Blog Feed

Fort Worth Amends Disaster Declaration for COVID-19

Mayor Betsy Price signed an amended order to the emergency declaration in place within the City of Fort Worth due to a local public health emergency and in a continued effort to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The following went into effect today, Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 6:00 pm:

  • All in-person worship services are no longer permitted, with the exception of worship support staff to facilitate online services.
  • All malls and non-essential retail establishments including barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, spas, massage parlors, estheticians and related personal care businesses are closed and no occupancy is permitted.
  • Also closed: bars, lounges, taverns, commercial amusement and entertainment establishments, bingo halls, theaters, gyms, fitness classes, yoga and personal training facilities, similar facilities and classes, private clubs, tattoo and piercing parlors and tanning salons, residential meeting spaces, event centers, hotel meeting spaces and ballrooms, outdoor plazas and markets Essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other establishments that sell household goods will remain open but must enforce social separation. This includes:
  • Convenience and package stores, pharmacies and drug stores, day care facilities, medical facilities, veterinary facilities, non-profit service providers of essential services, homeless and emergency shelters, office buildings, jails, essential government buildings, airports and transit facilities, transportation systems, residential buildings and hotels, manufacturing and distribution facilities. In-house dining at restaurants remains closed, but drive-in, drive-through, takeout and delivery are still permitted. There is no distinction between the types of gatherings in the amended declaration. There should be no gatherings of more than 10 people.

Additionally, temperature screenings at public-facing city facilities began Wednesday, March 18. Those entering city facilities during normal business hours will have their temperature checked using a forehead thermometer, and people with a temperature of 100 degrees or more will be asked to leave, and to contact their healthcare provider. This includes city employees.

AMA’s ROLE IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The following is a message from American Medical Association EVP/CEO James L. Madara, MD. 

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an enormous threat to public health and an extreme challenge to physicians. Now, more than ever, physicians need a powerful ally in patient care. The AMA’s COVID-19 response strategy, attached, provides a road map for our initiatives in an unprecedented pandemic scenario. The strategy frames the AMA’s response in three key areas:

  • Providing clear, evidence-based guidance from trusted resources, including JAMA Network, the CDC, WHO, state and local agencies and AMA subject matter experts.
  • Building an interface with physicians on the front line, allowing them to share their experience with other physicians, the government and key health agencies.
  • Removing obstacles to diagnosis and treatment through our Advocacy, CPT, PS2 and other initiatives.

We are acquiring many ideas and we filter them through the above three strategic channels (keeping in mind the overarching view of what it is the AMA does well). Since early January, we have closely monitored the global outbreak of COVID-19 and compiled up-to-the-moment information for physicians. Here are some examples of what we’ve done recently viewed through the lens of our COVID-19 response strategy:

  • Building an interface with physicians on the front lines
    • Speaking directly to power on behalf of physicians
    • Conversations and updates with our Federation partners and AMA Ambassadors
    • Learning from and sharing first-hand accounts of physicians on the front lines. Listen to JAMA Editor Howard Bauchner, MD interview Maurizio Cecconi, MD in Italy and NIAID’s Anthony Fauci, MD;  read how the Permanente Medical Group developed new approaches to preserve PPE. 
    • Listening to and answering questions from physicians on twitter, leveraging ambassadors to engage and spread the word, and will be conducting Twitter chats to answer physician questions and share experiences. 
    • Called on the Administration for $100 billion dollars to support front line health care personnel and providers.
  • Removing obstacles to diagnosis and treatment
  • AMA Head: Lack of protective gear for health care workers is ‘unacceptable’
  • AMA Calls on Administration to Use Every Lever to Address Protective Equipment Needs, Lack of Tests in COVID-19 Fight
  • Mobilizing a dramatic increase in the nation’s telemedicine capacity through its advocacy and publication of the Quick Guide to Telemedicine in Practice, a new resource to help physicians implement remote care.
  • Developed new CPT code for coronavirus.
  • Eased restrictions on the use of laboratory developed tests for COVID-19 testing to expand local access. 
  • Administration exercising flexibility in reducing regulatory burdens by allowing physicians to care for Medicare beneficiaries in States other than where they are licensed, waiving enrollment requirements and expediting enrollment, and waiving the requirement for Medicare patients for a 3-day hospitalization prior to covering skilled nursing facility care.  
  • Worked with HHS on the development of new recommendations for deferring non-urgent elective procedures that are consistent with recommendations of the American College of Surgeons. 

The AMA’s COVID-19 news and video coverage is promoted across the AMA website, email, Morning Rounds, all social platforms and Apple News. Since COVID-19 coverage began through March 18, nearly 390,000 users have consumed COVID-19 content from the AMA website, including nearly 17,000 clicks/referrals to JAMA and EdHub resources.

Resources

AMA Letters:

  • March 19 – Letter to Congressional Leaders re: urgent steps to help preserve viability of physician practices due to the demands of COVID-19.
  • March 18 – Letter to Seema Verma re: CPT code clarification in light of COVID-19 with remote physiologic monitoring and telephone evaluation and management.
  • March 16 – Letter to Michael Pence re: Request for assistance with shortage of personal protective equipment for health care professionals.
  • March 13 – Letter to Alex Azar re: Medicare assistance for solutions facing the nation with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sign-On Letters:

Press releases to date:

March 20:

March 19:

March 18:

March 17:

March 13:

March 10:

March 5:AMA statement on Congress passing supplemental COVID-19 appropriations

COVID-19 Activity in Tarrant County – 3/21/20

Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

CITYCASESACTIVEDEATHSRECOVERED
TOTALS423912
Arlington11 1 
Benbrook1   
Colleyville2   
Euless2   
Forest Hill1   
Fort Worth11   
Grapevine1   
Lakeside2   
Keller1   
Mansfield3   
N Richland Hills2   
Southlake3   
Watauga1   
White Settlement1   

Practical Answers to COVID-19 Questions for Your Practice – Updated

By David Doolittle

Originally published on the Texas Medical Association website.

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Texas and around the country grows, what steps should your clinic take to ensure the safety of your staff and patients? 

The Texas Medical Association COVID-19 Task Force has updated its “Frequently Asked Questions” that answer many of the questions you might have about caring for people who have been exposed to the virus.

Among the questions answered:

  • How to minimize exposure to COVID-19 in your clinic; 
  • Types of infection prevention control measures to implement in your clinic;
  • How to best prepare staff;
  • Infection prevention and control precautions to take if a patient with possible COVID-19 requires evaluation at an emergency department (ED); and
  • Infection prevention and control recommendations to give to patients with suspected COVID-19 who are well enough to go home.

The FAQ is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and other health organizations.

You can find the latest news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.

TexMed 2020 Update: Going Virtual

TexMed 2020 will not take place in Fort Worth on May 1-2, Texas Medical Association President David C. Fleeger, MD, announced Tuesday. The TMA House of Delegates, however, will convene in a virtual format on those same dates, using a focused agenda to address the key issues before the house.

“After careful consideration of the evolving COVID-19 situation in Texas, with input from local and state health officials and TMA’s Coronavirus Task Force, the TMA Board of Trustees has determined that TexMed 2020 will not take place in Fort Worth on May 1-2,” Dr. Fleeger said. “The health and safety of our members is paramount as you are on the front lines of the fight to control the spread of the virus and treat infected patients.”

Dr. Fleeger asked House of Delegates members to keep May 1 and May 2 open on their calendars and told them to expect additional information on the virtual house meeting over the coming weeks.

“While we regret that our members will not gather in Fort Worth, TMA leadership and staff are working to keep the association moving forward, and to provide alternate solutions where possible,” he said. These include:

  • Chairs of TMA boards, councils, committees, and sections will determine if and when those bodies will convene virtually. Members of TMA’s boards, councils, committees, and sections can expect additional communications from TMA staff.
  • Where possible, the CME education planned for TexMed 2020 will be made available to members via TMA’s online Education Center.
  • Information from exhibitors at the TexMed 2020 Expo Hall will be hosted online through the end of the year for members to explore the latest practice solutions and services.
  • The TMA Foundation Gala will transition to a different format. Ticketholders will receive additional information in the coming weeks.

Hotel reservations will automatically be cancelled for anyone who booked a TexMed 2020 room through the TMA website. Those who made a reservation outside the TMA room block or used points to book their room should contact the hotel directly to cancel their stay. For more information, visit the TexMed Housing and Travel page.

For information about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, please visit TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center. 

Texas Physicians Join The Telehealth Initiative to Improve Access to Quality Health Care

Doctors Launch Nationwide Initiative to Improve Care During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) joined The Physicians Foundation, American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, and Massachusetts Medical Society in launching The Telehealth Initiative to help physicians start telehealth care. With the current health crisis, the organizations sped the initiative’s launch to help physicians shift to telehealth to meet patients’ needs from their homes where they cannot transmit COVID-19 or other diseases to other people.

The COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the need for physicians’ access to practical resources that will enable them to operate telehealth services to care for their patients efficiently. Through The Telehealth Initiative, physicians are able to diagnose and direct patients efficiently and safely, while improving patient outcomes.

“Physicians know how important it is for us to give our patients the option of obtaining safe, high-quality medical care digitally,” said David C. Fleeger, MD, president of TMA. “TMA wants to provide tools and pragmatic guidance for physicians, so that we can embrace telemedicine and appropriately offer it to our existing patients and maintain continuity of care.”

The program helps participating physicians redesign their practices to successfully provide telehealth services to their patients. Additionally, the initiative is providing free, online access to resources to encourage all physicians to consider and launch telehealth services. The Telehealth Initiative’s resources for physicians include:

“The generous grant from The Physicians Foundation allows TMA to accelerate our work and get this information to physicians quickly, which is vital as we see COVID-19 take its grip on the public’s daily routine,” Dr. Fleeger added.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 53,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

About The Physicians Foundation

The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the health care system in America continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in its determination to strengthen the physician-patient relationship and assist physicians in sustaining their medical practices in today’s practice environment. It pursues its mission through a variety of activities including grant-making, research, white papers and policy studies. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded numerous multi-year grants totaling more than $50 million. In addition, the Foundation focuses on the following core areas: physician leadership, physician wellness, physician practice trends, social determinants of health and the impact of health care reform on physicians and patients. For more information, visitwww.physiciansfoundation.org.

Contact: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320

Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336

Dr. Mark Shelton Answers Your Coronavirus Questions

Posted on 3/27/20

Watch the below video to hear Pediatric Infection Disease Specialist Dr. Mark Shelton explain “community spread” and answer some of your top coronavirus questions.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/what-is-community-spread-and-other-answers-to-your-coronavirus-questions/2333007/

Telemedicine Payments Promised, Regulations Eased

By Ellen Terry

To help Texas physicians safely and effectively treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, several changes to telemedicine visits have taken effect, including payment for services and which platforms can be used. 

“Physicians have important new tools to care safely for our most vulnerable patients in this crisis thanks to the timely actions by the Trump administration, Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Medical Board President Sherif Zaafran, MD, and Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan,” TMA President David C. Fleeger said. “We are working closely with congressional leaders to expand telemedicine payment parity to all health plans so we can provide the high quality of care all Texas patients deserve.” 

Insurers to Cover Visits  

Governor Abbott on Tuesday waived certain regulations and directed the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to issue an emergency rule relating to telemedicine provided through state-regulated insurance plans. 

Contracted or preferred physicians and other health care professionals will be eligible for payment from TDI-regulated insurance plans for medical visits they conduct over the phone instead of in person at the same rate they would receive for in-person visits. The Texas Medical Board will issue guidance in the coming days, including administrative guidance for billing to ensure claims are processed smoothly, the governor’s office said. 

These actions build upon waivers the governor issued last week to allow physicians to establish a doctor-patient relationship over the telephone.

HIPAA Restrictions Suspended  

Effective immediately, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights will not penalize physicians for noncompliance with HIPAA when they serve patients in good faith through common, nonpublic-facing communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype. 

This applies to services provided via telehealth for any reason, regardless of whether the service is related to the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions related to COVID-19, the office said. 

HHS encourages physicians to notify patients of the potential security risks of using these services, but notification is not required. Physicians should not use public-facing communication services like Facebook Live, Twitch, and TikTok. Physicians should still document the visit as though it took place in person. 

Physicians may want to check with individual payers regarding their telemedicine requirements in light of the HHS announcement. 

Medicare Telehealth Expands  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has temporarily broadened telehealth access to Medicare patients. 

Under a new 1135 waiver effective March 6: 

  • Medicare can pay for office visits furnished via telehealth in all areas of the country (not only rural areas) and in any setting, including in a patient’s home.
  • These visits are considered the same as in-person visits and are paid at the same rate as regular, in-person visits. CMS will allow payment for any telehealth-covered code, even if unrelated to COVID-19 diagnosis, screening, or treatment.
  • Physicians may reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal health care programs.
  • HHS will not enforce the established-relationship requirement that a patient must have seen the physician within the last three years.
  • As described above, physicians may provide services using smart phones that have audio and video capabilities.
  • Audio-only visits are allowed via telephone, but are paid at a different rate according to the CMS Medicare Telemedicine Fact Sheet. 

For details, see Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions and the Texas Medical Association’s latest telemedicine tools and information. The Texas Medical Board also has published an FAQ on using telemedicine during the COVID-19 disaster declaration.

You can also find the latest news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.

Originally published on Texas Medical Association’s website.

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started