ASAP e-newsletter: Oct. 30, 2020
FBI warns of "imminent cybercrime threat" to U.S. health care system
The FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are warning of "an increased and imminent cybercrime threat" to U.S. hospitals and health care providers, including ransomware attacks. The warnings were detailed in a report released Wednesday, and authorities say that health care providers should take precautions to protect their systems. Read the report here. Read news coverage from the Associated Press here.

Reminders:
  • The number one way criminals launch ransomware attacks is through phishing emails; be suspicious of external emails from unknown contacts, or emails containing misspelled words.
  • Do not open attachments from unknown sources, particularly those sent with extreme urgency (do this now, click this link today, open this attachment immediately, etc.)
  • Consider reviewing and potentially escalating patching and other vulnerability work for your IT system, or asking your IT vendor to take protective steps.
Don’t forget to renew your Colorado Medical Society membership for 2021!
Colorado submits COVID-19 vaccine plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) submitted its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Oct. 16 for review and feedback. This initial plan will evolve as more information about the vaccine becomes available and work with stakeholders continues. Read the draft plan here. Watch for coverage in the November/December issue of Colorado Medicine.

PLUS: Save the date for a CMS Virtual Grand Rounds on the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 p.m. with speakers from CDPHE. More information is below. Register here.
Add your phone to fight COVID: CO Exposure Notifications
More than 500,000 Coloradans have already activated CO Exposure Notifications on their smart phones, per a request from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. CO Exposure Notifications can quickly notify a person if he or she has likely been exposed, allowing that person to reduce risk for loved ones, seek timely medical attention, and stay home. Learn more here for yourself and your patients.
RVU seeks medical preceptors in all fields
Rocky Vista University is urgently recruiting medical preceptors in all fields. Participants offering medical rotations are down due to the pandemic. This is an opportunity to not only help teach the next generation of doctors but also to make some additional income as RVU pays preceptors $500 per student. If interested, email George Issa, MD, hospitalist at Sky Ridge and RVU regional clinical director at georgeissamd@gmail.com.
PDMP integration grant funding; applications due Nov. 25
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for physician practices and health organizations interested in integrating the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) into workflows through Health Information Exchange (HIE), Electronic Health Record (EHR), or other software. Physician practices are encouraged to assess their PDMP integration needs and then apply for the RFA that will help DORA award grants at three levels: $5,000, $15,000 and $30,000. The grant can be used to reimburse practices or health organizations for IT-related expenses for PDMP integration. 
 
The Colorado Medical Society encourages you to review this information, share it with your colleagues and apply for the RFA. The RFA is posted on the Colorado Vendor Self Service (VSS) website, under RFA # RFP SJAA 2021-92: PDMP Workflow Integration RFA. The RFA will be open for applications until Nov. 25, 2020, at 12 p.m. MST. All applicants must register with the VSS to apply. 
ReSET Stigma: Resources for reducing stigma of patients with opioid use disorder
Dell Medical School presents Reducing Stigma Educational Tools (ReSET) modules, interactive online learning activities specifically designed to reduce the stigma of patients with opioid use disorder. The content includes original video content of people with lived experience in recovery and incorporates important topics including the history and historical significance of stigma, how stigma reduces access to care, and steps participants can take to eliminate stigma including appropriate language, motivational interviewing, and also a section on medications for opioid use disorder. It's free and applicable to all health professionals. Access the modules here.
Sponsor
Upcoming events for physicians
Save the date for a CMS Virtual Grand Rounds on the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan - Nov. 11, 6 p.m.
The Colorado Medical Society invites you to a Virtual Grand Rounds event: Colorado's COVID-19 Vaccination Operational Plan. It will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 11, starting at 6 p.m. Experts from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will speak about the draft plan recently submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and next steps for physicians. More details will be available soon. Register here.
Nov. 4 and 11: Virtual research poster sessions sponsored by the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
Join the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention on Nov. 4 and 11 from 12 - 1 p.m. for a series of virtual research poster presentations. Hear from your colleagues around the state on innovative research topics related to COVID-19, opioid use disorder, harm reduction, addiction treatment, and chronic pain. Use this Zoom link to connect on the day and time of the event. No pre-registration is required.
Upcoming CMS committee meetings
As part of continued member engagement, 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 November and December are also 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.
Sponsors
Sunflower Bank has a specialized team and a suite of banking solutions dedicated to meeting the needs of medical professionals and your practices.
Contact Dave Dyer | VP, Business Banking | 303-620-7174 | Dave.Dyer@SunflowerBank.com

Guardian Mortgage provides up to 100% financing* option available on primary residency, and "Follow the Client" option with documented evidence of a "full banking relationship" with Sunflower Bank or First National 1870*. Contact Fred Smith, Mortgage Loan Originator | 303-489-5782 | fredsmith@gmc-inc.com
Compliments of CMS: Reduce patient callbacks, HIPAA compliant, RX Savings up to 75%, click for free customization COLORADO DRUG CARD.

View a flyer on Life of the Coronavirus that you can display in your office: English | Spanish
Nitrile gloves available through CMS PPE partner ActionPPE
Use CMS's discount code for 5% off total order
Order your next round of PPE through ActionPPE.org, which has partnered with the Colorado Medical Society to give you access to medical-grade PPE supplies. Available products are KN95 or disposable tri-fold masks, disposable gowns, face shields, nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer. Place your order through the CMS order form here -- actionppe.org/3/cms/ -- and share this link with your colleagues. Use discount code cms-save5 for 5 percent off all orders through the link above.
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.
Let's get social!