Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It
January 28, 2022
COVID-19 Updates

  • 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in California since New Year’s Day, however the state’s projection model shows numbers of hospitalizations dropping by half in the next month

  • Solano County reports that 70% of the total population is fully vaccinated, and 43.9% have received a booster as of January 26.  

  • Napa County reports that 74.4% of the total population is fully vaccinated as of January 25. 
CMA Publishes Telehealth Policy Update

As long as the nation continues to be in a public health emergency due to COVID-19, all telehealth policies will remain in effect. Policymakers at the state and federal level are making decisions that will shape the future of telehealth for years to come. CMA published a telehealth policy update highlighting what has been done and what physicians should look out for in 2022.  
CDPH Provides New Webpage, Updates on COVID-19 Treatments

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has created a new landing page on its website with an abundance of new information and updates about COVID-19 treatments. 
Several documents have been updated on the page, including the fact sheets for COVID-19 therapeutics allocated by CDPH. Additionally, CDPH has updated its self-quarantine instructions flyer for exposed individuals. 
CMS Clarifies that ALL Physicians Must Comply with Good Faith Estimate Requirement 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published an FAQ clarifying that the Good Faith Estimate Requirement of the No Surprises Act requires ALL providers and facilities to provide good faith estimates to uninsured and self-pay patients. No specific specialties, facility types, or sites of service are exempt from this requirement. Click here to read more.
HHS Distributing Additional $2B in Provider Relief Fund Payments

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced an additional $2 billion in Provider Relief Find (PRF) Phase 4 payments to providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses incurred due to COVID-19. The PRF portal is now open for the second reporting period for physicians to report use of PRF payments received between July 1, 2020 and December 1, 2020.
CalHealthCares Loan Repayment Program is Now Open 

CalHealthCares administers loan repayment on educational debt for California physicians and dentists who provide care to MediCal patients. Eligible physicians can apply before February 25 for up to $300,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a five-year service obligation. Those who submit their applications by February 4 will receive feedback with the option to revise and resubmit their application. Free webinars to assist in the application process will be held on February 1, February 18. Click here for eligibility requirements and to find out more. 
WEBINARS & EVENTS
Part 1: Tuesday, February 1 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm 
Part 2: Tuesday, February 15 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm 
 
This two-part webinar series hosted by Physicians for a Healthy California helps health care leaders interested in starting a GME program understand the critical components of the strategic and business planning process. Part 1 will highlight the feasibility of GME participation and part 2 will cover the fundamentals of ACGME accreditation. 
 
For more information and to register, click here. 
Leadership Reading and Discussion Group 
Wednesday, February 2 | 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 on the first Wednesday evening of the month. Our next group meets on February 2 to talk about “The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations,” by Robert Livingston.

Email Mae Lum, Deputy Director, at [email protected] to get the Zoom/videoconference link. 
Now Available On-demand | CME Available 
Members – FREE | Non-members - $49 
  
Here is your opportunity to get the latest Medicare updates and information for the new year! Do not be caught short when it comes to knowing what is new for Medicare for the upcoming year, what Medicare will be looking at when reviewing your records, and what your opportunities for new revenue might be when treating your Medicare patients. 
 
Presenter: Mary Jean Sage, CMA-AC 
 
For more information and to register, click here. 
Thursday, February 24 | 12:15 –1:15 pm 
Members – FREE | Non-members $99 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was first enacted in 1996. Although 25 years have passed since the enactment of the regulations, many challenges to compliance still exist. This CMA-hosted webinar will discuss both the privacy and security measures required by HIPAA. You will learn how to assess your clinic for risks of privacy and security incidents and what steps to take to minimize those risks. Lastly, the webinar will provide an overview of a HIPAA breach and the required steps of a breach analysis. 

For more information and to register, click here. 
Wednesday, March 23 | SAFE Credit Union Convention Center 
Registration fee $349 | 20% Discount for CMA Members 
 
The 2022 Northern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference convenes 350 senior health care executives and health policy leaders to address the most pressing health care policy issues. For more information, access the event flyer here. This is an in-person event held in Sacramento. Secure your spot by registering here or call (425) 361-2118 if you are having trouble registering. Save 20% with promo code CMA20. 
NSMS's On-Demand Library

To access all on-demand programs, go to learning.accma.org.

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Please contact NSMS at [email protected] or (707) 255-3622 with any questions or concerns you have.