News

Happy National Doctors Day!

First and foremost, thank you to all physicians as we celebrate you this Doctors Day 2020. This Monday Rx will provide important updated information with links to vital resources and news you can use now.

You can find COVID-19 resources and more on our LACMA Rapid Response page and CMA’s COVID-19 resource page.

These resources will provide answers to the accelerated payment program, Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs, telehealth updates, and more. I will be sharing a White Paper later this week to help solo and small practices make informed decisions when it comes to telemedicine.

PPE Vendor Updates

Later this week, we will make an announcement regarding the progress of our n95 mask vendors. Once we secure vendor fulfillment and expedite the process, I will alert our members about the next steps. We are also in discussions with a shield manufacturer (both traditional and 3D) and hope to have news later this week.

Since we launched the COVID-19 Rapid Response Phase 1 we have helped almost 150 solo and small practices with funding and resources. We are also providing additional funding support for those practices that have closed or laid off staff.

We asked the 144 respondents:
“What are their most pressing needs?”

Here are some examples of responses:

• “Purchase N-95 masks, gloves and protective gowns.”
• “Protective supplies, infrared thermometers, screening lab tests. These will be used for my practice (which has a public element) and in the course of community service via my commitment to the community.”
• “To pay for ongoing expenses in taking care of patients, particularly increased demand now.”
• “The funds will be used to maintain business operations.”
• “Business is down by at least 50%”.
• “We canceled all office visits to the clinic and working only for emergency cases.”
• “My patients refuse to come in for their scheduled appointments, I’ve been practicing online for now since we are unable to order adequate PPE and cannot let my patients risk their health by being exposed to the Virus.”
• “Have had to lay off office staff. Have stopped doing any elective surgeries but still see emergency patients with acute orthopedics injuries rather than close.”
• “Had to close the practice 2 weeks ago.”
• “Decreased patient volume by 35%, so far.”
• We had to lay off all staff except for one person part-time to answer phones. Have no PPE to go and see patients who want to be tested.”

The LACMA COVID-19 Rapid Response program has helped many practices but we can help more. If you need help let me know!

LACMA's Ongoing Support

We will be kicking off a portfolio of zoom events, from town halls with legislators and experts to happy hours and virtual networking events.

We are kicking off this week with our Physician Practice Playbook in digital form which features content, resources and news in a weekly PDF. We continue to evolve our web site to make it more user friendly, resource-rich and functional.

Recommend Physician Resources:

California Medical Association (CMA)

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH)

Mayor Eric Garcetti 

Governor Gavin Newsom

From Our LACMA Family to Yours

We put together a video message thanking you and all the physicians protecting our community. We appreciate you and we stand with you!

#HappyDoctorsDay

Adjusting With the Times

For those using a reliable and robust telemedicine platform please share any news you have so I can share with those members needing help to care for patients, as providers continue to make changes to their care models. In the meantime, I have been in conversations with our technology partners and will share an announcement in the coming days on a potential telemedicine platform for members to access.

Take the telemedicine survey and let us know your needs.

Help Uncrowd Our Emergency Rooms