Moderna Pediatric COVID Vaccines Purchased on or After January 9, 2024 Now 100% Returnable

January 9, 2024- Moderna released an important announcement regarding updates to to their pediatric COVID vaccine return policy.

Effective immediately, all privately purchased pediatric COVID-19 vaccine doses (NDC No. 80777-0287-92) purchased on or after January 9, 2024 will be 100% returnable for the entire season, pursuant to the return policies and procedures provided in your contract with Moderna.

Click here to view the statement from Moderna.

DCH Update on RSV Administration Code

The Department of Community Health (DCH) advised that the new administration codes for Beyfortus (CPT codes 96380 and 96381) are expected to be loaded in GAMMIS in March 2024 with a January 1, 2024 effective date.

Until all systems updates are completed, health check providers should code the Beyfortus product (CPT codes 90380 or 90381 w/EP modifier) and report the administration of Beyfortus with code 96372.

Missed it? Check out recent updates here:

• RSV Toolkit and KHF Addendum
• KHF COVID Reimbursement Grid
• AAP Nirsevimab Updated FAQ
• Data Shows Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) effective against RSV in infants

Georgia DPH Releases Measles Health Alert***

January 18, 2024- The Georgia Department of Public Health has published a health alert regarding Measles. Please contact the Georgia DPH with any questions.

Health Alert: Measles (Rubeola)

Georgia Department of Public Health Requests Reports of Suspect Measles Cases

Summary

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a case of measles in a

resident of the metro Atlanta area. DPH is working with identified locations that this

individual visited while infectious (Jan. 7-15, 2024), to identify any persons that may

have been exposed. The index patient acquired the virus while traveling abroad and

historically, January through May is the peak time for importation of measles infections

to the United States. Therefore, DPH urges healthcare providers to maintain heightened

awareness for patients with symptoms compatible with measles.

Click to view the health alert from Georgia DPH.

FedEx Express National Service Disruption: Severe Winter Weather***

January 18, 2024- FedEx Express has experienced substantial disruptions at their Memphis hub due to severe winter weather. A high volume of shipments travel through Memphis and contingency plans have been activated to minimize the impact. A National Service Disruption has been issued. Shipments with a delivery commitment of Thursday, January 18 may be delayed, with potential delays continuing throughout the week.

Please note: Shipping delays caused by severe winter weather could also impact vaccines that are shipped through FedEx.

Click here to view the announcement and sign up for updates from FedEx.

KHF Question of the Day- Unused PTO***

Questions:

1. What do you allow for unused PTO?
2. If PTO can roll over, is there a limit?
3. If PTO can be paid out, is there a limit?
4. Other details about your PTO policy that would be helpful

Thank you for your responses! We had 24 practices respond to the survey.

View the results here.

Georgia Composite Medical Board Decisions Regarding Prescribing Via Telemedicine

The Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) recently issued updated guidelines regarding prescribing scheduled drugs via a telemedicine visit. The instructions were unclear and the Board will be issuing new guidance from their May meeting.

FOR NOW, there are no changes to the pandemic rules which allowed a provider to prescribe via telemedicine even if they had not seen the patient for an in person visit.

Please see attached pdf for additional details from the Executive Director of GCMB.

ACIP updates Immunizations Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger

January 11, 2024- At its October 2023 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices* (ACIP) approved the Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger.

Click here to view the announcement and follow the link to view the CDC immunization schedule.

OSHA to publish details of workplace injuries under new reporting rules

December 29, 2024- The OSHA rule effective January 1, 2024 applies to companies with 100 or more employees in industries with hazardous jobs, including health care.

• Under the new OSHA rule, establishments with 100 or more employees in certain high-hazard industries must electronically submit information from their Form 300-Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, and Form 301-Injury and Illness Incident Report to OSHA once a year. These submissions are in addition to submission of Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.

• To improve data quality, establishments are required to include their legal company name when making electronic submissions to OSHA from their injury and illness records.

Click here to view an article summarizing the changes, and the announcement from OSHA.



Click here to view OSHA's injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

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. 

December Issue of Quality Steps

Check out the December issue of Quality Steps here!

Upcoming PYA Webinars-Register Today!

“Coming to a Statehouse Near You”- January 24th

It’s not just Washington we have to monitor. State legislatures throughout the country also are grappling with a wide range of healthcare-related issues. Action taken in one state tends to influence how other states address these matters.

Click here to learn more and register.

"PYA UnScripted: Physician Retention”- January 25th

You shared. We listened! Your recent insights about value-based compensation tell PYA physician retention is a top-of-mind issue, so the upcoming webinar will focus on that topic.

Click here to register for the online event.

Adams Keegan Live Webinar- January 31, 2024***

Please join our panel of experts for a broad range of conversation on important topics and trends we expect in 2024. We'll also address your submitted questions and revisit common issues such as wage & hour changes, hiring practices, compliance pitfalls and more.

Click here to register for the online event.

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 January issue for the latest updates!

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

2024 Immunization Schedule Approved by the AAP

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

TCCN Antibiotic Stewardship Webinar Series

Click to view recordings:

• 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

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