If you haven't already done so, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) is asking all health care workers who live or work in Philadelphia to fill out its Vaccine Contact Form. Upon doing so you'll receive an email with registration instructions when the city's Pharmacy Partnership Program launches, which is anticipated to start in early February. For the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Philadelphia, visit PDPH's website.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force has been closely monitoring information from sources reporting on allergic reactions to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. As such, ACAAI has updated its guidance to reflect the most recent recommendations from the CDC and the FDA.

With the FDA emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the ACAAI COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force recommends the following guidance for physicians and other providers related to risk of an allergic reaction on vaccination. These recommendations are based on best knowledge to date, but could change at any time, pending new information and further guidance from the FDA, CDC or other experts.

After Vaccinating - Enroll in V-Safe: CDC wants to remind everyone to enroll in: V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker. Anyone can use the health checker to tell CDC how you feel through personalized health check-ins. V-safe will also remind the person to get a second vaccine dose.

Want to know at any given time how many vaccines have been distributed and how many administered? Go to https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations. This also includes what has been distributed and vaccinated in long-term care facilities via the Federal Pharmacy Partnership.

The license renewal deadline for MD licensees has been extended to March 31, 2021. MD licensees who did not renew their license prior to the end of 2020 may apply any CME credits completed during the first quarter of 2021 toward completing their 2019-2020 licensure cycle requirements if needed. Once a license is renewed, additional CME credits completed during the first quarter of 2021 should be applied as is customary toward the licensure cycle in which the credit is earned (for 2021-2022).

If you're still looking to complete your license renewal requirements, the Pennsylvania Medical Society website offers free online CME courses for members, accessible here.

Novitasphere users will have their login impacted as the CMS Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM) system is changed to the CMS Identity Management (IDM) system on Jan. 15, 2021. User IDs that do not have active roles will not be migrated to IDM. You must log into www.novitasphere.com every month to keep your access active. If you no longer have access to the email address associated to your EIDM User ID, you must update your email address on file prior to 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. To update this information, log into EIDM at https://portal.cms.gov.

IBC is waiving all cost-sharing fees for its commercial group and individual members receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Costs of the COVID-19 vaccine and its administration will be covered for Independence Medicare Advantage members by Medicare. IBC is also covering at-home test kits and at-home self-sample collection kits when they are medically appropriate and processed at an approved laboratory following FDA Emergency Use Authorization and FDA approval.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act suspended the payment adjustment percentage of 2% applied to all Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims from May 1 through Dec. 31. The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, extends the suspension period to March 31.

The deadline to nominate a physician for one of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's (PAMED) annual awards is Friday Jan. 15. Categories include physicians under 40, distinguished service and community voluntary service. You can learn more about each award and begin the nomination process on the PAMED site.

AMA Award Nominations Also Due Soon AMPAC is also accepting nominations for its Award for Political Participation. The award recognizes an AMA or AMA Alliance member who has made significant personal contributions of time and talent in assisting friends of medicine in their quest for elective office at the federal and state level. These can include volunteer activities in a political campaign or a significant health care related election issue such as a ballot initiative or referendum. Nominees must be a current member of the AMA or AMA Alliance and AMPAC with preference given to members with a demonstrated history of AMPAC involvement. The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 31. The full criteria for the award as well as instructions on how to submit a nomination can be found here.

The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative, in collaboration with the AMA, CDC, HHS, NIAID and other top health and medical institutions, released a video series developed to address health care professionals' questions about COVID-19 vaccination. The videos feature an introduction from Dr. Anthony Fauci and include leading health care experts sharing information on the vaccine's development and safety. The video series can be viewed here.

January

25 - First Deadline for PAMED's Annual Poster Contest for Residents and Medical Students Date: Monday, January 25 PAMED is offering its annual poster competition for medical students and residents virtually. Typically held during the annual House of Delegates meeting every October, the poster contest will be conducted virtually, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Abstracts are due via online submission on January 25 and winners will be announced on the week of April 5. Click Here to Learn More

February

18 - Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Preceptor Training Date: Thursday, February 18 Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM This mini-residency training offers content that is not covered in buprenorphine waiver training for primary care providers who are seeking to refine their skills. Specific topics covered include diversion, continued substance use, benzodiazepine use, point of care testing, harm reduction and pain management. Cases will be presented to help participants discuss ways to address patient needs and discussion is encouraged. Registrants must practice in Philadelphia and have already completed their waiver training, and must submit their license, resume, and waiver certificate prior to receiving their observation dates. Click Here to Register