Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It

April 22, 2022

Alameda County Continues Quarantine Requirements


In alignment with the CDC, Alameda County will continue to require unvaccinated residents to quarantine if they are in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement came after California changed its quarantine requirements. Click here to read the full statement from the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency. 

FQHC, RHC, and Tribal FQHC Providers May Submit Claims for Vaccine Administration


The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved the DHCS State Plan Amendment (SPA 21-0020) for coverage and reimbursement of COVID-19 vaccine administration in a vaccine-only encounter provided by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), Rural Health Centers (RHC) and Tribal FQHCs. The $67 per shot reimbursement rate approved by CMS is retroactive to November 2, 2020. Providers who already billed Medi-Cal for the reimbursement of a COVID-19 vaccine-only encounters and entered a billed amount less than $67 can void and resubmit their claims electronically. Click here to read more.

The Medical Board of CA Recruiting Qualified Board Expert Reviewers


The Medical Board of California (Board) established its Expert Reviewer Program in July 1994 as an impartial and professional means to support its investigation and enforcement functions. Board Expert Reviewers (Experts) assist the Board by providing reviews and opinions on Board cases and conducting physical and mental evaluations. Physicians who reside in California, have full-time active practice in California and meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply to be an expert for the Board. Click here to learn more about the role. Those interested should send a completed application, current CV, and written statement telling the Board why you would like to participate to MBCMedicalExpertProgram@mbc.ca.gov or Medical Board of California, Expert Reviewer Program, 320 Arden Avenue, Ste. 250, Glendale, CA 91203.

CMS Opens Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Process Under the No Surprises Act


On Friday, April 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) opened the long-awaited federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process called for under the No Surprises Act, through which providers and payors can resolve payment disputes for certain out-of-network charges. Browse the CMS webpage for more information, or check their IDR Guidance for Certified IDR Entities document.


The AMA also published a second toolkit to aid physicians in disputing out of network payments.

CMA Files Brief in Federal Court that will Shape California’s Corporate Bar


CMA filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in a case – American Academy of Emergency Medicine Physician Group (AAEMPG) v. Envision Healthcare Corp – that will shape the boundaries of California’s prohibition on the corporate practice of medicine (known as the “corporate bar”). CMA’s amicus brief sought to provide the court with a thorough picture of how Envision’s business model threatens not just the physicians involved in the lawsuit, but, if left unchecked, could provide a roadmap for corporate entities to similarly disempower physicians in every corner of the state. Click here to read more about the lawsuit and find CMA’s amicus brief.

Nominate an Outstanding Psychiatrist for the J. Elliot Royer Award


The J. Elliot Royer Award was established in 1957 by the late J. Elliot Royer, MD, as a bequest in his will. The award recognizes two psychiatrists or neurologists active in the medical field in San Francisco, Alameda or Contra Costa counties who during the year have made the most significant contribution to the advancement of psychiatry or neurology. The award alternates each year between the two specialties. This year, two recipients will be chosen for the cash award: one academic psychiatrist and one community-based practitioner. The nomination deadline is Friday, June 3 at 5 pm. Click here to learn more.

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WEBINARS & EVENTS

Tuesday, April 26 | 12:15 to 1:15 pm 
Free for members | Hosted by CMA 
 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many practices implemented telehealth for the first time. Now, physicians and their patients are starting to think about what happens to telehealth if and when the public health emergency comes to an end. With recent developments at the state and federal level bringing the future into focus, join CMA Vice President of Health Information Technology, David Ford, to hear what the future holds in store for telehealth. 
 
Register here

Thriving in Practice Through Value-Based Care 

Thursday, April 28 | 12:15 to 1:15 pm 

Free for members & non-members | Hosted by CMA 

 

With growing value-based care contracts, more physicians are taking the leap into the world of value-based care, but not all are succeeding. The complexities of managing changing benchmarks, different payor relationships and decreasing fee-for-service revenue is putting a strain on primary care physicians and health centers that have already seen anywhere from a 10-30% decrease in revenue due to the pandemic. In this webinar with CMA Vice President of Health Information Technology David Ford and partner organization Aledade, learn the tools necessary to ensure that your practice or health center takes the steps required to succeed this year. 

 

Register here

Leadership Reading and Discussion Group 
Wednesday, May 4 | 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 Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life,” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.

Email Mae Lum, Deputy Director, at mlum@accma.org to get the Zoom/videoconference link. 
Thursday, May 5 
FREE | Hosted by Physicians for a Healthy California 
 
The GME Leadership Summit aims to develop and sustain new GME programs in medically underserved areas and specialties by convening subject matter experts and thought leaders to provide insight and expertise. All GME champions are invited to attend, especially physician workforce development leaders and those looking to start new GME programs, as well as newly designated institutional officials, program directors and program coordinators. 
 
Register here

Protecting Mental Health in Disasters: COVID-19 and Beyond

Wednesday, May 11 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am

FREE | Hosted by AMA


COVID-19 is the most far-reaching and long-lasting disaster in generations, with a long "tail" of expected mental health effects impacting patients, providers, and their families. Understanding the range of mental health effects and aspects of risk and resilience are critical to effective response and recovery. In this AMA STEPS Forward™ webinar, speaker Joshua C. Morganstein, MD, CAPT, discusses how the use of evidence-based early interventions by individuals, organizations, and leaders can reduce distress, foster resilience, enhance operational sustainment, and help treat psychiatric disorders that may emerge.


Register here.

ACCMA's On-Demand Library

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

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?

Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.orgwith any questions or concerns you have.
  
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