April 15, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19.

In an effort to provide accurate and helpful information to POMA members, we have gathered some of the resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time. We hope this helps you in staying on top of the latest developments in the spread of the disease and in helping your patients.

We are also including information about POMA's Virtual Clinical Assembly, which will be held April 29-May 2, 2020.

Stay safe and healthy!


COVID_Webpage


POMA Requests Liability Immunity

On behalf of all osteopathic physicians in the Commonwealth, POMA sent a letter today to Governor Wolf requesting an executive order to provide liability immunity to physicians and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read the full letter.


CHIP to Maintain Enrollment for Families during COVID-19 Crisis

Today, the Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that it is making temporary changes to Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to keep families enrolled for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency and to ease access to medical services for children being screened or receiving treatment for COVID-19. If a family is unable to pay premiums because of a decrease or loss of income, the family must contact their managed care organization to request a "reassessment" because of income change.

Click here for details on how to apply for CHIP. Guidance to DHS providers related to COVID-19 is available here.


PPE Material Distribution

All providers should be working with their Regional Health Care Coalition to submit requests for PPE. Please scroll to the bottom for the contact information of each region's Public Health Preparedness Coordinator. Click here for COVID-19 PPE guidance from PA-DOH.


Pennsylvania Suspends Licensing Regulations

Due to COVID-19, Governor Wolf has granted a number of temporary waivers for health care professionals to increase the available number of practitioners in the Commonwealth and reduce barriers to temporary licensure. Following are a list of waivers relevant for osteopathic physicians:

Click here for a complete list of suspended licensing regulations. For all licensing-related inquiries, please use the email addresses found here to contact the appropriate licensing board.


POMA Clinical Assembly Updates

POMA20 Is Going Virtual!
POMA's 112th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar is transitioning from an in-person meeting to a virtual conference!

The 4-day conference will occur during the originally scheduled dates, April 29-May 2, and in roughly the same hours, 8am to 6pm EST. Click here to view the updated virtual schedule.

POMA understands this is a licensure renewal year and that you must have AOA Category 1-A credit. While it is too early to tell whether license renewal will change in this uncertain environment, our goal is to provide what you need in the most cost-effective and convenient way possible. POMA20 anticipates 34 Category 1-A AOA CME and AMA PRA Category 1 credits, including 6 patient safety and 2 opioid credits. We will be utilizing a combination of live streaming sessions and chat forums to facilitate dialogue, questions/answers and interaction. These 1-A AOA CME credits are applicable to Pennsylvania's licensure requirements. Specifics regarding the attestation process will be provided the week of the virtual conference.

We also realize the unknowns of physician schedules in light of the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to live streaming the lectures in real time, we will also be recording the lectures and making them available for on-demand viewing. The on-demand lectures will be posted after the conference and remain on the virtual platform for registered attendees through May 31.

The virtual conference platform is mobile responsive so you can participate on a variety of personal electronic devices - computers, laptops, tablets, phones, etc. - all you need is an internet connection. That being said, we encourage you to use a computer, laptop or tablet for ease of use and visibility. Registrants will receive an email on April 23 with their credentials and additional login information.

Early-bird pricing has been extended through May 2 and refunds are being offered with no administrative fee. Registrants also have the ability to transfer their registration to 2021 or donate their fees.

If you have already registered for POMA20 and wish to participate in POMA20 Virtual, no action is needed as your registration will be automatically transferred to the virtual conference. You will receive an email with additional information regarding technology and registrant access this week.

Still need to register? Click here or fax your registration form to (717) 939-7255 or call (717) 939-9318 x170 or x160. Please note, mail is not preferred as TeamPOMA is working remotely.

We look forward to joining you at the POMA20 Virtual Conference! Please direct any questions you have at [email protected] and we will respond to you as soon as we can.


Updated Pennsylvania Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Cases, Graphics, Resources


Daily Briefings and Updates from Pa. Governor Wolf and Secretary Levine


Resources from the CDC

The CDC has provided guidance and resources for healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, laboratories, as well as information for schools and childcare, businesses and employers, community and faith-based organizations, and the general public. Visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage for more information.


POMA will continue monitoring COVID-19 and provide updates and recommendations from PADOH, the CDC, the WHO and local health agencies. POMA's COVID-19 webpage and social media channels will be updated as information is shared from these organizations.

If you have any comments or questions for POMA, please email us at [email protected]. 

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org