November 11, 2022

Medicare Participation Status: Changes Required by Dec. 31



The deadline to make changes to your Medicare participation status for 2023 is December 31. As always, physicians have three choices: be a participating provider, be a non-participating provider, or opt out of Medicare entirely. If you want to change your participation status for 2023 you must submit a signed form to Noridian, postmarked by Dec. 31. All changes will go into effect January 1. 

Xylazine Found in Illicit Drugs Poses Risks to Patients



The FDA is warning health care providers to be cautious of possible xylazine inclusion in fentanyl, heroin, and other illicit drug overdoses, as naloxone may not be able to reverse its effects. Xylazine is FDA-approved for use in animals as a sedative and pain reliever. Xylazine is not safe for use in humans and may result in serious and life-threatening side effects that appear to be similar to those commonly associated with opioid use, making it difficult to distinguish opioid overdoses from xylazine exposure. 

Physician Payment Schedule: Resources from AMA

On November 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (MPS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) final rule. Please find a summary from AMA as well as a specialty impact table that includes the 3% cut which without Congressional action is scheduled to start January 1. 

Learn How Physicians Can Reduce Gun Violence



CMA has partnered with UC Davis BulletPoints Project on a free online CME course to help physicians reduce the risk of firearm-related injury and death. This hour-long on demand training will teach you how to identify at-risk patients and how to intervene depending on the type and level of risk of firearm violence. Access the webinar here. 

Implementing Community-Level Policies to Prevent Alcohol Misuse



The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently released a guide for the prevention of alcohol misuse. Developed for policymakers, health departments, coalitions, prevention practitioners, communities, and other stakeholders, this guide focuses on evidence-based, community-level policies to prevent alcohol misuse among youth and adults by working to change or influence community conditions, systems, and behaviors. This guide also highlights how three U.S. communities have implemented one or more of the policies presented. Access the full guide and guide overview here.

Stay in the Loop: Medi-Cal Rx

Keep updated with Medi-Cal updates by visiting the Medi-Cal providers news page. Find weekly wrap-ups and pertinent news for Medi-Cal providers. This week’s alerts included updates for Reject Codes 75 and 80, as well as changes to the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (PACT) Pharmacy Formulary. 

Bay Area Physician Wellness Collaborative 

Tuesday, November 15 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm 

FREE | CME Available | Online 

Join a roundtable of your colleagues – leaders from medical groups, hospital medical staffs, residency programs and other physician organizations – to learn and share how to apply the organizational culture and practice changes that can reduce physician burnout and drive professional fulfillment. 

The next meeting of the collaborative will focus on creating a center or committee for physician wellbeing within your organization. Learn about self-care support systems, peer support resources, mental health referrals and consultation services, life-needs support mechanisms, and other comprehensive wellbeing resources. This collaborative is by invitation only; please click here to indicate your interest in joining the collaborative. 

Protect Your Practice and Patients from Cyberattacks 

Wednesday, November 16 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm 

Hosted by the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) 

This free webinar will help you and your staff avoid dangerous cyberattacks that can result in stolen protected health information (PHI), HIPAA violations and penalties, identify theft, practice closure, and much more. Learn the latest cybersecurity strategies to stay HIPAA compliant and safeguard your practice against significant reputational and financial damage. 

Register here. 

Making a Difference in 10 Minutes: Motivational Interviewing for Substance Use Disorders

Tuesday, November 29 | 12:15 to 1:15 pm 

Hosted by CMA 

Motivational interviewing (MI) may have more research to support its effectiveness than most medications and using it increases the chances our interactions with patients will be more rewarding, more connected and less argumentative. MI is applicable to any behavior change, has been studied cross-culturally, and employs some strategies that can actually shorten some visit types. In this practical workshop, you'll get a brief overview of the most current and compelling research on MI and substance use disorders (SUD); learn the five most powerful strategies for helping patients struggling with SUD or other behavior changes; and learn two anti-growth statements to avoid saying to patients to increase the likelihood of positive care outcomes. 

Register here.

Crashing the Clinical Encounter 

Tuesday, December 6 | 5:00 to 6:00 pm 

Hosted by the Nocturnists, CMA 

This virtual storytelling workshop will explore political, legal, and corporate intrusion in the exam room, and its impact on the clinician-patient relationship. The Nocturnists medical storytelling podcast and live show amplifies physician voices by helping them tell their stories and enabling them to speak publicly about the fears, doubts, and joys that shape their personal and professional lives. 

Register here. 

NSMS Holiday Party

Friday, December 9 | 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Downtown Napa | Free for members + 1 guest

Enjoy complimentary food and wine along the Napa River at Vinoce & Twenty Rows on December 9th. Join fellow physicians from across Napa and Solano counties for a casual and fun event as we say goodbye to 2022 and prepare to ring in the new year! The only agenda will be eating delicious food, drinking great wine and saying hello to new and old friends. 

Register here.