Newsroom

WA-ACEP will send weekly updates to members, as well as continue to update the below “WA-ACEP COVID Updates” with helpful links and resources as they become available. If you are not receiving these emails or have questions, please message admin@washingtonacep.org .  Click below for a comprehensive page on COVID-19 Resources and Information.

Guide to COVID-19

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COVID-19 Daily Updates

This is a rapidly evolving situation. The following links are updating frequently.

Washington State DOH | CDC | King County Public Health | ACEP | University of Washington | Global Map | AAC Testing Directory

ACEP Engaged Forum: Stay in contact with ACEP and colleagues regarding COVID-19 updates on the Engaged platform here. Contact admin@washingonacep.org if you run into any trouble.

COVID-19 Weekly Updates from WA-ACEP

• Update March 14 
• Update March 20
• Update March 29

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Click Here to see the latest Newsletter from WA-ACEP

January 2020 Newsletter email admin@washingtonacep.org to subscribe to future mailings

WA-ACEP Represents at the 2019 ACEP Scientific Assembly

ACEP 2019 Scientific Assembly in Denver From left to right: Herbie Duber, MD; Ryan Keay, MD, FACEP, Gregg Miller, MD, Liam Yore, MD, FACEP, Chris Kang, MD, FACEP, Cameron Buck, MD, FACEP, Nancy Auer, MD, FACEP, Carl Heine, MD, FACEP,K Kay Moody, MD, FACEP, Jennifer L’Hommedieu Stankus, JD, MD, FACEP, Cailey Nickerson, Hon. Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, FACEP, Callan Fockele, Steve Anderson, MD, FACEP

Washington state was represented by 8 councilors and 4 alternates at the 2019 ACEP Scientific Assembly in Denver, CO this last October. WA-ACEP contributed in the discussion surrounding resolutions regarding Universal Healthcare, Balanced Billing, Mental Health Care for Vulnerable Populations, Allowing Emergency Physicians to prescribe buprenorphine and more. Click the following link for a full Summary of Resolution Outcomes.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) launched a new video to push back on a dangerous policy by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS) to deny coverage for emergency patients in six states, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire and Ohio. If the insurance giant decides your visit to the ER was not an emergency, based on their undisclosed lists of diagnoses, they’ll leave patients with the entire bill.

“Anthem’s policy has deadly serious implications for patients,” said Paul Kivela, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. “Anthem is risking patients’ lives by forcing them to second guess their medical symptoms before they get to the ER, and some may not go when they need to. As the video explains, people may have identical symptoms but have different diagnoses — one life threatening, one non-urgent. Insurers cannot reasonably expect patients to know the difference.”

The company is using secret lists of pre-determined diagnoses — which Anthem BCBS considers to be “non-urgent” — that may not be covered if the patient goes to the emergency department. In Missouri, the original list of nearly 2,000 diagnoses included “influenza,” — which has killed several people this season — “ovarian cyst” and “blood in the urine,” which can be symptoms of medical emergencies.

In December, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-MO, representing a state where Anthem implemented this policy, sent a letter to Anthem’s CEO requesting answers and internal documents from the company.

“Patients are not physicians,” said Sen. McCaskill in the letter.  “I’m concerned that Anthem is requiring its patients to act as medical professionals when they are experiencing urgent medical events.”

Learn more at www.faircoverage.org.

WA-ACEP Past President Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP received the Collin C. Rorrie Jr Award for Excellence in Health Policy Oct. 28 during ACEP17 in Washington, DC.  The Colin C. Rorrie, Jr, PhD Award for Excellence in Health Policy is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to achieving the health policy objectives of the College and/or who has demonstrated outstanding skills, talent, and commitment as an administrative or political leader.