Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It

March 3, 2023

Celebrate Spring with a Hike


Join fellow physicians or bring the family for a guided hike on Saturday, March 25 from 10 am to 1 pm. Explore the hills between Suisun Valley and Green Valley and see sweeping views of Solano County on a hike led by Solano Land Trust docents. This event is open to all physicians and their families at no cost. The hike will be easy to moderate in difficulty, 4-6 miles total. Learn more or register here.

What the End of the PHE Means for Physicians


After three years of pandemic operations, both the State of California and the federal government are winding down the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). CMA has published a guide – End of the COVID-19 Emergency: What Physicians Need to Know – to help physicians navigate the end of the state’s emergency authority.  

 

Additionally, as the PHE comes to an end, Medi-Cal providers who were temporarily and provisionally enrolled as Medi-Cal providers who wish to remain enrolled after March 29 must submit a complete application for their provider type and meet all program requirements. Read more here

Help Us Advocate for You


Prior authorization: Help us ensure California policy puts patients first. Tell us about your frustrations with prior authorizations and administrative burden. 

Medi-Cal: How has your experience been with the Medi-Cal system? Whether good or bad, we want to hear how Medi-Cal impacts you and your patients. 

COVID-19 Treatment and Updates



Effective immediately, DHCS will no longer require prior authorization for the reimbursement of Remdesivir (Veklury) as a pharmacy benefit. Have additional questions on treatment? This FAQ document addresses your questions regarding prescribing treatments for COVID, Paxlovid, home rapid tests, and more. You may also call the COVID-19 Provider Warmline at 1-866-268-4322 (866-COVID-CA) for free and confidential consultation on COVID testing and treatment.

Data Exchange Framework Webinar


On January 31, CHHS launched the California Data Exchange Framework (DxF). Over the next three years, this framework will require all physician practices in this state to exchange data with other practices, health plans, hospitals and others. Watch this on demand webinar (the first of a webinar series) from CMA and CHHS to receive a general overview of data exchange – what it is, how it works and what resources exist to help practices along the way. 

Anthem’s Denial of Claims for Emergency Services



CMA has submitted a formal complaint with the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) regarding Anthem Blue Cross’ ongoing pattern of denying payment for emergency department services in violation of California law. “Anthem cannot be allowed to profit from unpaid emergency services provided to its enrollees. DMHC must take swift action to ensure that Anthem complies with California laws designed to protect health care consumers and providers” wrote CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran.  

Tobacco Cessation Resources for Physicians


Physicians for a Healthy California has partnered with CA Quits to provide you with free tobacco cessation resources and learning opportunities. 1) For your patients: Refer patients to Kick It CA, which offers free counseling to stop using tobacco, including vaping products. Start here. 2) For your learning: Watch eight brief 15-30 minute videos about tobacco treatment by UC faculty (claim up to 3.0 CME credits). 3) For your quality improvement efforts: Implement components of the CA Quits Healthcare Systems Toolkit in your clinic.

CLASSIFIED

ENT Update: Doctors Joyce Colton House and G. Lois Montague are thrilled to announce the launch of Napa Valley ENT, a new division of BASS. We are pleased to welcome two new ENT physicians, Doctors Fissenden and Pingree. For more information, please visit www.napavalleyent.com.

Contact: info@napavalleyent.com. Ph 707-251-3608 Fax 707-251-1727 

WEBINARS & EVENTS

Natural History and Pathophysiology of COVID-19

Wednesday, March 8 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm 

Hosted by ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) 

 

The COVID-19 Test to Treat Equity ECHO assists clinics and community-based sites in implementation of their own Test to Treat programs. This series occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month with presentations by expert faculty and a moderated Q&A panel discussion.  

 

Register here

AMA Recovery Plan: Addressing Physician Burnout 

Thursday, March 9 | 9:00 am 

 

Join AMA President Jack Resneck, Jr., MD, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, and a panel of physician wellness experts: Anjalee Galion, MD; Nigel Girgrah, MD; and Christine Sinsky, MD, as they discuss the symptoms and drivers of physician burnout and examine solutions to address this crisis. Speakers will share their experiences, analyze the latest research and its implications for our nation’s health, and discuss the system-level changes necessary to reduce burnout and restore physician wellness.  

 

Register here

Virtual Grand Rounds: The Changing Landscape of Reproductive Health 

Tuesday, March 14 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm 

Hosted by CMA 

 

This webinar will review the current legal landscape of reproductive healthcare, as well as considerations for health care providers and medical staff as they attempt to navigate this rapidly evolving post-Roe legal landscape. An overview of restrictive state laws' impact on medical education and women's health will also be provided. 

 

Register here

The Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health’s Annual Meeting 

Sunday, March 19 and Monday, March 20 

Virtual or in-person 

 

Join leaders in climate policy and health equity as they provide their perspectives on the opportunities ahead. This year’s Annual Meeting theme is Seize the Moment for Climate Action: Building the Climate and Health Movement. The historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and other recent regional, state, and local climate policy present important new opportunities, but also new challenges, to achieving the goals of their Policy Action Agenda. We need to ensure every medical professional who is willing is empowered and prepared to advocate on the local, state, and federal levels to ensure that these dollars are best spent on climate, health, and equity. 

 

Register here

Guided Nature Hike

Saturday March 25, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


Join us for a hike on Saturday, March 25, at 10 a.m. and see sweeping views of Solano County and beyond. Open to all physicians and their families at no cost, the hike will be easy to moderate in difficulty, 4-6 miles total and led by Solano Land Trust docents. The hike will take place near Rockville Rd. and Suisun Valley Rd. Free for NSMS members + 3 Guests.


Register here.

Leadership Reading and Discussion Group 

Wednesday, April 5 | 6:00 to 7:30 pm 

 

Join Dr. Hilary Worthen, Program Director of the Physician Leadership Program, and fellow physicians for a rich discussion on creating psychological safety in the workplace. Reading the book of the month is not required to join the discussion, however you can access the book to read on your downtime or download the free audiobook (with the 3-month Audible trial) here.  

 

RSVP here

NSMS Movie Night featuring The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Friday, April 7

Century Napa Valley & XD


Bring the family along for a private screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Arrive before showtime to play a Super Mario Bros. quiz and win prizes! This event is free for members +3 guests. Tickets will be reserved on a first-come first-served basis. A waiting list will be generated once all tickets are claimed.


Reserve your spot.

The 2023 NSMS Awards Gala & Casino Night

Friday, May 19 | 6:00 to 9:30 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.

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

NSMS's On-Demand Library


To access all on-demand programs, go to https://www.pathlms.com/medical-society/courses 

 

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?

Please contact NSMS at grogers@napasolanodocs.org or (707) 255-3622with any questions or concerns you have.