COVID-19 News
Get ready for post-PHE healthcare
Though the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is likely to be extended past Oct. 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is urging physicians, providers, and healthcare entities to get ready for the eventual end of the PHE and most PHE-related flexibilities as soon as possible. Start preparing for the transition by reviewing these three CMS resources:
- A Healthcare System Resiliency Fact Sheet
- Creating a Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Coronavirus Waivers and Flexibilities for Providers
News Briefs
With kids back in Florida schools, doctors stress the importance of vaccines.
Pertinent Information
September is Women in Medicine Month!
The month of September has been designated to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of women in the field of medicine. Through their commitment to excellence, women continue to make an enormous impact across the entire healthcare field. The HCMA would like to take this opportunity to recognize and honor its female physician and medical student members. Thank you for being role models for so many that come after you.
Women in Medicine Reception
Thursday, September 29, 2022
6:00pm - Palma Ceia Country Club
In celebrating the success, talent, and vision of HCMA women physicians, please join us for cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, networking, shopping & raffle prizes! Thank you to our sponsors: Bank of Tampa, Farrior Facial Plastic Surgery, Madelyn Butler, MD, HCMA Past President, Eva Crooke, MD, HCMA President, and Debbie Zorian, HCMA Executive Director. RSVP by clicking here.
Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Physician Leaders
Editor and author Deborah M. Shlian, MD, MBA, profiles 33 exceptional women physicians who have defied the odds. They share their personal and compelling stories — including obstacles and challenges faced in balancing work, family, and personal life — as their career paths take them from clinical medicine to leadership within government, academia, hospitals, provider groups, managed care, pharma, consulting, and entrepreneurial venture. More about the book and how to order.
AMA Recovery Plan for America's Physicians
Why we need a recovery plan for America’s physicians: Physicians will always put the needs of our patients first, even when that means placing ourselves at great risk as was the case during the darkest days of COVID-19. When the nation needed us, we were there. What we ask in return is that our nation reaffirm its commitment to us by embracing the American Medical Association’s Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, which seeks fundamental changes to create a health system that better supports patients and physicians today and over the long run. The AMA and multiple state and national medical societies have outlined a practical, commonsense approach to reforming Medicare physician reimbursement based on the principles of simplicity, relevance, alignment, and predictability. The AMA’s Recovery Plan outlines a five-point strategy to strengthen our physician workforce, recover from the trauma of this pandemic, and improve health care delivery by eliminating some of the most common pain points that threaten to drive physicians from practice.
The DEA is warning of brightly colored fentanyl used to target young Americans
Dubbed “rainbow" fentanyl, this trend appears to be a new method used by Mexican drug cartels to sell the deadly drug made to look like candy to children. Read more.
USF Health, Tampa General Hospital pioneer next generation of non-invasive surgeries
USF Health and Tampa General Hospital are at the forefront of cutting-edge surgical techniques that reduce or eliminate the need for cutting patients open. These minimally invasive procedures deliver life-changing treatments to patients who are too high risk for traditional surgery. They can turn major surgeries with extensive recovery times into outpatient procedures. Read more.
Florida Covering Kids & Families
Florida has led the nation in the number of people enrolled in the federal health care exchange through the arduous work of Florida Covering Kids & Families at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health. Headed by Jodi Ray, Florida Covering Kids & Families has partnered with organizations from across the state to provide navigator services and collectively operates under the Covering Florida moniker. For years it has been the only navigator program in the state to receive money from the federal government. Recently, the Biden administration announced it would earmark $12,908,382 to USF and Florida Covering Kids & Families for navigator services across the state.
Naloxone kits will be available through county health departments
The plan is for health departments in all 67 counties to have kits with two Narcan nasal sprays that can be administered without a health care provider. Read more.
At-home test for oral/throat cancer launched in US
A few weeks ago, a home test for oral and throat cancer was launched in the United States, and it is being marketed directly to the general public, aimed at former or current tobacco users and anyone 50 years or older. Read more.
Marijuana use is outpacing cigarette use for the first time on record.
Cigarette use has been trending downward during the past decades, with only 11% of Americans saying they smoke them in a poll conducted July 5 to 26, compared to 45% in the mid-1950s. Sixteen percent of Americans say they smoke marijuana, with 48% saying they have tried it at some point in their lives. In 1969, only 4% of Americans said they smoked marijuana. Read more.
Medical/Legal Notes
Presented by HCMA Benefit Provider, The Florida Healthcare Law Firm:
So what exactly does a death and disability clause do? It protects you, your family and/or your estate from liability under your lease in the event of your death or disability. It allows you or the entity through which you lease space (the “tenant”) to be relieved of all obligations under the lease. Without including such language, the tenant will remain obligated to perform all the terms under the lease, including, for example, paying monthly rent and common area maintenance expenses. Read more.
Disasters often occur with little to no warning
Fires and tornadoes can destroy a home or business in minutes, and hurricanes and other extreme weather events can leave a community without power for days. The American Red Cross is committed to helping communities prepare for emergencies both big and small, and as disaster season approaches, please take a look at some of the resources they have put together to help you be ready for what may come. Whether you’ll need to evacuate your home or shelter in place, preparing now can make a huge difference when the unexpected occurs. First and foremost, assess whether your emergency preparedness kit is ready. Every family should have an emergency preparedness kit to ensure they can meet their daily needs. This checklist will help you put together an emergency preparedness kit.
HCMA Database & Website - New and Improved!
In order to make use of our innovative new database and all of its features, all HCMA members need to create a password for their profile.
By setting up your profile, it will ensure that you have full access to our website in which you can update your office information, your home mailing address, RSVP to our events, pay dues, and receive all future correspondence from the HCMA.
Please follow these few simple steps to set up your profile:
- Log in to your HCMA account at www.hcma.net
- Click the orange sign-in icon located in the upper right-hand corner
- Enter your email address - IF YOU HAVE NOT CREATED A PASSWORD YET, click the "forgot password" link and follow the instructions.
If you have any questions please contact Anni Blackwell.
