Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
In April, Kaiser Permanente provided presentations to members of the LatinX community and African American and LatinX church groups to share important information about the COVID-19 vaccines. Videos of these presentations are available to share to help reduce vaccine resistance. To view the LatinX presentation (in Spanish), click here. To view the “Faith and Facts” presentation to church groups (in English), click here.
Following the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 and older, individuals can go to MyTurn.CA.gov to find clinics and pharmacies vaccinating people 12 and older.
Independent practices in Contra Costa County are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine administration. Contra Costa County is now able to coordinate the supply of COVID-19 vaccine to small independent practices who have not yet been able to receive vaccines. Physicians and other providers must, however, be enrolled in myCAvax and must be able to report vaccinations to the CAIR registry in order to be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses. For practices ordering fewer doses than are in a single shipment (100 doses of Johnson and Johnson and Moderna and 1170 doses of Pfizer), the County is able to receive vaccine shipments, divide those orders, and then deliver them to a physician practice in the County. Review the full ACCMA email on COVID-19 Vaccine Registration and Eligibility here.
Alameda County is developing a list of homebound patients who require COVID-19 vaccinations in their homes. If you know of a homebound individual or have a list of homebound individuals, please call 510‑208‑4VAX.
Provider agencies and healthcare facilities based in Alameda County can request PPE or medical supplies related to COVID-19 pandemic response from the county Emergency Medical Services Agency by completing the form here. Select “Create Account” to fill in the requested information and then click “Submit.” Once your account has been created, you will receive an email confirming that your account has been approved and be able to access the ordering portal.
Public school campuses in Contra Costa County began hosting free COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week to ensure that every student 12 and older has access to the vaccine. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and Kaiser Permanente are sending mobile vaccine clinics to schools across the county; clinics will rotate to new campuses weekly, and then return to provide second-doses. A schedule for the campus mobile clinics is here.
Alameda County reported on Thursday that 75% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one vaccine dose, and 58% have been fully vaccinated.
On Thursday, Contra Costa County reported that 71% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one vaccine dose, and 61% have been fully vaccinated.
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 1,805,000 doses as of May 21. As of May 19, ICU capacity in the county is at 38% with 18 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa Health Services reports that it has administered more than 1,262,000 doses as of May 21. As of May 20, ICU capacity in the county is at 28% with 9 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 May 28 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. 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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State Budget Revision Proposal Highlights
Governor Gavin Newsom released a revised 2021-2022 state budget proposal on May 14. The $267.8 billion budget includes $75.7 billion in surplus and $25 billion in new federal COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The revised budget proposal protects the Proposition 56 (tobacco tax) supplemental Medi-Cal provider payments and continues other health and human service programs that had been threatened by last year’s budget reductions. Members can review CMA’s summary here (please note that you will need to login to access the document).
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CMA Advocacy on Telehealth Rates
Gov. Newsom’s revised 2021-2022 state budget proposal includes a policy that reimburses for audio-only telehealth at only 65%. Full reimbursement is currently available for Medi-Cal physicians for audio-only telehealth under the emergency COVID-19 regulations. CMA is working to oppose this policy in order to retain full reimbursement for telehealth services following the pandemic.
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Medical Board of California Joins ACCME Collaboration for CME Reporting
Starting this summer, California physicians will no longer be required to report CME participation data themselves. The Medical Board of California (MBC) has joined the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) State Medical Boards Collaboration, an initiative that will allow MBC to view CME participation data directly from ACCME. The ACCME system gathers learner-completion data annually from CME providers for all accredited CME activities.
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Call for Nominations: CMA Councils and Subcommittees
ACCMA members are encouraged to apply to serve on a California Medical Association committee or subcommittee. The time commitment is very low; CMA councils and committees meet as needed, with up to four meetings per year via teleconference and potentially one in-person meeting. Click here for more information and here for the online application. Please contact Joe Greaves, ACCMA Executive Director, if you plan to apply or have any questions at (510) 654-5383, ext. 6301, or jgreaves@accma.org.
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! Current and new staff can receive on-demand training on HIPAA, OSHA, and customer service. Intended for all staff encountering patients in person or by telephone, this course covers customer service techniques, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
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FREE | Through June 15, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Join us for a keynote session featuring Anthony Iton, MD (SVP, The California Endowment), followed by three panel discussions that examine health equity in the Bay Area and highlight strategies for improvement.
May 25: Health Equity in Our Own Backyard, Anthony Iton, MD, JD, MPH
June 1: Community Resilience Case Study: Physician Leaders of the African American Response Circle
June 8: A Systems Approach Case Study: The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG)
June 15: Leadership in Action Case Study: Kedran Community Health Center & True Vine Ministries Vaccine Clinic
Click here for details and to register for the series.
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Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 5:00–6:00 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA and CDPH
This is an informational session covering clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents and provider requirements for participating in the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Program. This webinar is intended for California providers of pediatric services.
Presenters:
Tom Boo, MD, Medical Officer, CDPH Immunization Branch
Nisha Gandhi, MPH, Adult Immunization Coordinator, CDPH Immunization Branch
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Friday, July 16 | 8 AM –12:15 PM
CME Available | Presented by the Riverside County Medical Association
Topics to be covered at this year’s virtual conference include aging physicians, safe and legal monitoring of physicians in a treatment program, physician well-being committee roles and responsibilities, and more. The conference is open to anyone involved or interested in improving the health and well-being of physicians.
Speakers: David Bazzo, MD; Kai McDonald, MD; Ajeet Singhvi, MD; and Elizabeth Snelson, Esq.
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Thursday, August 26 | 6:15–7:30 PM
FREE | CME Available
Using data and stories, together in conversation, we will focus on yourself, as well as your potential new directions and skills, and your “team,” whether at home or professionally.
Speaker: Linda Clever, MD, MACP
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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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