COVID-19 UPDATE (5/7) - Reopening, Testing, Face Shields, Provider Relief Fund, Workers' Comp, Upcoming Webinars and more...

INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIANS AND PRACTICES ON COVID-19

Merced County, Cities Prepare for Reopening of Economy

Merced County and its six Cities are committed to reopening the local economy in the safest way possible and as quickly as possible.

That’s why May 6, 2020, Merced County launched www.reopenmercedcounty.com —a new website dedicated to assisting businesses and preparing them for when the State decides to open additional factions of the economy. More...

COVID-19 Testing Available to All Merced County Residents

On May 4, 2020, an additional COVID-19 testing site opened to all Merced County residents who would like to be tested.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to expected high demand, testing availability was changed to by appointment only in order to prevent unnecessarily-long wait times for clients. Walk-ins will not be accepted at this time.

More...

MMCMS Has a Limited Supply of Face Shields

Thanks to the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society's Operation Shields Up program, they have donated MMCMS with a limited number of face shields. If you are in need of face shields, please email Chrisy and provide practice information and number of shields requested. MMCMS will do our best to fill orders timely.

Thank you SSVMS for the donation!

Thank you NORCAL Group for covering the shipping!

BEST PRACTICES FOR REOPENING A MEDICAL PRACTICE

CMS announces additional temporary regulatory flexibilities

On April 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interim final rule that establishes new regulatory flexibilities in addition to the policies CMS previously announced at the end of March. More...

HHS extends Provider Relief Fund deadlines

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the deadline for physicians to attest to receipt of payments from the Provider Relief Fund and accept the terms and conditions . Physicians will now have 45 days, increased from 30 days, from the date they receive a payment to attest and accept the terms and conditions, or return the funds. More...

Governor signs order to make it easier to receive workers’ comp for COVID-19 claims

Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order to ensure that employees who contract COVID-19 during the course of their employment can receive workers’ compensation benefits. More...

CMA releases regional summaries of COVID-19 survey results

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented threat to the viability of physician practices. The fallout from this crisis threatens to fundamentally alter California’s health care delivery system not just during the COVID-19 outbreak, but for years to come. The California Medical Association (CMA) recently released the results of its COVID-19 Physician Financial Health Survey , which highlights the immediate need for financial assistance for physician practices. More...

Expert U.S. panel develops NIH treatment guidelines for COVID-19

A panel of U.S. physicians, statisticians and other experts has developed treatment guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These guidelines, intended for health care providers, are based on published and preliminary data and the clinical expertise of the panelists, many of whom are frontline clinicians caring for patients during the rapidly evolving pandemic. More...

Peer coaching support now available for health care workers serving on the front lines of COVID-19

Care 4 Caregivers Now is accepting applications from health care workers impacted by COVID-19 to receive professional and emotional support in a confidential and virtual setting. More...

CMA FAQ (UPDATED 5/5/20)

Upcoming Webinars: Register for FREE

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Age of COVID-19

In this webinar, we will review how the COVID-19 public emergency has changed how we care for patients with opioid use disorder. The webinar will also review new state and federal flexibilities to help patients stay safe and access care. Presenters will share how physicians are adapting to the challenges of the epidemic in opioid treatment programs and office settings. We will also here how the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has responded to the emergency to help transform the safety-net behavioral health treatment system from one predominantly dependent on in-person group visits to one that can deliver services by telephone and telehealth.

May 8, 2020 - 12:15pm to 1:15pm

Registration and Information

Update on Telehealth Reimbursement and Privacy Laws: COVID-19

This webinar will build on CMA's telehealth webinar from March 26, 2020, focusing on the updated telehealth and privacy flexibilities granted by federal and state governments over the past four weeks. Presenters will discuss recent expansions of telehealth use, state and federal privacy waivers, and updates to telehealth billing guidelines.

May 12, 2020 - 12:15pm to 1:15pm

Registration and Information