Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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December 17, 2021
Due to the upcoming holidays, there will be no newsletter for the next two weeks. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!
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COVID-19 Updates
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CDPH announces statewide indoor masking requirement, regardless of vaccination status. This requirement is effective for one month beginning December 15.
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Contra Costa County reports that 76.9% of the total population is fully vaccinated, and 26.9% are fully vaccinated with a booster as of December 15.
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Alameda County reports that 77.8% of the total population is fully vaccinated, and 34.9% are fully vaccinated with a booster as of December 12.
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Prepare for the New Year: Changes Effective January 1
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Electronic prescribing mandate goes into effect
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Medi-Cal Rx Transition: All Medi-Cal pharmacy services transition from managed care to fee-for-service (FFS)
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Medicare Advantage patients’ COVID-19 administration claims should no longer be submitted to Noridian (Medicare FFS Administrative Contractor), but to the patient’s Medicare Advantage plan instead, as of January 1
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Anthem Blue Cross will expand its EPO product to new Covered California regions, and has sent a notice to previously participating and new providers who are being automatically opted into the Anthem Individual Pathway EPO network
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Reporting Identity Theft to EDD
ACCMA has received reports from physicians who have received letters from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) regarding claims for unemployment insurance that have been filed in the physician’s name without their knowledge or consent. If you have received any notice from EDD, click here to see what to steps to take next.
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Has your Practice Had Challenges Providing Access to Behavioral Health Services?
CMA is looking for providers to share their experiences with referring patients and providing access to behavioral health services in a timely manner. Many physicians have reported challenges referring patients to mental health treatment and patients experiencing delays in accessing services. Help CMA advocate on your behalf by sharing your experience. Contact economicservices@cmadocs.org or (916) 551-2061.
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My Green Doctor: A New Money-Saving ACCMA Membership Benefit
ACCMA has partnered with My Green Doctor to offer members tools to save money by making environmental improvements in the office, as well as help providers address climate change in their practice. ACCMA members can register for free here and save $60 by using discount code MGDACCMA.
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Are you Interested in Hosting a Student Preceptorship?
The Joint Medical Program at UCSF and UC Berkeley is looking for physicians who are willing to precept one or more medical students for 3-4 half-day sessions over the academic year. Visit the ACCMA website for more information, or contact Jessie Heminway if you are interested at jmp_programs@berkeley.edu.
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Physicians Running for California Legislature
Two physicians are running for State Assembly in 2022 with CMA’s backing. Please consider making a financial contribution to these campaigns to help expand physician representation in the California legislature.
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Dr. Sion Roy is a Past President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and a member of the CMA Board of Trustees who is running for Assembly District 50 (West LA). Dr. Roy is running against a well-funded trial lawyer in the primary election and needs grassroots support from California physicians. Click here to donate.
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Dr. Jasmeet Bains is a CMA Delegate and CALPAC Board member who is running for Assembly District 32 (South Central Valley). Dr. Bains serves as Medical Director at Bakersfield Recovery Services and has served as an appointed member of the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission. The race is expected to be competitive. Click here to donate.
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January 11 | 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Register for this one-hour webinar to hear California Medical Association (CMA) Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Advocacy Joey Cachuela and Legal Counsel Lance Martin discuss the new 2022 laws that are affecting physicians and their practices, highlight pending health legislation and explain CMA’s legal resources available to members.
Presenters:
Joseph Cachuela, Senior Legal Counsel, California Medical Association
Lance Martin, Legal Counsel, California Medical Association
Register on CMA Website here.
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January 12 + 27 | 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm
Free
UC San Diego is hosting a webinar to train clinicians to assess patients for vision deficits, frailty issues, and onset of cognitive impairment which can adversely affect driving fitness. Additionally, mandated California DMV reporting requirements for conditions that can impact driving are reviewed in detail.
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Available on demand
Free | CME Available
Review some of the most critical privacy and security standards in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Rules. In this one-hour webinar with expert HIPAA and practice management consultant David Ginsberg, you will receive important updates on who is covered, what information is protected, how you can stay secure in the Information Age, and how to avoid costly mistakes, as well as learning what is new for compliance. For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
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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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
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