Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
The Alameda County Public Health Department estimates that phase 1a, tiers 2 and 3 (primary care and specialty practices) will begin next week. Click here for the latest information from the county. The county has received approximately 47,000 doses separate from those sent to Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and UC Health.
The City of Berkeley, which is its own Health Jurisdiction, is now vaccinating healthcare workers in phase 1a, tiers 1-3, who work in Berkeley. Healthcare workers who meet this requirement can schedule their vaccine appointment here.
Contra Costa Health Services is continuing to vaccinate primary care and specialty practices at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and John Muir. You do not have to have any affiliation with CCRMC or John Muir to utilize these services. Click here for instructions on arranging a vaccination appointment at CCRMC or John Muir. The county has received approximately 40,000 doses separate from those sent to Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health..
California is elevating people 65 to 74 years old to phase 1b, tier 2. Phase 1b, tier 1 includes those age 75 and older and frontline workers at high risk of exposure. People ages 50 to 64 and those ages 16 to 49 with an underlying medical condition are now in phase 1c. A vaccine has not yet been authorized for children under age 16.
With the slow Federal rollout, some counties are offering vaccinations to nursing homes and assisted living facilities from their limited supply rather than continue to wait for the federal vaccination program. Using vaccine doses provided by Contra Costa County, John Muir Health vaccinated residents and employees at Byron Park in Walnut Creek on Wednesday and those at Viamonte last week. The county is coordinating vaccinations at 80 facilities, including small room-and-care sites.
The Limited Stay at Home Order for Alameda and Contra Costa counties has been extended until further notice. As of January 8, the Bay Area had 3% remaining ICU capacity. Statewide ICU capacity stayed at 0%.
CMA's COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center can be accessed here.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. A two-month supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered (click here for specs); vinyl gloves are out of stock until further notice. PPE order forms are reviewed and if approved, will be shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate form must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
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Medicare Payment Cuts Stopped, New Physician Fee Schedule to Be Issued
An updated Medicare physician fee schedule for 2021 is expected next week after the US Congress took action in late December to halt a 10.2% across-the-board reduction in physician Medicare payments. Instead there will be a 3.75% pay raise across all specialties and payments, and most specialties will see either a neutral or positive change in total Medicare payments for 2021. Click here to see payment impact by specialty. |
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Apply for Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant
Physician practices affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for funds from California's Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) through January 13. Practices with up to $2.5 million in annual gross revenue can apply, and the amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. A second application period will open at a date still to be determined. Go to careliefgrant.com to learn more. |
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February 1 Deadline for MIPS/APM COVID-19 Exception
Physicians participating in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Alternative Payment Model (APM) have until February 1 to apply for 2020 Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances for COVID-19 relief only. If approved, physicians will qualify for a re-weighting of one or more MIPS performance categories. For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on Quality Payment Program participation, click here.
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New State Law Expands Coverage of Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
Effective January 1, SB 855 requires health care service plans and health insurers to cover health care services that are medically necessary to diagnose, prevent, and treat all mental health conditions, as well as substance use disorders, equal to coverage provided for other medical conditions.
CMA has published a summary of significant new state laws on allied health professionals, mental health, workforce and labor issues, and COVID-19 pandemic related issues. CMA's webinar on January 27 will discuss the new 2021 laws that affect physicians and their practices, highlight pending health legislation, and explain CMA’s legal resources. Click here to register.
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Loan Repayment Application for Educational Debt Opens January 18
CalHealthCares offers up to $300,000 in loan repayment for eligible physicians and dentists. The next application cycle for CalHealthCares opens January 18 and closes February 12. Applicants who apply by January 29 at 5 pm (PST) qualify for an early review in which the CalHealthCare team will review applications, provide feedback, and applicants will have one opportunity to fix any inconsistencies discovered. For more information, visit CalHealthCares.org.
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Access your electronic copy of
the latest ACCMA Bulletin!
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Tuesday, January 12 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA
With modifications to the outpatient evaluation and management (E&M) coding guidelines set to take effect on January 1, 2021, physician practices should be ready for the most impactful overhaul of E&M codes in more than 25 years. In this webinar, Mary Jean Sage of the Sage Associates discusses the upcoming changes in E&M coding and other coding changes set to take effect in the new year.
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Thursday, January 14 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA
This installment of CMA's Telehealth Webinar Series for Small and Medium Sized Practices will focus on the future of pandemic-era telehealth laws and waivers. The webinar will also cover California's new telehealth parity law, AB 744, set to take effect on January 1, 2021, and and other new telehealth legislation in 2021.
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Tuesday, January 19 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
The end of 2020 marked two milestones in the COVID-19 pandemic: a broad national surge of cases that have overwhelmed hospital capacity in communities across California and the first rounds of vaccination. With broader vaccine distribution expected in 2021, is hope on the horizon? Are we at the beginning of an end to the pandemic? Moderated by Kimberly Newell Green, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF.
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Thursday, January 21 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Members and Non-members: FREE
Interested in setting yourself up for financial success in the New Year? Join Gayatri Brar and and Natalie Schnuck of First Republic for a special presentation and Q&A to learn more. Whether you are focused on saving for retirement, purchasing a home, or paying down debt, First Republic can help you achieve your financial goals.
Gayatri Brar is a Managing Director and Banker at First Republic Bank. With over 12 years of experience in private banking and finance, Gayatri's passion is to take care of her clients and their needs. She does so by providing creative financial solutions to her clients and empowering them to accomplish their goals. Her expertise includes providing customer service tailored to each individual's unique situations with an emphasis on various types of lending (personal (real estate, student loan refinance, partner buy-in loans) and business lending).
Natalie Schnuck is a Managing Director and Wealth Manager at First Republic Investment Management. In her role as Wealth Manager, Ms. Schnuck is responsible for helping clients target their financial needs and goals and gives special focus to strategic asset allocation and risk assessment analysis.
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Wednesday, January 27 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
Members and Members' Staff (with promo code): FREE | Non-members: $99 | Presented by CMA
CMA's General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, Francisco Silva, will discuss the new 2021 laws that are affecting physicians and their practices, highlight pending health legislation, and explain CMA’s legal resources.
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Tuesday, February 2 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Members and Non-members: FREE | CME Available
This webinar will provide an opportunity for you to pause for a bit and, for a change, to think about yourself, despite the remarkable slurry of uncertainties and challenges in which we find ourselves. You will be able to visit or re-visit your own purpose and develop ways to move ahead.
To do this, we will explore your context, the Big Picture of culture and attitudes that shape society's, hospitals', and systems' policies about physicians. Importantly, we will also look at barriers that can hold you back and - the good news - boosters that can propel you forward. You will discover practical and achievable ways to replenish your energy, find opportunities, and reach toward your own goals.
You are encouraged to submit questions in advance to help her address the range of clinician concerns and responses to the crisis. And you can also briefly share any personal tips and practices that are helping you during this difficult time. Please send your questions and comments to edanmeier.renew@gmail.com.
Speaker: Linda Hawes Clever, MD, MACP, is the founder of the nonprofit organization RENEW. She is a graduate of the Stanford Medical School and board certified in internal and occupational medicine. Dr. Clever is active at UC Berkeley and Stanford University, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and the author of The Fatigue Prescription: Four Steps to Renewing Your Energy, Health and Life.
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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
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