INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIANS AND PRACTICES ON COVID-19
Health Officials Confirm First Death Related to COVID-19 in Merced County
PRESS RELEASE FROM MCDPH
APRIL 5, 2020
MERCED COUNTY, CA –
The Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) confirmed the first death of a Merced County resident with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The resident was a male under the age of 65 with underlying health conditions. Due to confidentiality laws, additional identifying information cannot be released.
“The age of this individual highlights the fact that everyone is vulnerable to this disease,” said Public Health Director Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp.More...
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Gov. Newsom relaxes state’s health care privacy and security laws to facilitate telehealth
Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday issued an executive order that relaxes certain state privacy and security laws for health care providers, so they can provide telehealth services without the risk of being penalized. This action is similar to the waiver issued on March 17, 2020, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding federal privacy and security laws. More...
CMS releases new video that provides overview of Medicare telehealth flexibilities
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a video, “Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services,” which provides an overview of services that can be provided to Medicare patients via telehealth under the 1135 waiver authority and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. It also provides answers to common questions about the Medicare telehealth benefit. More...
CMA praises Blue Shield of CA's efforts to ensure patients have access to care amid COVID-19 crisis
Sacramento — The California Medical Association (CMA) Monday praised an announcement by Blue Shield of California that the health plan would provide up to $200 million in direct support to physician practices and other health care providers. More...
Health Net telehealth grant proposals due tomorrow at 12 p.m
Physicians are reminded that proposals for Health Net’s telehealth grants are due tomorrow, April 7, 2020, at 12 p.m. Pacific time. Health Net expects to award approximately 47 grants, with a maximum grant amount of $125,000 per award. More...
All CMA COVID-19 webinars to date are available on demand
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.
