Friday's Information for Mississippi Family Physicians
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
: This week, CDC issued new
Priorities for Testing Patients with Suspected COVID-19 Infection
. It spells out
types of potential patients who should be seen first. Priority 1 is hospitalized patients and health care workers with symptoms. Priority 2 is first responders and patients in long-term care, 65 years or older, or those with underlying conditions. Priority 3 is critical infrastructure workers with symptoms, those with symptoms who do not meet any of the above categories, health care facility workers and first responders, and those with mild symptoms in communities experiencing high numbers of COVID hospitalizations. Those without symptoms are listed as non-priority.
CDC also announced Friday a Hotline for clinicians to receive guidance on COVID-19. The phone number is 770-488-7100.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS:
- In a communication to state chapters Friday, Shawn Martin, SVP and CEO-designee of AAFP, was hopeful that the CARES Act that passed Congress and on the President's desk today will contain needed financial assistance for physicians. AAFP expects to have tools available next week that will help family physicians financially. Check the AAFP's COVID page for details.
- AAFP also sent a letter Thursday to CMS Administrator Seema Verma requesting that CMS begin paying for telephone-only visits. AAFP also sent a second letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Verma requesting they activate the Periodic Interim Payment (PIP) program and thus allow physicians to request advanced payments for services. This request is designed to assist practices in enhancing short-term cashflow.
- AAFP has posted Private Payer FAQs and a table that lists Private Payer Telehealth Policies.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION:
Thursday, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced it is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Mississippi small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.SBA assistance is now available in the entire state of Mississippi. Loans of up to $2 million at a 3.75% interest rate (for small businesses) can be paid back over time, up to a maximum of 30 years. The funds can be used "to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact."
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications
.
According to the SBA website, the process for applying is to download the application, complete it, then upload the completed form to SBA's website. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service at 800-659-2955. You can e-mail disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov. The deadline to apply is Dec. 21, 2020.
The Mississippi Small Business Development Center has put
a helpful video on their Disaster Assistance page
describing what documents are needed and how to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. It walks you through step by step. There are other helpful links on their page.
Mississippi's Coronavirus Hotline is now being staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-877-978-6453.
***
HEALTH ALERTS
: If you would like to receive MS State Department of Health update calls and notices, sign up for the
MS Health Alert Network
.
ALMOST-DAILY NEWS ROUNDUP
: MAFP staff puts out a morning News Roundup with links to the most important articles you need to know about. To be added to the list to receive the News Roundup, e-mail
Kristen Kern
.
OUR WEBSITE
: Please continue to check the
MAFP Coronavirus page
for updated information and links to important resources.
MAFP will continue to send updates and resources as we receive them and we will add them to our page above.
MAFP
755 Avignon Drive
Ridgeland MS 39157
(601) 853-3302
