Volume 117, No. 5: May 2021 Edition
They Said It...
"Creating a relationship with a patient who uses drugs - that allows them to trust the medical system and empowers them to engage in their health care - will help to improve these patients' outcomes." Dr. Maya Bass, assistant professor in family, community and preventative medicine at the Drexel University College of Medicine, discussing treatment strategies for patients with drug addiction. You can read more in our Winter-Spring 2021 issue of Philadelphia Medicine, available here.
Things You Should Know...
What Happens With Pennsylvania’s Waived and Suspended Licensing Regulations When the COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Declaration Ends?  
The Pennsylvania Department of State has issued nearly 100 temporary waivers under authority granted by the Governor’s declaration of a disaster emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic. They did this by temporarily eliminating a number of administrative barriers, such as allowing for online distance learning to qualify for continuing education credits, extending licensing renewal deadlines and permitting additional medical professionals to participate in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the disaster declaration ends, the authority to grant these waivers will expire and they will no longer be in effect. For example, if you are a medical practitioner using telemedicine for patient appointments, you may not be able to continue that practice when the temporary waiver no longer exists. At this time, the disaster declaration remains in place, and all waivers are currently effective. The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs will provide additional updates regarding the expiration of waivers should the disaster declaration be terminated prematurely. Questions or concerns can be directed to the Bureau at 833-DOS-BPOA (833-367-2762).
Relaunched LiveWell Physician Support Group
In March, LiveWell, located in Philadelphia, relaunched a physician support group that meets virtually each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. Physicians can sign up at https://www.livewellclinicians.org/physicians-support-group. All LiveWell support group sessions are anonymous (first names only), confidential (no records kept)​​ and facilitated by trained volunteer peers with lived experience. No one is required to talk and you will not be prompted to do so. The sessions help develop positive coping skills for stress and anxiety, burnout, depression and substance use. Please note that LiveWell does not provide emergency mental health support. If you are in crisis or afraid of hurting yourself (or others), call 1-800-273-8255 or text “TALK” to 741741.
Tick Season is Back
Tick bite-related emergency department visits have increased recently in Pennsylvania, and you should have a heightened clinical suspicion for tickborne diseases in persons with clinically compatible symptoms. Rare tickborne diseases, including B. miyamotoi and Powassan virus, have been found in ticks in multiple Pennsylvania counties. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently issued an alert that providing health care and treating persons for tickborne illnesses should not be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For questions, please call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258). 
Interested in Helping Co-create COVID-19 Vaccine Education Materials in Multiple Languages for Patients?
PAMED is working to create multilingual materials related to COVID-19 vaccines, and is looking for physicians who speak another language/multiple languages to assist with this project. If you are willing to help with this effort, please let them know which languages you speak by registering here.
New Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Have Been Identified
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health on Wednesday, May 13 released a Health Advisory regarding COVID-19 variants and sequencing requests. A combination of laboratories (CDC, academic, and commercial laboratories) are sequencing SARS-CoV-2 samples from Philadelphia residents. Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified with the UK variant of concern (B.1.1.7 lineage) most frequently reported. To read the entire PDPH Health Advisory, please go to https://hip.phila.gov.
New HRSA Program Allows Providers to be Reimbursed for Underinsured Patients
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has a program in place for providers to apply to be reimbursed for COVID-19-related testing, treatment, and vaccine administration fees for uninsured patients. It is now administering a similar program for provider reimbursement of vaccine administration fees for underinsured patients. For more information, please check out the HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund Fact Sheet.
Restrictive Covenants and House Bill 681: Why They Should Matter to All Physicians
PAMED has received some questions and comments from members regarding a bill on restrictive covenants. This summary explains why you should care about HB 681, provides clarification on what the bill would and wouldn’t do and clears up some confusion about the bill’s language. If you have an opinion about restrictive covenants, please email us at stat@philamedsoc.org.
Acting Health Commissioner Appointed
Dr. Cheryl Bettigole was appointed acting Philadelphia Health Commissioner. This comes as Dr. Thomas Farley submitted his resignation amid an ongoing probe into the disposal of human remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing. Dr. Bettigole was the Director of the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention for the PDPH. She is a board-certified family physician and has previously served as the Chief Medical Officer of Complete Care Health Network. She is also a Past-President of the National Physicians Alliance. She is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, completed her residency in Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and completed her MA in Public Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 
The American Rescue Plan Can Save Individuals Money on Their Health Insurance
The ARPA plan includes an increase in the eligibility for, and the amount of, premium tax credits for individuals and their family at all income levels during the 2021 and 2022 plan years. Under this law, no one will pay more than 8.5 percent of their income in premiums for the second lowest cost silver plan, the benchmark plan. In some cases, lower-income enrollees could have their premiums eliminated completely. Under this law, most of the existing enrollees will have an increase in the amount of the financial assistance they receive each month, this also includes individuals who will now become eligible for these Advanced Premium Tax Credits.

What if a Doc or one of their staff enrolled in off-exchange coverage?

Another key target audience affected by this law is those individuals enrolled in off-exchange coverage. Individuals enrolled in individual coverage without a subsidy should check to see if they would be better off buying a plan on exchange.

My Benefit Advisor’s (MBA) team of certified specialists are available to make sure customers on the individual market are aware of these savings. For more information, contact My Benefit Advisor at (855) 874-0267 or visit www.mybenefitadvisor.com.
Calendar of Events
May
19 - Medical Grand Rounds: 41st Annual Michael G. Wohl Memorial Lecture

Date: Wednesday, May 19
Time: 12:00 PM

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University is holding its 41st Annual Michael G. Wohl Memorial Lecture. This year’s topic is “Intermittent Fasting: The Science and Clinical Applications.” 




Date: Monday, May 24
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
An upcoming educational program covering the cultural barriers that may affect physicians’ ability to provide quality healthcare.

26 - Block Captain Program


Date: Wednesday, May 26
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

A program for Philadelphia Block Captains. Topics include updates from medical, city and state health care leaders and the importance of getting vaccinated.


June

Date: Monday, June 7
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Please join us for a discussion on how to bring creativity into your life and how it can be an effective method to reduce stress and burnout.

25 - Presidents Installation and Awards Night

Date: Friday, June 25
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: The Philadelphia Country Club, 1601 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035

The Philadelphia County Medical Society will be celebrating the installation of our 160th President
Stephen R. Permut, MD, JD as well as the term of our 159th President
Natalia Ortiz-Torrent, MD, FAPA, FAPM.


Philadelphia County Medical Society | stat@philamedsoc.org
215-563-5343 | http://philamedsoc.org