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 4/2/2021 by MOA staff

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

Keep Up to Date! Call-In Information for Important Recurring Calls for Medical Providers:

Maine CDC Update for Clinicians-- Once a month on 2nd Thursday @ 12:30pm: Zoom meeting facilitated by Dr. Stephen Sears, MD.

The next call is expected to be held April 8, 2021

Topic: MCDC Coronavirus Update for Clinicians

Time: 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

LOGIN INFORMATION BELOW:

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92749570674?pwd=NkNXWFZiRDljWmdIQjU1RmxnY0NMQT09 Meeting ID: 927 4957 0674 Passcode: 008571

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!

• Video: COVID-19 Best Practices for Reopening Your Business View on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/422821705
• Physician Practice COVID-19 Playbook
• Medical Practice Opening Certification Checklist

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-- 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.

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

Health & Wellness Resources

FrontLine WarmLine

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. 

Sign up for MAINE RESPONDS