Urgency of the Moment in Medicine

Saturday, May 16, 5 p.m.

Register today for "COVID-19, Physician Leadership, and the Urgency of the Moment in Medicine" -- a virtual event sponsored by the Denver Medical Society and the Colorado Psychiatric Society supported by the Colorado Medical Society. It will be held this Saturday, May 16, 5 p.m. and features keynote speaker AMA President Patrice Harris, MD, MA, addressing the AMA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an opening session with New York Times Op-Editor New York Times Op-Editor Richard A. Friedman, MD, and comedian Gary Gulman of HBO's The Great Depresh. Register here .

Physicians' Town Hall

Wednesday, May 20, 6 - 7 p.m.

Join us for the next virtual physicians' town hall Wednesday, May 20, 6 - 7 p.m., focused on what to expect in the remainder of the 2020 Colorado legislative session. Register here . The town hall will be moderated by CMS President David Markenson, MD, MBA. Panelists TBD.

Thank you to our partners in the House of Medicine co-sponsoring these town halls.

CMS webinar: Ethics and COVID-19

Friday, May 22, 12 - 1 p.m.

Register today for a CMS webinar: Ethics and COVID-19, Friday, May 22, 12 - 1 p.m. Ethical issues related to COVID are complex and challenging. This webinar will feature experts addressing ethical issues related to access to care including protecting health care workers. You will have the opportunity to provide suggestions on other ethical aspects of COVID and the practice of medicine to be addressed in future educational events. More information here .

CMS webinar: Social Determinants of Health and their Effects on COVID-19 Outcomes

Friday, May 29, 12 - 1 p.m.

Register today for a Colorado Medical Society webinar: Social Determinants of Health and their Effects on COVID-19 Outcomes, Friday, May 29, 12-1 p.m. Understanding the impact of social determinants of health on our patients and communities is crucial to all health care providers, particularly during this COVID-19 public health crisis. Expert panelists will give an overview of the impact of social determinants of health on COVID-19 outcomes, with a focus on smoking/vaping and obesity. More information here .

Colorado Consortium lunch and learn sessions

Wednesdays May-October, 12:30-1:15 p.m.

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s Provider Education work group is pleased to announce a series of free lunch and learn sessions Wednesdays in May through October from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Each presentation is eligible for .75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. You must pre-register here to receive CME credit ; this link also takes you to each program's individual accreditation statement, objectives and disclosures. If you’d simply like to drop-in and not receive CME credit, no pre-registration is required. The 45 minute sessions will include a didactic session followed by Q&A. Click here for a complete list of topics and dates.

All sessions will be held via Zoom at the link here . Programs will be recorded and posted online for future viewing.