June 23, 2023

Members Only: Please Complete Our Membership Survey



The NSMS conducts a yearly survey to gather information about our members, your needs, your satisfaction with the NSMS overall and with various member services and benefits, and the issues impacting the medical profession. Participants will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card and be entered in a drawing to win an Apple Watch SE! Complete the survey here. 

NSMS Family Movie Night



Join us for a free private screening of Disney's Haunted Mansion on Friday, July 28 at 6:30 pm at Century Vallejo 14. Tickets will be reserved on a first-come first-served basis with a limit of 4 tickets per family. Before the show, we will be holding a brief Haunted Mansion quiz and giving away Cinemark gift cards. Don't miss out! Claim your tickets here. 

Urge Congress to Fix Medicare Now



Physicians are the only providers whose Medicare payments do not automatically receive an annual inflationary update and as a result, Medicare physician payments have lagged 26% behind the rate of inflation growth since 2001. Get all the information and resources you need to make your voice heard in your advocacy to Congress at the AMA’s new Fix Medicare Now website. Ensure Congress works to address the critical issues physicians—and their patients—face due to the flawed Medicare physician payment system. 

DHCS Releases Improved Drug Lookup Tool

Physicians should be aware that the Drug Lookup Tool found on the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Portal now has improved functionality including the ability to access on mobile devices, search for a single source drug by brand name or search for a multi-source drug by brand or generic name, and identify prior authorization requirements and code I restrictions for a drug. 

Controlled Substances Requirement Reminder



This is a reminder that starting June 27th, the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act will require all physicians who are renewing or applying for a DEA license to check a box on their form certifying that they have completed the one-time, 8-hour training requirement. Get trained with courses from AMA or PCSS. 

HHS Issues Advisory on Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Related to Long COVID



New guidance from SAMHSA ‘Identification and Management of Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Associated with Long COVID’, published June 21, provides information on the epidemiology of the mental health symptoms and conditions of Long COVID and evidence-based resources for the treatment of those conditions. 

CMS Rolls Out Plan to Cover New Alzheimer’s Drugs



CMS recently released details of a plan for Alzheimer’s drugs to be covered by Medicare. If the FDA grants traditional approval, Medicare will cover drugs in the class of monoclonal antibodies directed against amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. To obtain coverage, the provider must participate in a registry to further evaluate whether the drug is reasonable and necessary in the Medicare population. Currently, the medication is covered only for patients who are enrolled in clinical trials. The plan has received some criticism pointing out that “requiring use of a registry to receive these important treatment options significantly constrains access”. 

CDPH Publishes Guide on Dietary Supplement Information



The California Department of Public Health recently released a guide for healthcare professionals on dietary supplement information, including identifying banned ingredients, how supplements are regulated, and how to report adverse patient reactions. Access the guide here.

Private Practice Simple Solutions: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) 

Session Launch Date: Tuesday, July 11   

Hosted by AMA 

This four-week virtual learning session covers defining SDOH, the impact of social needs on private practices, methods to understand the unique health needs of a community, and strategies to help your practice begin addressing SDOH.

Learn more and register now. 

Demystifing the Medical Staff 

Tuesday, July 18 | 12:15 to 1:15 pm 

Hosted by CMA 

Learn about the basic structure, role and purpose of the medical staff and physicians’ membership in it. This webinar is for those who have either always wanted a better understanding of medical staff functions or have contemplated involvement in your hospital medical staff but either never knew how to get involved or are undecided as to whether involvement is worth the time. There will be a brief Q&A session at the end. 

Register here. 

The Path to Financial Security: Planning for a Successful Retirement 

Tuesday, August 22 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm 

NSMS-hosted hybrid event 

Join us as we walk through the step-by-step process to assist you in your financial goals whether you are just starting to think about retirement planning or have already started the process. Wells Fargo Advisors will join us to provide guidance and answer your questions. Attend in person with dinner provided (Oakland) or join us virtually. 

Register here. 

Focus on the Heart 

Friday, August 25 | 12:00 to 6:00 pm 

Hosted By NorthBay Health & Vascular 

Join us for an afternoon of education and networking. Expert faculty will provide up-to-date education on a wide spectrum of the latest updates in hypertension, CHF, A-Fib, DVT/PE therapy, AS and TAVR, Aortic disease and rapid-fire ECG reading among others. The program will have didactic lectures integrated with case discussion. Our guest keynote speaker is Regis Fernandes, MD, from Mayo Clinic. Come for the education and stay the weekend in the beautiful Suisun Valley wine country. Physician early bird tickets are $100, and student/resident tickets are $20.

For full details, including the 5 CME credit information, and registration, visit www.NorthBay.org/focus today.