SCAAP Newsletter

Friends,  Happy holiday season! CATCH meeting registration is OPEN, click here! Our SCAAP board met on 10/17/23, and the following items were reviewed and will go out to the board for approval this month: Our executive committee is researching auditors used by other chapters to complete our first audit Our first set of chapter policies Bylaws edits incorporating changes including trainees as elected board members Itemized budget A win from Dr. Wessinger: SC DHHS will be streamlining from five MCO and one FFS Preferred Drug Lists (PDLs) down to one, effective 7/1/24, for the outpatient pharmacy benefit. There will also be a single set of utilization criteria (PA criteria) for non-preferred drugs, and we are planning to have transparency so that those criteria are readily available to all providers and plans. The primary goal for this change is to benefit the patients who will no longer have to change from an effective therapy if they change plans.  A significant secondary benefit, of course, will be to the medical and pharmacy providers, as a unified PDL and utilization criteria will greatly reduce the administrative burden of dealing with six different PDLs and PA criteria. The current FFS Medicaid PDL will not necessarily be the one that will be effective 7/1/24, as currently, this PDL does not actively list or manage all drug classes, and there are other new CMS rules that may affect which drugs in each category will be covered in the future.  The new PDL will be much expanded and more detailed, and our goal is to include features such as specific drug searches, etc. We also plan to allow a transition period for continuity of medications to minimize disruptions during the initial months of the new PDL. We will be working closely with the MCO Medical and Pharmacy Directors to develop the new PDL and PA criteria, and we have a fifteen-member P&T Committee (with 11 MDs and 4 pharmacists) that we will be relying on as well. As the SC DHHS Pharmacy program falls under my supervision, I will be happy to hear from you and other stakeholders as we undertake the monumental task of developing the new PDL while minimizing disruption to our beneficiaries’ access to medications. A DHHS bulletin coming out before the end of the year will notify us of increasing nutritional counseling, increased payment rates, and increased limits effective 7/1, assuming the legislature approves (requires state plan amendment). All: We are recruiting for committee/subcommittee members! Please check out the committee list and reach out to join. Each committee meets quarterly and is looking for your input (trainees included)! Groups recruiting members include membership, asthma, oral health, foster care, immunizations, healthy lifestyles, school health, telemedicine, climate, tobacco prevention, pediatric council, legislative advocacy, early hearing detection/intervention, PROS (pediatric research in office setting), early physicians, senior physicians, and mental health working group. Updates from DHEC Pediatric Advisory Committee last month: DHHS is expected to lose 250-300k of the 1.3M members from the start of the redetermination. ~100k members have been determined to be ineligible. In the past several months, members losing coverage has decreased because DHHS is doing automatic renewals using any information that they have access to, such as tax information from the Department of Revenue. Also, there is a 90-day grace period to get the information into DHHS. Coverage by DHHS:  Diabetic supplies are being covered under the pharmacy benefit, as well as mobile optometry. The Pharmacy Access Act went into effect on 10/1/2023, where pharmacists can now prescribe contraceptives. Expansion of cochlear implant coverage for new and replacements Public access for parents to get school-certified vaccine records is coming either at the start of the 2024 or 2025 school year Can look up results for Newborn Screen in the e-reports.  There is limited access to be able to review only the results of patients that are attributed to their practice. This is due to privacy issues.  They are going to look into ways to improve access while also maintaining privacy. New Director of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) division is Danielle Wingo. 7/1/2024 DHEC will split into 2 parts Department of Public Health and Department of Environmental Services. MCH will continue daily operations under the Department of Public Health (DPH) and will essentially be unchanged. The Department of Environmental Services will continue to handle environmental public health issues.  Vaccine info: Beyfortus (nirsevimab) info from VFC: The following VFC vaccines are now available to order through SIMON for the VFC Program: Beyfortus 50mg (5 x 0.5mL syringes), Beyfortus 100mg (5 x 0.5mL syringes). Allocation is limited. Orders may be adjusted. If you have any questions, please submit a SIMON Helpdesk ticket. See CDC Vaccine Price List  Nirsevimab recorded webinar from AAP CPT codes for COVID-19 immunization administration Under the new guidelines, VFC providers will have until March 31, 2024, to meet the private stock requirements for COVID-19 vaccines and until Aug. 1, 2024 to meet the private stock requirements for nirsevimab.  See the DHEC HAN on the limited availability of nirsevimab From the DHEC peds advisory committee meeting: There are major supply issues with Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) for infants.  Only 50 mg doses are available for those less than 5 kg.  Apparently, according to Sanofi, the 100 mg doses are not going to be available this season.  Also, it is recommended at this time to not give 2 of the 50 mg doses to replace the 100 mg dose at this time due to coverage issues. Check out SC Immunization Coalition’s resources, webinars, and especially their projects ongoing in rural counties! From BCBCS: There is coverage for Nirsevimab however, it will not be covered outside the DRG when it is given in the hospital setting.  There is also coverage by BCBS of SC for the Pfizer Maternal RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, given at 32-36 weeks gestation, which protects the newborns prior to delivery.   From DHHS: Nirsevimab is covered under VFC and can only be given to a VFC-covered child in the NBN if the hospital is a VFC provider. Medicaid covers all ACIP-recommended vaccines for adults, including RSV for pregnancy and 60+ year-olds. ACOG, AAP, SMFM statement on nirsevimab shortage Nirsevimab Supply and Prioritization Updates AAP webinar: Join us on Wednesday, November 8 from 7 – 8 pm CT for “Nirsevimab Supply and Prioritization Updates”, which is part of the AAP Respiratory Virus Webinar Series. Hear from CDC representatives and other experts about the current shortage of nirsevimab, what to anticipate in terms of supply for the 2023-2024 RSV season, and highlights from the recently released CDC Health Advisory Pediatricians, family physicians, practice managers, pediatric support staff, and others are encouraged to join. Pre-registration is required. Register here. See Respiratory Season Webinar Series for previous webinar recordings.  Upcoming dates: CATCH: January 19-20, 2024, at Francis Marion Hotel in Chas SCAAP State House Day: March 26, 2024 Annual summer meeting 2024: August 8-11, 2024, Royal Sonesta on HHI (not Myrtle Beach) Annual Summer Meeting 2025: August 7-10, 2025, Grove Park In the news: Pediatric meltdown podcast highlighting Dr. Liz Wallis discussing aggressive behaviors AAP News article highlighting Dr. Annie Andrews Dr. Bob Saul, the immediate past president, crafted an articulate blog post here! If you’d like to receive his weekly blog post via email, contact him at robertsaul@me.com Grants: We were awarded a trainee engagement grant! We applied for a gun violence prevention grant and are waiting to hear back. We were one of 3 chapters awarded a 21k AAP Adolescent Vaccinations and Wellness Grant Program supported by Merck! Dr. Eliza Varadi is our chapter immunization rep and will be helping to lead the charge to improve vaccine rates throughout the state. We are looking for members who have successful HPV vaccination rates or who have participated in vaccine quality improvement programs and are willing to work with rural practices on strategies to improve your rates. There will be a stipend for participating physicians and participating practices! Contact mmcedwards@yahoo.com if you’re interested! Other active grants: Project Firstline, Ambassador Suicide, SUID State advocacy updates: check out www.scaap.org/advocacy for action on current bills Thank you to all who testified at the various JCLCC hearings- great SCAAP showing! Several of us joined the Children’s Trust of SC for a press conference on 11/1/23 to encourage funding our home visiting program. SC Coalition for Safer Schools (of which we are an active member) set its legislative priorities for 2024: Mental Health Resources for Students (including addressing mental health-to-student ratios and conducting a mental health professional "task audit") Addressing Educator Shortages Social Media/Internet Access Safety for Students (including age requirement verification and requiring social media companies to report threats of school violence made on their platform) We continue to oppose S.627, which proposes a gender-affirming care ban for children under 18yo and forces schools to out children before they are ready. We testified against this bill on 3/23/23 in Senate Medical Affairs. This will likely be taken up next session.  We continue to support the hate crime penalty enhancement bill H.3014 and this may be taken up next session. National advocacy updates AAP President Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, published an op-ed outlining steps policymakers can take to support the healthy mental and emotional development of young people. We signed onto a letter urging Congress to WIC funding due to increased food costs. See here for the updated AAP Advocacy Report How to Sign Up for AAP Advocacy Emails: If you do not already receive advocacy emails from the AAP, please consider signing up! The Academy sends regular advocacy updates and advocacy action alerts to AAP members, along with a weekly Capital Check-Up email, recapping the child health policy news from Washington when Congress is in session. To request to sign up, email kids1st@aap.org along with your name, email address, and AAP ID if known. Elizabeth Mack, MD, MS, FAAP SCAAP president

Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP) Corner

1. New Early Career Leadership Alliance (ECLA) Applications Open!
The AAP Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP) has launched a new leadership program, Early Career Leadership Alliance (ECLA), designed to empower and inspire future leaders. In line with goal 3 of the AAP Equity Agenda, the ECLA is a 2-year training initiative crafted to cultivate leaders and foster a community of leadership among physicians, with a particular emphasis on supporting members that are underrepresented in medicine (URIM). This program is a strategic response to the imperative for URIM members to receive tailored programming, coaching, and structural support to attain their objectives, aligning with both the participants' goals and the Academy's objectives for workforce diversity and health equity. Applications are open for both participants and faculty and are due Sunday, November 12, 2023. See links below for applications and more information.
 
Applications are currently open for the following opportunities (click on the links below for more information and to apply). We welcome applications from interested participants and faculty candidates until November 12, 2023. Notifications of acceptance will be sent to selected participants during the week of December 12, 2023.

• ECLA Program Participants 
• ECLA Program Senior Faculty
• ECLA program Early Career Faculty

Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your leadership development!
Questions? Contact: Elisha Ferguson

2. SOECP SOAP Notes Blog Submissions
Interested in submitting an article to the SOECP SOAP Notes Blog? Posts can be on any topic relevant to early career pediatricians. Many choose to submit articles related to National Health Observances (these are due the month prior to the health observance you are writing about). Once accepted, blog articles are posted to the SOECP SOAP Notes Blog and shared via the SOECP What’s New monthly newsletter. Blog article submissions are due on the 15^th of each month.
 
More information here!

 Your SOECP District IV Reps
DR: Laura Workman, MD— laura.workman@louisville.edu
ADR: Erika Cravanas, MD— erika.cravanas@duke.edu

Check Out These Resources and Opportunities

Check out Medicaid’s bulletin regarding coverage for factor for hemophilia patients.
 
See here for DHEC PPE ordering form.
 
Encourage patients to download and use CDC’s milestone tracker app!
 
Resources for gender-affirming care: Plume, Folx, and Trace
See other phone resources here for trans youth in our state.

Download this quick reference guide from the AAP for age-appropriate dosing of the COVID-19 vaccine. The chart includes information for immunocompromised children and has been updated to include the latest booster dosing information for children under 5.

 

New morning conference
 

• CATCH meeting: January 19-20, 2024, at Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston
• State house day: March 26, 2024, at Palmetto Club & SC State House
• Annual summer meeting: August 8-11, 2024 @ Hilton Head
• Annual summer meeting: August 7-10, 2025 @ Grove Park Inn

National AAP activities:

• 11/1/2023: PREP Subspecialty Pediatrics Self-Assessment Editorial Board Nominations Due
• 11/1/2023: Webinar: Eyes on Access: Children’s Vision and Eye Health in Community Health Centers
• 11/2/2023: PEHSU (Regions 8, 9, 10) PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ and Safe Drinking Water ECHO Session 3
• 11/3/2023: Immunization Grants Applications Due
• 11/3/2023: AAP Trauma-Informed Pediatric Care and Resilience Promotion ECHO Begins
• 11/3/2023: Sign-on Opportunity Deadline: Additional Funding for WIC
• 11/8/2023: Webinar: Launch of AAP Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health PediaLink
• 11/8/2023: Improving Mental Health Processes, Workflows, & Responses QI Project Applications Due
• 11/12/2023: Leadership Training Program for Early Career Physicians Applications Due:
  Participants | Senior Faculty | Early Career Faculty
• 11/13/2023: Webinar: Developing an Early Career Advocacy Portfolio
• 11/14/2023: Webinar: Hepatitis C: Best Clinical Strategies to Manage Infection in Children
• 11/15/2023: APEX Teaching Program Applications Due
• 11/15/2023: Optimize Infant and Toddler Feeding QI Project Applications Due
• 11/17/2023: 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition General Session Proposals and Section/Council Program & Course Requests Due
• 11/17/2023: Early Bird Deadline for Practical Pediatrics CME Course in Savannah, GA
• 11/17/2023: Webinar: Generative AI for Medical Education
• 11/17/2023: AAP Child Welfare and Health Policy Fellowship Applications Due
• 11/17-18/2023: Virtual Course: Treatment and Prevention of Acute and Chronic Pain in Children
• 11/17-19/2023: 2023 Global Health Education Course
• Future NCE dates

National AAP Updates

Lutine Management Associates: https://lutinemanagement.com/our-team/