Please note: This is an internal Advocate Aurora Health newsletter and safe to open. |
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In this issue
- COVID-19 vaccine
- EpicCare Link
- CI Program
- CRA Education Series
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Watch Jim Skogsbergh's latest video for an important COVID-19 vaccine update, a message on our continued pursuit of peace and justice in light of recent events at the U.S. Capitol and an expression of gratitude as we begin 2021.
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Preparing to vaccinate our patients
We know there is a significant amount of interest in the vaccine from our patients. In preparation to receive a vaccine from Advocate Aurora, please encourage your patients to download the LiveWell app. Vaccine appointments will be scheduled through this platform. We are exploring other scheduling options to meet our patients’ needs, as well.
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Convenience testing
COVID-19 testing is available to all Advocate Aurora team members, physicians and APCs (including APP physicians), regardless of symptoms or exposure. Convenience testing is available for those who don’t meet Employee Health testing criteria. Pick up self-administering nasal swab kits at Christ, Good Shepherd or Lutheran General. Hours vary by site; schedule by calling 833-224-2192. You must drop off collected samples at the same location for processing. Testing is limited and is offered on a first-come-first-served basis. See location details, and read the FAQ for more information.
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Side effects after the second dose
Experiencing side effects after the vaccine such as pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue and headache is not uncommon. More people may experience these side effects after the second dose. If you have been treated for an allergic reaction within the first four hours after your first COVID-19 vaccine, you should not receive the second dose of the vaccine.
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More vaccines on horizon
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is in the final stages of a single-dose vaccine. This could help relieve logistical challenges in the vaccine rollout that we are seeing across the country. J&J announced the trials wrap up this month, which means we could see this single-dose option as soon as next month, resulting in a significant increase in our supply.
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Post-vaccination monitoring periods
In line with CDC guidance, we have updated our onsite monitoring periods for those who get a COVID-19 vaccine. Most all vaccine recipients will be monitored for at least 15 minutes. Individuals are monitored for 30 minutes if they report the following:
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A previous anaphylactic reaction to any substance (non-COVID-19 vaccines, dogs, bees, shellfish, etc.)
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Any immediate allergic reaction regardless of severity to other vaccine type or injectable medication. People with this type of history need to first get approval from their provider to get the vaccine.
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Convalescent plasma: Updated titer clinical guidance and donation criteria
There is still a critical shortage of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) and we continue to seek donations from those who have recovered from COVID-19 to help patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms. We are partnering with several organizations to refer to for plasma collection.
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Review the updated clinical guidance related to change of high-titer units and use of CCP, especially if you are a prescribing clinician or work with patients receiving CCP.
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Share our patient flyer.
- If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, you are ineligible to donate.
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Upholding our Safe Care Promise
Patients, colleagues and our communities depend on us to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s OK to use our High Reliability tool of Crosscheck and Coach if you notice a colleague not wearing a mask properly. Our Safe Care Promise is in place to ensure safety. Thank you for doing your part.
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EpicCare Link: What you need to know
On Jan. 1, we launched enhanced functionality in EpicCare Link (ECL) to serve as your tool for all referrals to Advocate Aurora and APP physicians and to review claims and enrollment for patients in HMO managed care plans and to contact the APP Resolution Center.
In this update:
- Known issues since Go Live
- Helpful reminders
- Accessing ECL
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Advocate Aurora team member benefit plan - reminder on required authorizations and waivers
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Clinical Integration Program |
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Program reminders
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Claims run-out reminder: The CI program year 2020 will calculate quality performance based on data gathered through a supported EMR interface or claims data. For this reason, we will include a 30-day claims run-out period following the end of the measurement period. The 2020 CI score will be calculated based on services performed through Dec. 31, 2020, using claims data loaded into Cerner by Feb. 14. Your data snapshot will be taken on Feb. 14, pending any changes from Cerner. Any claim not received by the last day of the runout will be excluded from 2020 measure calculations. This does not impact claims processing or payment for claims.
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Electronic appeals: APP is improving the appeals submission process by moving it online. By streamlining the process, we can ensure patient data confidentiality and provide you with a simplified experience. A step-by-step user guide will be posted on APP Pro. APP uses the most widely available data sources – eligibility received from payers, administrative claims (billing) records and supported EMR data – to measure patient care quality. We understand that incomplete claims data may result in inaccuracies in performance outcomes. If you believe your information is incorrect, you can request a patient-level correction by submitting an appeal for the 2020 program year between Feb. 21 - Mar. 12.
CI 2021 updates
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Government program updates
2020 MSSP quality reporting: Through the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), our ACO must accurately report quality data each year to CMS. This information is used to calculate our overall MSSP performance and is tied to our shared savings and MACRA 5% lump sum bonus. APP aligned practices in our MSSP ACO are required to participate in reporting and can anticipate outreach from the APP Quality Improvement team via fax at the end of January to collect data on patients/measures sampled for 2020 reporting.
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CMS requires hard copy medical record documentation; data in Cerner HealtheRegistries cannot be utilized.
- In lieu of faxing medical records, we highly encourage practices on eCW/SynAPPs to grant read-only EMR access to QI nurses to perform data abstraction. Please contact your QI Specialist to facilitate access.
- Clinical questions should be directed to the respective QI specialist, who will be noted on the data collection fax cover sheet.
- Please fax medical records as you go; no need to fax all at once.
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To confirm MSSP participation, visit advocatehealth.com/mssp under 2020 Performance Year Participants.
CMS physician fee schedule update: On Dec. 27, the president signed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief and spending bill. The legislation includes, among many provisions, required changes to the previously finalized 2021 CMS Physician Fee Schedule including a revised conversion factor:
- CMS recalculated the conversation factor and set it at $34.89 for 2021 versus $32.41 set in the Physician Fee Schedule.
- This means for code 99214 (one of the most commonly billed E&M codes) the payment rate is $131.20 versus $123.48 set in the Physician Fee Schedule.
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Clinical Risk Adjustment education series |
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Refreshing care plans at least once a year keeps our patients safe and supports our shared success in value-based programs. This includes complete and accurate documentation of chronic conditions, also known as Clinical Risk Adjustment (CRA) – which ensures we close care gaps and are reimbursed for the care we provide. Complete and accurate documentation of chronic conditions also rewards clinicians for the extra time and resources associated with higher acuity patients via the incentive fund. To support you in this work, we have launched an education series that all clinicians are encouraged to complete.
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Drug information resources change
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Patient outreach
We continually conduct patient outreach on your behalf to support quality outcomes and close care gaps, including diabetes management, mammogram screening and wellness reminders. Learn more.
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Pharmacy and Therapeutics update
Review the summary made at the December System Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meeting.
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January blood drives
We're hosting blood drives in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to ensure an adequate blood supply throughout our communities with the support of the American Red Cross and Versiti. Find locations near our hospitals. Sign-up to donate.
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New Pre-Service (Central Scheduling) phone numbers
Remember to use the new phone numbers to schedule patient appointments. View SBAR.
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Chicago’s Top Doctors
More than 200 Advocate Aurora physicians have been named to Chicago magazine’s Top Doctors list. The list, featured in the magazine’s December 2020 issue, recognizes physicians across Chicagoland who were nominated by their peers. Congratulations to all who were highlighted!
View the full list of Advocate Aurora physicians recognized.
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Your research is changing lives
Read this month's Advocate Aurora Research Institute enewsletter, which includes the latest clinical studies conducted throughout our system.
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Asthma and COVID-19: Your questions answered. Shimoni Dharia, MD, division director pediatric pulmonology, at Advocate Children’s Hospital, penned a column addressing some important questions about children’s health. Read newspaper article.
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Medical experts answer the most-asked questions about the coronavirus vaccine: Jon Olsen, MD, chairman of emergency medicine at Advocate Lutheran General, helps answer question about the coronavirus vaccine. Read magazine article.
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Continuing Medical Education |
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Surgical team approach to advance recovery (STAAR) collaborative series
Learning MST review & physician experience with surgical nutrition
Jan. 21 | 7 – 8 a.m.
Learn about this series which covers key elements of advanced recovery protocols and applies it to patient care and treatment plans as appropriate.
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CME Website: Webinars & Recordings |
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