NYCU August 15, 2023 August 22, 2023 Champions for Health, CMA, CMA Benefits, COVID-19, Infectious Disease, Member Social, Mental Health, Practice Management, Public Health, SDCMS 0 TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023 PHYSICIANS: Today the California Medical Association’s grassroots campaign for our sponsored bill, SB 598, to support Prior Authorization Reform, will launch. Here’s the link to the campaign: cmadocs.org/sb598 Your help is needed! This is an urgent priority that affects all California physicians. The bill will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee soon, we want to illustrate the overwhelming support from physicians to reduce the prior authorization burdens. Please note that CMA has won a significant victory in expanding the Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program for California physicians who were previously blocked from participating in the program. The new program started on July 1, 2023. It provides loan forgiveness for physicians who work in nonprofit hospitals, foundations, clinics, or other health care entities 30 hours/week for approximately 10 years. It will also help many medical groups recruit more physicians to California. CMA has published a guide to help physicians navigate the program. The most up–to–date version of this guide will always be posted at cmadocs.org/pslf. UCSD Reas Memory lab is currently conducting a research study looking to investigate the effects of long–COVID (i.e. brain fog, insomnia, fatigue, etc.) in older adults. More specifically, how long–COVID may impact brain structure and whether these changes are associated with impaired ability to think/concentrate in daily life. This study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood testing, and genetic information to investigate the impact of COVID–19 on brain structure and function in older age. Some of the risk factors and brain changes associated with COVID–19 are shared with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. More research is needed to understand if COVID–19 may contribute to risk for cognitive decline or dementia. UCSD Reas Memory lab is looking for participants who are 55 years or older and either had a prior COVID–19 infection with lingering “brain fog” or do not have thinking complaints related to COVID–19 infection. The study imposes no cost on eligible participants and provides $100 in compensation when completed. Contact Reas Memory lab via email at reaslab@health.ucsd.edu for more information. The Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) program at the UC San Diego School of Public Health and School of Medicine is presenting two upcoming webinars on ‘Screening and Management of Age and Medically–Related Driving Impairments. This course trains clinicians to assess patients for medical conditions and medications which can adversely affect driving fitness. Risk management issues will be discussed, including the mandated California DMV reporting requirements of impairing conditions. The course is also available as a one–hour tutorial to be taken individually. You can find the tutorial HERE. Email TREDS@ucsd.edu with any questions, or to request a class! Click below to register for one of their upcoming Zoom webinars: Wednesday, August 30th from 7:30–8:30 am Thursday, August 31st from 12:15–1:15 pm An Important Reminder: SDCMS in partnership with The Doctors Company is sponsoring two FREE webinars this Fall with 1 CME Credit available for participation in each webinar. On Wednesday, September 20th, from 6:00–7:00pm, is ‘Managing the Noncompliant and Nonadherent Patient’. The increase in noncompliant and nonadherent patients is a concerning issue for healthcare professionals. They must evaluate patients who do not follow recommendations for tests, lab, follow up appointments, and referrals to specialists. You can REGISTER HERE for this webinar. On November 8th, 2023, is the other FREE webinar sponsored by SDCMS and TDC from 6:00–7:00pm, on ‘Strategies to Enhance the Patient Experience and Reduce Your Risk’. This program will focus on the role of communication and introduce strategies to enhance the patient’s experience. Patients with higher satisfaction may be less likely to have problems and complaints. You can REGISTER HERE for this webinar. A Fun Reminder! SDCMS and the Padres are partnering up to honor your contributions to the community during Healthcare Appreciation Weekend. Please join us along with your physician colleagues and their families as the Padres take on the SF Giants at PETCO Park! This special event is happening on Saturday evening, September 2, 2023 at Petco Park. First pitch at 5:40 PM. Plus, as a special gift each Theme Game package ticket includes a limited–edition retractable badge reel. Tickets are limited and RSVPs are required, so REGISTER SOON. Hope to see you there. As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO WHAT TO KNOW … That Summer Flu? It’s Probably COVID CLICK HERE CDC Reports Uptick in COVID Hospitalizations and Death CLICK HERE How Heat Makes Health Inequity Worse, Hitting People with Risks Like Diabetes Harder CLICK HERE Long–Term Exposure to Particulates from Wildfire Smoke Linked to Dementia Risk, New Study Finds CLICK HERE Percentage of US Adults with Long COVID Falls to 6%: CDC CLICK HERE As Drug Shortage List Grows, Many Hospitals Face Tough Decisions on Rationing Care CLICK HERE Your Own Exorbitant Medical Bill, Brought to You by the Latest Hospital Merger CLICK HERE Parents See Their Own Health Spiral, as Their Kids’ Mental Illnesses Worsen CLICK HERE Suicides Hit All–Time High in 2022: CDC Data CLICK HERE CDC Director Overhauls Leadership of Center that Oversaw Response to COVID–19 CLICK HERE WHAT TO DO … SEP 2, 2023: 5:40pm, PETCO Park, San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants. Join your fellow physicians at this SDCMS Event as the Padres honor San Diego’s physicians for ‘Healthcare Appreciation Weekend’. Plus, as a special gift each Theme Game package ticket includes a limited–edition retractable badge reel. Tickets are limited and RSVPs are required so please register soon! CLICK HERE SEP 7-10, 2023: Association of Indian American Physicians 51st Annual Meeting & Health Conference, Nation Building for the Next 50 Years: Empowering and Transforming Native Health and Healers’. Paradise Point Resort & Spa, 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego CLICK HERE SEP 12, 2023: 12-1pm, FREE Webinar, sponsored by CMA, ‘Virtual Grand Rounds: Updated Communicable Disease Guidance for School. Just as school is getting back into session, CDPH has published a comprehensive Communicable Disease Guidance for Schools. The guidelines, created in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, will be an important resource for clinicians, educatiors and administrators, and parents. Sohil Sud, MD, a pediatrician who led the charge will present the guidelines along with several team members. Additionally, CA State Epidemiologist Erica Pan, MD, MPH, will present updates on COVID–19 and the current status of vaccine recommendations for the Fall. 1 CME Credit available CLICK HERE SEP 14-15, 2023: San Jose Marriott, ‘Health Equity Leadership Summit’, sponsored by Physicians for a Healthy California. This event provides an opportunity for physicians, executives, advocates and allies to find community, engage in hands–on trainings and workshops, and hold in–depth conversations about how they are addressing the issue of health equity in California through their care of underserved communities throughout the state. Attendees will leave feeling energized and inspired to continue their important work to improve the lives of all Californians. Early Bird for Members is $225 and $249 for Non–Members, Full Price is $249 for Members and $299 for Non–Members, $99 for Students/Residents. A room block has also been secured CLICK HERE SEP 20, 2023: 6–7pm, FREE Webinar, sponsored by SDCMS and TDC, ‘Managing the Noncompliant and Nonadherent Patient’. The increase in noncompliant and nonadherent patients is a concerning issue for healthcare professionals. They must evaluate patients who do not follow recommendations for tests, lab, follow up appointments, and referrals to specialists. Noncompliant and nonadherent patients are often associated with a variety of chronic and acute issues that need to be identified for treatment. Medical record documentation must reflect identification of patients who do not follow recommendations for treatment and follow up. Documentation is important to respond to health plan grievances, to respond to Medical Board complaints, and serves to support dismissal of a patient if warranted. 1 CME Credit available CLICK HERE OCT 12, 2023: 12:15–1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, ‘CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series #5 — How to Optimize Your Practice’s Workflows for Data Exchange’. Starting January 31, 2023, California Health & Human Services Agency (CHHS) is launching the CHHS Data Exchange Framework. Over the next 3 years this Framework will require all CA physician practices to exchange data with other practices, health plans, hospitals, and others. To help physicians prepare CMA has partnered with CHHS and developed the ‘CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series’ to walk practices through various considerations in implementing robust data exchange. This webinar reviews best practices to ensure secure, timely, and accurate data exchange day–in and day–out. Also receive an update on the latest DxF developments and important dates practices will need to know CLICK HERE NOV 8, 2023: 6–7pm, FREE Webinar, sponsored by SDCMS and TDC, ‘Strategies to Enahnce the Patient Experience and Reduce Your Risk’. This program will focus on the role of communication and introduce strategies to enhance the patient’s experience. Patients with higher satisfaction may be less likely to have problems and complaints. We’ll illustrate risks using closed malpractice case studies and provide information to reduce and avoid risks in medical record documentation. 1 CME Credit available CLICK HERE DEC 14, 2023: 12:15–1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, ‘CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series #6 — Incentives and Other Funding Opportunities for Data’. Starting January 31, 2023, California Health & Human Services Agency (CHHS) is launching the CHHS Data Exchange Framework. Over the next 3 years this Framework will require all CA physician practices to exchange data with other practices, health plans, hospitals, and others. To help physicians prepare CMA has partnered with CHHS and developed the ‘CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series’ to walk practices through various considerations in implementing robust data exchange. This webinar provides an overview of grant funding opportunities for technical assistance and connecting to a Qualified Health Information Organization to support practices meeting their DSA Requirements CLICK HERE WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH … CMA in the Courts READ HERE Podcast ‘What the Health?’ On Abortion Rights, Ohio is the New Kansas LISTEN HERE Champions for Health & TDC’s Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series ‘Innovations and Smart Approaches in Safe Prescibing’ to Help Fulfill DEA Training Requirements (Modules 1–5) WATCH HERE CMA Webinar: Telehealth Reimbursement and Privacy Laws: COVID–19 Emergency WATCH HERE CMA Webinar: What is Value–Based Care and What Does it Mean for My Practice? WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 1) WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 2) WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Best Practice: Documenting Disruptive Patient Behavior WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Understanding Malpractice Risks for NPs, PAs, and Supervising Physicians WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: COVID–19 for the Long Haul: Post COVID Recovery and Care WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: How to Avoid Being Reported to the Medical Board WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Understanding the Risks: How to Dismiss a Patient from Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Wellness WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Biosimilars Overview & Policy Landscape WATCH HERE Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series on Dementia WATCH HERE Please Consider Supporting Our Advertisers … Thank You! Comments are closed.