June 2, 2023
POSTPONED: CMS Movie Night
Just when we thought we would be revisiting Ariel and enjoy a bag of popcorn with colleagues at the CMS Movie Night on June 7, a conflict has occurred that will require us to postpone the event indefinitely.
We’ll be back in touch with a new movie night later in the year.
CMS Members: Family Fun Night - June 29!
FEATURED ADVERTISERS
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Dr. Daniel Van Durme, FSU College of Medicine’s Chief Medical Officer, Passes Away Following Accident
Florida State University’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Daniel Van Durme passed away Tuesday afternoon, the school confirmed with WCTV.

Dr. Van Durme led FSU’s response to the COVID pandemic, and was a foundational member of the College of Medicine’s faculty, arriving in 2004.


Source: WCTV
FDA Approves World's First Vaccine Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced approval of the first ever vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine (Arexvy, GSK) is approved for the prevention of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in adults aged ≥60 years, according to the agency announcement.


Source: Patient Care
Florida Medical Board May Pass a Rule to Reduce Disruptions Caused by Trans Care Law
The Board of Medicine is expected to pass an emergency rule today that would allow patients receiving gender-affirming care to continue as officials craft new standards for treatment. The goal is to address disruptions caused by a new law that restricts access to transgender treatment for minors and makes it harder for adults to get care.


Source: Health News Florida
Federal Appeals Court Gives the Go-Ahead for a Hospital Payments Case
A federal appeals court Thursday cleared the way for eight South Florida hospitals to pursue a lawsuit against a health insurer over payments for emergency-room care.


Source: Health News Florida
Florida Marijuana Proposal Surpasses 2024 Ballot Signature Requirement
While the proposed constitutional amendment for recreational use topped the signature threshold, it still must clear another major hurdle — Florida Supreme Court approval.


Source: Health News Florida
Are Drug Shortages Part of a New Health Care Norm?
Doctors and pharmacists in Florida aren't strangers to diminished inventories. Here's a closer look at the current shortage and how the state is managing.


Source: Health News Florida
Medical Students Aren't Showing Up to Class. What Does That Mean for Future Docs?
Most first- and second-year medical students don't attend lectures. A student and a professor suggest it's a good time to think a lot about medical education, starting with "flipping the classroom."


Source: Health News Florida
Claims Denials and Appeals in ACA Marketplace Plans in 2021
In this brief, we analyze transparency data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on claims denials and appeals for non-group qualified health plans (QHPs) offered on HealthCare.gov. Data were reported by insurers for the 2021 plan year and posted in a public use file in October 2022. We find that, across HealthCare.gov insurers with complete data, nearly 17% of in-network claims were denied in 2021. Insurer denial rates varied widely around this average, ranging from 2% to 49%.


Source: KFF
Grand Rounds: Physician Well-Being - June 15
Thursday, June 15, 2023
5:30-6:30pm
Durell Peaden Auditorium
Sponsored by: Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health and the FSU College of Medicine Wellness Committee
 
Light reception to follow in atrium

Presented by
Dr. Catherine F. Pipas, MD, MPH
Professor, Community & Family Medicine
The Dartmouth Institute
Free 1-Hour CME Webinar on July 13: Learn the Health Risks of Gas Stoves - My Green Doctor
Gas stoves are a health risk. This is true especially for children and the elderly. People who live in homes with gas stoves have more asthma, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. This month, the Society’s My Green Doctor provides a free 1-hour CME webinar (https://psr.org/my-green-doctor-gas-stove-webinar/?utm_source=cms&utm_medium=societyenews&utm_campaign=stovescme) that is being offered at three different times on Thursday, July 13. There is also a short article (visit https://mygreendoctor.org/learn-the-health-risks-of-gas-stoves/) on this vital topic (reading time: 5 mins).
DEA Extends Telehealth Flexibilities Until November 11, 2023
The ability to prescribe controlled substances based on telehealth patient visits was set to expire when the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends on Thursday, May 11th. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initially issued two proposed rules establishing new policies for controlled substance prescriptions based on telehealth visits, one for buprenorphine and one for other controlled substances. After receiving more than 38,000 comment letters, however, the DEA has decided to extend [federalregister.gov] the same policies that have been in place during COVID for an additional 6 months, until November 11, 2023.

2023 FMA Annual Meeting
When: 7/28/2023 - 7/30/2023
Where: Orlando, FL

DEA-Registered Practitioners' Training Requirement
On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 enacted a new one-time, eight-hour training requirement for all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioners on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. Below is information on this new requirement.
 
Who is responsible for satisfying this new training requirement?
 
• All DEA-registered practitioners, with the exception of practitioners that are solely veterinarians.
How will practitioners be asked to report satisfying this new training requirement?
• Beginning on June 27, 2023, practitioners will be required to check a box on their online DEA registration form—regardless of whether a registrant is completing their initial registration application or renewing their registration—affirming that they have completed the new training requirement.
What is the deadline for satisfying this new training requirement?

·    The deadline for satisfying this new training requirement is the date of a practitioner’s next scheduled DEA registration submission—regardless of whether it is an initial registration or a renewal registration—on or after June 27, 2023.
·    This one-time training requirement affirmation will not be a part of future registration renewals.
·    How can practitioners satisfy this new training requirement?
·    There are multiple ways that practitioners can satisfy this new training requirement.
 
• First, the following groups of practitioners are deemed to have satisfied this training:
 
1.Group 1: All practitioners that are board certified in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry from the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Board of Addiction Medicine, or the American Osteopathic Association.
2.Group 2: All practitioners that graduated in good standing from a medical (allopathic or osteopathic), dental, physician assistant, or advanced practice nursing school in the United States within five years of June 27, 2023, and successfully completed a comprehensive curriculum that included at least eight hours of training on:
 
·    Treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders, including the appropriate clinical use of all drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of a substance use disorder; or
·    Safe pharmacological management of dental pain and screening, brief intervention, and referral for appropriate treatment of patients with or at risk of developing opioid and other substance use disorders.
 
• Second, practitioners can satisfy this training by engaging in a total of eight hours of training on treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders from the groups listed below. A few key points related to this training:
 
1.The training does not have to occur in one session. It can be cumulative across multiple sessions that equal eight hours of training.
2.Past trainings on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders can count towards a practitioner meeting this requirement. In other words, if you received a relevant training from one of the groups listed below— prior to the enactment of this new training obligation on December 29, 2022—that training counts towards the eight-hour requirement.
3.Past DATA-Waived trainings count towards a DEA registrant’s 8-hour training requirement.
4.Trainings can occur in a variety of formats, including classroom settings, seminars at professional society meetings, or virtual offerings.
5. 
What accredited groups may provide trainings that meet this new requirement?
 
·    The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
·    The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)
·    American Medical Association (AMA)
·    The American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or any organizations accredited by the AOA
·    to provide continuing medical education
·    The American Dental Association (ADA)
·    The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
·    The American Psychiatric Association (APA)
·    The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
·    The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
·    The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
·    Any other organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical
·    Education (AACCME) or the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CCEPR), whether directly or through an organization accredited by a State medical society that is recognized by the ACCME or CCEPR
·    Any other organization approved or accredited by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, the ACCME, or the CCEPR
 
We hope this information is helpful. For information regarding the DEA Diversion Control Division, please visit www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov. If you have any additional questions on this issue, please contact the Diversion Control Division Policy Section at (571) 362-3260.

Sincerely,
Thomas W. Prevoznik
Acting Assistant Administrator Diversion Control Division

Source: U.S Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
About Exception Applications PY 2023
There are 2 exception applications available to clinicians:



Source: U.S Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS Foundation Physician Wellness Program is Here for Physicians and TMH Residents
Overloaded? Stressed? You're Not Alone.

Does your workday start before dawn and end well after dusk? Do you go to bed tired and wake up the same way? Maybe it’s time you talk to someone who can help you make positive changes for a healthier, happier life and lifestyle. The CMS has six professional counselors who are available to you - free of charge - free of worry. This program remains one of the few in the state that serves all local practicing physicians and TMH Residents, without cost, without question. Six sessions annually are completely confidential and autonomous. 
 
WELLNESS COACHES: 
Paul Deitchman, Ph.D.
313 Williams St., #5
Tallahassee, FL 32303
850-878-3571
UNIVERSITY: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Tracey Morse, Ph.D.
1114 E. Tennessee St.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
850-556-7944 
UNIVERSITY: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY – CARBONDALE
Stephen Wright, Ph.D.
313 Williams St., #7
Tallahassee, FL 32303
850-222-3045
UNIVERSITY: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
SPECIALTY AREA WELLNESS COACHES:
Family, Marriage, and Trauma
Kenneth Fowler, Ph.D., LMHC & Certified Traumatologist
1028 E. Park Ave.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-212-6873
UNIVERSITY: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
CERTIFICATE: FSU TRAUMATOLOGY INSTITUTE
Dr. Fowler is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and an Approved Supervisor for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists and social workers. As a result of his expertise in psychological trauma, Dr. Fowler was called to respond in New York City following the 9/11 attacks. As a leader in his field, he was able to help with this national tragedy. His work with natural disasters led to him being called to assist with the Hurricane Katrina disaster by debriefing first responders who were exposed to the aftermath of the trauma. Currently, he consults with the Southcom Command of the United States Armed Forces to help returning soldiers and their families deal with the effects of war as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. 
Family and Marriage
Jane Marks, LFMT, LMHC
3325-C Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
850-385-8222
 UNIVERSITY: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

For five decades, Jane Marks has helped countless families navigate the challenges in life. As a Licensed Family & Marriage Therapist, she will bring a thoughtful approach to wellness for those seeking individual, family or marriage coaching through the CMS Foundation’s Physician Wellness Program.
Grief, Loss, and Trauma
Brenda Rabalais, Ph.D.
216 Lake Ella Drive
Tallahassee, FL  32303
850-841-7733 
UNIVERSITY: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

Brenda Rabalais, Ph.D., specializes in providing counseling services to those who are struggling with a loss or a trauma. Examples include; divorce, abandonment (foster care, adoption, service families), abuse, suicide, homicide, crime, loss of functionality, loss of home or job, long-term illnesses, other life transitions, as well as death. Brenda founded Lee's Place, a grief, loss and trauma counseling center, in 2000 and has been a practicing therapist as well as the Executive Director for those 21 years.
Special thanks to the MagMutual Foundation and the TMH Medical Staff for helping the CMS fund this program.
Leon County Press the Chest - June 3, 2023
The annual Press the Chest community CPR training event is back on Saturday, June 3! Hosted by Leon County EMS, people of all ages are invited to learn the lifesaving skills of adult hands-only CPR, child CPR with breaths, adult and child choking relief, and AED awareness. Each participant will receive an American Heart Association CPR Anytime Kit containing a CPR manikin, DVD, and educational materials. Participants can take these personal CPR kits home to train family and friends.   

Register and learn to save lives at LeonCountyFL.gov/PressTheChest.
Free Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Event - June 7, 2023
African-American Alzheimer's Caregivers Training and Support (ACTS 2) Project
Informational Correspondence with the Capital Medical Society
In this digital era, we strive to keep you updated with the latest in information. Please let us know when your emails and contact information change. We want you to be part of this Society and be active in your practice networking. Patients seeking provider referrals and providers seeking provider referrals keep your practice flourishing. If your membership information is old and you would like to contact us about relocating, new staff changes, or if you haven’t heard from us in a while, your information may not be current. Your personal contact information is kept confidential but is our way of reaching out to you about meetings, medical updates, license requirements, legalities in medicine and patient privacy and care, Journals, newsletters and more.
Pam Irwin, Executive Director, 850-559-8611, [email protected]
Are You One of our Members on the Move?
If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, we want to know more!
·    Is your practice expanding? Are you adding staff members?
·    Do you have a new practice administrator/office manager?
·    Have you changed or added locations?
·    Have you changed your email/phone/fax?
·    Have you added a new specialty or passed your Board Certification(s)?
·    Have you retired within the last six months?
 
Send your updates to [email protected].
Subject line: Member Updates
Updated Physician Headshots
The CMS website is your link to our physician member database. The CMS has been actively working on each provider search. Please take the time to search the listing. If you find there is any inaccurate information or an outdated headshot, please reach out to CMS to update your information. Let us know as soon as possible to make sure your information is current.
CMS | (850) 877-9018 | [email protected]
Electronic Version of June 2023 Cap Scan
Click here to view the June 2023 Cap Scan.
Free Monthly Webinars: "The Business Side of Medicine"
Each webinar is on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM.

For more information and to register, click here.

Source: MIRZA, Healthcare Law Partners
Medicare Revalidations
Medicare Revalidations are back in full force after a brief pause during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. All healthcare providers and suppliers are required to revalidate their Medicare enrollment every 3-5 years per CMS’ request. Medicare has implemented new revalidation screening criteria that you will need to be aware of. Missing this important deadline will have significant financial consequences on your medical practice! This link is to a tool to a searchable database that allows you to look up the revalidation due date for Medicare providers who must revalidate their enrollment record information every three or five years.

Your Dose of Medical Humor
Save the Date for Upcoming CMS Meetings/Events
Here's Another Connection for CMS Members: Healthcare Lawyer On Call
The CMS has had a long-standing relationship with Jeff Cohen and The Florida Healthcare Law Firm. Did you know that you can tap into a program called Healthcare Lawyer On Call through Jeff and his firm? That's right! On-Call is different than what you may be used to and doesn't mean that you'll find an attorney at 3 AM to answer a question, but what it does mean is that you can call and speak with someone at The Florida Healthcare Law Firm for 15 minutes at no charge! Please remember that any purely verbal discussion on legal matters is simply the lawyer’s best (and unconfirmed) understanding. Another benefit of being a CMS member!
AMA Resources
COVID-19 Shadow Pandemic: Mental Health Impacts on Patients & Care Teams
“Shadow Pandemic: Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Patients and the Care Team,” the latest on-demand webinar in the AMA’s Overcoming Obstacles series, explores how experts have engaged pediatric and adult patients before and during the pandemic, and how patient health needs have changed over time. Hear the challenges encountered and solutions used to creatively address patient needs, and what is next for patient care.


AMA to Host Interactive Session on Telehealth for Dermatology

The AMA is hosting an interactive session that will highlight the innovative ways that telehealth is currently being used in dermatology. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with speakers, as well as gain insights on ways to leverage a variety of telehealth modalities, including provider-to-provider e-consults, live audio/visual, and store-and-forward.


AMA STEPS Forward® Podcast: Creating A Culture That Supports Well-Being

In the latest AMA STEPS Forward® podcast episode, Dr. Nigel Girgrah, Chief Wellness Officer at Ochsner Health System, discusses strategies for creating a culture of well-being at your health care organization – including addressing mental health stigma, building a strong EAP program, employing an opt out vs opt in approach, and encouraging leadership to be vulnerable about their own burnout struggles.


Source: American Medical Association (AMA)
WEBINAR - Navigating the Current Healthcare Landscape: COVID-19, Staffing Crisis, and Administrative Burden
Physician practices across the country continue to operate in an atmosphere of uncertainty, now compounded by a staffing crisis due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. In the latest AMA STEPS ForwardTM webinar, “Navigating the Current Healthcare Landscape: COVID-19, Staffing Crisis, and Administrative Burden,” attendees will hear about the current health care workforce landscape, how to plan for workplace shortages, and best practices in workplace safety and efficiencies for staff. The webinar will also feature practical, actionable resources to transform and improve your practice. Accompanying the webinar, the AMA has released an updated version of “A Physician Guide to Keeping Your Practice Open During COVID-19” to address concerns about workforce protection and retention during the pandemic. 

Source: American Medical Association (AMA)
CME Resources
Wolfson Pediatric CME Webinars - 5.5 CME Credit Opportunity
Wolfson Children’s Hospital is proud to provide Continuing Medical Education opportunities to our partners and referring providers by offering monthly virtual CME sessions at no cost. If you have missed any of our previously offered live webinars and still wish to obtain CME credit for them, we have provided 4 recorded webinars for a total of 5.5 CME credits possible. Please follow the instructions below in order to take advantage of this opportunity!
 
1.      Open the flyer and choose which education session you would like to watch.
2.      Click the link in the attachment for the desired education session.
3.      Watch the webinar.
4.      Follow the instructions included in the video description to complete the required survey and input the associated activity code.
*Please note, if you are licensed outside of the state of Florida, you must contact the CME office at [email protected] to request an official transcript of your participation.

Easy to use web portal makes it easy to find courses and track credits. Accredited activities for over 30 medical specialties; Over 100 active courses at any given time; Activity accreditations include ACCME, ANCC, AANP, ACPE, and more; Content is always current, and always free.

Free 1-hour online CME opportunity!
University of Florida's Department of Epidemiology
Raising awareness for Alzheimer's disease and increasing screening for cognitive impairment. This CME has a focus on primary care physicians but is applicable to all physicians who may encounter patients with cognitive impairments.

On-Demand CME by The Doctors Company
Diagnostic error continues to be a top patient safety concern, a global burden, and cause patient harm from treatment delay, testing, or misdiagnosis. “Prevention of Diagnostic Error in Primary Care” is an on-demand CME activity that features patient safety expert Jeffrey A. Gold, MD, professor of medicine, vice chair for quality and safety, for the department of medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University. This program highlights major contributing factors of diagnostic error along with the diagnostic process of care framework with additional focus on strategies to mitigate risk of patient harm in the primary care setting.

On-Demand CME by The Doctors Company
1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Explore the challenges and risks associated with telehealth. Concerns regarding privacy, security, licensure, and technology that might instigate a malpractice claim are discussed.

On-Demand CME by The Doctors Company
2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits or 2.5 ADA CE Credits
Opioids play an important role in pain management—both in acute and chronic care settings—but overuse, misuse, and diversion have contributed to an opioid-related epidemic leading to addiction and death. Our on-demand program provides a useful and informative examination of the epidemic’s prevalence and effects.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
If you suspect human trafficking, please call:
  
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1 (888) 373-7888
Suicide Prevention Hotline
Reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line by Phone and Text

By Phone:
Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline today. 988 is not a nationwide calling code right now.
Veterans should Press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Crisis Line.

By Text:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available today through online chats. 988 is not a nationwide texting code right now.
Service members, Veterans, and their families can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by texting 838255, and through online chats at veteranscrisisline.net.


Source: Federal Communications Commission
Florida E-Prescribing
Electronic Prescribing Requirements (Florida Board of Medicine)
House Bill 831 (2019), Electronic Prescribing, was signed into law by Governor DeSantis. The effective date is January 1, 2020. The bill provides important new requirements for prescribers to generate and transmit all prescriptions electronically upon licensure renewal or by July 1, 2021, whichever is earlier.

Florida ePrescribing Clearinghouse (Agency for Healthcare Administration)
The purpose of the Florida ePrescribing Clearinghouse is to provide information that contributes to the promotion and implementation of electronic prescribing by health care practitioners, health care facilities, and pharmacies in order to prevent prescription drug abuse, improve patient safety, and reduce unnecessary prescriptions. This Clearinghouse contains information on the advantages, processes, products, rules, and laws of ePrescribing as well as Florida ePrescribing reports.
PAP Machine Donations Needed!
A PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) machine is an electronic respiratory ventilation device used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Capital Medical Society Foundation, Inc.'s We Care Network program assists low-income, uninsured adults, whose income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, with obtaining these potentially life-saving medical devices, when prescribed by a pulmonologist. Thanks to our partners at Desloge Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment, Inc., we are able to provide refurbished CPAP, AutoPAP, and BPAP machines for eligible We Care Network patients in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties. We Care Network also accepts unused, unopened supplies for PAP machines, such as masks, nasal cannulas, and tubing. We Care Network coordinates over $5,000,000 in donated specialty medical and dental care annually.
 
Machine donations can be dropped off at Capital Medical Society Foundation's office at 1204 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Donations to Capital Medical Society Foundation are tax-deductible within IRS guidelines Federal Tax I.D. #: 59-2104510. For additional information, please call 850-942-5215 or email [email protected].
Check Out the Latest CMS Member Benefits