Volume 118, No. 5: May 2022 Edition
They Said It...

"I believe there is more to treating a patient than within the four walls of a medical office. I believe as a physician, it is important to be involved in policy as it plays a huge part in addressing the health inequities seen in our patients. What drew me to [the] Philadelphia County Medical Society was their commitment in advocating for their patients, colleagues and the voices of medical students." Winnie Rao, medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine and Chair of the PCMS Medical Student Section, discussing her PCMS membership as part of a series spotlighting PCMS residents, fellows and medical students. Read more in our Spring 2022 edition of Philadelphia Medicine magazine.
Things you should know...
Philadelphia’s Opioid Assistance Resource Survey
Philadelphia’s Opioid Assistance Resource (OAR) line, operated by the Poison Control Center at CHOP, is planning to offer a series of CME sessions for physicians and they want to hear from you about what topics they should focus on developing for the series.

If you complete this survey before the end of the month, and choose to include your email address, OAR will send a $5 gift card from Dunkin' Donuts to get yourself or a colleague a coffee on them. You can also choose to take this survey anonymously too. For those who include an email address, you will receive an invitation to the webinar series once the topics are finalized. For questions, contact Rachel at linsteadr@chop.edu.

Philadelphia’s Opioid Assistance Resource (OAR) line at 267-426-5900 offers 24/7 support to physicians who are new to buprenorphine initiation and management as well as those seeking consultation for complex cases.
Wolf Administration shares Alzheimer's disease resources
The Department of Health recently shared online resources for health care providers to help them learn about and support Pennsylvanians who may be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
 
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather reflects a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia.
Ala Stanford, MD appointed HHS Region 3 Director
Dr. Ala Stanford, a practicing physician in Philadelphia for over 20 years and board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both pediatric and adult general surgery, was appointed by the Biden Administration to lead the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Region 3 office, which covers all of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Improving maternal health is one of Dr. Stanford's passions. On Mother's Day, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched a brand new Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS). This new hotline is confidential and toll-free and is designed for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. The hotline is staffed with counselors available to provide mental health support.
 
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line. Individuals in behavioral health crisis should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
HHS offers resources for infant formula shortage relief
Dr. Stanford recognizes that many are concerned about the infant formula shortage. It will take time to get the supply back to normal, but until then, here are some resources suggested by the HHS that may be able to offer relief:

  • Locate your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA): Your neighborhood CAA may be able to provide you with formula or connect you with local agencies that have formula in stock.
  • United Way's 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 to be connected to a community resource specialist affiliated with United Way who may be able to help you identify food pantries and other charitable sources of local infant formula and baby food.
  • Feeding America: Call your local food bank to ask whether they have infant formula and other supplies in stock.
  • Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA): Certain HMBANA-accredited milk banks are distributing donated breast milk to mothers in need; please note that some may require a prescription from a medical professional. If you are concerned at all about how your baby is behaving, please seek medical attention.

Visit www.hhs.gov/formula for more information from HHS.

We've gathered additional guidance that may be helpful during the shortage:

How to get a REAL ID
One year to go! Beginning May 3, 2023, REAL IDs or another form of federally acceptable identification will be required to board a commercial flight and to enter a federal building or military installation. Learn more about REAL ID documentation requirements and download a printable document checklist on PennDOT’s REAL ID Document Check page.
Iodinated contrast media shortage
There is a temporary global shortage of GE Healthcare’s iodinated intravenous contrast media, which is expected to last at least through June 2022 and is resulting in an approximately 80% reduction in materials. Some orders are being filled, but on an “allocation” basis (approximately 15-25% of normal order quantities), and many distributors are declining new clients.

The PA Health Dept is recommending conservation of contrast material through various means over the next few months to avoid exhausting the available supply. Questions can be directed to the PA Health Department at (1-877-PA-HEALTH).
Mental Health Awareness Month 
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Medical Association (AMA) has released resources to help physicians integrate behavioral health into their practices as well as prioritize their own mental well-being. The two newly developed guides focus on behavioral health integration in private practices, one for practices serving adult patients and the other for children and adolescent populations. The guides outline key guiding questions relevant to independent practices caring for adult and youth patients who are considering behavioral health integration. The newly revised “Managing Mental Health During COVID-19” resource outlines strategies to support mental well-being while continuing to care for patients during the pandemic or any other crisis.
Need to add new users to Novitasphere?
Each person who will access Novitasphere must have their own account. After creating an account, they should request the Novitasphere End User role for your organization. At that point, the office approver, or backup, would be able to approve the request.

Instructions for each step are available on the Novitasphere website (Jurisdiction L):

  1. New IDM User Registration - Creating a User ID and Password
  2. End Users Steps to Request Novitasphere Role
  3. Office Approver/Office Back-Up Approver Steps to Approve End Users
Biosimilars: Safe, effective, & may reduce patient costs 
CMS resent a message that biosimilars are safe and effective biological medications for treating many illnesses, including chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel diseases (such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), arthritis, kidney conditions, diabetes, and cancer. These medications can provide more treatment options and potentially reduce costs for patients. Bookmark FDA’s Biosimilars webpage and their materials for physicians.

Some additional FDA resources that may be helpful: 
PA Health Dept. Advisory: Monkeypox
On May 18, Massachusetts confirmed a monkeypox case in an adult male with recent travel to Canada. Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2 to 4 weeks and the virus does not spread easily between people; transmission can occur through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (e.g., clothing), or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.
 
Physicians should consider a diagnosis of monkeypox infection in people who present with an unexplained rash and:

  • Have traveled in the last 30 days to a country (including the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain) with confirmed or suspected cases, or
  • Report contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected infections.

If you suspect monkeypox in a patient, contact DOH’s Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 717-787-3350.

To read the full advisory, click here. Additional information about monkeypox can be found here.
CONTRACT CORNER BRIEFS
by Karen E. Davidson, Esquire
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Physicians anticipating a new employment contract (perhaps as of the upcoming July 1st fiscal year [FY] commencement date) should be aware that the Medical Group Management Association’s (MGMA) physician compensation survey data (including academic compensation) for calendar year 2021 is expected to go live next week. This provides a first opportunity for subscribers to access MGMA “post” COVID-shutdown compensation/production data.

Many employers (including hospitals/health systems) have been working to revise/update their FY 2022/2023 compensation models to take into consideration increased work relative value unit (wRVU) values assigned by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) along with reimbursement reductions and any declines in volume.

Published survey data (along with a physician’s own historical production data, if available) can be helpful in developing a contract negotiation strategy through comparison with national/regional compensation/production data whether based on wRVUs, collections, etc. Please submit any physician contract questions you may have to Mark Austerberry at stat@philamedsoc.org.
Calendar of Events
May
Turning Up the Heat on REACH and DCEs

Date: Monday, May 23
Time: 1:00 PM

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) is hosting a webinar today at 1:00 PM to discuss the latest threat to Traditional Medicare: the recently announced REACH program. Seniors will speak about the dangers of private equity interfering with the patient-doctor relationship, while Congressional Representatives will speak about what they have done, and what we should all plan to do, to protect our seniors. Confirmed speakers include representatives from Jane Addams Senior Caucus, the California Alliance of Retired Americans, the Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, and the Wisconsin chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, as well as U.S. House Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Katie Porter.

June
Presidents Installation and Awards Night

Date: Friday, June 17
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: The Philadelphia Country Club, 1601 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035

The Philadelphia County Medical Society will be celebrating the installation of our 160th President Ricardo Morgenstern, MD as well as our award recipients. The deadline to RSVP is June 6.

Have a suggestion for an article? Contact us at stat@philamedsoc.org!
Connect with us at:
Philadelphia County Medical Society | stat@philamedsoc.org
215-563-5343 | http://philamedsoc.org