| 2022-wsma-annual-meeting-final-call-for-preregistration | 2022 WSMA Annual Meeting: Final Call for Preregistration | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/2022-wsma-annual-meeting-final-call-for-preregistration | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/2022-annual-meeting-graphic-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="2022 Annual Meeting graphic" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<h2>2022 WSMA Annual Meeting: Final Call for Preregistration</h2>
<p>There's still time to preregister and join your colleagues next weekend, Oct. 1-2 in Spokane for the <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">2022 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates</a>. In addition to the policymaking and networking that are central to the meeting, you'll have an opportunity to attend thought-provoking CME sessions, participate in celebratory events, and be on hand as we inaugurate WSMA's next president, Katina Rue, DO, who will be the first osteopathic physician and the first Latina to hold WSMA's top office. <a href="[@]Shared_Content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=ANNMTG2022">Reserve your spot today</a>-preregistration closes at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 (registration is free for all WSMA members). </p>
<h3>A quick look at Saturday afternoon presentations</h3>
<p>Our two plenary sessions on Saturday will seek to uncover what truly inspires us as physicians, what moves us, and what keeps us connected to ourselves and our work. Sessions include:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Obstacle is the Path: Finding Meaning and Purpose in Troubling Times: In this presentation, Washington Physicians Health Program Executive Medical Director Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, will explore the core existential concerns as defined in contemporary discourse and identify strategies that physicians can use to promote meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.</li>
<li>Thinking Deeper - Necessary Components to Achieve Health Equity: A conversation between Fernando De Maio, PhD, and Edwin Lindo, JD, two nationally recognized scholars and practitioners in health equity. This is an opportunity to observe the rigorous intellectual exploration of health equity, as speak about a few of the most challenging elements of this work.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Accommodations and COVID-19 precautions</h3>
<p>Room availability at The Historic Davenport is very limited. If no rooms are available, ask about availability at the Davenport Tower across the street. Call The Davenport at 800.899.1482 for room information at both locations.</p>
<p>The WSMA will have the following COVID-19 precautions in place at the 2022 Annual Meeting, as we look to have a safe and supportive gathering:</p>
<ul>
<li>Conference attendees and guests will have attested that they are up to date on their vaccines.</li>
<li>Wearing a mask during indoor meetings is recommended. We will have masks available at the registration desk.</li>
<li>Refunds for lunch and/or dinner tickets will be offered if you get sick prior to the event and are unable to attend. Please call 206.441.9762 or email <a href="mailto:abby@wsma.org">abby@wsma.org</a> if you test positive or are symptomatic for COVID-19.</li>
<li>We will have a limited number of COVID-19 test kits available at the registration desk.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Thank you to our corporate partners for their generous support: Physicians Insurance, The Polyclinic and The Everett Clinic, and the UW Psychiatry Consultation Line. If your company would like to be a WSMA Corporate Partner, contact Jessica Martinson at </em><a href="mailto:jessica@wsma.org"><em>jessica@wsma.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 11:58:08 AM | 9/22/2022 10:34:01 AM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| department-of-health-announces-regional-medical-officers | Department of Health Announces Regional Medical Officers | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/department-of-health-announces-regional-medical-officers | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/doh-regional-health-offices-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Map of DOH regional health offices" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<h2>Department of Health Announces Regional Medical Officers </h2>
<p>The Washington State Department of Health has announced the four physicians who will serve as regional medical officers as part of a Legislature-directed effort to decentralize the agency's work and increase its responsiveness to community health needs.</p>
<p>The state Legislature directed the DOH to <a href="https://waportal.org/resources/state-rho">establish regional health offices</a> in the 2021 legislative session. The DOH divided the state into four operational areas, with each regional health office serving as an easy entry point for access to a regional liaison and a medical officer. Regional health offices will provide services such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Assistance with unanticipated vacancies or workforce gaps.</li>
<li>Consultations with medical officer or regional liaison.</li>
<li>Support and resources for convening partners.</li>
<li>A point of contact to bring resources and support within DOH together.</li>
</ul>
<p>The following new regional health officers will join the new Division of Medical and Veterinary Science led by Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Herbie Duber, MD, MPH</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 4, Northwest Waterway. Dr. Duber is an emergency physician at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and president-elect of the Washington chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.</li>
<li><strong>Bob Lutz, MD, MPH</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 2, Eastern Plains. Dr. Lutz is a family medicine physician with more than 30 years of urgent care experience, recently serving as the health officer for Spokane County until moving to DOH to serve as COVID-19 medical advisor.</li>
<li><strong>James ("Jay") S. Miller, MD, MPH</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 3, South Gorge. Dr. Miller is an internal medicine physician and epidemiologist who has worked on the DOH and the CDC COVID-19 response as a CDC epidemic intelligence service officer.</li>
<li><strong>Amy Person, MD</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 1, Central Corridor. Dr. Person is a pediatrician who, since 2011, has served as local health officer for Benton-Franklin Health District and additionally for Klickitat County Public Health.</li>
</ul>
<p>Joining the four regional health officers is Beth Lipton, who will serve as the new public health veterinarian.</p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 12:12:58 PM | 9/22/2022 10:34:16 AM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| gov-inslee-to-rescind-remaining-emergency-proclamations-on-oct-31 | Gov. Inslee to Rescind Remaining Emergency Proclamations on Oct. 31 | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/gov-inslee-to-rescind-remaining-emergency-proclamations-on-oct-31 | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/state-capitol-olympia-2015-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Washington state capitol building" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<h2>Gov. Inslee to Rescind Remaining Emergency Proclamations on Oct. 31 </h2>
<p>After more than two years of emergency proclamations related to COVID-19 being in place, Gov. Jay Inslee <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-announces-end-remaining-covid-19-emergency-orders-and-state-emergency-october-31">announced</a>&nbsp;that all remaining orders will be rescinded on Oct. 31.</p>
<p>Ten emergency orders are currently still in effect following the <a href="https://wsma.org/Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/August_12/gov_inslee_announces_termination_of_emergency_proclamations_related_to_health_care">rescission of 12 orders at the end of July</a>. Included in the list of remaining emergency proclamations is the <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/20-05%20Coronavirus%20%28final%29.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">underlying order declaring the state of emergency</a> in Washington, which will also be rescinded on Oct. 31, effectively ending the state of emergency.</p>
<p>Another notable proclamation among those being rescinded is <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/21-14.5%20-%20COVID%20Vax_outdoor%20workers%20%28tmp%29.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">21-14</a> regarding vaccines, which requires state workers, staff at educational facilities, and health care employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, employers may still voluntarily choose to keep the requirement in place. In addition, the governor will keep the COVID-19 vaccine requirements in place for workers at most Washington state agencies. A separate order by the state Department of Health requiring face coverings for health care and long-term care facilities will remain in place beyond the end of the state of emergency. </p>
<h3>Pending issues</h3>
<p>In a meeting with the DOH this week, WSMA staff discussed the following issues, with outcomes pending:</p>
<ul>
<li>Infection control: Conversations continue around updating infection control procedures in health care facilities. The WSMA asked the DOH to continue coordinating with us going forward to ensure physicians in both outpatient and inpatient settings remain fully apprised of updates and have opportunities to provide feedback on any changes. WSMA staff also met with the Department of Labor &amp; Industries, which is in the early stages of drafting a permanent rule aimed at protecting health care workers from infectious diseases, including COVID-19.</li>
<li>Waiver on medical assistant supervision: There will be an effort to continue allowing for this flexibility, which has helped ameliorate staffing issues for physician practices during the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<p>The WSMA will keep members apprised of developments. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 1:15:54 PM | 9/22/2022 12:44:02 PM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| keep-your-messages-to-congress-coming-on-medicare-payment-cuts-and-prior-authorization | Keep Your Messages to Congress Coming on Medicare Payment Cuts and Prior Authorization | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/keep-your-messages-to-congress-coming-on-medicare-payment-cuts-and-prior-authorization | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/megaphone-evergreen-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="megaphone illustration" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Keep Your Messages to Congress Coming on Medicare Payment Cuts and Prior Authorization</h2>
<p>There are two federal action alerts in play that need your attention: <a href="https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/be-heard?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f96014%2fRespond%3fvvcgUT%3dU2n8B9gDicI8Np0q9ql0_w%26unregistered%3dU2n8B9gDicI8Np0q9ql0_w%26vvcgRD%3dBc7t28PAPWy22WQW%26vvsbr%3dZoWBN17BsEoKbiErNhiL7w">One to prevent a nearly 10% cut in Medicare payments in 2023</a> and one that will hold big insurance companies accountable by <a href="https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/be-heard?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f85317%2fRespond%3fvvcgUT%3dU2n8B9gDicI8Np0q9ql0_w%26unregistered%3dU2n8B9gDicI8Np0q9ql0_w%26vvcgRD%3dB9btKzqAWPNi2fQP%26vvsbr%3dK_sKdH-101q6AMqONgb-0Q">requiring Medicare Advantage plans to adopt transparent prior authorization programs</a>. In both instances, there are promising bipartisan bills on the table-the Supporting Medicare Providers Act (H.R. 8800) and The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (S. 301)-but lawmakers in the Senate and House must hear from more physicians and physician assistant constituents to ensure their passage. Click on the links above to learn more about these action alerts and send your messages today.</p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 12:47:00 PM | 9/22/2022 12:42:58 PM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| now-available-on-demand-covid-19-vaccines-webinars | Now Available On Demand: COVID-19 Vaccines Webinars | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/now-available-on-demand-covid-19-vaccines-webinars | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/covid-vaccines-doh-webinars-ondemand-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="COVID-19 Vaccines Webinars Series graphic" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<h2>Now Available On Demand: COVID-19 Vaccines Webinars</h2>
<p>Maintaining a patient population immunized against the COVID-19 virus is a large-scale challenge requiring a coordinated effort, one where primary care physicians play a crucial role-more so now that mass vaccination clinics are becoming a thing of the past. Physicians are ideally suited to educate people about the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, communicate the safety and efficacy in an understandable way, address individual concerns, and create a culture of confidence around the vaccines. By leveraging the trust patients have in their physicians, you can help ensure Washingtonians are receiving guidance based on sound science and good medical practice-and help counter the increasing barrage of misinformation circulating on- and offline.</p>
<p>If you haven't already, it's time to embed the COVID-19 vaccine into routine preventive care in your practice. The WSMA has joined the Washington State Department of Health to help physician practices and clinics access the tools and information they need to incorporate the COVID-19 vaccines into their practice workflows and employ effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the vaccine.</p>
<p><a href="[@]wsma/education/on_demand_webinars/covid-19-vaccines-webinar-series.aspx">Begin CME activity</a>. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em>â„¢.</p>
<p>The sessions meet the following learning objectives.</p>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h3>Strategies to Discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine with Your Most Reluctant Patients</h3>
<ul>
<li>Use effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine by addressing their questions, fears, and concerns.</li>
<li>Review real-world examples of how to discuss the pediatric and adult vaccines, as well as booster vaccines.</li>
<li>Outline the key elements of Power of Provider (POP) and the resources included in the toolkit.</li>
</ul>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h3>How to Embed COVID-19 Vaccines into Routine Preventive Care</h3>
<ul>
<li>Bill for COVID-19 vaccine counseling and administration.</li>
<li>Access small, more manageable quantities of COVID-19 vaccines from vaccine depots across the state.</li>
<li>Join the more than 65,000 Washington physicians, PAs, and health care professionals who have already committed to educating and empowering their patients to vaccinate.</li>
<li>Leverage the physician toolkit and public-facing resources to help protect the health and well-being of your community.</li>
</ul>
</div> | 9/22/2022 1:05:28 PM | 9/22/2022 1:04:57 PM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| the-19th-northwest-patient-safety-conference-advancing-patient-safety-in-todays-world | The 19th Northwest Patient Safety Conference: Advancing Patient Safety in Today's World | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/the-19th-northwest-patient-safety-conference-advancing-patient-safety-in-todays-world | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/19th-nwpsc-logo-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="19th NWPSC logo" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<h2>The 19th Northwest Patient Safety Conference: Advancing Patient Safety in Today's World</h2>
<p>Thank you for your dedication to patient safety and quality! The Washington Patient Safety Coalition's 19<sup>th</sup> annual <a href="https://www.qualityhealth.org/wpsc/wpsc-events/northwest-patient-safety-conference-2022/">Northwest Patient Safety Conference</a> is Oct. 18-19, 2022, as an entirely virtual event over two half days<strong>.</strong></p>
<p>The theme is "Advancing Patient Safety in Today's World," which acknowledges the events of the past two years but focuses on what lies ahead. The conference features faculty who will offer new, and perhaps provocative, ideas and useful tools to improve safety and quality. It will be inspirational, entertaining, and educational.</p>
<p>Keynotes include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Jessie Singer, author of "<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/There-Are-No-Accidents/Jessie-Singer/9781982129668">There Are No Accidents</a>."</li>
<li>"Lessons Learned from "Dr. Death": Join Anne Roberts and a panel of the physicians who petitioned the Texas Medical Board to revoke Dr. Christopher Duntsch's license, and the attorneys they partnered with to prosecute him.</li>
<li>Michelle Schreiber, MD, deputy director, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: The 2022 CMS Quality Strategy, CMS Levers of Safety.</li>
<li>Carole L. Hemmelgarn &amp; Martin Hatlie: "Who killed patient safety?"</li>
<li>Armando Nahum, Patients for Patient Safety: Engaging Patients and Families in Quality and Safety: A deep, transparent partnership.</li>
<li>Plus, eight breakout sessions with regional, national, and international experts.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.qualityhealth.org/wpsc/wpsc-events/northwest-patient-safety-conference-2022/">Learn more about the conference and register</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 12:17:06 PM | 9/22/2022 10:32:25 AM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| updated-covid-19-vaccines-available-at-no-cost | Updated Covid-19 Vaccines Available at No Cost | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/updated-covid-19-vaccines-available-at-no-cost | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/covid-vax-vials-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="COVID-19 vaccine vials" /></div>
<h5>September 23, 2022</h5>
<h2>Updated Covid-19 Vaccines Available at No Cost</h2>
<p>The U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has announced that people with Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program coverage, private insurance coverage, or no health coverage can get COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, at no cost for as long as the federal government continues purchasing and distributing these COVID-19 vaccines. </p>
<p>The FDA has authorized the Moderna and Pfizer updated bivalent vaccines that target the original COVID-19 viral strain and two omicron variants (BA.4/BA.5) that are currently the most prevalent in the U.S. Individuals are eligible for their updated vaccine shot at least two months after completing at least their primary vaccination series (two doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax, or one dose of Johnson &amp; Johnson)-regardless of how many monovalent COVID-19 boosters they have received to date. </p>
<p>CMS issued four new CPT codes effective Aug. 31, 2022: </p>
<p>Code 91312 for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent Product: </p>
<ul>
<li>Long descriptor: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, bivalent spike protein, preservative free, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation, for intramuscular use </li>
<li>Short descriptor: SARSCOV2 VAC BVL 30MCG/0.3ML </li>
</ul>
<p>Code 91313 for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent Product: </p>
<ul>
<li>Long descriptor: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, bivalent, preservative free, 50 mcg/0.5 mL dosage, for intramuscular use </li>
<li>Short descriptor: SARSCOV2 VAC BVL 50MCG/0.5ML </li>
</ul>
<p>Code 0124A for Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent - Administration - Booster Dose: </p>
<ul>
<li>Long descriptor: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, bivalent spike protein, preservative free, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation, booster dose </li>
<li>Short descriptor: ADM SARSCV2 BVL 30MCG/.3ML B </li>
</ul>
<p>Code 0134A for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent - Administration - Booster Dose: </p>
<ul>
<li>Long descriptor: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, bivalent, preservative free, 50 mcg/0.5 mL dosage, booster dose </li>
<li>Short descriptor: ADM SARSCV2 BVL 50MCG/.5ML B </li>
</ul>
<p>Visit the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/covidvax-provider">COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Toolkit</a> for more information, and get the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-part-b-drug-average-sales-price/covid-19-vaccines-and-monoclonal-antibodies">most current list of billing codes, payment allowances, and effective dates</a>. Note: You may need to refresh your browser if you recently visited this webpage. </p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 12:14:01 PM | 9/22/2022 10:34:22 AM | 9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| resolutions-now-available-for-wsma-member-input | Resolutions Now Available for WSMA Member Input | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/august-26/resolutions-now-available-for-wsma-member-input | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/resolutions-print-2-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="resolutions on paper" /></div>
<h5>August 26, 2022 - (<em>Updated Sept. 23)</em></h5>
<h2>Virtual Reference Committees Close on Tuesday: Share Your Thoughts Now</h2>
<p>The WSMA's secure, password-protected virtual reference committees give all members an opportunity to review and provide feedback on policy proposals that will be considered by the WSMA House of Delegates at its <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx">annual meeting</a> in Spokane next weekend. Comments on the proposals will be compiled and reviewed by the reference committees when making their official recommendations to the House. Don't miss this opportunity to lend your expertise and insights to these proposals—your engagement can make a difference in shaping policy that has real-world impact. Share your thoughts now by visiting the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/membership/discussion_forums/virtual_reference_committees/wsma/membership/discussion_forums/virtual_reference_committees.aspx?hkey=d674a5ae-4fb5-48d6-b969-16aab9b63647">virtual reference committees</a> (sign-in to the WSMA website is required). The virtual reference committees close Tuesday, Sept. 27 at midnight—don’t delay.&nbsp;</p>
<p>WSMA members may also provide testimony during the in-person reference committee sessions scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 1 during the Annual Meeting. <a href="[@]WSMA/Events/Annual_Meeting/WSMA/Events/Annual_Meeting/Annual_Meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">Learn more about the meeting, which is free for members, and register online</a>.</p>
<p>Click on the resolution title to read the full resolution, any comments from your colleagues, and to comment (you'll be prompted to enter your password to enter the secure forums).</p>
<h3>Reference Committee B (professional and internal affairs)</h3>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=03680c4a-ca73-4c77-8379-a78bc23f3372&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-1 - Physician Noncompetes</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=baa8ac83-5392-47e1-a32e-8f8a47cb608b&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-2 - WSMA Dues Increase</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=88ce0ea2-6832-422a-a3ab-5940bb0f77aa&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-3 - SNF and Multiple Prescribers</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=06d75a8e-96ce-4846-a5f9-85d1f05d8ca3&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-4 - Soteria for Early Treatment of Acute Serious Mental Illness</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=c4c99b23-22ac-4138-a3df-772507f4a123&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-5 - Private Equity Purchase of Physician Practices</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=9131c4a7-56a8-4ed0-9d66-419037bdd73a&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-6 - Commitment to Limit Inhaler-Induced Climate Change</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=28c3b1a2-176e-46b1-b61c-21dd5063250b&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-7 - Removing the Race Coefficient from the Calculation of Estimated Glomerular F. Rate</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=4dc05e4f-89d2-476c-8970-ac6ebf92df37&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-8 - Parents Deserve Comprehensive Postpartum Care</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=3bbc3c75-6f97-45e2-8836-56cc0bff110d&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-9 - Allocate Opioid Funds to Student Debt of Addiction Treatment Physicians and Health Care Professionals</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=93b1c03a-bbd7-4587-9932-6a16acc23b20&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-10 - Addressing Physician Burnout Through the Elimination of Mandatory Reporting by Physician Wellness Groups</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=e377e86b-4d7d-477c-a497-8fe51789ba2d&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-11: Improving Access to Evidence-Based Harm Reduction Services</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=fe61ae2e-ac94-4727-b952-269ff026dd05&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-12: Legislative Advocacy to Support Harm Reduction Services in the State of Washington</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=304aed34-b346-41c6-a74c-cc4ded4ddebb&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-13: Racial Bias in Pulse Oximetry</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=c1371340-d1ce-4f3e-860d-20461995bfb2&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-14: Washington State Opioid Prescribing Rules</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=3fc16ad6-b511-491a-bc1b-4b65e87b9948&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-15: Improving Refugee Primary Care Access and Interpreter Certification Testing</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=425d5393-2a9e-44cf-a825-4afd157eed3f&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution B-16: Addressing Vaccine Misinformation</a></p>
<h3>Reference Committee C (legislative affairs and health care economics/reform)</h3>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=9592e3d3-f8ff-46f4-9d0b-21bf17523ca6&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-1 - Improving Health Care Staff and Physician Workforce in Washington</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=aa6a451e-888f-4a80-a00b-212b2512f2b7&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-2 - Increasing Access to Vasectomies</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=6d4ddf07-d362-4042-8a62-71f1c25e113c&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-3 - Education and Support for Physicians Delivering End-of-Life Care</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=0fd80a18-93ca-4d64-9018-5da142d16e13&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-4 - Support for Legislation that Improves Health via Implementation of Statewide GBI</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=c4a5b58e-c538-465c-a675-f489ffe72ebc&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-5 - Protecting Patient Access</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=b642dc9c-8b85-4b75-a108-32361a876d0e&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-6 - Shortage of Mental Health Professionals and Ancillary Mental Health Workers</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=d960aa6d-8d48-471c-9e29-b0a04c933fe9&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-7 - Equitable Youth Physical Activity and Sport Organization</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=f1023f18-1a6c-4e2b-8670-b17efce69aa3&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-8 - Restricting Derogatory and Stigmatizing Language of ICD-10 Codes</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=b3e46e1f-5779-43bb-bd1f-5dd307f39dd0&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-9 - Support Eat, Sleep, Console as Treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=23f6b645-d2d4-4b90-8901-723cf131452d&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-10 - Advocating for the Informed Consent for Access to Transgender Health Care Model</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=28d7f3aa-4a29-4897-8107-c61a7d82ed08&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-11 - Patient Access to Safe and Legal Information</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=8fdee19e-a49b-4243-a723-a65574abf460&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-12: Decreasing Exposure to Air Pollution Near Airports</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=4fbe03ee-11ad-4968-b6a9-39b6cb5762ec&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-13: Protecting Physicians who Provide Reproductive Services</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=39afb657-a5fc-4338-94c7-e94a3b93120b&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-14: Reducing Gun Harm by Requiring Gun Owners to Obtain and Maintain Liability Insuranc</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=b9ebcb5b-8f30-435b-943f-3aa90a7c8bd9&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-15: Expanding Behavioral Health Urgent Care</a></p>
<p><a href="[@]iCore/Communities/TopicDefault.aspx?iUniformKey=e1f102ce-3c23-40da-95a5-62481ff53d4e&amp;WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Resolution C-16: Recognizing Issues of Stigma and Equity Amidst the Monkeypox Epidemic</a></p>
</div> | 9/22/2022 10:21:42 AM | 8/25/2022 3:15:17 PM | 9/22/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| biden-administration-issues-final-rules-on-balance-billing-arbitration | Biden Administration Issues Final Rules on Balance Billing Arbitration | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-9/biden-administration-issues-final-rules-on-balance-billing-arbitration | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/billing-invoice-645x425.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="billing invoice" /></div>
<h5>September 9, 2022</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Biden Administration Issues Final Rules on Balance Billing Arbitration</h2>
<p>The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and the Treasury have issued <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/ebsa1210-ac00-and-1210ab99-idr-process-final-rule-dol816-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">final rules</a> and supporting <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/EBSA/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/aca-part-55.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">guidance</a>&nbsp;addressing several provisions of the payment process for out-of-network care under the federal No Surprises Act. The rules make <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/advocacy-update/sept-2-2022-advocacy-update-spotlight-final-rules-nsa?utm_source=SFMC&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=922022&amp;utm_content=22-9997_Advocacy_Update_090222&amp;utm_campaign=Advocacy_Email_Newsletter_AdvocacyUpdate&amp;utm_uid=8809453&amp;utm_effort=">several important changes</a>, including the removal of provisions that directed the independent resolution process arbiter to presume that the qualifying payment amount is the appropriate out-of-network rate (an <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/February_25/federal_judge_rules_for_physicians_in_lawsuit_challenging_no_surprises_act?_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=fmjX8">interpretation of the legislation challenged in a WSMA-supported lawsuit filed by the Texas Medical Association</a>). While there are outstanding concerns, the final rules represent a step toward a more balanced independent resolution process.</p>
<p>Ultimately, the No Surprises Act will end up superseding most provisions of our <a href="[@]wsma/resources/balance_billing/wsma/resources/balance_billing/balance_billing.aspx?hkey=a3b550fb-fd76-4368-83ba-800b0d57c8a6">state balance billing law</a>, hard-won compromise legislation that protects patients from unexpected bills while preserving physicians' ability to negotiate fair reimbursement from Washington's health insurers. Since passage of the federal bill, the WSMA has worked at the state level with the Legislature and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to ensure that physicians in Washington are not unduly disadvantaged from these balance billing laws, both in contract negotiations with insurance carriers and during the dispute resolution processes that kick in when out-of-network patients are treated under the laws.</p>
<p>While the recently updated final rules should help to deemphasize the importance of carriers' contracted rates during arbitration, <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2022/weekly-rounds-september-2-2022-playing-hardball-on-your-behalf">insurance carriers are wasting no time using balance billing laws to play hardball in contract negotiations</a>. If your practice is among those that are experiencing challenges in contracting with insurance carriers due to balance billing laws, we'd like to hear from you: Contact Sean Graham at <a href="mailto:sean@wsma.org">sean@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/8/2022 4:03:20 PM | 9/8/2022 12:00:06 PM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| cdc-call-to-action-add-routine-and-covid-19-vaccinations-to-back-to-school-checklist | CDC Call to Action: Add Routine & COVID-19 Vaccinations to Back-to-School Checklist | Membership_Memo | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2022/cdc-call-to-action-add-routine-and-covid-19-vaccinations-to-back-to-school-checklist | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2022/august/boy-with-mask-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="boy wearing mask" /></div>
<h5>September 9, 2022</h5>
<h2>CDC Call to Action: Add Routine &amp; COVID-19 Vaccinations to Back-to-School Checklist</h2>
<p><em>By José R. Romero, MD, Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</em></p>
<p>Late summer is usually a time many families begin preparing to send their children back to school. This is a crucial time when physicians need to communicate with families to add routine childhood and COVID-19 vaccinations to their back-to-school checklist.</p>
<p>During the 2020-2021 school year, vaccination coverage among kindergarteners nationwide dropped more than 1%. With most schools now back to in-person learning, efforts must be made to ensure:</p>
<ul>
<li>All school-aged children are up to date on their routine vaccines and have received recommended COVID-19 vaccines.</li>
<li>Routine vaccination coverage is equitably distributed and sufficiently high to protect children, their families, and their communities against vaccine-preventable diseases.</li>
</ul>
<p>Physicians are trusted sources of information for parents and guardians. They can also help families make the informed decision to vaccinate. Here are some ways they can help catch school-aged children up on vaccination.</p>
<h3>Physicians can help make vaccines more accessible</h3>
<p><img src="/images/Newsletters/latest-news/2022/august/cdc-child-vax-20-21.png" class="pull-right" alt="vaccine statistics graph" style="width: 475px;" /></p>
<ul>
<li>Send reminders to families whose children are behind on well-child visits and routine vaccination.</li>
<li>Notify families when children are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Tell them where they can find COVID-19 vaccines for their children if they're not offered in the office or clinic.</li>
<li>Offer vaccination-only appointments or hold vaccination clinics.</li>
<li>Administer COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as other routinely recommended vaccines, if recommended and appropriate.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Help share the facts</h3>
<p>Catch-up vaccination will require efforts from health care systems, physicians, schools, state and local governments, and families by sharing the facts about routine and COVID-19 vaccines and answering families' questions using resources such as CDC's <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/pediatrician/quick-guide.html">Quick Conversation Guide on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children</a>.</p>
<h3>Facts about routine vaccines</h3>
<ul>
<li>Vaccines are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/FAQs.html">safe and effective</a> for your child to receive at the recommended age, and at the recommended dose.</li>
<li>Did you know your child may be eligible for free vaccines? CDC's <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/parents/index.html">Vaccines for Children program</a> helps provide free vaccines to children who qualify.</li>
<li>Getting your young child vaccinated may reduce disruptions to child care and in-person learning and activities</li>
</ul>
<h3>Facts about COVID-19 vaccines</h3>
<ul>
<li>Clinical trials and ongoing safety monitoring show that <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-safety-children-teens.html">COVID-19 vaccines are safe</a> for children 6 months and older.</li>
<li>Emerging evidence indicates people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after having been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. So even if a child has had COVID-19, they should still get vaccinated.</li>
<li>COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines can be given at the same visit.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Physicians should make strong recommendations</h3>
<p>Physicians should be encouraged to use every visit, including well-child checks, sports physicals, and other appointments, as an opportunity to administer COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other vaccines that are due or might have been missed because of pandemic-related disruptions. Routine vaccination and well-child visits or check-ups are all key to helping keep children safely in school, child care, and participating in other activities.</p>
<p>Fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, but they can be infected with and spread the virus. There is no way to tell in advance if a child will get a severe or mild case.</p>
<p>Vaccinating children is the single best way to protect them from <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html">post-COVID conditions</a> and severe illness associated with COVID-19. Health departments have reported thousands of cases of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mis/mis-c.html">multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children</a> since the beginning of the pandemic. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of MIS-C in children ages 12-18 years by 91%.</p>
<p>According to the CDC <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-additional-dose-totalpop">COVID Data Tracker</a>, 75% of children 12-18 years of age are fully vaccinated, and 50% of those children have received a booster dose. For kids 5 and older, 71% are fully vaccinated, and 48% of those kids have received a booster dose. Rates dropped for both fully vaccinated and boosters in younger children.</p>
<p>Vaccination is critical to helping protect those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. They include children from certain racial and ethnic minority groups and children with disabilities.</p>
<p>Help us protect children by doing what you can to get kids caught up on recommended vaccines.</p>
<p>This summer, the WSMA joined the Washington State Department of Health to help physician practices and clinics access the tools and information they need to incorporate the COVID-19 vaccines into their practice workflows and employ effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the vaccine. <a href="[@]wsma/education/on_demand_webinars/covid-19-vaccines-webinar-series.aspx">Access recordings of the webinars</a>. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em>â„¢. </p>
</div> | 9/8/2022 4:02:44 PM | 8/26/2022 1:31:55 PM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| department-of-health-seeking-feedback-on-certificate-of-need-regulations | Department of Health Seeking Feedback on Certificate of Need Regulations | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-9/department-of-health-seeking-feedback-on-certificate-of-need-regulations | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/stethoscope-on-table-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="stethoscope" /></div>
<h5>September 9, 2022</h5>
<h2>Department of Health Seeking Feedback on Certificate of Need Regulations</h2>
<p>The Washington State Department of Health is currently accepting feedback as it considers modernizing, clarifying, and streamlining its certificate of need regulations. The DOH is currently looking at several services and settings, including percutaneous coronary intervention volume standards, hospice need, acute care and psychiatric bed need, kidney dialysis, home health need, general certificate of need rules, and others. Visit the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/facilities-z/certificate-need/rule-making-activities">DOH certificate of need webpage</a> for a full list.</p>
<p>Specifically, DOH is seeking your feedback on the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>What is working well within the current rules?</li>
<li>What challenges are you currently experiencing with existing rules?</li>
<li>What specific changes to the current rules would you like the department to consider?</li>
<li>Health equity is a priority for the department. What ideas would you propose to make rules more equitable?</li>
</ul>
<p>Send feedback to <a href="mailto:CNRulemaking@doh.wa.gov">CNRulemaking@doh.wa.gov</a> with a CC to <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>. The DOH is also hosting listening sessions to hear from stakeholders and the public. Those dates can be found at the DOH's <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/facilities-z/certificate-need/rule-making-activities">certificate of need webpage</a>&nbsp;(look under the individual rules in progress). The WSMA is currently monitoring these rulemakings and will keep members apprised. </p>
</div> | 9/8/2022 4:04:32 PM | 9/8/2022 12:00:26 PM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| how-your-organization-can-support-national-physician-suicide-awareness-day | How Your Organization Can Support National Physician Suicide Awareness Day | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-9/how-your-organization-can-support-national-physician-suicide-awareness-day | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/npsaday-2022-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="National Physician Suicide Awareness Day logo" /></div>
<h5>September 9, 2022</h5>
<h2>How Your Organization Can Support National Physician Suicide Awareness Day </h2>
<p>National Physician Suicide Awareness Day is a reminder and a call to action to make time to talk, and to act, so physicians' struggles don't become mental health emergencies. Health systems, hospitals, medical societies, clinics, and practices all have a part to play in breaking down the culture of silence around physician mental health. Here's what you and your organization can do this #NPSADay.</p>
<h3>Communicate about #NPSADay throughout your organization </h3>
<p>Make sure that everyone in your organization knows about #NPSADay and knows that your organization is a committed supporter of preventing physician suicide.</p>
<ul>
<li>Showcase the importance of physician mental health and well-being by having it come from the top. Get your leadership involved; have them share their own stories, talk about #NPSADay and highlight the organization's ongoing and upcoming efforts to create a culture of well-being, such as implementing the five actions from <a href="https://www.allinforhealthcare.org/articles/76-2022-healthcare-workforce-rescue-package">ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare's Rescue Package</a> that can build the foundation for a long-term well-being strategy.</li>
<li>Health organizations can serve as a pivotal resource for physicians. There are programs you can implement for workforce well-being, such as the <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/sustainability/practice-transformation">Practice Transformation Initiative</a>, the <a href="https://afsp.org/interactive-screening-program">Interactive Screening Program</a>, <a href="https://www.theschwartzcenter.org/programs/schwartz-rounds/">Schwartz Rounds</a>, and <a href="https://www.theschwartzcenter.org/programs/stress-first-aid-landingpage/">Stress First Aid</a>.</li>
<li>Utilize the <a href="https://npsaday.org/Toolkit/">org toolkit</a> to spread the word about #NPSADay in your newsletter, by hanging posters, or sending postcards to remind leadership and your organization about the importance of preventing physician suicide.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Encourage physicians to consider their own mental health </h3>
<p>On #NPSADay, encourage physicians in your organization to block some time in their day to take action to support their own mental health. Share mental health support resources to arm them with the necessary information and tools they may need to prevent a mental health emergency. If a physician is in a crisis, make sure they know they can call or text 988 or chat <a href="https://988lifeline.org/">988lifeline.org</a> for free 24/7 support. For ongoing support, direct them to <a href="https://therapyaid.org/">Therapy Aid Coalition</a>, <a href="https://emotionalppe.org/">The Emotional PPE Project</a>, <a href="https://www.peerrxmed.com/">PeerRXMed</a>, and the <a href="https://wphp.org/">Washington Physicians Health Program</a>.</p>
<h3>Educate your community about #NPSADay </h3>
<p>Tap your organization's platforms and expertise to reach your broader communities with messages about preventing physician suicide and #NPSADay. Examples may include running digital ads on your website, posting across your social media channels, and distributing handouts to your community partners to distribute at their locations or events.</p>
<h3>Learn more about evidence-based actions organizations can take to prevent suicide</h3>
<p>Because suicide is a complex health outcome with many drivers of risk, preventing suicide requires a strategic, multipronged, longitudinal, evidence-based plan. <a href="https://npsaday.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PF22-NPSADay-Guide-for-Organizations_V1d.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Learn more about evidence-based actions different health organizations</a>, including regulatory agencies, specialty and privileging boards, continuing education, and more, can take to help prevent physician suicide.</p>
<h3>Become a #NPSADay supporting organization</h3>
<p>#NPSADay supporting organizations are committed to raising awareness of the physician suicide epidemic and creating a culture of well-being that prioritizes reducing the burnout that can lead to it. <a href="https://npsaday.org/become-supporting-organization/">Complete this form to be a supporting organization</a> on Sept.17 and beyond.</p>
<p>Visit the <a href="https://npsaday.org/become-supporting-organization/">#NPSADay website</a> for more information and resources.</p>
</div> | 9/8/2022 4:05:04 PM | 9/8/2022 12:00:12 PM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| omicron-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-authorized | Omicron COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Authorized | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-9/omicron-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-authorized | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/unsplash-teen-covid-vaccine-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="teen receiving vaccine" /></div>
<h5>September 9, 2022</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Omicron COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Authorized </h2>
<p>Physicians and practices will soon be able to offer their patients omicron variant-targeted bivalent booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines following authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. </p>
<p>The bivalent vaccines combine the companies' original COVID-19 vaccine compositions with BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components, providing additional protection by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading. The primary COVID-19 vaccine series will stay the same, given their proven efficacy in preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.</p>
<p>The Washington State Department of Health's <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/vaccine-information/vaccine-booster-doses">updated booster dose recommendations</a> are as follows: </p>
<ul>
<li>People ages 12-17 who have completed a primary vaccine series can receive the Pfizer bivalent booster at least two months after their most recent dose. </li>
<li>People 18 and older who have completed a primary vaccine series can receive either company's bivalent booster at least two months after their most recent dose. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Those ages 5-11 who have completed Pfizer's primary vaccine series should continue to receive the company's original monovalent booster at least five months after their most recent dose. </li>
<li>Children ages 6 months-4 years are currently not authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses. </li>
<li>People ages 12 and over who currently have appointments to receive COVID-19 booster doses will need to contact their physicians to ensure the bivalent booster is available; if not, those appointments will need to be rescheduled, as the former monovalent booster doses are <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/healthcare-providers/vaccine-information-healthcare-providers/toolkit-and-resources#monovalent">no longer authorized for this age group.</a> </li>
</ul>
<p>An initial allocation of 191,100 bivalent booster doses is currently being distributed throughout the state. Subsequent weekly allocations will follow, building the state's inventory levels over time.</p>
</div> | 9/8/2022 4:05:21 PM | 9/8/2022 12:00:31 PM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| serve-as-a-delegate-at-the-wsma-annual-meeting | Serve as a Delegate at the WSMA Annual Meeting | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-9/serve-as-a-delegate-at-the-wsma-annual-meeting | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/am-2019-10-263-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="WSMA Annual Meeting conference room" /></div>
<h5>September 9, 2022</h5>
<h2>Serve as a Delegate at the WSMA Annual Meeting</h2>
<p>There are still seats remaining in the House of Delegates for the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">2022 WSMA Annual Meeting</a>, Oct. 1-2 in Spokane. Review the <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about_us/leadership/house_of_delegates/wsma/about/leadership/house_of_delegates/house_of_delegates.aspx?hkey=e2c50002-384d-4ff7-9116-5ce7a51116e7">2022 delegate roster</a> to find out if there are openings within your county or specialty, then contact your <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about_us/partner_organizations/county_medical_societies/wsma/about/partner_organizations/County_Medical_Societies/county_medical_societies.aspx?hkey=718f0a74-10ca-4fe2-8c45-d2434ed861de&amp;_zs=A3aFd1&amp;_zl=N5rX8">county medical society</a> or <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/about_us/partner_organizations/state_specialty_societies/wsma/about/partner_organizations/State_Specialty_Societies/state_specialty_societies.aspx?hkey=df249f5e-6385-417e-ba44-426ac03fa84d&amp;_zs=lfaFd1&amp;_zl=UOmX8">state specialty society</a> about serving as a delegate. To review the issues to be considered for action by the House, download the 2022 Delegate Handbook, now available <a href="https://wsma.org/wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">on the Annual Meeting webpage</a>. Delegates are expected to be available for one year of service beginning with the House of Delegates meeting. Review the <a href="https://wsma.informz.net/WSMA/data/images/Attachments/WSMA_2022_Delegate-Duties.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">delegate duties information sheet</a> for expectations of service. If you're unsure who to contact or have any questions about serving on the WSMA House of Delegates, email Shannon Bozarth at <a href="mailto:slb@wsma.org">slb@wsma.org</a> for assistance.</p>
</div> | 9/8/2022 4:15:34 PM | 9/8/2022 12:00:34 PM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| Notice_of_Proposed_Amendments_to_the_WSMA_Bylaws | Notice of Proposed Amendments to the WSMA Bylaws | Membership_Memo | Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2022/Notice_of_Proposed_Amendments_to_the_WSMA_Bylaws | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/2022-annual-meeting-graphic-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="2022 WSMA Annual Meeting logo" /></div>
<h5>September 1, 2022</h5>
<h2>Notice of Proposed Amendments to the WSMA Bylaws</h2>
<p>The WSMA Bylaws Committee hereby provides notice of its proposals to amend the WSMA bylaws (as required by Article XIX of the bylaws). The bylaws committee will introduce the proposed amendments listed below at the House of Delegates' annual fall meeting.</p>
<p>Proposed amendments to the WSMA Bylaws for 2022 include changes that would:</p>
<ul>
<li>Reduce the number of years that WSMA policies sunset (expire) from 10 years to five years and require the board of trustees to forward the list of pending policies and final recommendations to the Speakers and the House of Delegates at least 30 days prior to the WSMA Annual Meeting.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Increase the number of delegates entitled to the Medical Student Section from one delegate and one alternate delegate to three delegates and three alternate delegates to be filled by medical student representatives from each of the three medical schools in Washington state: University of Washington School of Medicine, Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Add AMA alternate delegate to the list of offices that medical student members may hold.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Latest News/2022/2022_proposed_bylaws_amendments.pdf]">Download the 2022 bylaws amendments</a>. These proposed changes will be presented to the WSMA House of Delegates for adoption at the <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx">2022 WSMA Annual Meeting, Oct. 1-2 in Spokane</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/7/2022 2:41:44 PM | 9/7/2022 11:42:07 AM | 9/1/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| action-alert-on-medicare-payment-cuts-and-prior-authorization | Action Alert on Medicare Payment Cuts and Prior Authorization | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/august-26/action-alert-on-medicare-payment-cuts-and-prior-authorization | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/megaphone-evergreen-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="megaphone illustration" /></div>
<h5>August 26, 2022</h5>
<!-- **************************NEW ARTICLE****************************** -->
<h2>Action Alert on Medicare Payment Cuts and Prior Authorization</h2>
<p>The August recess is in full swing, and your members of Congress are currently back in their districts meeting with their constituents. Now is the perfect opportunity for you to remind them that there is still much work to be done before the November elections on important health care issues, including looming cuts to physician Medicare payments and fixing the cumbersome prior authorization process.
</p>
<h3>Physician Medicare payment cuts</h3>
<p>Late last year, physician advocates from across the country united to successfully persuade Congress to delay Medicare payment cuts that, if enacted, would have severely impeded patient access to care. Unfortunately, if Congress does not act by the end of the year, these delayed cuts, and some new ones, will take effect in 2023 and cause serious financial hardship to physician practices.</p>
<p>It's clear that Congress must work with the physician community to develop long-term solutions to the systemic problems with the Medicare physician payment system. In the meantime, we are once again urging Congress to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extend the congressionally enacted 3% temporary increase in the Medicare physician fee schedule.</li>
<li>Provide relief for an additional 1.5% budget neutrality cut that is planned for 2023.</li>
<li>End the statutory annual freeze and provide an inflation-based update for the coming year.</li>
<li>Waive the 4% PAYGO sequester necessitated by passage of legislation unrelated to Medicare.</li>
</ul>
<p>Join us in reaching out to Congress: <a href="https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/be-heard?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f96014%2frespond">Send a message</a>.</p>
<h3>Prior authorization</h3>
<p>Physicians complete an average of 41 prior authorizations per week, amounting to roughly 13 hours weekly that physicians and their staff must spend on administrative work instead of seeing and treating patients. If an insurance plan covers a treatment that would benefit a patient, physicians should not have to waste time ensuring access to it.</p>
<p>Further, the criteria used for prior authorizations are unclear. Physicians rarely know at the point-of-care if the prescribed treatment requires prior authorization, only to find out later when a patient's access is delayed or denied. This ineffective system can cause unnecessary tension in the physician-patient relationship and negatively impact patient health.</p>
<p>Congress has taken steps to address this by introducing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8487), which would require Medicare Advantage plans to adopt transparent prior authorization programs that adhere to evidence-based medical guidelines and hold plans accountable for making timely determinations and providing rationales for denials.</p>
<p>With enough grassroots pressure this month, we can get H.R. 8487 across the finish line when Congress returns in the fall. <a href="https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/be-heard?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f85317%2fRespond">Send a message</a>.</p>
<p>Remember, elections are approaching, and time is running out for this Congress to take the critical steps required to help physicians and the patients they care for. Please do your part by answering these urgent calls to action!</p>
</div> | 8/25/2022 2:38:34 PM | 8/22/2022 12:03:19 PM | 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| a-look-at-health-provisions-in-inflation-reduction-act-legislation | A Look at Health Provisions in Inflation Reduction Act Legislation | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/august-26/a-look-at-health-provisions-in-inflation-reduction-act-legislation | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/stock-image-2017-us-capitol-building-bright-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="U.S. Capitol" /></div>
<h5>August 26, 2022</h5>
<h2>A Look at Health Provisions in Inflation Reduction Act Legislation </h2>
<p>President Joe Biden signed the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text">Inflation Reduction Act</a> on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The sweeping legislation was passed through the budget reconciliation process and focuses on addressing climate change and improving access to health care, including several provisions that may affect you as a physician or a patient, or both.</p>
<p>Notable health care provisions of the law include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extending through 2025 the enhanced premium subsidies for people who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces that Congress put in place in 2021 to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>Giving the federal government the ability to negotiate prices of some drugs purchased by Medicare beneficiaries. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is directed to identify Medicare's 100 most expensive drugs and then pick 10 for price negotiations starting in 2023, to take effect in 2026. Over the next two years, another 10 drugs will be added to the list.</li>
<li>Creating patient protections for Medicare Part D program enrollees including capping annual out-of-pocket payments for drugs at $2,000 effective in 2025; expanding eligibility for low-income subsidies; removing cost sharing for certain vaccines; limiting premium growth to no more than 6% annually from 2024-2029; and limiting insulin cost sharing to $35 a month. An effort to apply some of these provisions more broadly, including the insulin cost sharing limit, was blocked by Senate Republicans, though Washington state currently has <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5546&amp;Year=2021&amp;Initiative=false">a law in place</a>&nbsp;limiting insulin cost-sharing to $35 a month for state-regulated health plans through 2023.</li>
</ul>
</div> | 8/25/2022 3:17:37 PM | 8/25/2022 3:14:06 PM | 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| board-of-naturopathy-considers-if-abortions-vasectomies-are-within-scope-of-practice | Board of Naturopathy Considers if Abortions, Vasectomies Are Within Scope of Practice | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/august-26/board-of-naturopathy-considers-if-abortions-vasectomies-are-within-scope-of-practice | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/mortar-pestle-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="mortar and pestle" /></div>
<h5>August 26, 2022</h5>
<h2>Board of Naturopathy Considers if Abortions, Vasectomies Are Within Scope of Practice </h2>
<p>The WSMA recently received a copy of a letter from the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians requesting that the Board of Naturopathy-comprising naturopaths and public members-decide whether in-clinic abortions (dilation and evacuation, vacuum aspiration) and vasectomies are within the scope of practice of naturopaths. The naturopathic <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.36A&amp;full=true#18.36A.040">scope of practice</a> includes a "minor office procedures" provision that WANP argues allows them to perform these procedures. They also requested that the board petition the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to add naturopaths to the list of authorized prescribers for mifepristone.</p>
<p>The board considered these requests at its Aug. 12 meeting. WSMA President-Elect Katina Rue, DO, spoke in opposition to the request related to abortions and vasectomies, noting that while the WSMA supports reproductive freedom, there is no reasonable way to interpret the definition of "minor office procedures" as intending to include the performance of in-office operations like D&amp;E/aspiration abortions and vasectomies. Dr. Rue held that it is within the jurisdiction of the Legislature, not the board, to determine scope of practice. Jeffrey Frankel, MD, on behalf of the Washington State Urological Society, and Linda Dale, PA-C, on behalf of the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants, also shared their concerns.</p>
<p>The board ultimately decided to postpone a decision on the performance of abortions and vasectomies until its next meeting in November. It did, however, agree to petition the FDA on the use of mifepristone. The WSMA will continue to engage on this issue. We will be sharing additional written comments and plan to participate heavily in November's WANP board meeting.</p>
<p>If you have questions or thoughts on this proposal, email WSMA Associate Policy Director Billie Dickinson at <a href="mailto:billie@wsma.org">billie@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 8/25/2022 3:15:06 PM | 8/25/2022 3:14:40 PM | 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| monkeypox-virus-and-vaccine-updates-from-the-department-of-health | Monkeypox Virus and Vaccine Updates from the Department of Health | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/august-26/monkeypox-virus-and-vaccine-updates-from-the-department-of-health | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/monkeypox-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="monkeypox" /></div>
<h5>August 26, 2022</h5>
<h2>Monkeypox Virus and Vaccine Updates from the Department of Health</h2>
<p>In response to an outbreak of the monkeypox virus (MPV), the Washington State Department of Health has established dedicated readiness and response teams to ensure a strong and coordinated response. This month, Gov. Jay Inslee issued <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-directive-monkeypox-virus-mpv-plan-action#:~:text=Gov.%20Jay%20Inslee%20today%20issued%20Directive%2022-18%20to,U.S.%20case%20was%20confirmed%20on%20May%2017%2C%202022.">orders</a> to further direct the DOH's MPV response. The following is the latest update from the DOH on the evolving situation.</p>
<p>As of Aug. 23, 2022, there are 381 confirmed cases of MPV in 13 counties. The majority of cases are in King County.</p>
<h3>Status of MPV vaccines in Washington</h3>
<ul>
<li>16,000+ vials of JYNNEOS vaccine received in Washington state as of Aug. 23.</li>
<li>Up to five doses per vial by intradermal FDA Emergency Use Authorization.</li>
<li>Vaccine administrators report they typically get three-four intradermal doses per vial, similar to what other states are reporting.</li>
<li>DOH is ordering the remainder of Washington's Phase 3 allocation, which is 2,400 vials of JYNNEOS vaccine.</li>
</ul>
<h3>TPOXX treatment </h3>
<ul>
<li>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention holds an expanded access Investigational New Drug (EA-IND) protocol that allows for the use of tecovirimat (TPOXX) for treatment of MPV.</li>
<li>TPOXX antiviral is pre-staged across the state for quicker access.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Clinical training</h3>
<p>DOH is supporting physicians and clinicians by sharing guidance on new intradermal vaccine administration method and antiviral training modules: An <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG46OQogvDE">Aug. 23 training webinar with Q&amp;A</a> and <a href="https://rise.articulate.com/share/lextWUzfJzZKMpxEhFliHOwnHJHbKI5B#/">online training modules</a> are available.</p>
<p>Additional resources for physicians and health care professionals can be found at the <a href="https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/monkeypox/provider-faq-and-resources">MPV Professional Resources and FAQ webpage</a>.</p>
</div> | 8/26/2022 9:18:13 AM | 8/25/2022 1:44:15 PM | 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM |
| new-virtual-only-physician-leadership-course-announced-for-this-fall | New Virtual-Only Physician Leadership Course Announced for This Fall | memo | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/august-26/new-virtual-only-physician-leadership-course-announced-for-this-fall | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/ctr-leadership-development-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Center for Leadership Development logo" /></div>
<h5>August 26, 2022</h5>
<h2>New Virtual-Only Physician Leadership Course Announced for This Fall</h2>
<p>The WSMA will hold a virtual-only Physician Leadership Course this fall. The three live virtual session dates will be Sept. 22 and 23 and Dec. 9. Course participants will complete coursework in between those dates. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em> (TM). The Physician Leadership Course is our popular introductory course for physicians and physician assistants who want to know more about health care leadership. Don't miss this opportunity to launch your leadership journey under the tutelage of instructor Edward A. Walker, MD, MHA, regardless of where you live in the state. <a href="https://wsma.org/EventDetail?EventKey=PLC092222">Learn more and enroll</a>.</p>
<h3>In-person Dyad and Physician Leadership Courses</h3>
<p>Applications are still being accepted for two of our core leadership trainings: The <a href="[@]WSMA/Education/Physician_Leadership/Dyad_Leadership_Course/WSMA/Physician_Leadership/Dyad_Leadership_Course/Dyad_Leadership_Course.aspx?hkey=f6387317-48e4-44f1-b623-4b00fcba57ab">WSMA Dyad Leadership Course</a>, a monthlong course with three live workshop days for physicians and their administrative partners, and the popular <a href="[@]WSMA/Education/Physician_Leadership/Physician_Leadership_Course/WSMA/Physician_Leadership/Physician_Leadership_Course/Physician_Leadership_Course.aspx?hkey=efdc4ad1-ff20-4089-ab51-caafbe73572b">WSMA Physician Leadership Course</a>, our 40+ hour hybrid online/in-person education designed for busy physicians and physician assistants who want to learn more about leadership.</p>
<ul>
<li>The 2022 Dyad Leadership Course will be held in person at the Silver Cloud Hotel in Seattle Oct. 14-Nov. 18, 2022. The first two days will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15, finishing with a final in-person session on Friday, Nov. 18, where dyads will present an A3 on their project. An EQI assessment is included registration. The maximum capacity for the course is 20 participants, or 10 dyads. Individuals or group/system teams are encouraged to apply. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em>â„¢.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Physician Leadership Course will be held in person at The Maxwell Hotel in Seattle Sept. 16-Dec. 2, 2022. The first two in-person days will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17. Course participants will then have 11 weeks of online instruction and interaction, finishing with the final in-person session on Friday, Dec. 2. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em>â„¢.</li>
</ul>
<p>Learn more about these courses and all of our leadership offerings by visiting the <a href="[@]WSMA/Education/Physician_Leadership/WSMA/Physician_Leadership/Physician_Leadership.aspx?hkey=4a910f13-3bb1-4b95-853f-6f93e33637d2">WSMA Center for Leadership Development</a>.</p>
</div> | 8/26/2022 9:33:22 AM | 8/25/2022 3:52:51 PM | 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM |