Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It
COVID-19 By the Numbers (as of 10/30/20)

PPE Still Available!

The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Up to 2 months’ supply of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, vinyl gloves, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered (click here for specs). PPE order forms are reviewed and if approved, will be shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate form must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
The Sept/Oct 2020 Issue of the ACCMA Bulletin is Out Now!

Click here to view the new issue.


Vote Now on ACCMA Bylaws Changes
ACCMA members are being requested to approve several proposed bylaws changes. Please note that Medical License Number will be used solely to validate membership eligibility to vote; all responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. For more information click here.

Please cast your vote online by clicking here  by Nov. 15.
AMA Publishes New Resources on Information Blocking Regulations

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) issued a new “info blocking” rule in March that will takes effect Nov. 2. The American Medical Association (AMA) has created a two-part educational resource to help physicians and their medical practices understand the requirements and develop an information blocking compliance program. Part 1 outlines what information blocking is, key terms to know, examples of information blocking practices and a summary of exceptions. Part 2 will help physicians start down the path of compliance, including questions to consider, considerations for maintaining a compliance program and next steps.

ACCMA's On-demand webinar on HIPAA covers this topic as well.
Health Equity Issues Survey
In order to properly inform the group’s priorities, the ACCMA is requesting that members complete a short, 5-minute survey focused on your experience with health equity issues as a physician, as well as individual interest in relevant educational programs. The ACCMA recently convened a Health Equity Task Force to guide ACCMA advocacy priorities, programs, services, and activities related to health equity, the elimination of health disparities, improving cultural competency among physicians, and reducing bias in the delivery of care.
Please complete this survey by Monday, November 2. 
House of Delegates Virtual Meeting
Last Saturday, the CMA House of Delegates met virtually to discuss the upcoming year. Two major topics discussed were the Future of Medical Practice Post COVID-19 and Pandemic Response and Preparedness. They also voted to edit the association's Articles of Incorporation and include in its mission statement an overarching permanent goal of achieving health equity and justice. CMA’s Board of Trustees also this year created a permanent committee—the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee—to ensure that CMA continues to consider its actions through a health equity lens similar to CMA's longstanding public health guiding principle. 
Join ACCMA for our 152nd Annual Meeting

Join the East Bay medical community as we celebrate the152nd ACCMA Annual Meeting. We will honor the tremendous service of our outgoing ACCMA President, Katrina Peters, MD and install the 2021 ACCMA President Suparna Dutta, MD and other incoming officers. Although we cannot gather together in person, we are excited to come together virtually to celebrate accomplishments in the medical community.

You are invited to enjoy a virtual reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the celebration of ACCMA leaders at 6:00 pm. The ACCMA hopes you will join us for this fun event and to honor the contributions of our physician leaders.  Zoom information will be provided on our website.

Support the Future of Medicine in Our Community
Donate to support local medical student research projects aimed at reducing health disparities, expanding access to care, and improving community health outcomes.

PayPal link for donations to the UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program (JMP) scholarship program fund: bit.ly/3d98ksk

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Mullins, Education and Events Associate, at (510)654-5383 or jmullins@accma.org.
County News
Contra Costa joins Alameda County in the less-restrictive orange tier of California's  Blueprint for a Safer Economy, allowing for larger local gatherings for indoor worship services and dining, and the reopening of indoor pools, bars and bowling alleys.

Alameda County has also released a timeline for reopening schools.
In Other News

The FDA approved the antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalization. While the treatment was previously authorized by the FDA for emergency use to treat COVID-19, it is now the first and only approved COVID-19 treatment in the United States.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services  recently issued guidance authorizing qualified pharmacy technicians and state-authorized pharmacy interns to administer childhood vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and SARS-CoV-2 tests. The HHS guidance also said pharmacy interns can administer FDA-authorized vaccines that have been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to individuals aged between 3 and 18 years old according to ACIP’s standard immunization schedule.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced $20 billion in Phase 3 funding for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. The deadline to apply for this Phase 3 General Distribution funding is November 6, 2020.

Lastly, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has fined Anthem Blue Cross in the amount of $1.2 million for its failure to implement two Independent Medical Review (IMR) determinations that required the payor to authorize coverage for medically necessary services.
What We're Reading - COVID-19 Resources and Guidance
WEBINARS & EVENTS

Presented by CMA and Rockpointe

Webinar is scheduled for:
  • Monday, November 2, 2020 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST
  • Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm PST
  • Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 10:00am - 11:00am PST
This activity has been planned for clinicians who manage patients with diabetes with the most up-to-date information so that they can appropriately advise patients with diabetes on how to avoid infection, monitor patients with diabetes who develop COVID-19, and recognize and manage complications as they occur to minimize morbidity and mortality.

For questions regarding this event please email: contact@potomacme.org
Clinical Leadership in 2021 & Beyond:Well Self, Well Team, Well Organization

Presented by CMA

The California Medical Association (CMA) believes physician well-being leads to professional fulfillment and that both are critical factors in maintaining patient access to quality care. A core tenet to this approach is the belief that investing in leadership can help advance and build a culture of wellness throughout your organization. To that end, CMA’s wellness initiative (CMA Wellness) is launching a clinical leadership academy that provides a new model of holistic wellness education.
The academy is set apart by its wellness-centered approach, interactive virtual sessions, individualized content and lectures tailored to small discussion groups.

FREE | Thursday, November 5th | 5:30 - 6:30PM

Join the East Bay medical community as we celebrate the152nd ACCMA Annual Meeting. We will honor the tremendous service of our outgoing ACCMA President, Katrina Peters, MD and install the 2021 ACCMA President Suparna Dutta, MD and other incoming officers. Although we cannot gather together in person, we are excited to come together virtually to celebrate this past year’s accomplishments in the medical community.

You are invited to enjoy a virtual reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the celebration of ACCMA leaders at 6:00 pm. The ACCMA hopes you will join us for this fun event and to honor the contributions of our physician leaders. Zoom information will be provided on our website.

Support the Future of Medicine in Our Community
Donate to support local medical student research projects aimed at reducing health disparities, expanding access to care, and improving community health outcomes.

PayPal link for donations to the UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program (JMP) scholarship program fund: bit.ly/3d98ksk

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Mullins, Education and Events Associate, at (510) 654-5383 or jmullins@accma.org.
Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Presented by UCDavis Health: Center for Advancing Pain Relief

This two-day event will feature expert presentations, 20-minute hot topic talks, and engaging panel discussions on the latest issues in pain management. Primary care clinicians and all other health sciences professionals with an interest in pain management are encouraged to attend. This event will be held exclusively online. Zoom information will be provided closer to the date.

Tuesday, November 10,2020 | 12pm

Presented by CMA

The sheer scale and lightning pace to develop a COVID-19 vaccine(s) is unprecedented in modern science. Is a breakthrough just around the corner? Will it be a one-time dose or an annual necessity, like a flu shot? Three experts will share the latest update on the vaccine's progress, status of clinical trials and state distribution plans. Webinar participants will also hear from the lead of a statewide (NIH) grant focused on vaccine trials among vulnerable and underserved populations. 
This event will be moderated by Kimberly Newell Green, M.D.


Tuesday, December 1st | 12:15 - 1:30 PM

Good news for physicians tired of counting bullet points to assign an evaluation and management level for outpatient office visits. Per new AMA guidelines, it's going to be a whole lot simpler. As of January 1, 2021, physicians will select an E/M code based on total time spent on the date of the encounter or medical decision making (MDM) - whichever is most financially advantageous. This means streamlined documentation. 
Join us for a discussion of:
  • Which E/M services will have changes in 2021
  • CPT's new Table of Medical Decision Making - what does each element mean
  • Documenting the Elements of MDM
  • Documenting Time for New Patient and Established Patient Visits

ACCMA's On-Demand Library
FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
As women physicians, we face unique challenges over the course of our careers: from frequent microaggressions to overt differences in salaries, promotions, and leadership roles. 
Join the ACCMA and RechargedMD for an interactive introduction to the RechargedMD Women Physician Peer group! We’ll explore our experiences as women physicians, discuss how to overcome these barriers together, and make use of tools to make strides in our personal and professional development. The session is free for members (includes CME).

FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
Do coping strategies and self-care interventions seem to be failing you? Are you finding yourself with more work, but feeling less productive? Listen to the 3rd session of SCMS/NCMS’ Guide to Resilience series to learn about “Stress First Aid for Physicians During Unprecedented Times,” presented by Gabriela Bronson-Castain, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in the Bay Area and co-chair of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Medical Staff Wellbeing Committee. The session is free for members (includes CME), and knowledge of the previous sessions is not necessary to enjoy the webinar.

FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
This one-hour, on-demand webinar led by Angela Trapp  MSW, ACC, focuses on self-care and understanding self-preservation. Most of us were taught that being self-centered is an undesirable trait. What if the opposite was true? Could being a little more self-centered improve your well- being and restore resiliency? This presentation identifies the importance of putting SELF first and practicing the 3S Model: Self-Compassion, Self- Awareness and Self Care to continue on the pathway to well-being.

FREE | Available On-Demand
On June 13, the ACCMA hosted its first Virtual Telehealth Vendor Fair. Telehealth vendors from across California and the Nation showcased their products and services so members can evaluate what solutions will work best in their practice. Vendors include Decoded Health, Doctorgram, TigerConnect, Updox, and VSee.

FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
This one-hour, on-demand webinar led by Linda Hawes Clever, MD, MACP, offers practical, creative, and effective remedies to deal with the crush on personal and professional lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains strategies, resources, and suggestions for handling physician wellness, as well as addressing questions and answers, as we listen and see the ingenuity, guts, and devotion with which we are addressing the harrowing challenges we all face as a profession, community, and nation. Discover how to reduce personal stress and learn healthy ways to contend with the impact of COVID-19. 

FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
Telehealth services are expanding rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis. In partnership with Bay Area medical associations, the ACCMA teamed up with experts to develop a comprehensive webinar series to help physicians swiftly ramp up their telemedicine capabilities, from technology to practice implementation to coding. Experts discuss choosing a telemedicine platform; compliance; privacy and security considerations; billing and payment; policies, procedures, and workflow; informing your patients; and malpractice. Physicians who have experience practicing telemedicine share their practical reflections.

FREE | Available On-Demand
Medical offices and practices are essential businesses and were not required to close, but many physicians have faced difficulties with staffing, incorporating Telemedicine into their practices, ensuring waiting rooms are safe, etc. Sessions include "Getting Back Up and Running Safely," "HR and Employment Issues," and "Telemedicine and Reimbursement."
CMA On-Demand Library
FREE | Available On-Demand
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 oraccma@accma.orgwith any questions or concerns you have.