July 7, 2023

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. A waiting list will be generated when all tickets have been claimed. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Express Your Interest in an International Trip with Physicians

Whether you are a solo traveler or looking to take your family on vacation, you might be interested in a hassle-free trip with a group of physicians. We are partnering with EF Go Ahead Tours to offer a private tour for our members in June 2024 to either Costa Rica, Peru, Iceland, Italy, or Egypt. Complete this form to express your interest or to learn more.

EHR Optimization Webinar: Exploring Digital Solutions to the Hassles of Documentation



Join us next Tuesday, July 11th from 6 to 7:30 pm to discuss different approaches to EHR optimization, including innovations that significantly reduce documentation burden and in-basket overwhelm. We will be joined by David Butler, MD, a physician technology executive with over 20 years of experience in implementing digital solutions in healthcare with deep knowledge in Epic Systems' Clinical and Revenue Suite implementation, stabilization, and optimization in both the outpatient and inpatient setting. Register here. 

Data Exchange Framework: Accepting Grant Applications

 

With a January 31, 2024, deadline approaching for many entities to begin securely exchanging health information under the Data Exchange Framework (DxF), CalHHS is now accepting applications for the second round of Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) Signatory Grants. California entities that have signed the DSA can apply to receive direct support for DxF implementation, with financial assistance ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, or more via enhanced funding to entities serving underserved communities. Apply or learn more here.

Urge Your Legislators to Oppose Two Important Bills



AB 616 would allow confidential and proprietary financial information from physician groups to be released to the public and could harm the ability of physician practices to recruit physicians, health care providers, and employees effectively. SB 815 proposes alarming changes, including moving the Board to a public member majority and increasing the licensing fee. Click the links for each bill to contact your legislators today! 

MCO Tax Renewal Promises Billions in Funding for Medi-Cal

On Monday, June 26th, the California Legislature passed the health budget trailer bill, which includes the renewal of the state's Managed Care Organization (MCO) Tax. This important financial mechanism will raise a total of $19.4 billion, with much of it being spent on the state’s health care infrastructure, including the largest Medi-Cal rate increase in California history. This investment will make meaningful strides toward achieving justice and equity by fulfilling Medi-Cal’s promise of access to health care for the more than 14 million Californians—including 6 million children—who rely on the program for their health care. Read more here.

Updated Guidance for Prescribing Opioids 



From November until now, the CDC and FDA have announced several changes to prescribing opioids. Click here for a 2-page summary of the changes and to access the updated guidelines.

CMA Updates Health Law Library Reproductive Issues Section



To ensure that physicians, lawyers, policymakers and other stakeholders understand the impact of the Dobbs decision on the practice of medicine in California, CMA has updated and expanded the Reproductive Issues section of its online Health Law Library. The documents include: #3750 Abortion Issues, #3753 Informed Consent for Sterilization and Hysterectomies, #3115 Infertility Consent Requirements, #3751 Test of Pregnant Women, Newborns, and Young Children. 

Narcan Trainings & Harm Reduction Program



Drug Safe Solano is hosting two Narcan trainings this month on July 10 at 6 pm and July 29 at 1 pm. Please share this opportunity with your networks. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and a unit of Narcan. The Drug Safe Solano Harm Reduction Program takes place every Thursday from 4 to 6 pm at the Norman C. King Community Center in Vallejo where community members can get free Narcan and free fentanyl test strips, and dispose of needles safely. 

Apply for Aledade ACO by August 1



CMA is collaborating with Aledade Inc. to help independent physicians succeed in value-based care, ensuring practices and health centers are able to thrive while delivering the best possible patient care. In 2021, primary care practices in Aledade's Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs earned an average of $160,000 each in shared savings revenue. Click here to learn more. 

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. 

Racial Equity Institute Groundwater Training 

Wednesday, July 12 | 3:00 to 6:00 pm 

Hosted by AMA 

This webinar offers the opportunity to learn from and interact with experts from the Racial Equity Institute (REI). REI organizers use stories and data to explain how racism is structural. Exploring historical and modern-day racial inequity, the session introduces an analysis that most find immediately helpful and relevant. The groundwater metaphor helps explain that we live in a racially structured society, which causes racial inequity. In other words, we have a “groundwater” problem, and we need “groundwater” solutions. Starting from there, we begin to unlock transformative change. 

Register here. 

Buprenorphine & Pregnancy: Demystifying a Feared Treatment 

Monday, July 17 | 10:00 am

Hosted by the Bridge Program

MAT as the Standard of Care is a webinar series aimed to assist clinicians in meeting their training requirements for the Bridge Navigator Program and provide support for healthcare providers who are new to prescribing Buprenorphine or who are interested in expanding their understanding of the MAT landscape. 

Register here. 

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.