Medical Society News

January 2022

Greetings!

As 2022 kicks off, so many of us are trying out the "New Year, New Me" approach. Taking the opportunity of the new year to "better" yourself in some way is an admirable quality. It's a quality that SSVMS strives for as well. In order to do that, we need your help. SSVMS isn't one person or a room of officers. It's you and me and all of us together. In order to truly reflect on what your Medical Society is doing well and where we can improve, we need feedback from you, our members. You will be receiving an email invitation this next week with a link to a member survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. The feedback you provide will help set our priorities in the coming years. I look forward to serving as your President in 2022. Thank you and Happy New Year! Paul D. Reynolds, MD - SSVMS President

Call to Action! Urge a "No" on AB 1400 Bill Lacks Necessary Protections SSVMS and CMA are urging all physicians and medical students to contact their Assemblymember to urge them to vote “No” on AB 1400 (Kalra). This bill would establish a single-payor, government-run health plan (CalCares) in California. The bill as written, however, lacks the policy and constitutional protections necessary to ensure an efficient, physician-led health care delivery system. Therefore, AB 1400 is inconsistent with CMA policy, which outlines minimum criteria for any single-payor system. AB 1400 was stopped in the Assembly Rules Committee in 2021. However, on January 6, 2022, the bill was referred to the Assembly Health Committee for a hearing on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Due to procedures, it must pass a full vote of the Assembly by the end of January. Please click here today to send an email to your Assemblymember asking them to vote “No” on AB 1400.

Urge a "No" Vote on AB 1400

Inspire the Future of Medicine as a Job-Shadow Host Several Opportunities Available in 2022   After the success of our inaugural program, SSVMS is hosting the Future of Medicine again in 2022! In addition to the Summer Program, we'll also be hosting White Coat Week during local high schools' Spring Break.   Please consider offering a high school student a chance to experience a career in healthcare first hand! We need professionals in healthcare to host students in a job-shadowing position in your private practice or clinic. Participating students will observe only, and adhere to strict rules of confidentiality.

White Coat Week Opportunities Students will job-shadow over a four-day period from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Spring Break Week I Mon, Mar 14, 2022 - Thu, Mar 17, 2022

Spring Break Week II Mon, Apr 11, 2022 - Thu, Apr 14, 2022

Sign Up to Host Here

Summer Program Opportunities Students will job-shadow over two days from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Summer Session I Mon, Jul 7, 2022 Fri, Jul 11, 2022

Summer Session II Wed, Aug 3, 2022 Thu, Aug 4, 2022

Sign Up to Host Here

Report Vaccine Adverse Event with HHS Reporting System

Healthcare providers are required to report adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination to VAERS. Learn more about the system and requirements at the HHS VAERS FAQ page.

SSVMS Events

Registration Open! SSVMS Honors Medicine Awards Night Sat, Apr 23, 2022

SSVMS Honors Medicine Awards Night will be in-person! To ensure a safe event, all attendees must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Join us for Dinner, Wine, and a Night of Magic in Medicine as We Honor Physicians Who Make a Difference in Our Community Featuring Magician Kevin Blake as seen on America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Golden Stethoscope Award JaNanh C. Scalapino, MD Medical Community Service Award SSVMS Alliance

Medical Honor Award Gary S. Chu, MD Special Recognition Award Henry Go, MD

Register Today!

CMA Events

(CME) Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Therapeutics Tue, Jan 11 | 12:00pm-1:00pm

Webinar: New Laws Affecting Physicians and Their Practices Tue, Jan 11 | 12:15pm-1:15pm

Webinar: No Surprises Act - The New Federal Law and Its Impact on California Physicians Wed, Jan 19 | 12:15pm-1:15pm

Webinar: Policy and Practice Updates from CMS Wed, Jan 26 | 12:15pm-1:15pm

Webinar: Managing Medicare in 2022 Wed, Feb 9 | 12:15pm-1:30pm

Webinar: HIPAA Privacy and Security: Still a Challenge After All These Years Thu, Feb 24 | 12:15pm-1:15pm

(CME) Break the Bias: Health Equity and the Importance of Screening and Referring for Diabetes Prevention Asynchronous Recording

See all upcoming CMA events here >>

Other Events

Market Outlook Webinar Brought to you by Ameriprise - Crumley & Associates Wed, Jan 12 | 12:00pm-1:00pm

Utilizing the Wheel of Life to Create Your Personal Snapshot for 2022 Brought to you by the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society Alliance Thu, Mar 3 | 9:30am-10:30am

The Ins and Outs of Managing Patient Complaints Brought to you by The Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) Asynchronous Recording

Membership Corner

Vanessa Walker, DO on the importance of SSVMS membership.

I'm a member because... Share with us why you're an SSVMS member! Maybe it's because of SPIRIT, Joy of Medicine, the Museum of Medical History, the camaraderie of your fellow physicians, the practice assistance, or even just using Sammy the Skeleton for demonstrations. Whatever your reason is, please share it with Brandon J. Craig at bcraig@ssvms.org.

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SSVMS Campaigns and Programs

Make A Plan with Honoring Wishes

Get Your Advance Directive Today!

SSVMS invites all physicians and office staff to communicate your end-of-life-care wishes by completing an advance directive. Honoring Wishes provides the Five Wishes advance directive to members at no cost. Don't make your family guess as to what you want or force them to make uncomfortable decisions. Completing this form will save a lifetime of pain for your friends and family by making it clear exactly what you want to happen. Contact Marlee Turner at mturner@ssvms.org to get your advance directive today!

Honoring Wishes Quick Tips for Advance Care Planning From Howard Homler, MD - Honoring Wishes Advisory Committee Member

Remember that Living Wills and Advance Directives are guides based on the patient's wishes, but the POLST form is composed of medical orders that must be followed. Always ensure that POLST forms are up-to-date and easily located.

Social Media Corner

Over the course of January, SSVMS will be sharing some of our goals for 2022 and we encourage you to do the same! What are you looking to accomplish, either professionally or personally, that you want to brag about? Marathon? More reading? Learning a new language? Tell us via e-mail (bcraig@ssvms.org) or by tagging us on social media! #Resolutions

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In the News

New Health Laws 2022: Are you ready? CDPH publishes fact sheet on Omicron variant Has your practice had challenges referring or providing access to mental health services? Medi-Cal to cover pediatric COVID-19 vaccine counseling by health care providers CMA survey finds 70% of practices worried about practice viability after 19 mo of sustained losses CMA issues statement supporting Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber's planned legislation on physician licensing CMA publishes overview of federal No Surprises Act New CPT Modifier 93 for audio-only services takes effect Jan. 1 EDD will require identity verification for physicians certifying SDI claims See all news from CMA here

Protect Yourself and Your Practice From Common Pitfalls That Can Put You at Risk of a Lawsuit   In Physicians at Risk: An Essential Guide for Minimizing Liability in Business and Medicine, published this month by the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP), you will find strategies for addressing the inherent risks of running a medical practice and learn about the steps you can take to ensure a productive and safe operation. From the dangers lurking within your physical space, to the ignored warnings coming from an upset patient, to the hidden threats of mishandling an adverse outcome, it may be time to review and update policies and procedures that can protect you, your patients, and your practice.   Download Your Free Guide   In this guide, you will find a comprehensive collection of articles and resources addressing the following:   Business Risks in the Medical Practice Keeping Your Patients Happy Avoiding Claims Resulting from Gaps in Communication and Documentation Managing Risks Associated with Adverse Outcomes   As a leading provider of superior medical malpractice coverage in California for more than 40 years, CAP remains committed to providing physicians with secure and affordable protection and relevant practice and risk management resources to help you run a safe and successful practice.   To learn more about becoming a CAP member, please contact Al Malasig at 650-543-2185 or via email at AMalasig@CAPphysicians.com. Request an Instant Quote today to see how much you can save on medical malpractice coverage through CAP.

Joy of Medicine Corner

Joy of Medicine Wellness Checkup SSVMS encourages physicians to schedule a free resiliency consultation with one of our Joy of Medicine psychologists or life coaches. Every physician in the Sacramento region is eligible for up to six sponsored sessions with a provider of your choice. Learn More>>

Experiences from the Pandemic's Front Lines A Special Series from Joy of Medicine On Call

The public has gotten a lot of input on the COVID-19 pandemic from the media and politicians. But how many have heard directly from physicians themselves? Our special series is here to help. Listen yourself and share with anyone who needs to hear it! Three episodes are already released and more are coming soon. Brooks Kuhn, MD - Critical Care/Pulmonology John Coburn, MD - Emergency Medicine Shideh Chinichian, MD - Internal Medicine

Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine

Read the January/February Issue of Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine

Partners in Medicine

Please consider SSVMS's Partners in Medicine when in need of services. We look forward to continuing our important relationships with each of these Partners.

Diamond Level Cooperative of American Physicians NORCAL Group  Vitalant

Gold Level Ameriprise – Crumley & Associates UC Davis Health 

Silver Level Maloof Law Group First Citizens

Bronze Level Jamie Baker & Company Executech

Medical Society News Sponsored By:

The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society is dedicated to bringing together physicians from all modes of practice to promote the art and science of quality medical care and to enhance the physical and mental health of our entire community.

#Resolutions | #JoyofMedicine | #SPIRITHeals