American Hospital Association urges Biden and HHS to extended COVID-19 emergency declarations set to expire March 1
Contra Costa County reports that 79.1% of the total population is fully vaccinated, and 46.4% of those 16 and older are fully vaccinated with a booster as of January 13.
Alameda County reports that 80.2% of the total population is fully vaccinated, and 49.2% are fully vaccinated with a booster as of January 13.
CDC Webinar on Oral Antiviral Medications
Subject matter experts from CDC, FDA and NIH review when to prescribe antiviral medications including patient assessment, how to have a risk-benefit discussion to address patient questions or concerns, and how to prioritize patients if medications are in short supply. Access the on-demand training here.
Board of Pharmacy Issues Guidance on Written Scripts
ACCMA has received reports of pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions not transmitted electronically since the electronic prescribing mandate took effect January 1, 2022. The Board of Pharmacy (BOP) has clarified that pharmacists can fill a legally valid written, oral or faxed prescription if the only issue is that the prescription was not received electronically. Click here to learn more and find BOP’s guidance.
CMA Continues to Fight No Suprises Act
CMA has filed joint amicus curiae briefs in support of two lawsuits challenging federal regulators’ approach to dispute resolution under the No Surprises Act. Both lawsuits take issue with the fact that federal agencies responsible for implementing the act failed to follow clear direction from Congress on how arbiters should resolve surprise billing disputes between physicians and insurers. To learn more about the federal surprise billing law, register for CMA's webinar on January 19 at 12:15 pm.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Updated
Congress recently passed a law that stopped all but 0.75% of the 10% Medicare payment cuts. Find the updated 2022 Medicare Physician Fee schedule here. For more information on the current CMS policy as outlined in the updated scheduled, attend CMA’s free webinar on January 26 at 12:15 pm.
CMA Statement on CA Governor’s Proposed Budget
CMA issued a statement on Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for 2022-23, highlighting that this will position California as the first state in the nation to fully realize universal health care access and coverage. Click here for CMA’s summary of the budget proposal.
Free | CME Available | Presented by CMA and California Department of Public Health
This one hour and 50-minute virtual program features experts sharing how to advance health equity by screening patients for prediabetes and referring them to the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Participants will also learn how to identify and overcome barriers to screening and referral.
