Continuing Medical Education (CME). This interim policy waives the continuing medical education (CME) requirement for licenses which are due for renewal on April 2, 2020 through and including Dec. 31, 2020. The full text of the policy may be found here
FrontlineMA.org – centralized information for front line workers, including personal protective equipment (PPE), prioritized testing, safe housing, meals, self-care and emergency child care.
Harvard Pilgrim Optum Tufts UnitedHealthcare Updated Massachusetts health plans coverage policies The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. For an updated summary of MA health plan coverage policies, please click here.
Licensure/Interstate Practice during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
The Federation of State Medical Boards has issued updates on individual states’ requirements for telehealth. Click here to see the most recent version from July 28, 2020. Unfortunately each state has adopted different requirements for out-of-state licensed physicians to treat patients in their state. In the upcoming MPS Sept. newsletter, our MPS Counsel, Jim Hilliard will be discussing not only the issues involved with practicing tele-psychiatry in other states within the new rules of each state but also several collateral issues that must be considered, such as malpractice coverage, being aware of other states’ standards of care (duty to warn, child abuse reporting to name a few), and also the necessity at times, to have a “back-up” psychiatrist or therapist in the event of an emergency. Questions such as these can be referred to Jim Hilliard as part of your member benefit of two hours of consultation with Mr. Hilliard which can be initiated at this number (617) 610-5557.
Updated Massachusetts health plans coverage policies. The Massachusetts Medical Society is working closely with health plan leadership, state officials, and partners within the health care system to address local needs resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. For an updated summary of MA health plan coverage policies, please click here.