Colorado Medical Board to Hold Public Meeting:
Protecting Confidentiality in the Peer Assistance Program
At their recent December meeting, the Colorado Medical Board created a subcommittee to adopt new policy protecting confidentiality in the physician peer assistance program. The subcommittee is holding two public meetings to hear stakeholder testimony:
Protecting confidential counseling services is CMS’ number one priority.
We encourage all of our members to attend one or both of the subcommittee’s upcoming meetings to demonstrate the importance of this issue for physicians, residents, and medical students.
If you would like to testify, here is some helpful information:
-
Ensuring confidentiality protections is CMS’ only priority, we do not have a stake in the vendor selection process.
- CMS, in partnership with COPIC and CHA, has submitted recommended policy protecting confidentiality in the peer assistance program to the Medical Board and DORA.
- We have organized an expert panel, led by CMS President Sami Diab, MD, to discuss policy specifics.
- We encourage you to share personal experiences and stories with the peer assistance program and the importance of confidentiality.
Over 3,200 of you and your fellow physicians signed this petition so far, in support of confidential counseling services. Thank you for your continued dedication and involvement as CMS fights to protect your profession and wellbeing.
|
|
Opioid Prescriber's - CME Requirements
As a condition of renewing, reactivating, or reinstating a license on or after October 1, 2019 Colorado physicians who prescribe opioids are required to complete at least 2 cumulative hours per renewal period (by April 30th of odd years) of training to demonstrate competency in preventing substance abuse and/or to demonstrate competency in treating patients with substance use disorders.
Training options include:
- relevant continuing education courses
- self-study of relevant scholarly articles or relevant policies/guidelines
- peer review proceedings that involve opioid prescribing
- relevant volunteer service
- attendance at a relevant conference
- teaching a relevant class/course
- participation in a relevant presentation
Free Training Options Available:
-
free, online education modules - here
-
free monthly lunch-and-learn activities - here
|
|
Encourage COVID-19 vaccination with #CMSWhatsYourWhy |
Share YOUR reason to get a COVID-19 vaccination. If you choose to receive one, take a photo and share your why using the hashtag #CmsWhatsYourWhy to reassure the public of the safety, efficacy and importance of this and other vaccines. Learn more at www.cmswhatsyourwhy.com.
|
|
Vaccine Access for
Colorado Medical Society Physicians
|
Have you and your team had the chance to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine?
CMS has announced a partnership with Children's Hospital Colorado and CDPHE that is ready to vaccinate YOU and YOUR team.
How does this work?
Complete this form and you will be contacted by Children's Hospital Colorado to schedule an appointment.
Where will I be vaccinated?
Vaccinations are occurring at the Aurora and Colorado Springs locations. Physicians and their staff do not have to be residents of these areas.
How do I know I will be scheduled?
The Colorado Medical Society is championing efforts to get our physicians and their teams vaccinated and was able to secure this new opportunity through this new partnership with Children's Hospital Colorado and CDPHE.
|
|
Colorado Medical Society's
Physician Mindfulness Group Meeting
Join your physician colleagues on
Thursday, February 18, 2021 | 6 - 7:00 p.m.
A Mindfulness professional will lead a guided meditation with a discussion for physicians.
|
|
Do you have vaccine hesitant staff?
|
|
The decision by a health care employer to institute a policy requiring employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine is a complicated one. There are both legal and practical considerations. Overall, employers are permitted to require employees to be vaccinated, but there are exceptions and conditions that must be met.
Access EEOC Guidance: HERE
|
|
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recently launched a new, statewide campaign in English and Spanish asking Coloradans to get the facts on the COVID vaccine, so they are ready when it is their turn. This is a statewide effort, with additional focus on Colorado’s communities that have been most impacted by this pandemic, including those aged 70 and over, and Black and Hispanic/Latinx Coloradans.
Use this toolkit as you have important conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine with your community.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines:
|
|
Upcoming events for physicians |
|
All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings are open to all CMS members. Find the latest list of events on the CMS events webpage, cms.org/events. Upcoming meetings are listed below with registration links and agendas.
-
Colorado Medical Board Public Hearing on Peer Assistance Program - Friday, Feb. 5, Noon-2 p.m. Register here
-
Colorado Medical Board Public Hearing on Peer Assistance Program - Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2-4 p.m. Register here
-
Physician Trivia Fun Night - Wednesday, Feb. 17, 6-7 p.m. |
-
Physician Mindfulness Group Meeting - Thursday, Feb. 18, 6-7 p.m. Register here
Registration is required; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of the meeting will be removed from the meeting. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Email membership@cms.org.
|
|
|
|
Special thanks to our sponsors... |
|
Global Payments Integrated is the endorsed member benefit partner for payment processing and more. Accept payments in office, by phone, mail or on your website. Global Payments Integrated's health payment solution automatically posts payments to the patient ledger. We find savings for more than 80 percent of practices that take advantage of their FREE payment evaluation.* As a CMS member, you know you are getting the best rates for your practice.
|
|
The Abyde software solution is the easiest way for any sized medical practice to implement and sustain comprehensive HIPAA compliance programs. Abyde’s revolutionary approach guides providers through mandatory HIPAA requirements including the Security Risk Analysis, HIPAA training for doctors and staff, Business Associate Agreements, customized policy documentation and more! Contact: Peyton Davis, Director of Education at pdavis@abyde.com or 727.400.3962. Visit abyde.com to learn more! |
|
Compliments of CMS: Reduce patient callbacks, HIPAA compliant, RX Savings up to 75%, click for free customization COLORADO DRUG CARD.
View a flyer on how to prepare for the "twindemic" of flu and COVID-19.
|
|
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Emergency Preparedness Staffing Services: Favorite Healthcare staffing is prepared to assist facilities facing increased patient census due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Favorite is proactively communicating with health care professionals and other staff to mobilize a workforce for our clients enacting an emergency staffing plan. We are screening staff who have worked emergency and disaster relief projects with Favorite in the past and are assessing their availability for rapid response. For more information, contact Derek Reid, Executive Director, at 913-481-3963 or DReid@FavoriteStaffing.com. www.FavoriteStaffing.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
