April 5, 2020                                    THE WEEKLY DOSE                    The latest news and updates for Physicians in Bexar County
In This Week’s Issue
· BCMS COVID-19 Resource Page · HEALTH ADVISORY: Updated Guidance for COVID-19 Testing · Can I Avoid Contract Obligations Because of the Coronavirus? · Register for April 7th Metro Health Weekly COVID-19 Medical Provider Update · Subscribe to the CDC COCA Calls · Keeping Your Practice Viable · TMLT offers liability insurance to Retired Physician Volunteers · TMA Podcast Offers Practical Telemedicine Pointers · What if I’m running low on PPE? · University Health System Weekly Newsletter			Circle of Friends ¤ Spotlight ¤ Welcome New Gold Sponsor iGenomeDx
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Important Physician News and Deadlines
Health Advisory: Updated Guidance for COVID-19 Testing As of April 3, CDC has updated their testing priorities. Referral from a physician is no longer necessary for testing, instead people should utilize the Self-Screening tool and those that screen positive can access testing. Metro Health now offers these alerts by text. If interested, text DOCALERT to 55000. Summary Terms & Conditions: Mobile text messages are intended for subscribers over the age of 18 and are delivered via USA short code 55000.You may receive up to 4 message(s) per month for text alerts. Message and data rates may apply. This service is available to persons with text-capable phones subscribing to carriers including AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile®, Sprint, Virgin Mobile USA, Cincinnati Bell, Centennial Wireless, Unicel, U.S. Cellular®, and Boost. For help, text HELP to 55000, email junda.woo@sanantonio.gov, or call +1 2102075738. You may stop your mobile subscription at any time by text messaging STOP to short code 55000. Can I Avoid Contract Obligations Because of the Coronavirus? If the virus has impacted your income, honoring contractual obligations like rent, equipment leases, car payments, insurance bills, etc. can be problematic. Even if your income hasn’t taken a hit, it may be impossible to fulfill a contractual obligation to provide or partake of a service you previously agreed to by contract. What’s the law do about these things Subscribe to the CDC COCA Calls COCA prepares clinicians to respond to emerging health threats and public health emergencies by communicating relevant, timely information related to disease outbreaks, disasters, terrorism events, and other health alerts. Click here for the most recent webinars regarding COVID-19. Learn more about COCA Keeping Your Practice Viable The COVID-19 pandemic will impact the financial and operational aspects of many medical practices. Now is the time to make decisions to shore up practice operations for the weeks to come. See options here Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) offers liability insurance to Retired Physicians TMLT now offers insurance coverage at no cost and will be offered without premium to any retired Texas physician working on a volunteer basis and in direct response to a governmentally declared emergency order regarding the COVID-19 crisis. TMLT Resource Page TMA Podcast Offers Practical Telemedicine Pointers Physicians and other health care professionals are being urged to treat patients using telemedicine including establishing physician-patient relationships. Now there is a guide for physicians who may be struggling to get started. You can listen to the podcast here What if I’m running low on PPE? To help answer questions and address concerns you might have about Texas’ supply of PPE, view the PPE supply and shortage FAQ If you are in need of PPE, please click here to indicate your PPE needs. Requests are filled as supplies are available. To Donate PPE Drop off at BCMS headquarters M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 4334 N. Loop 1604 W, SA, TX 78249 or email your contact information and what you can donate to donations@bcms.org and we will make arrangements to pick up your donation.
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Thank you to our BCMS Circle of Friends sponsors! Donations from Circle of Friends sponsors help keep down the cost of dues and allow BCMS to continue to provide quality service to its members. The Society continues its pledge to you that it will only involve itself in services  and programs that benefit you, the member, and your patients.
Bexar County Medical Society 4334 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 200 San Antonio, TX 78249 210-301-4391 www.bcms.org About The Weekly Dose The Weekly Dose is a service of the Bexar County Medical Society. Some of the suggestions conveyed may not be applicable to your practice today, but the goal is to offer information over time that returns value in excess of the cost of your membership. If you would like to recommend future topics to share with your colleagues, please submit them to the BCMS Executive Director at steve.fitzer@bcms.org. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. Copyright © 2020 Bexar County Medical Society, San Antonio, Texas. All rights reserved. Unsubscribe