Federal CMS releases 2021 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Final Rule |
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule Final Rule on Dec. 1. AMA staff continue to analyze the rule and will release a detailed summary. The top line is some specialties will get a boost while others will see cuts. Physicians are encouraged to check your numbers and plan accordingly for the year. Read more here.
|
|
Take action: Tell Congress to support H.R. 8702 |
The American Medical Association has released an urgent action alert asking physicians to contact your member of Congress today, ask them to support the “Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act” (H.R. 8702), and request the bill be included in a larger, end-of-the-year legislative package. Two Colorado congressional representatives are already leading in support H.R. 8702 and can receive a different message. Those calling U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn can thank him for being a co-sponsor and those calling U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse can thank him for writing a letter of support along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
If Congress does not act before Jan. 1, budget neutrality requirements will lead to lower Medicare payments for a multitude of services crucial to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic including hospital visits, critical care visits, nursing home visits and home visits. H.R. 8702 would freeze payments at 2020 rates for services scheduled to be cut in 2021 for a period of two years, while allowing scheduled E/M increases to take place.
|
|
Compliments of CMS: Reduce patient callbacks, HIPAA compliant, RX Savings up to 75%, click for free customization COLORADO DRUG CARD.
View a flyer on how to prepare for the "twindemic" of flu and COVID-19.
|
|
Volunteer opportunities in Arapahoe and Jefferson counties |
The Arapahoe County Office of Emergency Management is activating the Alternative Care Facility at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. They will need volunteer medical staffing sufficient to cover four daily shifts, seven days per week. The Arapahoe County - Alternate Care Facility is a tier 4 medical facility, designed to provide local hospitals relief from the medical surge due to the COVID pandemic. Guests of the facility are those recovering from COVID, recently discharged from the hospital, and need a place to convalesce and quarantine. Duties: taking basic vitals, monitoring symptoms, and assisting with any additional needs of the ACF. Volunteers will be supplied with proper personal protective equipment, food, and beverages during your shift. Use this link to indicate interest and availability.
Spark the Change Colorado is partnering with Jefferson County Public Health to support various outside, drive-up COVID testing sites through the end of December. Volunteers are needed at the Jeffco Fairgrounds seven days a week, Evergreen on Sundays and Conifer on Tuesdays. Volunteers will be helping as spotters to support the traffic control, checking in staff and volunteers, and helping with general operations at each site. There is a low to moderate risk of being exposed to COVID. CDC-recommended PPE are provided. If you are a high-risk person, this site is not recommended. Contact Juli German with any questions. Sign up here.
|
|
Global Payments Integrated is the endorsed Member Benefit Partner for payment processing and more. Accept payments in office, by phone, mail or on your website. Global Payments Integrated's health payment solution automatically posts payments to the patient ledger. We find savings for more than 80 percent of practices that take advantage of their FREE payment evaluation.* As a CMS member, you know you are getting the best rates for your practice. Call 877-841-0606 or email startnow@globalypay.com today for your FREE payment evaluation. Visit our website to learn more.
*Comparison applies to standard card organization fees only, not to include monthly equipment or software fees. Merchants must provide their monthly merchant processing statements. ©2018 Total System Services, Inc.
|
|
|
Starbucks is giving free coffee to health care workers in December |
In response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and to recognize the significant efforts of the front-line responder and health care community, Starbucks announced that it will offer a free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) to anyone who identifies as a front-line responder at participating U.S. Starbucks stores throughout the month of December to show appreciation for those keeping our communities safe during COVID-19. Those eligible include doctors, nurses, public health workers, pharmacists, dispatchers, fire fighters, paramedics, EMTs, law enforcement officers, dentists and dental hygienists, mental health workers (therapist, psychologist, social worker, counselor, etc.), hospital staff such as janitor/housekeeping/security, military on active duty, contact tracers, vaccine and pharmaceutical researchers, pilots, flight attendants, TSA, and medical researchers.
|
|
CMS has partnered with the industry leader in HIPAA compliance, Abyde, to provide CMS members with the easiest way to implement and sustain comprehensive HIPAA compliance. Abyde’s revolutionary approach guides practices through all mandatory HIPAA requirements in just a few hours, in time to meet annual HIPAA deadlines on Dec. 31.
|
|
Serving medical professionals is all we do. Owned and operated by the Colorado Medical Society and backed by an all-physician board of directors, MTC is uniquely focused on the needs of its clients.
MTC Benefits include: Secure Messaging, Voice Logger/Voicemail, Appointment Confirmations/Reminders, Personalized Announcements, Custom Applications, and competitive rates!
|
|
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Emergency Preparedness Staffing Services: Favorite Healthcare staffing is prepared to assist facilities facing increased patient census due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Favorite is proactively communicating with health care professionals and other staff to mobilize a workforce for our clients enacting an emergency staffing plan. We are screening staff who have worked emergency and disaster relief projects with Favorite in the past and are assessing their availability for rapid response. For more information, contact Derek Reid, Executive Director, at 913-481-3963 or DReid@FavoriteStaffing.com. www.FavoriteStaffing.com
|
|
PPE -- including Nitrile gloves! -- available through ActionPPE
Use CMS's discount code for 5% off total order
|
Order your next round of PPE through ActionPPE.org, which has partnered with the Colorado Medical Society to give physicians access to medical-grade PPE supplies. Available products are KN95 or disposable tri-fold masks, disposable gowns, face shields, nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer. Place your order through the CMS order form here -- actionppe.org/3/cms/ -- and share this link with your colleagues. Use discount code cms-save5 for 5 percent off all orders through the link above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
