Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It | |
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Updated Training Requirements for Prescribing Controlled Substances
The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act eliminated the x-waiver requirement, and now requires all prescribers of schedule II-V controlled substances to complete a total of 8 hours of training on treating opioid use (OUD) and substance use disorders (SUD). After June 27th, 2023, physicians will be required to check a box on their DEA application or renewal to indicate they've completed the training. Currently, many physicians hold prior eligibility and do not need to complete an additional 8 hours of training. Read more here.
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COVID Therapeutics Update
On April 17th, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will launch an updated version of the Health Partner Order Portal (HPoP). Current users will receive an email from [email protected] on April 17th requiring them to reauthenticate their accounts along with the link to the new URL. HHS is NOT issuing these emails prior to April 17th. All existing users MUST reauthenticate in the new system in order to remain active.
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Change in Reimbursement Rate for Mpox Vaccine
Effective for dates of service on or after February 1, 2023, DHCS will no longer reimburse the administration of mpox vaccines (JYNNEOS) based on the enhanced Medicare rate approved by the U.S. Federal Government since the mpox public health emergency has ended.
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Updated Payor Profiles for 2023
CMA’s Center for Economic Services has published updated profiles on each of the major payors in California including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Medi-Cal and Medicare (Noridian). Each profile includes key information on health plan market penetration; a description of the plan’s dispute resolution process; and the name and contact numbers for medical directors, provider relations, and other key contacts. Available for free to members.
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Podcasts: Managing Stress
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and Dr. Neha Sangwan, founder of Intuitive Intelligence, joins the AMA STEPS Forward® podcast for two episodes focused on how to navigate conflict and challenging emotions in How to Master Communicating with the Most Challenging Personalities in Your Life (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) and How to Handle Challenging Emotions—in Ourselves, Patients, and Those We Lead (Apple Podcasts | Spotify).
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CMA Statement on Texas Judge Ruling to Ban Mifepristone
Donaldo Hernandez, M.D., CMA President, issued the following statement in response to the decision made by a judge in the Amarillo division of the Northern District of Texas in the lawsuit against the FDA over its approval of mifepristone: “The judge’s ruling today is yet another violation of patients’ right to evidence-based reproductive health services and represents a further erosion of the individual’s legitimate right to private health choices. It is a direct attack on the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship and signals that attacks on reproductive freedom will continue well into the foreseeable future...”. Click here to read the full statement.
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Physicians Seeking PSLF Must Have Direct Gov Loan by May 1
Physicians should be aware that to be eligible for the PSLF program and to have past time worked counted towards the program requirements, they must have a direct government loan or consolidate their loans into a direct loan by May 1. Physicians must convert any non-qualifying loans into direct loans, although some non-qualifying loans cannot be converted into direct loans. While it is not mandatory that physicians consolidate their loans, they cannot obtain loan forgiveness without a direct government loan. This is particularly important for physicians with older loans from the FFEL program.
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Internal Medicine Concierge practice for sale, revenue $650,000, located in Napa: Streamlined practice optimizing quality time spent in direct care of patients and minimizing administrative burdens resulted in a consistently high net income, and low practice expenses and patient visits. Patients and physician report high levels of satisfaction. Please contact [email protected] or (415) 516-9009.
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End of the X-Waiver: A New Frontier in Addiction Treatment
Wednesday, April 19 | 10:00 to 11:00 am
Hosted by the National Overdose Prevention Network
The recent elimination of the X-Waiver, a burdensome requirement for clinicians to prescribe addiction treatment, is now gone ... what’s next? Dr. Roneet Lev, an emergency and addiction physician who served as the first Chief Medical Officer of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy joins us for a conversation breaking down the new legislative move, what it means for providers, and steps you can take to get more clinicians to prescribe addiction treatment in your community.
Register here.
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Community Town Hall
Saturday, May 13 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Crosswalk Community Church, 2590 First Street, Napa
The Napa Opioid Safety Coalition (NOSC) and community partners are hosting a community Town Hall to highlight the impact of the opioid epidemic in our community and provide practical prevention tools. Hear more about opioid addiction, illicit fentanyl, local data, and learn how to give the life-saving medication Narcan and how to have important conversations with loved ones suffering from this type of addiction. Visit the many local organizations providing valuable resources from 11:30-12:30 p.m. in between sessions.
Register for the English session, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for the Spanish session, 12:30-2 p.m.
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The 2023 NSMS Awards Gala & Casino Night
Friday, May 19 | 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Eagle Vines Golf Club, American Canyon
Join over a hundred physicians, health care leaders and special guests for an evening of entertainment as we celebrate the following individuals:
- Haroon Mojaddidi, M.D. - Physician of the Year (Solano)
- Colleen Townsend, M.D. - Physician of the Year (Napa)
- Karen Relucio, M.D. - Professor Emeritus
- Eugene Eisenberg, M.D. - Lifetime Achievement
Stay after the awards ceremony to try your hand at blackjack, poker, craps and more. Gamble with complimentary chips, then turn them into raffle tickets for a shot at great prizes. Past raffle prizes have included hot air balloon rides, SF Giants and Golden State Warriors memorabilia, wine train dinners, golf rounds, and more. This event is free for NSMS members +1 guest.
Register here.
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Health IT: Powering Value-Based Care
Monday, May 22 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sacramento, CA | Free for CMA members
Save the date for CMA’s first annual healt IT conference. The conference will bring together thought leaders from across California and the nation to explore the intersection of technology and payment reform. CMA expects a diverse set of attendees that will include physicians, medical groups and IPAs, health plans, health information organizations (HIOs) and others who will take the learnings from this conference to change how care is delivered in this state.
Register here.
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Please contact NSMS at [email protected] or (707) 255-3622 with any questions or concerns you have. | | | | |
