COVID-19 ResourcesCOVID-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. Keep Up to Date! Call-In Information for Important Recurring Calls for Medical Providers: Maine CDC Update for Clinicians-- Bi-Weekly every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 12:30pm: Zoom meeting facilitated by Dr. Stephen Sears, MD. Next call will be held December 10th! Topic: MCDC Coronavirus Update for Clinicians Time: 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) NEW LOGIN INFORMATION BELOW: https://zoom.us/j/91197468938?pwd=eUJqYmlKcVBZV1BqZFd0ZTdqR1NhUT09 Meeting ID: 911 9746 8938 Password: 395994 Please contact Peggie Lawrence at Maine CDC to be "subscribed" to call updates as the info below may change: [email protected].
LATEST UPDATESMOA Partners with Maine DHHS to Distribute BinaxNOW Ag Tests You may have heard that Maine has now received a supply of the Abbott Rapid Ag (antigen) test cards from the Federal government, which have been authorized by the FDA for testing symptomatic individuals for COVID-19 within the first 7 days of symptoms. Additionally, the Ag Card can also be used in limited circumstances to serially test critical infrastructure staff who are identified to be a close contact of an individual confirmed to have COVID-19. The test is authorized for use at the Point of Care in settings operating under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver, Certificate of Compliance, or Certificate of Accreditation. Additional requirements to meet in order to receive and use Ag Cards from Maine DHHS are listed at the end of this message. Maine DHHS recognized early on the logistical challenges of distributing the test kits to potentially hundreds or even thousands of interested clinical and community sites. Therefore, they reached out to a number of organizations to ask whether they might be willing to serve as a partner with DHHS. 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:
To apply, please use the following link: Important Note: Please choose “Independent physician practice” under the ‘Respondent Organization Type’ drop-down. Maine DHHS Guidance on Use of BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Testing For more information, along w/ additional resources and a recording of Maine DHHS’s informational session to provide more information on appropriate use and requirements for using BinaxNOW Ag tests is posted to the “Health Care Provider” page of the ME CDC COVID website: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus/providers.shtml Abbott BinaxNOW Ag Test Cards Please note, some Maine providers, but NOT independent physician practices will be getting Ag Cards from the Federal government will not get them from the state. Maine will distribute:
Updated COVID-19 Testing Codes The COVID-19 Billing and Coding Guidance has been updated to reflect that MaineCare has added COVID-19 antigen test code 87426 to all benefits, including the uninsured benefit group. Additionally, per flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS), evaluation and management code 99211 is allowed for both new and established patients for COVID-19 assessment and specimen collection. The related COVID-19 Billing Codes for MaineCare members and uninsured individuals spreadsheet has been updated to reflect these changes. QUICK LINKSCOVID-19 Quick Links to Keep Handy (11/20/2020):
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 List of Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 If you have not done so, please sign up for the Maine CDC Health Alert Network HERE 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 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 CMS COVID Provider Partner Toolkit MaineCare Updates MaineCare’s COVID-19 webpage has been updated with new and updated guidance for MaineCare providers. 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!
ActionPPE.org has a group buying program to procure 500K Honeywell H910 Plus NIOSH N95 respirators at $3.85 each. This is a limited time group purchase for medical and related professionals. Orders due by Nov 23rd (for N95 orders only).For more information and the form for Pre-Ordering this group buy go to: https://actionppe.org/n95Guidelines for OMM Providers During COVID-19 Pandemic from Stephanie Collins, DO MOA PPE Guide 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:
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 COVID-19-associated deaths can be reported by phone to 1-800-821-5821 or by fax to 1-800- These changes will remain in effect for a period of one year but may be reassessed at any time. • Maine CDC notifiable conditions rule: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious- Financial Relief HHS webpage on the Provider Relief Fund. 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. Emergency Funding Needs The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has compiled resources for COVID-19-related emergency funding needs. These include:
If you need assistance to determine if a grant is right for you or if you have questions about grant requirements, please contact AOF Director of Development Terry Sanders via email at [email protected] or phone at (312) 202-8230. 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 Many states have eased licensing requirements to allow more physicians to help meet the growing healthcare needs of the pandemic, including Maine (see below information regarding Gov. Mills' Executive order affecting physician licensing) Contact the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure for more details. The DO Board also has an emergency COVID-19 locum tenens license – issued for 90 days for now. Click Here for more info. Please tell your colleagues that may be interested! Other Important Licensing Note: Gov. Mills Executive Order Keeps DO/MD Licenses from expiring or needing to be renewed for 30 days after the declaration of the emergency (including CME requirements): It Also:
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.
Fitness Apps with free trial periods:
Amanda Recommends-- "Unlocking Us" Podcast Channel by Brene Brown Other Opportunities Ten Percent Happier Meditation App: Free Access for Teachers, Healthcare, Grocery, and Food Delivery Workers Headspace is Offering all US Healthcare Professionals Who Work in Public Health Settings Free Access Through 2020. Headspace is an app that teaches you how to meditate. We’re offering all US healthcare professionals who work in public health settings free access to Headspace Plus through 2020. You’re here for them, we’re here for you. What’s going on right now is a challenge for everyone. But you, our healthcare professionals, are particularly overburdened. Headspace wants to be here for you and support you as best we can. Helping you be kind to yourself, and your own health, during this difficult time. If you are a healthcare professional, you can redeem your subscription using your National Provider Identifier (NPI) and email address. Or, if you are a nurse and you don’t have an NPI, you can provide your organization information to verify your credentials.
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
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.
And Don't forget... your MOA is always here for YOU! Please give us a call if you have questions or need help finding resources. 207-623-1101 Amanda Richards, Executive Director |
