ASAP e-newsletter: Nov. 9, 2021
Colorado Option update:
Benefit design process coming to an end
The Colorado Medical Society has advocated for you for months as the Division of Insurance crafted the Colorado Option’s standardized health benefit plan. The stakeholder process is now coming to an end in time for rulemaking to be finalized so the plan can go into effect by the start of 2023. The DOI has made important changes based on CMS suggestions, but there are outstanding issues in the benefit design that CMS believes still need to be addressed.
CME credit and COPIC Point added!
Virtual Grand Rounds - tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m.

Join CMS for a Virtual Grand Rounds on Nov. 10 to learn the latest on COVID-19 vaccines for kids and booster doses, how to make vaccinating work for your practice, and the role of physicians in protecting the public from misinformation, and earn up to 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 1 COPIC Point. Full accreditation information available on the event webpage.
Speakers:
Lily Griego
Regional Director for HHS in Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, WY and UT)
Rachel Herlihy, MD
State Epidemiologist
Matthew Wynia, MD, MPH
Director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Governor releases proposed 2022-23 budget, and what it means for physicians

Gov. Polis has released his proposed record $40 billion 2022-23 state budget. This comes on the heels of a stronger-than-expected economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and includes a number of one-time investments made possible by funding from the federal CARES Act.
Tell Congress to avert disastrous Medicare physician fee cuts
On Nov. 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2022. The final schedule contains across-the-board cuts for physicians due to budget neutrality adjustments as required by law. A stack of Medicare payment cuts coming on January 1 will amount to an approximately 9.75% hit unless averted by Congressional action. Read more here.
Resources for you: COVID-19 vaccines for children age 5-11

  • Toolkit developed by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to assist vaccinators with outreach to Health First Colorado and CHP+ members and their families
  • Grant funding for primary care practices of up to $120,000

Updated information about the vaccine:
House of Medicine urges masking indoors

CMS joined the Denver Medical Society and others in the House of Medicine in urging Gov. Jared Polis to issue a temporary executive order requiring face coverings in indoor public spaces for all individuals two years and older regardless of vaccination status. We believe this would reduce the transmission of COVID-19 at a time when hospitals are anticipating ICU bed shortages.
Are you interested in sharing your experience in medicine with residents?
Yes
No
Do you remember feeling uneasy after finishing residency, wondering what life would be like as a newly practicing physician? You may be a perfect partner in CMS's new project! Be sure to provide your email address on the Google form when you respond.
Upcoming events
Partners in Medicine Lunch and Learn webinar
The Security Risk Analysis - Abyde, Nov. 10

Don't forget to join CMS and Abyde for a Lunch and Learn webinar tomorrow, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. Abyde will discuss how to quickly and efficiently knock out the most crucial step in a HIPAA compliance program -- the Security Risk Analysis.

Check out this testimonial from an ophthalmology practice in Denver:
  • "Abyde has been excellent in jump-starting HIPAA compliance as a company. They have many tools that are helpful and make the process of compliance much easier to understand and follow the appropriate guidelines. Their reps have been ready and available to answer all kinds of questions thoroughly and in a timely manner. They continually update their processes and offer more solutions to enhance their software. Overall we are very happy with the support and guidance they have provided our company and we plan to use and recommend them to others for the foreseeable future."
NCMS Virtual Education Series
Save the date: The Short Route to Telecare - Nov. 18, 6 p.m.
  • Understand the practical components of telemedicine.
  • Understand the legal and regulatory framework for telemedicine under the COVID-19 rules.
  • Understand professional liability risks associated with telemedicine.
  • Discuss platforms, consent, standards of care, security, documentation requirements, as well as approaches to evolving best practices.
Training on Pediatric Pfizer vaccine
Held daily each business day through Nov. 24
Pfizer is providing training sessions on the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. In addition to medical updates, these sessions highlight the storage, handling and administration for currently available vaccines. The trainings will run daily on business days through Nov. 24.
Thanks to our Partners in Medicine
Upcoming CMS meetings and events

All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings and events are open to all CMS members. All are held via Zoom unless otherwise noted. Find a full list of events here: cms.org/events. Questions? Contact membership@cms.org.

  • Partners in Medicine Lunch and Learn webinar: The Security Risk Analysis with Abyde - Wednesday, Nov. 10, 12-1 p.m. Register

  • Independent Physicians Task Force - Wednesday, Nov. 10, 12-1 p.m. Register

  • Virtual Grand Rounds: Current COVID-19 landscape: Vaccines, mandates and medical ethics - Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6 - 8 p.m. Register

  • COMPAC Board of Directors - Thursday, Nov. 11, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Register

  • Employed Physicians Task Force - Monday, Nov. 15, 7-8 p.m. Register

  • Physician Mindfulness Group Meeting - Thursday, Nov. 18, 6-7 p.m. Register

  • Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Committee - Wednesday, Dec. 1, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

  • Council on Legislation - Wednesday, Dec. 1, 6-7 p.m. Register

Registration is required for most meetings. 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.
Let's get social!