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In this issue
- Annual meeting recap
- Message from Jim
- Epic updates
- COVID-19 updates
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Note: When accessing APP Pro links below, you may need to sign in again if you are not taken directly to the referenced page or information.
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Recap: 2022 APP Virtual Annual Meetings
Thank you to the 300+ physicians who joined us for our APP Annual Meetings. We hope you found our time together valuable as we shared updates from your local PHO, our performance and keys to our shared success.
Read more for:
- 4 key takeaways
- Performance update
- 5 things you can do
- Responses to your questions
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APP Medical Director Announcements |
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We are making changes to our APP Medical Director structure to accommodate the changing population health environment and are pleased to share the following new leadership announcements. Additional announcements will be forthcoming as we continue to finalize our restructure for additional PHOs and Population Health Medical Director roles.
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Pranjal Shah, MD, MBA has been appointed as the Population Health Medical Director for Central Chicagoland with oversight of Lutheran General, Illinois Masonic and Good Samaritan PHO Medical Directors and PHOs. Dr. Shah currently serves as Good Samaritan PHO Medical Director.
This newly created position aligns with the PSA-level APP leadership of Marwan Baghdan, MD, Population Health Medical Director in South Chicagoland and Bob Belter, MD, Population Health Medical Director in North Illinois.
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Shital Tanna, MD has been appointed as Sherman PHO Medical Director with an expanded role to support Quality Improvement, Clinical Risk Adjustment, and Epic Connect. She has worked as both an aligned and employed physician within APP and has achieved CI scores over 90% every year that she has participated in the program, finishing 2021 with a score of 100%.
We also want to thank Divyang Joshi, MD, who has served as the Sherman PHO Medical Director for just under 25 years. He oversaw the exponential growth of the Sherman PHO from 280 patients in Sherman Choice to over 20,000 patients with Advocate Sherman Physician Partners.
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Senora Nelson, MD, FAAFP, ACHE has been appointed as Trinity PHO Medical Director. She is the site lead at AMG Southeast Health Center within APP and has achieved top Clinical Risk Adjustment (CRA) scoring consecutively from 2013-2022.
We also want to thank Greg Smith, MD, who has served as the Trinity PHO Medical Director since 2017. During his tenure, he worked with the field operations team to drive performance in key areas including utilization, quality and other population health initiatives.
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The 2021 Advocate Aurora Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Impact Report is now available. This report illustrates our relentless work to make meaningful strides advancing health equity, increasing representation within our workforce and business partnerships and affecting real change for our patients, communities, physicians and team members.
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Advocate Aurora Health Updates
Next Epic upgrade June 15: We conduct quarterly upgrades to continuously improve our use of Epic in providing safe and efficient care. Please see this overview for enhancements going live on June 15. A new Epic toolset for advance care planning will also launch on this date. Watch for updates.
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Epic Connect Practice Updates
Introducing Epic Update: Ambulatory Epic Connect: Beginning today, the new Epic Update: Ambulatory Epic Connect edition will be distributed the second and fourth Thursdays of the month in APP Key Messages. Review this edition which includes the latest on clinical risk adjustment best practice advisory and managed care referrals-manual entry.
Epic Connect Service Now coming: Starting May 9, APP practices will be able to call a centralized service desk to address any Epic-related questions or concerns. The number will be 630-990-7000. Callers will be prompted to select Option 3 for the Epic menu and Option 3 for Epic Connect.
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Supporting your Practice
Clinical Integration weekly update: View the latest program update.
Practice Group Survey begins May 15: Due to State of Illinois mandates and payer reporting requirements, APP is required to gather the following pieces of data regarding your overall practice: Telehealth / telemedicine services, practice website, practice taxonomy codes, BEP / MBE / WBE certification, EMR information, and practice signature authorities. Only one survey needs to be completed by each practice. Access the survey here.
Reminder: Medicaid survey under way: The State of Illinois and the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) requires submission of detailed accessibility information for each practice location submitted on rosters to IAMHP associated payers. APP is required to collect and track this data to be compliant with our payer contracts. Please complete the Practice Location Accessibility Information survey for each of your practice locations that are part of the APP network. Access the survey here.
Patient Outreach: We are conducting patient outreach on your behalf to support quality outcomes and close quality care gaps. Read more.
New opioid prescribing procedure & education: The opioid epidemic reached over 100,000 deaths in the 12 months preceding April 2021. Across Advocate Aurora, our focus is shifting from decreasing prescribing to appropriate prescribing and management of patients on chronic opioids for pain. On May 3, a new System Opioid Prescribing procedure will go live in PolicyTech outlining how to monitor patients receiving opioids for acute and chronic pain. To learn more and earn opioid-specific CME, all prescribers are encouraged to take these courses on eUniversity accessible via APP Pro.
- Opioid Prescribing Procedure course
- Weaning Opioids
- Drug Screening for Patients on Opioid Therapy
Online DEA registrations and renewals: The DEA has issued a final rule amending its registration and renewal process. As of May 11, all applications for DEA registrations and renewals must be submitted online. There will no longer be an option to submit paper forms.
CMS Public Health Emergency waivers set to expire: Certain CMS Public Health Emergency waivers will expire on May 7, 2022, including Physician Delegation of Tasks in SNFs, Physician Visits, and Physician Visits in Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Facilities. Learn more.
MobileHelp acquisition: Advocate Aurora Enterprises (AAE) recently announced an acquisition of MobileHelp, a leading provider of remote patient monitoring and personal emergency response capabilities. This is the fourth transaction for AAE, an Advocate Aurora subsidiary that strategically invests in and acquires consumer health and wellness companies to advance innovative solutions that go beyond traditional clinical care. The investment aims to advance whole person health, accelerating our T25 strategy and helping people live well at every stage of life. Learn more.
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Expanding Access to COVID-19 Antiviral Medications: Advocate Aurora offers a variety of ways for patients who may be eligible for oral antiviral medications to get the care and treatment they need, including through their PCPs, our immediate/urgent care centers and Quick Care Video Visits. In support of the recently announced Test to Treat initiative, we’re also offering streamlined in-person and virtual access in our Advocate and Aurora Clinics at Walgreens. People can be evaluated, tested and – if they are positive and meet clinical criteria – receive a prescription for an antiviral medication and have the prescription filled all at one location. Learn more.
Paxlovid Product Update: A NEW Paxlovid packaging specifically for renally adjusted Paxlovid dosing is now available. Advocate Aurora is currently implementing a plan in Epic for its use. More information will be provided in the next couple of weeks once the Epic build is complete.
COVID-19 PCR test result letter notification ends: Patients who have a COVID-19 PCR test at one of our facilities currently receive a test result letter in the mail. These patients may also receive results via LiveWell, from their physician or the location where the test was completed. Almost 90% of patients tested access the LiveWell app or website for these results. To avoid multiple duplicate notifications, we are eliminating mailing of COVID-19 test results starting May 16. See this SBAR for details.
Reminder: Advocate Aurora Health masking policy remains in effect: As masking mandates evolve for public settings, these changes DO NOT apply to health care settings. In alignment with CDC masking guidance, please be reminded:
- In Advocate Aurora hospitals, clinics and other health care settings, everyone over the age of two continues to be required to wear a mask.
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In Advocate Aurora non-health care locations, i.e., office buildings, masking is NOT required, unless specified by the building ownership, in which case on-site signage will provide direction. However, masking continues to be recommended for those who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised.
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Research Institute launches new Scientific Grand Rounds series
This virtual series will feature internal and external experts highlighting research in alignment with T25 strategic priorities. Physicians and APCs engaged in research are encouraged to attend. Learn more.
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Study identifies association between residential greenspace and stroke risk
Neuroscientist, Richard Rovin, MD, coauthored a study finding that Milwaukee County residences with greater surrounding greenspace were associated with lower stroke risk. The study was in the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, a peer-reviewed, PubMed indexed medical journal published by Advocate Aurora Health. Read more.
To receive monthly issues of Advocate Aurora Research Institute’s e-newsletter, email the team and visit the website to learn how their research is advancing patient care.
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Continuing Medical Education and Events |
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Spring Pediatric Review Symposium
A continuation of the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance Symposium, this forum will allow pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists to share knowledge regarding diagnosis, management and treatment of pediatric diseases or conditions.
Friday, May 20 | 8 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.
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CME Website: Webinars & Recordings |
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