INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIANS AND PRACTICES ON COVID-19
Health Officials Confirm First Community Spread Case of COVID-19 in Merced County
PRESS RELEASE FROM MCDPH
CONTACT: Mike North, 209-726-2744
March 28, 2020

MERCED COUNTY, CA – The Merced County Department of Public Health has confirmed a total of 8 cases of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in Merced County, the latest of which was confirmed to be community spread.

“This case highlights the importance of social distancing,” says Dr. Salvador Sandoval, Public Health Medical Director. “It is crucial that everyone follows the health order, and that nonessential businesses like bars and hair salons stay closed.”

The individual is doing well and is isolating and recovering at home. Public Health is working to identify potential contacts. Based on information provided by the individual, Public Health staff will assess risks of exposure of any of these contacts.

Sign up for COVID-19 alerts from Merced County by visiting www.countyofmerced.com/coronavirus and entering your email on the right side of the page.  
CMS expands accelerated payment program to help physicians with COVID-19 cash flow challenges
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Saturday announced an expansion of its accelerated and advance payment program for participating Medicare providers and suppliers.

Trump Signs $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill (CARES ACT 2020)
Read the summary prepared by the American Medical Association (AMA) advocacy staff.


Upcoming FREE* Webinars from CMA
Implementing Telehealth in Your Practice: COVID-19 Emergency

Telehealth continues to deliver value in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing physicians to see patients safely and limit the spread of the virus. Additionally, federal and state waivers, guidance and directives now enable physicians to get reimbursed fairly for telehealth visits, practices.
 
This webinar will provide you with tools and resources for implementing telehealth in your practice. We will discuss options for your practice including the recently announced partnership between CMA Physician Services and Amwell.  
 
March 30, 2020 - 12:15PM to 1:15PM

Financial Assistance Available to Practices: COVID-19 Emergency

This webinar will provide a layout out of financial assistance programs available to physician practices and small businesses, offered by both the federal government and the State of California. These programs are intended to help practices maintain their financial viability while dealing with the influx of patients into their offices and the moratorium of non-essential procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMA staff will direct physicians to specific resources they can take advantage of during this crisis. 
 
March 31, 2020 - 12:15PM to 1:15PM

*As part of MMCMS/CMA's COVID-19 support to all physician practices, these webinars are  FREE to all , including non-members.
Frequently Asked COVID-19 Questions
CMA has developed a great FAQ on COVID-19. It is updated frequently, so keep checking back. It answers questions by topic and topics include:

  • Personnel
  • Financial
  • Telehealth
  • Testing
  • Prescribing
  • Miscellaneous
Latest COVID-19 Facts
Positive Tests - 8
Deaths - 0

Mariposa County ( Mariposa County Public Health )
Positive Tests - 0
Deaths - 0

Confirmed Cases - 4,643
Deaths - 101

Confirmed Cases - 122,653
Deaths - 2,112

Confirmed Cases - 638,146
Deaths - 30,105

All of these numbers were pulled from the respective websites 3/29/20, 2:20PM.