Senate Votes to Delay Medicare Cuts to Physicians |
"11th Hour" Action by Senate Delays Medicare Cuts |
Last Thursday, the Senate voted 59-34 to avert looming Medicare cuts to providers, sending the legislation to President Biden’s desk for signature. The legislation will delay 2% cuts to Medicare rates through March 2022 and punt a separate round of 4% Medicare cuts totaling about $36 billion to 2023. The bill “includes a 3% increase in pay for providers paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, partially mitigating some cuts that are set to take effect next year. Thank you to those who took the time to contact Delaware's federal legislators to voice concerns over the impending cuts that were planned to take place beginning January 1, 2022. Your involvement and efforts made a difference.
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AMA, AHA File Join Lawsuit Over Surprise Billing Regs |
Key Change Needed to Make No Surprises Act Work as Intended |
The Biden Administration's rulemaking implementation of the No Surprises Act dispute-resolution process skews the outcome in favor of insurance providers in negotiations. The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have filed a joint lawsuit regarding the interpretation of the No Surprises Act Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) arbitration model to resolve surprise billing disputes. The suit does not seek to gut the law's consumer protections. CMS's interpretation of the IDR could influence contract negotiations between insurers and health care providers, as well as influence which doctors and hospitals choose to go in-network with insurers and could lead to higher insurance premiums for patients. The suit addresses blocking only the provisions of the interim final rule that require arbitrators assisting payers and out-of-network providers through a billing dispute to first consider a plan's median in-network rate when parties can't resolve the situation themselves. It is argued that this will decrease access to care by preventing meaningful contract negotiations. The lawsuit says the finalized regulation "deviates from Congress' balanced design."
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MSD Launches Its Academic Channel |
Serves as Hub for Publishing Articles Through Cureus Journal |
As we have been communicating over the past several months, a decision was made to transition from our printed publication, the Delaware Medical Journal, to utilizing an online "open access" model of publishing. MSD has worked with the team of the Cureus Journal of Medical Science and established a designated online "Academic Channel" for MSD on the Cureus site. The Academic Channel is now published and operational. We anticipate that during the next several months, new features will be available and navigation enhanced as Cureus undergoes updates to its website. As an author interested in publishing your work, this new process will make it simpler and keep you informed as to the status of the peer-review process. Instructions for authors will be published on the Medical Society of Delaware website within the next week as to how to submit your work for consideration. In the meantime, we invite you to review the new Medical Society of Delaware Academic Channel and consider populating our "Articles" page with work from Delaware physicians. A separate Digital Digest will also be published and distributed via email to members every several months, delivering information about published articles on the site from your peers, as well as other educational information.
If you would like to join the team of peer reviewers on the Academic Channel, we'd love to have you! Please contact Mary LaJudice for more information.
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Appeals Court Revives Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers |
According to news media, a federal appeals court revived in 26 states President Biden's mandate to require health care workers to get vaccinated if they work in facilities that receive funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order Wednesday effectively allowing the mandate to be enforced. A three-judge panel of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that a lower court had the authority to block the mandate in only the 14 states that had sued and incorrectly imposed a nationwide injunction. The rule remains temporarily blocked in 24 states - the 14 states involved in the case reviewed by the 5th Circuit, and the 10 states where the mandate was blocked by a November 29 ruling from a federal judge in St. Louis. Delaware is not one of the 24 states where the rule remains temporarily blocked. The issue is likely to eventually be taken up by the Supreme Court.
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CDC Recommends Use of Pfizer, Moderna Over J&J Vaccine |
Due to Continued Rare Blood Clot Issues Linked to Nine Deaths |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were presented today with new data regarding the rate of blood clots in people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which has increased since April when use of the vaccine was halted for a period of time. There have been nine deaths related to the issue, indicating the problem is still rare. The ACIP earlier today recommended use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson's citing the rare blood clot issue linked to the nine deaths. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky adopted the advisory panel's recommendation to use the mRNA vaccines in most cases to avoid the risks of a potentially fatal adverse effect. Exceptions would be made for those who have had allergic reactions to the mRNA vaccines, where the mRNA vaccines are unavailable, or for those who are unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine.
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DE Homebound Vaccination Program Launches Toll-Free Number |
Overcoming Challenges for Access to Vaccinations |
In the first phase of its Homebound Vaccination Program, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) worked with community partners to vaccinate more than 500 Delawareans who had difficulty leaving their homes because of disability, illness, or lack of mobility. In this new phase, DHSS is partnering with independent pharmacies in each county to bring COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, to Delawareans ages 5 or older who have difficulty leaving their homes. On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced a new toll-free number for Delawareans to request COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible seniors and people with disabilities who cannot access a vaccination location because of disability, age, or severe illness. Starting December 15th, all requests for a homebound vaccination or booster will be filtered through a toll-free number (1-888-491-4988) to be assessed and scheduled. Live operators will staff the toll-free line from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. To learn more visit DHSS' website at VaccineAccessDE.com.
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DE Public/Private School Mask Requirement Formally Extended |
As Announced Last Month the Requirement Will be Extended Until Feb. 8 |
Governor John Carney, the Delaware Department of Education (DOE), and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) on Monday formally issued regulations that will extend the emergency masking requirement in public and private K-12 schools until February 8. The extension was previously announced by Governor Carney, DHSS, and DOE last month. The regulations (marked "new") are being formally issued this week.
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Trial Begins of Needle-Free COVID Vaccine for New Variants |
DIOS-CoVax Vaccine Uses Different Technology to Fight Coronavirus |
A trial has begun of a new needle-free Covid-19 vaccine to protect against future variants of the virus. The vaccine, administered through a jet of air, has been developed by Prof Jonathan Heeney of Cambridge University and Chief Executive of DIOSynVax. The vaccine, DIOS-CoVax, uses different technology to fight the disease which could provide much broader protection against COVID variants and other coronaviruses. It is the first step towards a universal coronavirus vaccine, protecting not just from COVID-19 variants but from future coronaviruses. Current COVID-19 vaccines use genes taken from the virus spike protein to encode antigens, which causes the immune system to produce antibodies. This new vaccine uses predictive methods to mimic the wider family of coronavirus antigens that researchers hope will give more protection.
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COVID-Related Stress and Work Intentions |
A Sample of US Health Care Workers |
A new Mayo Clinic Proceedings article led by the American Medical Association explores the relationship between COVID-related stress and work intentions of U.S. health care workers. The article found that physicians, nurses, and advanced practice providers are at the highest risk of reducing clinical work hours or leaving their practice, with one in five physicians and two in five nurses intending to leave their practice altogether. Factors associated with a greater intention to reduce work hours or leave a practice include higher levels of burnout, stress, workload, fear of infection, anxiety or depression due to COVID-19, and the number of years in practice. The article concluded that organizations should implement measures to enhance health care workers’ sense of value, create supportive environments, and reduce work overload through better teamwork to reduce stress and prevent turnover.
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FDA Warns About Wellness Vaping Products |
Illegally Sold with Unproven Health and Wellness Claims |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants consumers to know certain “wellness” vaping products containing vitamins and/or essential oils are being illegally sold with unproven claims and could be harmful if used. Currently, no vaping products are approved by the FDA to prevent or treat any health conditions or diseases. Some examples of these companies’ fraudulent product claims are to fight off tumors and alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy; an organic asthma remedy, ADHD remedy, and dementia treatment; prevention of megaloblastic anemia; treatment against anxiety and depression; and improve mental clarity. Vaping products may present other risks. Inhaled products can be dangerous and those with underlying medical conditions may be at greater risk for experiencing serious complications.
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New Zealand Takes a Bold Step to Curb Smoking |
New Law Expected to Pass in 2023 |
A new law announced last week in New Zealand would ban anyone born after 2008 from ever purchasing cigarettes in the country. The law, which is expected to pass in 2023, would raise the legal smoking age (currently 18) by one additional year every year, beginning in 2027. So, New Zealanders 14 and under in 2023 will always be younger than the legal limit, while current smokers (and those older than 14 in 2023) will always be permitted to buy cigarettes. In 2011, the country announced a goal of reducing the smoking rate in the country to 5% by 2025, and experts believe last week’s announcement may keep them on track. |
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Using Google Chrome as Your Web Browser? |
Beware of Hackers - Ensure You Update to the Latest Software Version |
A piece of software used across the internet identified as Log4J has exposed companies to cyberattacks since last Friday, according to researchers. It is already one of the most wide-reaching security breaches ever. Cyberattackers can use this software to break into computers and take over computer servers, extracting sensitive data and putting devices at risk of failure. To date, the only company known to have been breached via Log4J is Microsoft. On Monday, Google patched a desktop version of the Chrome browser to fix five security flaws. Updates may not reach all users right away. The new updates take the current version of Chrome on Windows, Mac, and Linux to version 96.0.4664.110. To make sure your Chrome installation is up-to-date, click the three vertical dots on the top right of the browser window. Mouse down and hover over "Help," then click "About Google Chrome."
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Streaming of General Assembly Committee Meetings to Continue |
Streaming Will Become the Norm |
According to "Delaware Business Now," the Delaware General Assembly will live-stream committee meetings on its website when the legislative session resumes on January 11th. Forced to meet virtually for the first time ever, both Delaware General Assembly chambers began live-streaming video to YouTube in May 2020. Last January, those live streams were made available directly on the General Assembly website for the first time, with a hybrid option put into use in May. Committee meetings held outside the legislative chambers have been conducted exclusively via Zoom throughout the pandemic. With the Legislature hoping to return in person in 2022, both chambers plan to launch a hybrid model that preserves the virtual participation option while also accommodating in-person public participants at the same time. While a decision about an in-person return to Legislative Hall – and the use of hybrid virtual/in-person committee hearings – will depend on the public health guidance as of early January, the public will be able to watch committee hearings live and later playback recordings of the proceedings on the General Assembly website.
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Physicians Telehealth Insights Needed |
AMA Assessing Use of Telehealth |
As part of The Telehealth Initiative, the American Medical Association (AMA) is assessing the current landscape and use of telehealth among physicians and other health care practitioners, as their experiences and insights on telehealth challenges, benefits and opportunities are critical to informing the future of telehealth in our nation. If you use telehealth, please participate in this survey. It should take no longer than 10-15 minutes to complete. The states with over 100 responses will receive a specialized report from the AMA on the results. The survey will be closed on December 31, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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Highlight On Events And Educational Offerings |
MSD will be supporting the Blood Bank of Delmarva's need for blood donations throughout the holiday season. Please donate to the Blood Bank of Delmarva to give the life-saving gift of blood this holiday. Schedule an appointment between November 26 and December 31 at any of the five donation centers. After you donate, please scan the QR code on the flyer which will take you to the “Digital Hero Card” page. Please complete the very brief form and choose Medical Society of Delaware as the company/organization.
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MSD and Food Bank of Delaware Join Together for Virtual Food Drive |
This holiday season, give the hope of a holiday meal. People in Delaware continue to struggle and food banks are in need of help to fill their shelves. With your donation or contribution, you can help provide three meals for every dollar given. From November 8 through December 17, reach out and make an impact in the Delaware community. Click to give.
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An Approach to Patients Who Have Not Gotten the COVID-19 Vaccine |
This course module was developed by the "Made to Save" Campaign and will explore a patient-centered approach to COVID-19 vaccine counseling to increase trust, confidence, and vaccine uptake, based on the experience of a national grassroots COVID-19 vaccine education and outreach campaign focused on underserved communities of color. The Yale School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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2nd Regional Human Trafficking Summit |
Register now for the Regional Interdisciplinary Collaborative 2nd Regional Human Trafficking Summit taking place February 9-10, 2022, held both virtually and in-person at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Human trafficking is a widespread crime and growing public health concern. The goal of the Summit is to lead a multilateral cooperation and synergy among the regional states to work to ensure the safety and freedom of trafficked persons. Learn more.
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Beebe Healthcare announced it is one of 11 hospitals along the East Coast to receive the Women's Health Center of Excellence Award from the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS), recognizing superior efforts to improve women’s health through minimally invasive surgery.
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In the first study of its kind, researchers at ChristianaCare's Institute for Research on Equity and Community Health (iREACH) have unearthed new insights about the impact of smoking on Delaware's communities of color, and potential new solutions. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Cities & Health, the study involved the use of geospatial analyses. It showed disproportionately higher counts of convenience store tobacco retailers located in medium- and high-density residential zones - in predominantly African-American and LatinX neighborhoods - within the city of Wilmington relative to the surrounding county.
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MSD is spotlighting members throughout the state, highlighting medical students, residents, and your practicing colleagues, whether they are new to membership or have been a member over the years. This week's spotlight is on Nick N. Patel, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon with Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists, PA in Newark, DE. Read more.
If you would like to be featured in the Member Spotlight section, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org.
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The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world. |
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50 Million
Number of coronavirus cases identified in the US since the pandemic began in early 2020.
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
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<800,000
Number of deaths in the US from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
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10 Million
Number decrease of US families who had trouble paying medical bills in the year and a half following the ACA first marketplace open enrollment period.
Urban Institute Report
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January 21, 2022 - SAVE THE DATE! Delaware Section, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Maternal Health Awareness Day "Maternal Care in the 21st Century," 1:00-5:00 p.m., virtual.
March 5-7, 2022 - SAVE THE DATE! Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health 2022 Annual Meeting, Accelerating Climate Solutions: From Urgency to Impact for Health Equity.
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Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership. |
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The information contained herein is solely informational, planned in accordance for a diverse membership audience. This communication reflects news and announcements that have been made available to MSD and is not intended to exclude other pertinent material. The content published is proposed to represent facts of interest and provide awareness to the members. MSD reserves the right to determine what information is relevant to its membership. |
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Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. |
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