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 […]
post by Conrad Amenta, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives On Tuesday, March 17, CAFP held a webinar for members to share their experiences on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I listened to our family physicians describe what they were encountering, I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “They’re being sent into a gunfight […]
by Dr. Lance Fuchs, MD and Dr. Seth Camhi, MD Whether you are a seasoned veteran at providing virtual care or a novice, you are likely doing more telephone visits now than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We thought it would be worthwhile to review some telephone visit “best practices” to optimize the […]
Congratulations to Shani Muhammad, MD, who will step in to the role of District VIII Director on CAFP’s Board of Directors after the May 2020 Board meeting. Shani has been elected to the position which will be vacated when current Director, Dr. Jeremy Fish, completes his term. Dr. Muhammad will represent the Alameda-Contra Costa, San […]
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. […]
Many of you are using Zoom for remote work or to stay connected with friends and family. After being “Zoom Bombed” CAFP has learned valuable lessons on how to help keep Zoom meetings safe and on track. Although we cannot ever be 100% safe from hackers, you can minimize hijackings (zoom bombings) as well as […]
Noridian Healthcare Solutions, on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is offering a series of free webinars to give official instructions on conducting and billing for telehealth and virtual services for Medicare patients. The webinar will repeat often over the coming weeks. Click here to view a schedule of webinars and register.
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 […]
