On May 12, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a press conference to outline the state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, which have resulted in 55% of adults having received their first shot, and to announce its new push of distributing vaccine to primary care physicians, identified as key to reaching vaccine-hesitant Michiganders and vaccinating the newly eligible 12-15 year-old population. All primary care physicians are asked to enroll as vaccine providers, if they have not done so already, and e-order vaccine through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Speaking on behalf of the family medicine community during the press conference was Srikar Reddy, MD, FAAFP, president-elect of MAFP and a family physician affiliated with Ascension Health in South Lyon.

Following the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12-15 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously, on May 12, to recommend that clinicians begin vaccinating adolescents in this age group. ACIP also recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine can now be administered at the same time, or on the same day, as other vaccines in both children and adults. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services supports ACIP's recommendations and issued guidance to vaccine providers for immunizing 12-15 year-olds. To provide more information on vaccinating adolescents, the CDC is hosting a national webinar via Zoom on May 14 at 2-3 pm ET and AAFP is hosting a townhall via Facebook on May 15, 8-9 pm ET.

MAFP joined American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other national and state organizations in sending a letter to U.S. Senators, urging them to pass the Equality Act—legislation that provides affirmative, statutory nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans in the workplace and community. “All Americans deserve access to quality evidence-based healthcare regardless of gender or sexual orientation, yet a substantial body of research indicates that LGBTQ populations across the United States encounter significant barriers to healthcare,” reads the letter.

In lieu of the annual Michigan Family Medicine Conference and Expo, Family Medicine Foundation of Michigan is bringing on-demand and virtual CME to you through a series of 12 webinars and two virtual keynote presentations! Register before June 18 to receive the discounted rate of $250 for physician and resident members and $50 for student members. You will have between July 24, 2021, through July 17, 2022 to watch the webinars. Below are free annual conference-related events:

By a vote of the MAFP Board of Directors, MAFP has joined the annual Family Medicine Midwest Conference as a primary care partner in hosting the 2021 virtual event. This conference attracts and inspires medical students to choose Midwest family medicine residency programs; provides a format for learning from and sharing with others; showcases the variety of career opportunities in family medicine; and helps in building a regional network dedicated to improving the health of all patients. Physicians, residents, students, and fellows are invited to submit abstracts for this year’s Family Medicine Midwest Conference, being held virtually, September 9-11. Abstract submissions are due June 1.

Do you have news to share about yourself, your practice, or a colleague? Email info@mafp.com.

Medical students and residents have an important role in advocating for family medicine and are invited to apply for family medicine leadership positions within AAFP and partnering organizations. Application deadlines run throughout the summer and early fall, with several positions elected during the National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students, taking place July 29-31. A letter of chapter support is required to accompany each application, so applicants are asked to email dlawrence@mafp.com well in advance with their request.

The Patsalis Vanguard Award in the amount of $2500 will be granted annually to two graduating family medicine residents who have committed to practice in southeast Michigan. Applicants must be nominated by their residency program director or representative. This award was established in memory of the late Angelo Patsalis, MD, FAAFP, who died from COVID-19 complications in Apr. 2020. Applications are due May 31.

A new report on primary care from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) reinforces several of the Academy’s long-standing advocacy positions and strengthens the case for primary care as the foundation of the U.S. healthcare system. The report calls for every American to have a primary care physician, whether assigned or chosen, and for Medicare and Medicaid to shift funding to primary care and away from other medical specialties. AAFP is co-hosting a national webinar on the NASEM report on May 26 at 6:30 pm ET.

The deadline to attest to the state’s 2021 Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program (meaningful use) is Sept. 30. This is the last year that clinicians can attest to and receive an incentive payment. Clinicians are encouraged to attest as early as possible to ensure enough time is available for review and for payments to clear the payment process by Dec. 31. All incentive payments, for all program years, must be issued by Dec. 31.

Data shows that nearly 70% of Michigan’s Medicaid beneficiaries have an untreated substance use disorder, with a large number living in regions 6, 7, and 10 as identified in Michigan’s Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP). New state policy calls for expanding the Opioid Health Home program to counties within these PIHP regions effective Oct. 1, making comprehensive care management and coordination services available to Medicaid beneficiaries with an opioid use disorder.

PCPs Called on to Resume Childhood Blood Lead Testing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan has experienced a 34% drop in childhood lead testing, according to the Michigan Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. As there is no safe level of lead in the blood, early intervention for lead exposure is essential. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges primary care physicians to contact patients overdue for blood lead testing, and to resume testing children for elevated lead levels. Click here for MDHHS Blood Lead Testing Quick Reference for Primary Care Providers.

Effective May 6, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has increased the Medicare payment rate for administering monoclonal antibodies to treat beneficiaries with COVID-19, whether in a physician’s office, healthcare facility, or at home. This raises the national average payment rate from $310 to $450 in most healthcare settings, and up to $750 when administered in a beneficiaries' home or temporary lodging.

The Michigan Center for Rural Health and Michigan State University are hosting an infectious disease ECHO® to help healthcare professionals more effectively and confidently manage their infectious disease patients. Free CME for healthcare professionals will be offered. Topics include: Michigan Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Data (May 20), Treating Hepatitis C in a Rural Setting (June 24), and Pregnancy & Newborns Impact of Infectious Disease (Dec. 16).

Effective May 12, clinicians enrolled as COVID-19 Vaccine Providers should e-order first and second doses of vaccine through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is no longer automatically placing second dose orders for current or future vaccine recipients. Orders are reviewed by local health department staff who may approve, revise, or reject orders and contact clinicians for follow-up. Before fulfilling requests for vaccine, local health departments may assess sites for readiness, request temperature logs or other materials to assure the COVID-19 vaccine is managed appropriately.

AAFP’s new free video tool, “Family Medicine Practice Hack – Behavioral Health Integration,” suggests ways family medicine practices can integrate behavioral healthcare and help connect patients with resources that facilitate support and follow-up.

Academy members have access to a new comprehensive resource for implementing lifestyle medicine into family medicine practices. Included are tips for reimbursement and coding, a patient assessment tool, and more.

AAFP mailed copies of the 2021 adult, childhood/adolescent, and catch-up recommended immunization schedules to active members. The schedules, developed by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in collaboration with the Academy and other medical organizations, also can be accessed through the AAFP mobile app or the Shots Immunizations App.

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