COIPA May Advocate
COVID - 19 Preparedness 5/06/2020
In this issue:


  • Recent COVID Updates & Resources From OHA
  • Remote Patient Monitoring Service For Chronic Condition Management: Comagine Health
  • Technical Assistance For EHR's
  • COVID-19 Lab Testing
  • Clinics Open & Here To Help
  • Webinar: Navigating The Moving Target Of PPP Loan Forgiveness By Jones & Roth
  • Staying Informed On COVID-19
  • CORD (Central Oregon Resource Directory): Central Oregon Health Council
  • Washington State Department Of Health
  • Oregon Health Authority
  • Homemade Masks From COIPA
  • The Center Expands Access To Care With Robust Safety Measures In Place
  • Summit Medical Group May Information
  • Funding Options: First Interstate Bank
  • At Home Work Stations: Pacific Office Automation

 
Recent COVID Updates and Resources from the Oregon Health Authority [Added: May 5, 2020]
COIPA strongly encourages all of our members to visit the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Coronavirus information page frequently for news and updates on the pandemic and response in Oregon. On the site, OHA provides slides and recordings from the weekly Provider Update webinars. Important topics covered by OHA on the May 5 webinar included detailed updates on up-to-date epidemiology, public health strategies including surveillance and contact tracing, guidelines and PPE requirements for resuming regular patient care and other health services, and a range of frequently asked questions from Oregon’s providers.


Resource 2:  OHA COVID-19 Webinar Series for Healthcare Providers

·       May 12
·       May 19
·       May 26

J OIN US
For a Roundtable Discussion:
Remote Patient Monitoring Services for Chronic Condition Management

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 | Noon – 1 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. – Noon PT
 
Comagine Health invites you to a town hall-style session on Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). RPM can help to increase patient touches and facilitate disease management, decrease emergency department utilization, reduce hospital readmissions, and lower cost of care.
The 60-minute webinar will consist of presentations by representatives from PYA and two clinics who are currently using RPM, and an open forum for sharing of best practices, successes and learnings.
During this session participants will:
  • Be provided an overview of RPM
  • Understand utilization of various CPT codes to optimize the reimbursement
  • Gain information on developing an RPM program with low upfront investment
  • Learn how to integrate RPM service in a busy practice
  • Learn about applicability of RPM for the QPP program
Guest Speakers:
Lori A. Foley , CMA, CCM, PHR, SHRM-CP, Principal – Healthcare Consulting, PYA
Scott Conroy , Administrator, Hillsboro Cardiology, PC
Mindy Kinnan-Willits-B.S ., Office Manager, Meducation PC
 
To Register
 
More Information
Contact Comagine Health Senior Improvement Advisor Seema Rathor at srathor@comagine.org or 971-409-3872

Technical Assistance for EHR's
COIPA will continue to provide health IT assistance free of charge to help members incorporate virtual visits and telemedicine into their practice workflows. As we shift into a “new normal”, remember that we are available to help with many areas of COVID-related HIT including making sure you have the current codes, are exchanging data with the community, updating lab interfaces for new testing options, patient messaging, ad hoc reporting, etc.

If you would like assistance with EHR features or health IT solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact James McCormack, COIPA’s Director of Informatics, directly at  jmccormack@coipa.org  or by cell phone at 503-307-7994. In addition to extensive experience with eClinicalWorks, COIPA has access to an expert Athena consultant, Jensina Hawkins, who is also standing by to help. For users of Epic and other EHRs, COIPA recognizes that you may already have strong health IT support from your internal IT and/or vendors, but we stand ready to help in any way we can.
COVID-19 Lab Testing
S t. Charles Health System has created a new information page for COVID-19 the lab’s testing services that includes testing criteria, details on SCHC’s drive up collection sites, and scheduling information. If your electronic health record is already interfaced to St. Charles Laboratory, you should be able to order COVID tests as usual and either collect the specimen yourself, or refer patients to the collection sites. COIPA appreciates SCHC’s efforts to keep us informed on local testing options.


For the most recent information and guidance on viral and antibody testing available to you and your patients, your best source for up-to-date information will be the official public health resources (see below) and your laboratory’s web site (Quest, LabCorp, and Interpath have all posted good information specimen collection, ordering, resulting, and reporting of positive results.

Resource 2: Oregon Health Authority – Guidance for Providers and Clinical Labs

Clinics spreading the word that they are open, offering telehealth, and here for you.
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Navigating the Moving Target of PPP Loan Forgiveness
In this live webinar session, we will discuss opportunities to increase success for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness.

We’ll hear from Jones & Roth CPAs Jeremy Prickel, CPA and Nicole McOmber, CPA on topics such as staff reopening plans, managing cash flow issues, reporting & expense tracking, incurred vs. paid expenses, and tax credits.
We’ll also hear from Ashley Horner, VP and SBA Program Administrator at Summit Bank, to gain an understanding of the bankers’ role and perspective, including topics such as the criteria for loan forgiveness, how to apply for loan forgiveness, and reporting guidance.
This session is an excellent opportunity to submit your questions and get the latest information available on the PPP Loan Forgiveness Program.
Please submit your questions to info@jrcpa.com


Staying informed on COVID-19
The Department of Health for Washington has created a web page dedicated to keeping our community up to date and informed on the current state of COVID-19. Click the link below for the most current information.

Central Oregon Health Council has created a web page dedicated to keeping our community up to date and informed on the most impactful COVID-19 communications. Below is link to the new site.

Oregon Health Association has a dedicated site to keep you update on the pressing COVID-19 impacts. Below is a quick link to the site.

If your clinic(s) needs PPE urgently, COIPA has a supply of homemade masks ready for our members.
COIPA Clinics in need of CE & FDA Approved disposal medical masks can contact Kira to place an order.

THE CENTER EXPANDS ACCESS TO CARE WITH ROBUST SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE

May 13, 2020, BEND, OR — The Center Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Care will move forward with expanding appointment availability at their clinics in Bend and Redmond starting Monday, May 18. “The Center has remained open throughout this pandemic but has limited in-person care to the urgent needs of our patients,” said Christy McLeod, CEO of The Center. “We have many patients who have delayed seeking care and we can now accommodate additional patient appointments with proper social distancing and enhanced safety protocols in place.” The Center will allow the scheduling of routine visits while strictly monitoring the volume of people present in their clinics at one time. Patient appointments will be spread out allowing adequate time for cleaning and sanitizing waiting rooms and clinic areas, which remains a top priority for The Center. They will also continue to use telemedicine video appointments for anyone who needs the convenience, and for those patients in the high-risk category who prefer to stay home.
In addition, The Center will continue to offer their NOWcare walk-in clinic for urgent orthopedic, neurosurgical, and physical medicine and rehabilitation visits at their 2200 NE Neff Road clinic location.

“We are proceeding with caution and thoughtfulness,” states McLeod. “While it hasn’t been easy, I appreciate how our team has pulled together to make the best of an extremely difficult time. I am humbled on a daily basis when I see how hard providers and staff are working to provide quality care in a safe and appropriate way despite significant obstacles.”

The Center currently runs three satellite clinics in Bend and Redmond, which will continue to see patients by appointment only. Health and safety precautions are being strictly monitored and enforced and will continue to include the following guidelines until further notice: 

• All patients and visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and have their temperature taken upon entry. 
• All patients, visitors, staff, and providers are required to wear a mask or face covering and use hand sanitizer inside the clinic. 
• Patients are allowed one person to accompany them if they are a minor, need an interpreter, or a medically necessary caregiver. Additional guests will need to wait outside or in their cars.
• Check in areas and waiting rooms have been modified to allow for safe social distancing, and the frequency of cleanings between patients and deep cleaning at night will continue.

The Center’s patient services team is working quickly to reschedule appointments, procedures, and surgeries that were previously postponed due to COVID-19 concerns and state mandates. With the health and safety of their patients, providers, staff, and community at the forefront, The Center looks forward to continuing to care for our community’s orthopedic, neurosurgical and physical medicine and rehabilitation needs. For up-to-date information, please visit The Center’s website, or call 541.322.2352.

Summit Medical Group May Information
BEND, OR May 13, 2020 – Continuing to deliver on its commitment of providing patients comprehensive care as the largest independent multispecialty physician group in Central Oregon, Summit Medical Group Oregon (SMGOR) announces the following health story leads, services and provider news for this month. 

Clinics Needing Additional Funding During This Time

For our clinics needing information regarding obtaining a loan from First Interstate to assist with operations during the COVID-19 outbreak please reach out to:

Dawn Cofer
541-330-7555


Remote Workstation Assistance To POA Clients
The team at Pacific Office Automation can help with setting up at home workstations to help keep your office and staff going.

Sean Walsh
Doug Judish
541-388-1276

Mission
COIPA is committed to our members' success by:
  • Providing sustainable support services
  • Incentivizing quality care
  • Engaging individuals for improvement
  • Partnering with the community
We want to hear all of the exciting changes, new services, promotions, and events that our members have scheduled in 2020 and share it monthly in the Advocate.

To submit your announcements call or email Autumn Wilson