November 2020 E-Newsletter

By Jeremy | November 3, 2020

Mark Your Calendar

  • Coding Update on Nov. 4: Significant coding changes take effect Jan. 1, 2021. Get ready! Attend this seminar where payment specialists from AAFP discuss how the changes benefit family physicians, how coding and sign-off should happen for supervised team members, and the impact on third-party and Medicaid billing. This is offered free to WAFP members, but registration is required. WAFP has applied for CME credits for this event.
  • CME Free for WAFP Members on Nov. 14: Starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., WAFP will host a CME event. We anticipate 3-4 AAFP credits will be available. Scheduled topics include racism in medicine, mental health treatment for primary care, buprenorphine model, vaginal bleeding, skin cancer and new guidelines for urinary/respiratory/soft tissue infections. As with the other event, though free for WAFP members, registration is required.
  • *NEW* Professional Development Track: Nov. 19 marks the first session in WAFP’s new Professional Development Track program. The first session focuses on WAFP, while subsequent sessions go beyond our organization. We believe that engaging with WAFP gives you the chance to chart the future of family medicine in our state; build your network by connecting with colleagues; advocate more effectively; and dig deeper into professional interests. Though free, registration is required, and all WAFP members are welcome to attend. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Stay In The Know

  • Washington FamilyMedPAC Makes Contributions: In October, the political action committee of the WAFP contributed to the campaigns of 20 state legislative candidates. Contributions were made to both Democratic and Republican candidates from across the state. A full list has been posted to WAFP’s website. (You must be logged in to access the list.)
  • Antiracism Task Force Formed: WAFP members from across the state, including medical students and residents, will comprise the Academy’s Antiracism Task Force. The task force will hold its first meeting in November.
  • 2020 Congress of Delegates Held Virtually: WAFP brought two resolutions to the 2020 Congress of Delegates: the first, to ensure greater support for the provision of gender-affirming care to transgender youth, was referred to the AAFP Board of Directors; the second, to support the development of a national bureau on gun safety, was adopted. (Separately, the WAFP has enacted a policy supporting the provision of gender-affirming care.) Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP, became the AAFP’s first Black woman to serve as president, while Sterling Ransone, MD, of Deltaville, VA, was elected as president-elect.
  • Prepping for COVID-19 Vaccinations: The Washington State Department of Health is encouraging health care workers to ready themselves for when a COVID-19 vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. DOH has posted information on its website and is encouraging physicians and other health care workers to become familiar with how the program and enrollment in the program will work. If you have questions about the enrollment process, please contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Response Team at COVID.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.

Engage with WAFP

Take Advantage of Other Opportunities

  • WSU Health Sciences Offers Help to Rural Clinics: WSU Health Sciences in Spokane is offering two programs intended to assist rural clinics. The first offers strategies on implementing team-based care by using a virtual interactive case simulation for a chronic pain patient. All members of the care team are welcome to participate. Once the case simulation is complete, WSU experts offer strategies to employ team-based care; clinics are free to implement those tips as they see fit. WSU is also offering a virtual Balint group to bring together physicians and other providers to discuss complicated cases. The 8 to 10 participants and two facilitators discuss a featured case and consider potential diagnoses and treatments. For both programs, there is no cost, and CME credits are available for participation. Learn more at WSU’s website or by contacting Barbara Richardson, PhD, RN, in WSU’s Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences, at barichardson@wsu.edu.
  • DOH Offering No-Cost Flu Shots to Uninsured Adults: The Washington State Department of Health, in conjunction with Albertsons and Safeway, is offering free flu vaccinations to uninsured adults. Patients can visit any of 23 stores in 13 counties across the state. No proof of residency or immigration status will be required.

Posted in E-Newsletter