Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
|
COVID-19 Updates
On April 6, CDPH announced that California will move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and fully reopen all industries on June 15, with risk reduction measures in place. CA will fully reopen the economy if there is equitable vaccine availability and consistently low burden of disease by June 15.
California has updated the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, allowing additional activities to resume with modification to reduce risk. The updates include gatherings, private events or meetings, and indoor, seated, live events and performances. Updates will be applicable in California starting April 15.
CMS announced it has begun recouping COVID-19 accelerated and advance payments, which were an advance of up to three months of Medicare payments to help physician practices stay open early in the pandemic. Providers who received a COVID-19 accelerated or advance payment and have not yet made full repayment will begin to see any outstanding balance recouped from payments due them from Medicare claims. The American Medical Association is very interested in hearing from physicians about their experience repaying the Medicare advance payments as it may vary depending on the carrier and whether you are able to check your balance and request an extended repayment option due to ongoing hardships. Please share your feedback via AMA.Advocacy@ama-assn.org.
The recent manufacturing error in a Johnson & Johnson plant will dramatically affect rollouts, with 85% fewer doses of this vaccine being sent out next week.
Although COVID case rates remain low in the Bay Area, scientists and federal health officials have been warning that a new wave of cases could arise in the United States even as the nation’s vaccination campaign gathers speed. Hospitals are seeing more patients in their 30s and 40s admitted with severe cases of COVID-19.
CDPH released a travel advisory, recommending delaying travel until persons are fully vaccinated.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a number of new waivers related to ordering and administering COVID-19 vaccines. The list of waivers can be found here.
Alameda and Contra Costa County will be partnering with the State to extend the Oakland Coliseum vaccination site. It had previously been announced that the site would close on April 11, but thanks to local advocacy, the extension of services was announced on April 6. Personnel and equipment currently at the Coliseum will remain in place for the next four weeks. The State will also continue providing half the weekly vaccines for the site, with the other half coming from Alameda and Contra Costa County allocations. Individuals seeking the vaccine can make an appointment at the Coliseum by visiting myturn.ca.gov.
Alameda County has developed a phone line for individuals requesting COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Providers can direct their Alameda County patients to call this number if they don’t have access to a computer for online registration: 510-268-4829.
Alameda County Health Care Services has requested videos from Alameda County providers for the COVID-19 Community Voices campaign. If you are interested, please record a 25–60 second video focusing on a key point about vaccinations (why you got the vaccine, why others should get the vaccine once they’re eligible, why COVID-19 safety precautions are important, etc.). Please note that if you upload a video via this link, you are giving consent for your video to be used in digital media for community promotion, information, and/or education, along with your name and/or organization. Visit the link for more details: https://alamedacounty.thankview.com/video/3fe0606d27bfb3883/joe.
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 1,088,000 doses as of April 9. As of April 8, ICU capacity in the county is at 39% with 22 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa Health Services reports that it has administered more than 803,000 doses as of April 9. As of April 8, ICU capacity in the county is at 24% with 10 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
The #ThisIsOurShot campaign has launched a private Facebook group that has up-to-date information. The campaign also holds weekly Zoom calls to discuss digital engagement campaigns, hear from guest speakers, and have breakout sessions to plan for future campaigns. These calls are held on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM.
CDPH is holding weekly “office hours” to provide an update on COVID-19 vaccination planning and allow providers in the state to ask questions, on Fridays from 9-10 AM. The April 16 session can be accessed through this link or by calling (415) 655-0001. The event number is: 145 305 3168. The password is: Immunize2021!
CMA's COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Center can be accessed here.
The ACCMA and the California Medical Association (CMA) are continuing to provide PPE directly to medical practices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, by going to this link. N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, coveralls, and hand sanitizers may be ordered. Vinyl gloves are available only to solo and small practices. If approved, orders are shipped directly to medical offices. Only shipping and handling fees are charged for each individual case shipped. For groups with multiple offices, a separate order must be completed for each location. Please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383 for more information.
|
|
CMA Legislative Advocacy Day/Week
We held another successful virtual CMA Legislative Day April 6 as part of CMA Legislative Week. Over the course of the day, our physician members and staff held more than 12 meetings with local members of the State Assembly and Senate. During our meetings, we advocated for several important CMA priorities:
- Relieving administrative burden, including prior authorizations and collections (SB 250)
- Increased reimbursement for PPE supplies (SB 242)
- Telehealth protections for patients (AB 457)
We will continue to advocate for these and many other priority bills over the course of the legislative session. Thank you to all our members who took time away from your clinical practice to join us in this important advocacy work.
|
|
Scholarships Available This Year to Medical Students with Ties to Solano County
The Solano County Medical Society (SCMS) is now accepting applications for four $1,000 scholarships to any medical student who has shown interest in improving public health, the practice of medicine, or the quality of patient care and who has ties to Solano County. Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Current full-time enrollment (12 units minimum) in an MD or DO program at a medical school.
- Strong ties to Solano County (e.g., reside in, born in, went to school in, or family in Solano County).
- Activities or projects an application is based on are ongoing or in the past 24 months from time of submission.
- Membership in the California Medical Association (Membership is free for medical students. Please visit www.cmadocs.org/join to apply on line.)
- Completed applications are due by May 15.
To learn more, please click on the application here. |
|
Federal Information Blocking Goes into Effect
The federal information blocking rule took effect on April 5, 2021. The rule is intended to enable more widespread access, use, and exchange of patient data. CMA posted an FAQ about the new rule and how to comply.
|
|
CMA Seeks Public Comment on Implicit Bias in CME
CMA has issued draft standards for cultural and linguistic competency and implicit bias in CME. The draft standards can be viewed on line and are open for public comment until May 5. CMA will also host two informational webinars to present the standards — more information here.
|
|
CMA Issues Statement on Anti-AAPI Crime
CMA president Dr. Peter Bretan issued a statement in response to recent violence and hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. |
|
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Is April 24
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Click here to locate your nearby collection site or call the Drug Enforcement Administration at (800) 882‑9539. |
|
Tuesday, April 13 | 12–1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Since last summer, patients and increasingly physicians have recognized that COVID-19 causes prolonged sequelae in a significant number of patients. As experts work to understand the nature and etiology of this syndrome, patients themselves are looking for answers and forming patient support and advocacy groups. In this grand rounds, we will feature physicians working clinically to monitor and care for patients with prolonged sequelae, and a researcher who is investigating the epidemiology and causes of post-acute COVID symptoms.
Speakers: Erica Pan, MD, MPH, California Department of Public Health; Michael Peluso, MD; Lekshmi Santosh, MD; and Kimberly N. Green, MD, UCSF (moderator)
|
|
Thursday, May 6 | 6:15–7:30 PM
FREE | CME Available
In this webinar, we will discuss ways physicians can chart safe courses through unpredictable circumstances, learning the five practices of physicians who are good at weathering the storms. For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate at jmullins@accma.org.
Speaker: Linda Clever, MD, MACP
|
|
Tuesday, May 11 | 12–1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Speakers: TBA and Kimberly N. Green, MD, UCSF (moderator)
|
|
Wednesday, May 19 | 10 AM – 2:30 PM
FREE to attend | CME Available
This will be a four-hour online training for qualified prescribers (including physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) to receive half of the 8 hours of training required to obtain a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) waiver for treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Open to members and non-members. Counts for 4 CME credits.
|
|
ACCMA's On-Demand Library
|
|
Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
