Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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New Health Laws of Interest to Physicians
Are you ready for the new state health laws in 2021? To access a summary of the most significant new health laws of interest to physicians, published by the California Medical Association, click here. Contact us if you have any questions: (510) 654-5383 or accma@accma.org.
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Quick Survey: How do Health Disparities Show Up?
Do your patients have equal access to quality care? Is systemic racism a true public health emergency? ACCMA wants to hear your opinion! Take this 5-minute survey by Friday, Dec. 4.
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Register for Medi-Cal Rx Before January 1
Starting January 1, 2021, Medi-Cal Pharmacy Benefits will be administered through the fee-for-service delivery system. Medi-Cal Rx will include all pharmacy services billed as a pharmacy claim, including outpatient drugs (e.g., physician administered drugs [PADs]); enteral nutrition products; and medical supplies. It will not include pharmacy services billed as a medical (professional) or institutional claim.
The first step in the registration process is to request a PIN, which will be sent via mail to the address on record with Medi-Cal. The letter with the PIN can take up to 10 days to arrive. Prescribers will also need training on the new portal, which is offered for free by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
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Increasing Gonococcal Infections in California
The California Department of Public Health has received increasing reports of disseminated gonococcal infections (DGI), an uncommon but severe complication of untreated gonorrhea. Some of these patients have reported experiencing homelessness and/or using illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine. Report all laboratory confirmed and clinically suspected cases of DGI to the local health department within 24 hours of identification.
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Vote Now on ACCMA Bylaws Changes
ACCMA members can vote on proposed bylaws changes through Nov. 15. Information about the proposed changes can be found here. Your Medical License Number will be used solely to validate membership eligibility to vote; all responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. Cast your vote online by clicking here.
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COVID-19 Updates
New CPT codes have been approved for each of two coronavirus vaccines as well as administration codes unique to each vaccine. The new CPT codes clinically distinguish each coronavirus vaccine for better tracking and reporting. Electronic health care systems are being updated, and the codes will be available for use when these vaccines are approved or receive Emergency Use Authorization from the CDC.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. A two-month supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, vinyl gloves, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered (click here for specs). PPE order forms are reviewed and if approved, will be shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate form must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
The Alameda County COVID-19 Testing Team is seeking input to inform COVID-19 testing resource planning and allocation. Their survey should take 4 minutes or less to complete.
Amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Alameda County Public Health Department announced on November 12 that it would pause plans to reopen additional activities. County public health officials also said they anticipate a move into the more restrictive red tier status soon.
Contra Costa County returned to red tier status on November 10 in response to rising average daily number of new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county.
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FREE | Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
Webinar is scheduled for:
- Thursday, November 19, 2020, 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST
- Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 4:00pm - 5:00pm PST
- Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 10:00am - 11:00am PST
This program will provide clinicians with the most up-to-date information on telemedicine in asthma care to promote easier transitions to this new and necessary form of care for their patients. Education on best practices for incorporating telemedicine in the asthma and allergist clinic, including different strategies for virtual healthcare visits and remote patient monitoring, how to manage treatment in the telemedicine setting, and how to navigate the complex and continuously evolving legal and regulatory landscape pertaining to telehealthcare.
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Tuesday, December 1 | 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Members: FREE | Non-members: $149
Good news for physicians tired of counting bullet points to assign an evaluation and management level for outpatient office visits. Per new AMA guidelines, it's going to be a whole lot simpler. As of January 1, 2021, physicians will select an E/M code based on total time spent on the date of the encounter or medical decision making (MDM) - whichever is most financially advantageous. This means streamlined documentation.
Join Mary Jean Sage for a discussion of:
- Which E/M services will have changes in 2021
- CPT's new Table of Medical Decision Making - what does each element mean
- Documenting the Elements of MDM
- Documenting Time for New Patient and Established Patient Visits
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Wednesday, December 2, 2020 | 10:00 - 11:00 am
Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
This activity has been planned for clinicians who manage patients with diabetes with the most up-to-date information so that they can appropriately advise patients with diabetes on how to avoid infection, monitor patients with diabetes who develop COVID-19, and recognize and manage complications as they occur to minimize morbidity and mortality.
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Thursday, December 3 | 6:15 - 7:30 PM
Members: $49 | Non-members: $149
CME Available | Presented with MIEC
Physicians who are facing medical malpractice litigation—a common occurrence in the medical profession—experience a unique type of stress which, if not addressed effectively, can compromise their ability to care for patients both during and after a lawsuit.
You will learn how the litigation process works, how to best cope with the stress of litigation, what lessons physicians should learn from the experience, and how to incorporate constructive changes into your practice. Presenters include an experienced liability defense attorney, a physician discussing his experience of being a defendant, and the manager of patient safety and risk management at MIEC.
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Thursday, January 7 | 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Members: FREE | Non-members: $149
Don’t miss your opportunity to make the most of the ever-changing healthcare reimbursement landscape! First you must understand the challenges you may be facing. Learn the important changes in Medicare for 2021 and how they may affect your practice reimbursement for the coming year(s). Changes are sometimes subtle, but they can have a lasting effect on your practice.
Join Mary Jean Sage for a discussion of:
- Overall Payment Update
- Medicare Telehealth Services
- E & M Services: 2021 & beyond
- Coding and documentation
- Payment
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging: Latest update
- MIPS 2021 – What you need to report
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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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