Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
Click here to read the latest COVID vaccinations update sent out by the ACCMA.
Providers can now enroll in the state’s new CalVax system to receive direct vaccine allocations in order to immunize their patients. Organizations should be prepared to use either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. If you are a provider who previously enrolled and were approved in the COVIDReadi system, you will be migrated to the new CalVax system and do NOT need to re-enroll in CalVax. Read more here.
People aged 65+ are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A new system was launched to let people know if they are eligible to receive a vaccine and if not yet eligible, to register for a notification via email or text when they are eligible.
Updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health recommends that vaccine providers use 50% of "second doses" received to provide first doses to those currently eligible for vaccination as described in the guidance.
The Limited Stay at Home Order for Alameda and Contra Costa counties has been extended until further notice. As of January 15, the Bay Area had 3.4% remaining ICU capacity. Statewide ICU capacity stayed at 0%.
CMA's COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center can be accessed here.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. A two-month supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered (click here for specs); vinyl gloves are out of stock until further notice. PPE order forms are reviewed and if approved, will be shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate form must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
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New Round of Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Physician practices with 300 or fewer employees may apply for the new round of Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, to which Congress allocated $284 billion in late December. The new PPP application form is not available yet but all physicians are urged to compile their documentation and contact their lending institution now, so that they are ready to apply as soon as the application form is out. The first round of PPP funding was depleted within two weeks in 2020. Applications are due March 31, 2021.
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CDPH Launches Medical Exemption Registry for Required Childhood Vaccines
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has launched the California Immunization Registry – Medical Exemption (CAIR-ME) website to request, issue, manage and track medical exemptions from required immunizations for children attending school or child care facilities. Effective January 1, 2021, new medical exemptions for children can only be issued using the CAIR-ME website. CDPH will review the new requirements and process for submitting medical exemptions in a free webinar on January 26 at noon.
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HHS Eliminates X-Waiver Requirement for DEA-Registered Physicians
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March 1 Deadline for 2020 Claims for the Quality Performance Category
Physicians participating in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) have until March 1, 2021 to submit 2020 claims for the Quality performance category to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Claims must be received by CMS within 60 days of the end of the performance period. Deadline dates vary to submit claims to the administrative contractor. Check with each contractor for specific instructions.
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Access your electronic copy of
the latest ACCMA Bulletin!
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Tuesday, January 19 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
The end of 2020 marked two milestones in the COVID-19 pandemic: a broad national surge of cases that have overwhelmed hospital capacity in communities across California and the first rounds of vaccination. With broader vaccine distribution expected in 2021, is hope on the horizon? Are we at the beginning of an end to the pandemic? Moderated by Kimberly Newell Green, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF.
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Thursday, January 21 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA
Learn how the latest federal stimulus act impacts physician practices. We will cover the following:
- Second round of PPP loans
- Employee retention tax credits
- Changes to the EIDL program
- Tax law changes that are beneficial to business owners
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Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22 | 12:30 - 1:30 PM
FREE | Presented by Ashley McClure, MD
For physicians interested in advocating for equitable climate policies to protect health, and to voice their climate-related concerns, priorities, and strategies. The purpose of these meetings are to align on a detailed set of climate and health priorities (like with each major issue report at the CMA House of Delegates) and to plan how to turn those priorities into action, both in and outside CMA.
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Thursday, January 21 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Members and Non-members: FREE
Interested in setting yourself up for financial success in the New Year? Join Gayatri Brar and and Natalie Schnuck of First Republic for a special presentation and Q&A to learn more. Whether you are focused on saving for retirement, purchasing a home, or paying down debt, First Republic can help you achieve your financial goals.
Gayatri Brar is a Managing Director and Banker at First Republic Bank. With over 12 years of experience in private banking and finance, Gayatri's passion is to take care of her clients and their needs. She does so by providing creative financial solutions to her clients and empowering them to accomplish their goals. Her expertise includes providing customer service tailored to each individual's unique situations with an emphasis on various types of lending (personal (real estate, student loan refinance, partner buy-in loans) and business lending).
Natalie Schnuck is a Managing Director and Wealth Manager at First Republic Investment Management. In her role as Wealth Manager, Ms. Schnuck is responsible for helping clients target their financial needs and goals and gives special focus to strategic asset allocation and risk assessment analysis.
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Tuesday, January 26 | noon - 1:00 PM
FREE | Presented by California Department of Public Health
CDPH will review the new requirements and process for submitting medical exemptions from required immunizations for children attending school or child care facilities in the California Immunization Registry - Medical Exemption (CAIR-ME) website.
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Wednesday, January 27 | noon - 1:00 PM
FREE | Presented by ACES Aware
This webinar will include a discussion and concrete example of a trauma-informed network of care, a group of interdisciplinary health, education, and human service professionals, community members, and organizations that support adults, children, and families by providing access to evidence-based “buffering” resources and supports that help to prevent, treat, and heal the harmful consequences of toxic stress. Contact info@ACEsAware.org if you have any questions.
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Wednesday, January 27 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
Members and Members' Staff (with promo code): FREE | Non-members: $99 | Presented by CMA
CMA's General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, Francisco Silva, will discuss the new 2021 laws that are affecting physicians and their practices, highlight pending health legislation, and explain CMA’s legal resources.
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Tuesday, February 2 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Members and Non-members: FREE | CME Available
This webinar will provide an opportunity for you to pause for a bit and, for a change, to think about yourself, despite the remarkable slurry of uncertainties and challenges in which we find ourselves. You will be able to visit or re-visit your own purpose and develop ways to move ahead.
To do this, we will explore your context, the Big Picture of culture and attitudes that shape society's, hospitals', and systems' policies about physicians. Importantly, we will also look at barriers that can hold you back and - the good news - boosters that can propel you forward. You will discover practical and achievable ways to replenish your energy, find opportunities, and reach toward your own goals.
You are encouraged to submit questions in advance to help her address the range of clinician concerns and responses to the crisis. And you can also briefly share any personal tips and practices that are helping you during this difficult time. Please send your questions and comments to edanmeier.renew@gmail.com.
Speaker: Linda Hawes Clever, MD, MACP, is the founder of the nonprofit organization RENEW. She is a graduate of the Stanford Medical School and board certified in internal and occupational medicine. Dr. Clever is active at UC Berkeley and Stanford University, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and the author of The Fatigue Prescription: Four Steps to Renewing Your Energy, Health and Life.
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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
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