Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
The first case of the Omicron variant in the US was reported in San Francisco on Wednesday. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a fact sheet about this variant.
The CDC expanded COVID-19 vaccine booster eligibility to all adults. Physicians are recommended to proactively outreach to all patients who are eligible for a booster with information about their eligibility, locations for receiving booster doses, and instructions for making an appointment/walk-in. For more information about helping patients choose the appropriate booster type, please see the CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations.
Contra Costa County reported on Wednesday that 86% of residents 5 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 79% are fully vaccinated.
Alameda County reported on Wednesday that 82% of residents 5 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 74% are fully vaccinated. .
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 2,836,000 doses as of December 2. As of November 25, ICU capacity in the county is at 38% with 11 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa reports that it has administered more than 2,008,000 doses as of December 2. As of November 25, ICU capacity in the county is at 24% with 9 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
CMA Fixes Payor Problems with COVID Vaccine Claims
Shortly after federal approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-old children, the California Medical Association (CMA) began receiving reports that clearinghouse Office Ally was rejecting the claims for 5- to 11-year-olds with a message code stating the CPT codes were invalid. CMA contacted Office Ally, the California Department of Managed Care (DMHC), and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to request that payors immediately update their claims processing systems for newly eligible populations. Office Ally reported that they corrected the problem effective Nov. 16.
CMA has also received reports that Anthem Blue Cross is reimbursing the COVID-19 vaccine for the pediatric population at unreasonably low rates—less than 20% of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement rate of $40/shot. Anthem has advised that while the new codes, CPT 0071A and 0072A, have been loaded into their systems, and physicians can submit claims using the new codes, there is still an additional step for the payor to update the pricing. The expected timeline for the updated pricing is still unclear. Once Anthem has updated the pricing for the new codes, it will conduct a sweep of all impacted claims and reprocess at the increased reimbursement rate.
CalVaxGrant Application Deadline Is December 17
Applications are being accepted for CalVaxGrant, a state program to increase COVID‑19 vaccination rates, through December 17 for up to $55,000 in reimbursement for related expenses incurred since November 2020 and through November 2021. Applicants can learn more and apply at CalVaxGrant.org. A live webinar is scheduled for December 7 from 5 to 6 pm for questions about the application and grant process; register here. You can also receive one-on-one assistance by calling (916) 551-2565.
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Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Stop Medicare Physician Payment Cuts
US Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) have introduced bipartisan legislation that will provide critical relief to physicians who are currently scheduled to see their Medicare payment cut by up to 9% next year. Their bill, Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2021 (HR 6020), would extend the 2021 Medicare physician payment adjustment of 3.75% for an additional year. Thanks to physician advocacy, over 245 members of Congress had signed a letter urging House leadership to address the looming Medicare payment cuts to health care providers that will further strain patient access to care. The California Medical Association is continuing to strongly urge Congress to avert these cuts to physician payments.
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Apply for Medical Student Project Grants by January 17
MedStudentsServe grants awards of up to $5,000 are available from Physicians for a Healthy California, the community health foundation of the California Medical Association, for medical student projects that support educational, advocacy, community service, and outreach programs. Applications are being accepted through January 17, 2022. You can read more here. |
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CMA Q1 Resolutions Open for Testimony
The testimony period For Q1 resolutions will be open until January 2, 2022. After testimony closes, the Council or Subcommittee to which each resolution has been assigned will consider it. Your testimony and feedback will be considered by the Councils as they make policy recommendations. Each accepted item will remain available online for comment and testimony until its assigned Council places it under formal consideration. Members can view and comment on the resolutions available for testimony by clicking here. |
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CalMedForce Awardees in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Congratulations to the following local residency programs for receiving 2021-22 CalMedForce grants, which funds new residency positions at GME programs throughout California. CalMedForce grants are from Prop 56 tobacco tax revenues to train physicians and help California address its growing physician shortage, and are administered by Physicians for a Healthy California, the community health foundation of the California Medical Association.
- Alameda Health System – Highland Hospital Emergency Medicine Residency Program: $200,000
- Alameda Health System – Highland Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program: $300,000
- Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program: $150,000
- John Muir Health Family Medicine Residency Program: $150,000
- LifeLong Medical Care Family Medicine Residency Program: $675,000
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Pediatric Residency Program: $300,000
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Volunteer Opportunity for Physicians to Host Student Preceptorships
Students in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program participate in clinical preceptorships as part of their preclinical education. These sessions provide them an opportunity to practice clinical skills and to observe medicine in action. Preceptorship sessions may be held in-person and/or via telehealth. Preceptors are able to schedule these sessions directly with their assigned student(s) on a flexible schedule. Each student should complete a total of 3 to 4 half-days (or a total of 12-16 hours) over the academic year (September-July). During these sessions, students are expected to have the opportunity to practice and receive observation and feedback on patient histories, and physical exams (to the extent possible, if precepting via telemedicine visits), oral presentation, and notes. JMP students consistently describe these experiences as among the most meaningful learning opportunities of their preclinical years. The JMP Program is looking for physicians able to precept one or more medical students for 3 to 4 half-day sessions over the academic year. If you are interested, please contact Jessie Heminway at jmp_programs@berkeley.edu. |
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Are You Ready for California’s Electronic Prescribing Mandate?
Beginning on January 1, 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
ACCMA members who renew their 2022 membership by December 15 qualify for a 5% discount on their dues. This discount cannot be combined with any other discounted dues. Click here to pay your dues online. Nonmembers who join now and pay in full for 2022 will receive December membership for free. Click here to join now!
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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, December 7, 2021 | noon – 1:30 PM
FREE | CME Available | Presented by CMA
As we make our own decisions and counsel our patients about whether to travel and gather, it is essential to have a full understanding of the local COVID-19 conditions including vaccination rates, confirmed cases, etc. Coupled with the importance of this information is understanding testing information: when to test, which test to use, and how to interpret the results. We will also get an update from Erica Pan, MD, California State Epidemiologist, on the status of COVID-19 in California, and hear about injectable monoclonal antibodies in the outpatient setting.
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Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM
FREE | Presented by the American Medical Association
This interactive session will provide participants with a recap of the 2021 Telehealth Immersion Program, highlight physician and practice wins, and provide an overview of the telehealth landscape for the future, including key policy changes for 2022.
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Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | 5:00 to 6:00 PM
FREE | Presented by Physicians for a Healthy California
Physicians and medical practices can receive up $55,000 for staffing and training, technology, infrastructure, supplies/equipment and administrative overhead related to COVID vaccinations. This webinar will answer your questions about the CalVaxGrant application and grant process.
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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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