May 13, 2020
Wednesday's Information for Mississippi Family Physicians
RELIEF REQUEST LETTER : Today the MAFP Board of Directors approved a letter sent to Gov. Tate Reeves , Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Speaker Philip Gunn and key legislative leaders in charge of health care and appropriations.

In the letter, MAFP asks for relief for independent practices. "As patients stay home and fee-for-service revenue dries up, practices are laying off employees and facing the prospect of closure. This is a dire situation." It describes the PPE and other technology investments that practices have been forced to make in the last two months. "All of this is being done to adapt and provide for patients, in an environment where the revenue to fund it is at all-time lows."

The letter concludes with a request for funds for reimbursement for PPE and sanitation measures purchases, and a request to create a Mississippi Private Practice Recovery Grant Program up to $100 million specifically for physicians in private practice who have not received stimulus money.

To write the letter, MAFP used data gathered in a recent survey of member family physicians. A big thanks goes to the more than 25% of MAFP members who responded to the survey.

MAFP will keep members updated on legislative action related to this matter.
MAFP PRESIDENT ON SUPERTALK THURSDAY : Dr. Bill Grantham, MAFP President, will be a guest on SuperTalk's Paul Gallo morning show Thursday at 8:05 am to discuss how MAFP has advocated for patients, how doctors have adapted their clinics, and how family physicians are preparing to see patients again.
Dr. Ray Arriola of Fulton
Dr. Lakeisha Chism of Verona
'YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR IS READY TO SEE YOU' POSTERS : As part of our advocacy messaging to patients that family doctors have prepared their clinics as a safe environment, MAFP has produced a graphic poster for family doctors to use on personal social media or in their clinics. The poster is formatted for printing on a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper for clinic use.

Personalized posters have already been produced for 20 doctors. The above posters feature family physicians Drs. Ray Arriola of Fulton and Lakeisha Chism of Verona.

Any MAFP member who wants a personalized poster may request one by e-mailing a photo to Kristen Kern. Simply send in a photograph of yourself wearing PPE or practicing Telehealth.
MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID : Division of Medicaid announced today a revision of Friday's announced suspension of cost-sharing for testing, treatment and services related to COVID-19. This includes vaccines, prescription medications, specialized equipment and therapies, regardless of ultimate diagnosis, starting with dates of service March 1, 2020 until the end of the COVID-19 emergency. Effective May 11, providers are prohibited from collecting co-payments from Medicaid beneficiaries. DOM also announced a mass adjustment of fee-for-service claims for March 1 and after, reversing the copay deduction from the claims payment amount. More Details

CENTERS FOR MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SERVICES : On Friday, CMS posted a new video about the expansion of Telehealth services under the 1135 waiver authority.

GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS : Tuesday, Gov. Reeves issued Executive Order #1483 which applies to Attala, Leake, Scott, Jasper, Neshoba, Newton and Lauderdale counties. It extends the Safer in Home order to May 25 in those counties, prohibits gatherings of 10 people or more, and requires "face coverings" be worn outdoors in those counties.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT : MAFP is collecting resources for PPE to share with membership and is posting them on our Coronavirus Page under the heading "Personal Protective Equipment."
 
MAFP staff has also made contact with Julie McNeese at the Mississippi Hospital Association, who is coordinating bulk purchases of PPE and other supplies for small hospitals and independent practices. To discuss a bulk order, please contact Julie at 601-368-3311.
 
We encourage member family physicians to reach out to your local churches and other community groups to ask them to sew cloth masks for your clinic staff and patients.
Mississippi's Coronavirus Hotline is now being staffed from 7 am to 11 pm. Call 1-877-978-6453. The CDC hotline specifically for health care workers is 770-488-7100 .

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HEALTH ALERTS : If you would like to receive MS State Department of Health update calls and notices, sign up for the MS Health Alert Network .

PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP FOR MAFP MEMBERS : To discuss issues with fellow MAFP members, please join our members-only Facebook group.

OUR WEBSITE : Please continue to check the MAFP Coronavirus page for updated information and links to important resources.

NEWS ROUNDUP : To be added to the list to receive our almost-daily News Roundup, e-mail Kristen Kern .

MAFP will continue to send updates and resources as we receive them and we will add them to our page above.

MAFP
755 Avignon Drive
Ridgeland MS 39157
(601) 853-3302