WASHTENAW COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Legislative action & community outreach since 1827
The WCMS E-Newsletter is a bimonthly publication highlighting major medical, public health, and community issues affecting physician and medical student leaders in Washtenaw County. Distribution occurs every other Thursday and is a unique benefit of WCMS membership. Past editions are available on the WCMS website.
Happy Holidays from WCMS

On behalf of WCMS and our Executive Council, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!

WCMS will be working limited hours beginning on Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1. Staff will be periodically monitoring e-mail and voicemail and will be returning urgent messages as soon as possible.
COVID-19 Statistics
As of Wednesday, December 23:


Looking for COVID-19 testing sites in Washtenaw County? Follow this link.
COVID-19 Vaccination News from the Washtenaw County Health Department
Update as of 12/23 at 9:00 AM

"Our initial shipment of COVID-19 vaccine (1,950 doses) is being put to use! We have started vaccinating. First priorities (1A) include vaccinators, long-term care facilities, EMS, and frontline heath care providers not already being vaccinated through a hospital or health system.

If you are a 1A provider and have completed our survey, more information will be on its way to you soon. Please do not complete the survey more than once. 

We are also coordinating closely with provider organizations and partners to get prioritized individuals vaccinated as quickly as possible."

For the latest updates and news on vaccination from WCHD, please follow this link. Please click the Michigan Medicine link or St. Joe's Health link for additional information.
WCMS COVID-19 Workgroup: Thursday, Jan. 7 at 6:00 PM

Since March, WCMS has convened regular COVID-19 teleconferences to discuss resource allocation, emergency preparedness, and tracking and tracing among Washtenaw's health systems and physician leaders. The workgroup is led by University of Michigan infectious diseases specialist and WCMS Executive Council member Sandro Cinti, MD. The workgroup also receives updates and modeling data from UM Public Health epidemiologists. To access recordings and resources from past meetings, please follow this link.

WCMS members are encouraged to join the next virtual meeting on Thursday, January 7 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Please contact the Society Office for login credentials.
Final Policy, Payment and Quality Provisions Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2021

The final rule is packed with information regarding the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar year 2021. Some key areas affecting physicians:
  • CY 2021 PFS Rate-setting and Conversion Factor
  • Medicare Telehealth and Other Services Involving Communications Technology
  • Remote Physiologic Monitoring Services
  • Immunization Services
  • Direct Supervision by Interactive Telecommunications Technology
  • Payment for Office/Outpatient Evaluation and Management (E/M) and Analogous Visits
  • Policies Regarding Professional Scope of Practice and Related Issues
  • Supervision of Diagnostic tests by Certain Nonphysician Practitioners (NPPs)
  • Pharmacists Providing Services Incident to Physicians’ Services
  • Therapy Assistants Furnishing Maintenance Therapy
  • Medical Record Documentation
  • PFS Payment for Services of Teaching Physicians and Resident “Moonlighting” Services 
  • Medicare Coverage for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Services Furnished by Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs)
  • Section 2002 of the Support Act
  • Section 2003 of the Support Act
  • Medicare Shared Savings Program
 
For more information please click here. Please contact Stacie Saylor or 517-336-5722 for questions or concerns.
Submit a Resolution for the MSMS House of Delegates

Resolutions are the vehicles used to debate and determine the policies, priorities, and direction of MSMS. WCMS’ Executive Council will be considering members’ resolutions at the February 4 meeting in advance of the 2021 MSMS House of Delegates (HOD) set for May 1-2 in Kalamazoo.
A well-crafted resolution is essential to present the most effective case for issues that are of the greatest importance and concern to organized medicine. The WCMS Executive Council reviews resolutions as a collective group to foster support and guidance prior to submission to MSMS. WCMS assumes responsibility for resolution submission to MSMS if approved by the Executive Council before the March 1 deadline. To learn more about how to write a resolution, please click here.

2021 WCMS/MSMS Membership

WCMS and MSMS are here to help you survive medical school, navigate residency, and start your career. We are proud to fight for you and your patients in the legislative and political process and keep you connected to your colleagues in the community and across the state. Our tools and resources are available to you around the clock.

Click here to renew electronically, or call the MSMS Membership Department directly: (517) 336-5716.
*Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of members, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Washtenaw County Medical Society.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF WCMS!
The Washtenaw County Medical Society has been the leading physician medical association for legislative action and community outreach since 1827. WCMS collaborates with the Michigan State Medical Society to optimize patient, physician, and community well-being through professional support; public health activism; and advocacy for excellence in patient care.