Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It
January 14, 2022
COVID-19 Updates

  • American Hospital Association urges Biden and HHS to extended COVID-19 emergency declarations set to expire March 1 

  • Solano County reports that 69% of the total population is fully vaccinated as of January 10.  

  • Napa County reports that 73.8% of the total population is fully vaccinated as of January 12. 
CDC Webinar on Oral Antiviral Medications

Subject matter experts from CDC, FDA and NIH review when to prescribe antiviral medications including patient assessment, how to have a risk-benefit discussion to address patient questions or concerns, and how to prioritize patients if medications are in short supply. Access the on-demand training here. 
Beware of ‘Contempt of Court’ Scam Calls 

Several NSMS members have recently reported receiving a scam call from someone pretending to work for law enforcement and seeking payment from the physician for failing to appear as a witness in court. The caller ID may display the name of a local law enforcement department. Please be cautious when receiving calls or making payments to unknown numbers. If you have any questions, please contact NSMS at 707-255-3622.
Board of Pharmacy Issues Guidance on Written Scripts

NSMS has received reports of pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions not transmitted electronically since the electronic prescribing mandate took effect January 1, 2022. The Board of Pharmacy (BOP) has clarified that pharmacists can fill a legally valid written, oral or faxed prescription if the only issue is that the prescription was not received electronically. Click here to learn more and find BOP’s guidance. 
CMA Continues to Fight No Suprises Act

CMA has filed joint amicus curiae briefs in support of two lawsuits challenging federal regulators’ approach to dispute resolution under the No Surprises Act. Both lawsuits take issue with the fact that federal agencies responsible for implementing the act failed to follow clear direction from Congress on how arbiters should resolve surprise billing disputes between physicians and insurers. To learn more about the federal surprise billing law, register for CMA's webinar on January 19 at 12:15 pm.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Updated

Congress recently passed a law that stopped all but 0.75% of the 10% Medicare payment cuts. Find the updated 2022 Medicare Physician Fee schedule here. For more information on the current CMS policy as outlined in the updated scheduled, attend CMA’s free webinar on January 26 at 12:15 pm. 
CMA Statement on CA Governor’s Proposed Budget

CMA issued a statement on Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for 2022-23, highlighting that this will position California as the first state in the nation to fully realize universal health care access and coverage. Click here for CMA’s summary of the budget proposal. 
WEBINARS & EVENTS
On Demand Webinar  
Free | CME Available | Presented by CMA and California Department of Public Health 
  
This one hour and 50-minute virtual program features experts sharing how to advance health equity by screening patients for prediabetes and referring them to the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Participants will also learn how to identify and overcome barriers to screening and referral. 
  
Register here.
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.