Your Weekly News & Updates
MSNJ Member Update - COVID-19
March 25, 2020
Support for Community Based Medical Practices and Clinics
Small Business Administration (SBA) - COVID-19 Disaster Relief
  • Loans available up to $2 million for fixed debt, payroll, accounts payable
  • Interest Rate: 3.75% (non-profit: 2.75%)
  • SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955
  • SBA is experiencing delays with on-line applications - Use off hours to apply 7pm - 7am
  • Some users are experiencing issues using Google Chrome. Please use an alternate browser.
Hydroxychloroquine Update
MSNJ wrote to the Office of Consumer Affairs asking them to investigate improper prescription activity for hydroxychloroquine. Prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine should be justified by prescribers to ensure that the medication is available to the patients who genuinely need the medication.  The Office of Consumer Affairs will be releasing guidance to prescribers and pharmacists soon. Please stay tuned for the guidance!
Continuing Medical Education - UPDATE
MSNJ reached out to the NJ Attorney General's Office regarding an extension for the CME required for license renewal in June 2021. They responded that the matter is under consideration, but a determination has not yet been made. Stay tuned!
Letter of Support for Physician Practices in any Economic Stimulus Package
MSNJ signed on to a letter from the AMA, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, and Medical Group Management Association to Congressional leadership regarding inclusion of support for physician practices in any economic stimulus package.
AMA Releases Special Coding Advice Related to COVID-19
New guidance from the AMA provides special coding advice during the COVID-19 public health emergency. One resource outlines coding scenarios designed to help health care professionals apply best coding practices. The scenarios include telehealth services for all patients. Examples specifically related to COVID-19 testing include coding for when a patient: comes to the office for E/M visit, and is tested for COVID-19 during the visit; receives a telehealth visit re: COVID-19 and is directed to come to physician office or physician’s group practice site for testing; receives a virtual check-in/online visit re: COVID-19 (not related to E/M visit), and is directed to come to physician office for testing; and more. There is also a quick-reference flowchart that outlines CPT reporting for COVID-19 testing . A new web page on the AMA site also outlines CMS payment policies and regulatory flexibilities related to COVID-19. Check the AMA COVID-19 resource center to stay up to date and for additional resources.
New COVID-19 Resources and Updates
Online Symposium: Managing COVID-19 on the Front Lines
Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 5:30pm
New Jersey COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline
New Jersey residents feeling the emotional and mental toll of COVID-19 can now get support from NJ Mental Health Care’s (NJ’s behavioral health information and referral service) hotline.

Call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support. 
Calls will be answered from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week by live trained specialists.
Request for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
If anyone has additional PPE and medical supplies like N95 respirators, gowns, etc., please let us know so we can distribute to hospitals that are in desperate need of them.
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