Health Policy News
Please select the links below for complete Health Policy articles and events of the current year. View Health Policy Archives
- Public Health Alerts
- Influenza Update
- Practice Advisories
- Georgia Division of Public Health
- National Updates
- Resources
Public Health Alerts
Influenza Updates
Download Georgia's Pandemic Influenza Planning Kit for Outpatient Providers (Updated 08.26.09)
11.01.09 H1N1 payer reimbursement and coverage policies
The AMA has compiled a comparison chart of information on the billing and payment process for major national health insurers, which highlights coverage policies for the H1N1 influenza vaccine and proposed reimbursements.
Click here for H1N1 vaccine payer policies and resources from the AMA
Click here for H1N1 influenza resources
10.27.09 FDA issues emergency use authorization for Peramivir
Click here for details
10.26.09 American Lung Association updates flu clinic locator
Click here for the Web site
10.06.09 Shoo flu, shoo art contest
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is promoting the "Shoo Flu, Shoo Art Contest" as part of its Roll Up Your Sleeve campaign. The contest is open to Georgia students in grades K through 8, including private and home-school students. Entries must be postmarked by November 6, 2009.
Click here for additional information
Download an entry form
10.02.09 Seasonal/H1N1 flu vaccinations update for Georgia physicians
Click here for news article
09.30.09 H1N1 update for physicians in Georgia
Click here for news article
View district contact list
09.28.09 Billing information for the administration of H1N1 vaccine
Click here for details from CMS
09.15.09 'Roll up your sleeve' campaign begins
On September 15, Governor Sonny Perdue and Dr. Rhonda Medows, State Health Officer and Commissioner of Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), launched Georgia’s 'Roll Up Your Sleeve' public service announcement (PSA) featuring Ovie Mughelli of the Atlanta Falcons. In support of the 'Roll Up Your Sleeve' campaign, both Gov. Perdue and Dr. Medows rolled up their sleeves for seasonal flu vaccinations.
Click here to watch the PSA
09.03.09 H1N1 update for physicians in Georgia
Click here for news article
View district contact list
09.03.09 Aetna's addresses H1N1 flu vaccine coverage
Aetna will cover H1N1 flu vaccine administration for members whose benefit plan covers preventive services. It will pay currently recognized providers under our benefit plans for the administration of H1N1 vaccine using these age appropriate CPT codes...
Read Aetna's announcement
07.14.09 Antiviral guidance for suspected, probable, or confirmed novel H1N1 influenza
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would like to emphasize that it is very important to get the word out to clinicians, particularly those in primary care (including internists, pediatricians, family practitioners, OB-GYN physicians) and hospital-based clinicians (emergency physicians, hospitalists, intensivists) to emphasize early, empiric antiviral treatment for hospitalized patients and high-risk outpatients with suspected, probable, or confirmed novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
Read CDC antiviral guidance
01.02.09 CDC issues interim recommendations for the use of influenza antiviral medications in the setting of Oseltamivir Resistance among circulating influenza A (H1N1) viruses
Although influenza activity is low in the United States to date, preliminary data from a limited number of states indicate that the prevalence of influenza A (H1N1) virus strains resistant to the antiviral medication oseltamivir is high. Therefore, the CDC is issuing interim recommendations for antiviral treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza during the 2008-09 influenza season. When influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or exposure is suspected, zanamivir or a combination of oseltamivir and rimantadine are more appropriate options than oseltamivir alone. Local influenza surveillance data and laboratory testing can help with physician decision-making regarding the choice of antiviral agents for their patients. The 2008-09 influenza vaccine is expected to be effective in preventing or reducing the severity of illness with currently circulating influenza viruses, including oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) virus strains. Since influenza activity remains low and is expected to increase in the weeks and months to come, CDC recommends that influenza vaccination efforts continue.
View CDC interim recommendations report
Practice Advisories
07.27.09 H.B. 509 Medical Practice Act and Physician Assistant Act updates summary
H.B. 509, passed during the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly, made substantial revisions to the Medical Practice Act and Physician Assistant Act.
Click here to familiarize yourself with the notable changes to the law governing the practice of medicine
04.22.09 New project promotes diabetes screening
A coalition of public and private sector organizations recently formed The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP) to urge seniors in Georgia to get tested for diabetes. Recent research from CDC and NIH shows that 72 percent of people 65 and older have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Of those with diabetes, it's estimated that almost half are undiagnosed - yet Medicare data shows a low rate of utilization of the diabetes screening benefit. For more information about the MDSP, visit www.screenfordiabetes.org or contact Maurice Madden, MDSP Georgia Director, at 404.483.2640.
Download "Quick Reference Information: Medicare Preventive Services"
"Could I Have Diabetes and Not Know It?" (for patients)
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health
10.28.09 DCH releases Georgia HIV/AIDS Surveillance Summary for 2007
Click here for report
National Updates
01.26.09 CDC updates state medical associations on unexplained dermopathy or "Morgellons"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received numerous inquiries about an unexplained dermopathy that some refer to as "Morgellons." It sent letters to state medical association executive directors to give an update on the CDC's activities to investigate the condition.