Medical News – Page 17 – Tarrant County Physician Online

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 6/4/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 5863*

COVID-19 related deaths: 173

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 2474

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, June 4, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Residents urged to take precautions as summer weather arrives in north Texas

With temperatures well into the 90s and a potential heat index of 100 degrees predicted by next week, Tarrant County Public Health reminds residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. People should pay special attention to children, the elderly and pets.

An Ozone Action Day is also in effect today for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Elevated ozone levels can mean poor air quality for sensitive groups.

“As the temperatures climb, it’s important to remember to check on elderly relatives, friends or neighbors for any signs of heat related illness,” said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. “People 65 and older, infants and children up to age 4, and those with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress,” he said.

Symptoms of heat stroke and exhaustion include a temperature over 103, dizziness, nausea, confusion and headache.
If someone shows these signs, call 9-1-1 and move the person to a shaded area; place in a cool shower if they are alert; monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts. Do not give the victim fluids to drink.

To avoid heat-related problems, Tarrant County Public Health recommends following these strategies:

Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day
Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
Drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol and sugary drinks) and don’t wait until you are thirsty
Take cool showers
Never leave a child, elderly person, or pet unattended in a car
Keep pets cool
Avoid unnecessary work or activities outside during the hottest part of the day
Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brim hat if you need to be in the sun
Avoid using the oven to cook

Residents should also be alert for heat advisories and emergencies. The National Weather Service declares a Heat Emergency when the heat index (temperature plus humidity) reaches 108 degrees on two or more consecutive days. A heat index of 108 is a potential health threat for all people, particularly those in high risk groups.

For more information on extreme heat, visit Avoid heat injuries

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 6/3/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 5761*

COVID-19 related deaths: 168

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 2420

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

COVID-19 Deadlines for Doctors

Originally published on Texas Medical Association’s Website.

The following deadlines and extensions are in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practices that received funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act before April 24 have until June 3 to accept the terms and conditions and submit revenue information to receive an additional payment.

Aetna is moving its provider portal to Availity (from NaviNet) effective May 31. After that date, you’ll lose access to Aetna on NaviNet, including electronic transactions. Aetna also:

Has extended coverage for commercial telemedicine service, including audio-only visits, through Aug. 4; and
Will no longer waive cost sharing for any in-network telemedicine visits for commercial plans starting June 4.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has extended access to telemedicine/telehealth services with no cost sharing for all medically necessary, covered services and treatments through June 30. That access was set to expire May 31.

Cigna will extend certain cost-share waivers, including customer cost-sharing for telemedicine screenings for COVID-19, and other benefits through at least July 31.

Several Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program(CHIP) flexibilities, including paying for Texas Health Steps (THSteps) medical checkups via telemedicine and CHIP copay waivers, will be extended through June 30. Payments had been set to expire May 31.

Medicare’s 2020 Quality Payment Program (QPP) registration window is open for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) web interface reporting method and Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey through June 30.

Medicare’s 2019 QPP final performance feedback, which includes your overall MIPS score (0-100 point scale) and 2021 Medicare payment adjustment (bonus or cut) worth up to 7%, is expected July 1 via the QPP portal. Physicians who did not submit any 2019 MIPS data or who filed an application for an exception due to COVID-19 should not receive a 2021 payment cut.

Find each payer’s effective and expiration dates of waivers on this chart on the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 Resource Center.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 6/1/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 5534*

COVID-19 related deaths: 165

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 2324

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Monday, June 1, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

North Texas Physicians Encourage Full 14-Day Quarantine for Those Sick or Exposed to COVID-19

The North Texas Medical Society Coalition (NTMSC) is encouraging those who are sick or exposed to COVID-19 to complete a full 14 days in quarantine to avoid a resurgence of the virus in North Texas.

“The respiratory symptoms from COVID-19 usually appear about five to six days after exposure, but may occur as soon as two days or as late as 14 days after exposure. People may be most likely to spread the virus to others during the 48 hours before they start to experience symptoms,” says Beth Kassanoff, MD, NTMSC Vice Chair. “If you get a nasal swab COVID test done too early after exposure, it will be negative, even though you may go on to develop the disease, because there are so few viral particles in your nose so soon after infection that the test cannot detect them. This possibility of a false negative test result is why anyone who has been exposed to someone known or who is suspected to be infected should stay home for 14 days even if they test negative for coronavirus.”

NTMSC makes the following recommendations for those who may have COVID-19:

Self-quarantining is key – sick individuals should stay home and avoid contact with others. They should not go to work or school and should avoid public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares. Local health departments can assist with basic needs (for example, food and medication).
If there has been close contact with a person who has lab-confirmed COVID-19, or who was diagnosed with COVID-19 without lab testing, individuals should self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after the last contact. If a member of a household has lab-confirmed COVID-19 or is diagnosed with COVID-19, all members of that household should self-quarantine for 14 days after any sick person in the household’s self-isolation period ends.
If anyone is feeling sick they should self-isolate at home. Those who do have COVID-19 need to continue isolating until their symptoms are gone, they have not had a fever for three days, and at least 10 days after their symptoms began. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other common symptoms include chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. Not everyone with COVID-19 will have all symptoms and fever might not be present. Anyone who has symptoms and wants to get tested for COVID-19 should reach out to their healthcare provider. Providers may collect samples to test or help individuals find testing sites in their area.

Outside of self-quarantine, NTMSC continues to encourage thorough hand washing, wearing a mask, and maintaining six feet of distance from others.

About North Texas Medical Society Coalition:

The NTMSC represents more than 11,500 physicians in the communities of Collin-Fannin, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, and Tarrant County. Founded in 2020, the NTMSC works with community healthcare partners, including public health departments, hospitals, and business leaders, to advise on medical recommendations to serve the health care needs of the residents of North Texas.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/30/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 5463*

COVID-19 related deaths: 165

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 2292

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Friday, May 29, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/29/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 5379*

COVID-19 related deaths: 160

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 2220

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Friday, May 29, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Which Plans Pay for Telemedicine Services – and for How Long?

Originally published on the Texas Medical Association website.

As you’re no doubt aware, telemedicine has made it possible for many physicians to continue seeing patients while reducing the risk of spread during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temporary changes to state and federal rules, particularly regarding payment for services, have helped push up the new demand for and use of telemedicine.

Prior to the pandemic, health plans did not have to pay physicians the same rate for telemedicine visits as for in-person visits.

But what does each type of plan pay for visits?

The Texas Medical Association has compiled information for various types of plans. Remember that some plans’ policies are different for audio-only visits.

Commercial

State-regulated plans. The Texas Department of Insurance’s (TDI) emergency rules requiring state-regulated health insurers and HMOs to pay an in-network health professional at least the same rate for a telemedicine or telehealth service as they would for the same service or procedure in-person took effect March 17. Those rules remain in effect for up to 120 days (mid-July). They can be extended for an additional 60 days if needed. (For more details, see TDIs FAQs.)
ERISA (self-funded) employer-sponsored plans. There is no requirement for these federally regulated plans to pay the in-person rate for telemedicine care. However, many ERISA employee health plans are administered by Texas insurers – as a Third-Party Administrator (TPA). Many of the plans’ administrators have encouraged these plans to pay for telemedicine services at the same level as TDI-regulated plans, and many have.

Medicare:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has opened up a number of telemedicine payment policies for Medicare telemedicine services. The telehealth waiver remains effective until the Health and Human Services Department secretary declares the public health emergency has ended.
In addition to audio and video services, CMS also allows for telephone-only encounters to be billed and paid at the in-person rate, retroactive to March 1. Refer to the Telemedicine Payer Policies matrix on the TMA Telemedicine Resource Center for payer policy updates.

Medicaid:

Texas Medicaid recently authorized telemedicine payment for well-child checks for children older than 24 months. The state also approved other telemedicine flexibilities, such as payment for audio-only telemedicine and telehealth visits. These waivers all expire May 31, but TMA anticipates the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will extend them at least for one more month. TMA and state societies representing primary care and obstetrical physicians have asked for a six-month extension, through November.

You can find more information on the Telemedicine section of TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center, which is updated with the latest news, resources, and government guidance regularly.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/28/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 5295*

COVID-19 related deaths: 158

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 2040

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, May 28, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.