Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
CMS will pay an additional $35 per dose to providers for administering in-home COVID‑19 vaccinations to Medicare beneficiaries who have difficulty leaving their homes or are otherwise hard to reach, increasing the total payment amount for at-home vaccination from about $40 to about $75 per vaccine dose.
The FDA has extended the shelf life of the Johnson & Johnson COVID‑19 vaccine by a month and a half, a move that helps ease concerns about doses that would soon expire. The FDA said the shelf life is now 4‑1/2 months instead of 3 months.
Moderna is seeking authorization from the FDA for the use of its COVID vaccine in adolescents from 12 to 17 years old, thus potentially providing another option besides the Pfizer vaccine for children as young as 12.
Alameda County and the City of Berkeley are jointly hosting two events focusing on local changes as California lifts restrictions in the coming weeks. The first event for community members will take place on June 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM via Zoom. The second event focuses on employers and business owners who are interested in learning more about Cal/OSHA requirements and will take place on June 21 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM via Zoom.
Contra Costa Health Services released a new webpage to help individuals coping with stress during COVID‑19. The site includes resources for adjusting after getting vaccinated, supporting yourself, supporting children, and help for frontline workers.
Contra Costa County reported on Thursday that 76% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 68% are fully vaccinated.
Alameda County reported on Thursday that 78% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 63% are fully vaccinated.
Alameda County reports that it has administered more than 1,968,000 doses as of June 11. As of June -, ICU capacity in the county is at 38% with 5 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Contra Costa reports that it has administered more than 1,370,000 doses as of June 11. As of June 9, ICU capacity in the county is at 18% with 9 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
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Contact Your State Senators to Keep AB 1130 in the Policy Committee Process
The California Legislature is currently considering a proposal to create an Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) that will intensify the imbalances and inequities that exist within the health care delivery system and increase consolidation, driving up costs. The bill has been considered by the Assembly policy committee as AB 1130 (Wood) and is now being rushed through the Senate as part of the state budget process. Click here to ask your Senator to allow the full policy process to be completed!
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UHC Changes to Optum Pay Service
UnitedHealthcare made additional changes to their Optum Pay service in response to issues raised by CMA with the rollout of their Optum Pay Premium service. Effective May 22, Optum Pay basic portal access will include unlimited users for each account. Providers who remained with Optum Pay Premium because they needed more than two user accounts can still cancel their premium access and avoid paying additional fees. Learn how to cancel Optum Pay Premium here.
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Save the Date for CMA 2021 HOD
The California Medical Association recently announced that their 150th Annual Session of the CMA House of Delegates (HOD) will convene at the Marriott LA Live Hotel in Los Angeles on October 23–24. The CMA HOD establishes broad policy on current major issues affecting members and the practice of medicine; hundreds of physician leaders throughout California attend the CMA HOD.
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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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Saturday, June 12, 2021 | 10 am to noon
FREE | Presented by ACDPH, UCSF Cancer Center, Ethnic Health Institute and others
Dr. Frank Staggers, Sr. (1926–2013) was a urologist, founding chair of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Community Advisory Board (HDFCCC CAB), and founding director of the Ethnic Health Institute, now at Samuel Merritt University. Dr. Staggers, Sr. worked tirelessly to eliminate health disparities for racial/ethnic minorities, and poor and underserved residents in Alameda County, statewide and at the national level. Join this symposium to learn how to increase awareness of prostate cancer, how to promote early detection, and about the disparities in survival for African American men. For more information, click here or email FriendsofdrFrank@gmail.com.
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FREE | Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Join us for a final panel discussion that examines health equity in the Bay Area and highlight strategies for improvement:
Leadership in Action Case Study: Kedran Community Health Center & True Vine Ministries Vaccine Clinic
Click here for details and to register.
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Thursday, June 17, 2021 | 12:15 – 1:15 pm
FREE for Members; $99 for Non-members | Presented by CMA
AB 2789 (2018) created a state-level mandate that all physicians use electronic prescribing starting January 1, 2022. The mandate includes almost all prescriptions, including controlled substances, and applies to all physicians, regardless of specialty or practice size. Learn more about the electronic prescribing mandate, and how your practice can be ready to go for next year.
Presenter: David Ford, VP of Health Information Technology, CMA
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Wednesday, June 23, 2021 | 12:15 – 1:15 pm
FREE for Members; $99 for Non‑members | Presented by CMA
This webinar will answer some of the most common questions employers have about returning to work issues, including whether the employer can inquire if the employee is vaccinated; if vaccination is or can be required for returning employees; whether the employer is required to accommodate employees who want to continue telecommuting; what obligations, if any, will employers have to accommodate employees not vaccinated; and what issues should employers address once employees return to work. This one‑hour webinar will address all these issues, as well as provide information on how employers may go about addressing and documenting them.
Presenter: Oscar E. Rivas, Esq., Partner, Landegger Rivas Verano & Davis
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Friday, July 16 | 8 AM –12:15 PM
CME Available | Presented by the Riverside County Medical Association
Topics to be covered at this year’s virtual conference include aging physicians, safe and legal monitoring of physicians in a treatment program, physician well-being committee roles and responsibilities, and more. The conference is open to anyone involved or interested in improving the health and well-being of physicians.
Speakers: David Bazzo, MD; Kai McDonald, MD; Ajeet Singhvi, MD; and Elizabeth Snelson, Esq.
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Thursday, August 26 | 6:15–7:30 PM
FREE | CME Available
Using data and stories, together in conversation, we will focus on yourself, as well as your potential new directions and skills, and your “team,” whether at home or professionally.
Speaker: Linda Clever, MD, MACP
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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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