T.G.I.F! Enjoy your NCMS Morning Rounds!
October 29, 2021
2021 Survey of America’s Physicians COVID-19 Impact Edition:
A Year Later
The Physicians Foundation released 2021 survey results examining how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the nation’s physicians. The report is based on responses from 2,504 physicians collected between May 26 and June 9, 2021. The survey found that 61% of physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2021, up from 40% in 2018, prior to the pandemic. Some additional key survey findings include:
- Slightly more employed physicians (64%) reported burnout compared to independent physicians (57%).
- Primary care physicians were slightly more likely (66%) than medical and surgical specialists (59%) to report burnout.
- A significant majority of female physicians (69%) reported often feeling burned out, compared to 57% of their male counterparts.
- More than half of all physicians surveyed (57%) reported inappropriate feelings of anger, tearfulness or anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while 14% of physicians said they have received medical attention for a mental health problem and 20% of respondents reported knowing a colleague who has either considered, attempted or died by suicide during the pandemic.
Federal Vaccine Mandate: Consequences for CHCs that Do Not Comply
The NC Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA) expects that a Community Health Center (CHC) that does not comply with the Federal vaccine requirements will ultimately become ineligible for reimbursement through either Medicaid or Medicare (including Medicare Advantage plans). Because participating in Medicare and Medicaid is a program requirement under Section 330, this would likely lead to losing their 330 grant (or Look-Alike designation), FTCA coverage, and 340B eligibility. However, we expect that it will be several months after the CMS regulation is published for these impacts to be felt. When HHS announced the vaccine mandate for nursing homes in July, it indicated that it would take a “progressive discipline” approach, starting with sending the provider a Notice of Non-Compliance; then conducting an in-person survey; issuing fines; denying Medicare payment; and then finally (if the provider is still out of compliance) rescinding the provider’s Medicare certification. We expect CMS will take a similar approach with other types of health care providers.
Blue Cross NC to Narrow Gap of State’s Racial, Health Disparities Through New Funding Initiatives
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) announced its plan to implement a series of initiatives aimed at addressing and eliminating racial, health and geographical disparities in North Carolina. Over the next few months, the company will launch three programs to provide strategic funding, capacity building for nonprofits and economic mobility for nonprofit organizations and government health entities serving rural and underserved communities and communities of color.
To learn more about this effort, click here to read the full press release.
In the News
FDA Sets Stronger Safety Warnings for Breast Implants, AP, 10-27-21
Learning Opportunity
North Carolina Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society (NCAAIS) Presents: Autoinflammatory Disorders in Children: What All Practicing Immunologists Should Know, Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 8:00 PM EST
Microsoft Teams meeting / Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Video Conference ID: 128 727 510 4
Or call in (audio only)
+1 470-582-0116,,780600549# United States, Atlanta
Phone Conference ID: 780 600 549#
Agenda:
Welcome Address –
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- Padmaja Gayam, MD President of NCAAIS
- Marni Bird, PharmD, BCPS, Novartis Medical Science Liaison
Case Discussion –
- Claire Atkinson, MD Fellow at UNC-CH- Presenter
- Michelle Hernadez, MD – Mentor Presenter
Q&A to follow.
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