Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
The FDA voted unanimously on Thursday for an emergency authorization of a booster shot of Moderna’s COVID vaccine for people 65 and older and younger adults at high risk because of their medical conditions or jobs. On Friday the FDA will vote on Johnson & Johnson’s request for emergency authorization of a second dose.
Contra Costa County reported on Wednesday that 88% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 82% are fully vaccinated.
Alameda County reported on Wednesday that 89% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 83% are fully vaccinated.
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 2,417,000 doses as of October 14. As of October 7, ICU capacity in the county is at 35% with 36 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa reports that it has administered more than 1,721,000 doses as of October 14. As of October 7, ICU capacity in the county is at 21% with 30 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa Supervisors Declare COVID Misinformation a Public Health Crisis
On Tuesday the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution declaring that misinformation about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines is a “public health crisis.” The ACCMA provided a letter of support and public testimony for the resolution, which was introduced by Supervisors John Goia and Karen Mitchoff. An ACCMA member was also interviewed on the Spanish-language television station Telemundo 48 newscast about the Contra Costa BOS meeting.
CDPH Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Chart
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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CMA-Sponsored CME Bill Becomes Law
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Medical Association (CMA) sponsored legislation Assembly Bill (AB) 359 (Cooper) into law last Thursday. The bill expands the definition of continuing medical education (CME) qualifying content to include practice management education, which aligns with other state and national guidelines and results in better services to patients. The changes made by AB 359 went into effect upon the Governor’s signature because the bill had an urgency clause. For further information, click here.
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CA and TX Congressional Letter Urges DOE to Fix PSLF Program
A bipartisan group of California and Texas members of Congress recently submitted a joint letter to the US Department of Education, urging it to fix the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to ensure qualifying California and Texas physicians can receive federal loan forgiveness consistent with their colleagues in every other state. The vast majority of the California Congressional Delegation signed on to the letter. Congress established the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in 2007 to improve access to care by encouraging physicians to pursue careers working in nonprofit settings. Under the program, individuals can have their education loans forgiven after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while providing care in a non-profit hospital. |
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CMA Joins Campaign Urging Patients to Get Their Flu Shots
The CMA is collaborating with the California Immunization Coalition (CIC) and the California Department of Public Health to take action in preventing influenza disease in our communities. In order to prevent another disease outbreak, on top of the pandemic, physicians are encouraged to urge patients to get their flu shots. Flu vaccination is always important, and this season getting vaccinated against both flu and COVID-19 is even more important. CIC and partners have developed a comprehensive set of images, messages, templates, and key messages to help health care professionals, educators and advocates promote influenza vaccination with a reminder to not delay. |
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AMA Honors 4 CA Health Systems for Achievements That Improve Joy in Medicine
Four California health systems were recognized by the AMA as recipients of the 2021 Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program. The AMA distinction recognizes health systems with a demonstrated commitment to preserving the well-being of health care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout. AMA recognized 44 health care organizations, including four California organizations: Children’s Primary Care Medical Group, Mercy Medical Group, Southern California Permanente Medical Group and Stanford University.
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ACCMA History Talk on November 17
Former ACCMA Executive Director Donald Waters, author of “Medical Care for All, Regardless,” will present highlights from the book via Zoom in a program hosted by UCSF Department of Archives on November 17 from noon to 1:10 pm. You can attend by clicking here; registration is limited. Mr. Waters will discuss ground-breaking programs launched by the ACCMA in 1945 that boldly guaranteed high-quality medical care to everyone in the community. The book, which was published last month, is available for download here or members can request a hard copy by contacting the ACCMA at (510) 654‑5383 or accma@accma.org.
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Dues Discount Ends December 15
ACCMA 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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Join Us for the ACCMA Virtual Annual Meeting
Enjoy a cocktail on us as we celebrate the East Bay medical community at the 153 rd ACCMA Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 4 from 5:45 to 6:30 pm. Be among the first 100 registrants to receive a FREE box of cocktail ingredients at your front door. Then learn how to make the classic Negroni with an experienced bartender and chemistry professor, who will talk about the science and history of gin in “The Doctor is Gin.” To receive the cocktail ingredients by mail, click here and then plan to join us online (link to come) for your cocktail lesson on November 4. |
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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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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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- 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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Thursday, November 4 | 5:45 – 6:30 PM
Join the East Bay medical community as we celebrate the 153rd ACCMA Annual Meeting, featuring the installation of 2022 ACCMA President Robert Edelman, MD and other incoming officers. We will also hear a brief presentation from the current President of the American Medical Association, Gerald E. Harmon, MD, on the AMA’s priorities and what’s on the horizon for organized medicine.
Enjoy a cocktail on us! Be among the first 100 registrants to receive a FREE box of cocktail ingredients at your front door. Then learn how to make the classic Negroni with an experienced bartender during the event. Nerd out about the science and history behind gin in "The Doctor is Gin." To receive the cocktail ingredients by mail, sign up at bit.ly/3AKa0DL. Limited to one per address to the first 100 registrants before October 21.
For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org or (510) 654-5383, ext. 6305.
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021 | noon – 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
Learn from vaccine experts and policy makers about the data behind the evaluation of booster shots and the examination of data on pediatric vaccines for children under 12. We will also hear from Erica Pan, MD, California’s State Epidemiologist, about the state of COVID-19 in California, efforts to keep the virus at bay, progress on vaccines and vaccination efforts, and an update on the status of California schools.
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Wednesday, November 17 | noon to 1:10 PM
FREE | Presented by UCSF Library Archives & Bay Area History of Medicine Society
Former ACCMA Executive Director Donald Waters, author of “Medical Care for All, Regardless,” will present highlights from the book, which covers ground-breaking programs launched by the ACCMA in 1945 that boldly guaranteed high-quality medical care to everyone in the community. The book is available for download here or members can request a hard copy by contacting the ACCMA at (510) 654‑5383 or accma@accma.org.
Register here; registration is limited. |
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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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