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In this Week's Issue

  • San Antonio Metro Health Advisory
  • Texas Offers New COVID-19 Treatments After Omicron Exhausts Monoclonal Antibody Supply
  • How to Renew Your Electronic Prescribing Hardship Waiver
  • "No Surprises Act" Scheduled To Take Effect January 1
  • FDA Approves Inclisiran, a Twice-Yearly Injection to Lower LDL Levels
  • FREE PPE Still Available from BCMS

 

 

MEMBER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Auto Program
BCMS Calendar
BCMS/Favorite Staffing
BCMS Phone App
Credentialing Services - BCVI
LifeBridge Free Personal Counseling
Online BCMS Physician Directory
Physicians' Purchasing Guide

San Antonio Medicine Magazine

Circle of Friends

 

 Renewing Sponsors
 

Sol Schwartz & Associates

Synergy FCU

 

 

 

Important Physician News and Deadlines

 

San Antonio Metro Health Advisory
The Center of Disease Control  and Prevention (CDC) recently updated isolation and quarantine guidelines for COVID based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Isolation relates to behavior after confirmed infection and isolation for 5 days followed by wearing a well-fitting mask will minimize the risk of spreading the virus to others. Both updates come as the Omicron variant continues to spread throughout the U.S. and reflect the current science on when and for how long a person is maximally infectious. Read advisory here

Texas Offers New COVID-19 Treatments After Omicron Exhausts Monoclonal Antibody Supply
As COVID-19 cases surge across the country, five regional infusion centers in Texas have exhausted their supply of sotrovimab, the only monoclonal antibody treatment effective against the omicron variant. Three recently authorized therapeutics are now available throughout the state and may be effective for certain COVID-19 patients. Continue reading.

How to Renew Your Electronic Prescribing Hardship Waiver
Controlled substances (EPCS) must now be electronically prescribed by physicians and other prescribers in Texas. However, prescribers who demonstrate financial or technical hardships, or other exceptional circumstances, are eligible for a waiver from the Texas Medical Board (TMB) that, if approved, grants a one-year delay. If the hardship persists, prescribers must renew that waiver annually. 

"No Surprises Act" Scheduled To Take Effect January 1
CNN reports, “The No Surprises Act, which bans most unexpected medical charges from out-of-network providers, is scheduled to go into effect January 1” and “will apply to about 10 million surprise bills a year, according to federal estimates.” The law “protects patients when they receive emergency care or scheduled treatment from doctors and hospitals that are not in their insurance networks and that they did not choose.” 

FDA Approves Inclisiran, a Twice-Yearly Injection to Lower LDL Levels
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved inclisiran (Leqvio; Novartis), a small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy, for lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The treatment is approved as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with LDL cholesterol levels that are still too high. Continue reading.

FREE PPE Still Available from BCMS
Do you need PPE For your practice? Let us help! Physician practices in need of PPE, please click here to indicate your PPE needs. Requests are filled as donated supplies are available.

 

Upcoming Community Events


BCMS Virtual Installation of Officers
January 15│7:00 pm│ SAVE THE DATE

 

Upcoming Community Events


BCMS Virtual Installation of Officers
January 15│7:00 pm│ SAVE THE DATE

 

 

Circle of Friends Gold Sponsor

 

 

Circle of Friends Silver Sponsor

 

Thank you to our BCMS Circle of Friends sponsors! Donations from Circle of Friends sponsors help keep down the cost of dues and allow BCMS to continue to provide quality services to its members.The Society continues its pledge to you that it will only involve itself in services and programs that benefit you, the member, and your patients.

 

 

Bexar County Medical Society
4334 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 200
San Antonio, TX 78249
210-301-4391

www.bcms.org
 
About The Physician's Link
The Physician's Link is a service of the Bexar County Medical Society. Some of the suggestions conveyed may not be applicable to your practice today, but the goal is to offer information over time that returns value in excess of the cost of your membership. If you would like to recommend future topics to share with your colleagues, please submit them to the BCMS Executive Director at melody.newsom
@bcms.org.
All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. Copyright © 2022 Bexar County Medical Society, San Antonio, Texas.






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Bexar County Medical Society · 4334 N Loop 1604 W · San Antonio, TX 78249-3484 · USA