Volume 116, No. 5: May 2020 EditionTop

They Said It...

"Our wellness officer encouraged us to do yoga at lunch. I ate lunch about three times in residency. Having a wellness officer - the sole purpose - reducing premiums for the employers." A young doctor commenting during a discussion on physician burnout and suicide. We will publish an extensive report on physician burnout and suicide in our next magazine issue of Philadelphia Medicine.

In the News... 
Gov. Wolf Provides Civil Immunity for Health Care Providers A1

Governor Tom Wolf has signed an executive order that protects health care providers for good faith actions taken in response to the call to supplement the health care provider workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor had already suspended a significant number of regulations in order to allow retirees and out-of-state professionals to assist physicians and other health care professionals.

Governor Wolf said, "This Executive Order to Enhance Protections for Health Care Professionals serves to protect the individuals serving on the front lines of the disaster response."

You can read the entire order here.

Provider Relief Fund Deadline Extended A2

The Dept. of Health and Human Services has extended the deadline for health care providers to certify their receipt of payments from the Provider Relief Fund. Providers will now have 45 days, increased from 30 days, from the date they receive a payment to attest and accept the Terms and Conditions or return the funds.

Novitasphere Making it Easier for You to do Your Medicare Business A3

Novitasphere is the free, secure internet portal that offers you time-saving features that give you instant access to information on your Medicare beneficiaries.

The program is set up by Novitas, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Jurisdiction H and L.

Novitasphere helps you:
  • obtain beneficiary eligibility and the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier;
  • submit claims and retrieve electronic claim reports;
  • check claim status;
  • retrieve and print remittance advice;
  • perform claim corrections and report claims as billed in error;
  • submit appeal requests.
To learn about Novitasphere's features, click here.

For questions on Novitasphere, click here.

COVID-19 Cases Declining in Philadelphia and Much of the State A4

As of May 11, the Pa. Dept. of Health reported encouraging signs in the fight against the coronavirus. The current seven-day average of 337 new cases in Philadelphia is 28% lower than a week ago, and the average of 1,049 new cases a day in Pennsylvania, is 9% lower than a week ago.

Yet, deaths across the country could almost double in the next six weeks. That sobering assessment is made by University of Massachusetts infectious disease professor, Erin Bromage.

The Fine Print in the PPP Loan Forgiveness Plan A5

Hundreds of thousands of Philadelphia-area businesses have received the good news that their Paycheck Protection Program applications have been accepted. But the easy part may just have ended right there. To ensure that you don't have to pay back the loan you will have to document that you have fulfilled the requirements necessary for loan forgiveness.

PPP rules require recipients to spend 75% of the loan on payroll costs within eight weeks to be eligible for loan forgiveness. That eight-week clock starts ticking as soon as the money is in your bank account. Payroll includes salary, health care insurance and retirement benefits. Businesses are also allowed to include certain state and local taxes assessed to employees.

The rest of the payment can be used for utilities, rent, or mortgage interest.

The Small Business Administration has released its online FAQ sheet, which you can view here.

A Look Back at the Hahnemann Crisis by Doctors Who Were There A6

In an article published by Annals.org, Drs. Jacob Aizenberg, William C. Boyer and Lia Suzanne Logio have written a comprehensive history of the last days of Hahnemann University Hospital. The article which appeared on May 5, has a long list of lessons learned.

"The orphaning process has a significant effect on the mental health of trainees," the article states. The authors add that the closing process produced significant administrative distress, "including exodus and absenteeism."

The article argues that the closing came at about the worst time for new interns who had been on the job just three days before the announcement. Senior residents seeking advanced training were in the midst of completing fellowship applications and new fellows were due to arrive shortly after the closing announcement.

Temple University Hospital Surgeon wins Statewide Award A7

Eric Gokcen, MD, director of orthopedic surgery for Temple University Hospital, has been named the recipient of this year's Pa. Medical Society Physician Award for International Voluntary Service.

Dr. Gokcen, who is also an associate professor of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at Temple, has started two internationally accredited orthopedic surgery residency programs. He spent seven years in Kenya, Ethiopia and other African countries, performing thousands of surgeries on children with disabilities.

Dr. Gokcen is an expert on international medical education in the developing world. He regularly takes residents on short-term medical mission trips to Africa.

This Year's 40 Under 40 Award Winners A8

The following PCMS physicians are being honored for their excellence in medical care:
  • Ayan Chatterjee, MD, MSEd, Philadelphia
  • Anupriya Dayal, MD, Philadelphia
  • Lee M. Jablow, MD, Philadelphia
  • Robert J. Kucejko, MD, MBA, MS, Philadelphia
  • Christopher J. Lee, MD, Philadelphia
  • Mindy Rabinowitz, MD, Philadelphia
  • Sanjay Sreerangapalle Reddy, MD, Philadelphia
  • Namrata Vijayvergia, MD, Philadelphia
Congratulations to all of the winners!

PCMS Efforts to Help Frontline Health Care Providers A9

The Philadelphia County Medical Society has started a support group for frontline providers and has worked with the Pa. Medical Society to offer PPE to members.

PCMS is also looking at other areas - including volunteer efforts and expanded testing - to help the city's health care providers.

Primary Day Deadline Approaching A10

The deadline for requesting an absentee or mail-in ballot for the Pennsylvania Primary is May 26. Your county election office must receive your application by that date. The deadline for returning the ballot is primary election day, June 2nd.

If you wish to get a mail-in ballot, click here.

Calendar of EventsCalendar

May
14 - "Helping the Helpers" Frontline Support Group

Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 7:00 PM

Springfield Psychological, with the support of several organizations including PCMS, is hosting a free support group for physicians and other frontline health care workers. The session will be held as a video conference and registration is required. This is the third in a series of five support sessions held every Thursday at 7:00 PM.

15 - MOUD Preceptor Program

Date: Friday, May 15 (Also taking registrations for Thursday, June 25)
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

In support of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's initiatives to increase access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings, the Health Federation of Philadelphia invites waivered primary care providers to attend the MOUD Preceptor Program offered on May 15, 2020 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. This online mini-residency training offers content that is not normally covered in buprenorphine waiver training and is specifically designed for primary care providers who are seeking to refine their skills. Specific topics covered include diversion, continued substance use, benzodiazepine use, point of care testing, harm reduction and pain management. Cases will be presented to help participants discuss ways to address patient needs and discussion is encouraged.

21 - "Helping the Helpers" Frontline Support Group

Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 7:00 PM

Springfield Psychological, with the support of several organizations including PCMS, is hosting a free support group for physicians and other frontline health care workers. The session will be held as a video conference and registration is required. This is the fourth in a series of five support sessions held every Thursday at 7:00 PM. Registration will be available following the May 14 session.

28 - "Helping the Helpers" Frontline Support Group

Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 7:00 PM

Springfield Psychological, with the support of several organizations including PCMS, is hosting a free support group for physicians and other frontline health care workers. The session will be held as a video conference and registration is required. This is the fifth in a series of five support sessions held every Thursday at 7:00 PM. Registration will be available following the May 21 session.


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