CDC Updates Guidelines on Respiratory Viruses, Including COVID-19***

3/7/2024: This guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

Click here to view the new guidelines excerpted from the AAP Section on Practice Management. 

CDC Report: Nirsevimab 90% Effective at Protecting Infants from RSV-associated Hospitalization***

3/7/2024: A newly released CDC study shows that Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) was highly effective against RSV-associated hospitalization in infants entering their first RSV season. This finding supports the CDC recommendations that all infants should be protected by either maternal RSV vaccination or an infant dose of the vaccine.

Click here for more.

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

Alert! Ransomware Attack on Change HealthCare Group and Optum-Claims Clearinghouse***

What you Need to Know Now!

• This attack occurred on 2/21/24 and may affect your ability to file claims and to receive payments
• The attack affects many payors beyond United HealthCare
• Change Healthcare group is a subsidiary of United Health Group and Optum

Click here to view additional information and recommended action steps.

Click here for updates on the impact of the Change Healthcare attack on 4 major payers.

HR Q & A: What is the Difference Between a Furlough and a Layoff?***

Check out this week's Q &A to learn about the differences between a furlough and a layoff and what employers need to know. Click here to view the explanation from vxtra Powered by Mineral.

6 Tips to Help You Skip the Daylight Saving Time Hangover***

Daylight Savings Time occurs this upcoming Sunday! Remember to set your clocks forward one hour and click here to view some additional tips that can help you and your staff adjust to the change.

Georgia Composite Medical Board Decisions Regarding Prescribing Via Telemedicine

The Georgia Composite Medical Board relaxed some teleprescribing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. In December, 2023, the Board indicated that it would be removing some of those flexibilities as of January 1, 2024.  At its January 4, 2024, meeting, the Board deferred that action to May 1, 2024. In January, the Board posted an additional press release, available at https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-01-10/board-extends-tele-prescribing-flexibility-until-may-1.  

Neither this press release nor the prior release clearly resolves all circumstances under which providers may prescribe or not prescribe without seeing the patient in person. In the meantime, media coverage further confused the question. We are hopeful that the Board will address gaps and inconsistencies before May and will provide updates when available.

2024 TCCN Primary Care Quality Program

The 2024 TCCN Primary Care Quality Program has launched this week. Please click here to view practice requirements for 2024.

Webinar March 13th: ADA, FMLA, Workers’ Compensation: Understanding The Bermuda Triangle of Employment Law ***

Register today to save your seat for this upcoming webinar, presented by Curi, discussing the overlap between the three most common employment laws and how to properly apply them in practice.

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. 

Humana Annual Update for 2024

Humana is currently experiencing a delay with their January 1, 2024 fee schedule. 

We are checking with Humana on a weekly basis. Please stay tuned for updates.

KHF commercial payor fee schedules are found in the KHF intranet under the Financial Menu. 

• The Aetna fee schedule includes the First Health network.
• Humana and Cigna fee schedules experienced delays in 2023 due to missing/incomplete information from the payors. KHF is working diligently to publish these schedules as we receive the necessary data.

Check out the February issue for the latest updates!

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

CDC Health Alert: Stay Alert for Measles Cases

• Recommendations for healthcare providers

Drug Use in Teens: A Guide for Pediatricians

Update on Mental Health Parity Act

Click here to access the DCH's mental health parity portal for updates and resources

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.

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.

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