May Ebrief 2020

Edition: May 2020

Table of Contents

2020 FRS & FRBMA ANNUAL MEETING IS CANCELLED | Letter from the Editor
FRS President’s Message | FRBMA President’s Message | Legislative Update
Job Posting Opportunities | Become a PAC Member

2020 FRS & FRBMA ANNUAL MEETING IS CANCELLED

Dear FRS and FRBMA members:

It is with much regret but with the utmost of concern for safety that we announce today that the 2020 Annual Meeting of the FRS and the FRBMA is cancelled for July 15-19, 2020.

This decision has been weighing heavily on our minds for the past months, as we continued to follow the COVID-19 pandemic trends and guidelines from the Florida Department of Health and CDC. Out of concern for all, this meeting will not take place in 2020.

Due to the nature of the meeting, it was felt that a virtual meeting would not have had the same impact and we have elected not to have a virtual annual meeting. The Westin Fort Lauderdale has graciously allowed us to move the scheduled meeting contract for this July to a future meeting date in July of 2025.

Please note that if you have made hotel reservations for the Westin Fort Lauderdale for the July 2020 meeting you will need to cancel those reservations directly with the hotel. If you have registered for the meeting as an attendee, an exhibitor, and/or a sponsor of the Job Fair, the registration fees will be fully refunded to you.

Thank you for your patience in awaiting the fate of the July meeting. As a medical community, we have made all decisions with the utmost respect for our responsibilities to our members, staff, attendees, invited guests and general public.

The FRS FRBMA annual meeting will resume with the July 16-18, 2021 meeting at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you there!

Stay Healthy and Safe,
The FRS and FRBMA 2020 Meeting Planning Committee

Philip Cook, MD, FACR, FSIR
Chair, FRS Annual Meeting & Education Committee

Patricia Mergo, MD, FACR
President, FRS & Member FRS 2020 Meeting Planning Committee

Barbara Rubel, MBA, FRBMA
President FRBMA & Co-Program Chair, FRBMA 2020 Meeting

Andrew Bowman, MD
Chair, FRS 2020 Program Committee

Jeff Younger, MHA, FRBMA, FACHE
Co-Program Chair, FRBMA 2020 Meeting

Jennifer Peterson, MD
Chair, Radiation Oncology Program

Miguel Gosalbez, MD
Chair, FRS Resident & Fellow Section Program

Meet Your 2019 – 2020 FRS Executive Committee

President
Patricia Mergo, MD, FACR

President-Elect
Douglas Hornsby, MD

Treasurer
Rajendra Kedar, MD, FACR

Secretary
Chintan Desai, MD

Letter from the Editor

As I write this e-brief, sadly, the Covid19 Pandemic has impacted so many around the world, our country and in Florida. These unprecedented times have made required changes to the ebrief.

Please read the notice of the meeting cancellation. Our leadership has been diligently monitoring the situation and have had to make tough choices on behalf of all the FRS & FRBMA.

This ebrief includes an impassioned message from our FRS President, important radiology business considerations from our FRBMA President and important state Pandemic considerations from our FRS Lobbyists.

We will get through this Pandemic together.

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Chintan Desai, MD
Secretary, Florida Radiological Society
desai@desairadiology.com

Past President
Steven DePrima, MD, FACR

Legal Counsel
Michael M. Raskin, M.D., J.D., FACR

FRS President’s Message

I would first like to take a moment to acknowledge all those who have been personally impacted by COVID-19 illness. This is a devastating illness that has brought so much pain into people’s lives, but no pain is greater than losing a loved one. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

As I write this, it appears that the measures that have been taken in the state of Florida are resulting in fewer new cases of COVID-19 which is tremendously welcome news. Clinical schedules are once again beginning to fill up and patients who have been needing care are being seen again. I have already seen first-hand the literal life-saving impact of the return of patients to the clinic for imaging of “non-emergent” diseases. It has reaffirmed to me that what we do on a daily basis in the field of radiology is highly impactful on the well-being of our patients, in ways that we may take for granted under normal times.

NOW is a good time for reflection, perhaps more than anything, as we move forward. In these times, we need to take a daily moment to evaluate where we stand in relation to where we had planned to be in our practices and our lives, both now and in the future. It is easy to become distracted by current events, but to truly win this battle against COVID-19 requires the extra focus and attention to not let this pandemic shatter our hopes and dreams.

Wishing you all healthy and happiness,

Patricia Mergo, MD, FACR
President, Florida Radiological Society
Mergo.Patricia@mayo.edu

FRBMA President’s Message

We are experiencing an event that is unprecedented in most of our lifetimes. The global outbreak of COVID-19, characterized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic on March 11th, has resulted in lengthy “shelter in place” and “social distancing” restrictions in all 50 states. The reason for these restrictions is the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading easily from person-to-person and cases have been detected in 210 countries and territories worldwide.

Many FRBMA members have had to make decisions about essential and non-essential employees and working from home has become the norm for many employees. Those who go to their offices are having to abide by “social distancing” protocols.

As leaders of our respective organizations, now is the time to communicate with our employees and co-workers. Reinforcing employees of their importance to the organization with assurances that this situation is a temporary one and jobs are secure will help to reassure a potentially nervous workforce. This is a time when It is easy to feel disconnected and out of touch, especially if working from home is new and unfamiliar. Providing information goes a long way toward relieving anxiety and isolation and sharing plans for how your organization intends to move forward in the future may be helpful to those who are feeling out of touch.

In addition to handling workforce issues, many FRBMA leaders have also been busy sorting through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Trump on March 27th. The major programs impacting most radiologists are the Provider Relief Fund, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) expansion of its Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

CARES ACT Provider Relief Fund
Many groups discovered substantial deposits in their bank accounts on Friday, April 10th which led to some confusion about the source of these funds. These lump sum payments, totaling $30 billion, were distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Public Health and Emergency Fund created by the CARES Act, whose purpose is to provide financial assistance to physician practices, hospitals and other providers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS began a second distribution of $20 billion to hospitals and a targeted distribution of $10 billion to hospitals impacted with large numbers of COVID-19 patients on April 24th. Another $10 billion is allocated for rural health clinics and hospitals. These funds are forgivable only if the Terms and Conditions are attested to and complied with, so it is important to review them carefully. Note the Attestation and Payment Confirmation in the portal gives HHS the right to adjust payments received from an electronic funds transfer/ACH immediately and without notice and that its right to make adjustments is not subject to any limitations or time constraints except as required by law.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Accelerated and Advance Payment Program
A second major source of funding for physicians is CMS’ expansion of its Accelerated and Advance Payment Program. Providers must have billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of signature on the request form, must not be in bankruptcy or under an active medical review or program integrity investigation, and must not have any outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments. These funds are not forgivable, and CMS will be initiating a recoupment process beginning 120 days following loan issuance. If all funds are not recouped by day 210 from loan issuance, providers must repay the outstanding balance.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
A third major source of financial support for physicians during this pandemic is the PPP which is administered through the Small Business Association (SBA). Lenders began processing applications on April 3rd and this loan is fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Forgiveness is based on employers’ maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels and FRBMA members are advised to consult with their lenders about program details.

As we all work our way through this unprecedented situation, we can be heartened by the words of Henry Ford: “When everything seems to be against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

Stay well and be safe!

Barbara Rubel, MBA, FRBMA
President, FRBMA
brubel@msnllc.com

Legislative Update

It is May 1st and so much has happened since the last Ebrief and unfortunately so much is still unknown. I hope everyone is safe and healthy!

On Wednesday April 29th the Governor announced that effective May 4th Florida will move into Phase 1 of his “Safe, Smart, and Step by Step Plan” for recovery. Under this plan elective surgeries can resume statewide. The Governor closely followed the federal guidelines for reopening America. The Governor had set up a task force to look at how to safely reopen all sectors of the Florida economy and he took their report into consideration as well. Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties were not included in Phase 1 at their request.

The Governor was very focused on facts not fear to safely reopen Florida with the following steps:

1) Protect the vulnerable
2) Increase Testing
3) Promote social distancing
4) Support hospitals and protect healthcare workers
5) Prevent introduction from outside the state

It is felt that if this goes well the Governor will continue to slowly open up the economy and he will be constantly monitoring the data to see what can and cannot be done.

Obviously closing the state/nation down has created economic shock waves through every sector of the economy. (Although I do wish I had stock in Publix!)

The Democrats have asked the Secretary of State to formally poll the legislature to call for a Special Session. They want to address the Coronavirus pandemic, unemployment, Medicaid expansion, and elections. The poll is being done as they have the proper number to trigger the poll but there does not seem to be a legislative appetite for this amongst House and Senate leadership. I do not anticipate this effort to be successful. There may be a Special Session down the road to address budget shortfalls. The Governor still has not acted on the budget that was passed this Session.

It is an election year with many races on the ballot including the President. The Coronavirus has effectively shut down traditional fundraising but as the state opens back up so will the campaigning.

As I complete this Ebrief the Governor is holding a press conference in the panhandle. He is very optimistic on the studies that are coming back showing lower risk for infection especially if outside in the hot humid weather if one maintains social distancing. I think that is mostly the definition for Florida in the summer!

I truly hope this is accurate. Please stay safe, well, wash your hands, wear your masks, and stay as socially distanced as you can.

Thanks,
Alison Dudley, FRS Lobbyist
AlisonDudley@dudleyandassociates.com

SUBMIT AN ARTICLE

Job Posting Opportunities

Florida Radiological Society is pleased to introduce the opportunity for interested parties to advertise for potential jobs in our monthly FRS Ebrief bulletin.

Advertisement pricing is as follows:

Ebrief Job Posting pricing:
3 months ($100 monthly)
6 months ($90 monthly)
12 months ($80 monthly)

Please contact Lorraine Roger, our Society Administrator for further information on how to advertise in our monthly publication.

ph (813) 806-1070
fx (813) 806-1071
email lroger@flrad.org

We feel that this will provide a valuable service to both our members and our Florida community of Radiology.

Thank you for your interest!
Patricia Mergo, MD
President, FRS

Become a PAC Member Today

Attention FRBMA Members! Please support the cause. We encourage you to be PAC members and supporters; you do not have to belong to the FRS. Donations can be made online through our PAC website www.FLRADPAC.org.

It is critical that we support both our Florida PAC and RADPAC in order to bolster our voice in Tallahassee and Washington, respectively. Please join FRS lobbyist Alison Dudley in her special appeal for all Florida radiologists to become Florida PAC members. If you would like to help FRS defend radiology against untoward legislation and introduce bills that have a positive impact on our practices, we need your financial support to re-elect our friends in the state House and Senate. The FRS can also show you simplified ways on how to sign up your radiology group. Contact Lorraine Roger at lroger@flrad.org or contact Alison Dudley at alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com for more information.

Telephone (813) 806-1070 • Fax (813) 806-1071
5620 W. Sligh Avenue • Tampa, Florida 33634

The E-Brief is an exclusive member benefit of Florida Radiological Society, delivering monthly member, chapter and industry news. Please do not reply to this automatic e-mail. For comments or questions about the E-Brief, please contact lroger@flrad.org.

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