Here is your Wednesday NCMS Morning Rounds.May 19, 2021Join us at noon this Friday, May 21, for the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership’s Power Hour when we will host a discussion focused on mental health and indigenous populations. In 2019, nearly 20 percent of Native American adults experienced mental illness and the suicide rate among American Indians and Alaska Native youth is 2.5 times higher than the rest of the US. Learn the facts about mental health issues among indigenous populations, the possible causes and what can be done to eliminate the health disparities that exist. Learn more about this virtual forum and register here. Map Helps Practices with Vaccine Outreach EffortsThe NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has shared a new interactive map based on census tract data the shows the highest rates of social vulnerability (red areas) and the lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccination (smallest turquoise circles. The map also includes the ability to see where COVID-19 vaccine providers and community-based organizations that have offered to support vaccine events are located. This information is useful to help focus the efforts to get as many North Carolinians vaccinated against COVID-19 as quickly and as fairly as possible. The map can also be accessed from YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov. If you have questions, please reach out to [email protected]. In other vaccine-related news, NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH and pediatrician Kenya McNeal-Trice, MD, will discuss vaccinating adolescents ages 12-15, tomorrow, Thursday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. Learn more and register for this virtual discussion here. NCDHHS also has information for you, your teen-aged patients and their parents at this link as well as social media posts to help you get the word out to your patients about getting vaccinated. Access the social media toolkit here. Victimized Provider ProjectEach year, Medicare providers have their identities stolen and used to bill Medicare for services, diagnostic tests, or medical equipment that was never provided or not medically necessary. When persons or entities inappropriately bill Medicare and receive payment using a provider’s stolen identity, the legitimate physician or provider may be held liable for any overpayments. CMS’ Center for Program Integrity (CPI) works with providers who claim to be victims of identity theft, and who have suffered financial liabilities in the form of Medicare overpayments or debts, through the Victimized Provider Project (VPP). This program attempts to validate and remediate a provider’s claims as an identity theft victim. Learn how to spot signs of identity theft and protect yourself here. In the NewsCan Covid-19 Vaccines Stop The ‘Double Mutant’ Variant? Here’s What Early Research Shows, Advisory Board, 5-17-241 Learning OpportunitySpecialized Therapies, Optical and Hearing Services, THURSDAY, MAY 20 | 5:30-6:30 PM • Optical & Hearing Services Follow Up If you have policies you’d like your NCMS Board of Directors to consider, please complete the Board input form here. Thanks for reading!
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