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Monday Rx: Governor's Budget Revision, Gun Violence, Nominations, Provider Relief Reporting Extension and Upcoming Events

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Governor’s May Budget Revision

CMA issued a statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised May budget and, in summary, stated that “the governor’s proposal recognizes the sacrifices our health care workforce has made over the course of the pandemic. As we enter the third year of the pandemic and our health care workforce continues to face the unprecedented crisis head-on, we applaud the governor’s plan to provide payments to retain our frontline health care workers and to boost funding for vaccinations that will protect patients and keep our communities safe and healthy. 

The governor’s proposed budget includes important investments to reduce disparities in the health care system and improve access to and quality of care for children’s preventative health, maternity care, women’s reproductive health and integrated behavioral health services.”

Read the full statement here.

Two More Shootings as Gun Violence Continues to Plague Us

With the horrific events in Buffalo, New York and Orange County, conversations continue relative to hate crimes, gun violence as a public health crisis and the toll these and other incidents are having on our nation’s psyche, the victims, first responders and medical providers. For perspective, Dr. Megan Ranney penned an op/ed for Time magazine in 2021 which is still relevant today. Dr. Ranney is an emergency physician currently serving as the Warren Alpert Endowed Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Read the op/ed here.

A message from our President Dr. Jeffery Lee:

We are saddened to hear of the tragic death of Dr. John Cheng who was shot and killed yesterday at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Orange County. Dr. Cheng heroically confronted the gunman during that attack and allowed others to disarm the shooter.

Dr. Cheng was a sports medicine physician with South Coast Medical Group. Doctors often sacrifice their time and energy to help save lives, but rarely are we called to the level of courage and sacrifice that Dr. Cheng displayed.

The LACMA community stands firmly against all gun violence. Additionally, we stand against any violence directed toward a people group based on race, country of origin, faith or political stance, as well as sexual orientation or gender identity.

Dr. Cheng is a hero whom yesterday gave all to save the lives of many. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Cheng's family and loved ones as they grieve his loss.

Nominations for 2022-2023 Councils and Committees

CMA’s Board of Trustees, via its Committee on Nominations, is seeking recommendations for physicians who are interested in and willing to serve on its standing Councils and Subcommittees for 2022-2023. 

Click here to learn more.

HRSA to Allow Late Period 2 Provider Relief Fund Reporting Through May 18

The deadline for providers to request to submit a late Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Period 2 report has been extended to May 18, 2022, at 11:59 pm ET.

Providers who received one or more payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, during a “payment received period” are required to report in each applicable “reporting time period.” The second reporting period spanned from July 1, 2020, thru December 31, 2020, and included physicians who see patients with Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage.

Physicians who received more than $10,000 in provider relief funds and did not submit their Period 2 report must act immediately by submitting the Request to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances Form.

Physician practices should have received information about how to submit a request directly from HRSA via email. Practices that did not submit a Period 2 report and do not receive an email can call HRSA at (866) 569-3522 to initiate the process.

When completing the late reporting request, a provider must choose an extenuating circumstance(s) that prevented compliance with the original reporting deadline. 

Allowable extenuating circumstances are:

  • Severe illness or death – a severe medical condition or death of a provider or key staff member responsible for reporting hindered the organization’s ability to complete the report during the Reporting Period.
  • Impacted by natural disaster – a natural disaster occurred during or in close proximity of the end of the Reporting Period damaging the organization’s records or information technology. 
  • Lack of receipt of reporting communications – an incorrect email or mailing address on file with HRSA prevented the organization from receiving instructions prior to the Reporting Period deadline.
  • Failure to click “submit” – the organization registered and prepared a report in the PRF Reporting Portal but failed to take the final step to click “submit” prior to deadline.
  • Internal miscommunication or error – Internal miscommunication or error regarding the individual who was authorized and expected to submit the report on behalf of the organization and/or the registered point of contact in the PRF Reporting Portal.
  • Incomplete Targeted Distribution payments – the organization’s parent entity completed all General Distribution payments, but a Targeted Distribution(s) was not reported on by the subsidiary.

While attesting to an extenuating circumstance is required, no supporting document or proof is required. If HRSA approves the extenuated circumstances form, the provider will receive a notification to proceed with completing the Reporting Period 2 report shortly thereafter. More information is available here.

The American Medical Association, the California Medical Association (CMA) and others in organized medicine are advocating for greater flexibility and more information to ensure physician practices have an adequate opportunity to come into compliance.

Physicians who need assistance can call CMA's Center for Economic Services at (800) 762-4262 or economicservices@cmadocs.org.

Free Webinar: Managing Your Online Reputation

Recent patient survey data reports that over 70% of patients use online reviews to evaluate and select a new healthcare provider*. Because negative online reviews, even when unmerited, can hurt a practice’s reputation, managing a strong online presence is more important than ever. Join the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) for a webinar that will provide step-by-step guidance for building and maintaining a strong, influential online presence to help you grow your practice.

Register Now

5 Steps to Successfully Managing Your Online Reputation

Date: Wednesday, May 25

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT

This webinar will cover:

  • Where reviews are listed online, and how they impact your practice
  • Tactics for gathering and sharing more patient reviews
  • How to influence patients to write stronger reviews
  • The dangers of ignoring negative comments

The webinar will be presented by the marketing experts at Patient Pop and followed by audience Q&A. All registrants will receive the recording and slides once they are available. CAP is pleased to present this program in association with our county medical society partners statewide.

As a leading provider of superior medical malpractice coverage in California for more than 40 years, CAP remains committed to providing physicians with secure and affordable protection and relevant practice and risk management resources, such as these webinars, to help them run a successful practice.

To learn more about becoming a CAP member, please call 800-356-5672 or email MD@CAPphysicians.comRequest an Instant Quote today to see how much you can save on medical malpractice coverage through CAP.

Southern California Homelessness: Preventive Strategies and Solutions

This virtual community conversation will consist of policymakers and service providers.

Topics of discussion include:

  • Homeless crisis challenges in southern California
  • Strategies to support the homeless population
  • The impact of homelessness on foster youth

Date: Wednesday, May 18th

Time:10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Register here.

A Case Study: Fraud Enforcement in Medicare Advantage

This joint education program will address emerging issues for providers and healthcare lawyers. 

Government financial recovery actions are not new. However, under newer legislation, the penalties for wrongdoing have been markedly increased. These increased penalties have made the recovery actions more appealable for government activity, and more onerous for provider and plans alike. 

This presentation will feature attorneys from all sides doing an analysis of the Sutter case, as to the cause, and the result of the legal action.

Providers and plans are invited and encouraged to attend to hopefully find out how to avoid such actions, or alternatively, the best approach to effectively deal with such action.

Date: May 19, 2022

Time: 5:30 - 6:00 pm Registration | 6:00 - 8:00 pm Program

2 hrs. MCLE and CE Credits (Including 1 hour Legal Ethics)

Register here.

Building Emotional Strength in Kids

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns in youth. 

2. Increase protective factors and develop strengths in youth to encourage positive mental health trajectories.

3. Learn evidence-based strategies for helping youth build coping and resilience skills.

4. Offer critical insights and best practices for parents, 1st responders, educators, and their support staff in caring for children. 

5. Discuss how collective trauma has impacted children and the lives they lead.

6. Address the importance of being trauma-informed when communicating and caring for children. 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the California Medical Association (CMA) through the joint providership of the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. and “Los Angeles County Medical Association”. The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. is accredited by CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. designates this internet live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Date: May 25, 2022

Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm 

Location: Zoom

This program qualifies for 1 CME credit.

Register here.

#MondayMotivation

"Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together."

Gustavo Friederichsen

Chief Executive Officer

Los Angeles County Medical Association

“If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”

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