October 2020 E-Newsletter

By Jeremy | October 2, 2020

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 impact on third-party and Medicaid billing. This is offered free to WAFP members, but registration is required.
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. More information, including registration, will be available soon. Stay tuned!

Guide WAFP’s Antiracism Work: The WAFP Board of Directors is seeking task force members to advance the Academy’s anti-racism work. The task force will recommend goals and strategies to the Board. If you are interested in being considered, please review the information on WAFP’s website at: https://wafp.net/get-involved/anti-racism/
AAFP Congress of Delegates: WAFP submitted two resolutions to the 2020 Congress of Delegates, one concerning gender-affirming care for transgender youth and another supporting the development of a national bureau of firearm safety. Also of note: a resolution from the Kansas chapter would essentially undo a 2018 resolution on medical aid in dying. The 2018 resolution was proposed by Washington and other chapters.
Strategic Plan Developed: Academy leaders undertook the task of revising WAFP’s strategic plan over two weekends in September. The plan, which is typically revisited every three years, guides the organization’s work in five key areas: advocacy; public health; embracing students, residents and early-career physicians; practice enhancement; and organizational health. The proposed plan now awaits approval by the Board at its January meeting.

Looking for Leadership Candidates: WAFP’s nominating committees are meeting to select nominees for leadership position. Your perspective and talents are important to the future of family medicine. Descriptions of leadership roles are published on the WAFP website. If your question isn’t answered in the descriptions, reach out to our current Academy leadership! To express your interest in a role, please email brian@wafp.net.
Help Us Plan: One-Sentence Survey: What topics should WAFP consider for its next CME event?
Become a Published Author: WAFP welcomes articles for Washington Family Physician. Please send your idea or submission to brian@wafp.net. So long as the topic relates to family medicine, all topics are welcome!

Value-Based Care Summit with Dr. Donald Berwick: The Bree Collaborative and the Washington Health Alliance are hosting the Value-Based Care Virtual Summit on Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
UW Psychiatry Consultation Line Available 24/7: If you need clinical advice for adult patients (18+) with mental health concerns or substance use disorder, call 877-WA-PSYCH. After a short intake with a UW health navigator, you will be connected to a UW psychiatrist. The service is free for you and your patient, and it is funded by the State of Washington.