MSEPS COVID-19 Update for April 15

April 15, 2020

Dear Colleagues:

Please see the latest update from MedChi with virtual events, and the most current available information and resources for physicians.

Please check the AAO and MedChi websites for the most current COVID-19 information. For archived versions of these updates visit the MSEPS website.

Stay Safe & Healthy

Renee Bovelle, MD

MSEPS President

Dear MedChi Members and Maryland Physicians:

Here's what we want to share with you today:

VIRTUAL EVENTS

The Maryland Department of Health's all-physician call for today, April 15, at 5:00 pm will feature a behavioral health discussion with CareFirst.

MedChi President Michele Manahan, MD, is participating today at noon in an AARP virtual town hall with Senator Chris Van Hollen. To join, call 1-877-229-8493, access code 115393. (Given the late notice, we will share a recording of the discussion if possible.)

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Maryland's congressional delegation is urging HHS to ensure that all health care facilities impacted by COVID-19 are beneficiaries of the federal fund disbursement and that the fund disbursement is conducted with maximum transparency.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has released two letters explaining regulatory exceptions for DEA-registered hospitals and clinics. The first letter explains registration and controlled substance shipment exceptions for alternate satellite locations. The second letter explains an exception for signing an invoice of receipt of controlled substances at an opioid treatment center.

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission has issued an update on temporary certification practices that are permissible during the public health emergency.

Visit MedChi's COVID-19 Resource Page regularly for more information and resources as we work through this crisis together.

Thank you for all that you do as physician, healers, and heroes.

Gene Ransom

MedChi CEO