1/ We are here on a Congressional Briefing with 4 independent primary care docs, I will highlight some notable quotes https://twitter.com/PEPC_DC/status/1266386021303947271
2/ Dr Tim Muir (VA) describes the added layers of

stress (including worry about high risk colleagues),

difficulty (including masking and gloving, and spacing, and parking lot care),

expense (including fewer visits, more spacing, PPE)

falling on community PCPs.
3/ Dr Butler (Paducah, KY) describes the incredible amount of time and effort required to transition visits to telehealth. Phone lines are jammed from (unreimbursed) calls

He voices appreciation for @AledadeACO support and guidance during this time (we are proud to serve you!)
4/ Dr Monica Manocha (GA-peds) talk practice finance:

The SBA loan/PPP cover our salaries/ insurance, but primary care has thin margins, and fixed costs (as peds, don't qualify for Medicare payments)

Seen a drop in vaccinations for kids, worry about epidemics measles, pertussis
5/ Dr Muir:

One of my colleagues who is also a patient is on life support from Covid right now.

Others are retiring early rather than continue to put their lives at risk.

Who will be around to take care of Americans?
6/ Dr Butler touches on need for administrative simplification.

Applied, but missed first round of PPP, got the second round.

They also got a line of credit from local bank

But the best news was when the provider relief funds just appeared in his checking account, a lifeline!
7/ Dr Reddy: because of this virus's presymptomatic and asymptomatic spread, we have to assume that every staff member and every patient at every time have COVID. That's incredibly disruptive to normal practice flows, is necessary for safety, but slows down care (and FFS revenue)
8/ Dr Butler: we can't safely squeeze in more visits. We're coming in earlier and leaving later, but can't do 100 visits a day.

"Fee for service is not a sustainable way to finance comprehensive patient centered primary care"
9/ Dr Butler: We are thankful that we have a good chance of getting a shared savings payment like many @AledadeACO practices in October, which will be a lifesaver.

It would be good to get some sort of earlier signal from @CMSGov regarding the amounts, so we can plan accordingly
You can follow @Farzad_MD.
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