Volume 116, No. 7: July 2020 Edition
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They Said It...
"I was following the wrong dream. I was working myself to death to make a bunch of money." Philadelphia Dr. Michael Weinstein, co-creator of the LiveWell Foundation, dedicated to fostering physician wellbeing. When he was a trauma surgeon in 2016, he became suicidal and admitted himself into a psychiatric hospital. His profile on his life-threatening burnout and his recovery, will appear in our next issue of the magazine version of Philadelphia Medicine.
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PCMS Physician Appointed to Pa. COVID-19 Advisory Group
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Dr. Ted Christopher, professor and chair of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, has been appointed to the Pa. Dept. of Health COVID-19 Physician Advisory Group.
The group will research best practices to deal with the virus and draft evidence-based recommendations that it will submit to the secretary of health.
Pa. Dept. of Health Secretary Rachel Levine, MD, wrote to Dr. Christopher that "we sincerely appreciate your time and attention to this unprecedented issue to continue to protect the health and safety of Pennsylvania."
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CMS Issues Guidance on Telehealth Encounters
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted guidance on the allowance of telehealth encounters for the Eligible Professional and Eligible Clinician electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) used in CMS quality reporting programs for the 2020 and 2021 periods.
Here's where you can find this information:
CMS has updated the Eligible Clinicians and Eligible Professionals Table of eCQMs to indicate guidance on allowance of telehealth:
Other eCQM resources for Eligible Clinicians and Eligible Professionals, including eCQM specifications and materials such as the Guide for Reading eCQMs, eCQM Logic and Implementation Guidance, and technical release notes, are also available on the eCQI Resource Center on the
Eligible Professionals and Eligible Clinicians page for the 2020 Performance Period and the
Eligible Professionals and Eligible Clinicians page for the 2021 Performance Period.
To find out more about eCQMs, visit the
eCQI Resource Center.
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You Can Register Now for Medicare Education Virtual Symposiums on July 15 and 16
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Novitas Solutions invites you to sign up for the 2020 Novitas Virtual Symposium to explore the most current information and resources available to help you remain compliant with the Medicare program.
The symposiums will give you the opportunity to interact with Medicare representatives; take part in virtual, interactive presentations and demos; learn about upcoming changes and important reminders; attend specialty classes pertaining to billing, enrollment and compliance; ask questions and get real-time answers.
And you can earn CEUs.
Click here to find out more and to register.
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2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Period is Now Open
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Eligible clinicians wishing to report for the 2021 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance period via the Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) or Qualified Registry reporting mechanism do NOT need to nominate themselves.
Only entities wishing to participate (and who meet the requirements) as an approved QCDR and/or Qualified Registry need to complete the self-nomination form.
To complete the self-nomination form, log into
https://qpp.cms.gov/login
If you cannot find your simplified self-nomination form contact the MIPS QCDR/Registry Support Team (PIMMS Team) at
[email protected] or
[email protected].
Visit the
Quality Payment Program Resource Library to download the
2021 Self-Nomination Toolkit for QCDRs and Qualified Registries and learn more about the QCDR and Qualified Registry self-nomination process for vendors.
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COVID-19 Cases Increase Following Loosened Restrictions
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Since Governor Wolf has allowed increased social activity there was a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state approaching the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Officials are pointing to a hike in travel and social gatherings during that weekend, including bars, restaurants and parties. The number of cases almost doubled from June 29 to July 2. But by July 5 the number had been cut almost in half from July 2.
Health officials are emphasizing that people must continue to practice social distancing and wear masks. Patients being evaluated for the coronavirus should isolate while awaiting test results. Patients should be asked to develop a list of people they were in close contact with during the previous 48 hours.
Health care personnel should follow guidelines issued by the Pa. Dept. of Health.
You can find them here.
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All Masks are not Created Equal
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The Philadelphia Inquirer released a report published by the journal,
Physics of Fluids, on the effectiveness of masks.
It found that a bandanna allowed saliva droplets to travel up to 3 feet, 7 inches; a folded cotton handkerchief: 1 foot, 3 inches; a stitched mask made of cotton quilting fabric: 2.5 inches; a commercial cone-style mask, not hospital-grade - 8 inches. Without a mask, the saliva traveled about 8 feet.
For more information on the study, click here.
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Tickborne Disease Shows Similar Symptoms to COVID-19
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The Phila. Dept. of Health has issued a health advisory on the tick season in the city. It is here and more than half the ticks tested in the city's parks since 2013 have carried Lyme disease.
PDPH is advising health care providers that the symptoms for Lyme disease are similar to the coronavirus - flu-like symptoms that include fever, fatigue and lymphadenopathy.
Physicians should report all suspected or confirmed cases.
Click here for more information on tick bites and ways to prevent them.
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COVID-19 Testing Sites
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The City of Philadelphia website now features a COVID-19 testing site locator. You can search for a site by address, click on a map location for specific site information, and filter by day of week and by drive-thru or walk-up.
Click here to visit the locator and learn more.
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Calendar of Events
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July
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10 - 8 hour live Buprenorphine Waiver Training
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is collaborating with PCSS to offer free waiver training to providers in the Philadelphia region. This activity will assist physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who wish to apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
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15 - Philadelphia Diabetes Prevention Collaborative Webinar
The Philadelphia Diabetes Prevention Collaborative invites you to learn about the latest in screening, testing and how to easily refer your patients to a National Diabetes Prevention (DPP) lifestyle change program within the greater Philadelphia five-county area.
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23 - "Helping the Helpers" COVID Frontline Support Group
Physicians are invited to a free weekly video conference support group. The group is intended to provide emotional support, encouragement and compassionate self-care strategies to medical providers who are on the "front lines" of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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24 - Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Preceptor Program
Date (Part A):
Friday, July 24
Time (Part A):
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Date (Part B):
Scheduled individually
The Health Federation of Philadelphia invites waivered primary care providers to attend the MOUD Preceptor Program. This online mini-residency training offers content that is not normally covered in buprenorphine waiver training and is specifically designed for primary care providers who are seeking to refine their skills.
Registrants must have already completed their waiver training and submit their license, resume, and waiver certificate prior to receiving their observation dates or consultation session.
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30 - "Helping the Helpers" COVID Frontline Support Group
Physicians are invited to a free weekly video conference support group. The group is intended to provide emotional support, encouragement and compassionate self-care strategies to medical providers who are on the "front lines" of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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| August |
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6 - "Helping the Helpers" COVID Frontline Support Group
Physicians are invited to a free weekly video conference support group. The group is intended to provide emotional support, encouragement and compassionate self-care strategies to medical providers who are on the "front lines" of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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13 - "Helping the Helpers" COVID Frontline Support Group
Date:
Thursday, August 13
Physicians are invited to a free weekly video conference support group. The group is intended to provide emotional support, encouragement and compassionate self-care strategies to medical providers who are on the "front lines" of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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27 - The Child Abuse Prevention Training Program
Date:
Thursday, August 27
All physicians renewing their license are required to submit documentation evidencing the completion of at least two hours of approved continuing education in child abuse recognition. This is a live, state approved program that meets the requirement for the 2020 licensing cycle. The program will be conducted as a Zoom video conference.
This program is FREE for all PCMS physician, resident, and medical student members. The fee for non-members is $125.
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September
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9 - Philadelphia Diabetes Prevention Collaborative Webinar
Date:
Wednesday, September 9
The Philadelphia Diabetes Prevention Collaborative invites you to learn about the latest in screening, testing and how to easily refer your patients to a National Diabetes Prevention (DPP) lifestyle change program within the greater Philadelphia five-county area.
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