Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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CDPH Holding “Office Hours” for Providers to Answer COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) immunization program will be holding weekly “office hours” to provide an update on COVID-19 vaccination planning and allow providers in the state to ask questions. The calls will be held on Fridays from 9-10 a.m. and can be accessed through this link. The event number is: 145 583 3915. The password is: Immunize2020!
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Guide for Physicians to Prepare for Covered California Changes in 2021
To help physician practices understand their Covered California participation status, which products are being offered, and what changes to expect, the California Medical Association has published a new tip sheet, “Surviving Covered California: Preparing for Changes in 2021.” The tip sheet is available free to members.
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ACPHD Health Advisories on Influenza and Respiratory Illness
The Alameda County Public Health Department is requesting that clinicians instruct all patients with symptoms that could represent EITHER influenza or COVID-19 to self-isolate and obtain SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, and that they report outbreaks of influenza or acute respiratory illness. The complete Health Advisory can be viewed here.
- Alameda County Acute Communicable Disease Control: (510) 267-3250 or (925) 422-7595 [after hours]
- Berkeley Public Health Division: (510) 981-5292 or (510) 981-5911 [after hours]
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Contact Congress to Urge Passage of CMA's Top Priorities
The US Congress is wrapping up its lame-duck session on December 18, and there is pending legislation that affects physicians and their patients. Please contact your members of Congress now to ask them to:
To see the letter that CMA sent to California members of Congress, click here. |
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Free Financial Wellness Webinar
Interested in setting yourself up for financial success in the New Year? Join Gayatri Brar and and Natalie Schnuck of First Republic Bank on Thursday, January 21st for a special presentation and Q&A to learn more. Whether you are focused on saving for retirement, purchasing a home, or paying down debt, First Republic can help you achieve your financial goals. Click here to register.
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COVID-19 Updates
California is making sure that the initial limited supply of vaccines is distributed and administered equitably. At first, vaccines will be provided to health care workers and long-term care residents in accordance with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Allocation Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccine During Phase 1A. The distribution will be allocated based upon geographic allocations, which can be found here. Initial enrollment in the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program is limited to sites selected by local health departments.
California's new app-based COVID-19 exposure notification system, CA Notify, launched on Thursday. It is a voluntary opt-in system that alerts users to potential exposure without storing or transmitting any data related to their identity or location. Users have to keep their Bluetooth on, and they will receive alerts only if they were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. A two-month supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, vinyl gloves, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered (click here for specs). PPE order forms are reviewed and if approved, will be shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate form must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
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On-Demand Webinar Available Friday, December 11
Members: FREE | Non-members: $49
CME Available | Presented with MIEC
Physicians who are facing medical malpractice litigation—a common occurrence in the medical profession—experience a unique type of stress which, if not addressed effectively, can compromise their ability to care for patients both during and after a lawsuit.
You will learn how the litigation process works, how to best cope with the stress of litigation, what lessons physicians should learn from the experience, and how to incorporate constructive changes into your practice. Presenters include an experienced liability defense attorney, a physician discussing his experience of being a defendant, and the manager of patient safety and risk management at MIEC.
Click here to register for the on-demand webinar. |
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Thursday, December 15 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
This program will provide clinicians with the most up-to-date information on telemedicine in asthma care to promote easier transitions to this new and necessary form of care for their patients. Education on best practices for incorporating telemedicine in the asthma and allergist clinic, including different strategies for virtual healthcare visits and remote patient monitoring, how to manage treatment in the telemedicine setting, and how to navigate the complex and continuously evolving legal and regulatory landscape pertaining to telehealthcare.
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On-Demand Webinar Available Thursday, January 7
Members: FREE | Non-members: $49
Don’t miss your opportunity to make the most of the ever-changing healthcare reimbursement landscape! First you must understand the challenges you may be facing. Learn the important changes in Medicare for 2021 and how they may affect your practice reimbursement for the coming year(s). Changes are sometimes subtle, but they can have a lasting effect on your practice.
Presenter Mary Jean Sage will discuss:
- Overall Payment Update
- Medicare Telehealth Services
- E & M Services: 2021 & beyond
- Coding and documentation
- Payment
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging: Latest update
- MIPS 2021 – What you need to report
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Tuesday, January 12 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA
With modifications to the outpatient evaluation and management (E&M) coding guidelines set to take effect on January 1, 2021, physician practices should be ready for the most impactful overhaul of E&M codes in more than 25 years. In this webinar, Mary Jean Sage of the Sage Associates discusses the upcoming changes in E&M coding and other coding changes set to take effect in the new year.
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Thursday, January 21 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Members and Non-members: FREE
Interested in setting yourself up for financial success in the New Year? Join Gayatri Brar and and Natalie Schnuck of First Republic for a special presentation and Q&A to learn more. Whether you are focused on saving for retirement, purchasing a home, or paying down debt, First Republic can help you achieve your financial goals.
Gayatri Brar is a Managing Director and Banker at First Republic Bank. With over 12 years of experience in private banking and finance, Gayatri's passion is to take care of her clients and their needs. She does so by providing creative financial solutions to her clients and empowering them to accomplish their goals. Her expertise includes providing customer service tailored to each individual's unique situations with an emphasis on various types of lending (personal (real estate, student loan refinance, partner buy-in loans) and business lending).
Natalie Schnuck is a Managing Director and Wealth Manager at First Republic Investment Management. In her role as Wealth Manager, Ms. Schnuck is responsible for helping clients target their financial needs and goals and gives special focus to strategic asset allocation and risk assessment analysis.
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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
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