COVID-19 Information

The Kansas Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons is keenly aware of the public health implications of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) matter.  As we all know, this is a rapidly developing situation.  As always, the health and safety of our members, corporate sponsors, speakers and practice employees are first and foremost in our concerns.

This page has been developed to provide access to credible resources for information, such as the CDC, state agencies and other public health experts.  It also is where we will make announcements concerning cancellation/postponement of planned events or other factors.  We will be updating the information on this page as things play out.  

New Developments

• 3/18/2020 -- Congress has passed HR 6201, the "Families First Coronavirus Response Act."  This bill was approved by the House of Representatives last Saturday; it passed the Senate today and now goes to the President for final approval.
• Here is a SUMMARY of the bill's provisions (prepared by the Congressional Research Service)
• This is the FULL TEXT of the bill in PDF format (112 pages) 
• 3/22/2020 - Kansas governor expands use of telemedicine; Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties adopt "stay at home" orders to limit spread of virus.  CLICK HERE for Topeka Courier-Journal article.  The legislature has adjourned now until late April.
• NEW - 3/27/2020 - The US Senate has passed a bill providing economic assistance to individuals, businesses, hospitals and state/local government.
• Summary of the bill (coming soon)  
• hr 748 - Final Version of the bill as passed
• Summary from the Washington Post 

Public Health Resources

We have assembled some links to credible public health resources to help our membership stay informed concerning the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation.

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Situation Summary
• Information for travelers
• Information for healthcare professionals
• Resources for healthcare facilities
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment 
• University of Kansas Medical Center - Coronavirus Updates
• World Health Organization 
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Telehealth FAQs (3/17/2020) 
• Medicare advance payments - AAO memo 
• Medicare advance payments - CMS fact sheet 
• American Academy of Ophthalmology 
• Coronavirus preparedness (video) 
• AAO Memo to State Society Leaders (PDF) 
• NEW - Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company COVID-19 Information Resources 
• There's a lot of good information and resources posted here
• American College of Emergency Physicians 
• Reliable Statustics
• Johns Hopkins University coronavirus resource center -- This is a very good statistical compilation worldwide and for all states 
• New York Times - updated charts for countries and individual states 
• From the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington - statistics, state-by-state projections, and more
• Financial Resources and Information
• SBA - disaster loans 
• Interesting Background
• The Coronavirus Explained -- really good video explaining everything 
• ZDogg webcast - medical aspects of coronavirus discussed (very interesting)
• What's the risk for a healthy young person (LA Times) 
• The math behind epidemics and exponential growth (bone up on your high school math!) 
• Separate Facts from Misinformation -- a good Q&A about COVID-19 
• NEW -- Things to consider in your practice!
• In addition to droplet precautions, eye protection should be used as COVID-19 can be spread through ocular secretions.
• Conjunctivitis may be the 1st symptom of COVID-19 (offices may consider triaging these visits over the phone or offering telemedicine visits.) 
• CMS has just passed a "1135 Waiver" to expand telehealth, with relaxed HIPAA guidelines (can be done via Skype).  Supposedly, this is seen as the "same" as in-person visits and can be reimbursed at the same rates.  CLICK HERE to view a CMS fact sheet. 
• Malpractice attorneys have warned that if surgeons defy the US Surgeon General's recommendation to postpone elective surgery, they could potentially be held liable if the patient develops COVID-19. 

Ideas and Needs

As the public health emergency continues, medical practices are facing unprecedented challenges.  We don't claim to have all of the answers, but we can try to be a clearinghouse for ideas or requests.  Of course, as always, physicians and practice managers should use their own best judgment about any actions taken in consultation with your normal advisers.  

• Medical Supplies
• Story from Bloomberg about ways to work around shortages of supplies, such as masks or eye protection.  CLICK HERE to view the story.
• New - How to make reusable masks; from Deaconess Health System, Evansville, IN

Announcements

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology has cancelled the MidYear Forum scheduled for Washington, DC next month.  CLICK HERE for information about that event.