CMS and CMSF Office Closed on Monday, September 6, 2021 |
The Capital Medical Society and
The Capital Medical Society Foundation We Care Network
will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2021.
Stay safe!
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FEATURED ADVERTISER: The Doctors Company |
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Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on COVID-19 |
Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners
WHO: Leon County
WHAT: Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners
WHEN: Tuesday, September 7 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Leon County Commission Chambers, fifth floor Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe St.
Leon County will hold a special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, September 7 at 6 p.m. in the Leon County Commission Chambers, fifth floor Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe Street. The meeting will be held to receive updates regarding COVID-19, with presentations from County staff and medical and public health professionals, and to evaluate mitigation measures.
The public can access the meeting in real time on Comcast channel 16, Prism channels 16 and 1016-HD, the Leon County Florida channel on Roku, the County’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter and County web site.
Citizens may provide public comment the following ways:
· In-person at the meeting;
Citizens wishing to provide virtual comment must register by 8 p.m. on the day before the meeting to provide County staff sufficient time to provide instructions to citizens for comment during the meeting. Anyone needing assistance with registration may contact County Administration at (850) 606-5300.
For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Community and Media Relations at [email protected] or (850) 606-5300.
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FDOH-Leon / Primary Healthcare Partners Calls - Next Call September 10 |
Leon EM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
FDOH-Leon/Primary Healthcare Partners Call
Friday, September 10, 2021 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Occurs every 2 week(s) on Friday effective 9/10/2021 until 12/17/2021 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
This Zoom invitation is recurring and will work for future meetings.
Join Zoom Meeting
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WHO adds new strain 'mu' to its variants of concern list |
The World Health Organization classified a new COVID-19 strain as a variant of concern Aug. 30. The strain, named mu, was first detected in Colombia in January, according to the WHO's weekly COVID-19 epidemiological update.
Five things to know:
1. B.1.621, the strain's scientific name, has since been identified in at least 39 countries, including the U.S., though its global prevalence is below 0.1 percent based on sequenced cases.
2. Mu is most prevalent in Colombia and Ecuador, where it accounts for 39 percent and 13 percent of cases, respectively, and has consistently been on the rise in those countries, according to the report.
3. The strain carries "a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape," though further research is needed.
4. It's not yet known whether mu is more transmissible or if it causes more severe illness
5. Early data suggests the strain has characteristics that allow it to evade some protection offered by current vaccines or monoclonal antibody treatments, similar to levels seen in other variants such as beta.
Source: Becker's Hospital Review
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Florida Changed its COVID-19 Data, Creating an ‘Artificial Decline’ in Recent Deaths |
As the delta variant spreads through Florida, data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest this could be the most serious and deadly surge in COVID-19 infections since the beginning of the pandemic.
As cases ballooned in August, however, the Florida Department of Health changed the way it reported death data to the CDC, giving the appearance of a pandemic in decline, an analysis of Florida data by the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald found.
Source: Miami Herald
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CDC Warns Against Off-Label Use Of COVID Vaccine |
Some Americans are already lining up for COVID-19 booster shots, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that administering doses of the vaccine in ways that aren't OK'd by the federal government could put health care providers at risk of lawsuits and leave patients with unexpected bills.
Source: NPR WFSU
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AMA, APhA, ASHP statement on ending use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19
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WASHINGTON, DC – The American Medical Association (AMA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) strongly oppose the ordering, prescribing, or dispensing of ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial.
Ivermectin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use to treat infections caused by internal and external parasites. It is not approved to prevent or treat COVID-19. Ivermectin is also available to treat certain veterinary conditions; medications formulated or intended for use in animals should not be used by humans. We are alarmed by reports that outpatient prescribing for and dispensing of ivermectin have increased 24-fold since before the pandemic and increased exponentially over the past few months. As such, we are calling for an immediate end to the prescribing, dispensing, and use of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial. In addition, we are urging physicians, pharmacists, and other prescribers—trusted health care professionals in their communities—to warn patients against the use of ivermectin outside of FDA-approved indications and guidance, whether intended for use in humans or animals, as well as purchasing ivermectin from online stores. Veterinary forms of this medication are highly concentrated for large animals and pose a significant toxicity risk for humans.
Source: American Medical Association
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Florida Will Soon Issue $5,000 Fines For Violating State's Vaccine Passport Ban |
Florida will soon start issuing fines for businesses that require customers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Source: WUSF
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Florida dermatologist urged parents to lie to schools to avoid COVID-19 quarantines |
PANAMA CITY — Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt recently addressed misinformation that was spreading online about the system's COVID-19 quarantine protocols following social media posts by a local dermatologist.
Dr. Jon Ward stirred up controversy during the weekend after he made a Facebook post urging parents to lie to school nurses to avoid quarantines. The post led to calls from concerned parents to the school system.
Ward has backtracked on his statements since they caused a rift. He declined an interview with The News Herald, but provided a statement about his comments.
Source: Panama City News Herald
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A Letter From the Front Lines of Quarantining With Kids |
We saw this coming. Pediatricians sounded the alarm as cases of viral upper respiratory infections poured into our emergency departments, wards, and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) earlier this summer. We warned citizens and lawmakers about what might happen if we sent our children back to school without reliable mitigation efforts in place. As a mother to three young children, I was worried.
Source: MedPage Today
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School Zone: Approach COVID Outbreak Narrative with Caution |
Recently, the story of SARS-CoV-2 spreading in an elementary school in Marin County, California went viral (pardon the pun). An unvaccinated teacher developed COVID-19. Initially thinking it was allergies, the teacher attended class, and continued to do so even after symptoms worsened -- including cough, headache, and fever. All students wore masks, and the teacher was masked for most of the day except when reading a story to the class.
Source: MedPage Today
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Illinois Woman Arrested for Using Fake Vaccine Card to Travel to Hawaii |
An Illinois woman was busted Saturday for allegedly using a phony COVID-19 vaccine card with a glaring typo to travel to Hawaii, a report said.
The card allegedly submitted online to Hawaiian authorities by Chloe Mrozak, 24, misspelled Moderna as “Maderna,” according to court documents obtained by HawaiiNewsNow.
Source: New York Post
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50 states ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest |
Massachusetts is the healthiest state in the U.S., according to the most recent annual ranking from Sharecare, a digital health company, and the Boston University School of Public Health.
To determine the healthiest and unhealthiest states, the organizations used a well-being index to measure health risk across 10 domains, including healthcare access, physical health, community support and food access. The ranking is based on 450,000 surveys collected last year and the study of more than 600 elements of social determinants of health. Read more about the methodology here.
The results from the analysis place three of the five healthiest states in the Northeast, with Massachusetts topping the list for the first time. Mississippi took the last position for the second year in a row.
Source: Becker's Hospital Review
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We're Building the Plane As We Fly It |
It is frightening to be a physician these days. Although parachuting out of medicine may help the individual, this worrisome trend is exacerbating shortages in underserved areas -- precisely where the pandemic seems to be picking up steam.
All too often, physicians wait too long to address occupational stressors and mental health challenges. Our uneven system -- which was stretched, stressed, and strained even before the pandemic -- may at times unwittingly reinforce this unhealthy tendency.
Source: Opinion/MedPage Today
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Florida Medical Association CEO Timothy J. Stapleton Ends His Nearly 25 Years of Leadership and Service to the ‘Voice of Medicine’ Organization |
(Tallahassee, Fla.) – Florida Medical Association (FMA) Chief Executive Officer Timothy J. Stapleton concludes his nearly 25 years of service with the professional association today, embarking on new challenges and professional opportunities. Stapleton has led the ‘Voice of Medicine’ organization for over two decades, overseeing its political and public policy programs that spanned over six Governors, nine U.S. Senators, 14 House Speakers, 12 Senate Presidents, and hundreds of State Senators, State Representatives, and members of Congress.
Source: Florida Medical Association
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The Mystery of 9-11 and Dementia |
Twenty years after 9/11, Ground Zero first responders are suffering from abnormally high rates of cognitive impairment, with some individuals in their 50s experiencing deficiencies that typically manifest when people are in their 70s — if at all.
Source: The Washington Post
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"But I Don't Accept Medicaid" You May Say |
If you treat patients with Medicaid (even as self pay), they most likely expect Medicaid to pay for items and services you order for them.
If you have a patient that has Medicaid or a Medicaid Advantage Plan that would normally cover the ordered item, the following applies to you. Effective October 1st, if you prescribe a medication, order a test, home health, DME, etc. and Medicaid would normally pay for the item and you are not enrolled, Medicaid will not pay after that date.
Medicaid has created a special enrollment path for providers who only need to have Medicaid recognize them as Referring, Ordering, Prescribing, or Attending (ROPA) Provider.
For Assistance:
Providers may call the Provider Services Contact Center at 1-800-289-7799, option 7, for billing assistance and option 4 for enrollment assistance.
Special thanks to Acevedo Consulting for this information!
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Leadership Opportunities at the Capital Medical Society |
The Capital Medical Society will be able to continue to navigate in the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras. We have faced challenges before and there will be more in the future, but we can count on strong physician leadership to guide us. I know that the CMS will continue to make a major difference in shaping the future of healthcare in this community and in the State of Florida.
Capital Medical Society
1204 Miccosukee Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Best,
Pam Irwin
Executive Director
Capital Medical Society
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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.
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.
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CMS Member Fall Picnic
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Pavilion/Playground
Saturday, October 16, 2021 - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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Discounted Event Tickets at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center |
Capital Medical Society members can receive a discount on certain events at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center by using our promo code "CMS". The newest event is:
September 28-29, 2021
Members can receive the discount a few different ways:
- Click the show link above and enter the promo code "CMS"
2. Call 850-645-0747 to purchase over the phone and mention the promo code "CMS"
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Save the Date for Upcoming CMS Meetings/Events |
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September 14, 2021
Celebration Awards Dinner
University Center Club at FSU
6:30 pm
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September 21, 2021
Virtual CME
(2-Hours)
Panel Discussion-
Updates and Debates in Cancer Screening
6:30 pm
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October 19, 2021
Virtual CME
(2-Hours)
Prevention of Medical Errors
6:30 pm
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We all need co-pilots. That's why the Capital Medical Society Foundation Physician Wellness Program is here for its members. The CMSF has teamed up with four wonderful resources who will help you fly - confidentially and autonomously. Your first six wellness coaching visits are at no cost to you. None. Nada. No identifying information. Nothing except peace of mind. Seriously. Pick up the phone and call any of the resources noted below. Telehealth options available.
Special thanks to MagMutual Foundation and others who are helping the CMSF fund this program.
Local Wellness Coaching Resources:
- Paul Deitchman, Ph.D. - 850-878-3571
- Tracey Morse, Ph.D. - 850-556-7944
- Debra Weaver, Ph.D. - 850-942-5585
- Stephen Wright, Ph.D. - 850-222-3045
C. Vincent Dix, Ph.D. has announced his retirement effective March 31, 2021. We appreciate the services Dr. Dix has provided to local physicians since the inception of the Capital Medical Society Foundation's Physician Wellness Program in 2017.
The Elephant in the Doctors' Lounge - With roughly 156 million Americans fully vaccinated for COVID-19, physicians are seeing signs of relief on the horizon. That relief can't come soon enough. The initial energy and adrenaline that drove physicians to treat their acutely ill patients in the early months of the pandemic have been replaced by fatigue, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's time to talk -- and to act -- so these feelings of struggle don't drive more of our colleagues into a mental health emergency.
Source: MedPage Today
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All-day Virtual Conference
September 10, 2021
8:15 am - 3:45 pm
Free with fees for CME credit
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.
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Looking for Some Non-CME Credit Learning Opportunities? |
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Opportunity to Support the 2022 CMS Membership Directory |
The Capital Medical Society will publish its 2022 Membership Directory early next year. It will be distributed to all members. We have once again contracted with a company called E&M Consulting to produce the directory. E&M will be contacting our members over the next few months about advertising opportunities in the directory. E&M will manage all the ad sales, creative design, and formatting of the publication for us. This is a very professional group with experience in publishing association directories. If you have any questions or would like to advertise, please contact Rob Schmidt with E&M at 850-347-8182, 800-572-0011, or [email protected]. Information on the available advertising opportunities can be viewed here or can also be viewed online at https://www.emconsultinginc.com/adreservation/cms/. Please be responsive and help support this directory. Remember, it will include our entire medical community.
CMS will provide the content - including photos of our members. If you have an updated photo - please send it to us!
Please feel free to call us if you have any questions - and thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
The CMS Staff
(850) 877-9018
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ABIM Extends Maintenance of Certification Requirement Deadlines Through 2022 |
Board-certified physicians are getting another extension on the deadline to maintain their internal medicine credentials.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) once again extended the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements through December 2022.
Source: Fierce Healthcare
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Coronavirus - Information, Updates, Resources |
Updates and Resources
and the White House Coronavirus Task Force analyzes and distributes the report.
The New England Journal of Medicine - A collection of articles and other resources on the Coronavirus outbreak, including clinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary
Epidemiological and Clinical Resources For The COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC Healthcare Supply of Personal Protective Equipment
CDC Guidance for People at Higher Risk for COVID-19 Complications
CDC PPE Poster
CDC Guidance for Travelers from Countries with Widespread Sustained (ongoing) Transmission Arriving in the United States
CDC Communication Resources
NETEC coronavirus page includes PPE validation checklists and video resource, in addition to many others:
Vaccine Updates
(Florida Department of Health in Leon County)
(Florida Department of Health in Leon County)
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
COVID-19 Pandemic Planning FAQ (dated 11/19/2020) includes important information regarding procurement and handling of costs for vaccine administration. (FEMA)
What Happens Once There is a COVID-19 Vaccine? Key Challenges to Vaccinating America (12/3/2020) - VIDEO or SLIDES (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Reporting for Health Care Providers and Laboratories
If you have any patients who meet the person under investigation criteria, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Leon County Epidemiology Program at 850-404-6299.
Epidemiology and Disease Control Program
Florida Department of Health in Leon County
2965 Municipal Way
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Office Number: (850) 404-6299
Confidential Fax: (850) 921-9855
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Florida RX Card has created a new program and resource card to help Children's Miracle Network children and families in need. This card will work just as Florida Rx Card, helping people save on their prescription medications.
The flyer explains the program and can be used to share/download the app.
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Informed Webinar Series: Understanding the CMS Proposed Rule: Reducing Provider and Patient Burden by Improving Prior Authorization Processes |
On December 11, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would improve the electronic exchange of healthcare data among payers, providers, and patients. If finalized, the CMS rule would streamline processes related to prior authorization with the goal of reducing the burden on providers and patients. Medicaid, CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), and QHP (Qualified Health Plan) payers would be required to build and implement FHIR-enabled APIs that could:
- Allow providers to know, in advance, what documentation would be needed for each different payer.
- Streamline the documentation process.
- Enable providers to send prior authorization requests (and receive responses electronically) directly from the provider's EHR or other practice management system.
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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 $8,000,000 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 942-5215 or email [email protected].
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You Can Support the CMS Foundation! Sign Up and Shop Today on AmazonSmile! |
For eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the Capital Medical Society Foundation!
Click here to access AmazonSmile and support the CMS Foundation today!
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Check Out the Latest CMS Member Benefits |
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To view the DocbookMD Training Manual, click here.
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