June 10, 2022

Health Officials Report Two Cases of Monkeypox in Bay Area



There have been two confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the Bay Area, one in San Francisco County and, more recently, another in Alameda County. See the health advisory issued by the Napa County Public Health Department for action requested by physicians. Please immediately report all instances of suspected monkeypox infection to your local public health department.

Last Chance to Complete the 2022 Membership Survey

Participants will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card and be entered in a drawing to win a Marshall Stockwell II portable speaker! We kindly ask that you complete the 2022 membership survey ASAP, so that we may continue to serve you to the best of our ability and make improvements based on your feedback and recommendations.

KidsVaxGrant Application Extended to July 15

$10 million in grant funding is available for medical organizations enrolled in the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. VFC providers newly enrolled in myCAvax could be eligible for $10,000 to support enrollment and launching a vaccination center. VFC providers who are already enrolled in myCAvax who are expanding operating hours could be eligible for $15,000. The deadline to apply has been extended to July 15, 2022. Click here to apply or learn more. 

COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment



The CDC issued a Health Advisory (May 24) to provide an update on the potential for recurrence of COVID-19 or “COVID-19 rebound” after Paxlovid treatment. COVID-19 rebound has been reported to occur between 2 and 8 days after initial recovery and is characterized by a recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms OR a new positive viral test after having tested negative. A brief return of symptoms may be part of the natural history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in some persons, independent of treatment with Paxlovid and regardless of vaccination status. Available information suggests that persons treated with Paxlovid who experience COVID-19 rebound have had mild illness; there are no reports of severe disease. Please see the health advisory for recommendations for healthcare providers.

Cigna to Require Medical Records for All Modifier 25 Claims

Cigna announced that it will begin requiring the submission of medical records with all Evaluation and Management (E/M) claims with CPT 99212-99215 and modifier 25 when a minor procedure is billed. Modifier 25 allows separate payment for a significant, separately identifiable E/M service provided on the same day as a minor procedure or other reported health care service. The updated policy will become effective nationwide on August 13, 2022. Failure to submit the required medical records will result in a denial of the E/M service. CMA has serious concerns with Cigna’s policy change as it will result in significant unnecessary administrative burden and cost to practices to comply, will be a disincentive for physicians to provide unscheduled services, and is inconsistent with industry standards. The policy may also be inconsistent with California law.

Aledade Value-Based Care ACO Applications Due June 28

In 2019, CMA Physician Services Organization (PSO) partnered with Aledade to help primary care practices and community health centers succeed in value-based care. For the most recent reporting year (2020), practices in Aledade's Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs earned an average of $198,000 each in shared savings revenue. Learn how your practice can maintain independence, improve workflows, increase revenue and provide better care for your patients! Request a consultation from Aledade or connect with CMA PSO to lean more at [email protected]. Click here to learn more and access two webinars discussing value-based care with Aledade.

Clinical Tools for Preventing Firearm Injury



The Bullet Points Project is a resource for medical educators and clinicians who are committed to preventing firearm injury. Visit their website to explore clinical scenarios in which firearms may increase risk, available interventions to reduce risk, and strategies for talking with at-risk patients. CMA calls for immediate action to address the epidemic of gun violence, and reshares their 2017 position statement on a public health approach to address firearm violence.

Planning for Infant/Toddler COVID-19 Vaccinations

Friday, June 17 | 2:00 pm 

Hosted by the California Dept. of Public Health 

Prepare for COVID-19 vaccination of children under age 5 by joining us to learn about clinical considerations, storage and handling, ordering, resources and more in this webinar led by Erica Pan, M.D., State Epidemiologist and Deputy Director of the CDPH Center for Infectious Diseases. 

Register here.

Movie Night: Lightyear - Sold Out/Waitlist Only

Friday, June 17 | 6:30 pm  

NSMS has secured a private 83-seat theater in Napa for NSMS physicians and their families. Bring the family, play a Toy Story quiz, win PRIZES, and watch a new movie. Tickets have all been reserved, but you may join the waitlist in the event cancellations occur. If you would like to join the waitlist, email [email protected] with your contact information and names of up to three guests.

For more information, click here.

Accelerating Behavioral Health Integration Through Telehealth

Tuesday, June 21 | 8:00 to 9:30 am 

Hosted by AMA | FREE 

Participants will learn about the opportunities and challenges of incorporating technology to advance more coordinated and equitable behavioral health care, as well as practical solutions stakeholders across the health care ecosystem can pursue to advance digitally enabled BHI. The session will feature experts from Penn Medicine and the Department of Veteran Affairs, who will discuss their BHI models, how digital tools have been incorporated, and the comprehensive value it has generated. 

Register here.

Parenting as a Physician: It Takes a Lot of Patience 

Tuesday, June 21 | 10:00 to 11:45 am 

Hosted by AMA | FREE 

Finding work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic has required parents to constantly recalibrate, shifting the demands of parenting to meet the needs of their employers. Burnout rates remain particularly high among physicians, and those who also take on the responsibilities of caring for their children face a unique set of challenges. This panel discussion webinar at noon on June 21 features multiple physician parents and will provide tips on how to set limits, balancing family life as a physician, simply finding the time, and best practices for managing family activities. 

Register here.

Best Practices in Implementing Peer Recovery Support Services in Hospital Settings 

Wednesday, June 22 | 10:00 to 11:30 am | FREE 

Hosted by the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) 

Peer recovery support services (PRSS) are increasingly offered across diverse community, criminal justice, and health care settings to address opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders. The power and potential of PRSS come from the unique roles that peers play, promoting both hope and pragmatic steps for change. With a goal of strengthening programmatic outcomes and advocating for greater programmatic implementation, BJA's COSSAP has begun focusing on the evaluation of peer programs. This session will explore the implementation of peer support within two hospital settings from both an individual hospital and hospital network perspective. 

Register here.

Leadership Reading and Discussion Group

Wednesday, July 6 | 6:00 to 7:30 pm   

FREE | CME Available | Online   

Physicians are free to join any meeting of the Leadership Reading and Discussion Group; reading the book is not required. Doctor Hilary Worthen, course director of the Physician Leadership Program, facilitates the discussion group that is held on Zoom. The book selection for July is “Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health” by Thomas Insel, MD. This is a terrific book that gives a hard and well-informed overview of the state of care for people with mental illness. 

Register here. 

34th Annual Virtual Conference on Physicians’ Wellbeing

Friday, July 15 | 8:00 am to 12:15 pm 

CME Available 

Presented by Riverside County Medical Association, this program is designed to assist hospitals and health care organizations comply with Title 22 Regulations on matters related to health and wellness, addiction, mental illness and behavioral issues of physicians and other health care providers. This event is endorsed by CMA. Registration is $169, with a discounted price of $50 for residents and medical students. 

Register here.