To say that there have been changes in our payments from insurance companies lately is a gross understatement. COVID19 has shook us up and rattled the status quo. In some ways for payment this has been a good thing. Telehealth and even telephone calls are now getting paid. Most I would daresay are even getting paid at parity to in office visits for telehealth provider visits. Payment for telephone advice is a bit more varied in payment, but to see any payment is a vast improvement. I would advise all providers who care for kids to bill for what you do. Right now many of the insurers are paying without cost sharing for the patient.  Continue Reading

Like most other things this spring, the 2020 Kansas Legislative Session has been turned upside down by COVID-19. Some legislative committees are meeting virtually or in-person leading up to the one-day wrap-up on May 21. Major issues to be addressed include COVID relief; Governor's Emergency Powers authority; distribution and oversight of federal COVID funds; medical/business liability protections; property tax issues; unemployment issues.  Continue Reading

Federal Advocacy During COVID-19

As we are all acutely aware, COVID19 is affecting children and families, including pediatricians and Children's hospitals. We need your voices to make sure children, pediatricians, pediatric clinics and children's hospitals do not get left out of the relief efforts (much of original legislation left out Medicaid, for example telehealth was paid for by Medicare but NOT Medicaid). There is so much unknown about this virus, and as we see the evolution in children with inflammatory syndrome, we have to ensure pediatrics get the resources they need. The disparities and inequities in healthcare are really being highlighted by COVID19. We have an obligation to be part of the change in healthcare! Continue Reading

by Kristie Clark MD FAAP

 

John Fales DMD FAAP, a pediatric dentist in Olathe, and Dr. Kory Kierkegaard DMD, a general dentist in Overland Park, 3D printed approximately 25,000 nasopharyngeal swabs for the KDHE's lab in the last two weeks of April. Their efforts sustained and expanded Kansas's capacity to test for COVID-19.  Continue Reading

We are very excited to announce the grantee for the second round of our Kansas Kids Fund - Pediatricians in Action grant! Dr. Kari Harris will be using grant funds to work with school nurses to promote hand washing in Wichita. The community collaboration to promote this important message to children will make a big impact. We can't wait to hear more about her project over the next year.  Continue Reading

Engaging Adolescents in Healthcare Decisions

KAAP is pleased to offer the recordings of CME presentations planned for our Progress in Pediatrics - Spring 2020 at no charge to our members. Complete the evaluation at the end of each presentation to receive CME credit.