September 11, 2020
Sponsored by OMIC
Dear Colleagues,

Today our Nation reflects on the shocking and gut-wrenching events of September 11, 2001. MSEPS would like to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives and loved ones in the September 11, 2001 attack by making sure we pause for remembrance.

MSEPS has been working to provide some normalcy in this un-normal time by figuring out ways to offer Ophthalmologists in Maryland the opportunity to earn CME, become more involved in MSEPS, and to get the information they need to carry on with their practices.

Registration is now open for our virtual version of AAO's Codequest for members, non-members, and administrators and staff. We know how important it is to stay on top of the latest coding information and to train staff and to be on top of all the changes coming up in 2021. The program will be self paced and available to registrants to complete between September 19, 2020 and November 19, 2020. Register here.

Registration is now open for the MSEPS Annual Business Meeting on October 8, 2020. MSEPS holds an annual business meeting to update our members and to provide information about national and local matters ophthalmic issues. Our keynote speaker this year is internationally renowned.  Please register today. 


MSEPS wants to thank OMIC for their support of our newsletters. Please check out their link to show them our thanks.

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 healthy!

Renee Bovelle, MD
MSEPS President
From our AAO

PROVIDER RELIEF FUND
 
Sept. 13 Deadline for Certain Providers to Apply for Relief Funds  
Certain eligible providers only have until Sunday, Sept. 13, to apply for a Provider Relief Fund payment in the Phase 2 general distribution from the Department of Health and Human Services.


As the Academy continues its advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., ophthalmologists across the country have been meeting virtually with members of Congress who are back home during the capital’s summer recess period.

What You Can Do

You can support your fellow ophthalmologists’ advocacy efforts by taking the following actions:
  • Call your members of Congress today.
  • Urge your representatives and senators to preserve patient access to surgical care and stop drastic payment cuts for surgical services.
  • Call 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected to your elected officials’ offices.
  • Use our Academy talking points (PDF) to guide your discussion.
  • Make your voice heard through an email message.
  • Use the Academy’s advocacy tool to tell your elected officials to act to prevent Medicare fee cuts for surgical and other physician services
  • Encourage your practice staff to join in our call to action!Ophthalmic staff can help amplify our message by using the Academy’s advocacy tool to tell their elected officials to act to prevent Medicare fee cuts for surgical and other physician staff services. We believe that action will be most effective coming from all staff members. 
  • Join OPHTHPAC.
  • The Academy is leveraging OPHTHPAC’s relationships with congressional champions to get Congress to stop these payment cuts and apply the increased E/M adjustment to the 10- and 90-day global code values.
  • Academy member support of OPHTHPAC is critical to our success.
Virtual Events
MedChi Ethics Lecture: LESSONS LEARNED: Ethical Dilemmas Faced During the COVID-19 Pandemic
September 24, 2020 - Understand what are physicians’ ethical obligations to work in unsafe conditions.Describe physicians’ responsibility to report unsafe conditions in nursing homes.With respect to extremely sick individuals, describe when triage principles are ethical and when are they not. Determine which new resources will provide the needed support during a crisis such as COVID-19.  

Go here to register
The 30th Annual Washington Retina Symposium

October 3, 2020 - The Retina Group of Washington and the Washington Hospital Center/Washington National Eye Center, invite you to join us for the 30th Annual Washington Retina Symposium. Learn more and register here.
Disclaimer: MSEPS does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites or events, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. 
Telemedicine During COVID-19:
Managing Medical Malpractice Risk

When an active physician-patient relationship has been established,1 telemedicine can help you meet your legal duty of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, management of patient expectations is critical in mitigating liability risk. It is also helpful to keep in mind the following tips.
Promote Yourself With MSEPS Social Media

@MSEPSMD is on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and we would love to showcase what ophthalmologists in Maryland are doing. Do you have an announcement? Want to promote a paper you have authored? Have a great picture of you caring for your patients? Send it to us and we will help boost the good work you are doing. Email your submissions to [email protected] Also, be sure to follow us on all our platforms and join our facebook group.
Telehealth Resources

Backline from Dr. First is a Telehealth platform used by MedChi's CTO and can be used by any physician.
Contact Us:
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Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone 410-244-7320
Fax 410-727-5967