COVID-19 Resources

ISDH provider hotline (open 24/7): (877) 826-0011 (Healthcare Providers: Press 2)
ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center: (317) 233-7125, or after hours, call (317) 233-1325
 
 
    
Discounted PPE supplies now available to ISMA members

ISMA members can now purchase selected items of personal protective equipment (PPE) for their practices at discounted rates verified to be comparable to prices for PPE purchased in bulk quantities. 

NEW! ISMA Members: Purchase your NIOSH-approved N95 respirators at a 10% discount. Indiana Face Mask is a family owned Hoosier business, one of only 5 manufacturers in the nation with NIOSH-certified respirators!

Shop now >>

  
       
              


Fact Sheet: Are vaccines for COVID-19 safe?
To help physicians discuss vaccine safety with staff and patients, ISMA worked with Past President David Welsh, MD, MBA, Ripley County health officer, to compile answers to some of the most common questions about vaccine safety.

Vaccine Fact Sheet >>

   
ISMA is here to keep you informed. To ensure Indiana physicians have access to relevant and up-to-date information on COVID-19, ISMA is sharing resources and guidelines from the most credible sources. Members also will receive a weekly e-mail update from ISMA about COVID-19.

ISMA will continually update this page in consultation with Ripley County Health Officer David Welsh, MD, who is also a member of the AMA Council on Science and Public Health and an ISMA past president.

ISMA webinars
Webinars on COVID-19 are available at no charge on the ISMA OnlineTM mobile app and cover topics such as telehealth coding, planning for office re-opening, leveraging federal stimulus loans and more. 

Download the app here >> 

Upcoming live COVID-19 webinars will be listed here >> 


 
Doctor Your Spirit - Physician Wellness Resources

Physician Support Line - This free telephone peer counseling service,
cofounded by Ben Pu Cheng, MD, of Muncie, is staffed by more than 400 volunteer
psychiatrists seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight EDT.

Greater Good – 6 daily questions to ask yourself in quarantine
NAM – Resources to support the health and well-being of clinicians
Physicians Practice – Coping with the psychological impact of COVID-19
Providers Clinical Support System – Taking care of the compassionate care team
Team Care Connections – Conversations about Moral Distress and Moral Injury
VitalTalk – COVID-Ready Communication Playbook
Mindfulness: Calm is not separate from the storm
 
              


ISMA WEEKLY COVID-19 UPDATES

Dec. 16, 2020
Important note about vaccine sign-up emails; vaccine update more >>

June 19, 2020
Annual Convention decision; UHC extends telehealth; $15B in relief funds for eligible providers; and AMA-CDC survey more >>

June 5, 2020
Discounted PPE available; surveys assess telehealth use, advocacy needs more >>

May 29, 2020
ISMA secures new PPE supply lines for physicians; AMA advocates for more funds; billing news more >>

May 22, 2020
ISDH reminds health care workers to wear masks; legislature to study state's response more >>

May 15, 2020
Sign up for critical alerts; PPE available to practices; new testing sites more >>

May 14, 2020
 ISDH has begun distributing a recent large delivery of PPE, including N95s, surgical masks and face shields, through local health departments. more >>

May 8, 2020
Sign up for N95 decontamination; relief funds deadline extended; new testing sites more >>

May 1, 2020
Guidance for resuming practice; audio telehealth payments get boost; new provider relief funds more >>

April 24, 2020
Elective procedures resume 11:59 p.m. Sunday 
more >>

April 17, 2020 
Business survey results; relief funds on the way;
billing, coding update more >>

April 9, 2020
Physician business efforts; medical supplies
and workers needed more >>

April 3, 2020
Telehealth payment parity, SBA loans,
CMS rule changes more >>

March 27, 2020
Congress passes financial relief for physicians,
medical practices more >>

March 20, 2020
ISMA is here to keep you informed more >>

March 6, 2020
First COVID-19 case announced in Indiana more >>


   

DAILY UPDATES
April 1, 2021

 All Hoosiers 16 and older eligible for vaccine (WLFI)

Report: IDOH says J&J mixup won’t affect vax schedule here (Indianapolis Business Journal)

Should Pregnant And Lactating People Get The Vaccine? (The Atlantic)

‘It Didn’t Really Stick With Me’: Understanding the Rural Shrug Over Covid and Vaccines (Kaiser Health News)

False Barriers: These Things Should Not Prevent You From Getting A COVID Vaccine (ProPublica)

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in BIPOC Communities — Toward Trustworthiness, Partnership,and Reciprocity  (New England Journal of Medicine)

Axios-Ipsos Poll: The Misinformed Are Less Likely To Get Vaccinated (Axios)

March 30, 2021

Canada Halting AstraZeneca Vaccine Shots For People 55 And Younger (CNN)

CDC: Vaccines effective in preventing health worker infections (Fierce Healthcare)

Covid Vaccine Hesitancy Drops Among All Americans, New Survey Shows (Kaiser Health News)

Ask KHN-PolitiFact: How Can Covid Vaccines Be Safe When They Were Developed So Fast? (Kaiser Health News)

CDC researchers say Pfizer’s and Moderna’s SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are highly effective at preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic infections under real-world conditions (Washington Post)

March 29, 2021

Vaccine now available for those 30 and older in Indiana; 16 and over eligible Wednesday (WANE)

March 9, 2021

New high-risk groups now eligible for vaccine (IDOH)

March 8, 2021

How do COVID-19 vaccines compare? A side-by-side look at the three vaccines authorized in the U.S. (MedPageToday)

March 5, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines messaging guide for physicians (AMA)

Guía sobre la COVID-19 para medicos (AMA)

March 3, 2021

Comparing the Covid-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson (Stat)

Answering key Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines (JAMA)

What Do Vaccine Efficacy Numbers Actually Mean? (New York Times)

March 2, 2021

 Hoosiers 55-59 now eligible for vaccine (IBJ)

The Surprising Key to Combatting Vaccine Refusal (The Atlantic)

Op-Ed: Why you should trust the COVID vaccine (MedPage)

How The Johnson And Johnson Vaccine Is Different From The Others: Dosage, Efficacy, Protection, Technology (CNN)

How a decade of coronavirus research paved way for COVID-19 vaccines (AMA)

As COVID-19 pandemic continues, some physicians are pushing back against the stigma of seeking mental health services (Chicago Tribune)

Feb. 26, 2021

 GetVaccineAnswers.org (AMA; Ad Council)

Yes, you should still wear a mask after COVID vaccination (Smithsonian)

Janssen/J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Cuts Transmission, New Data Show (MedPage)

Hoosiers 60 and older now eligible for vaccine (IndyStar)

Feb. 23, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Tool for Patient Inquiries (IDOH)

Feb. 19, 2021

Pfizer, BioNTech start international study to evaluate safety, efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women (Reuters)

4 steps health systems can take to boost pandemic resiliency (AMA)

One-Third of COVID Survivors May Have PTSD (MedPage)

Feb. 18, 2021

Snow disrupts vaccine clinics, delays expansion to 60-64 age group (IBJ)

Millions Of Fake N95 Masks Shipped To Multiple States, Feds Say (Fox News)

Tips for speaking with colleagues about COVID-19 vaccination (AMA)

COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor Dashboard (Data on Vaccine Hesitancy) (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Can the Same Vaccines Protect Against New COVID Strains? (MedPage)

Feb. 11, 2021

Weekly Vaccine News Bulletin (IDOH)

'No right answer': Why Indiana's vaccine rollout prioritizes age groups (IndyStar)

Double Masking Can Block 92% Of Infectious Particles, CDC Says (CNN)

Guidance on making masks more effective, double masking (CDC)

Fully Vaccinated People Can Skip Covid Quarantines, CDC Says (CNN)

Navigating the Covid-19 Pandemic by Caring for Our Health Care Workforce as They Care for Our Patients (NEJM)

Feb. 10, 2021

Don’t deny COVID-19 vaccine on account of pregnancy (AMA)

Feb. 8, 2021

Pregnant physicians say benefits of COVID-19 vaccine outweigh risks (Becker’s)

Why the U.S. is underestimating COVID reinfection (Kaiser Health News)

Feb. 2, 2021

WHO reverses guidance, now says pregnant women may be vaccinated safely (New York Times)

COVID vaccine and pregnant women: Dr. Fauci sees 'no red flags' (USA Today)

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: 10 tips for talking with patients (AMA)

Might your vaccinator have COVID? (MedPage Today)

When Your Chance for a Covid Shot Comes, Don’t Worry About the Effectiveness Numbers (Kaiser Health News)

US Won't Make Immigration Arrests At Virus Vaccination Sites (AP)

Feb. 1, 2021

Study Suggests Timing Of COVID Shot During Pregnancy Could Be Key (Kaiser Health News)

COVID-19 Antibodies Transmit From Moms To Babies During Pregnancy (CIDRAP)

Jan. 28, 2021

WHO advises against pregnant women receiving the Moderna coronavirus vaccine (The Hill)

How tailored outreach by physicians can transform COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy into vaccine acceptance (Fierce Health Care)

Use this COVID vaccine script when patients call (AMA)

Jan. 13, 2021

Patients 70 and older can now register for vaccinations (IDOH)

Jan. 8, 2021

Patients 80 and older can now register for free COVID-19 vaccinations (ISMA)

Dec. 17, 2020

COVID Vaccine Messaging Guide (AMA)

Dec. 14, 2020

Vaccine Information and Planning (IDOH)

Dec. 10, 2020
As coronavirus numbers 'spin out of control,' Holcomb cancels elective procedures (IndyStar)

Dec. 2, 2020

IHA, ISMA, ISNA Pledge Safe, Transparent, Effective Process for Vaccine Distribution (ISMA)

Nov. 30, 2020

ISMA joins with AMA to encourage public to follow 3 simple steps to stop COVID-19 (ISMA)

Nov. 16, 2020

County-based Measures and Restrictions Based on the Impact and Spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) (Indiana Executive Order 20-48)

COVID-19 Indiana County Guidelines by Color (IDOH)

Your Social Bubble May Not be as Small as You Think (IDOH)

Nov. 9, 2020

A physician’s guide to keeping your practice open during COVID pandemic (AMA)

Oct. 30, 2020

COVID-19 Physician practice financial impact survey results (AMA)

Oct. 27, 2020

COVID-19 Test Reporting Guidance (IDOH)

COVID-19 Reporting Methods (IDOH)

Oct. 22, 2020

10 Things Health Care Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans (CDC)

COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Enrollment FAQs (ISDH)

Oct. 21, 2020

Essential terms doctors need to know about COVID-19 vaccines (AMA)

COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Plan – INTERIM DRAFT (ISDH)

Indiana COVID-19 County Guidelines by Color (ISDH)

Oct. 1, 2020

Additional $20B in Provider Relief Fund assistance approved (HHS)

Sept. 21, 2020

Updated CDC guidance emphasizes that virus spreads through the air (CNN)

CDC drops advice against testing asymptomatic people in close contact with COVID (AP) (AP)

Sept. 11, 2020

A supercomputer analyzed Covid-19 — and an Interesting new theory has emerged (Medium/Elemental)

Bradykinen and the coronavirus (Science)

A mechanistic model and therapeutic interventions for COVID-19 involving a RAS-mediated bradykinin storm (ELifeSciences)

Sept. 10, 2020

Astra-Zeneca’s vaccine trial paused after suspected adverse effect on one participant (KHN)

NIH: AstraZeneca’s halted vaccine study shows 'no compromises' on safety (IBJ)

Sept. 8, 2020

Point of Care Test Reporting Guidance (ISDH)

Aug. 31, 2020

Indiana shakes up COVID-19 data by including antigen testing (Indianapolis Business Journal)

Aug. 25, 2020

COVID-19: When a student, faculty or staff member can return to school (ISDH)

2 European cases of COVID reinfection reported (The Hill)

Aug. 24, 2020

First COVID-19 reinfection documented in Hong Kong, researchers say  (Stat)

Aug. 17, 2020

Time to mask up: 5 keys to effective exam room talk with patients (AMA)

Aug. 14, 2020

CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Phase 2 open to additional providers; application deadline extended (IHCP)

Aug. 12, 2020

Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Aug. 7, 2020

Study: Women in health care at increased risk for stress, burnout and depression during COVID-19 (University of Toronto)

Aug. 6, 2020

Free CME: Lung Cancer and Covid-19 in the Outpatient Setting  (Rockpointe)

July 24, 2020

Executive Order 20-37 Face Covering Requirement (Gov. Eric Holcomb)

Mask Information for Public Interaction (ISDH)

Mask Up Hoosiers - Health Recommendations (ISDH)

Mask Up Hoosiers - Mask Up 101 (ISDH)

Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (CDC)

July 20, 2020

COVID-19 testing guidelines for healthcare providers (ISDH)

July 16, 2020

CDC calls on Americans to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 spread (CDC)

July 6, 2020

Novel coronavirus FAQs for the public/patients (ISDH)

June 29, 2020

Update: Billing and coding changes for COVID 19 (ISMA)

Study: Primary care practices could lose $15B in 2020 (Fierce HC)

Drafting error could mean 21% tax hit on COVID relief funds (AMA)

June 19, 2020

UnitedHealthcare Extends COVID-19 Temporary Telehealth Expansion and Cost Share Waivers (UHC)

May 28, 2020

Duration of telehealth coverage (by insurer) 

May 20, 2020

IHCP Bulletin: Summary of recently released COVID-19-related codes (IHCP)

Kids with suspected MIS-C need immediate attention, doctors say (CNN)

May 18, 2020

ISDH clarifies the difference between approved and unapproved N95 masks (ISDH)

Clinician Call: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (CDC)

Patient fears push rapid evolution at small family practice (AMA)

Use this patient screening script when reopening your practice (AMA)

Rural Test and Trace Toolkit (Vashon, WA)

Reporting of Multisystem inflammatory Syndrome in Children (ISDH)

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19 (ISDH)

May 14, 2020

 7 starter steps to reopen your practice, address patient anxiety (AMA)

May 7, 2020

 HHS extends Terms and Conditions deadline for Provider Relief Funds payments (AMA)

May 5, 2020

 Updated Serology (Antibody Testing) Q and A (ISDH)

May 3, 2020

 Reduced Patient Volumes from COVID-19 Strain Medical Practices (ISMA)

April 22, 2020

 Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should be tested, state health commissioner says (Indy Star)

April 21, 2020

 Indiana Allows Physicians to Resume Some Elective Procedures (ISMA)

April 20, 2020

 Reporting Cases of COVID-19 in NBS (ISDH)

April 15, 2020

 COVID-19 Guidance for Resident and Fellow Physicians (AMA)

April 14, 2020

 How telemedicine is working for 3 private practice physicians (AMA)

April 9, 2020

 Indiana State Medical Association Supports COVID-19 ‘Hazard Pay’ for Health Care Workers (ISMA)

April 7, 2020

 COVID-19: Potential implications for individuals with substance use disorders (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Links to AMA coding resources for COVID (AMA)

Well-being staff resources during COVID-19 (ISMA)

Medical students: How to keep learning as COVID-19 volunteers (AMA)

April 6, 2020

 More insurers needed to cover telehealth ‘house calls’ for older and low-income Hoosiers (ISMA)

Guidance Concerning Liability for Healthcare Providers and Facilities (ISDH)

April 2, 2020

 Expert advice for ethical decision making (AMA)

April 1, 2020

 How to keep your physician practice going during COVID-19 pandemic (AMA)

COVID-19 and elective surgeries: 4 essential answers for your patients (AMA)

6 keys for retired doctors considering COVID-19 return to practice (AMA)

March 31, 2020

 CMS Issues Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Help U.S. Healthcare System Address COVID-19 Patient Surge

URGENT: Hospitals Need Your Unused Testing Supplies!

More Than 5,000 Surgery Centers Can Now Serve As Makeshift Hospitals During COVID-19 Crisis

March 30, 2020

 CMS Expands Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program News Release, Fact Sheet (CMS)

Bulletin on Civil Rights Laws, HIPAA Flexibilities That Apply During the COVID-19 Emergency (U.S. Office of Civil Rights)

Summary of Selected Provisions in the CARES Act (AMA)

Talking points for physicians to communicate with honesty, empathy, and compassion  (VitalCheck)

Tools and Resources for Public Health Physicians (AMA)

Indiana PLA and APA Recommendation on Use of Hydroxychloroquine Chloroquine and Azithromycin for COVID-19

March 26, 2020

 Senate OKs relief for physicians, medical practices (AMA)

What to do when COVID-19 enters your physician practice (AMA)

AMA, APA, ASHP issue joint statement on COVID-19 medications

March 25, 2020

 Caring for School Age Children of Essential Workers

AMA Releases Special Coding Advice Related to COVID-19 (AMA)

CMS Publishes FAQs and Guidance on Grace Periods, Telehealth for Private Coverage, and Prescription Drugs (CMS)

March 24, 2020

 Template for letter to at-risk patients about Gov. Holcomb’s stay-at-home order (Word document) (PDF) (ISDH)

March 23, 2020

 Fraudsters target Medicare beneficiaries (HHS)

First emergency-use authorization issued for point of care diagnostic  (FDA)

CMS announces relief for clinicians, hospital and facilities participating in Quality Reporting Programs in response to COVID-19 (CMS)

ISMA signs on to AMA letter urging Congress to aid struggling physician practices (AMA)

Instructions for Indianapolis health care workers to receive drive-through testing at Lilly headquarters

March 18, 2020

 How JAMA Network quickened pace to deliver critical COVID-19 info (AMA)

March 17, 2020

 Gov. Holcomb orders all hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to postpone or cancel elective and non-urgent surgical procedures (State of Indiana)

COVID-19 guidance for health care workers (ISDH)

What health care personnel should know about caring for patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19 (CDC)

HHS won’t impose HIPAA penalties on physicians for good faith use of telehealth during COVID-19 outbreak (HHS)

CMS Outlines Expanded Benefits, New Flexibility for People with Medicare

 

Fact Sheet
FAQs

Intensive care management for COVID-19 patients (ISDH)

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exams scheduled for spring 2020 have been cancelled (ABIM)

March 16, 2020

Indiana to offer Psychological First Aid training in response to COVID-19 epidemic (FSSA)

State to allow opioid treatment programs the use of lockboxes; provide naloxone to help reduce spread of COVID-19 (FSSA) 

March 14, 2020

Physician Updates: Steps to Take Now – March 14, 2020 (ISDH) 

ISDH Testing Guidelines – March 14, 2020 (ISDH) 

March 13, 2020

COVID-19 Provider Webcast – March 13, 2020 (ISDH) requires Internet Explorer

IHCP to cover COVID-19 testing without co-pays for members (IHCP)

Updated Information on the COVID-19 Response (ISDH)

COVID-19 Strategies for Optimizing PPE and RE-USE (ISDH)

Indiana State Department of Health Testing Algorithm (ISDH)

March 12, 2020

How to talk with patients about COVID-19 (Dr. Anthony Fauci of NIAID; podcast and transcript) (NEJM)

March 10, 2020

Coronavirus Self-Monitor and Practice Social Distancing Infographic (PDF) (ISDH)

Coronavirus – Preparing for the Spread of COVID-19 Infographic (PDF) (ISDH)

Guidance for Providers on School Closings (PDF) (ISDH)

CMS Issues Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (CMS)

State Health Department Reports Increase in COVID-19 Cases (ISDH)

March 6, 2020

COVID-19 Provider Webcast – March 6, 2020 (ISDH) requires Internet Explorer

Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19 (CDC)

March 5, 2020

What clinicians need to know to prepare for COVID-19 in the United States (CDC)

Laboratory Testing Algorithm for Patients with Suspect 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF) (ISDH)

Updated PUI Guidance for COVID-19 (PDF) (ISDH) 

Provider Checklist - Guidance for Clinicians: Evaluating and Managing Patients with Suspected Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF) (ISDH)

Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC)

COVID-19 Information for public facilities and organizations (PDF) (ISDH)

COVID-19: 6 key points physicians should share with patients (AMA)

Doctors: Here’s what to do if you’re exposed to COVID-19 (AMA)

CMS announces actions to address spread of Coronavirus (CMS)

Mapping COVID-19 (Johns Hopkins interactive tracker)