Tag: August 19 2020

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Nearly Half of Physicians Believe COVID-19 Will Not Be Under Control Until After June 2021
The Physicians Foundation just released its biennial Survey of America’s Physicians, revealing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physician practices and their patients. The first part of the three-part series findings include:

• The majority (86%) of physicians believe COVID-19 won’t be under control until January 2021, with nearly half (49%) not seeing the virus being under control until after June 1, 2021.
• A majority (72%) of physicians believe that the virus will severely impact patient health outcomes due to delayed routine care during the pandemic
• 59% of physicians see opening businesses, schools and public places as a bigger risk to patients than continuing policies of isolation.

Visit the Physicians Foundation website for more information.

Notes from Governor Cuomo’s Briefing

COVID-19 General:

-Day 172-80k tests
-631 positive / .7%
-12 straight days under 1%
-6 fatalities
-548 hospitalized

-Numbers have been great, but…  “COVID is not over by any stretch of the imagination.” Rails against “feelings of complacency.”  “I understand the duality of the truth here.”
-SLA found 5 establishments in violation last night.
-Again calls on local gov’t to “do their job.”

COVID & Flu:

-Reiterates the problems associated with lab capacity and COVID testing during the Flu season.  “There is no flex in the system.”
-DOH letter to county health depts: “what plans have you made to perform the necessary flu tests… and COVID tests simultaneously?”
– Letter goes out today. “No easy answer to that riddle.”

Schools:

-References Notre Dame and UNC opening, COVID spread, and closures. Described spread as failure of contact tracing
-Gov suggests school districts look to above examples as lessons to be learned.

DocbookMD Users:  Need to Re-Enroll with Medici
MSSNY members have enjoyed free access to DocBookMD for HIPAA-compliant text messaging with other society members and with their own care teams since 2013.  DocbookMD will soon be known as Medici, reflecting the company’s expansion of services to include the ability for members to offer telemedicine visits to patients.  DocBookMD users will need to re-enroll with Medici before Monday, November 16, 2020 to continue to enjoy free services.

Here’s How to Register for Medici:

1. Click here to begin.  If you are on your phone, you will download and install the Medici app. If you are on a computer, you will complete registration on the web.
2. Select “Create Account”. Click Next.
3. Select “I treat people”. Click Next.
4. Enter your mobile number. Next.
5. Enter your email address.  Next.
6. Create a password. Next.
7. On the next screens, you will enter your NPI number, first and last name, practice address, and specialty.
8. Once you are in the app, you will receive a message to verify your identity. You will take a photo of your driver’s license, and then take a photo of yourself. NOTE: You can skip this step, but will need to complete it before communicating in Medici Connect.
9. Agree to the terms of use and HIPAA privacy policy.

Click here for more information.

AMA Guidance for Physicians and General Public on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2
The AMA sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging HHS to update its SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing guidelines. AMA staff then generated documents for physicians and the general public concerning diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2. The documents provide considerations for responsible use of limited testing resources that physicians and their patients should consider when seeking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic testing.

The supply chain for PCR testing components continues to be under strain, with hospital and academic laboratories continuing to report inconsistent supplies of reagents and viral transport media, as well as new and increasing shortages of plastic components, such as pipette tips. Further, overwhelming demand for PCR diagnostic tests has resulted in delays in the return of test results at large reference laboratories and health departments nationwide.

As these shortages and delays threaten ability to offer care to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, the “Considerations for Ordering PCR Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2” documents were created. The documents are aimed at encouraging physicians and the public to be good stewards of limited resources by prioritizing PCR diagnostic testing services for those with a medical need, such as those with COVID-19 symptoms, those with a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, those in need of pre-procedure testing, and health care workers.

They further suggest that physicians should consider avoiding ordering a PCR diagnostic test for those without a medically-indicated need for those tests, such as for those wishing to participate in social gatherings, wishing to engage in non-essential travel, or wishing to return to work or school. It further notes that the guidelines are subject to change should demand for testing services decrease, supply availability improve, or as availability of new types of testing increases.

Fee Schedules for Medicaid have Been Updated
The Physician Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology, and, Medicine & Drugs, Procedure Codes and Fee Schedules have been updated. For details, click here.

Elegant, Custom Built Home with Unparalleled Craftsmanship – Rhinebeck, NY
Set on 10.6 acres in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Rhinebeck, this stunning home borders Drayton Grant Park at Burger Hill (a conservation land and the highest point in Rhinebeck). Features beautifully landscaped gardens with sweeping hilltop views and a well established vegetable garden and barn. This handsome home is generously proportioned throughout, with an inviting foyer entry with tastefully designed staircase, millwork, high ceilings, cherry wood floors and custom windows.