Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
|
Celebrating Our Accomplishments - Video from 152nd Annual Meeting |
If you missed the virtual ACCMA Annual Meeting on Nov. 5, you can watch the video (click the play button shown in the image to the right) that was shown to honor the service of the outgoing ACCMA President, Katrina Peters, MD and to showcase some of the great work that the ACCMA physician leadership made happen in 2020. |
|
|
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. A two-month 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. |
|
Quick Survey: How do Health Disparities Show Up?
Do your patients have equal access to quality care? Is systemic racism a true public health emergency? ACCMA wants to hear your opinion! Take this 5-minute survey by Friday, Dec. 4.
|
|
Cyber Crime Threat Against Health Care Providers
Federal agencies have identified an "imminent cybercrime threat" against US healthcare providers and public health agencies, noting that several hospitals have already been targeted.
To help physicians guard against cyber threats, the American Medical Association has developed tips and advice to keep your patient health records and other data safe, as well as technology considerations for the rest of 2020.
|
|
Implementation of "Information Blocking" Rule Delayed Until April 2021
Implementation of the federal "Open Notes" rule granting patients immediate access to their clinical notes, originally slated for November 9, has been postponed. The deadline has been extended to April 5, 2021, to give providers more time to comply with the rule. The "Information Blocking" rule of the 21st Century Cures Act, passed in 2016, is referred to as "Open Notes," and it states that eight types of clinical notes can't be blocked and must be made immediately available to patients. The AMA had asked the federal Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to delay the rule.
|
|
California Voters Reject New Rules for Dialysis Clinics
With more than 10 million votes tallied Tuesday, Proposition 23 had just 36% of votes. It is the second measure seeking to regulate dialysis clinics placed on the ballot in recent years by unions that represent health care workers and drew more than $110 million in spending. Read more here. The California Medical Association opposed Prop. 23. |
|
Vote Now on ACCMA Bylaws Changes
ACCMA members can vote on proposed bylaws changes through Nov. 15. Information about the proposed changes can be found here. Your Medical License Number will be used solely to validate membership eligibility to vote; all responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. Cast your vote online by clicking here.
|
|
County News
Contra Costa's rising COVID cases in the last week is endangering its orange tier status in California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, thus risking moving the county backward into the more restrictive red tier. As such, the county health officer issued new orders to take effect on Friday, November 6, limiting some of the more riskier indoor activities and re-imposing restrictions on other high-risk activities.
Alameda County and City of Berkeley Health Officers are updating their joint Health Officer order mandating that all licensed health care facilities in Alameda County and the City of Berkeley require their health care workers (HCW) to receive an annual influenza vaccination. This Order mandates that health care facilities implement a process for requiring HCW to receive vaccination unless a HCW can produce sufficient documentation to obtain a medical exemption. Unlike in previous years, mask wearing is not an adequate substitution for vaccination under this Order.
|
|
In Other News
Members of the ACCMA Legislative Committee met with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) last week to tell him about the financial pressures that their practices are facing during the pandemic. The ACCMA urged him to support increasing the Provider Relief Fund, to intervene to stop Medicare budget cuts, and to act to assist state budgets devastated by COVID-19.
The American Medical Association is lobbying Medicare to begin paying for a new billing code that covers increased protective costs.
The California Department of Public Health formed a workgroup to advise the state on COVID-19 vaccine prioritization and allocation. COVID-19 vaccine supplies are expected to be limited initially, and the workgroup is part of California's system for safety review, prioritization, distribution, and administration of vaccines as supply becomes available.
A new report on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in California found that children of color are disproportionally impacted due to stressful environments, socio-economic inequalities, and lack of systemic support and resources for families of color. The report reflects state data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2011 and 2017.
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) published updated guidance on COVID-19 testing and coverage that clarifies that insurers are: (1) required to waive patient cost sharing for COVID-19 testing and screening, (2) responsible for payment of the waived cost sharing to providers, (3) prohibited from imposing prior authorization requirements for COVID-19 testing and screening, and (4) required to cover COVID-19 diagnostic testing regardless of network status. CDI's Provider Complaint Center can be reached at (800) 927-4357 or online.
The California Medical Association is hosting a free one-hour webinar on Medicare 2021 updates with California’s Medicare contractor, Noridian, on Friday, November 13, at 12:15 pm. Click here to register.
The President of the California Medical Association, Peter Bretan, MD, issued a statement in response to President Donald Trump's remarks about physicians and COVID-19.
Finally, a recent study co-authored by the American Medical Association found that for each 10% drop in task load, the odds of experiencing physician burnout is lowered by 33%.
|
|
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 | 12pm
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.
|
|
Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
Webinar is scheduled for:
- 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.
|
|
Thursday, November 12, 2020 | 12:15 - 1:15 pm
FREE | Presented by CMA
Hear clinician leaders share how their practice operations evolved after telehealth implementation and expansion, including bumps along the road and creative solutions. In this webinar, clinician speakers from small and mid-sized physician practices will offer technology, workflow, and documentation improvements tested and adopted in virtual and hybrid care settings. Moderated by Eric R. Hansen, DO.
|
|
Friday, November 13, 2020 | 12:15 - 1:15 pm
FREE | Presented by CMA and Noridian
Presented by Noridian’s Contractor Medical Director for California, Arthur Lurvey, MD, this webinar will cover changes to the Medicare program for 2021, including financial updates, telehealth, Medicare audits and waivers, and documentation changes..
|
|
FREE | Presented by CMA and Rockpointe
Webinar is scheduled for:
- Thursday, November 19, 2020, 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST
- Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 4:00pm - 5:00pm PST
- Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 10:00am - 11:00am PST
This program will provide clinicians with the most up-to-date information on telemedicine in asthma care to promote easier transitions to this new and necessary form of care for their patients. Education on best practices for incorporating telemedicine in the asthma and allergist clinic, including different strategies for virtual healthcare visits and remote patient monitoring, how to manage treatment in the telemedicine setting, and how to navigate the complex and continuously evolving legal and regulatory landscape pertaining to telehealthcare.
|
|
Tuesday, December 1 | 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Members: $49 | Non-members: $149
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 Mary Jean Sage 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
|
|
Thursday, December 3 | 6:15 - 7:30 PM
Members: $49 | Non-members: $149
CME Available | Presented with MIEC
Physicians who are facing medical malpractice litigation—a common occurrence in the medical profession—experience a unique type of stress which, if not addressed effectively, can compromise their ability to care for patients both during and after a lawsuit.
You will learn how the litigation process works, how to best cope with the stress of litigation, what lessons physicians should learn from the experience, and how to incorporate constructive changes into your practice. Presenters include an experienced liability defense attorney, a physician discussing his experience of being a defendant, and the manager of patient safety and risk management at MIEC.
|
|
ACCMA's On-Demand Library
|
|
Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
