January 7, 2021 Issue 107
A New Year and a Fresh Start
We’re only a few days in, but 2021 is already shaping up to be a monumental year for healthcare and physicians.

Despite the rollout of the much-anticipated vaccine, the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging across the country. Just last week we sadly lost another Kentucky physician to the virus. Dr. Don Miller was an emergency room physician from Bowling Green who tested positive in early December. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, family, friends and community. His loss echoes the importance of doing all that we can to combat this enemy. 
Register for KMA's Virtual "Advocacy in Action Month" Legislative Priorities Session February 1
Register here to attend KMA's virtual member briefing on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. ET to discuss the Association's legislative priorities for the upcoming session.

This event kicks off KMA's "Advocacy in Action Month" throughout February 2021 which encourages KMA physicians to engage with their legislators to promote priority issues.

Out of concern for the health and safety of Kentucky’s physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, Advocacy in Action Month replaces “Physicians’ Day at the Capitol,” the in-person KMA advocacy event held in Frankfort each year,
 
Members will also be encouraged to reach out to their legislators each Tuesday during the month as part of the initiative’s “Talk Tuesdays” events, as well as contribute to the Kentucky Physicians Political Action Committee (KPPAC) during “KPPACtion Day" Feb. 18.
Register for COVID-19 Clinician and Public Health Update Webinar 

The Kentucky Department for Public Health will present the next COVID-19 clinical/public health situation update on Tuesday, January 12 at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm EST. 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 surge and its community and healthcare impacts in Kentucky, providers are urged to attend (or view the archive) to get up-to-date information on the outbreak, vaccine situation for Kentucky, case and death reporting updates, information on the UK and other variant strains, re-infection, influenza updates, and other pertinent topics. 


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please note: After the webinar, all registrants will receive a link to a video archive of the presentation along with a copy of any slides so will be able to view at a later time if you are unable to attend.

The usual question and answer period will occur at the end of the presentation up until 1:00 pm.
Register for CGS Medicare 2021 Evaluation and Management Q&A Session January 20

CGS Medicare will host a 2021 Evaluation and Management Question and Answer Session on Wednesday, January 20 at 2 p.m. EST. Registration is available here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/794918731396707854. Questions may be pre-submitted to J15_HHH_Education@cgsadmin.com
Workers’ Compensation Medical Treatment Guidelines Effective Date 
Reminder Notice
The Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims (DWC) has promulgated an administrative regulation (803 KAR 25:260) adopting the ODG by MCG Health medical treatment guidelines for use in the treatment of work-related injuries and occupational diseases. House Bill 2 (2018) mandated implementation of treatment guidelines.  
Kentucky Hospital Association COVID-19 Dashboard

The latest update of the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) COVID-19 Dashboard is now available here. The dashboard is an effort to provide current information about hospitalizations and ICU bed usage rates due to the novel Coronavirus.
KMA IN THE NEWS
COVID-19 Reveals Emerging Opportunities for Rural Public Health

Health Officials Brace for Flu Cases Alongside COVID-19

Kentucky Health Officials Brace for Flu Cases Alongside COVID-19
MEMBER NEWS
Jones Discusses Physician Burnout

KMA member Shawn Jones, M.D., medical director of provider wellness at Baptist Health Medical Group and President of KMA's Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care, was featured in MD-Update magazine for his insight on maintaining physician wellness. 
Rao Featured in MD-Update

KMA member Abigail Rao, M.D., functional neurosurgeon with Norton Neuroscience Institute-Brownsboro, was featured in MD-Update magazine for her work improving patient’s quality of life.
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