Enews

September 2021

The monthly electronic newsletter of the Hillsborough County Medical Association.
Scroll down to view these topics:

  • COVID-19 News
  • Pertinent Information
  • From the Board of Medicine
  • Physician Wellness
  • Personal News
  • Spotlight on Savings
  • Classified Ads
  • The Bulletin
  • Upcoming Events


COVID-19
NEWS
Why ivermectin should not be used to prevent or treat COVID-19
With an increase in calls to poison-control centers, the CDC and FDA strongly warn against the use of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin for COVID-19. Read more from the AMA.
Click here for important updates:

  • Approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
  • Authorization for a Third Dose of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
  • HRSA COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement Program
  • Guidance on Appropriate Use for COVID-19 Tests
  • COVID-19 Reporting 
In case you missed it...
HCMA's 7th Virtual COVID-19 Town Hall
video recording.

Approximately 1 hour, 5 minutes.

CLICK HERE to read Dr. Bruce Shephard's summary in 83Degrees.




PERTINENT
INFORMATION
HCMA Virtual Membership Event: Medicine in the Era of Big Data
Join us for a virtual fireside chat on Tuesday, September 14th, beginning at 6:30PM, with Robert Califf, MD, Founding Director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Former Commissioner of the FDA, Head of Strategy & Policy Verily Life Sciences and Google Health Divisions. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. If you have not done so already - Click here to register. You will receive a confirmation email and dial-in instructions. Thank you to our sponsors Shriners Children's Florida & Tampa General Hospital.
2022 HCMA Membership Dues Renewals
Watch your mail (and email) - the 2022 HCMA membership dues renewals will be arriving in your mailboxes this week. Please note - in an effort to go paperless, the 2022 statements will be the last paper statements you will receive. HCMA dues can be paid by check, credit card, and online. You can also sign-up for automatic renewals by completing this form. If you have any questions concerning your HCMA membership, or to provide an updated email address, please contact Anni Blackwell, HCMA Membership Coordinator.
2022 Florida Legislative Session
The 2022 Florida Legislative Session is being held January 11 through March 11. Your HCMA Government Affairs Committee will compile a list of priority issues and talking points which they will present to the Hillsborough Legislators in person in their local districts and in Tallahassee during the Session. Watch future Enews editions for the completed HCMA Government Affairs Committee Priority list.

Be pro-active. An excellent tool for identifying legislators in Florida is the Know Your Legislators guide. For $6.50 you can purchase a spiral bound guide of all legislators in our sate, including photos, committee assignments, terms, and more. Click here for more information and to order.
Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Summary
CLICK HERE for the American Medical Association (AMA) summary of the CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 13, 2021. The proposed rule covers diverse topics, including the CY 2022 Rate Setting and Medicare Conversion Factor, Evaluation/Management (E/M) office visit services, telehealth and other services involving communications technology, and updates to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) through Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) activities, methodology, payment adjustments, and the Promoting Interoperability performance category, amongst other provisions. CMS is requesting that comments be submitted no later than September 13, 2021. The AMA will share a draft comment letter in response to the proposed rule prior to this submission deadline.
No Surprises Act
On August 11th, the American Medical Association (AMA) submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services our third self-initiated comment letter (click here) related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act (NSA). This letter addresses the good faith estimates and advanced EOB requirements in the NSA. The AMA previously submitted comments related to the implementation and calculation of the Qualifying Payment Amount (QPA) and the QPA audit process, as well and comments focused on the implementation of the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, the Notice and Consent requirements, and the determination of a Specified State Law. In addition, the AMA will be submitting comments (due by September 7) in response to the recent Interim Final Rule (IFR) implementing certain provisions of the No Surprises Act. This IFR is the first of several regulations on the No Surprises Act (which will go into effect on January 1, 2022). Additional regulations will be forthcoming regarding the IDR process, price comparison tools, and certain transparency requirements. Rules on other NSA provisions, including insurance card requirements, continuity of care, provider network directions, and prohibition on gag clauses, may not be published until next year. For more information, see the AMA’s NSA webpage and summary of the IFR.
Biden Administration establishes “Climate Change and Health Equity” office within HHS
The New York Times reports that the Biden administration is “creating a new federal office to address the health consequences of climate change and their disproportionate effects on poor communities.” The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, “which the administration announced on Monday, will be the first federal program aimed specifically at understanding how planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels also affect human health.” 
3 surprising trends in seniors’ telemedicine use during the pandemic
The rapid expansion of telemedicine during the pandemic made headlines. What have been overlooked are the changing patterns of its use. Which older adults used telemedicine, and how they used it, did not play out as many had expected. Moving forward it will be essential to closely track the evolving use of telemedicine — and which Americans can access their care this way — to ensure that telemedicine does not widen disparities of care. Read more.
Celebrating Women in Medicine Month
Every September, the AMA honors women physicians, residents and students during Women in Medicine Month. Help them kick-off the celebrations with Women in Medicine Day on Sept. 2 by updating your Facebook profile image, and get involved all month long with our webinars, workshops and online discussions. Learn more. 
HCMA Foundation update
Because of the success of the HCMA Foundations 2021 Charity Golf Classic, the following organization received grants: Children’s Home Network/CARES Program, Frameworks/Teens in Action Service-Learning, Judeo Christian Health Clinic/Restock pharmacy, Lighthouse for the Blind/Early intervention for infants and young children, More Health/Scrubba Bubba, Outreach Clinic Brandon/Diabetes & hypertension outreach for uninsured, Voices for Children/Psych exams for Children’s Legal Needs fund, and a medical student scholarship.

The Foundation is proud to announce the 2022 Charity Golf Classic will be held March 31st at the Tournament Players Club of Tampa Bay. Watch your email for details.

FROM THE BOARD OF MEDICINE
Renewal time will be here before we know it...
Don't get caught at the last minute trying to determine what needs to be done to renew.

Medical Doctors

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

PHYSICIAN WELLNESS

The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program provides a safe harbor for members to address life difficulties. Members can receive up to six completely confidential, counseling sessions within 12 months, at no charge. Learn more by clicking below:


PERSONAL NEWS

ICYMI - August Lunch Bunch
HCMA's Retirees' Lunch Bunch, headed by Bulletin Editor, David Lubin, MD, met on August 10th. Special guest Dr. Charles Slonim shared what it is like to be one of the team physicians for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For more information about the Lunch Bunch, contact Dr. David Lubin.

Congratulations, Dr. Henne!
On August 19th at Bartow Civic Center, HCMA member Dr. Michelle Henne was named by the Chambers of Commerce of Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven as an award recipient of this highest honor for professionals aging from twenty one to forty two years old in Polk County, the Polk Emerging Leader Award. Read more.
SPOTLIGHT
ON
SAVINGS
HCMA's Newest Benefit Provider!
Shea Barclay Group (SBG) – medmal and other commercial insurance products. Shea Barclay Group (SBG) is a boutique, Tampa based insurance brokerage specializing in insuring physicians. Our team of professionals have 50+ years of experience insuring healthcare providers in the Tampa Bay area. SBG has developed numerous, exclusive insurance programs specifically for HCMA members. These not only address the medical malpractice insurance needs of members, but the additional insurance needs that each practice requires. Our unique experience and capabilities will give you the peace of mind, knowing that your risks are our biggest concern. SBG will provide eligible HCMA members with a 10% discount on medical malpractice insurance premiums. For a no obligation consultation, please contact Patricia Thompson, AAI, CIC, Senior Advisor/Healthcare, PThompson@SheaBarclay.com, 813.418.4492, mobile: 813.404.7905, Shea Barclay Group/HCMA Webpage, www.sheabarclay.com.


CLASSIFIED ADS
Physicians Wanted:
Calvary Community Free Clinic is seeking physicians (active or retired) to volunteer time and service to meet the healthcare needs of the uninsured and underserved in the community. Please contact Marcellina at 813-238-6000, via email, or visit our website for information about us www.calvarycommunityclinic.com



THE BULLETIN
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.


UPCOMING EVENTS
BENEFIT PROVIDERS
The HCMA’s Benefit Provider Program provides value to physicians with members-only products, programs, and services that far exceed the cost of annual dues. Click the logos below to find more information about each of our valued partners. 

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Zorian, HCMA Executive Director, at 813.253.0471 or DZorian@hcma.net.