Saturday, November 18th

Save the Date! for the 2023 MSD Annual Meeting to be held on Saturday, November 18th. This year's meeting will be held in person and MSD's Educational Program Planning Subcommittee is putting together a fascinating CME program. Following a morning of education, the Council will meet with a full agenda anticipated. Opportunities exist to meet with high ranking members of the American Medical Association and other VIPs. Our evening social event is on hold for this year, but we expect to resume the Gala next year. As a member of MSD, the in person event will afford you the opportunity to connect with your peers and meet new colleagues. Who knows what a chance meeting may lead to. More details to follow. Watch your email for registration information when it becomes available. If you've not been to an Annual Meeting, plan to attend this year!

Office for Civil Rights Emphasizes Importance to Mitigate Breach Risk

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reminded covered entities in its June 2023 newsletter that strong authentication practices can help health care organizations mitigate breach risk and maintain compliance. Poor authentication practices have been linked as contributing factors in multiple recent high-profile data breaches. Attacks begin with a threat actor compromising old user profiles with weak passwords.

Addressing the Needs of Racial, Ethnic Minorities with Opioid Use Disorder

The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) announced the launch of the Health Equity Advancement Project, consisting of two funding opportunities that seek to develop strategies for addressing rising opioid overdose deaths among Black and African American communities in Delaware. DSAMH will award eight mini grants as well as the opportunity to partner in local messaging campaigns/events to combat the stigma of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and treatment.

Two Newly Released Issue Briefs

The Center for Community Research and Service has released two new publications. The first, the Overview of Poverty in Delaware issue brief presents basic parameters of the complex problem of poverty in the state of Delaware. Report-able data today show that several policies promoted economic security through meeting basic needs. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) provided enhanced social support to residents across the nation, with each state having some flexibility in implementation. This brief will explore if the data reflect residents' experiences throughout the pandemic, discussing the projected financial impact of COVID-19 on Delawareans.

The second issue brief, Overview of Medicaid in Delaware, provides an overview of the Medicaid program in Delaware and compares it to programs in surrounding states and the nation. Delaware's program is managed by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) within the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. Although there are national guidelines and mandated minimal coverage, each state designs and manages its own program.

Deputy Commissioner Will Serve as Acting Commissioner

Governor John Carney announced that Commissioner Monroe Hudson will step down later this month from his current role as the head of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) after more than thirty five years of service in law enforcement and corrections. Terra Taylor, Deputy Commissioner of the DOC, will serve as Acting Commissioner until a permanent replacement is nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Delaware Senate.

Impact of Diabetes in Delaware, 2023

The Division of Public Health (DPH), on June 30, 2023, issued its biennial report, Impact of Diabetes in Delaware, 2023, to members of the General Assembly. The report provides up-to-date information on diabetes prevalence, programming, costs and progress. The report is a collaboration of three agencies: DPH and the Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance (DMMA) under the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Delaware Department of Human Resources, Statewide Benefits Office (SBO). The document is prepared for the Delaware General Assembly in accordance with 16 Del. Code, Chapter 1, Subchapter II, Section 140A, which requires it to be published by June 30 every other year. Read the full report at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/diabetes.html.

Effective July 1

Starting July 1, people with Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage coverage who get their insulin through a traditional pump will see insulin costs capped at $35 per month per each covered insulin. Millions of people with Medicare Part D are already benefiting from the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 monthly cap, and if these rules for Part B and Part D had been in effect in 2020, 1.5 million beneficiaries would have saved an average of $500 per year. CMS created a series of resources, including an FAQ, social media toolkit, and more, to help ensure people can benefit from these important provisions.

Vaccines Expected to be Available this Fall

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines from GSK and Pfizer for people ages 60 years and older, using shared clinical decision-making. These new vaccines – which are the first ones licensed in the U.S. to protect against RSV – are expected to be available this fall. 

Approved in January Under the Accelerated Approval Pathway

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) converted Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb), indicated to treat adult patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, to traditional approval following a determination that a confirmatory trial verified clinical benefit. Leqembi is the first amyloid beta-directed antibody to be converted from an accelerated approval to a traditional approval for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug works by reducing amyloid plaques that form in the brain, a defining pathophysiological feature of the disease.

New Details Released

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released new details about how people can get drugs that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease covered by Medicare. Specifically, Medicare will cover Alzheimer’s drugs that receive traditional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval when a physician and clinician team participates in an effort to collect real-world information that will help to study the usefulness of these drugs for people with Medicare. A CMS-facilitated data submission platform that clinicians can use for this purpose will be ready in the event the FDA grants traditional approval to one of these drugs. This approach is consistent with the National Coverage Determination (NCD) CMS issued on April 7, 2022.

New Mandatory Coverage of Vaccines for Adults

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided guidance to states on implementing new mandatory vaccine coverage for adults to reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and morbidity. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) mandates Medicaid and CHIP coverage of Food and Drug Administration approved adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and their administration, without cost-sharing beginning October 1, 2023. This coverage applies to nearly all full-benefit people covered under traditional Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries aged 19 and older. The CMS letter to states can be viewed here. Additional details can be found on this fact sheet.

Referral Guide for Health Professionals

With the smoke from the wildfires and the extreme heat impacting so many parts of the nation, it is critical for the health care community to be more knowledgeable about how to refer patients for critical resources. A resource, put out by the Department of Health and Human Services, is intended to inform education and referrals in clinical settings for patients who are vulnerable to climate change’s health impacts and can be used by health professionals to address climate-related threats to their patients’ well-being. This guide summarizes resources that can address patients’ social determinants of health and mitigate health harms related to climate change. The resources include social services and assistance programs to which patients can be referred, as well as references for anticipatory guidance and counseling to help patients prepare for potential hazards. Access the referral guide.

Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory reminding health care professionals seeing patients affected by wildfire smoke to be alert to the possible adverse effects of smoke exposure, particularly among individuals at higher risk of severe outcomes. The acute signs and symptoms of smoke exposure can include headache, eye and mucous membrane irritation, dyspnea (trouble breathing), cough, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, and fatigue. Wildfire smoke exposure may exacerbate respiratory, metabolic, and cardiovascular chronic conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure. Learn more.

Effective July 1, 2023

The American Board of Surgeons (ABS) requires reporting of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits directly from the accreditor to the ABS. ABS Diplomates can no longer manually report CME credits to the ABS. MSD is prepared for this new requirement. Effective July 1, 2023, CME program registration (qualifying for ABS reporting) through MSD, offers the option of ABS reporting via a check box. The required information to be reported will be collected at time of registration. For more information, please visit https://www.absurgery.org/default.jsp?news_abscme0223. Should you have any questions, please contact Lynn Robinson, Director of Professional Education at Lynn.Robinson@medsocdel.org or (302) 224-5198.

Conference for Medical Students, Residents, Fellows, and IMGs

The AMA Research Challenge is the largest national, multi-specialty medical research conference for medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduates. Medical students, residents, fellows, and international medical graduates are encouraged to submit an abstract to showcase their research, enhance their CVs, and for the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. This is an exclusive opportunity for AMA members to submit an abstract under one of six topics: basic science, clinical and translational research, clinical vignettes, health systems science, medical education, public health and health policy. The submission deadline is July 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

Considering Race in Admissions Can be Vital to Creating Diverse Workforce

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled on two cases brought forward against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina where Asian American students claimed their admission chances were harmed by affirmative action policies. The Supreme Court's decision indicated that considering race in school admissions is unconstitutional. Some medical experts say this could have a significant impact on medical schools' ability to increase the number of students from underrepresented communities. The Association of American Medical Colleges and 14 other health care education groups filed an amicus brief earlier this year arguing in favor of affirmative action for medical schools. Read more.

Period 5

The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is open from Saturday, July 1 to Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Health care professionals who received one or more PRF (General or Targeted) and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from January 1 to June 30, 2022 must report on their use of funds during Reporting Period 5 to comply with PRF Reporting Requirements. More information and resources can be found on the PRF Reporting webpage.

Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program

On May 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) opened the Hardship Exception application period for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) that participated in the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program in calendar year (CY) 2022. The deadline to submit a Hardship Exception application for the CY 2022 reporting period is July 31, 2023 for eligible hospitals and September 30, 2023 for CAHs. Medicare eligible hospitals and CAHs may submit their Hardship Exception application using the Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) system. Previously registered users should already have account access, and new users can sign up by selecting “Register” to create a new account. If an electronic submission is not possible, you may verbally submit your application over the phone by calling the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ) Service Center at (866) 288-8912. More information on the Medicare Hardship Exception application can be found here. For more information on the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, visit the Promoting Interoperability Program website.

September 16 - Herring Point, Cape Henlopen State Park

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! The 2nd Medical Society of Delaware Beach Clean Up will take place on September 16, 2023, at the gorgeous Herring Point Cape Henlopen State Park. Come join us for a day of coastal conservation and community building. Together, let's have a positive influence and safeguard our cherished beaches. This event, which Surfrider is organizing, promises to be enjoyable for everyone. Don't pass up the chance to change the world while taking in the splendor of our seaside surroundings. Cleaning up the beach, preserving the coast, and community bonds. Register to participate or use the QR code below.

Saint Francis Healthcare

Free 12-Month Program for Cancer Diagnostic Process

Is your practice interested in improving the cancer diagnostic process in the telemedicine and hybrid environments? The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is recruiting practices for a free 12-month program to improve diagnostic verification, timeliness, and communication with patients. Practices will receive training and one-on-one expert coaching to implement sustainable improvements to close the loop at critical points in the cancer diagnostic process, which has the potential to prevent harm associated with missed or delayed diagnoses. Participants will also be eligible for CEUs, CMEs, and ABIM MOC points. Learn more and sign up for an informational webinar on the program website: safetyprogram4telemedicine.org.

Practices can learn more by attending an upcoming informational webinar. A webinar will be hosted on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. This webinar will be presented by Daniel Murphy, M.D., MBA, chief quality officer for Baylor Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine’s outpatient clinical practice, and medical director for the Baylor Medicine General Internal Medicine Clinic. More webinar dates can be found on the website.

Kristine J. Morales, DO - Family Medicine Residency, Bayhealth

Bradlee J. Palmquist, DO - Internal Medicine Residency, Bayhealth

Maria Rose Tejera, MD - Internal Medicine Residency, Bayhealth

Please join MSD in welcoming the newest members of the Medical Society of Delaware. As the third oldest medical society in the country, MSD has an amazing history. thank you for taking part in our continued success!

The national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic ended on May 11, 2023. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has resources available, some of which have been updated based on recent action by Congress.

• Frequently Asked Questions: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Updated 5/12/2023).
• Provider-specific fact sheets for information about COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers and flexibilities: https://www.cms.gov/coronavirus-waivers
• Acute Hospital At Home: https://qualitynet.cms.gov/acute-hospital-care-at-home
• Loss of Medicaid or CHIP coverage
• FAQs on CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, end of COVID-19 PHE (May 4, 2023)

Updates will continue to be provided as we approach the end of the PHE. You are encouraged to regularly visit the CMS Emergencies Page for the most up to date information.

• Find COVID-19 Vaccines: https://www.vaccines.gov/
• No Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator can help people find current community and pharmacy partners participating in the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.
• FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests provides a list of all FDA-authorized at-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests
• Federal website for information on navigating COVID: COVID.gov
• CDC COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
• COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator
• CDC COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review.
• CDC will report regional-level test positivity data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS)
• COVID-19 by County Community Level Check (# hospital admissions and beds used and total number of new cases)
• 2nd bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Booster: Who Should Receive It?
• (Delaware) General Questions: call 211 or email DPHCall@delaware.gov or Vaccine@delaware.gov for vaccine-specific questions.
• Latest information on Delaware's response (testing, treatment, vaccination): de.gov/coronavirus (Updated 2/2023)

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.