March 19 2020
To DCMA Members from Fraser Cobbe, Executive Director
Our organization is hearing widespread reports of a growing shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) from physicians and hospitals around the state. Those that have exhausted supplies are being told of significant delays in restocking from the distributors.
Given concerns over the appropriate redirectly of government procured supplies to large institutions and facilities, we have been working to coordinate a supply chain for our members and small practices as well so we can help address your supply needs during the crisis. We know each of you will play a key role in the ability of us to stop the spread of disease and return to normal.
We have found some potential options for supplies, but at this time we need to determine what our member needs are. We have not ordered anything yet; we are just trying to determine your needs.
Please take a moment to answer this quick survey.
Meanwhile, we highly recommend that you take measures immediately to conserve any PPE that you have available. This means cleaning and reusing when possible. Consideration of virtual care and what elective procedures need to be performed. Also please protect what you have from theft.
We also recommend that if you are dangerously low on PPE, check with your supplier first, but if they tell you they cannot resupply for a period of time, you need to reach out to the County Emergency Management and let them know your situation. The only way to get in line for coordinated distribution of supplies is to let Emergency Management know.
If you are in Miami-Dade County, the phone number to access Emergency Management is: (305) 468-5400. You can also reach the Miami-Dade County Emergency Management Coordinator Frank Rollason by email at frank.rollason@miamidade.gov. We are waiting to hear back regarding specific forms or details that will be required to be submitted in order to request assistance.
What we have heard from Emergency Management around the state is to have the following information ready when submitting requests:
1. Facility name & type
2. POC and phone number that can be reached 24/7.
3. Location items to be delivered – full address?
4. What item are you requesting?
5. How many do you require?
6. What is your current burn rate?
7. When do you expect to run out of the item?
8. If it is a large quantity, do you have a loading dock and equipment to off load?
9. Attached Documentation that identifies you have done your due diligence (back order, cancelled, on allocation, etc…) in PDF format.
We are also working to contact every County Emergency Management office to encourage them to consider the important role that community physicians can play in addressing the crisis and addressing existing co-morbidities and injuries to keep patients away from the acute care settings.
Concerning telehealth, there have been a number of developments over the past few days and now Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurers in Florida will allow you to utilize telehealth and be reimbursed at the same level as an in-person visit. HHS has also announced a relaxing of the HIPAA rules to enable more readily available forms of technology to see patients virtually. Please see the links below:
•Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
•Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
•Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions
•Florida Blue Increases Virtual Health Access as Latest Response to COVID-19
•DOH Permits Use of Telehealth for Prescribing Controlled Substance for Existing Patients During Emergency Declaration
•The Physicians Foundation Announces The Telehealth Initiative to Improve Access to Quality Health Care
Our organization is continuing to keep our members updated on this fluid situation. Please continue to reach out to us with any issues you are seeing in the field.
Fraser Cobbe
DCMA Executive Director
Telephone: 813-215-7140
