Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
Pfizer asked the FDA on Thursday for authorization to vaccinate children ages 5 to 11 against COVID. The FDA is scheduled to meet on October 26; if approved, the vaccine may be available by mid-to late November. Last month, Pfizer had released new data that showed a two-dose regimen of 10 micrograms — a third the dosage used for teens and adults — is safe and generates a “robust” immune response in a clinical trial of young children.
Solano County reported on Wednesday that 78% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 67% are fully vaccinated.
Napa County reported on Tuesday that 91% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 85% are fully vaccinated.
Solano County reports that, as of October 7, it has given more than 538,000 vaccinations (first and second doses). As of October 1, ICU capacity in the county is at 14% with 15 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Napa County reports that as of October 7, more than 201,000 vaccine doses have been administered by the county. As of October 1, ICU capacity was 15% with 7 COVID patients in ICU.
New State Law Requires Insurers to Reimburse for PPE
SB 242 (Newman), a bill supported by the California Medical Association, was signed into law on Tuesday. The law requires health insurers (not Medi-Cal managed care plans) to reimburse health care providers for costs related to the procurement of critical safety supplies, such as PPE, to prevent the spread of diseases causing public health emergencies declared on or after January 1, 2022. This law takes effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Bay Area Health Officers Set Criteria to Lift Indoor Mask Mandates
On Thursday, health officers for the nine Bay Area jurisdictions that require face coverings in most indoor public spaces reached consensus on criteria to lift those orders. Health officers will lift the local orders once the jurisdiction reaches and stays in the yellow (moderate) tier for at least three weeks, hospitalization rates are low and stable, and at least 80% of the total population is fully vaccinated or eight weeks has passed after children ages 5 to 11 are eligible for vaccination. None of the jurisdictions are currently hitting the benchmarks.
October 15 is Application Deadline for CalVaxGrant
Under CalVaxGrant, a new state program to increase COVID‑19 vaccination rates, physicians and medical practices can apply to receive up to $55,000 in reimbursement for related expenses incurred since November 2020 and through November 2021. Qualifying expenses include staffing and training (most common expenses), technology, infrastructure, supplies and equipment, and administrative overhead. Apply before October 15 at calvaxgrant.org.
Apply by October 26 for Provider Relief Fund Distribution
All physicians may apply for Phase 4 funding from the HHS Provider Relief Fund to assist physician practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians will be reimbursed for their revenue losses and increased COVID-related expenses from July 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021 (as compared to revenues in 2019). There will be bonus payments for physicians treating Medicaid/CHIP patients. Small practices will receive a higher percentage of their lost revenues and increased expenses. Applications must be received before midnight, October 26, 2021.
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URGENT: Ask California Congressional Delegation to Stop Nearly 10% Medicare Payment Cut
The CMA is urging physicians to reach out to their Members of Congress and ask that they cosign a high-priority, bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter aimed at halting the cuts slated for the new year. The letter initiative is being led by Congressmen Ami Bera, MD, (D-CA), and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-IN). The letter highlights the financial uncertainty within the Medicare payment system and the dangers these cuts could have on physicians’ ability to provide quality care for their patients if Congress fails to enact legislation to address these problems. |
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Deadline to Apply for Phase 4 of Provider Relief Fund Is October 26
All physicians may now apply for this Phase 4 funding. The application is essentially the same as the Phase 3 distribution. Physicians will be reimbursed for their revenue losses and increased COVID-related expenses from July 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021 as compared to 2019 revenues. There will be bonus payments for physicians treating Medicaid/CHIP patients. small practices will receive a higher percentage of their lost revenues and increased expenses, and providers practicing in rural underserved areas will also receive additional funding. |
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Are You Ready for California’s Electronic Prescribing Mandate?
Beginning on January 1, 2022, almost all prescriptions written in California must be transmitted electronically. The electronic prescribing mandate was contained in a law passed by the California State Legislature in 2018. The law is partially based on the Medicare electronic prescribing for controlled substances requirement, which is also set to take effect on January 1. The state mandate applies to almost all prescriptions, not only those for controlled substances. |
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Dues Discount Ends December 15
NSMS members who renew their 2022 membership by December 15 qualify for a 5% discount on their dues. Click here to pay your dues online. Nonmembers who join now and pay in full for 2022 will receive the remaining months of this year for free. Click here to join now!
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Solano County Mass Booster Vaccine Clinics
Solano County Public Health started their mass booster vaccination clinics this week at the Vallejo fairgrounds. The clinics will occur from 9 am to 4 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays for the rest of October, two weeks in November, and three weeks in December. A registration portal on the county website and a telephone line for appointments are expected to be ready early next week. |
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CMA Urges Congress to Address Health Care Priorities in Build Back Better Bill
The CMA is urging Congress to address two of our nation’s highest health care priorities: permanent access to more affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act extended eligibility for ACA health insurance tax credits and assistance to those who have incomes over 400% of the federal poverty level, however, these provisions were only authorized for two years. CMA is urging Congress to ensure the long-term stability, affordability and effectiveness of the ACA by making the provisions of the ARPA permanent. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicare drug price negotiation would reduce net drug prices by an average 55% for Medicare and privately insured patients. CMA is strongly urging passage of this meaningful drug pricing reform. |
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Telehealth Patient Bill of Rights
AB 457 (Santiago) was signed into law last Friday to protect the rights of a patient using telehealth to be seen by a health care provider with a physical presence within a reasonable geographic distance from the patient's home. This bill, which was supported by the California Medical Association, ensures patients have the opportunity to access telehealth services from their selected health care provider, or other networked provider of their choosing, rather than having a health plan direct them to a third-party corporate telehealth provider. If a patient does choose to be treated by a third-party corporate telehealth provider, this bill requires that provider to forward patient records from the visit to the patient’s primary care physician or a physician of the patient's choosing.
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New State Law Creates Tax Parity for Vape Products
A new tobacco tax law supported by the California Medical Association and signed by Gov. Newsom on Monday, the Healthy Outcomes and Prevention Education Act (HOPE Act) (SB 395) (Caballero), will create tobacco tax parity on vape products. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2022. The revenue from the tobacco tax will fund education programs to combat tobacco use and assist with loan repayment for physicians serving patients in underserved areas. |
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If you are interested in placing a classified ad in the weekly SCMS/NCMS newsletter, please email exec@ncms.com. Members are eligible to place a classified ad in up to 4 issues of the weekly newsletter for free.
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! 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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Tuesdays through December 14
Free to attend | CME Available | Presented by CMA
The California Medical Association's (CMA) wellness program (CMA Wellness) is pleased to launch free, online wellness engagement groups for health care providers who conduct patient screenings for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Treating patients with multiple ACEs or toxic stress can potentially impact your personal wellness and increase feelings of burnout. CMA Wellness's engagement groups will support providers by offering subject matter experts, best practices, and an open forum to share experiences, facilitated by trained, volunteer physicians. Each monthly webinar is organized around a prevailing theme with a stakeholder co-host to provide a variety of perspectives with a general discussion and breakout rooms. Registration is required, and providers will be joining the Tuesday series for a 6‑month duration.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | noon – 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
We will hear from Erica Pan, MD, California State Epidemiologist, about the state of COVID-19 in California, efforts to keep the virus at bay, progress on vaccines and vaccination efforts, and the hope for keeping schools open this year. We will also hear from Kristian Andersen, PhD, from Scripps Research, on the viral genomics of COVID-19. He has spearheaded large international collaborations investigating the emergence, spread and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, among other pathogens. Moderated by Kimberly Newell Green, MD.
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Friday, October 15 | 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Online | Free to NSMS members, $50 for non-members
Celebrate your physician colleagues, win raffle prizes, and learn how to make a classy cocktail from an experienced bartender. Register for this year’s virtual gala by Oct. 1 and receive a FREE delivery of cocktail ingredients to your front door so that you can join us in making a drink live during the event. The theme of the drink will be “The Doctor is Gin.” Raffle prizes include hot air balloon rides, signed SF Giants memorabilia, bike rentals, wine, and more!
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Register now and the on-demand program will be provided to you on date of release
On demand | Available Friday, October 15
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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Thursday, October 21 | noon – 1:30 PM
$50 or $75 for 2–3 physicians from same hospital/group | CME Available | Presented by CPPPH/CSAM
This webinar will focus on what medical staff/medical group policy makers need to know about physicians’ use of drugs that are no longer “illegal,” for example, cannabis products and psychoactive agents that are being used therapeutically.
Speakers: Greg Skipper, MD; John G. Rosenberg, MD, MPH; and David M. Balfour, MD
Register here by October 19.
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Thursday, October 21 | 6:15 – 7:30 PM
FREE | CME Available
In this webinar, we will start with the core — you — and then expand. You will have time to think about your attitudes, the way you treat yourself and others, how you spend your time, your purpose, and resilience. The speaker is Linda Clever, MD, of RENEW. For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org. |
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021 | 12:15 – 1:15 PM
FREE for members & members’ staff | Presented by CMA
Three different value-based care programs will be discussed: the Primary Care Reimagined program, the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and PBGH’s California Quality Collaborative’s Advanced Primary Care Standards. Learn about these models and what the shift toward value-based care means for you and your practice. Members’ staff: To receive a promo code for free registration, email Becky Paplanus at events@cmadocs.org with your physician’s California medical license number.
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Thursday, October 28, 2021 | 12:15 – 1:15 PM
FREE | Presented by CMA and DHCS
On January 1, 2022, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will be transitioning all Medi-Cal pharmacy services from managed care to fee-for-service. Under this program, most physicians who write prescriptions for Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal managed care patients will use a new secure portal for key prescribing functions, such as:
- Prior authorization information and instructions
- Beneficiary eligibility lookup
- Claims submission, activities, and inquiries
This webinar will review what’s changing, what’s staying the same, how to sign up to use the new portal, and where to go to learn more.
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