Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
Kaiser Family Foundation released findings from their ongoing public-opinion research project, which tracks the public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations. One of their key findings is that the share of US adults who report being vaccinated or intending to do so as soon as they can continues to rise (currently 61%).
A new COVID-19 vaccine clinic that will provide as many as 15,000 doses weekly is now open at the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park in Concord, a convenient new option for Contra Costans looking to protect themselves and their communities from the virus. The drive-through vaccination clinic is a partnership among CCHS, the City of Concord, and Kaiser Permanente.
Contra Costa County repealed three local health orders. State orders are still in effect.
Contra Costa County has developed a new webpage to address vaccine safety with tips on debunking vaccine myths, explaining how the different vaccines work, and the common side effects.
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 928,000 doses as of April 1. As of March 31, ICU capacity in the county is at 36% with 30 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa Health Services reports that it has administered more than 698,000 doses as of April 2. As of April 1, ICU capacity in the county is at 21% with 16 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
The #ThisIsOurShot campaign has launched a private Facebook group that has up-to-date information. The campaign also holds weekly Zoom calls to discuss digital engagement campaigns, hear from guest speakers, and have breakout sessions to plan for future campaigns. These calls are held on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM.
CDPH is holding weekly “office hours” to provide an update on COVID-19 vaccination planning and allow providers in the state to ask questions, on Fridays from 9-10 AM. The April 9 session can be accessed through this link or by calling (415) 655-0001. The event number is: 145 305 3168. The password is: Immunize2021!
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, by going to this link. A two-month supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered. Vinyl gloves are available only to solo and small practices. If approved, orders are shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate order 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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Temporary Claims Hold Pending Congressional Action to Extend 2% Sequester Reduction Suspension
In anticipation of possible Congressional action to extend the 2% sequester reduction suspension, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services instructed the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to hold all claims with dates of service on or after April 1, 2021, for a short period without affecting providers’ cash flow. This will minimize the volume of claims the MACs must reprocess if Congress extends the suspension; the MACs will automatically reprocess any claims paid with the reduction applied if necessary.
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Federal Stimulus Improves Affordability of Private Health Coverage
The federal stimulus bill recently signed by President Biden increases and expands eligibility for ACA premium subsidies for people enrolled in marketplace health plans. It also expands access to federal premium subsidies. HHS estimates that nationwide premiums will decrease an average of $50 per month per person starting April 1, 2021. Covered California will launch a special open-enrollment period starting April 12 to help consumers benefit from these new subsidies.
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47th CMA Virtual Legislative Day
Join us for the 47th CMA Virtual Legislative Day on Tuesday, April 6. CMA's Legislative Advocacy Event usually hosts more than 400 California physicians, medical students, and CMA Alliance members as they lobby legislative leaders in Sacramento, but this year it is all virtual. We will be scheduling all meetings on the same day as CMA’s program, which will be at 10:00 am on April 6. As we did last year, we will create an agenda packet with all legislative meetings and talking points and send it out prior to the event. We are usually allotted 30 minutes to meet with the legislators; if a legislator is pulled into a committee meeting, we meet with staff. To RSVP for the April 6 ACCMA Virtual Legislative Day, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact David Lopez, ACCMA Associate Director of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, at dlopez@accma.org or at (510) 654‑5383, ext. 6320.
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Thursday, April 8 | 12:15–1:15 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA
CMA is inviting practices to bring any and all questions about the future of telehealth. There will be minimal planned presentation – just a review of some of the most commonly asked questions. Come prepared with your most pressing thoughts and questions to hear from CMA’s experts on the issue.
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Tuesday, April 13 | 12–1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Since last summer, patients and increasingly physicians have recognized that COVID-19 causes prolonged sequelae in a significant number of patients. As experts work to understand the nature and etiology of this syndrome, patients themselves are looking for answers and forming patient support and advocacy groups. In this grand rounds, we will feature physicians working clinically to monitor and care for patients with prolonged sequelae, and a researcher who is investigating the epidemiology and causes of post-acute COVID symptoms.
Speakers: Erica Pan, MD, MPH, California Department of Public Health; Michael Peluso, MD; Lekshmi Santosh, MD; and Kimberly N. Green, MD, UCSF (moderator)
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Tuesday, May 11 | 12–1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Speakers: TBA and Kimberly N. Green, MD, UCSF (moderator)
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Wednesday, May 19 | 10 AM – 2:30 PM
FREE to attend | CME Available
This will be a four-hour online training for qualified prescribers (including physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) to receive half of the 8 hours of training required to obtain a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) waiver for treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Open to members and non-members. Counts for 4 CME credits.
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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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