Menu RISK MANAGEMENT ALERTS The latest risk management news and alerts issued by medical organizations. MACS FOR MOMS Support for prescribers in addressing the needs of pregnant and postpartum patients with substance use disorder. October 13, 2021 READ MORE THE MOST COMMON CYBERSECURITY MISTAKES DOCTORS MAKE The risks of poor cybersecurity hygiene have never been greater. Here’s how physicians can improve theirs. July 29, 2021 READ MORE MULTISTATE OUTBREAK OF TUBERCULOSIS (TB) Suspected contaminated bone allograft material used in surgical procedures. June 21, 2021 READ MORE FDA AUTHORIZES PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE FOR EMERGENCY USE IN ADOLESCENTS This action brings us closer to ending the pandemic. May 11, 2021 READ MORE CDC RECOMMENDS USE OF J&J’S/JANSSEN COVID-19 VACCINE RESUME Data show that the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks. April 30, 2021 READ MORE POSTCARD DISGUISED AS OFFICIAL OCR COMMUNICATION HHS Office warns of postcard disguised as official OCR communications. April 26, 2021 READ MORE HOGAN SIGNS SENATE BILL 3 AND HOUSE BILL 123: PRESERVE TELEHEALTH ACCESS ACT OF 2021 Governor Hogan signed the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021. Read a summary of the bills here. April 13, 2021 READ MORE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATEMENT ON ADMINISTRATION OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINE The MDH directs all Maryland COVID-19 vaccine providers to pause the administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines until further federal guidance is issued. April 13, 2021 READ MORE YOUR PATIENT IS NOW READING YOUR NOTE: OPPORTUNITIES, PROBLEMS, AND PROSPECTS Patients have unprecedented online access to their medical records. More than 6 million Americans can now read their doctors’ notes via patient portals, and continued rapid growth is likely. April 06, 2021 READ MORE YOUR PATIENT IS NOW READING YOUR NOTE: OPPORTUNITIES, PROBLEMS, AND PROSPECTS Patients have unprecedented online access to their medical records. More than 6 million Americans can now read their doctors’ notes via patient portals, and continued rapid growth is likely. April 06, 2021 READ MORE CDC COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINAR SERIES CDC is offering a series of brief (15-20 minute) webinars addressing topics around COVID-19 vaccination. March 26, 2021 READ MORE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES $188.6 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURER Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced a multistate settlement with Boston Scientific Corporation. March 23, 2021 READ MORE VACCINEFINDER PUBLIC DISPLAY CHECKLIST FOR PROVIDERS VaccineFinder.org provides a national resource of COVID-19 vaccine providers to help consumers find provider locations that carry COVID-19 vaccines. February 24, 2021 READ MORE REPORT: HEALTHCARE DATA BREACHES SPIKED 55% IN 2020 There were nearly 600 healthcare data breaches in 2020, a 55% jump from 2019, a new report shows. February 23, 2021 READ MORE WHO ELEARNING MODULES ON 2019 NCOV UP AND RUNNING More than 25,000 individuals have accessed the World Health Organization's (WHO) online training on how to detect, prevent, respond to, and control the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV). February 18, 2021 READ MORE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER REFERRALS TO MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY INFUSIONS The Maryland Department of Health has released updated guidance on referring patients to Monoclonal antibody infusions. February 18, 2021 READ MORE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAUNCHES HEALTH CARE PROVIDER REGISTRY The Baltimore County Department of Health invites county health care providers to register their practice in the county’s new provider registry. January 05, 2021 READ MORE MARYLANDERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ‘NO-COST’ COVID-19 VACCINATIONS The Maryland Insurance Commissioner reminds all Marylanders that they cannot be billed for COVID-19 vaccinations. December 15, 2020 READ MORE CHARGES FOR ENHANCED INFECTION CONTROL AND PPE In a new bulletin, the MIA explains their enforcement position on Physicians attempting to charge patients additional... December 15, 2020 READ MORE MEDCHI WARNS OF MARYLAND PHYSICIAN LICENSEE SCAM MedChi wants to make Physicians aware that the Maryland Board of Physicians has been alerted that their phone system has been hacked. December 03, 2020 READ MORE THE PRACTICE MANAGER TOOLBOX IS HERE! Our new online resource designed to provide relevant guidance to Practice Managers is here! December 02, 2020 READ MORE CDC GUIDANCE FOR HANDLING THE HOLIDAYS DURING THE PANDEMIC As the holiday season grows near, the CDC released new guidance on how to handle holiday celebrations and group gatherings. November 19, 2020 READ MORE AMA ANNOUNCES VACCINE-SPECIFIC CPT CODES FOR CORONAVIRUS IMMUNIZATIONS In anticipation of a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the AMA and the CMS created new codes for the vaccine and its administration. November 18, 2020 READ MORE BHA/MEDCHI BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WEBINAR SERIES: HELPING THE HELPERS AND THOSE THEY SERVE The MDH Behavioral Health Administration and MedChi are jointly sponsoring a new webinar series, the BHA/MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve. November 18, 2020 READ MORE MARYLAND ADDS NEW CONDITION TO RESUMING ELECTIVE AND NON-URGENT PROCEDURES AND APPOINTMENTS On Nov. 17, the MDH issued a directive and Order that adds new measures that health care providers must implement to resume elective and non-urgent procedures. November 17, 2020 READ MORE MDH PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR ELECTIVE HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS FOLLOWING INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES Following rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Maryland, the MDH provided new guidance for elective hospital admissions and a reminder to adhere to best infection control practices. November 11, 2020 READ MORE IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE MASK POLICIES IN YOUR PRACTICE This PowerPoint includes guidance on mask policy posting and notification, implementation, and managing objections. October 13, 2020 READ MORE NEW RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS RESILIENCE The Risk Management Department is offering a free 1.5-hour webinar on “Finding Resilience During a Pandemic,” presented by Lynne Hughes. October 07, 2020 READ MORE MARYLAND PHYSICIAN LICENSEE SCAM ALERT SCAM ALERT: A threatening phone call posing as the Maryland Board of Physicians regarding the status of a practitioner's license is being made. September 17, 2020 READ MORE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASES FACE COVERINGS SIGNAGE The Maryland Department of Health has released face coverings signage for Maryland businesses. September 08, 2020 READ MORE MALICIOUS CYBER ACTOR SPOOFING COVID-19 LOAN RELIEF WEBPAGE VIA PHISHING EMAILS The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is currently tracking an unknown malicious cyber actor who is spoofing the Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 loan relief webpage via phishing emails. August 17, 2020 READ MORE POSTCARD DISGUISED AS OFFICIAL OCR COMMUNICATION Postcard Disguised as Official OCR Communication August 06, 2020 READ MORE MEDICAL PRACTICE IN THE FACE OF COVID-19 In this course, Maryland attorney John T. Sly of the law firm Waranch & Brown, L.L.C., will assist you in navigating recent executive orders from Maryland and Virginia, infection control parameters from OSHA, CDC guidance on safely resuming in-person care June 10, 2020 READ MORE FAQS AND GUIDANCE: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE AND COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE DEFERMENT PROGRAM Receive guidance and read frequently asked questions about the D.C. Residential Mortgage and Commercial Mortgage Deferment Program. May 07, 2020 READ MORE MGMA TO HOST "ROADMAP FOR RESUMING BUSINESS OPERATIONS" WEBINAR The Maryland Medical Group Management Association (MDMGMA) is hosting a webinar, Town Hall: Roadmap for Resuming Business Operations, Wednesday, May 6 at noon, developed in collaboration with leadership from Medicus IT. May 01, 2020 READ MORE CARES ACT PROVIDER RELIEF FUND INFORMATION President Trump is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 27, 2020, the President signed the bipartisan CARES Act that provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the fro April 13, 2020 READ MORE INDIVIDUAL POSING AS OCR INVESTIGATOR It has come to OCR’s attention that an individual posing as an OCR Investigator has contacted HIPAA covered entities in an attempt to obtain protected health information (PHI). April 06, 2020 READ MORE HOW TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF YOUR HOME AND FAMILY The American Academy of Family Physicians gives guidance on how to take extra precautions both before they arrive and after they leave the workplace to limit risk of COVID-19 to family and other household members. March 31, 2020 READ MORE REDUCING STIGMA - COVID-19 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention March 23, 2020 READ MORE COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RELATED TO COVID-19 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services March 23, 2020 READ MORE MEDCHI CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE CENTER Click here to access MedChi's coronavirus Resource ... March 23, 2020 READ MORE OCR GUIDANCE ON TELEHEALTH - MARCH 20, 2020 Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on telehealth remote communications following its Notification of Enforcement Discretion during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergen March 23, 2020 READ MORE MEDICARE TELEHEALTH FAQ - COVID-19 Updated on March 17, 2020 March 18, 2020 READ MORE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES - COVID-19 TOOLKIT The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers in the wake of the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. March 18, 2020 READ MORE NOTIFICATION OF ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION FOR TELEHEALTH REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS DURING COVID-19 The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for enforcing certain regulations issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), as amended by the Health Informat March 18, 2020 READ MORE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER Health officials continue to closely monitor the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. March 18, 2020 READ MORE CDC'S INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS - COVID-19 Resources for Healthcare Professionals Caring for COVID-19 Patients March 18, 2020 READ MORE JAMA NETWORK'S COVID-19 UPDATES Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread globally, overwhelming ICU and health system capacity. March 18, 2020 READ MORE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY & MEDICINE COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER Coronavirus Resource Center March 18, 2020 READ MORE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION UPDATES & RESOURCES ON COVID-19 The following tools include resources and developments related to COVID-19. March 18, 2020 READ MORE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS - COVID-19 We are updating our COVID-19 Clinical Alert repository daily to assist you with patient care. March 18, 2020 READ MORE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS UPDATES AND RESOURCES ON COVID-19 Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) March 18, 2020 READ MORE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PHISHING SCAMS A series of phishing scams have exploited the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic March 17, 2020 READ MORE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR TESTING COVID-19 This letter provides interim guidance on testing for COVID-19. March 17, 2020 READ MORE AHIMA RESOURCES ON COVID-19 Click here to access the resources that AHIMA has put together to address any COVID-19 ... March 16, 2020 READ MORE MANAGING ANXIETY & STRESS FROM COVID-19 The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. March 16, 2020 READ MORE INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS FROM THE CDC How to Protect Your Patients March 16, 2020 READ MORE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) OUTBREAK Information from the World Health Organization on COVID-19 March 16, 2020 READ MORE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-2019) COVID-19: A New Coronavirus March 16, 2020 READ MORE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 Advice from the CDC March 16, 2020 READ MORE GUIDANCE FOR COLLECTING SPECIMENS FOR COVID-19 TESTING The Maryland Department of Health has released information for clinicians who may collect specimens to be referred for COVID-19 testing. March 09, 2020 READ MORE RESOURCES FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS CARING FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has offered guidance for health care professionals caring for COVID-19 patients. March 09, 2020 READ MORE HIPAA PRIVACY AND NOVEL CORONAVIRUS In light of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, the OCR at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is providing this bulletin to ensure that HIPAA covered entities and their business associates are aware of the ways that patient information may be sh February 17, 2020 READ MORE UPDATE AND INTERIM GUIDANCE ON OUTBREAK OF 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-NCOV) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. February 17, 2020 READ MORE TWO VAPING ADVISORIES RELEASED BY CDC The CDC has issued two advisories — one on how to evaluate flu-like symptoms in the face of concerns about vaping, and the other about how the CDC will count and report e-cigarette and vaping–associated lung injuries (EVALIs). January 29, 2020 READ MORE RESPONDING TO SOCIAL MEDIA REVIEWS CAN LEAD TO PENALTIES The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services published a press release signaling how Covered Entities should react to social media reviews. January 29, 2020 READ MORE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS – SECTION ON SURGERY Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question November 08, 2019 READ MORE FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS TO TWO BREAST IMPLANT MANUFACTURERS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH POST-APPROVAL STUDY REQUIREMENTS Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to two breast implant manufacturers for failure to comply with their requirements, under their premarket approval orders, to conduct post-approval studies to assess the long-term safety a November 08, 2019 READ MORE TIPS FOR MITIGATING A RANSOMWARE ATTACK While cybersecurity experts say it's extremely difficult to avoid ransomware incursions, some fairly basic steps can mitigate their effects. October 11, 2019 READ MORE FDA INFORMS PATIENTS, PROVIDERS AND MANUFACTURERS ABOUT POTENTIAL CYBERSECURITY VULNERABILITIES FOR CONNECTED MEDICAL DEVICES AND HEALTH CARE NETWORKS THAT USE CERTAIN COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE FDA informs patients, providers and manufacturers about potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities for connected medical devices and health care networks that use certain communication software Today, the ... October 11, 2019 READ MORE PROTECTING AGAINST THE PERILS OF DENTAL PATIENT DATA BREACHES This pattern of data breaches is very concerning for dental practices, which are charged with protecting people’s most sensitive information. What can practices do to protect themselves against this growing problem? October 11, 2019 READ MORE SEMINAR LOCATION CHANGE Due to a scheduling conflict, the Thursday September 19th Pathology Program will be held at Holy Cross Hospital (listed as Medical Mutual in the brochure) from 6 pm to 8 pm. September 16, 2019 READ MORE ENHANCING YOUR EHR AND PROVIDER DOCUMENTATION – PRESENTED BY ECLINICALWORKS AND KEM TOLLIVER On September 18th, at noon, Medical Mutual will be conducting a webinar focusing on eClinicalWorks EHR platforms. September 12, 2019 READ MORE CYBER PULSE: THE STATE OF CYBERSECURITY IN HEALTHCARE – PART TWO A study on cybersecurity amongst Americans and Canadians working in the healthcare industry. September 12, 2019 READ MORE ENHANCING YOUR EHR AND PROVIDER DOCUMENTATION – PRESENTED BY HCMI SOLUTIONS AND KEM TOLLIVER On September 24th, at noon, Medical Mutual will be conducting a webinar focusing on AllScripts and Epic EHR platforms. September 12, 2019 READ MORE SURVEY RESULTS – THE STATE OF PATIENT IDENTITY MANAGEMENT Do You Have the Right Authentication Measures in Place to Prevent Patient Identity Theft? August 05, 2019 READ MORE HEALTH INDUSTRY CYBERSECURITY PRACTICES: MANAGING THREATS AND PROTECTING PATIENTS Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices: Managing Threats and Protecting Patients Click here to access the article from the Department of Health and Human ... July 09, 2019 READ MORE CDC ADVISES AGAINST MISAPPLICATION OF THE GUIDELINE FOR PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS FOR CHRONIC PAIN CDC Advises Against Misapplication of the Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain: Some policies, practices attributed to the Guideline are inconsistent with its recommendations June 25, 2019 READ MORE QUEST DIAGNOSTICS SAYS UP TO 12 MILLION PATIENTS MAY HAVE HAD FINANCIAL, MEDICAL, PERSONAL INFORMATION BREACHED Quest Diagnostics Says Up to 12 Million Patients May Have Had Financial, Medical, Personal Information Breached June 04, 2019 READ MORE FDA ALERTS PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS TO CHECK FOR PREMATURE BATTERY DEPLETION IN CERTAIN MEDTRONIC PACEMAKERS: FDA SAFETY COMMUNICATION The FDA is aware of three medical device reports in which a Medtronic implantable pacemaker or CRT-P battery had fully drained because of a crack in the device’s capacitor, without any warning to the patient or health care provider. As of April 10, 2019, June 03, 2019 READ MORE CDC DEVELOPS MEASLES TOOLKIT FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a toolkit to help health care professionals respond to measles outbreaks around the country. May 13, 2019 READ MORE EHR OPTIMIZATION WEBINAR PRESENTED BY ATHENA HEALTH On May 2nd, at noon, Medical Mutual will be conducting its first of a series of webinars on EHR optimization! March 27, 2019 READ MORE 750,000 MEDTRONIC DEFIBRILLATORS VULNERABLE TO HACKING As many as 750,000 heart devices made by Medtronic PLC contain a serious cybersecurity vulnerability that could let an attacker with sophisticated insider knowledge to harm a patient by altering programming on an implanted defibrillator, federal officials March 26, 2019 READ MORE HHS PROPOSES NEW RULES TO IMPROVE THE INTEROPERABILITY OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION HHS Proposes New Rules to Improve the Interoperability of Electronic Health Information February 11, 2019 READ MORE PEDIATRICS GROUP CALLS ON CLINICIANS TO ADDRESS SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM WITH PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS Pediatrics Group Calls on Clinicians to Address School Absenteeism with Patients, Caregivers January 29, 2019 READ MORE THE COST OF A FREE PRESS: ALLERGY PRACTICE PAYS $125,000 TO SETTLE PHYSICIAN’S DISCLOSURE OF PATIENT INFORMATION ON TV Don’t let this happen to you! December 03, 2018 READ MORE FINAL POLICY, PAYMENT, AND QUALITY PROVISIONS CHANGES TO THE MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2019 On November 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the ... November 05, 2018 READ MORE OPTIMIZING POSTPARTUM CARE The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists update their guidance on the "fourth trimester". ... October 19, 2018 READ MORE CDC RELEASES GUIDELINE TO IMPROVE CARE OF CHILDREN WITH MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new clinical recommendations for healthcare providers ... October 18, 2018 READ MORE NEJM PHYSICIAN'S FIRST WATCH The New England Journal of Medicine releases up to date medical news. This months includes Clinician errors with the new Zoster vaccine, renal denervation for hypertension and caring for females with eating ... October 18, 2018 READ MORE MARYLAND PRIMARY CARE PROGRAM The State of Maryland has entered into a Total Cost of Care All-Payer Model contract with the Federal Government that is designed to coordinate care for patients across both hospital and non-hospital settings, ... October 18, 2018 READ MORE GET YOUR ICD-10 QUESTIONS ANSWERED WITH CODEASSIST Get it Right with CodeASSIST! There are more than 60,000 diagnosis codes included in ICD-10. Coding accuracy and specificity is vital, not only to ensure effective patient care, but also to ... November 12, 2017 READ MORE Legal Notices and Privacy Policy Help Contact Us