Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
|
July 2, 2021
We will be taking a short break from the newsletter next week, but we will be back in your inbox on July 16. You can always check www.napasolanodocs.org for the latest news and updates.
|
|
COVID-19 Updates
Up to $55,000 Available to Private Practices for COVID Vaccination Costs
California is creating new support for community-based physicians to help our state reach its COVID‑19 vaccination goals. The CalVaxGrant is a new program administered by Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) that will offer grant funding, one-on-one myCAvax support and vaccine administration resources for physician practices. You can receive up to $55,000 to support vaccination efforts (up to $11,000 per site). You must enroll in myCAvax, and have completed Section A of myCAvax application, to be eligible. If you are not already enrolled in myCAvax and need help enrolling, please email your practice and contact information to vaccinenetwork@cmadocs.org for additional support. For those enrolled in myCAvax, the application will open on July 12 at calvaxgrant.org.
Avoid Delays and Denials by Submitting COVID‑19 Vaccine Administration Claims to the Right Place
The California Medical Association (CMA) has recently received several inquiries regarding challenges with reimbursement of COVID‑19 vaccine administration services. While the federal government has purchased hundreds of millions of doses of the COVID‑19 vaccine and is providing those at no cost, vaccinating providers are still able to bill and be reimbursed for administering the vaccine. Providers should be aware, however, there are some nuances to successfully submitting claims for COVID‑19 vaccine administration services that differ from the normal claim submission process. To access the full article, please click here.
Next CMA Virtual Grand Rounds to Feature California HHS Secretary
Mark Ghaly, MD, MPH, and Erica Pan, MD
On July 13, 2021, the California Medical Association (CMA) will host a physician who has had a birds-eye view of the pandemic in California: Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, Mark Ghaly, MD, MPH. We will also welcome back Erica Pan, MD, California State Epidemiologist, who will give updates on the state of the COVID‑19 pandemic nationally and in California, review the progress of the vaccine rollout, and share the latest information on the evolving COVID‑19 variants.
Solano County reported on Wednesday that 67% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 55% are fully vaccinated.
Napa County reported on Tuesday that 76% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 70% are fully vaccinated.
Solano County reports that, as of July 2, it has given more than 443,000 vaccinations (first and second doses). As of June 30, ICU capacity in the county is at 40% with 9 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Napa County reports that as of July 2, more than 174,000 vaccine doses have been administered by the county. As of June 24, ICU capacity was 22% with 2 COVID patients in ICU.
|
|
Introducing the Napa Solano Medical Society!
Notice anything new about our newsletter, website and mailed communications? As of July 1, the Solano County Medical Society and Napa County Medical Society became the Napa Solano Medical Society! After more than 20 years of working closely together and offering many of the same benefits and services to the physicians and patients of Solano and Napa counties, SCMS and NCMS have officially merged to create the biggest voice for physicians in the history of our two counties.
Members approved the merger in a vote taken last September. The new NSMS now serves nearly 1,300 members and remains a vital component medical society of the California Medical Association, which serves over 50,000 physicians and medical students statewide.
Outside of the name change, NSMS members can continue to expect the same high level of local and state advocacy, policy leadership, member networking opportunities and services that SCMS and NCMS delivered for decades. Feel free to visit our new website www.napasolanodocs.org for more information (and pardon our dust, as construction and updates on the website continue!), or email Griffin Rogers, who will continue serving as NSMS director, at grogers@napasolanodocs.org.
And last but not least, don’t forget to stay tuned to future NSMS emails as we prepare to make some exciting announcements for members as we go through the year!
|
|
Registration Now Open for 2021–2022 Bay Area Physician Leadership Program
Today’s dynamic health care environment requires effective physician leaders to ensure organizational and individual success. The Physician Leadership Program, developed in 2016 by physician leaders in collaboration with faculty from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and Haas School of Business, is a structured course that builds upon the deep knowledge that clinicians already have of complex systems such as the human body, families, and communities, as well as their experience of exerting influence through clinical encounters and clinical team leadership. Participants will enhance their leadership effectiveness, learn from nationally recognized experts, expand their network with local colleagues, and will gain practical skills and insights directly applicable to their practice opportunities and challenges. Participants can earn a Certificate of Completion and up to 24 hours of CME credit. To find out more and to register, please visit our website.
|
|
Deadline to Apply for Aledade ACO Is August 3
The California Medical Association (CMA) is collaborating with Aledade Inc. to help independent physicians succeed in value-based care, ensuring practices and health centers are able to thrive while delivering the best possible patient care. The deadline to join an Aledade Accountable Care Organization (ACO) for the 2022 performance year has been extended to August 3, 2021. Physicians are encouraged to contact Aledade no later than July 31 to ensure your application can be processed in time. Learn more by visiting www.aledade.com or contact outreach@aledade.com for more information. |
|
Encouraging COVID‑19 Vaccinations for Health Care Workers
Solano County is asking local health care providers to encourage COVID‑19 vaccinations among their fellow health care workers (HCWs) and help reduce vaccine resistance. The seven recommendations include sharing personal stories, hosting group discussions, and creating other educational opportunities for non-medical staff. To see the county’s full list of how you can help increase vaccination rates among HCWs, click here.
|
|
Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! Current and new staff can receive on-demand training on HIPAA, OSHA, and customer service. Intended for all staff encountering patients in person or by telephone, this course covers customer service techniques, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
|
|
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 | noon-1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency in California, Mark Ghaly, MD, is a pediatrician by training and has long worked in the safety net systems of California with a focus on caring for vulnerable patients in our state who fall through the cracks, from children with complex care needs to residents of our jails and prisons and those experiencing homelessness. Dr. Ghaly will share his experience as a key decision-maker and leader during these unprecedented times.
We will also welcome back Erica Pan, MD, California State Epidemiologist, who will give us updates on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic nationally and in California, review the progress of the vaccine rollout, and the evolving story of COVID-19 variants.
Moderator: Kimberly Newell Green, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF
|
|
Friday, July 16 | 8 AM –12:15 PM
CME Available | Presented by the Riverside County Medical Association
Topics to be covered at this year’s virtual conference include aging physicians, safe and legal monitoring of physicians in a treatment program, physician well-being committee roles and responsibilities, and more. The conference is open to anyone involved or interested in improving the health and well-being of physicians.
Speakers: David Bazzo, MD; Kai McDonald, MD; Ajeet Singhvi, MD; and Elizabeth Snelson, Esq.
|
|
Thursday, August 26 | 6:15–7:30 PM
FREE | CME Available
Using data and stories, together in conversation, we will focus on yourself, as well as your potential new directions and skills, and your “team,” whether at home or professionally.
Speaker: Linda Clever, MD, MACP
|
|
September 21 – January 18
CME Available
Registration is now open for the 2021–2022 Physician Leadership Program, from the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA), is an innovative program developed in 2016 by physician leaders in collaboration with faculty from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and Haas School of Business. Participants will enhance their leadership effectiveness, learn from nationally recognized experts, expand their network with local colleagues, and will gain practical skills and insights directly applicable to their practice opportunities and challenges. Participants can earn a Certificate of Completion and up to 24 hours of CME credit.
Discounts for medical society members and groups are available! Find out more and register here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
