It is a milestone month for the health of Maine children.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky last week authorized the recommendations for use of the Pfizer vaccine in 5 to 11-year-old children issued November 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The lower dose shot is now available for Maine children ages 5 to 11.

Maine clinicians can start vaccinating children as soon as possible. Read More

More Pandemic News, Updates & Guidance

TONIGHT (Nov 9) - Pediatricians Share: What Parents Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

The CDC has recently recommended 5 to 11 year old children receive the COVID-19 vaccine, offering a way for parents to protect their children and families from COVID-19 infection. Join us for a forum featuring Maine pediatricians as they share information about children and the COVID-19 vaccine and give advice on what to consider when making the decision to vaccinate children against COVID-19. There will be time for questions from the audience. Read More


Maine CDC Bulletin, “Pfizer Pediatric Vaccine Vial Date”

The Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for 5 through 11 years of age formulation (orange cap) does NOT have an expiration printed on the vial. Instead, each vial has the lot number and date of manufacture printed on the label. Again, the date on the label is NOT the expiration date. Read More


Maine CDC: Correction to Moderna Booster Dose Entry in Immpact

Despite the volume of the booster dose being 0.25 mL, providers should still report a full dose as administered in ImmPact. At this time ImmPact pulls a full dose from inventory even if your EMR sends a partial dose. We are working on a fix for this issue. Until we have installed the fix you will need to modify your inventory quantities and add doses. Use the reason Vial Contained Extra Doses. Read More


US FDA & CDC Officially Expand Eligibility Recommendations For COVID-19 Booster Shots

The FDA, on October 20^th, amended the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of a single booster dose for COVID-19 vaccines in eligible populations. A day later, the CDC endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older

• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings

• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions

• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. Read More


Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Webinar & Ordering Reminders

The Maine Immunization Program has distributed a memo announcing that Moderna will be hosting a webinar for vaccination providers to learn more about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose.

Federal Government Publishes Vaccine Mandate Rules but Federal Appeals Court Stops OSHA Mandate

The Biden administration released two new rules Thursday that it will begin enforcing on January 4, 2022 — one setting up new vaccination-or-test requirements for businesses with more than 100 workers, and another implementing a vaccine mandate for health care workers at certified Medicare and Medicaid facilities.

An federal appeals court ruled on Saturday to temporarily halt President Biden’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 employees or moreThe stay order directed the Biden administration to respond to the request for a permanent injunction against the rule by 5 p.m. Monday, November 8. Read More

Medicare News & Updates

CMS Releases Final 2022 Physician Fee Schedule & Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Final Rules.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) last week. It includes changes to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and alternative payment model (APM) participation options and requirements for 2022.

CMS also released the 2022 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System final rule. This rule finalizes CY 2022 OPPS and ASC payment rates and policies, including updates to improve transparency and quality reporting. Read More


Stop Medicare Cuts – Call to Action

***Grassroots Update from the AMA***

As Congress continues to fight over reconciliation, infrastructure and raising the debt ceiling there is a looming Medicare payment crisis that, if not addressed, could have devastating consequences for Medicare patients and our health care system.

On January 1, 2022 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will drastically reduce payments for certain health care providers. If Congress does not act to stop these cuts, it will further strain practices that are still struggling to keep their doors open during the ongoing pandemic. Read More

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

AMA: Your Private Practice Wants to Advance Equity. Start Here.

According to the AMA, “achieving health equity requires structural change, but there are concrete steps that smaller physician practices can take.”

The following AMA news article identifies that as “awareness of the need to advance health equity grows, you and your colleagues may be asking what your private physician practice can do to help in the effort to achieve optimal health for each of your patients.” Read More

Maine Track Teaching Opportunities

Teaching Opportunities in Tufts Medical School 'Maine Track'

In response to expanded programming, which brings the second year Maine Track students to Maine for their didactic, as well as clinical, experiences, there is now an increased need for additional faculty to help teach these future physicians.  Teaching opportunities vary and range from classic didactic teaching on basic science and clinical application of medical knowledge, to small group teaching on medical and professional topics, to simulation based teaching that encompasses skills training, high fidelity simulation training and the use of standardized patients (SP) to improve physical exam and interview skills, as well as interpersonal skills and communication.

In response to expanded programming, which brings the second year Maine Track students to Maine for their didactic, as well as clinical, experiences, there is now an increased need for additional faculty to help teach these future physicians.  Teaching opportunities vary and range from classic didactic teaching on basic science and clinical application of medical knowledge, to small group teaching on medical and professional topics, to simulation based teaching that encompasses skills training, high fidelity simulation training and the use of standardized patients (SP) to improve physical exam and interview skills, as well as interpersonal skills and communication. Read More

Fraud Alert

Scammers Target Medical Conferences

According to MedPage Today article, medical society meetings are increasingly facing online attacks from fraudsters looking to gain information about their attendees, or even access to their email accounts.

A "fraud alert" published on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) website in late September warned members to watch out for emails from scammers. Many involve phishing scams offering attendee lists to members planning to go to this month's Scientific Congress in Baltimore. Read More

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings. Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

  Read More


SUPPORT For ME Training and Technical Assistance Webinar on December 1

Register now for webinar on Wednesday, December 1st from 12:00-1:00pm. Read More


Suicide Assessment & Management for Clinical Staff Dec 6th, 13th & 20th 3-5pm

NAMI Maine's Suicide Assessment and Management training is a 3-part virtual workshop designed to prepare a new or seasoned healthcare or mental health clinician to understand the risk of suicide, how to approach and complete an effective suicide risk assessment. This 3-part workshop is scheduled on 3 consecutive Mondays, December 6, 13 and 20,  from 3-5pm. Read More


Maine Independent Clinical Information Service: MICIS presentations & Academic Detailing

Schedule a 1-hour presentation at your medical practice or hospital, or request an individual Academic Detailing session. Read More

HEALTHCARE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Physician (BC/BE in Family Medicine) - Mt. Abram Regional Health Center, (Kingfield, Maine)

Mt. Abram Regional Health Center, (Kingfield, Maine) seeks aPhysician (BC/BE in Family Medicine) with outstanding clinical and interpersonal skills to provide primary care to patients of all ages in a family practice with integrated behavioral health services.
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Physician (BC/BE in Family Medicine) - Bingham Area Health Center

Bingham Area Health Center seeks a Physician (BC/BE in Family Medicine) with outstanding clinical and interpersonal skills to provide primary care to patients of all ages in a family practice with integrated behavioral health services. Read More