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MedPage Today October 28, 2020

Feds point to limited healthcare IT resources spurred by COVID as reason for delay. Read more.

Under this final rule, more than 200 million Americans with private-sector insurance (both individual-market and employer-based) will have access to a list of real-time price information, including cost-sharing, enabling them to know how much care will cost them before going in for treatment. Read more.

A 2019 law would require health insurers or health maintenance organizations that issue comprehensive health insurance contracts or policies in the state to offer plans that do not exclude pre-existing conditions. The law would require them to have those policies available to the public within 30 days of Obamacare being repealed by Congress or overturned by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. But while the Legislature addressed pre-existing conditions, the 2019 law doesn’t address the other key factor in health insurance coverage: affordability. Read more.

Health News Florida, October 28, 2020

Nearly all patients believe physicians’ extensive training and education is vital to their care. Learn more about what the AMA is doing to #StopScopeCreep. Read more from the AMA.

The FBI and two federal agencies are warning of an "imminent cybercrime threat" to US hospitals and health care providers, noting that several hospitals across the country have already been hit. In a joint advisory, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said they have "credible information" that cybercriminals are taking new aim at health care providers and public health agencies as the COVID-19 pandemic reaches new heights. "Malicious cyber actors" may soon be planning to "infect systems with Ryuk ransomware for financial gain" on a scale not yet seen across the American healthcare system. Hospitals, physician practices, and public health organizations should take "timely and reasonable precautions to protect their networks from these threats." Malware targeting techniques often lead to “ransomware attacks, data theft, and the disruption of healthcare services." The agencies recommend several mitigation steps and best practices for health care entities to take to reduce their risk, including the following:

The AMA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have created two resources to help physicians and hospitals guard against cyber threats. Those resources and additional cyber security information can be found at the AMA’s cybersecurity webpage.

Please share this brief video regarding the importance of receiving the flu vaccine with your patients and the community by posting it on your website, social media pages, and waiting room videos.

Other complimentary resources for your office:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/freeresources/video/media-video.htm

Florida passed Human Trafficking, Chapter 2019-152, Laws of Florida, which establishes new profession requirements including newly required signs, CE/CME, and more for the following professions: Acupuncture, Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing Home Administration, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and Nutrition, Respiratory Care, Massage Therapy, and Physical Therapy.

The Department has launched an informational website that includes a breakdown of the new law and addresses areas of: (1) signs; (2) CE/CME; (3) FAQs; (4) Specific Board of Massage requirements; and (5) Human Trafficking Reporting.

For more information please visit: http://www.flhealthsource.gov/humantrafficking/

Read more from the AMA.

I see you over there, head down, and plugging through. You deserve to be well. You deserve to have a different song playing in your head. I have every bit of confidence in your ability to recover and live wholeheartedly. Take that first step, whichever seems best to you, and we will all be better for it. Read more.

KevinMD, October 4, 2020

The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program provides a safe harbor for members to address life's difficulties. Completely confidential and complimentary.

HCMA's Annual Membership Directory has been mailed to all physician members and is posted on the HCMA website. We try our best to keep members' information updated but ask for your assistance. Please review your listing and submit any updates here.

Specialty: Interventional Pain Medicine (updated)

1921 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, 33607

P: 813-876-7600, F: 813-876-7675

Specialty: Pain Management (updated)

375 South 12th St., Tampa, 33602

P: 813-533-6259

Specialty: Radiation Oncology

HCMA Benefit Provider, GCD Insurance Consultants, is an independent, full-service group benefits agency that represents local practices of all sizes. They offer a broad base of knowledge in the areas of employee benefits, payroll, and human resources. GCD also serves as the approved agent for the HCMA Health Plan Co-op. GCD has served as an HCMA Benefit Provider since 2018.

GCD recently offered an informational webinar which you can view by clicking here.

Contact Jeremy Enns for a complimentary consultation: [email protected] or 813-818-8805, extension 232.

HCMA Benefit Provider, Jensen Anderson/Physicians Wealth Management, recently offered a two-part retirement planning webinar for members. Mike Jensen and Jeff Anderson provided very comprehensive and detailed presentations. For links to the presentation, please contact Elke Lubin.

Do not hesitate to contact Mike and Jeff with any questions: J. Michael Jensen, MSFS, CFP, CFBS, AEP ([email protected]) and Jeff Anderson, CFP ([email protected]).

Contact [email protected] or 941-757-4642.

HIPPA Risk Analytics Online Security Risk Assessment (SRA)

Based on the HIPAA Security Rule this online SRA helps you manage vulnerabilities to your medical data. Complete the SRA in-house and on any device. The final report identifies necessary security documentation and can be used for MIPS requirements.

Visit: https://hipaariskanalytics.com or contact Christopher Sullivan at 850-591-2821.

For information on how to place a classified ad in Enews, contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA.

The most current issue of HCMA's quarterly publication can be viewed online by clicking here. Previous issues are also available.

For advertising information, contact Elke Lubin, Managing Editor, or view the advertising opportunities on the HCMA website.