October 4, 2022

MOA Webinar Series

Reproductive Health Rights in Michigan

Zoom Webinar

12-1:00pm, October 27, 2022

What is the status of Reproductive Health Rights in Michigan? Information on health outcomes and disparities, and how providers can understand the legal boundaries currently in Michigan. Join speakers from the MOA, MDHHS and an attorney from Foley, LLP, in a webinar discussing the latest information on Reproductive Health Rights, and the role of providers, in Michigan.

SPEAKERS

Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Chief Medical Executive, State of Michigan.

Dr. Bagdasarian is the chief medical executive for the State of Michigan.

Laila Shehadeh, DO, is an MOA Board of Trustee, and an Obstetrics & Gynecology specialist in Warren, MI. She is Board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Jennifer Z. Belveal, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP. She is graduate of the University of Michigan Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 1995) and has extensive experience in legal matters related to health care providers.

2022 Autumn Scientific Convention

23 AOA Category 1-A Credits offered

October 28-30, 2022

Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton, Grand Rapids, MI

Amway Grand Plaza Reservations

Rate $168 if booked by Friday, October 14, 2022

Agenda

Registration

Enforcement of Electronic Prescribing

standard to begin Jan.1, 2023

FROM: Bureau of Professional Licensing

DATE: October 3, 2022

The Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is providing you with this notification regarding important implementation updates for Public Acts 134, 135, and 136 of 2020 which require electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) of prescriptions.

As you may be aware, the law will soon require prescribers to electronically transmit controlled and non-controlled substance prescriptions. Pursuant to authority provided in MCL 333.17754a(10), BPL’s enforcement of the electronic prescribing standard will coincide with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) enforcement schedule for Part D prescription drug programs. As a result, BPL will initiate enforcement of Michigan’s new electronic prescribing standard on January 1, 2023.

BPL has created a form that can be used by prescribers who may fall into one of the narrow categories in the law and wish to apply for a waiver of the electronic prescribing requirements of MCL 333.17754a. The form can be found on our website. If you would like to apply for a waiver, complete the form and email it to bpldata@michigan.gov or mail it to PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909. Please note that requests sent by postal mail will take longer to process than requests sent by email.

As a reminder, we have a frequently asked questions document on our website that you may find useful: Electronic Prescribing FAQ

Should you have any questions, please contact bplhelp@michigan.gov or visit our website at: www.michigan.gov/bpl

Bureau of Professional Licensing

Public Health Emergency (PHE) Unwinding

MDHHS has issued many COVID-19 response Medicaid policy bulletins and L letters which changed existing policy and processes under the guidance of the federal PHE. Many COVID-19 response policy bulletins and L letters are intended to be time-limited, and MDHHS will notify providers of their termination.

In preparation for the end of the federal PHE, we encourage providers to take the following steps:

Review the Medicaid policy bulletin and L letter webpages to see which policies or L letters may impact your provider type.
Verify beneficiary eligibility prior to services. Providers can visit the Eligibility and Enrollment webpage for step-by-step instructions.
Remind beneficiaries to verify or update their contact information, or report any changes, online through MI Bridges. They can also call their local MDHHS office for help. Local office information can be found on MDHHS County Office webpage.
Remind beneficiaries to open mail from MDHHS, and complete and return renewal documents.

Providers may e-mail ProviderSupport@michigan.gov with questions.

What will happen to the policies that will change or end as part of the PHE?

Policies that will change or end a COVID-19 Response policy will be fully promulgated, which includes a 35-day public comment period and issuance of a final bulletin at least 30 days before the effective date of the policy change. Beneficiaries will be provided with timely and adequate notice of the ending or reduction of any COVID-19 Response service or process.

How can our office stay up to date to ensure we aren’t missing policy changes?

NOM Week spotlights the osteopathic profession

Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate adopted a resolution by unanimous consent to designate the week of April 18-24 as National Osteopathic Medicine Week. Looking ahead to 2023, National Osteopathic Medicine Week will be celebrated the week of April 17-23.

While that is a bit in the future, I thought it would be a good time to talk about why this is important and the partnerships that made it possible.

As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), you understand the importance of collaborating with others. After all, we know that our work to serve people from all walks of life and the research being done to find cures for diseases can’t be done alone. Success comes through partnerships and working together with other D.O.s, allopathic physicians, researchers, PAs, nurses, the list goes on. The opposite is also true – the work doesn’t happen, at least not at the highest level, without us – D.O.s.

That is why seeing us in the community serving others and hearing from us – all D.O.s, including clinicians, those working in research and those educating the next generation of D.O.s – is so important. D.O.s are working in rural communities, urban communities, suburban communities – all communities. But they are especially focused on supporting and serving communities in need – those out-of-the-way rural areas whose people otherwise must travel long distances to see a doctor, or poor, urban communities where health care may be limited or overburdened. That’s where you’ll find many of us.

Continue to full article

Updates on Monkeypox (MPV) and COVID-19

The Michigan Osteopathic Association participated in a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) conference on updates for healthcare providers on the current status of MPV and COVID-19 response in Michigan.

Here is a quick list of online resources:

MDHHS Updates on Monkeypox (MPV)

Monkeypox (MPV) information page

Monkeypox Resources for Health Care Professionals

CDC

Monkeypox 2022 Outbreak Cases & Data

MDHHS Updates on COVID-19

On August 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update to the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States.

The update is outlined below:

Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination following exposure to SARS-CoV-2:

Recent exposure to SARS-COV-2 is not a contraindication or precaution to COVID-19 vaccination. People with a known or potential SARS-COV-2 exposure can receive vaccine if they do not have symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, people should follow CDC’s post-exposure guidance.

COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis. People should be informed that vaccination is to help prevent severe COVID-19 following future exposures. SARS-CoV-2 viral testing may be necessary to differentiate between common post-vaccination symptoms and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection:

People who develop signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell) should isolate and be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 infection as soon as possible.
People who develop signs and symptoms that could be from either COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection (e.g., fever, fatigue, headache, myalgia) without typical COVID-19 symptoms described above, and are clinically stable, should isolate and, if symptoms do not improve by two days post-vaccination, be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate in contacting MDHHS at checcimms@michigan.gov

Membership Renewal

The 2023 membership renewal notices have been sent through email and via U.S. Postal Service. A reminder—90% of your yearly dues can be deducted on your tax returns.

Renew Membership here

Membership Renewal Link

Coalition Newsletter | October 3, 2022

Free COVID-19 tests available for all residents through

the Rockefeller Foundation partnership

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is announcing the availability of an additional 289,000 COVID-19 tests through its expanded partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act.

The expansion will provide COVID-19 tests to 58,000 households located anywhere in the state free of charge. Households will receive one kit containing five tests.

“We are pleased to announce the availability of these additional COVID-19 tests through our partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Testing remains a critical tool in managing the spread of COVID-19 and reduces the risk of spreading the virus to our loved ones and neighbors. We encourage residents to take advantage of these free tests as we head into the fall season when respiratory diseases, like COVID-19, spread most easily.”

As we head into the fall, MDHHS encourage Michigan families to have a COVID plan. This includes keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home; staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters; and speaking to their health care provider about their eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

All households in the state of Michigan can order their free COVID-19 tests through AccessCovidTests.org. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can contact 211 for assistance ordering tests.

MDHHS continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here for a list of participating libraries.

Private health insurers are required to cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month for each person covered by a health plan. Check with your insurer for the most up-to-date information for your specific plan.

For more information about testing, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus

Continue to full Spread Hope Newsletter

Michigan residents with COVID-19 encouraged to seek treatment options early

All individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should talk to their doctor to see if they are eligible to receive one of the COVID therapeutics.

Don’t delay, treatment must be started early to work.

The Michigan COVID-19 website includes a locator that will help people who test positive find locations where treatments are available.

Another resource is the Test to Treat program. This nationwide initiative, launched by the federal government, ensures rapid access to no-cost COVID-19 oral medications that can help reduce risk for hospitalization if someone tests positive for COVID-19 and are eligible to receive medications.

Test to Treat locations may include participating pharmacies, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), tribal health centers, urgent care locations, primary care physicians and long-term care facilities.

Learn about Test to Treat, how to participate if you receive positive test result at home, and more

Links:

Search for Test to Treat locations near you

Search for treatment options near you using

the state of Michigan's loca tor

Michigan.gov COVID-19 Vaccination information

September 2022

This newsletter from BCBSM includes short summaries, reminders and updates for Blue Cross and BCN providers. Please visit The Record or BCN Provider News for complete newsletter editions.

Download a printable version to read or share

Strategic Partner Career Opportunity Spotlight:

Mackinac Straits Health System

Oncologist

Due to an upcoming retirement, Mackinac Straits Health System is seeking an Oncologist to join our medical staff. The Oncology/ Infusion Clinic, located inside Mackinac Straits Hospital (St. Ignace), currently joins our other areas of care which include Primary Care, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and several specialists. All of our providers work four days a week in an outpatient practice. There are currently no on-call responsibilities for this position.

Family Practice Physician

Mackinac Straits Health System is seeking a Family Practice Physician to join our medical staff. The St. Ignace Medical Clinic, located inside Mackinac Straits Hospital currently consists of Primary Care, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology, and several specialists. All of our providers work four days a week in an outpatient practice. There are currently no on-call responsibilities for this position.

The MOA offers an online Learning Center to deliver CME in an on demand format. In addition to our Spring and Autumn sessions, there are other options available. There are over 150 hours of CME sessions in the Learning Center, all qualifying for AOA Category 1-A CME credits.

These sessions can be accessed at any time by clicking the link below. Evaluations are within the system and can be taken after you have viewed the program.

On Demand CME programs