Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It
COVID-19 By the Numbers (as of June 18):

  • Alameda County: 4,638 confirmed cases, 117 deaths. 90 patients are currently hospitalized (including City of Berkeley data.)
  • Contra Costa County: 2,111 confirmed cases, 55 deaths. 26 patients are currently hospitalized.
  • California: 165,416 confirmed cases, 5,360 deaths. 4,587 patients are currently hospitalized with positive or suspected COVID-19.
  • US: 2,155,572 cases; 117,632 deaths.
On the Front Burner

The California Department of Public Health released updated guidance that requires Californians to wear a face covering in high-risk settings.

On Monday, June 15, the CA Legislature passed a new CA budget for fiscal year 20-21, rejecting many of Gov. Gavin Newsom's health care budget cuts, including his proposed re-allocation of the Prop 56 funds.

The ACCMA submitted a letter of support for AB 3118 . AB 3118 comprises a budget request of $500,000 to fund a pilot project in Alameda County, providing Medically Supportive Food to Medi-Cal recipients with chronic conditions.

The ACCMA also submitted a letter to the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) expressing concern about the potential negative health and safety impacts of oil and gas extraction.
COVID-19 and Policies

Yesterday, June 18, the County of Alameda's Public Health Officer revised a previously issued order from June 5. The revised order maintains restrictions on movement and gatherings but does allow certain additional businesses, recreational, social, and cultural activities to resume .

On June 16, Contra Costa Health Services released an updated shelter in place order , modifying restrictions for certain outdoor recreational activities, outdoor dining, cultural and religious activities, and more.

Alameda County updated its health care provider reporting requirements for positive COVID-19 cases. Now, positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for COVID-19 must be reported to the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD).

Also in Alameda County, an advisory concerning Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) was issued on June 17. In accordance with a recent CDC health advisory , MIS-C associated with COVID-19 is reportable to ACPHD.

The National Institutes of Health has launched a centralized, secure platform to store COVID-19 patient data in order to speed treatments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released consolidated recommendations for COVID-19 testing . These recommendations comp ile and updated previous testing guidance.
Funding, Funding, Funding

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced upwards of $107 million in awards , which will be dispersed to 310 recipients in an effort to increase the health workforce in rural and underserved communities.

The HHS also opened a new "Medicaid Targeted Distribution" portal , where Medicaid-dependent physicians can apply to receive a portion of the $15 billion dedicated to Medicaid providers. Physicians must apply for the funding before July 3, 2020. This funding does not need to be repaid.

MIEC, a medical professional liability insurer and ACCMA Business Affiliate, is returning more than $2.4M in premium relief to policyholders amid COVID-19 pandemic.
What We're Reading - Resources and Guidance
WEBINARS & EVENTS
FREE | Wednesday, June 24 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
Presented by the California Medical Association

This webinar focuses on employment issues as physicians begin to reopen their practices during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Attorney Oscar Rivas, Partner at Landegger Baron Law Group, will discuss a range of topics, including the current status of state and federal financial support for employees and employers, bringing employees back from furlough, continuing remote work policies and safety precautions to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace. Register online .
FREE | Thursday, June 25 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
Presented by the California Medical Association

As medical practices begin the process of reopening after the COVID-19 shut down, one of the more difficult parts of the process may be  communicating with patients . This webinar will provide practical advice on how physicians can maintain a positive physician-patient relationship during the process of reopening. Attendees will hear tips for informing and educating patients that it is safe to resume routine and non-urgent medical visits, and for notifying patients what their practices are doing to keep patients and staff safe. Register online .
ACCMA's On-Demand Library

FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
This one-hour, on-demand webinar led by Linda Hawes Clever, MD, MACP, offers practical, creative, and effective remedies to deal with the crush on personal and professional lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains strategies, resources, and suggestions for handling physician wellness, as well as addressing questions and answers, as we listen and see the ingenuity, guts, and devotion with which we are addressing the harrowing challenges we all face as a profession, community, and nation. Discover how to reduce personal stress and learn healthy ways to contend with the impact of COVID-19. 

FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
Telehealth services are expanding rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis. In partnership with Bay Area medical associations, the ACCMA teamed up with experts to develop a comprehensive webinar series to help physicians swiftly ramp up their telemedicine capabilities, from technology to practice implementation to coding. Experts discuss choosing a telemedicine platform; compliance; privacy and security considerations; billing and payment; policies, procedures, and workflow; informing your patients; and malpractice. Physicians who have experience practicing telemedicine share their practical reflections.

FREE | Available On-Demand
Medical offices and practices are essential businesses and were not required to close, but many physicians have faced difficulties with staffing, incorporating Telemedicine into their practices, ensuring waiting rooms are safe, etc. Sessions include "Getting Back Up and Running Safely," "HR and Employment Issues," and "Telemedicine and Reimbursement."
CMA On-Demand Library
FREE | Available On-Demand
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.org with any questions or concerns you have.
 
This information will also be posted online at www.accma.org/COVID-19 and will be updated frequently. Please check the ACCMA website regularly for updates.