Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
Pfizer asked the FDA on Tuesday to expand authorization of their COVID booster shot to all adults. It is considered likely that the request will be granted, likely before Thanksgiving.
In preparation for another possible winter surge of coronavirus cases, Gov. Newsom signed an executive order that through March 31 will continue to allow out-of-state medical workers to treat patients in California and allow emergency medical technicians and others to keep administering vaccines and providing other related services.
The Solano County Public Health Division reported on Wednesday that 956 children ages 5 to 11 have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The county is offering pediatric and adult vaccines at the Solano County Fairgrounds Wednesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. Eligible residents can make appointments at bit.ly/solanomassvax or (800) 672-0150. Homebound residents or those who need transportation assistance can call (707) 784-8655.
Napa County Public Health will begin offering pediatric vaccines the week of November 15. A vaccination clinic calendar is available here.
Solano County reported on Wednesday that 81% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 70% are fully vaccinated.
Napa County reported on Tuesday that 81% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 73% are fully vaccinated.
Solano County reports that, as of November 4, it has given more than 595,000 vaccinations (first and second doses). As of November 4, ICU capacity in the county is 18% with 9 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Napa County reports that as of November 11, more than 221,000 vaccine doses have been administered by the county. As of November 4, ICU capacity is 22% with 4 COVID patients in ICU.
Solano County to Host Virtual Townhall on Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines
Solano County Public Health is hosting a virtual townhall for local health care providers who would like to receive more information about the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5–11 years old. The Townhall will be held Wednesday, November 17, from noon to 1 PM. Click on this link to join the meeting or call (audio only) (323) 457-3408, 730455603#; phone conference ID: 730 455 603#.
CMS Vaccine Requirement for Participating Facilities
On November 5, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an Interim Final Rule mandating that health care workers at facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs be fully vaccinated, having received either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by January 4, 2022. Covered facilities must have a process or plan in place that ensures all eligible staff receive their first dose or one-dose vaccine by December 5, 2021.
Changes to Medicare Advantage Claims for Vaccine Administration
Effective January 1, CMS will change the way physicians bill for COVID-19 vaccine administration for Medicare Advantage enrollees. For Medicare Advantage patients vaccinated on or after January 1, COVID-19 vaccine administration claims should be submitted to the patient’s Medicare Advantage plan. Fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare will no longer pay these claims.
CalVaxGrant Application Deadline Extended to December 17
Under CalVaxGrant, a state program to increase COVID‑19 vaccination rates, physicians and medical practices can apply to receive up to $55,000 in reimbursement for related expenses incurred since November 2020 and through November 2021. Qualifying expenses include staffing and training (most common expenses), technology, infrastructure, supplies and equipment, and administrative overhead. Click here to apply before December 17.
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Advocacy on Surprise Billing
The California Medical Association is continuing to work with the American Medical Association to impact the No Surprises regulations, including providing recommended revisions to eliminate the increased leverage given to insurance companies in the second interim final rule released by the Department of Health and Human Services on September 30. Read more here. |
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CMS Final 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Confirms Payment Cuts
CMS has released the final rule for the 2022 Medicare physician fee schedule. This rule confirms the combined 9.75% Medicare payment cuts that are in store and that Congress must address before the end of the year. The NSMS has been strongly advocating to local Congressional members to avert these payment cuts. Please contact your Senators and Representative today to tell them to cancel the cuts by clicking here.
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Updating Your Practice Information with Contracted Payors
To ensure that your information is accurate, practices are encouraged to review their information with each contracted payor annually, at minimum. Updates may take up to 90 days to complete, so submitting updates in a timely manner is extremely important. The California Medical Association has compiled information on how to update provider information with major payors, “ Updating Demographic Information with Payors,” which is available free to CMA members. |
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MIPS Automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Policy
CMS has agreed, after ongoing advocacy from the American Medical Association, to apply the Automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exemption Policy (EUC) for the 2021 MIPS performance year. This 2021 policy change recognizes the continued challenges physicians face with providing care during the public health emergency and reduces administrative burden. If a physician participates in MIPS as an individual, they don’t need to take any action to have the automatic EUC policy applied to them. For more information on the automatic EUC policy, click here. |
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MBC Waives License Reactivation or Restoration Requirements
As of October 29, the Medical Board has temporarily waived continuing education requirements AND renewal/delinquent fees for reactivating licenses. These waivers apply only to an individual’s license that: (1) is in a retired, inactive, or canceled status, and (2) has been in such status no longer than five years. Read more here. |
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Are You Ready for California’s Electronic Prescribing Mandate?
Beginning on January 1, almost all prescriptions written in California must be transmitted electronically. The electronic prescribing mandate was contained in a law passed by the California State Legislature in 2018. The law is partially based on the Medicare electronic prescribing for controlled substances requirement, which is also set to take effect on January 1. The state mandate applies to almost all prescriptions, not only those for controlled substances. |
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More than 500K Californians Screened for Adverse Childhood Experiences
ACEs Aware, an initiative to establish routine screening for adverse childhood experiences in primary care and develop a network of care, recently announced that over 500,000 children and adults have been screened and over 20,500 clinicians have been trained for screening. If you are interested in screening for ACEs, please sign up for a free, two-hour training. Physicians receive CME/MOC credits on completion and reimbursement for providing ACEs screening to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. |
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Dues Discount Ends December 15
NSMS members who renew their 2022 membership by December 15 qualify for a 5% discount on their dues. Click here to pay your dues online. Nonmembers who join now and pay in full for 2022 will receive the remaining months of this year for free. Click here to join now!
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! Current and new staff can receive on-demand training on HIPAA, OSHA, and customer service. Intended for all staff encountering patients in person or by telephone, this course covers customer service techniques, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
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Tuesdays through December 14
Free to attend | CME Available | Presented by CMA
The California Medical Association's (CMA) wellness program (CMA Wellness) is pleased to launch free, online wellness engagement groups for health care providers who conduct patient screenings for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Treating patients with multiple ACEs or toxic stress can potentially impact your personal wellness and increase feelings of burnout. CMA Wellness's engagement groups will support providers by offering subject matter experts, best practices, and an open forum to share experiences, facilitated by trained, volunteer physicians. Each monthly webinar is organized around a prevailing theme with a stakeholder co-host to provide a variety of perspectives with a general discussion and breakout rooms. Registration is required, and providers will be joining the Tuesday series for a 6‑month duration.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Thursday, November 18, 2021 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CA Dept. Of Public Health
This training will cover how to effectively communicate with your patients about COVID-19 vaccines, fertility, and pregnancy, including overall safety, safety and efficacy during pregnancy and post-partum lactation, and the evidence regarding COVID-19 vaccination and future fertility. Presenters are LaTanya Hines, MD, and Michael Policar, MD, MPH.
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