March 23, 2020
Monday's Information for Mississippi Physicians


BLUE CROSS REVISED TELEHEALTH POLICY: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi has issued a revised Telemedicine Policy that is effective March 16, 2020. This revision includes mental health and new patients additions.

TESTING SITES: The MS State Department of Health has posted a list of testing sites on its website. If you know of other sites, please e-mail Beth Embry.

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES:
  • Sunday, CMS announced it is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers participating in Medicare quality reporting programs with respect to upcoming measure reporting and data submission for those programs. The action comes as part of the Trump Administration's response to 2019 Novel Coronavirus. CMS is implementing additional extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy exceptions and extensions for upcoming measure reporting and data submission deadlines for several CMS programs. Read more here.
  • CMS has released Frequently Asked Questions on Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief related to COVID-19 including the toll-free hotlines available to provide expedited enrollment and answer questions related to COVID-19 enrollment requirements.

SOCIETY OF CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE : The number of patients is expected to surge in hospitals across the United States, which may results in the need for non-ICU clinicians to care for critically ill patients. Society of Critical Care Medicine members are committed to supporting all clinicians on the front lines of the pandemic. SCCM has introduced complimentary online training 'Critical Care for Non-ICU Clinicians.

CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA): Invites health care professionals to two conference calls as follows:

DEA: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Coronavisus Page offers prescribing guidelines, information on shortages, and telemedicine.

WACO Guide to Psychpharmacology in Primary Care can assist you with diagnoses. This can be shared with any other physicians but please complete the assessment on their website to let the program know.

Mississippi's Coronavirus Hotline is now being staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-877-978-6453.

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PPE SUPPLIES: If you are in need of Personal Protective Equipment, please contact your county MEMA Agent . They are sending information to the MS Department of Health.

PROTOCOLS : Brigham & Womens Hospital has posted Critical Care Clinical Guidelines for doctors.

HEALTH ALERTS : If you would like to receive notices about MS State Department of Health update calls, sign up for the MS Health Alert Network .

PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP FOR MAFP MEMBERS : To discuss issues with fellow MAFP members, please join our members-only Facebook group.

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