November 2020
Planning to give COVID-19 vaccinations? Complete CDPHE's pandemic vaccine interest form
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment asks all facilities interested in participating in Colorado's COVID-19 pandemic vaccine response to complete an interest form here. Submission of this form is not a guarantee of receiving COVID-19 vaccine from the state of Colorado and further action will be necessary to officially enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider. One interest form should be completed for each clinic location.
CMS Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 18 to include update on distribution of bamlanivimab, workforce issues and more
The Colorado Medical Society will host a Virtual Town Hall this Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6-7 p.m. to focus on timely topics -- the statewide distribution of monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab, workforce issues, ICU overload preparations and an overview of the governor's recent executive order. Plus, CMS will take live and pre-submitted questions and statements about what has worked for you or what is currently challenging your practice during this pandemic. Physicians can earn up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for participation in this activity. Full accreditation information and link to register here. Submit questions or statements in advance to membership@cms.org.

In other news, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced they will cover bamlanivimab to treat Medicare beneficiaries with coronavirus with no cost-sharing during the public health emergency. In a news release the agency said that they anticipate the product will initially be given to health care providers at no charge. Medicare will not pay for the monoclonal antibody products that providers receive free but will pay for infusion.
Update: COVID-19 vaccine codes and PC-ACE software
The American Medical Association (AMA), working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS), created new codes for the vaccine and the administration of the vaccine. Get the new codes here. To prepare for the vaccine administration claims, the PC-ACE software is also updated and ready for providers to download. If you intend to administer the COVID-19 vaccines when they become available or bamlanivimab, especially if you intend to roster bill these codes, please download and install the new release of PC-ACE.
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View a flyer on Life of the Coronavirus that you can display in your office: English | Spanish

November is National Diabetes Month! View a special flyer on diabetes prescription savings here.
ONC extends deadline for implementing info blocking rule
Following advocacy from the American Medical Association, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) is extending compliance deadlines for certain information blocking and health IT certification requirements from Nov. 2, 2020 to April 5, 2021. To help physicians navigate the requirements, the AMA has created a two-part educational resource:

  • Part 1 outlines what information blocking is, key terms to know, examples of information blocking practices, and a summary of exceptions for when physicians may restrict access, exchange and use electronic health information.
  • Part 2 will help physicians start down the path of compliance, including questions to consider, considerations for maintaining a compliance program, and next steps. The AMA will continue to update these resources as the federal government releases new guidance.
Novitas Solutions presents FAQ on 2021 E/M changes
Novitas Solutions has published an FAQ document to assist practices with understanding the American Medical Association CPT® E/M code and guideline changes for 2021. Access it here.
Discounted N95 masks available through CMS partnership
The Colorado Medical Society has partnered with ActionPPE.org and more than 30 medical associations on a group-buying program to procure Honeywell H910 Plus NIOSH N95 respirators at $3.85 each. This is a rare opportunity to secure PPE in critically short supply during the current increase in cases of COVID-19.

Honeywell is one of the largest and highest-grade N95 manufacturers in America with a more than 100-year track record of innovation and quality. The primary Honeywell N95 factory has guaranteed ActionPPE access at below-market prices to help private practices secure the same vital PPE as professionals working in larger GBOs. This is a limited-time group purchase for medical and related professionals.

Everyone who wants to participate must place their orders through this link and select “SPECIAL Group Buy Honeywell N95 Respirators.” If we don’t reach the minimum and can’t place the order, practices will receive prompt refunds. There is no risk. The order will be placed as soon as they reach 500,000 ordered units. The last date to submit an order is Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. MDT. First orders start shipping Dec. 14, 2020 (initial orders may ship sooner).
Sponsors
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*Comparison applies to standard card organization fees only, not to include monthly equipment or software fees. Merchants must provide their monthly merchant processing statements. ©2018 Total System Services, Inc.
Mary Jo Heins is a former medical practice manager and past president of Colo MGMA. As an independent Medicare insurance agent, she now helps people with all facets of Medicare – objectively and fee free.

  • Enrollment in Medicare Parts A & B
  • Supplement v Medicare Advantage
  • Rx plans - mapping medication regiments to the best formulary
  • Dental/Hearing/Vision plans
  • Education sessions via Zoom

303-916-6992
Colorado Medical Society working for physicians and practices
CMS's unique partnership with Delta Dental of Colorado
Poor oral health can lead to and escalate serious overall health issues. That’s why dental insurance is important and why the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) has collaborated with COPIC Financial Service Group and Delta Dental, the state’s leading dental benefits provider, to offer CMS members an affordable dental benefits program for their employees and their families.

Designed for small- to medium-sized organizations, this plan offers a combination of flexibility and cost savings to fit your group’s needs. CMS worked closely with COPIC Financial Service Group to develop this association plan for its members. Find out more here.
CMS signs on to AMA letter urging reimbursement for physicians and practices
The Colorado Medical Society joined the American Medical Association and state medical and specialty societies around the country in urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to immediately implement and pay for Current Procedural Terminology (R) (CPT) code 99072 to compensate practices for additional supplies and new staff activities required to provide safe patient care during the COVID-19 public health emergency. CMS is continually working for physicians and their practices. Read the letter here.
CMS's Jane Nugent Cochems Trust provides financial help for physicians in need
The Colorado Medical Society administers grants from the Jane Nugent Cochems Charitable Trust to offer short-term financial help to physicians in need. The average grant to approved applicants ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, although larger amounts can be approved. The application process is simple and the review process is completely confidential. Application deadline: Dec. 1, 2020. To download an application form, go to 
cms.org/about/cochems-trust. For more information, contact Tom Wilson at the Colorado Medical Society at 720-858-6316 or tom_wilson@cms.org.
CMS's primer on paid leave laws
With COVID-19 case numbers spiking, be sure your practice is in line with new policies for paid leave for employees. Review the CMS primer on the new paid sick leave landscape for Colorado health care workers. Access the primer here.
Sponsors
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Serving medical professionals is all we do. Owned and operated by the Colorado Medical Society and backed by an all-physician board of directors, MTC is uniquely focused on the needs of its clients.

MTC Benefits include: Secure Messaging, Voice Logger/Voicemail, Appointment Confirmations/Reminders, Personalized Announcements, Custom Applications, and competitive rates!

CMS Members: Contact MTC today for your FREE two-month trial and monthly discount. (866) 345-0251 or (303) 761-6594, info@medteleco.com. Visit www.medteleco.com
Colorado QPP Coalition: November 2020 Fast Facts
The Colorado Quality Payment Program Coalition has released the November 2020 QPP Fast Facts, providing great information you need in a condensed format that allows for quick reading.

In this month's edition:
  • APM Incentive Payment
  • Test Your QPP Website Access Before Network Security Update
  • Performance Year 2021 Virtual Group Election Period is Now Open
  • Federal CMS Releases Preliminary 2019 Performance Year Quality Payment Program Results
  • QPP Participation Status Tool Now Includes Second Snapshot of 2020 Qualifying APM Participant and MIPS APMs Data
  • Security Risk Assessment Tool
  • Upcoming Deadlines
  • Upcoming Events
  • CMS QPP Resources

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