December Vaccines for Children Program Updates***

December 4, 2023- GA DPH released the December issue of the VFC Program Updates.

Topics include:

• Holiday Shipment Blackout Dates
• Vaccine Transfers Must be Approved by VFC Staff
• Expired or spoiled vaccine
• Vaccine Order Shipment Information
• December 4- 8 is National Influenza Week
• VFC/AVP Flu Vaccine Pre-Book 2024-2025 is OPEN
• VFC Annual Recertification

Click here to download a copy of the latest newsletter update.

New CDC Advisory Once Again Flags BA.2.86 COVID Variant***

November 29, 2023- According to Medscape," an emerging variant of COVID-19 called BA.2.86 that caused alarm earlier this summer has landed on the CDC's radar again."

Earlier this week, the CDC issued an alert regarding this variant. While it does not appear to be causing an increase in hospitalizations, this variant is the third leading source of COVID in the U.S. today. Click here to learn more. 

CDC Flu Campaign- From Wild to Mild***

This fall the CDC launched their flu vaccine campaign called Wild to Mild to share key information with the public about the importance of getting the flu vaccine. The campaign focuses on encouraging flu vaccination among higher risk groups, especially pregnant people and children. Click here to learn more.

The CDC encourages sharing on social media. Click here to view downloadable images that can be easily shared on social media platforms.

Missed it? Check out recent updates here:

• RSV Toolkit and KHF Addendum
• KHF COVID Reimbursement Grid
• AAP Nirsevimab Updated FAQ

HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Settles First Ever Phishing Cyber-Attack Investigation***

December 7, 2023- The HHS' Office for Civil Rights announced a settlement with Lafourche Medical Group. The settlement resolves an investigation following a phishing attack that affected the electronic protected health information of approximately 34,862 individuals. This marks the first settlement OCR has resolved involving a phishing attack under HIPAA rules.

Read more here.

Check out resources below for help on boosting your organization's cyber security:

• OCR’s newsletter on Defending Against Common Cyber-Attacks.
• Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center White Paper on AI-Augmented Phishing and the Threat to the Health Sector - PDF.
• HHS 405d Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices on Email Phishing Attacks 
• Videos on “How the HIPAA Security Rule Can Help Defend Against Cyber-Attacks” in English  and Spanish.

CMS to crack down on Medicaid redetermination compliance***

December 5, 2023- CMS has laid out how it will sanction states that do not comply with Medicaid redetermination requirements. In an interim final rule issued Dec. 3, the agency said it will take several actions against states that do not comply with federal Medicaid eligibility rules or reporting requirements. The interim rule takes effect Dec. 6. Click here for more.

Click here to view an infographic on Medicaid renewals & terminations by month during Georgia's Medicaid unwinding.

HR Question of the Week***

Question: Are we required to update our I-9s when the documentation used for them expires?

Answer: You would only update a Form I-9 if the expired document pertains to a limited period of employment authorization. Click here to view the full answer from Vxtra

2024 Immunization Schedule Approved by the AAP

November 16, 2023- The AAP approved 2024 Immunization Schedule is now available to view on our intranet. Click here to access.

Update on Mental Health Parity Act

The 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (federal) and the 2022 Mental Health Parity Act (state) require that health insurance plans not impose more restrictive benefit limitations on mental health and substance use disorder benefits than on medical and surgical benefits. 

The Georgia AAP recently noted that the Georgia Insurance Commissioner has received no complaints about this happening. Practices are encouraged to report instances in which you see a private insurance company not observing mental health parity in their coverages. 

You can do so via the Insurance Commissioner’s website at https://oci.georgia.gov/insurance-resources/complaints-fraud or send the information to Rick Ward at the Georgia AAP Chapter who can be reached at rward@gaaap.org. 

DCH’s mental health parity portal is at https://dch.georgia.gov/how-do-i/mental-health-parity-information. 

TCCN Antibiotic Stewardship Webinar: Antibiotic Dosing

Thank you to all who joined us for our 3-part virtual series 'Antibiotic Stewardship: Why it's Important for Your Practice and Patients'.

This lunchtime series presents the new Georgia Pediatric Antibiotic Stewardship website, gpas-online.org, designed to help you in your busy practices with guidelines and a new antibiogram visualization tool

Please follow the links below to view the recordings for all three webinars:

Webinar #1: How to Access and Use the Website

Webinar #2: Prescribing Guide

Webinar #3: Antibiotic Dosing: Maximize antibiotic adherence, limit wastage, and promote antibiotic stewardship

Adams Keegan Live Webinar- December 20th***

Save your spot for the latest Adams Keegan webinar. A panel of experts will provide a review of all the notable webinar content of the past year. Additional topics include addressing your submitted questions and revisiting some common issues, ranging wage & hour, terminations, hiring practices, and more.

Presenters: Charles Rodriguez (VP of Human Capital Advisory), Amanda McCollum (VP of Human Resources), and Brandon Roland (Human Resources Advisor)

Date and Time: Wednesday, December 20 at 11:00 AM EST. Click here to register.

CME Opportunity for Kids Health First Providers

Click here to learn more and register for a free, online, Pediatric-specific course that satisfies the DEA requirement mandated by the MATE Act. 

Check out the November issue for the latest updates!***

*If you did not receive the latest newsletter, please be sure to also check your spam folder.

DEA Regulation on Pharmacy to Pharmacy Rx Transfer

Click here for the DEA site as well as an article by Holland & Knight on this new rule.

Risk Management Q & A: Patient Dismissal

Click here to view a sample patient termination letter and guidance on patient termination

TCCN Webinar: New AAP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Obesity

Click here for the recording

TCCN OSHA Webinar Replay

Click here for the video presentation, slides and bloodborne pathogens test

TCCN Pediatric Coding Seminar Recording

Click for the recording and slides

Updated Resources on Screen Time and Social Media for Children

The "AAP's Bold Stance on the Value of Pediatrics" 

From Chip Hart: 2023 Telemedicine Requirement Grid

Developed by Jan Blanchard. Click on the link to download the pdf.

Practice Administrator Contact List

Kids Health First Who to Call List

Kids Health First Intranet Page