PCMS is excited to introduce a new LinkedIn Group page. This group is designed to share content, collaborate, and provide you with the information you need to practice in today's world of medicine. We encourage each of you to join this group and invite physicians within your personal network who are not yet members of PCMS. Collaboration and sharing of information are the keys to our personal success.

Please click here and request to join. We look forward to connecting with you.

In anticipation of when a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available, CMS last month issued another interim final rule with request for comments (IFC) which details actions to ensure that participants in the programs have access to an approved COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.

CMS released a set of toolkits for providers, states and insurers to help the health care system prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine once it is available. The toolkits describe how health care providers can enroll in Medicare to bill for administering COVID-19 vaccines when available and outline the COVID-19 Vaccine Medicare coding structure. They also describe the Medicare reimbursement strategy for COVID-19 vaccine administration and have information for health care providers to learn how to correctly bill for administering vaccines, including roster and centralized billing.

These resources are designed to increase the number of providers that can administer the vaccine and ensure adequate reimbursement for administering the vaccine in Medicare. In addition, CMS is taking action to increase reimbursement for any new COVID treatments that are approved by the FDA.

The CARES Act establishes a requirement for providers to publicize cash prices for COVID-19 diagnostic tests during the PHE. This new requirement applies to every "provider of a COVID-19 diagnostic test" (or "provider"), which is defined as any facility that performs one or more COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Additionally, it requires that each provider of a COVID-19 diagnostic test make public the cash price, defined as the charge that applies to an individual who pays cash (or cash equivalent) for a COVID-19 diagnostic test, for such tests on the internet. If the provider does not have its own website, the provider must make the cash price available in writing within two business days upon request and through signage (if applicable). Additionally, this IFC gives CMS discretion to take action with a possible civil monetary penalty on the provider if the provider fails to respond to CMS's request to submit a corrective action plan (CAP) or to comply with the requirements of a CAP approved by CMS.

Click here for up-to-date information on CMS's COVID-19 vaccine policies and guidance.

Applying fluoride varnish is a quick, cost-effective method to improve pediatric oral health. Thanks to funding from the PA Coalition for Oral Health, the Southeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center is offering fluoride varnish starter kits to primary care providers. The kits come with information about reimbursement and how to access free training with CMEs, as well as a risk assessment tool. For more information, please contact Christine Polit at [email protected].

CDC issued its COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Operational Guidance for Jurisdictions Playbook, which can be found here.

The document's sections cover specific areas of COVID-19 vaccination program planning and implementation and provide key guidance documents and links to resources to assist those efforts. Many, but not all, of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program activities described may overlap with routine activities; routine immunization and pandemic influenza program activities can serve as a foundation for COVID-19 vaccination planning.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning of an imminent cybercrime threat to hospitals and health care providers. Malicious cyber actors may soon be planning to infect systems with Ryuk ransomware for financial gain on a scale not yet seen across the US healthcare system. Physician practices and public health organizations should take timely and reasonable precautions to protect their networks from these threats.

The AMA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have created two resources to help physicians and hospitals guard against cyber threats. Those resources and additional cyber security information can be found at the AMA's cybersecurity webpage.

It's time for our communities to team up to bring attention to diabetes. The Philadelphia Diabetes Prevention Collaborative (PDPC) is working together with PCMS and more than 20+ partner organizations to promote and build regional sustainability of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP), which focuses on behavioral changes related to healthy eating and physical activity. Are your patients at risk of Type 2 Diabetes? Refer them to our local and virtual Diabetes Prevention Programs.

PA House Bill 770 was amended to expand pharmacists' authority to administer certain diagnostic tests. The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) opposes Senate amendments to the bill that would grant pharmacists the authority to administer "waived" diagnostic tests that might include analyzing blood, urine, and fecal samples, and performing tests such as rapid strep. This bill is being pushed aggressively by large retail pharmacy chains and retail giants, like Walmart. The State Representatives need to hear from you now on the negative impact HB 770 will have on patient safety and health care cost increases if passed.

Use PAMED's "Find My Legislators" online tool here to look up and contact your legislator to oppose HB 770.

All MDs must renew their licenses by December 31 and are required to use the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Access PALS at www.pals.pa.gov. Renewal notices were sent via email to licensees. If you cannot find your notice, you can recover your registration code, update your email address, and reset your password here. Need additional assistance or have questions, please contact the Knowledge Center at 1-800-228-7823.

November

12 - COVID-19 Webinar for PAMED Members with Pa. Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, MD Date: Thursday, November 12 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and top Pa. health officials, including COVID-19 Response Director Dr. Wendy Braund, will discuss COVID-19 vaccine planning, testing, PPE, and more. Click Here to Register

12 - Health Care Decision-Making for Cognitively Impaired Adult Patients: A Legal Overview Webinar Date: Thursday, November 12 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM A panel of experts will address medical and legal issues related to serving the needs of adult patients whose mental capacity is at question. Click Here to Register

18 - Developing Follow Up Systems/Using Technology to Access/Manage Patients with Chronic Conditions Date: Wednesday, November 18 Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM At the end of this education session, you will be able to implement follow up strategies utilizing remote technology, employ remote technology and telehealth services to manage patients with chronic conditions, and assess and mitigate risks associated with chronic care management, such as patient selection criteria, technology capabilities and referral to specialists or scheduling on-site services. Click Here to Register

December

2 - Balancing Telehealth and On Site Services During and After the Public Health Emergency Date: Wednesday, December 2 Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM At the end of this education session, you will be able to assess optimal workflow strategies that combine remote and on-site services and employ various telehealth strategies to increase patient engagement. Click Here to Register

3 - Smoke-Free Philly Coalition Meeting Date: Thursday, December 3 Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM During this upcoming Smoke-Free Philly Coalition meeting, the following items will be discussed: Update on the flavored tobacco and flavored high-nicotine vape laws Preservation of MSA funding and CIAA exemptions Statewide Tobacco-Free Recovery Initiative, including acknowledgement of advisory board members Discussion of potential SEPA healthcare accreditation program Recent activity report from members You can access the coalition meeting with the following link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/667520941

11 - MAT Preceptor Training for PCPs Date: Part A: Friday, December 11 Part B: Wednesday, January 27 Time: Part A: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Part B: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM This mini-residency training is free (including CME) and offers didactic training followed by an individually scheduled onsite observation or online clinical consultation with a faculty preceptor. It also offers content that is not covered in the buprenorphine waiver training, including: diversion, continued substance use, benzodiazepine use, point of care testing, harm reduction and pain management. Health Federation's Opioid Response Program and our faculty presenters are available afterwards to support the integration of MOUD into your practice, to help problem solve, and connect you to resources and ongoing training. 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. Click Here to Register