IAFP Logo
IAFP News Bites
May 6, 2020
For the next several weeks we will be sending out IAFP News Bites every Wednesday. 

The weekly e-news will increase our ability to provide you COVID-19 updates in one central location.
COVID-19 Resources
With the global spread of COVID-19,  IAFP wishes to provide members with the most accurate information as the Coronavirus situation evolves and wishes to direct members to these trusted resources: 

coronavirus.iowa.gov The state of Iowa has released an updated dashboard that will be updated daily to include comprehensive tracking of COVID-19 in Iowa.
 
  CDC's Coronavirus Center for Healthcare Professionals:  Updated daily. Direct access to interim guidance on key issues, extensive health resources, etc.

  AAFP's Coronavirus Center: As more is being learned about the coronavirus infection, the AAFP has a team that is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and posting all relevant updates on its  dedicated COVID-19 resource . There is a lot of evolving, and sometimes inaccurate, information about the situation, so members can be confident that this page contains the most recent information they need that is aligned with the CDC and focused squarely on family medicine.

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH:  Provides a variety of resources for physicians, patients and the public.

We are also continually  adding links to resources and information to our IAFP COVID-19 website  that we think will benefit our members. 

CMS Boosts Telephone Payments    
Following AAFP advocacy,  CMS is increasing Medicare payments for audio-only telephone visits to match payments for similar office or outpatient visits. CMS has also broadened the  list of services it will cover  as telephone visits.

The RVUs and payment rates for telephone E/M services align with outpatient/office visit E/M codes 99212-99214, with new rates ranging from $46 to $110. More information can be found HERE
A Checklist for Reopening Your Practice for "Non-Essential" Face-to-Face Visits    
The decision to reopen a practice for "non-essential" in-person visits - such as preventive or chronic care visits - depends on many factors, including the availability of personal protective equipment, the availability of COVID-19 testing, and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in your area. When your practice decides it's time to reopen,  use this checklist  to help ease the process and keep everyone safe.
AAFP to Hold Weekly  Town Hall 
on COVID-19 on Wednesdays
AAFP will be holding a weekly town hall  every Wednesday night from 7:00- 8:00 pm to provide updates on COVID-19. CME is available for participating. 

Tonight's topic is on  Getting Once Step Ahead: The Public Health Approach

You can join the Town Hall HERE
AAFP to Offer Free COVID-19 Live Webinar Update with CME on Fridays
AAFP has put together a Live CME credit webinar series that will take place each Friday night at  7:00 pm central on the COVID-19 crisis.  This week the topic is "Managing the COVID-19 Crisis: A Nursing Facility Physician's Perspective"

The sessions are  completely free  and involve a presentation with extensive learner driven Q&A with follow-up on the learning community. Each week they will address clinical issues that they hope will help learners tackle this crisis. More information can be found at the link below. 
Daily COVID-19 Updates from 
IAFP Lobbyist 
IAFP Lobbyist, David Adelman, from Cornerstone Government Affairs, is providing state and national COVID-19 updates daily.  These can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the 
Join the New IAFP Member 
COVID-19 Facebook Community
The IAFP has created a private Facebook community group for Iowa Academy of Family Physicians members. The purpose of this group is to provide Iowa family physicians a place to connect and share ideas and information regarding COVID-19. 
AD: LymeCME  
The risk of tick-borne diseases (TBD) is increasing across the country as different tick species have significantly expanded their ranges. It's important for IAFP members to know more about TBDs and evidence-based treatments for them. 
LymeCME  offers free, accredited CME modules developed for family physicians by a family physician. Tick season is here - now's the time to check us out. 
Farm Bureau Scholarship Opportunity for 4th Year Medical Students and 
3rd Year Residents  
The Iowa Farm Bureau Foundation and the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians' Foundation would like to encourage you to apply for the $5,000 Farm Bureau Scholarships that are given to one student and one resident annually.

To view eligibility details and learn more, click here!
The IAFP neither recommends or endorses the paid ads included in this publication.

Iowa Academy of Family Physicians | 515-283-9370 | m [email protected] | w ww.iaafp.org
Pam Williams, Executive Vice President, [email protected]
Katie Cox, Deputy  Executive Vice President , [email protected]
Kelly Scallon, Director of Education and Advocacy, [email protected]
STAY CONNECTED: