COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources for Medical Providers

The Maine Osteopathic Association continues to monitor the ongoing spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and will update the resources and information below to the best of our ability, sending important updates to members individually.

This page was last updated 6/15/2021 by MOA staff

QUICK LINKS

Maine COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Website (for patients/public)

COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Portal

Community Collaborative COVID-19 Vaccine Application

Maine health care professionals with clinical questions relating to COVID‑19 can also call: 1-800-821-5821

Gov. Mills COVID-19 Response Page

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Quarantine Guidance for Healthcare Workers with Possible COVID-19 Exposure

Clinical Trial Lookup: https://clinicaltrials.gov/

Maine CDC

If you have not done so, please sign up for the Maine CDC Health Alert Network HERE

Maine's Emergency Response System Now Activated for Public Questions on COVID-19: Dial 211, or text your zip code to 898-211

If you are a Maine health care professional and have questions about COVID‑19, call: 1-800-821-5821 for quick clinical Q/A

Maine DHHS COVID-19 Resources Page

AOA COVID-19 Resources

FREE AOA OMM for COVID-19 Patients Webinar:https://aoaonlinelearning.osteopathic.org/course/info.php?id=310

Check the Status of AOA Meetings, Conferences and certification exams

CMS Updates

Latest Press Releases

CMS COVID Provider Partner Toolkit

MaineCare Updates

MaineCare’s COVID-19 webpage has been updated with new and updated guidance for MaineCare providers.

Maine CDC Update for Clinicians facilitated by Dr. Stephen Sears, MD will be discontinued as of June 14th, 2021

Please contact Peggie Lawrence at Maine CDC to be "subscribed" to call updates as the info below may change: [email protected].

LATEST UPDATES

Governor Mills Announces State of Civil Emergency To End June 30th

June 11, 2021

Governor Janet Mills announced today that Maine’s State of Civil Emergency will end June 30, 2021 – the end of this month.

“Today, we take another important step forward in our return to normal,” said Governor Janet Mills. “After fifteen long, difficult months, ending the State of Civil Emergency is a welcome milestone that reflects the progress Maine has made in getting people vaccinated, reducing the spread of the virus, and getting back to normal. Maine people have persevered, and, although challenges remain, we will get through them together just as we did this past year. I congratulate and thank Maine people for all they have done to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their fellow citizens.”

The Governor temporarily extended the current State of Civil Emergency, which was set to expire on Sunday, June 13, through June 30, 2021, to ensure an orderly transition out of the emergency, allowing State government departments to continue necessary pandemic-related services. During this time, departments will identify any policies that may need temporary extensions past June 30, 2021, such as flexibilities for child care providers and home-and community-based services given ongoing pandemic-related challenges.

The State’s last remaining face covering requirement, which only applies to indoor preK-12 schools and child care settings, will also end on June 30, 2021. However, Maine CDC will continue to recommend, though not require, that unvaccinated people – including those under 12 who are not yet eligible for a COVID vaccine – wear face coverings indoors. School Administrative Units and child care settings may require face coverings, as some businesses have done. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services continues to encourage schools to participate in its free pooled testing program, which reduces the spread of the virus in schools and eliminates the need for quarantining for participating students and staff who are asymptomatic.

“The guidance for schools, including recommended face coverings indoors for unvaccinated people, will help protect the health and safety of students and staff as COVID-19 continues to impact our communities,” said Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Department of Education. “We celebrate our state’s success in navigating the pandemic, but recommend schools maintain protocols and participate in the pooled testing program, recognizing that many children are not yet eligible for vaccination.”

The State of Civil Emergency allowed the Governor to implement public health measures and deploy all available governmental tools to respond to and contain COVID-19. As of June 11, most states in the nation still have active emergency declarations, according to the National Governors Association.

Maine continues to demonstrate nation-leading progress in administering vaccinations and containing the spread of COVID-19. More than 73 percent of Maine people age 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 64.9 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. CDC vaccination tracker. Maine, adjusted for population, also ranks 4^th lowest in total number of cases and 4^th lowest in number of deaths from COVID-19, according to the U.S. CDC.

MOA in the News:

(2/24/2021) --Portland Press Herald Features MOA Private Practice Primary Care Members "1,000 COVID shots a week? Primary care doctors feel excluded by ‘unrealistic’ requirement"

(01/31/2021) -- Portland Press Herald "Maine sees progress, frustrations in rollout of vaccinations" Thank you to the MOA's own, Dr. Courtney Linville & Dr. Lisa Lucas for providing some insight on the needs of our Private Healthcare Providers

Maine DHHS, MMA, and MOA Collaborate to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine to Community Medical Practice Personnel
01/08/2021 via E-Newsletter

Key Points:

Maine DHHS is now on Phase 1a, Group 1, of its vaccination plan, which includes all outpatient acute care practices
The MMA and Maine Osteopathic Association have stepped forward to help coordinate administration
Reach out to MOA staff, if you haven’t already. They will help coordinate a vaccination site for you and your staff ASAP

MOA Resources

MOA Partnership with ActionPPE

MOA has teamed up with ActionPPE.org to help ALL ME DOCTORS and their PRACTICES to operate safely with proper PPE SUPPLIES. Visit https://actionppe.org/3/mainedo/ to get your PPE now.rder Discounted PPE that you need and get it delivered right to your door!

MOA Members: Use code MAINEDO5OFF for 5% off your order!

MOA Guidelines for OMM Providers During COVID-19 Pandemic from Stephanie Collins, DO

MOA PPE Guide
The MOA has heard that sourcing the PPE needed for safety in your medical practices has been difficult. Click here for a list of suppliers that have been recommended to us.

If you are in need of any other PPE that you do not see above, please contact Amanda Richards, MOA Executive Director at [email protected] or 207-623-1101.

Practice Resources

Our colleagues in Michigan have shared several resources to help physicians navigate the logistics of re-opening or scaling up during COVID-19. We are sharing them below for our members, with permission and thanks to the "other" MOA!

Telehealth Tools to Use During COVID-19

The American Osteopathic Information Association (AOIA) has put together a list of free services physicians can use for telehealth consultations, including free or low-cost platforms offering their services to physicians during the pandemic and beyond. Learn more.

Northeast Telehealth Resource Center ( NETRC ) The NETRC is available to answer telehealth questions via email ( [email protected] ) or by phone (800-379-2021).

Testing & Reporting

Testing-- Click Here for latest Guidance from Maine CDC.

The MOA has agreed to receive, distribute, or arrange distribution of the BinaxNOW test cards to our independent practice members throughout around the state. The DHHS plan allows all interested and qualified organizations to apply for the Ag Cards, with an allocation process that aims to ensure both access for all people in Maine and a priority for those at greater risk of COVID-19.

Additional requirements to receive Ag cards from Maine DHHS:

Organization that are not currently receiving BinaxNOW Ag test cards directly from the Federal government
Must have valid/current CLIA certificate or Certificate of Waiver
Must use the BinaxNOW Ag card test in accordance with Maine DHHS Guidance
Must complete a brief online instructional training on appropriate use of the BinaxNOW Ag Cards as posted on Abbott BinaxNOW Online Training.
Must report any positive test results to Maine CDC as required by Maine CDC Notifiable Conditions reporting and agree to report all test results to Maine CDC once such a reporting system is finalized
Must be prepared to direct individuals to a testing site and/or identify a health care provider to order a confirmatory PCR test when needed

To apply, please use the following link:

Maine DHHS Application for BinaxNOW Ag Test Cards

Temporary Updates to the Notifiable Diseases and Conditions List – SARS CoV-2 and COVID-19 Deaths

• COVID-19-associated deaths should be reported directly to Maine CDC within 24 hours of the death.
o A COVID-19-associated death is defined as a death resulting from an illness that is clinically
compatible with COVID-19 that is confirmed by an appropriate laboratory test. There should be no period of complete recovery between the illness and death. It is not necessary that COVID- 19 be the primary cause of death.

o COVID-19-associated deaths can be reported by phone to 1-800-821-5821 or by fax to 1-800-
293-7534
o Reports should include the patient’s name, date of birth, and date of death

These changes will remain in effect for a period of one year but may be reassessed at any time.

For more information:

• Maine CDC notifiable conditions rule: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-
disease/epi/disease-reporting/documents/notifiable-conditions.doc

Financial Relief

HHS webpage on the Provider Relief Fund.

Maine Economic Recovery Grant

The program, backed by $200 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), will provide financial relief for businesses and non-profit organizations that incurred business disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are intended to help sustain the viability of Maine’s small businesses and nonprofits - not to replace lost profits - and will provide short-term relief to help stabilize Maine’s economy while still focusing on the state’s long-term goals described in the state’s 10-year strategic economic development plan. The program draws on a recommendation from the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee. More information and application available here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has released information about financial relief for small businesses, including private practices. For SBA Coronavirus Relief Options, click here.

Credentialing/Licensing

Gov Mills Executive Order Repeals COVID-19 Medical Licensure Extensions-- Renew by March 31, 2021 to Maintain Licensure

DO and PA licensees whose license renewal was extended due to Emergency provisions put in place due to COVID-19 must now renew by March 31, 2021. Click here to read the Executive Order. issued 2/24/2021 which outlines these changes

Contact the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure to renew your license if this applies to you:

Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure

142 State House Station
Augusta ME 04333-0142
Tel:     207/446-4205 or 207/287-2480
Fax:    207/536-5811
Web:  www.maine.gov/osteo

AOA Announces One-Year Extension of Board Eligibility -- April 9, 2020

Health & Wellness Resources

FrontLine WarmLine

Maine FrontLine WarmLine is a call-in system to help Maine health care workers and first responders manage the stress of serving on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19. The FrontLine WarmLine is available to clinicians and first responders from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week by calling (207) 221-8196 or 866-367-4440. Text capability will be added soon.

MOA Midwinter Symposium 2021 Wellness Videos:

Thank you to our generous contributors: Josie Conte, DO; Stacey Pierce-Talsma, DO; UNE COM Culinary Medicine Club; Madeline Egan, OMS-I and Karen Roberts, DO---Self Acupressure, Yoga, Dance, Healthy Snacks and Nadi Shodhana Breathing Techniques--You can check out all of these offerings here on Youtube

Get Help for you and your family from UNE Students-- Have you heard about Maine COVID Sitters?:

Maine COVID Sitters are volunteering to provide childcare, pet services, and household support to those on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A little bit about how our program works: we are a group of health care professional students (DO, MD, PA, dentistry, pharmacy, etc) in and around Portland, Maine, modeled after the MN CovidSitters. Using this intake form you can identify your needs, may they be child care, pet walking, grocery or pharmacy runs. You will then be connected with a “pod” of 1-5 students who will provide support solely to your family. This is done to distribute the responsibilities evenly among students who still have academic requirements, and promote social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines. You will then be able to coordinate with your pod to get the services that you require. Please know that we are students and not certified childcare providers, nor are these services affiliated with our respective institutions.

We encourage you to share this information widely, so we will be able to reach any and all health care workers that need a helping hand. We are attaching a document of frequently asked questions to address any concerns you may have. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can contact us at [email protected].

Ways to Volunteer for Retired DOs and other Healthcare Workers:

Governor Mills Launches New Online Resource Outlining Ways Mainers Can Help Mainers During COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the extraordinary generosity of Maine people, businesses, and organizations looking to help during these challenging times, Governor Janet Mills today launched a new online resource, coronavirus.maine.gov/mainehelps, to outline ways in which Maine people can support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tell Your Story:

MOA Open Response Form- Tell us how COVID-19 is impacting you, your practice and your patients.

The AOA is also collecting stories from DOs to advocate nationally and provide the support you need.