CCMS Elert: Coronavirus Updates, News Briefs, Provider Relief Fund Reporting

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March 10, 2022

CCMS Mission:

Serve the needs of our physician members so they can better serve the needs of the community

In this Issue

News Briefs, Member Notices & COVID-19 Updates, Events, Member Spotlights, Provider Relief Fund Reporting

News Briefs

Southwest Florida 'approaching normal' as pandemic enters third year, hospital leaders say: “Southwest Florida's largest hospital systems marked the second anniversary of their first COVID-19 cases on Tues. (3/8) with a joint news conference to honor the more than 3,000 lives the pandemic has claimed in this region.” - Naples Daily News

WHO says COVID boosters needed, reversing previous call: “An expert group convened by the (WHO) said Tuesday (3/8) it “strongly supports urgent and broad access” to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine amid the global spread of omicron, capping a reversal of the U.N. agency’s repeated insistence last year that boosters weren’t necessary for healthy people (..).” - AP News

Florida to be first state to recommend healthy kids not get COVID-19 vaccine, contradicting CDC: “Defying guidance from the nation's top infectious disease and pediatric health experts, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced Monday (3/7) that the state will become the first to recommend that healthy kids not get vaccinated for COVID-19.” - Naples Daily News

The prognosis is growth: Expansion ahead for Southwest Florida’s medical sector: “Health care choices in Southwest Florida are about to become a lot more plentiful. The major hospital systems in the area all have expansions and new projects either underway or in the works, and other local health care providers also keep growing as the region itself does.” - Gulfshore Business

Small changes that could greatly improve the No Surprises Act: “As recently reported, (...) [the] court ruling in a lawsuit challenging the arbitration system under the federal No Surprises Act (NSA) was a significant victory for physicians.” - FMA

The facts about Florida’s projected physician shortage: “New research projects that Florida will have a shortfall of 17,924 physicians by the year 2035. Meanwhile, the population of Floridians ages 65 to 74 is expected to increase nearly 75% during the same time period.” - FMA

NCH cites affordable housing issues as a factor in increasing ER wait times: “The number of COVID-19 patients in Southwest Florida is down, but emergency room wait times are up. The cause could be linked to the ongoing affordable housing crisis.” - WINK News

Member Notices

CCMS COVID Vaccine PSA: English

CCMS COVID Vaccine PSA: Spanish

COVID-19 Resources

For a full list visit ccmsonline.org

- "You can order free COVID tests from the government again" - NPR

- Order Free At-Home COVID Tests

- Health Insurance Coverage for At-Home Tests

- PSA for VAXTruths: Truthful information about Covid-19 vaccines

- Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Operational Planning Guide

- Pfizer one-page guide on formulation

- How to have crucial conversations with vaccine-hesitant patients | AMA STEPS Forward™ toolkit on adult immunization

- Vaccine Flyers: English | Spanish | Creole

- Employer Mandated Vaccinations, Sample Policy and Procedures Form

More updates and resources available online

CCMS Member Magazine

A digital copy of the March/April 2022 issue of The Forum is now available on the CCMS website, read it online today for the latest legislative news, a CCMS member feature, and more. CCMS members will receive their hard copies in the mail in the coming days.

View Online Magazine >

Invitation to join CCMS Committees

Membership in CCMS committees is open to all CCMS physician members. If you are interested in serving on any CCMS committees, including the new CCMS ad hoc Committee on Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion, please contact April Donahue, CCMS Executive Director / (239) 435-7727.

If you are interested in joining the CCMS Committee for Clinical Research, whose purpose is to provide a mutual support organization for clinicians conducting research and to enhance the care of your patients, please contact CCMS member Dr. Raymond Phillips.

Review CCMS Committees >

Massage Discounts for CCMS Members

In honor of National Doctor’s Day on March 30th, CCMS has partnered with MassageLuXe to launch a special discount for physician members, recognizing their efforts during the pandemic, and every day. CCMS members receive $20 off any one massage or facial service through Sep. 30th. Base rates before the discount start at $65 for new customers. To book an appointment, call (239) 254-5893 and mention discount code "Doctors Deserve Luxe".

More Info >

2022 RCC Cards

CCMS Members receive special $10 pricing on the 2022 RCC Card, which provides discounts at restaurants and merchants. Order a card at ccmsonline.org/membership or call CCMS, 239-435-7727. Cards will be mailed to the office address on file unless otherwise specified.

Order a 2022 RCC Card >

Renew Your CCMS/CCMSA Membership Today!

CCMS: The 2022 CCMS dues deadline was Dec. 31, 2021. Invoices were recently mailed to members who pay individually, or to practice administrators for group payment. Members and groups can also pay online at ccmsonline.org/membership. If you have any questions, please email us or call (239) 435-7727. Thank you for renewing!

CCMS Alliance: CCMSA invites physician spouses and CCMS members to join/renew their membership in the Alliance - CCMSA President's Letter/Membership Form

Renew CCMS Membership >

Renew CCMSA Alliance Membership >

Physician Wellness Wellness Program

Article of the week: "Self-care Tips for Clinicians as COVID-19 Lingers"

Confidential, cost-free counseling/coaching sessions with the CCMS Physician Wellness Program (operating via telehealth or in-person during the COVID-19 outbreak) are open to all CCMS physician members. *Update: CCMS is extending the offer of sessions to non-member physicians during the pandemic.

Learn more / Schedule a session >

Upcoming Events

NOTICE: All current event dates subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CCMS Practice Administrators Seminar - "HR Hot Topics and Updates"

Tues., March 15th, 7:45am, Porter Wright

Specifically for office managers/administrators at CCMS physician offices; CCMS physician members also welcomed. Free for one person per office, breakfast included.

New Members Welcome Reception 2022_FB graphic_new date.png

CCMS New Member Welcome Reception

Thurs., March 31, 6:30PM, Wyndemere Country Club

Free for CCMS physician members and one guest each, as well as CCMS Circle of Friends vendors (two attendees per company). Thank you to title sponsor, Solas Wealth.

Sponsor/Exhibitor Opportunities >

CCMS Lecture - "Eugenics, Experiments, Ethics - Nazi Germany, Japan, and the United States"

Thurs., April 7, 5:30-7:45, Holocaust Museum and Cohen Educational Center

The evening includes the opportunity for self-guided tours, and light refreshments. Free for CCMS physician members and one guest each. RSVP by 4/4. More info

CCMS & CCMSA Everblades Hockey Family Night

Sat., April 16, 5:30 PM, Hertz Arena

Admission is $35/person and includes club level group seating, a pregame "tailgate" dinner overlooking the arena, and an Everblades beach bag. Open to CCMS/CCMSA members and their guests; children welcomed. NOTE: We apologize that this event conflicts with the holiday weekend and will schedule another family event this year with no holiday conflict.

CCMS & Foundation's 13th Annual Women's Health Forum

Sat., April 23, 8:30AM, Naples United Church of Christ

The Women's Health Forum - “Good Health in our Changing Times,” is free and open to the public and features presentations from CCMS member physicians, vendor exhibits, and refreshment breaks.

Sponsor/Exhibitor Opportunities >

Save the Date: CCMS Spring General Membership Meeting

Thurs., May 12, 6:00PM, The Arlington Naples

CCMS Alliance Partner Events

Alliance Night Out

TODAY, Thurs., March 10, 5:00PM, The Pub Naples (in Mercato), Outside Patio

CCMSA is back! Get ready to mingle and have some fun. Drinks and apps will be served. All physician spouses welcome. More info

Prosper & Pose: Yoga on the Beach

Sat., March 26, 9:30AM, Via Miramar Beach, Naples

Open to CCMSA members, prospective members, and CCMS members. Please bring your own towel. Raffles and light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, email Viktoriya Petrushina | More info

Partner Events

Note: Click here for information on various CME courses available

63rd NCH Hospital Ball - The Healing Garden

Sat., April 2, The Ritz Carlton, Naples

$500 per person. Call (239) 624-2019 for more information.

CCMS Member Spotlights:

Email your news to CCMS to be included in the next issue

Drs. Robert Cubeddu and Dinesh Sharma were featured in the FOX4 news story Your Healthy Family: NCH Heart Institute running 16 clinical trials.

Dr. Julian Javier was featured in the Naples Illustrated article Watching Your Heart. (online pg. #172)

Dr. Svetlana Kogan authored the Life in Naples article Examining Fatigue from a Holistic Perspective. (online pg. #32)

Dr. Holly Miller was quoted in the Naples Illustrated article Endometriosis Awareness Month. (online pg. #170)

Dr. Robert Pascotto was featured in the FOX4 News story Your Healthy Family: One 'soccer dad' saves another from heart attack.

Dr. Philip Regala was featured in the èBella èXtra article Hope for Haiti: A Doctor’s Story.

The Provider Relief Fund Reporting for Period 2 Ends March 31, 2022

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., PA

The HHS opened the portal for Provider Relief Fund Reporting for period 2 on January 1, 2022 and it will close at 11:59pm on March 31, 2022.

Recipients must report information on how the funding was used, interest earned on PRF payments, other assistance received, and certain data metrics. The guidance issued goes into greater detail about the information that recipients must report and can be found here.

Reminders:

· The period of availability of funds is based on the date the payment is received.

· Recipients are required to report for each Payment Received Period in which they received one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000 (rather than $10,000 cumulatively across all PRF payments).

· Even though a provider that received less than $10,000 has no reporting requirement, the three year audit lookback still applies. Please keep all documents to support the use of PRF funds as outlined in the terms and conditions.