COVID-19 UPDATE (4/3) - 2nd Death, Financial Impact, Loans, Improper Prescribing, Telehealth Updates and more...

INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIANS AND PRACTICES ON COVID-19

Second COVID-19 Related Death Reported in Kern County

PRESS RELEASE FROM KERN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

CONTACT: Michelle Corson, Public Relations Officer

(661) 868-0288 or (661) 304-7766

April 3, 2020

Kern County, CA – Kern County Public Health Services Department has received confirmation of the second COVID-19 related death in a Kern County resident. There have been 173 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kern County residents and three in non-residents and two deaths.

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Kern County Detailed Numbers

CMA urges additional steps to mitigate the financial impact of pandemic on physician practices

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a financial impact on nearly everyone, but its effect on physicians and physician practices has been particularly acute and needs immediate attention.

On April 2, 2020, the California Medical Association (CMA) submitted a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to take quick action to ensure that our financially distressed physician practices remain viable so they can continue to provide care to patients. More...

Small business practices can apply for forgivable loans of up to $10M

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides $360 billion in funding for new Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and grant programs. One of those programs is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which will provide small businesses with less than 500 employees with forgivable, zero-fee loans of up to $10 million or 2.5 times their average monthly payroll costs. Part of these loans may be forgiven and not counted as income if it’s spent during the first eight weeks on operating expenses, such as payroll, group health care benefits, lease payments, mortgage interest, and utilities. More...

Medical board warns against improper prescribing of medications related to COVID-19

The California Medical Association (CMA) applauds the innumerable selfless acts by health care professionals across the nation and the world who are fighting on the front lines during this public health emergency. Your sacrifice and commitment to the health of California, our nation and the world is unparalleled and will never be forgotten.

According to the Medical Board of California, there have been reports of a few prescribers wrongfully hoarding and prescribing for themselves and family members certain medications referenced in the media relating to COVID-19. More...

Important new guidance on billing Medicare for professional telehealth services during the public health emergency

Building on prior action to expand reimbursement for telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will now allow for more than 80 additional services to be furnished via telehealth. More...

CMA backs Newsom’s call for Californians to take additional action to slow coronavirus spread

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Californians to cover their noses and mouths when going out in public to help stop asymptomatic individuals from inadvertently spreading the coronavirus.

During his daily briefing (April 1) on the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Newsom stressed that face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing practices recommended by state and public health officials. More...

CMA Seeks Volunteers to Provide Remote Support to Health Care Workers Serving on the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The California Medical Association’s (CMA) Wellness Program is seeking volunteer physicians and nurses to serve as remote peer care coaches to assist physicians and other health care workers serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new program, called Care 4 Caregivers, will offer virtual emotional and professional support to health care workers serving patients during the COVID-19 crisis. More...

Care 4 Caregivers was featured on Fox News , including an interview with CMA Wellness Program CEO Dave Logan.

CMA COVID-19 webinar series

The California Medical Association (CMA) has been hosting a series of free webinars to guide physicians through some of the most pressing COVID-19 issues. For those who were unable to join live, they are being archived and made available for on-demand viewing at https://www.cmadocs.org/webinars.