Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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November 19, 2021
Please note that there will be no newsletter next week.
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COVID-19 Updates
The FDA authorized Pfizer and Moderna booster doses for all adults 18 and older this week.
Solano County reported on Wednesday that 81% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 71% are fully vaccinated.
Napa County reported on Tuesday that 81% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 74% are fully vaccinated.
Solano County reports that, as of November 18, it has given more than 606,000 vaccinations (first and second doses). As of November 11, ICU capacity in the county is 15% with 11 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Napa County reports that as of November 18, more than 226,000 vaccine doses have been administered by the county. As of November 11, ICU capacity is 14% with 3 COVID patients in ICU.
CalVaxGrant Application Deadline Extended to December 17
Under CalVaxGrant, a state program to increase COVID‑19 vaccination rates, physicians and medical practices can apply to receive up to $55,000 in reimbursement for related expenses incurred since November 2020 and through November 2021. Qualifying expenses include staffing and training (most common expenses), technology, infrastructure, supplies and equipment, and administrative overhead. Click here to apply before December 17.
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UnitedHealth to Adjust COVID Vaccine Underpayment
UnitedHealthcare will reprocess claims for COVID vaccine administration after federal investigators found the insurer had underpaid millions of providers, paying 40% less than the Medicare rate. It was the only national payor that had not agreed to pay at least $40 for vaccine administration and it has also underpaid physicians for COVID testing kits. Providers do not need to take any action for the adjustments to be processed. In California, SB 510, sponsored by the California Medical Association, will ensure that all residents are able to receive vaccination and testing. The law takes effect January 1, but is retroactive to March 4, 2020, when a public health emergency was declared.
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Highlights from the AMA 2021 Telehealth Immersion Program
The AMA will host a Telehealth Immersion Program mini-boot camp from 2 to 4 PM on December 7 that will provide participants with a recap of the 2021 Telehealth Immersion Program, highlight physician and practice wins, and provide an overview of the telehealth landscape for the future, including key policy changes for 2022. Click here to register. |
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Congressional Doctors Lead Bipartisan Revolt Over Surprise Medical Bills
Congress passed the No Surprises Act last December to shield patients from massive, unexpected bills when they get treatment from hospitals or doctors outside their insurance company’s network. Long, hard-fought negotiations with providers and insurers finally yielded an agreement that lawmakers from both parties thought was fair: a 30-day negotiation period that would be followed by arbitration when agreements cannot be reached. But now many doctors, their medical associations, and members of Congress are arguing the rule released by the Biden administration in September for implementing the law favors insurers and doesn’t follow the spirit of the legislation. |
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Last Day to Change your Medicare Participation Status for 2022 is December 31
The effective date for any changes made will be January 1, 2022. In making decision for the 2022 participation year, physicians should be aware that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the final fee schedule and policies for next year. As always, physicians have three choices regarding Medicare: Be a participating provider; be a non-participating provider; or opt out of Medicare entirely.
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AMA Publishes Detailed Summary of 2022 Medicare Physician Payment Rule
The policies in the rule are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2022 and cover diverse topics, including the 2022 reimbursement rates and Medicare conversion factor, telehealth and other services involving communications technology, and updates to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) through Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) activities, methodology, and payment adjustments, amongst other provisions.
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Are You Ready for California’s Electronic Prescribing Mandate?
Beginning on January 1, almost all prescriptions written in California must be transmitted electronically. The electronic prescribing mandate was contained in a law passed by the California State Legislature in 2018. The law is partially based on the Medicare electronic prescribing for controlled substances requirement, which is also set to take effect on January 1. The state mandate applies to almost all prescriptions, not only those for controlled substances. |
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Dues Discount Ends December 15
NSMS members who renew their 2022 membership by December 15 qualify for a 5% discount on their dues. Click here to pay your dues online. Nonmembers who join now and pay in full for 2022 will receive the remaining months of this year for free. Click here to join now!
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! Current and new staff can receive on-demand training on HIPAA, OSHA, and customer service. Intended for all staff encountering patients in person or by telephone, this course covers customer service techniques, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
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Tuesdays through December 14
Free to attend | CME Available | Presented by CMA
The California Medical Association's (CMA) wellness program (CMA Wellness) is pleased to launch free, online wellness engagement groups for health care providers who conduct patient screenings for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Treating patients with multiple ACEs or toxic stress can potentially impact your personal wellness and increase feelings of burnout. CMA Wellness's engagement groups will support providers by offering subject matter experts, best practices, and an open forum to share experiences, facilitated by trained, volunteer physicians. Each monthly webinar is organized around a prevailing theme with a stakeholder co-host to provide a variety of perspectives with a general discussion and breakout rooms. Registration is required, and providers will be joining the Tuesday series for a 6‑month duration.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | noon – 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
As we make our own decisions and counsel our patients about whether to travel and gather, it is essential to have a full understanding of the local COVID-19 conditions including vaccination rates, confirmed cases, etc. Coupled with the importance of this information is understanding testing information: when to test, which test to use, and how to interpret the results. We will also get an update from Erica Pan, MD, California State Epidemiologist, on the status of COVID-19 in California, and hear about injectable monoclonal antibodies in the outpatient setting.
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Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
FREE | Presented by the American Medical Association
This interactive session will provide participants with a recap of the 2021 Telehealth Immersion Program, highlight physician and practice wins, and provide an overview of the telehealth landscape for the future, including key policy changes for 2022.
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