On April 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an interim final rule making additional policy changes in response to COVID-19. Among several changes, and reflecting AAFP advocacy, CMS is increasing reimbursement for the telephonic E/M visits (CPT codes 99441-99443) to the same rate as regular, in-office E/M visits (99212-99214). This would […]
Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order this week affecting Medi-Cal and the California Children’s Services program. The executive order will allow fair hearings to continue for California Children’s Services on grievances and appeals to take place by phone or video conference. Additionally, the order will ensure flexibility to continue providing mental health care services and […]
Survey highlights pressure on front-line physicians San Francisco – The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) is urging lawmakers to consider the impact the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is having on primary care physician practices across the state. “A recently released national study says that almost 80 percent of primary care clinicians are experiencing ‘severe’ or ‘close to […]
By CAFP Lobbyist Bryce Docherty Mid-March amid the COVID-19 scare, the Legislature abruptly adjourned under duress for the first time in over 150 years. Prior to heading back to their districts to shelter-in-place, the Legislature swiftly passed an appropriation giving Governor Gavin Newsom a $1.1 billion blank check for myriad COVID-19 crisis relief efforts. Subsequently […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed "significant cracks in our country's primary care system" that Congress must address with targeted funding, the AAFP said in an April 13 letter. Legislation should address hazard pay for primary care physicians, including residents; advance payments that continue through March 2021; expanded primary care insurance coverage; and insurance market stabilization. […]
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a wide-ranging executive order this week, giving the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) the authority to temporarily loosen restrictions on staff-to-patient ratios at medical facilities and scope of practice rules for nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA). The Director of DCA, Kimberly Kirchmeyer, said the state would give hospitals […]
The Governor announced a new website this week, https://covid19.ca.gov/healthcorps/, to encourage clinicians not currently in the workforce to help the State address an anticipated COVID-19 surge. Those who register will be paid and given malpractice insurance coverage. Locations will vary, but the State will try to match your geographical preferences. The state is specifically looking […]
Several State and Federal resources are available to help small and medium sized practices (less than 500 employees) cope with the negative financial effect of the COVID pandemic. Paycheck Protection Program Under the Paycheck Protection Program: • Awardees can receive up to $10 million on a first-come-first-served basis. • Loan payments will be deferred for […]
Commercial Insurance On March 18th, the Department of Managed Health Care issued an All Plan Letter requiring HMOs to immediately begin reimbursing for telehealth services, including telephonic visits, at the same rate as those provided in-person. While the Department of Insurance has not yet required the same of PPO commercial insurance, Blue Shield and United […]
