COVID-19 Update – April 24, 2020

Medi-Cal Provider Flexibility, Contra Costa Call Center, Care 4 Caregivers Now

As of April 24, there are 1,401 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alameda County and 48 deaths (including City of Berkeley information). As of April 24, there are 786 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Contra Costa County and 23 deaths. Please check  www.accma.org/COVID-19   for the latest updates.   

Flexibility for Medi-Cal Providers and the Department of Health Care Services for Continuity of Service Amidst COVID-19  

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order providing flexibility to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Medi-Cal providers on a variety of deadlines and requirements in order to ensure continuity of service to patients.

The executive order will allow fair hearings to continue for California Children’s Services on grievances and appeals to take place by phone or video conference. Additionally, the order will ensure flexibility for DHCS and the Department of Social Services to continue providing mental health care services and programs.

Finally, the executive order will temporarily suspend requirements for in-person signatures for people to obtain certain prescription drugs covered by Medi-Cal, and will allow a 90-day extension for providers on cost reporting, change of scope of service and administrative hearings.

Medicare QPP Deadline Approaching; Reporting Optional During COVID-19  

Physicians who plan to report on 2019 measures for the Medicare Quality Reporting Program (QPP) must do so by April 30, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, reporting for 2019 measures is optional. No data reflecting services provided January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020, will be used in CMS’s calculations for the Medicare quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs.

For more information, please review the CMS press release . 

Contra Costa COVID-19 Call Center Opens for Business Community 

Contra Costa County is launching a new COVID-19 Call Center to assist small businesses and workers. Businesses and workers facing an unanticipated decrease in the demand for certain goods and services can reach Workforce Development Board (WDB) staff members who are equipped to provide information and resources for dealing with lay-offs, insurance needs, federal small business loans, and payroll subsidies. 

CMA's Care 4 Caregivers Now Peer Coaching

The California Medical Association’s Wellness Program (CMA Wellness) and  Mercury Insurance  today announced a partnership on a new initiative, Care 4 Caregivers Now, that provides frontline health care workers with mental and emotional wellness support and coaching. Care 4 Caregivers Now will train and connect volunteer physicians, nurses and health care workers to provide peer-to-peer coaching to assist those serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With an initial donation of $150,000 from Mercury Insurance, Care 4 Caregivers Now will provide health care workers with desperately needed access to wellness coaching support as they bravely fight the ongoing battle against COVID-19. 

ACCMA & CMA COVID-19 Resource Toolkits

 

The ACCMA has put together a free toolkit of resources that address the day-to-day needs of East Bay physicians of all career stages and in all modes of practice, from food and grocery delivery services to exercises that can be done at home. Click here to access and download the toolkit.

To help physicians understand the rapidly evolving personnel and other employment-related issues during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the California Medical Association has published the  CMA COVID-19 Toolkit for Physician Employers . This resource is free to all and available on CMA’s COVID-19 resource page,  cmadocs.org/covid-19 .

Intuit Aid Assist - Financial Assistance Resource

Intuit Aid Assist  is a free service that allows businesses, self-employed, contractors, and others to understand and access different business relief programs. Individuals and businesses can complete a loan eligibility assessment to see if they qualify for any federal funding programs.

Alameda & Contra Costa County Recruiting Physicians for COVID-19

East Bay physicians can support COVID-19 response efforts through paid and/or voluntary service opportunities through the Alameda County, Contra Costa County, or the State of California. Please visit accma.org/COVID-19 and scrolling to "COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities" for application instructions.

Complimentary Peer Discussion Groups

 

RechargedMD  is offering ACCMA members  complimentary online peer discussion and coaching specifically for physicians. With the guidance of a certified physician coach, physicians can receive and offer support, as well as learn from one another. Small groups will meet beginning on April 25 for 45 minutes per week for three facilitated sessions. Go to  rechargedmd.com/covid19support . 

Tips for Physicians to Protect Themselves and Their Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Click here for tips on what to do before going to work, at work, and after work/coming home to protect yourself and your family. Tips include how to create a hot zone (contaminated area) near your home entrance and how to take care of your skin. Courtesy of the TPMG Diablo Health and Wellness Team.    

Upcoming Webinars

Questions/Concerns?  

Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or   [email protected]   with any questions or concerns you have. Although we may not currently have an immediate answer to all questions, we want to know the information and resources that you need to continue to provide care for our community during this difficult time.  

 

This information will also be posted online at www.accma.org/COVID-19 and will be updated frequently. Please check the ACCMA website regularly for updates.