ASAP e-newsletter: Dec. 15, 2020
CMS submits thousands of signatures in support of confidential physician counseling
Today, the Colorado Medical Society submitted to DORA and the Colorado Medical Board the signatures of this petition signed by thousands of physicians and allied health care providers in support of preserving access to confidential counseling for physicians in Colorado. This data was accompanied by a letter co-signed by CMS, COPIC, the Colorado Hospital Association and the Colorado Association of Health Plans. Read it here.

As you are aware, the decision to choose a new vendor to provide physician counseling was announced in July. The new contract would require every physician who enters the program, even voluntarily, to sign a waiver that their information could be given to the medical board. Last month, a judge ruled that contact was illegal and voided the contract. Now, the medical board has the responsibility of restarting the procurement process, and CMS is using your voices to reinforce the need for confidentiality in the next contract.

We will continue to fight to support the rights of Colorado physicians, and will provide you an update after the next medical board meeting this Friday. In the interim, it is important to remind you that for now, the existing contract with the Colorado Physician Health Program remains intact, and if you choose to voluntarily access the program, you still have those confidentiality protections at least until Jan. 31, 2021.

If you are interested in watching the medical board meeting, it will take place Friday, Dec. 18 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. via webinar: link to connect; webinar ID: 770-956-251. Find the agenda here.
Don’t forget to renew your Colorado Medical Society membership for 2021!
Distribution of COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine received final approval and related guidance on Dec. 13 and the state has received its first shipment of 48,600 doses. The Moderna vaccine is likely one week behind, while others by Jannsen and Astrazeneca/Oxford Biomedical are expected in the spring. Vaccine supply initially will be limited so vaccinations will occur in phases based upon prioritized populations. Most physicians and their staff teams will be vaccinated in Phase 1A and 1B this winter. If you are employed or contracted with a hospital, health system or long-term care facility, then you can obtain a vaccination from them. Local health departments will coordinate vaccinations for other community-based or private practice physicians and their staff. For details call: 303-389-1687 Stay up to date here: www.cmswhatsyourwhy.com.
Encourage COVID-19 vaccination with #CMSWhatsYourWhy
CMS launched #CMSWhatsYourWhy -- a campaign that encourages physicians to publicly share your reason to get a COVID-19 vaccination, if you choose to receive one, to reassure the public of the safety, efficacy and importance of this and other vaccines. To participate, print the #CMSWhatsYourWhy photo prop; take a selfie holding the sign or even of you receiving the vaccine (white coats and masks encouraged!); and upload this picture to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with your "why" statement as the caption and the hashtag #CMSWhatsYourWhy. The fight against COVID-19 is far from over, and the vaccine's release brings a whole new set of challenges. CMS is prepared to help. Together we can make a big difference. Learn more at www.cmswhatsyourwhy.com.
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Are group games your way to unwind? Join your fellow physicians for CMS Trivia Night
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m.
The Colorado Medical Society wants to provide outlets outside of medicine for CMS members to build collegiality and reduce stress, especially in these challenging times. If you love trivia, join us for CMS Trivia Night tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. Teams will be randomly assigned. It's free and all members of the winning team will receive Amazon gift cards plus bragging rights (or vindication for the "almost-winners" of our September Trivia Night). Register here; Zoom connection information will be emailed to all registrants tomorrow.
Upcoming events for physicians
Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Special Learning Series
Remaining program: Dec. 16, 12-1 p.m.
The second of a two-part series presented by Martha Teater, MA, LMFT, will be held Dec. 16, 12-1 p.m. The focus of this program is "Psychological PPE: Tips for Healthcare Provider Wellness." This talk is tailored to the needs of medical providers and behavioral health care providers, or for anyone feeling stressed or anxious as a result of COVID-19. Join the consortium for this special learning series, and re-energize leading up to the holidays. Join the session here.

Watch the archive of the Dec. 9 (first) session, "Easing Stress in Patient Encounters," here.
Upcoming CMS committee meetings
All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings are open to all CMS members. Find the latest list of events on the CMS events webpage, cms.org/events. Upcoming meetings for December and January are listed below with registration links and agendas, if available. If not yet available, use the "request the agenda" link to be notified by a CMS staff person when the agenda has been published.


Registration is required; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of the meeting will be removed from the meeting. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Email membership@cms.org.
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Mary Jo Heins is a former medical practice manager. As an independent Medicare insurance agent, she now helps people with all facets of Medicare – objectively and fee free.

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303-916-6992
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2021 CMS Election: Call for nominations
The nomination period for the 2021 Colorado Medical Society Election is open through Jan. 31, 2021. The Colorado Medical Society encourages all members to consider nominating a colleague or self-nominating for one of the open leadership positions: president-elect (one position) or AMA delegation (eight positions). The election manual, which contains all of the information a potential candidate needs about the duties, eligibility, requirements and election process, is available on the CMS website. Read more here.
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