Telehealth Legislation Signed By Governor |
Bill Modernizes and Increases Access to Telehealth Services |
The Telehealth Access Preservation and Modernization Act of 2021 (House Bill 160) was signed by Governor Carney on Wednesday and will enhance Delawareans' access to telehealth and telemedicine services through the adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The Act consolidates the existing law relating to telehealth applicable to all health care providers authorized to practice telemedicine and makes permanent the telehealth flexibilities put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the bill detail.
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Last Call - Controlled Substance Registration Renewal |
Two-Part Continuing Education Course Required for Renewal |
The Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) biennial renewal deadline is June 30, 2021. As a condition of CSR renewal, completion of the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation mandatory two-part continuing education course every two years is required by those who prescribe controlled substances. This course satisfied the renewal requirement. CSR renewal must be completed through the DELPROS system.
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Employee Retention Tax Credit Support Program |
Specialized Filing Support For Limited Number of Qualified Businesses |
The federal Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) program can mean a tax credit for your business of up to $5,000 per employee (year 2020) and up to $7,000 per employee (per quarter of 2021). If you are a small business with 10-50 employees that experienced significant reduction in gross receipts or full or partial suspension in operations with a more than nominal impact, the Delaware Small Business Development Center is providing specialized filing support to cover 100% of tax credit preparation costs. Twenty-five businesses will be awarded a customized tax credit filing service valued at up to $9,000. For more information and to apply. Application deadline is Monday, June 29 at 10 a.m. (ET).
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Algorithms Used In Health Care Commonly Biased |
New Report Suggests Biases Along Racial And Economic Lines |
Researchers at the University of Chicago found that algorithmic bias affects daily decisions about how patients are treated by hospitals, insurers, and other businesses, and is common in both traditional clinical calculators and checklists, as well as more complex algorithms that use statistics and artificial intelligence to make predictions or automate certain tasks. The variety and magnitude of problems discovered is indicative of a systemic problem. The report calls on health care organizations to take an inventory of their algorithms, screen for bias, and either adjust or abandon them altogether if flaws cannot be fixed. Read the report.
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Report Indicates Delaware Overpaid For Prescriptions |
Express Scripts Requested to Pay Back Overcharges |
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New For-Profit Launched To Lower Drug Prices |
BCBS Plans Create Independent Startup |
In an effort to combat rising drug costs, five nonprofit Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans have launched an independent, for-profit pharmacy solutions company named Evio. Data from the plans' members across the US will be collected to determine how drugs actually perform, with the goal of improving medication affordability and patients' clinical outcomes and medication experiences. The five BCBS plans are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Shield of California, Highmark Inc., and Independence Blue Cross. Read more.
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Seasonal mRNA Flu Vaccine Trial Started |
Sanofi and Translate Bio Gain Early Lead Over Moderna and Pfizer |
Sanofi and Translate Bio have started a phase 1 clinical trial of an mRNA vaccine for seasonal influenza. The use of mRNA technology in vaccines against COVID-19 has sparked interest in using the approach for seasonal flu. The initiation of the Sanofi/Translate Bio study puts the two partners ahead of Moderna and Pfizer in the race to show whether mRNA vaccines are as good or better at preventing flu than existing technologies. Read more.
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US Projected To Fall Short of 70% Vaccination Goal by July 4th |
Governor Carney Remains Hopeful That Delaware Will Reach State Goal |
The White House has indicated the nation will miss President Biden's original goal of at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine in 70 percent of adults by July 4. The new goal is now modified to be 70 percent of Americans age 27 and up receiving at least one vaccination through the July 4 holiday weekend. Officials point to the challenge to inoculate younger Americans as prompting the new target. In a press briefing earlier in the week, Delaware Governor John Carney reported 69.1 percent of Delawareans age 18+ have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Although the state is struggling with decreased demand for the vaccine, the Governor is remaining cautiously optimistic that Delaware will reach its goal of 70 percent of adults having at least a first dose by July 4. As of Tuesday, 16 states plus the District of Columbia have vaccinated 70 percent or more of their adult residents. |
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Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccinations |
The Month of Action "House Call" Phone Bank |
The American Medical Association (AMA) has partnered with Made to Save, a national organizing campaign working closely with the Biden Administration to help increase vaccine equity and access in communities of color. Made to Save has identified individuals most likely to not be vaccinated and is asking for assistance in reaching those people through a number of events for health care professionals. All you need are a computer and your phone. Read more and register.
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Community Wellness Health Fair |
A Day Of Fun And Free Health Services |
The Medical Society of Delaware is working with local community partners to host a Community Wellness Health Fair. Everyone is invited for fun and free health services for the whole family on Saturday, July 17 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Father Tucker Memorial Field in Wilmington. Volunteers are needed to help with set up and other tasks to make this event a success! If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org.
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Beebe's Center for Weight Loss Surgery has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The MBSAQIP Standards ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. Read more.
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MSD is spotlighting physician members throughout the state, highlighting your colleagues, whether they are new to membership or have been a member over the years.
This week's spotlight is on Adrienne M. Johnson, a medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Class of 2022. Read more.
If you would like to be featured in the Spotlight section, please contact Michelle Seymour, Membership Manager.
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Jennifer L. Larusso, DO, Mohs Surgery, SunWise Family Dermatology and Surgery |
MSD's Membership Department is pleased to announce the newest members of the Medical Society of Delaware. Welcome to the third oldest medical society in the country! If you know someone interested in joining MSD, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org.
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Hamna Atif, MD, Emergency Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare
Devaki A. Dravid, DO, Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Ussama Ghumman, MD, Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Maria D. Jones, DO, Emerg Med/Int Med Resident, ChristianaCare
Hannah Grace Karr, Medical Student ChristianaCare, PCOM Class of 2023
Ellen L. Myers, MD, OB/GYN Resident, ChristianaCare
Noushine M. Sadeghi, MD, OB/GYN Resident, ChristianaCare
Shereen Salfity, MD, Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Alexander W. Scott, DO, Emergency Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare
Brady J. Stallman, MD, Emergency Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare
Nwando Tony-Onugu, MD, Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
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MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding an applicant applying for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.
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COVID-19 Resources At A Glance |
Where To Go For Information For You and Your Patients |
MSD has culled information for you to access to get the latest statistics, weekly updates, or information on vaccine administration and testing sites for you and your patients.
Delaware COVID-19 Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
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State of Delaware's Frequently Asked Questions webpage
Testing Sites
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DPH "Weekly Pop-Up Testing Flyers" website
Where Can I Get My Vaccine?
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The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world. |
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13.9%
Increase in Medicaid/CHIP enrollment nationwide from Feb 2020 - Jan 2021.
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11.7%
Percent of 15- to 17-year-olds who said they identified as "non-heterosexual" between 2015 and 2019.
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31 Million
Number of Americans having health coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
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June 29-30 - DE Division of Public Health "Cultural Competency Training," 2-day course training for safety-net providers (must register for both days), virtual event. To register (separate registrations): June 29 from 2:30-4:15 p.m.; and June 30 from 10-11:45 a.m.
July 17 - Community Wellness Health Fair, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Father Tucker Memorial Field, Wilmington.
October 16 - Save the Date - 2021 John Scholz Stroke Education Conference, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon, virtual event.
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Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership. |
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