Sept. 17 is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Physicians have the highest suicide rate of any profession and more than twice that of the general population. Prevention begins with understanding the warning signs to watch for. One awareness and prevention tool is AAFP's "Physician Mental Health Webinar: Preventing Suicide and Building Resilience." It includes advice, strategies, and steps you can take to support your own well-being and that of others who might be struggling. Click here for more physician well-being resources from the Academy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for healthcare professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Included is $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan funding for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, or Medicare patients. An additional $17 billion in Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 general distribution funding is available for a broad range of providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic from July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.

In response to challenges healthcare professionals are facing due to COVID-19 surges and natural disasters, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that a 60-day grace period is in place for the first Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting period. While the Sept. 30 deadline has not changed for using funds and reporting how funds were used between Apr. 10-June 30, 2020, HHS says it will not initiate collections or similar enforcement actions during the grace period, which begins Oct. 1 and ends on Nov. 30.

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Healthcare Workers, Other Employees           

Per the directive of Pres. Biden through his new six-part plan for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is developing rules that will require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly. These employers will also be required to provide paid time off for the time it takes workers to get vaccinated or recover if they have post-vaccination symptoms. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is developing a rule calling for COVID-19 vaccinations for more than 17 million healthcare workers in most healthcare settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. In response, AAFP sent a letter to the President asking, among other things, for the administration to ensure primary care practices are prioritized in vaccination efforts and recommending several ways the federal government can better support PCPs.

On Sept. 13, MAFP submitted a 71-page response to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program proposed rule as published in the Federal Register on July 23. MAFP provided detailed comments and recommendations on high-priority areas such as, among other things, the estimated calendar year 2022 conversion factor, telehealth, evaluation and management (E/M) coding changes, and vaccine administration payment.

Are you an active member who identifies with one of the five special constituencies (women, new physicians, international medical graduates, minority physicians, or LGBTQ physicians/physician allies) represented at AAFP’s National Conference of Constituency Leaders? Click here to apply to serve as a Michigan delegate when NCCL convenes Apr. 28-30 in Kansas City, MO, to help shape Academy policy, earn CME credits, and develop leadership skills. Plus, you will have the opportunity to network with like-minded family medicine colleagues from across the country. MAFP will reimburse the selected delegates for conference registration and travel-related expenses.

Each academic year, Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan (FMFM) awards grant funding, based on competitive applications, to Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) at medical schools in Michigan. The funding is intended to support programming aimed at increasing student exposure to and interest in family medicine. For the 2021-2022 academic year, FMFM awarded a total of $2,250 to FMIGs at Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine-East Lansing campus, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, and University of Michigan Medical School.

This year’s Family Medicine Experience (FMX)—taking place virtually, Sept. 28-Oct. 2—offers 30.25 live CME credits, 70+ sessions on 150+ topics, and 10 tracks. Plus, you can watch recorded sessions after the conference until Oct. 5.

AAFP, in partnership with the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, is seeking applications from family physicians interested in participating in the 2021-2022 Health Equity Fellowship. Applicants can select from several topics that align with a proposed capstone project, or they may submit their own topic.

AAFP and United Health Foundation’s Leading Physician Well-being certificate program seeks to foster physician leadership skills to promote and maintain stability, boost team morale, and support well-being in the workplace. Active members are eligible to apply; residents are eligible if they have a letter of support from their program director. One-hundred family physicians will be selected to participate in the 10-month series of three core sessions and online learning activities in 2022.

Your support of AAFP, MAFP, and the specialty of family medicine strengthens our united voice. You've turned to your Academy for timely, tailored resources you know you can trust, and we'll continue to be here for you—with invaluable information, ways to connect with your peers, and tireless advocacy on your behalf. Plus, your membership provides a variety of exclusive products, services, and discounts totaling over $4,000 in savings. Pay your 2022 membership dues now or sign up for the installment plan. And, remember that to maintain membership, active members must earn and report at least 150 credits of approved CME every three calendar years. If you are in the third year of your three-year re-election cycle, you must earn and report credits by Dec. 31. Click here to review your CME transcript.

Noshir Amaria, DO (Mt. Pleasant) was recently named Central Michigan Athletics’ medical director and head team physician. In this article, he discusses his road through medical school and to becoming a family physician specializing in sports medicine. Dr. Amaria will speak about his career pathway during a panel session at the virtual Michigan Future of Family Medicine Student Conference on Saturday, Oct. 9.

MAFP recognizes 10 physicians who have achieved the 50-year milestone of Academy membership. Each of these long-time members joined the Academy in 1971 and are now life members. Eligibility for life membership entails holding active membership for a minimum of 25 years, holding 5 years of continuous membership immediately prior to election as a life member, and being at least 70 years old or totally retired. 

Do you have news to share about yourself, your practice, or a colleague? Email info@mafp.com.

Oct. 1 is the new deadline for applying to serve as AAFP’s student liaison to the Student National Medical Association or a regional coordinator of the Family Medicine Interest Group Network. These are national leadership roles where students can have a direct impact on U.S. and international medical students and serve the health needs of underrepresented communities across the country. If you will be applying for either position, please email dlawrence@mafp.com to request a chapter letter of support from MAFP; be sure to provide your CV and letter of intent.

This year marks the American Medical Student Association’s 22^nd National Primary Care Week (NPCW). This year’s theme, “Health Outside of the Hospital,” centers on the impact of COVID-19 on communities and healthcare. AMSA works closely with AAFP to make NPCW a successful initiative for the promotion of primary care across the country. Click here to get updates on this year’s celebration. Is your medical school, family medicine interest group, or program planning special National Primary Care Week events? Email the details to MAFP Director of Communications & Member Services, Dana Lawrence, at dlawrence@mafp.com.

“If you are like me, you have many questions about issues particular to being a female physician,” said Hima Chopra, MD, resident member on the MAFP Board of Directors and chief resident at McLaren-Oakland Family Medicine Residency in Pontiac. This prompted Dr. Chopra, in collaboration with MAFP and Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan, to develop a new event where female residents can network and Cask questions of practicing female family physicians. The in-person event is being held in Northville on Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:30-8:30 pm. Those unable to attend in person may benefit from the live panel discussion via Zoom on Sunday, Oct. 24, 6:30-8 pm. The cost is just $25 for resident members.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only underscored the importance of Medicaid coverage as workers have been laid off and turned to the program for healthcare coverage for themselves and their children. Unfortunately, many physicians are unable to accept new Medicaid patients because the program only pays a fraction of the rates paid by Medicare and private payers. The Kids Access to Primary Care Act (H.R. 1025) would help ensure family physicians have the resources to care for Medicaid patients by applying the Medicare payment rate floor to Medicaid primary care services, ensuring the most vulnerable patients have access to the care they need and deserve. Click here to urge your U.S. Rep. to cosponsor this critical legislation.

On Sept. 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and top lawmakers announced they have reached a budget deal for funding the state government beginning Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022. While details of the deal have yet to be shared, the Legislature is expected to vote on the proposed budget the week of Sept. 20.

U.S. House Bill Calls for Lowering Medicare Eligibility to age 60  

A bill filed by more than 100 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives would lower the Medicare eligibility age to 60. These lawmakers hope to include the legislation in a final federal budget reconciliation package that is expected to add dental, vision, and hearing benefits to the Medicare program. Sponsors of the legislation, which includes Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, estimate that lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 would make the program available to a minimum of 23 million additional people.

MAFP joined other state and national healthcare organizations in sending a letter to leaders in the U.S. Senate in support of the federal Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2021 (S. 2691). A companion bill was previously introduced in the U.S. House. This legislation would make permanent programmatic changes to help strengthen the VFC program in the long run, including by extending eligibility to children enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program and enabling underinsured children to receive VFC vaccines in their medical home. Additionally, the legislation would rectify a technical issue that currently prevents appropriate VFC payment for administration of multiple component vaccines, finally recognizing the additional time needed to counsel and educate families about vaccines. 

While AAFP has publicly supported the interim final rule that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022, for protecting patients against surprise billing, it strongly advocates for administrative simplification regarding alternative payment models and the notice-and-consent process that will be required of physician offices.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services continues to urge healthcare professional to use the doses of COVID-19 vaccine they have on-hand, given the large amount of inventory in the field. To request doses available for redistribution, healthcare professionals should contact their local health department. If necessary, an e-order in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) may be placed if:

Mark Sept. 19-25 to participate in the inaugural Telehealth Awareness Week—an event that will highlight, educate, and reinforce the role that telehealth now plays in healthcare delivery. Following the unprecedented use of telehealth in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, virtual care now represents 15-20% of care delivery. AAFP’s most recent member satisfaction survey found that 80% of members began offering virtual visits for the first time during COVID-19 and 71% would like to provide more virtual visits in the future.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, on which Michigan family physician Dr. Pamela Rockwell serves as AAFP's liaison, released updated recommendations on the use of influenza vaccines for the 2021-2022 influenza season. The recommendations, published in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on Aug. 27, contain six primary updates of interest to family physicians and other health care professionals, as well as comprehensive guidance for use of the vaccines in specific populations and situations. The AAFP approved the ACIP’s recommendations earlier this month.

Michigan Among 16 States with High Prevalence of Adult Obesity

The 2020 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps show that Michigan is among 16 states that now have an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%. The other states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware (new this year), Indiana, Iowa (new this year), Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio (new this year), Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (new this year), and West Virginia. This is up from nine states in 2018 and 12 in 2019.

On Sept. 14, Gov. Whitmer announced her MI Healthy Communities plan for addressing many of the deficiencies in the state’s health infrastructure that were revealed during the pandemic and provide resources to meet Michigan families’ mental health needs, expand access to behavioral care and telemedicine, upgrade nursing homes, and bolster local public health departments. Funding for the $1.4 billion proposal will come from federal COVID-19 relief dollars that Michigan received from Pres. Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

 

To help Michiganders ages 18 and older more easily access their immunization records, including COVID-19 vaccination, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Michigan Immunization Portal. Adults with immunization records posted in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) will be able to locate their own record online and download, save, or print this information, once they create a MILogin account at Michigan.gov/MiImmsportal. This entails uploading a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport.

HHS to Test New Models for Lowering Rx Prices

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has outlined a comprehensive plan for lowering drug prices, which includes testing models that would tie Medicare payments to clinical effectiveness and boost incentives for biosimilars and generics. The plan also calls on lawmakers to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and shorten the exclusivity period for biologic drugs.

USPSTF Lowers Screening Age for Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes

New Federal Office of Climate Change and Health Equity

In response to Pres. Biden’s Executive Order for tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is establishing the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. The Office’s mission is to protect vulnerable communities that disproportionately bear the brunt of pollution and climate-driven disasters, such as drought and wildfires, at the expense of public health. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 250,000 deaths will occur every year due to climate change.

This AAFP toolkit contains information about assessing, diagnosing, treating, and managing ADHD in teens, young and older adults, individuals with substance use disorder, and those with a co-existing mental health condition. An expert panel representing family medicine, clinical pharmacology, the patient perspective, and current scientific evidence informed the development of the toolkit.

Topics in AAFP’s new Audiobooks offerings include caring for LGBTQ+ patients (6 CME credits), communicating effectively with your patients (6 CME credits), and social determinants of health. Listen anywhere using the AAFP mobile app.

To mark National Physician Suicide Awareness Day on Sept. 17, AAFP reminds members they can view the free webinar, “Physician Mental Health: Preventing Suicide and Building Resilience,” was created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as part of the Academy’s Leading Physician Well-being Initiative.

Family Medicine/Director, Leading Detroit Health Center

General Orthopedic Surgeon or Sports Medicine Physician, Synergy Health Partners, Livonia, MI

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